Asia Street Style

[lee]

singaporeans are generally afraid to stand out. in turn, fashion becomes homogenous. either that, they just can't be bothered.

for those kids in HK who ask their parents for money to purchase expensive streetwear, they'll probably realise they can't upkeep that sort of lifestyle once they get out of school and into the working society. it's pretty sad that a lot of people still think weigh brands over style. i suppose they don't see that fashion is about creativity, not blind obssession with labels.

i'm from singapore as well and the level of creative inspiration i get there is about as exciting as a bottle of water. i survive on about 3days of fashion (from wherever i may be) before dwindling down to a polo shirt and a denim skirt. most the time i rock out in what i've been wearing around the house.

i guess my personal style is alot on layering (clothes, jewelry, accessories. i layer everything) so i kinda just swelter if i even attemp that. but i think the weather (or the lack of it) plays a big part in the lack of inspiration. afterall, you're pretty much subjected to wearing the same things year after year. there's no temperature change to instigate any kind of fashion transition. and its so hot that your heart breaks when you perspire into that white chloe number you just bought (sweat stains anybody?). plus, drycleaning fees??... its just not realistic to be all high fashion sometimes...

and if you've realised, singaporean style is very much into street and its underground labels. it is pretty cookie-cutter but its uniquely singaporean in its own way. and the exchange rates make designer labels barely affordable so i guess you search for other alternatives "/

ok, blabbing too much and its too late. sorry if i'm incoherrant. i'm not bothering with a read-thru.

 

[whizkit]

haha, "uniquely Singaporean", not sure if you used the phrase intentionally but nice one lee.

I agree that it is hard to be more elaborately dressed in Singapore. Weather's too warm, so there's a limit to how much you can layer and the type of clothing that you put on.

But I must admit that I am sometimes too lazy to think about what to wear and go out mostly in t-shirts and jeans, although I try to stock my wardrobe with items that are unique but not trend based or things that guys in Singapore would not normally wear , like skinny raw denims or some light weight wool sweaters or cardigans. Not the most fancy way of dressing but at least I try. And I'm generally not a fan of those overpriced t-shirts from those underground streetwear labels and the shapeless baggy silhouette that most guys prefer.

Furthermore, people generally do not want to spend too much on clothing especially since trendy clothing or fairly good quality basics can be bought quite easily and pretty cheaply. And coupled with the comparative low wages that people receive here, designer clothing are seen even more as luxury items than neccessities. This results in a greater conservatism when people do buy designer, as they are unwilling to invest in items that are too flashy to be worn too often or items that may not last beyond the season.

And a thing that i feel is lacking in Singapore is a good selection of vintage clothing that don't cost a bomb. I know two shops but they prices they charge are quite expensive for the type of vintage clothing that they are offering. I refuse to pay S$39 for a piling t-shirt that the seller has probably got for almost nothing.

 

[loves]

And a thing that i feel is lacking in Singapore is a good selection of vintage clothing that don't cost a bomb. I know two shops but they prices they charge are quite expensive for the type of vintage clothing that they are offering. I refuse to pay S$39 for a piling t-shirt that the seller has probably got for almost nothing.

this is so true and i totally agree.

sadly where else can i get my vintage kick from? i banned myself from ebay, will go overboard with my spending

since i will be moving out of sg, i am thinking of bringing in vintage stuff from europe online (save on store rental) and i will have a distributor in singapore so that will save on shipping costs. we'll see, i'm excited!

 

[so_pink]

koreans are obsessed with fashion. they have all the model's pictures and collection pictures from way back and everythings so extensive..yet their street style lacks individuality b/c they are still very involved in a conservation society with strict confucian morals. revealing anything is a violation. being different is being queer. ppl stop to stare. its sad

 

[Baizilla]

Just up on style.com... since nobody posted it.. it thought i should do it I've just picked the looks i love the most.. the rest is on style.com!

"For the Alexander McQueen fashion show at the legendary Joyce boutique, starlet Hilary Tsui chose a Junya Watanabe trench over simple black. Her purse is by Balenciaga"

"Angelica Cheung, the charismatic Vogue China editor, said, "Most often I wear black." At the Alexander McQueen show, she mixes a Chanel jacket with a Calvin Klein skirt. Her shoes are Roger Vivier, and her bag is Christian Dior."

