Do Singaporean Dress Badly –Fashionable Singaporeans, Fashionable “Me”?

Do Singaporeans Dress Badly?
This is one of the most debated topics ever since I-don’t-know-when!

What say you?

C’mon, I know just how we dig people-watching, scrutinizing their fashion sense, everything from head to toe… It is such an inevitable human nature –I, too, have fallen prey to such!

To tell the truth, if you would to ask me,
YES, SINGAPOREANS DO DRESS BADLY.

WOAH, hold on there before taking any offense.

Here is something I would like to ask, and perhaps, for you to digress on:
“Should there be no awful clothes; would anyone then be able to commit any fashion crime?”

If only all of the shop owners have such fantastic taste in the clothing that they have had brought into our Island –only filtered gorgeous outfits from the wholesalers!

Now tell me, would it matter, then, if I do not know how to dress well?

Ahhh, if only the world is this kind to us, we would not have to worry about looking like a disaster on the street.


We should not let fashion rob us, we should steal from them instead! -Linda Lee
And oh, if you have not noticed, it is a pity we do not quite have our own trend of dressing style, and thus, having to borrow from, mainly Japan and Korea. (Why them? Beats me!)

Top: Korean Fashion, Source: Unknown
Bottom: Japan Fashion, Source: Joyce Shop, YahooBid

I am not saying that it is a bad thing though, but amidst it all, it would be good if we were to inject some of “Us” into what we wear, instead of following fashion like a blind rat would do.

One piece of advice: what looks good on others does not mean that it would look good on you too. Yes, we are all that unique -you and I alike- so why would you not take advantage of it such that in the midst of catching up with what is hot in the season, think about how you could do to make the fashion into a piece of you.


One Main Fashion-Don't to Stress On
I reckon it is more feasible to concentrate on Fashion-Don'ts before we even attempt on the Dos department to try to look good. Which, I am sure, you would be able to get with a click on search engine.

I shall address my main concern...

Don't Sacrifice Your Modesty For Fashion
I have seen many victims of such and I must stress that this is, to me, the most important point to note before experimenting the latest fashion.

Of Tights and Leggings...

Scenario 'No-room' 1
Take this girl I had saw recently. She was dressed in a checkered collared Top, with translucent tights, down to the realistic out-of -bed hair pulled into two pigtails. Yes, good that she is a follower of the trend, but wait... Her Top barely covers her full bottom. And the best part is, I think she had forgotten to wash all of her knickers, that she had to steal one from her granny. Her, with her, loose knickers, all in the naked eyes. I know that you feel like you are wearing a pants, but I am sorry, it is not -the fact had been further shown, by your peeking knickers under your tights. Tights with Tunic, yes; tights with Dresses, go ahead; but tights with Tops? That is one with no room for negotiation -a big no from me, if you were to ask.

And regrettably, she is not the only one with such a case...

Scenario 'No-room' 2
How about leggings then? They are opaque!
Well, yes, they are, but I cannot comprehend how does that make it acceptable under tops too. What with it hugging to one's skin, it leaves no room for imagination!


Dressing Up and I
Dressing ourselves up should not be taken in a way whereby once we set foot on the street, it triggers the start of “Who is the Trendiest” competition -not that we would win ourselves a million dollars, no?

For me, dressing up is a personal thing; I take pride in it for it is a show of self-respect and how I would like to be portrayed to the people around. Our body, it is like a clean canvas for us to paint any splash of colors in any way we like. Likewise, I dress accordingly to my mood (and of course, keeping in mind where I am heading to) –I might be in for a dainty look with my pretty dress for I am feeling all feminine today, and the next, I would be dressed up for rock and roll, skinny jeans and my attitude on!


WHAT? PJs’ the In Thing Now? (PJs: Pyjamas)
All right, please do not mind my saying, but are you one of those who goes out in outfits that looks like you are wearing your PJs? Think: lacy Camisoles only suitable in the comfort of your bedroom. Or how about, the growing number of guys, in translucent Singlet, Bermudas and Slippers? And the worse, of course, the REAL PJs; you wear what you seriously sleep in, to places like Orchard Road?

But PJs, are they not made for the light of our room? Minus the fact that it looks too casual -sloppy even- on the street, how about erm, M-O-D-E-S-T-Y?

Can someone please shred me some light of enlightenment on it?


