Top 5 Wardrobe Staples – For the Girl Who Lives on the Equator

Pencil skirts are a must, especially if you are a working adult. They not only emphasise your figure (yes, even you, the one who thinks you don’t have a good figure) but are also versatile. They can be worn for work or dinner dates with friends, and go very well with a loose fitting button-down top or peplum top. Even when taking a trip to a nearby country, they’re casual and surprisingly easygoing when matched with a basic tank top.

Basic tops are for days when the sun gets on everybody’s nerves and the humidity threatens to suffocate. In Singapore, that’s kind of like, every day. Basic tops can be tees or tanks, and they’re the most comfy when loose fitting. A centralised bold print or two adds an edge to your outfit, but plain ones also go very well with a good pair of denim shorts. In general, basic tops are great for days by the beach, weekend markets or the grocery store.

Denim shorts are the best shorts there can be. The texture is stylish and distinct, and they go well with flip flops, flats, heels and even booties. You can wear them to almost everywhere, except maybe for a job interview. I’d bet that you can even wear them to meet your boyfriend’s parents for the first time and they wouldn’t even bat an eyelid (of course, on a sunny day – and no butt cheeks).

What’s summer without a summer dress? Make that plural.

Summer dresses are so convenient. You literally don’t even need to consider what to wear them with, other than which bag to carry and which footwear to slip your feet into. I love a good fun, flowy mini dress, or a simple basic maxi dress. Summer’s all about moving around, so stock up on nothing too tight. And when it gets cold in the bus on your way home, just drape a scarf over your shoulders or put jacket on and you’re good to go.

Even in the summer heat, temperatures can dip. In Singapore, this is especially so when you’re indoors, where air conditioning seems to be free of charge and extremely efficient in teleporting the air from Antarctica. Other times, it can be the sudden downpour coupled with tree-uprooting winds. Whatever the case, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

A leather jacket is an investment piece that every girl should own and wear. If you only have one, make it black. Two, a black and burgundy/berry. Anything more than that, and you probably already own a walk-in wardrobe like the one at the very start of this blog entry.