Dressing up to accommodate to Singapore’s weather can leave a lot of people in a dilemma. Should one wear long sleeved or short sleeved tees? Shorts or skinny jeans? To bring or not to bring along a jacket? Because here in Singapore, one moment it could be scorching hot as if we’ve been teleported to the Sahara Desert, leaving us with boob sweat, thigh sweat and the horrendous underarm sweat stains. And the next, it’s raining cats and dogs, and we just wished we wore sandals out instead of sneakers. So ahead, we came up with seven outfit inspirations for you to combat the annoying humidity that unfortunately is unavoidable but can be worked around with.
When it comes to dressing up for work, do note that the only time when you’re out of the air-conditioned office is when you’re making your way to work, for lunch, running short errands, and when you knock off. So an airy top together with a pair of long working pants would be a great combination since you can simply prop a jacket over when it gets cold in the office, but still stay comfortable when you’re out. For casual office wear, camisoles are always a great option. But instead of going for a simple one, switch it up a bit by opting for straps that are a lil playful like this ruffled camisole from Topshop. Pair it with lightweight trousers and heels that are easy to slip into, and you’re good to go!
Ruffles will always be a trend for summer and there are many ways you can style them, and skirts are a smart option if you want air to circulate “down there” so as to avoid nasty thigh sweat. With this ruffled gingham skirt from Stylenanda, you can get two looks in one. For a formal look, tuck in a simple black wrapped blouse into the skirt and complete the look with a pair of pointed pumps. And when you’re going out for a casual meet-up with friends, this breathable preppy crop top from Zara and old school Nike Cortez sneakers transforms the look immediately. Saddle bags are always a classic addition to any look, so sling across this one from Mansur Gavriel to finish off.
For the summer holidays, sundresses are your best friends. Floral and feminine pieces are definitely our favourites and this flowy dress from Topshop is your best bet to tackling Singapore’s fiery temperatures. Sometimes, carrying bags can be a chore when all you want to do is dry yourself with a pack of tissues, without bits of it sticking on your forehead. So why not go for some hands-free action with this belt bag from Rebecca Minkoff? And girls, whether you are long or short-haired, hairs always tend to stick to the back of your neck when you start sweating. Talk about #girlpains. Avoid that by bundling up your hair with a pretty pleated head scarf that matches with these beach-friendly espadrilles.
Wearing clothes with heavy embellishments or accessorising with chunky jewelry is a big no no in Singapore because not only do they weigh down your clothes, it leaves sweat marks on them! Eek! Well, the trick here is to wear patterns and designs so you don’t have to add on anything to spice up your look. But of course, earrings are still acceptable and tassels are super in trend, so you’d better get in on them. And although slabbing on sunscreen is second nature to us, hats are always a yes especially when they go well with our flowy summer dresses.
If for whatever reason you decide to wear out long-sleeved tops, just make sure they are loose fitting and made of materials like cotton. Cotton is generally more breathable than other fabrics such as polyester, and hence is superior for cooling the skin and drying up sweat faster. Alternatively, you can opt for mesh or open knit tops to have better air circulation. For a bohemian look, pair this tunic top with loose cut culottes and slip on some plain black sandals, along with a cute beaded tassel bag. Remember to bring out dem sunnies to block out those harsh sun rays!
For the boys, we know it’s hard to not reach out for your simple t-shirt and Bermuda shorts combo, but chinos are gonna be your best replacement. Not only are they extremely comfortable and lightweight enough, they are durable and long lasting so you can wear them everyday all you like. Also, Hawaiian and tropical-inspired shirts are gaining popularity once again in fashion shows, as seen on Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga. Tuck them in or out with your chino pants, add in a simple black belt, and round off the look with a classic pair of embossed brogues.
If you’re looking for something casual, an oversized button-down striped shirt and a pair of ripped jeans is another outfit look to consider. Of course, you can switch it to your normal blue denim jeans when it’s hot out, and wear black when it’s night time. It’s totally up to you! Top off the look with a functional yet versatile messenger bag and a pair of classic white shoes with contrasting black soles to stand out from the rest.
Header image: H&M
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