My Favourite Shopping Haunts

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Black Friday is on its way, so of course I’m in the shopping mood. Who isn’t? And what’s this premature holiday-cum-Christmassy aura in the air I breathe? Oooh yes. The time has come for us to spend, spend, spend, shop, shop, shop! It’s all in the name of giving, surely we don’t need to hold back?

 

I don’t shop much generally, but when I do, it’s major damage. In the post where I wrote about how to save money on makeup, there’s one tip that I feel is the most important when it comes to pulling your purse strings: Always save first and then spend what is left over. Now that we’ve got this piece of advice established, let me share with you my favourite shopping haunts!

 

Online Stores

 

1. ASOS

 

 

The first store that pops into my head when I think of online shopping is ASOS. Here’s a conversation starter: Did you know that ASOS stands for “as seen on screen?” That’s right! And they live up to their name too. Every piece I have ever bought from ASOS always looks 100% the way I expect them to. I’ve never sent any items back, be it bags, dresses or jewellery. They stock items from many brands, such as New Look (another one of my favourites), Lipsy, Coast, Warehouse and also their in-house brand. If you can’t tell yet, I have a natural tendency to favour British brands more, and that’s only because their sizing is very consistent. A UK 6 is always a UK 6 – not any bigger – no matter which top or dress I buy from ASOS.

 

The quality of the products from this store is top-notch and the designs are endless. I used to shop more from their sales rack, no, wait. I still do! That’s why I love their “Saved Items” page, which acts like a cart that you hold on to for 60 days and wait to see if one of your saved items goes up on sale (and then you click buy). When you come across an item that you kind of like but aren’t sure if you want to get, you can “save item for later” in your size and it goes automatically into your “Saved Items” page. They also tell you when stock runs low. No other online store I know of does that. If you do know of one, please let me know in the comments section below. Sharing is caring!

 

2. Luxola

 

Luxola is an online store that sells makeup from brands that are hard to come by in Singapore. Some include Deborah Lippmann (I really don’t know where else I can get this here), Julie Hewett, Edward Bess, LAQA & Co, Estelle & Thild and Models Own. I previously wrote a review on my shopping experience at Luxola and I think it’s a store you should definitely consider when thinking of trying out unique brands.

 

3. MDS Collections

 

I’m not the type who frequents blog shops, although they’re all the rage here in Asia, but MDS Collections is one that I buy quite a few items from. See that peach/nude blazer in the picture above? Yes, I just bought that too. They are a brand that stays on top of fashion trends and have been so successful that they’ve even set up physical stores in Singapore (the one I sometimes step in is in Wisma Atria). The quality can be a hit-and-miss and sizing/measurements may not be accurate but they do refunds in the form of credit vouchers. If anything, I recommend dropping by their physical stores if you’ll like a better picture of your purchase.

Alternatively, you can also find them on Zalora, an online store that offers speedy, fuss-free local delivery. I’ve personally shopped there many times and have not been disappointed by the packages that come my way. If you like, here are some discount codes available for Zalora.

 

Physical Stores

 

1. Lovisa

 

Lovisa is an Australian accessories and jewellery brand that has only recently launched in Singapore. I love their designs and the sales they hold. Once, I got two pairs of earrings for S$4 and S$5 each (they were on sale)!

 

Their items are arranged according to colours and themes, and I especially like their diamond stimulants range. Their stores can be found in South Africa, New Zealand and Malaysia as well. In Singapore, they’re located at the following:

1. Ang Mo Kio Hub
2. Junction 8
3. JEM
4. Plaza Singapura
5. Wisma

 

The only thing about Lovisa is that sometimes the stores can seem a bit too crowded – with people and accessories – that I get overwhelmed and just skip stepping in altogether. But when I do visit during non-peak timings, I get all the peace and space I need.

 

2. New Look

 

 

New Look is another of my favourite shopping places to hang out. A secret: I buy many of my shoes from them! They are like a younger and more affordable version of Topshop, and they also have a section for guys. I must admit though, that their men’s section isn’t as impressive. I’ve bought clothes, shoes, accessories and bags from them. A couple of times, the cashier on duty would try to sell me their membership but I never got persuaded.

 

They are a pretty well established brand, with stores in 27 countries, such as Belgium, Croatia, France and Romania. In Singapore, I generally like their 313 @ Somerset branch. The shoe collection there is to-die-for. Otherwise, you can find them at:

1. Citylink
2. Illuma
3. ION Orchard
4. Suntec City
5. Tampines 1

 

3. Nine West

 

 

I love Nine West! It’s one of my go-to places for shoes. Yes, they are expensive (and thus I shop more at New Look). But they are also comfortable and lasting on top of being stylish. If you do have a UOB credit card, they occasionally hold one-day sales where you can get shoes at, say, 25% off. I’m sure they also hold promotions for cards from other companies, but because I don’t have these cards, I don’t know much about them. If you have some information on this and can share it, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

Nine West stores can be found at the following locations:

1. Rafflescity Shopping Centre
2. The Centrepoint
3. Wisma Atria
4. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

 

4. Robinsons

 

Robinsons has been around for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been taking trips there with my mother to get anything from health supplements, makeup, bags, clothes and bedding to jewellery.

 

It’s a one-stop department store that has almost everything you need and is a nice place to just walk around even if you don’t intend to buy anything. Their closed-door sales preview is the highlight of each year, as the discounts and promotions are so popular and grabbing that people, mostly members and long-time customers, come in droves and leave in bulk.

 

They’ve just opened a new branch at Orchard, where the old Heeren used to be. This outlet stocks more high-end brands; Not the Chanel or Hermes kind but the Giuseppe Zanotti and Vivienne Westwood kind. Beauty addicts take note: you can also get Illamasqua and NARS here! The layout is different from the normal traditional departmental store, and provides a refreshing experience when you visit. If you’ll ask me, my trips there remind me of European shopping malls.

 

The other branches include:

1. JEM
2. The Centrepoint
3. Rafflescity Shopping Centre

 

5. Tangs

 

 

 

Tangs, another long-time department store in Singapore located downtown, is most recently known for the newly renovated and installed beauty hall on the ground floor, where makeup mavens flock to stock up on their Tom Ford lipsticks and Viktor & Rolf Flowerbombs. The Estee Lauder flagship store can also be found here.

 

I mostly shop here for beauty supplies and homeware, especially bedding. Every end of the year, they send us pamphlets on the holiday/Christmas hampers that they offer. We don’t buy any of that but just browsing through the goodies is enough to put us in the mood for giving. Or maybe it’s just me.

 

Any Other Stores?

 

That’s all I have for now! Who’s the say in the future I won’t have more favourite shopping haunts? Do you have any particular store or brand that you really love and would like to recommend to others? Do share in the comments section below! Also, if you do have any feedback on the stores I mentioned, please feel free to leave them here. I’d love to hear your personal experiences at these places. Thanks!

 

 

FRESH FROM THE STYLE STORE

 

 
 

 

Image credits: Style on the Dot & Become Gorgeous

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