PUBLISHED April 26th, 2013 01:52 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 03:27 pm
Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.
— Bo Derek
Love shopping, but can’t stand the crowds? We know that sometimes the prospect of negotiating Orchard Road seems a little arduous! Growling at a dawdling fellow shopper does not a relaxed shopping experience make…”I’m on a mission people – outta my way!” Or if you’re a Haji Lane shopper, you find yourself ducking into shops just for the soothing cool of air con. Nothing worse than trying on clothes when you’re a little hot and bothered, clammy in chiffon…gah! If you’re feeling like shopping has become a bit stressful, sweaty, tiresome, you’ve got crowd-rage or you’re just loving your pyjamas and don’t want to venture out, we’ve got you covered.
Online shopping has not only become more popular of late, but also much more convenient with online retailers understanding the need for easy exchange or refund because let’s face it, sometimes it just doesn’t look like it did on the model, on our own lady lumps!
With a recent influx of online retailers in to the market, here’s a round up of some new and some veteran online boutiques based in Singapore, all of which will have you looking utterly fabulous with no need to step outside…until it’s time to showcase that fabulousness!
1. The Fashion Headlines
Very much the new kid in town, The Fashion Headlines is aimed at a fashion forward, young fashionista with cash to splash. Each brand is hand picked and carefully curated for their wearability, versatility, workmanship, inspiring stories and distinctive creative expression resulting in a bold, luxury, distinctive and quality collection. The website itself is an all-encompassing fashion experience, with interviews, style notes and a visual feast for the eyes with tantalising images grabbing your attention and then evaporating in to fashion oblivion, replaced with more temptation. Check out the website here.
2. Shop the Mag
Since Corrine Ng, a Singaporean-based editor, launched Shop The Mag in April 2011, the comparisons to luxury fashion website Net-A-Porter have come thick and fast. Whilst it is no bad thing to be compared to such an influential fashion empire, Corrine is quick to establish that whilst Shop the Mag similarly makes luxury fashion accessible to online shoppers, their focus is on the best in Asian design. It’s absolutely luxurious, unapologetically top end and highly addictive. Check out the website here.
3. Inverted Edge
Another new fashionista on the scene, Inverted Edge showcases curated collections of Ready-to-Wear designs and exclusive Limited Editions from Asia-Pacific’s independent fashion designers. Love the Editor’s selection feature, which makes it nice and easy to have impeccable taste! Check out the website here.
4. Room
Cool and hugely affordable, Room is all about the latest fashion and upcoming trends. Models with blunt cut purple bobs show off on-the-money street style. It’s mainly fierce with a bit of cute thrown in for good measure. Check out the website here.
5. Fabriek Shop
Again totally affordable, but in terms of style, think a little sharper. More tailoring, sharp lines but all very youthful and exciting. That chick in your office who somehow makes office attire very cool, yup..she probably shops here. They also carry some amazing big bold jewellery which looks insanely like their designer inspiration, but I think we would all so much rather pay these prices! Check out the website here.
6. Lulu Bare
When it comes to looking effortlessly chic on the beach or just emanating that chilled vibe in the urban jungle, Lulu Bare are an inspiration. The ethos of the brand is ‘a practical yet stylish answer to every day fashion in hot climates.’ Thank gawd, because looking stylish in 90% humidity is no mean feat! Showcasing exotic prints, soft and lightweight jerseys and cool silks, the collection is chic, vibrant and has a casual luxe wearability about it. Check out the website here.
7. Burglary
For sassy, affordable, outfit-defining pieces of jewellery check out Burglary. Astrid (the founder) believes that accessories maketh the outfit and a hand can never have too many rings. Astrid and I are two peas in a pod! Check out the website here.
8. Peachy
For big, bold, beautiful investment pieces that will have people enviably asking “WHERE did you get that from?!” look no further than Peachy. From summery sandals to soft leather wallets and unique jewellery design, Peachy brings colourful, exotic, statement pieces into your life. Check out the website here.
9. Runway Bandits
Runway Bandits features bold fashion for the sassy and youthful fashionista. It’s hugely affordable, very cool with a bit of flirty and pretty thrown in for those mix and match moments. Check out the website here.
10. Perk by Kate
For some women, the definition of ultimate style is exquisite underwear, looking good from top to toe and everything in between! If you’re more of a ‘pants don’t match your bra’ kinda gal, maybe it’s time to check out Perk by Kate. Beautiful lingerie, tastefully curated. Check out the website here
12. Zalora
The go-to for all things fashion and beauty, Zalora have just made shopping EVEN easier! As of yesterday (the 25th of April) Zalora have launched an iPhone app which enables on-the-go shoppers to shop effortlessly from home, from the bus, from the bath…heh, wherever the mood takes you, get shopping! With push notifications announcing new arrivals and flash sales, and a host of other features so you never miss a trick, access to 500 brands and 15,000 products across the apparel, shoes, accessories and beauty categories is now in the palm of your hand.
13. Gnossem
When a fashion website is founded by a former international fashion model, it stands to reason that it’s going to be pretty amazing right? As someone who has travelled the world, wearing the most exciting, innovative, luxurious and ‘in-demand’ designs, one would imagine that it would lead to exceptional knowledge, discerning taste and a fabulous eye….and we have to say, in the case of Gnossem, it does. Chic, curated fashion from unique and independent designers. Check out the website here
And that’s just a sample of what’s out there, I think we may have barely scratched the surface! If you think we’ve missed out some key players, want to share the knowledge or cast a light on a hidden gem, please get in touch at Zoe@citynomads.com. In the meantime, I will continue to selflessly and tirelessly shop on your behalf….sigh it’s a tough job!
Written by Heh Zee