"Businesswoman Shirley Cheung looks effortless in a cream Chanel trenchcoat and purse, with Miu Miu shoes."

"Lane Crawford's ultrachic fashion director, Sarah Rutson, "felt like being a bit bare" in her asymmetric Roland Mouret dress, with Lanvin shoes. The purse is by new designer Michael Teperson—"I discovered him in Paris."

"VIP Chanel clients Miss Li Xiao Geng and Miss Xu Dan Dan stand with Jeanne Wang, general manager of Chanel's China boutiques. All in Chanel."

"On her way to a go-see, student Ismay Haddon-Cave wears her black-and-white stripe Topshop dress as a tunic, with a white tee, jeans also from Topshop, and a popular Fendi Spa bag. "I like to mix and match."

 

[Baizilla]

...

"Gorgeous publicist Valerie Chow mixes her Stella McCartney blouse and pants with Sergio Rossi shoes and a Chloé purse. Her oversize ring is by Palmetto. "I'm working today so I wanted to be comfortable. It's all about the wedges!"

"While shopping at Shanghai Tang, Ji Yeon Kwon looks elegant in a Valentino sweater, Korean-designed skirt, Chanel bag and shoes, Wolford hose, and a Cartier Tank watch. Her friend, model Kim Jung Wha, wears a Prada trench, Chloé shoes, and a crocodile Birkin. "I have three Birkins!"

"Magazine sales manager Jane Lee "always wears black, white, and gray." Today, it's a Tsumori Chisato sweater, with a Zeta skirt and Y's purse."

"Stylist Genevieve Wong had her Pucci-inspired dress custom-made. Her shoes are by Pedro García, and a Hong Kong designer made her purse. She found her yarn earrings at Playground in Thailand"

"Busy Web fashion presenter Sarina Hon also has her own collection called Pink Label. Her self-designed blouse and pearls are worn with a BCBG Max Azria skirt, Matthew Williamson shoes, and a Chanel purse. "My earrings are from the flea market."

"Socialite Monica Chen "likes to mix and match," with a vintage blue mink jacket featuring peacock embroidery, along with a Chanel skirt and Manolo Blahniks. Her purse is vintage Chanel. Actress Candice Yu is understated chic in a Dolce & Gabanna suit, with a Japanese lace top and Marc Jacobs shoes. "I bought my earrings in Taiwan."

 

[Baizilla]

...

"Fashion lover Mira Yeh explained, "I wanted to match all my Chanel accessories," so she chose an Adam Jones top, Libertine skirt, Martin Margiela shoes, and a Fendi wrap."

"Actress and author Gigi Fu wears a soft-pink pleated Luisa Beccaria cocktail dress. "My shoes, purse, and hair clip are, of course, Chanel."

"Clothing designer Audrey Chiu didn't wear her own label, When I Was Five, to the Chanel Haute Couture presentation. Her friend Rajo from the Philippines made her full-skirt cocktail dress to wear with Stuart Weitzman shoes and vintage purse, both in Lucite."

 

[Baizilla]

The girl wearing Junya Watanabe trench with Balenciaga bag, along with.. the girl wearing Tsumori Chisato shirt and a Y's purse, are my favourites..



Hong Kong women are very well dressed.. but also very label conscious.. seems like Chanel is the prefered label

 

[Uchina]

Very true. My family friends from HK are all about Chanel Chanel Chanel.

 

[J.T.W.W]

yea.... most but not all hk ppl look for brands
if hk people can develope their own personal style
they will look much better, cuz whats the point of wearing a tend when everyone has the same trend

 

[susie_bubble]

I'm sorry but...I could positively YAWN at the way most of those women are dressed with a few exceptions.....it's all matchy matchy Chanel Chanel, labels, labels......I don't think that's necessarily street style either...... Compared to the European or even American fash packs, these women choose such safe labels....I'm not impressed at all......

 

[Uchina]

Yes, I've argued over this with my boyfriend. He says that HK has the best streetstyle, where I argue that Tokyo takes that trophy. Of course, he's Chinese-Canadian and I'm Japanese-American, so we're far from objective.

But see, Chinese fashionistas tend to love Japanese labels, so, I win.

