SINGAPOREANS AREN'T BORING

With its emphasis on clean lines and comfort, the Singapore woman's uniform is a fashion formula that may seem unexciting at first. However, it works for our increasingly hot and humid weather, which is why brands built around this aesthetic are thriving.

- Karen Tee

Many jokes have been made about the “SG uniform” of the Singapore man. You know exactly what it is – the ubiquitous Uniqlo Airism cotton oversized T-shirt paired with shorts and flip-flops.

It has become so commonplace that even Uniqlo makes #ifyouknowyouknow references to this SG uniform in its promotional materials, sometimes even launching Singapore-exclusive colourways of this baggy tee for the local market.

Yet, while we may poke fun at the predictability of men’s fashion, the same could also be said of the typical Singapore woman’s style, which critics might describe as cookie-cutter and – gasp – boring!

From white sneakers paired with flowy midi shift dresses to loose sleeveless tops tucked into high-waisted wide-legged culottes or trousers, the aesthetic seems uniform, and the colour palette rarely strays from pastels, neutrals and soft earth tones. Still, it is not hard to see why this practical look has endured, given Singapore’s tropical climate and the national preference for functionality.

Womenswear labels that have perfected this “algorithm” such as In Good Company, Rye, Our Second Nature and Sabrina Goh have demonstrated staying power over the years, even in Singapore’s relatively small retail market.

“The typical Singapore female ‘uniform’ is simple and unassuming, with a strong focus on practicality. There is an appreciation for contemporary trends, but the overall style remains grounded in functionality,” says Sven Tan, co-founder and creative director of local sartorial stalwart In Good Company, which was launched in 2012. Over the years, it has carved out a distinctive niche with designs that combine functionality with elegance, such as its tailored shorts and relaxed trousers.