Perhaps it is a fashion statement that I have not gotten to appreciate it yet.
And you know what?

I am so gonna do this PJs fashion (sorry, no translucent camisoles nor nightgowns here), and to further make it significant, I am going to incorporate what I believe: We should not let fashion rob us, we should steal from them instead!

MY PJs PROJECT WITH THE FOLLOWING:

The Commonly-seen Fashion Trends in Singapore
I could not help but think of Mediacorp Artiste, Christoper Lee’s Wayfarer Glass (better known as the “Thick, black, plastic spectacles”/ Geek Glasses),

See Left: Christopher Lee's Fashion Statement Piece, Source

and of course the trend of having a tied-up bun on the top of my head (In the Korean drama show, “Nang Rang 18 Seh”-loosely translated as "My Bride is 18"- there is a dialogue that teased such hairstyle as, “having a tumor on the top of your head”!)

See Right: Han Ji Hye's Hairstyle, Source

zZZz... PJs!

This is one of my favourite PJs I dream in at night.

La Senza Comfy Set

BUT, to make it all the more challenging, I shall match the top of my PJs with the bottoms of this PJs I have found from my granny’s closet!

Granny's PJs

All Thanks to Granny!
I love you, Ma ma!

VivoCity...

Source

Dressed in my usual wear, I am all set out for VivoCity and the making of my PJs Streetwear!

Watch how I transform!

How and What Am I Gonna Do?
Let us see!

Firstly, I am getting into a washroom to get myself slipped into my newly mixed PJs! I shall leave my usual heels and watch on to have the whole outfit coupled with a little essence of "Me".



Next up is my trusty belt! My usual dressing would be more of a laid-back-classy style and I would still want to maintain a tint of it in my "geeky" cool outfit.



Now, I have to do something about my Granny's pants! Ahhh...

Introducing the Almighty MASKING TAPE

And this is what I get!

Perfecting the Newly-created Pants

"Tumor on my head, please stand up!"

Not forgetting the Japanese out-of-bed-with-hair-covering-my-face look...

VIOLA!

Putting my glasses on, this would be the stereotyped persona for this style of wear:

Cheesy Peaces!

ALAS, let me be back to me.
Remember the rule: Be Yourself, Don't Sell Yourself Short To Fashion!

How Do You Like My Streetwear?

A mixture of Japanese and Korean Fashion, along with an edge of me and a tint of vintage!

Now, I shall experiment and see just how good I look in my PJ!

Spot me? I'm there on the far left!

And off I go, blending myself in with the crowd at Vivocity And truth be told, no one stares hard; though, of course, there are the subtle sideways glances!


I need to hear what strangers have got to say about me and my new-found fashion for the day!


Meet Shafawi, 19, who is chilling with his friends at the Rooftop:

From left: Shafawi, 19 | ME | Wani, 18 | Amir, 17

Shafawi is one curious and polite guy who approaches me to ask,
"Are you a dancer?"

ME: "Ahh, no, I am not. *LAUGHS* I am actually here for a post on my Blog. So, what do you think of my outfit today?"

Shafawi: "Cool...from far look like dancer!"

ME: "Thank you. But you must know, these are actually my PJ and the pants are from my Granny..."

Shafawi: "Don't look like pyjamas!"

Asking him of what he thinks of my glasses, he replies in this cool manner:
"...very beautiful, doesn't look like nerd."

Well, Shafawi, thank you for sharing your view. It was nice speaking with you and your lovely friends!


Awesome, but one group is not enough, I need different opinions!

Searching high and low, walking around the mall... till this guy by his stall catches my attention!

"Oh man, this guy here beats me in my "wonderful" fashion. Look at him! Let's grab him for a picture, and I so need to ask him something!"

From Left: Brown, 35 | ME

(See that standing Giraffe by his stall? That is made of Rosewood and it costs a hefty SGD$1500! ME: "Woah, that expensive and you can place it there just like that?"
Brown: "It's Singapore!"
Aww, I am so proud to be a Singaporean!!)

ME: "Your outfit is so cool! Tell me, what do you think of me in my special outfit for my Blog?"

Brown: "Very sexy and beautiful! I've been noticing you from far... I like it."

And he asks me for our photos...

