Best places to shop for clothes

Actually

CULT LABELS. This is the only store in South-East Asia that sells Freitag bags, and they’ve got quite the collection too. Bob’s our favourite, paired with Dr Denim. Do those knock your Happy Socks off? They do ours, especially with their FIFA World Cup editions. Freitag $195-$370; Dr Denim $49-$169; Happy Socks $13.95. 29A Seah St (6336 7298, www.actually.com.sg)

alldressedup

DAY-TO-NIGHT OUTFITS. Few labels can stake such a claim, but this stylish homegrown women’s wear label helmed by local boy Sven Tan has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2005. #03-11 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn (6509 3089, www.alldressedup.com)

Beluga

BERMUDAS. Everyone’s catching on to the Stef High and the Carter Laze shorts by Beluga’s in-house label, Grandiosity. These traditional, shorter-length bermudas are comfortable yet chic, so guys can look casual yet pulled together – as they should, always. Bermudas from $75; cardigans from $80. #02-05 The Cathay, 2 Handy Rd (6735 3573, www.belugastore.com)

Blackmarket

LOCAL DESIGNERS. In a shophouse tucked away along Victoria Street, the moody lighting, textured walls and sunroof make this a nifty haunt to pop into. Trendy men’s and women’s clothing by local designers like Max Tan and Reckless Ericka, to-die-for stainless steel and leather-press necklaces designed by Frü Frü & Tigerlily will scratch any self-respecting fashionista’s itch. 19 Jln Pisang (9477 6100)

Citrusox

SOCKS. This local fashion label specialises in studded, glossy, ribbed, leopard-print and rainbow-coloured tights, stockings, socks and mother/daughter matching designs. Citrusox outlets can be found in heartland malls around Singapore. #01-28 Bishan Junction 8, 9 Bishan Pl (6353 4864)

Déjà vu Vintage

NOVELTY PRINT DRESSES AND SKIRTS. The shop feels like a (glass)house on the prairie with a huge walk-in wardrobe. Check out quirky bags and chic cocktail numbers by much-loved designer brands like YSL and Oscar de la Renta, and rummage through a collection of skirts with a random selection of prints – owls, postage stamps and leaping tigers. Skirts $39-$120, day dresses $89-$189 (not top labels). #01-70 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd (6338 8013, www.dejavuvintage.com)

Front Row

BLAZERS. Front Row stocks a healthy range of A.P.C. shirts, raw denims, T-shirts and ties. But it’s the super-stylin’ blazers ($970) that are off the hook. They’ve also got high-waisted denim pants, cream corduroy with colourful confetti shorts and shirts. #02-08/09 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd (6224 5501)

Granny’s Day Out

VINTAGE DRESSES. One-off pieces include a golden-sequined black butterfly top from the ’80s; a flirty 1950s white polka-dot bustier dress with a cummerbund underneath; and a first-hand vintage gold-plated leaf necklace all the way from Austria. Added bonus? They’ll assist with any alteration issues you might have. #03-25 Excelsior Shopping Centre, 5 Coleman St (6336 9774)

Huit

LINGERIE. Sensual, sophisticated and never tacky, any delicate piece from Huit is guaranteed to elicit a lusty ‘ooh là là’ from your other half. And now that they have a dedicated store, you can strip off and clip on at leisure. #02-24 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd (6836 5950, www.huit.fr)

Jim Thompson

SILK TIES. ‘Khun Jim’, Asia’s favourite mystery weaver, knew a thing or two about style, but while his disappearance remains an enigma, his legacy is clear-cut: fine silk ties with adorable, but not kitsch, elephant prints promise to stay with you as the decades pass. $60-$90. #08-04 Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Rd (6323 4800, www.jimthompson.com)

JOG Swimwear

UPSCALE SWIMSUITS. The shop has an elegant selection of bikinis, sexy one-pieces and several ‘cut-pieces’ (somewhere between a one- and two-piece). Note: mums will be happy to find less revealing suits for the under-16 market. 7 Bassein Rd (9037 6826, www.jogswimwear.com)

