If Singapore could be described in a phrase, it would be “a giant shopping mall with an airport attached”. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of malls on our island that still stand strong in spite of the onslaught of e-commerce. While the convenience of digital shopping is undeniable, it can’t compare to the offline retail experience.
After all, nothing beats feeling fabric on your skin or trying out shoes to discern whether they properly fit. That’s why we accepted the invitation of Suntec City to explore its premises and discover why the mall is perfect for the sagacious august man.
Truth be told, we were surprised at the number of boutiques catering to men. From bespoke tailoring to men’s grooming specialty stores, the retail spaces within Suntec City have enough options to fully outfit yourself from head to toe.
So, that’s what we did – we picked out our favourite shoes and accessories, and paired them with our favourite looks for the weekday board meetings and the weekend brunch jaunts.
Accessories
Bottom: Clean Teeth Cufflink Set ($32) from Splice Barbershop
Top: Christian Dior Split KJ1IR 59-14 shades ($1,005) from Ocular Company
Add a bit of fun to your work day with this toothy pair of cufflinks from Splice Barbershop. It makes a great conversation starter when you’re at lunch and is subtle enough to stay quiet in the boardroom.
On the weekend, protect your eyes from the ultraviolet rays with these aviator shades by Dior from Ocular Company. We love the metal accents on the lenses, which add a bit of personality to any outfit, and will look great when it’s placed on the table or tucked into your shirt.
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Shoes
Left: adidas NMD_XR1 winter sneakers from AW Lab ($250)
Right: Jefferson Grand Wing Ox ($299) from Cole Haan
Black brogues inject a bit of cheeky flair while still remaining prim and proper for any weekday work situation. In fact, we prefer them over brown shoes because they give you the option of dressing up your pants – black matches with everything. This option from Cole Haan manages to be equal parts stylish and conservative, ticking all the right boxes for a weekday shoe.
We predicted that sock shoes would be the sneaker trend of the SS18 season and this adidas sneaker from AW Lab is not only on trend but perfect for your weekend activities. Comfortable, breathable and easily paired with denim jeans, tailored sweatpants or shorts, the sneaker is unlike any you see on the streets, which is what any sneaker should be.
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Timepieces
Left: Gorilla Fastback Original ($1,290) from Watch Wonderland
Right: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Reserve De Marche ($13,500) from Sincere Fine Watches
Sure, you can look at your smartphone when you want to check the time but that doesn’t make as big of a statement as this classic Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Reserve De Marche that’s available at Sincere Fine Watches. As the name implies, it’s thin enough to fit under your shirt cuff but will make a massive impression when you’re at an important meeting with a client.
On the weekends, switch your JLC watch for this Gorilla Fastback Original from Watch Wonderland. Created by former Chief Artistic Officer of Audemars Piguet Octavio Garcia and his AP design compatriot Lukas Gopp, the Gorilla Fastback Original timepiece features a unique square case constructed from titanium, forged carbon, aluminium and ceramic. In an era of vintage re-issued watches, this quirky timepiece is a great example of how you can design a mechanical watch for a modern era.
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How to Put Everything Together
Weekday Look
Clockwise, from bottom left: Vitale Barberis Canonico’ Mohair trousers ($550) and signature non-iron white shirt ($250) from The Bespoke Club; Stencil Series dark patterned black knitted tie ($23) from Splice Barbershop; Elhaus Shepherd Jacket in olive ripstop ($140) from Straits Establishment
Remember what we said about these Cole Haan brogues? It’s easy to pair them with the rest of your clothes and allows you to be bolder with your bottoms. That’s why we’ve picked out the plaid pants and white shirt from The Bespoke Club. White shirts are our go-to options for work due to their simplicity and fuss-free nature and the plaid pants attract just the right amount of attention.
We also recommend having a bit more fun with accessories, which is why we’ve completed the look with a cheeky black-and-white knit tie from Splice Barbershop.
And when the Heavens open up, as they seem to be prone to doing this season, cover up your head and your stylish investments with this downright cool jacket from Straits Establishment. The denim patches and hood will make walking in the rain a lot more fun.
Weekend Look
Clockwise, from bottom left: IGNITE EvoKNIT NC shoes ($249) and Rebel T-shirt ($29) from PUMA; 1950s French Vintage Moleskine jacket ($245) from Straits Establishment; adidas Golf Ultimate Camo Herringbone shorts ($79) from MST GOLF Superstore
So, we know that every local man’s favourite weekend combo is a T-shirt, shorts and cool sneakers. Is there anything wrong with that? Not really, no. But could it be better? Yes, it certainly can. Our go-to styling trick is layering, a move you can achieve in sunny Singapore without resulting in sweat patches. The key is choosing the right overshirt and breathable clothes.
We layered our PUMA Rebel T-shirt with this beautiful vintage Moleskine jacket from Straits Establishment, which goes well with the light and breathable adidas shorts from MST GOLF Superstore. Increase your style points with your favourite cap or the Christian Dior shades from Ocular Company.
As for sneakers, our rule of thumb for weekend shoes are: the louder they are, the better. Whether it’s through colours or texture, a sneaker should have facets that make it the centrepiece of any weekend outfit. This pair from PUMA or our other favourite from AW Lab, highlighted earlier in this article, will do the trick.
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With Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you might be thinking about upgrading your wardrobe. We highly recommend Suntec City. With its range of both weekday and weekend wear, the mall honestly was a pleasant surprise.
Where to Find the Selected Stores in Suntec City
- Splice Barbershop: 01-487, North Wing (Between Towers 1 & 2)
- Ocular Company: 02-368/369, West Wing (Next to Convention Centre)
- Cole Haan: 01-473, North Wing (Between Towers 1 & 2)
- AW Lab: 01-341/342, West Wing (Next to Convention Centre)
- Sincere Fine Watches: 01-352/356/358/360, West Wing (Next to Convention Centre)
- Watch Wonderland: 01-470/472, North Wing (Between Towers 1 & 2)
- The Bespoke Club: 01-484, North Wing (Between Towers 1 & 2)
- Straits Establishment: 01-467, North Wing (Between Towers 1 & 2)
- PUMA: 01-327/328, West Wing (Next to Convention Centre)
- MST GOLF Superstore: 01-477/478/479/480, North Wing (Between Towers 1 & 2)