ME: "...Visit my site on June 6, 2009; our pictures will be posted up then. "

And before I leave I could not help but ask him one last question...
Would Mr Brown (okay, now I am doubting this is really his name. Is he trying to make me sound like a racist on my blog..heh!) very much prefer my outfit than his?

Brown: "Yes, I'd trade mine for yours!"

YAY! 2-0, another thumbs up for me...

Thank you Mr Brown, for your time off your shop! And oh, in case you did not notice, while we were talking with our pictures taken, people had actually formed a semi-circle around us! See, that is the power combination of two, erm, very "daring" dressers!


The search continues...

And I meet this two very sweet ladies!

From Left: Cheryl, 18 | ME | Joanne, 19

After the usual self-introduction, I ask of what they think of my outfit:

Joanne: "It is funky and nice."
Cheryl: "..cool and the top is classy."

And yet again, I reveal the truth behind it...

Joanne: "Your pants doesn't look like a pyjamas!"

ME: "I knew I'd have this. Come, look at my digicam for evidences..."

ME: "...and my pants is my Granny's!"

Showing images off my digicam

And we laugh!

ME: "In case you'd want the same, I'd gotten my glasses from Daiso..."

Cheryl: "How do you do up your pants?"

And I show them the magic of my Masking Tape!

Cheryl: "...very interesting... creative!"
Joanne: "You're innovative and creative!"

Yeah, YOU GO GIRLS.
'Creative' is the word and I know y'all could do the same! Y'all have been such a great company -both bubbly and friendly. I appreciate your time and company!


Last but not least, meet Nuraini and her friends.

Both Nuraini and her boyfriend, Vik, are there with their friend, Samantha, and their holiday resort around the area...

It is so nice of them, to break away from their chat with my intrusion...

From Left: Samantha, 23 | Nuraini, 24 | Vik, 23 | ME

Nuraini: "You're wearing Pyjamas! Very nice, it's interesting and I love your heels... I don't mind wearing it out."

Well Nuraini, thank you for your kind comments. And just so you know, you're the only group who could see through it as pyjamas! (Perhaps it was because of your sitting position that got you magnifying my pants...) Sure hope you have had a wonderful getaway by the time you see this.

With this, ends my "adventure" at Vivocity.

Special Mention...
I am glad that I had entrusted the responsibility of photographing and note-taking to my dear Mon (affectionate address for Girlfriend), Razanah!

Hugs to her for her time!

oXoXo From Left: ME | Razanah

And being the first to see me in my revamped PJs? She was prepared for a laugh but instead, setting eyes on my masterpiece, she added: "You know, it doesn't look weird at all. You look good in it! Maybe you should consider wearing it out for real..."


So, what do I think of it?

Well, it has been such an opportunity to be able to approach anyone, and I must say, I do dig it totally! Although, through the process, I have got rejections from two group of people...

And gosh, being a "fashion icon", unique and standing out from the crowd? PRICELESS!
All the attention as if I am either an unknown celebrity or a walking fashion disaster. I guess the latter would not be the case eh, now that I have my own groups of favorable critics? Hoho!

Which leaves me to this...
Razanah was complaining of the heat from the humid weather. And I went... "Hot? Nope, I don't feel so. In fact I feel it cooling...OH! OOPS! I'm wearing my PJs! Cottons and airy..."

HAHA!

There goes! I guess PJs-wearer-to-public, their reason could be that! What with the weather in Singapore... MUST BE! That is the only reason I could find!

But frankly, I would still like to settle for my usual wear. I mean, this is not my cup of tea; unless of course, it is for something of significance -like this post- I would not mind dressing out of my comfort zone!


What do you think?
People, now that you know of how everyone seems to be more open to "unusual" fashion, do you not think that it is time to venture into it? Come, plan your shopping trip!

And for those who, like me, prefer being "normal"...
I think it is time to update my wardrobe too -clothes, heels, bags and accessories- what say you?

FOR, IT IS THE GREAT SINGAPORE SALES!

I would not want to miss out on this mega sale, especially with its discounts of up to 70%!

This time, I am gonna be well-geared. I shall be a "Marathon Runner" of the day. Tank top, shorts, track shoes, and not to forget my cap as well!

All geared and dressed up...
GSS2009, HERE I COME!!!

SALES! NOW ON!

Would you ask for my outfit if you see it on a mannequin during the GSS2009?

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