 

[vy88]

I do like Tokyo's streetstyle...because ANYTHING GOES and it doesn't have to match. There are alot of people who really go overboard and look like a slob but most of them do look nice...

 

[wenthybu]

I'm sorry but...I could positively YAWN at the way most of those women are dressed with a few exceptions.....it's all matchy matchy Chanel Chanel, labels, labels......I don't think that's necessarily street style either...... Compared to the European or even American fash packs, these women choose such safe labels....I'm not impressed at all......

so true. those people were on style.com because they are socialites and famous people and only because they were wearing labels...

 

[soozq]

i guess my personal style is alot on layering (clothes, jewelry, accessories. i layer everything) so i kinda just swelter if i even attemp that. but i think the weather (or the lack of it) plays a big part in the lack of inspiration. afterall, you're pretty much subjected to wearing the same things year after year. there's no temperature change to instigate any kind of fashion transition. and its so hot that your heart breaks when you perspire into that white chloe number you just bought (sweat stains anybody?). plus, drycleaning fees??... its just not realistic to be all high fashion sometimes...
.

i don't mean to be rude but i think this is where you're wrong. Sure we've got hot weather and no four seasons but that doesn't give the excuse for the absense of fashion and style/inspiration. You don't see the same stuff in every designer's spring/summer collection each year, do you? So there's no saying that 'you're pretty much subjected to waering the same things year after year'. And sure, it's hot as hell and your heart does break when you perspire in chloe chanel ysl what have you but who says fashion has to be about labels and high fashion? that definitely does not translate into style, of which singaporeans have highly a lack there of. And in any case, how many people would actually thrown on a few thousand over dollared outfit just to walk down the streets? If anything they would be worn to dinners or parties, which i'm sure does not end up in you sweating like a pig because pretty much every where is air conditioned.

Most Singaporeans are just too bloody conservative and narrow minded.
I can be wearing a fitted vest and skinny jeans walking down the street and that would already invite stares from half the population.

 

[susie_bubble]

^Really?
I went to Singapore and everyone was fine....no weird stares at all! And I dress kinda crazy half the time......

 

[soozq]

thats weird! i've seen ur pics susie your dressing is definitely more outrageous than mine ;-)
i don't know maybe i invite stares from preverted old men or something.

 

[susie_bubble]

Everyone just kinda thought I was Japanese and took no notice me thinks.....

 

[lee]

i don't mean to be rude but i think this is where you're wrong. Sure we've got hot weather and no four seasons but that doesn't give the excuse for the absense of fashion and style/inspiration. You don't see the same stuff in every designer's spring/summer collection each year, do you? So there's no saying that 'you're pretty much subjected to waering the same things year after year'. And sure, it's hot as hell and your heart does break when you perspire in chloe chanel ysl what have you but who says fashion has to be about labels and high fashion? that definitely does not translate into style, of which singaporeans have highly a lack there of. And in any case, how many people would actually thrown on a few thousand over dollared outfit just to walk down the streets? If anything they would be worn to dinners or parties, which i'm sure does not end up in you sweating like a pig because pretty much every where is air conditioned.

Most Singaporeans are just too bloody conservative and narrow minded.
I can be wearing a fitted vest and skinny jeans walking down the street and that would already invite stares from half the population.

ok i may be wrong but it was a personal opinion. its not reflective of the population's perspective. i mean, yes, there is street style and stuff and that DOES exist already... i mean... singapore street style is rampant... it may not be fantastic and MAY be generic but it IS present... so since that's already addressed in its existence, i thought i shall address what's barely there. high fashion. and yes, u CAN pull of cheap high fashion looks but if its not available then its also gonna cause problems.

and what i meant about the lack of seasonal changes, seriously.. besides looking at what the fashion capitals have to offer each warm season, there's nothing much around that's gonna inspire u to change your "looks"... and after a while, you're just gonna be stuck with the same clothes/looks... ok, its like 3.03am and i'm probably rambling but that's the gist. don't hate y'noe. don't tell me i'm wrong. just say u don't agree cos then YOU're being narrow minded.

 

[soozq]

ok, i don't agree
relax- i'm not taking making a personal attack against you, you know.

susie: no way! ur dressing is too cute for people not to notice