When it comes to dressing up, jackets or blazers only seem to see the light of day at important functions or special events like meetings, weddings and job interviews. Perhaps the garment isn’t very conducive for Singapore’s sweltering heat and off-the-charts humidity, hence its sparseness. But if you think about it, most of us are generally desk-bound from 9-5 from Mondays to Fridays and cooped up in an air-conditioned space… And the only times we encounter the crazy weather is when we’re on the way to work, out for lunch, or on the way home.
So why not shake your outfit up a little and add some structure and style to your ensemble with blazers? The tailored piece not only boosts your confidence effortlessly, it also adds an authoritative flair to your getup, which is a plus on days where you feel unenthused about life.
Whether it’s a chic monotonous match, a casual oversized design, or one in an eye-popping hue, there’s definitely a way to add a stylish spin to this wardrobe staple. If you still think it’s too much for a weekday, then start small with weekends – it’s a great time to pull this classic piece out to push your style quotient up by a notch while you take to the streets. Breathable materials like linen and cotton make for great summertime options, while wool and polyester can be reserved for colder environments. But ultimately, the key here is to find something that speaks to you so it doesn’t stifle you when you’re out and about.
While we won’t bid farewell to our trusty black pieces, we definitely would love to have fun instead with unconventional alternatives. We reached out to student Stephen Koharuddin, visual merchandiser Hong Yu Ran and freelancer Mervyn Leow to attempt this polished look, and we’re glad that they pulled it off seamlessly, just as we knew Singaporean guys could.
Stephen Koharuddin (@slapyourfacefourtimes), 26
Fun and carefree. That was the vibe we got from undergraduate Stephen Koharuddin when he walked into our studio. Like most varsity students, Stephen’s wardrobe is filled with pieces that lets him feel comfortable in and around the campus – flannel shirts, sweaters and ripped jeans galore. We dressed him in a full cream-hued ensemble and threw on a jacket to sharpen the look without cramping his youthful flair. “I like it. It’s a colour that can go with the other outfits I already have in my wardrobe,” he said, following his newfound love for the beige jacket from Polo Ralph Lauren he had on.
Stephen wears: Cotton jacket, Polo Ralph Lauren; silk-blend top, Ermenegildo Zegna; wool trousers, COS; silver bangle, Bottega Veneta; canvas sneakers, Ermenegildo Zegna
Hong Yu Ran (@yikkyran), 30
Being fashionable is almost second nature to Yu Ran. He doesn’t shy away from trying new styles the way that regular blokes here do. A visual merchandiser, he has a knack of putting things together with aplomb. Here, he went with a classic crisp white shirt and light denim combo, achieving a chic yet laidback everyday look that anyone can attempt. The large wool Gucci jacket added a sartorial punch. We can all agree that this too-cool-for-school look is perfect for both work and play.
Yu Ran wears: Wool jacket, Gucci; cotton shirt, UNIQLO; denim jeans, Polo Ralph lauren; calf-leather shoes, BOSS
Mervyn Leow (@leow.mervyn), 25
Mervyn’s Instagram feed is filled with dark, pensive images of himself dressed mostly in black. While the sombre hue complements his fair skin, we thought he could pull off bright, sunny colours and he was game to try. “I guess there are no fixed rules to fashion,” he said, picking up the canary yellow linen jacket from Hugo Boss, throwing it over a pair of tailored trousers. Venturing beyond your comfort zone is a surefire way to grow, not just in fashion but in your everyday life.
Linen jacket, Hugo Boss; wool cable-knit jumper, Polo Ralph Lauren; cotton-blend trousers, COS; leather slip-ons, Ermenegildo Zegna; accessories, Mervyn’s own
Credits
Words + Styling: Syed Zulfadhli (@zoolius.caesar.salad)
Photography: Simon Sim (@00simons00)
Grooming: Wee Ming (@weeeeming)