JR Texas

COWBOY GEAR. Resembling a roadhouse tavern with fluorescent lighting, owner JR imports snakeskin cowboy boots ($399-$5,000), gun holsters ($79-$800), chunky belt buckles ($29-$500) and a whole range of other Western get-ups. #03-33 Peninsula Shopping Complex, 3 Coleman St (6334 3534)

Know It Nothing

MEN'S TOPS. The in-house label Sifr has T-shirts and jackets ($39-$179) in sombre shades of khaki, navy and charcoal. Another highlight is Americana label Gitman Brothers’ vintage range of classic short-sleeved, buttondown, key-collar shirts ($249-$269) and its array of belts. 51 Haji Ln (6392 5475, www.knowitnothing.com)

Mothers En Vogue

MATERNITY CLOTHES. Sexy pleated tubes, well-cut tunic tops and fold-over jeans ensure you remain looking like a yummy mummy even in your third trimester. #01-32 The CentrePoint, 176 Orchard Rd (6738 0037, www.mothersenvogue.com)

Mu

ASIAN-STYLE APPAREL. Brightly coloured collars and unique Korean-Japanese cuts are featured in Alfie Leong’s collection of comfortable East-meets-West threads ($60-$90). #04-08B The Heeren, 260 Orchard Rd (6235 4523, www.mu-apparel.com)

New Urban Male

UNISEX CASUAL TOPS. Follow the sperm-like logo to find a wealth of T-shirts sporting cheeky slogans and local jargon like ‘BOOMZ!’. Also, try on an NUM original, the party tank ($69.90-$89.90). Designed for people who love foam parties, the singlet has a sling attached to its back, ensuring that even when the top comes off, it’ll not be left behind. #02-17 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Rd (6738 7954, www.newurbanmale.com)

No.1 Costume Costume

FANCY DRESS. Offbeat costumes and kitschy accessories abound in this factory-esque emporium. Rummage through their closets to rent just about any character you can imagine – they have over 80,000 costumes. Rentals $25-$350. 7 Jln Lembah Kallang (6333 9440)

Raoul

MEN'S DRESS. They’ve etched a niche for themselves here, turning out well-priced, quality business shirts ($109-$235) in a market flooded with predictable check and stripe designs. You’ll also find colourful ties, slick suede loafers ($199) and well-cut suits (from $899) that rival other big-name bespoke options. #02-12 Paragon Shopping Centre, 290 Orchard Rd (6737 9619, www.raoul.com)

Retail Therapy

COCKTAIL NUMBERS. Stocked with the latest from LA and New York, fab-tastic maxi dresses from T-bags and delicate lace cocktail numbers from Rachel Gilbert jostle for your attention. #02-22 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd (6733 5583); #03-13 Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Rd (6836 3772, www.retail-therapy-sg.blogspot.com)

Revoltage

WANNABE INDIE ROCKER T-SHIRTS. They may not be making any more limited collaboration concert tees, but you can be sure these are still true to the rock ’n’ roll tunes. #03-03 Orchard Cineleisure, 8 Grange Rd (6235 1328, www.revolness.com)

La Senza

BIG-BOSOMED BRAS. The ample-breasted minority in this city can rummage through a well-priced range of lace, animal-print, silk, satin and cotton pieces. #03-01 Paragon, 290 Orchard Rd (6333 8611, www.lasenza.com.sg)

Surrender

TUXEDOS. Boasting sought-after menswear pieces including the rocking Madras check blazer by Visvim, these guys also carry tailored tuxedos by Band of Outsiders ($4,870) and Thom Browne ($3,009). 119 Devonshire Rd (6733 2130)

Tong Tong Friendship Store

MODERN CHEONGSAMS. Tan Sheau Yun’s non-traditional cheongsams are hard to resist. Sophisticated damask-print qi paos and others made out of Indian sari material (from $229) are just two of her tongue-in-cheek ways to wear oriental. #01-04/05 Shaw Towers, 100 Beach Rd (6396 8727, www.tongtong.sg)

Trixilini

GIRLY FROCKS. French doors and plush carpeting are signs that you’re walking into a girly-girl’s dream. Trixilini’s dainty tea-party frocks by Posse and vintage print numbers from Yumi Kim unabashedly cater to the feminine in all of us. #01-57 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd (6338 7060, www.trixiliniboutique.blogspot.com)