Buying online is already second-nature for most of us. But even in the digital world we still tend to have our go-to stores, our oft-repeated gripes and a reluctance to look around the corner. If only someone could give us a good reason to dig around, some sense of which sites are really worth it and tell us what’s new in e-town! So, in the absence of anyone else doing it for us, we’ve dug around to bring you 10 great reasons and some 50 sites (many of them local) to shake up your online shopping experience.
Support Local Designers
There’s at least two great reasons to go local. Firstly you’re helping support the scene in the face of fierce international competition. And if that’s not reason enough, you’ll save a packet on shipping!
Dresstronomy has a great selection of evening dresses and bags designed by young and talented upstarts Tylda Tan and Patricia Teo for less than $100, and there’s even a sale section for those looking for more value-for-money pieces.
For cool, collectible T-shirts that won’t burn a hole in your wallet, 9Fountains (left) features limited edition prints from both established and young graphic designers, starting from just $30. They also boast a capsule collection where you can pre-order special collaboration pieces from noted artists like Singapore-based Steve Lawler, which are produced in very small quantities using premium Japanese cotton. Shana Logic also has a great range of locally designed tees, as well artworks and accessories by new designers. It’s also an impressively convenient site to shop at, with categories organized according to price range.
If you’re already a fan of local brands like alldressedup, Burgundy and Vice & Vanity, you can easily purchase their latest creations via Shop The Mag. Not only are the pieces here the most up-to-date and cohesive, you can also check out other hard-to-find Asian labels like Malaysia’s Khoon Hooi and Thailand’s The Only Son while you’re here.
And if you’d rather shop at these labels’ own sites (with what you pay for going directly to the designers), click on alldressedup for its current Spring/Summer and discounted past season collections of women’s ready-to-wear and accessories, Hansel for designer Jo Soh’s latest vintage-inspired Spring/Summer dresses, and cool men’s tees, shirts and pants from Sifr (right), which are chic, smart and eminently wearable.
Find Cult Labels
Singapore’s a sucker for stuff no-one else is wearing, and shopping online gives you access to a fantastic array of cult, hard-to-find labels that are not stocked at physical stores here.
For menswear, new multi-label site Haven is one of the best, carrying lesser known brands like emerging shoe specialist Diemme, funky streetwear-influenced Human Made and casual wear brand Nonnative; while Hong Kong-based Concept Shop is great for past season collections and one-off collections of brands like Head Porter, Visvim and Number Nine. Mr. Porter (left), the menswear offshoot of the legendary Net-a-Porter site for designer womenswear, and only launched a couple of months back, also comes highly recommended for its collection of close to 100 designer brands, including Lanvin, Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta and Maison Martin Margiela, with pieces exclusive to the site. Ditto Oki-ni, which carries the complete ready-to-wear collections of brands White Mountaineering and Raf Simons, previously unavailable here.
For womenswear, we love Shop It To Me, which even has a personal shopper component and close to 900 labels to choose from—take your pick from everything from Alexander Wang to Zac Posen. Ladies will also love the range of the clothes at La Garconne and Opening Ceremony, the former chockfull of brands like Proenza Schouler and in-house brand La Gaconne Moderne, and the latter great for brands like Rodarte which cannot be found in stores locally.
Be Your Own Tailor
Once you’ve worn a custom-fitted suit, there’s only one thing that’ll make you go back to the rack: price. Yet, strange as it may seem, a number of online retailers have developed innovative platforms offering made-to-measure services at high street (or less) prices.
Both Indochino and Light in the Box (above) provide step-by-step video guides to assist you in quickly setting up your measurement profile—the former specializing in men’s shirts and jackets, the latter in haute couture and wedding gowns. For the men, Indochino offers sexy chambray shirts (from US$79 [$100]) that allows you to customize your collar type, cuffs, and even monogramming your initials at no extra charge. Choose a myriad of dresses from Light in the Box from US$198 ($250) and get them customized for a small fee of US$30 ($38).
For shoes and bags, we love Timbuk 2 and Timberland which allow you to completely customize your item. Timbuk2 takes customization to a whole new level, allowing you to choose from your preferred bag type and size, colors and fabrics (50 options available), binding, lining and logo colors from US$39 ($50).
Keep It Discreet
No matter how old you get, there are some things you’d rather not have people see you buy. One such example is the Universal Sex Swing Stand ($450) from Mr & Mrs Smith The Couple Store, a free-standing steel support that can hold up to 400 pounds of weight. The same store also stocks great gift ideas like their Sweet Celebrations Box ($219), which can easily pass off as a case of potpourri but actually contains vanilla-scented massage oils and body soufflé, delicious-sounding lubricants and even a large puff containing sparkle dust—charming.
If you’re on the quest for something more portable, both Shop Intimates and Sensual Lifestyle stock a fantastic range of sex enhancers—if you need them, they’re bound to have them.
Amazing Savings On Books, Beauty and More
Sure, we all know that shopping online is cheaper, but you might be surprised by just how much. And it ain’t just clothes.
For 30-70 percent savings on designer bags and accessories, go straight to Reebonz (right), which holds periodical sales (just sign up and you’ll be notified through emails and newsletters) for labels like Burberry, Chloe, Miu Miu and Valentino. A signature Chloe Paraty shoulder bag costs close to $4,500 at regular stores, but over at the site, they’re available for just $3,295. Pieces are mostly one-offs so you’ve got to act fast—but hey, that’s a small price to pay for huge discounts like that.
Two of our favorite Singapore-based online bookstores Open Trolley and NoQ are also great for hugely discounted books, averaging 20-40 percent cheaper than from physical stores.
For beauty products and supplements (why not buy them online? An eye blusher is an eye blusher, after all), head to Best Buy World, Luxola. The Supplement Warehouse which offer a great range of cosmetics and health and fitness products for both men and women, averaging 20 percent cheaper than at the stores. Spend more than $35 at Luxola for example, and you’ll get an additional 35 percent off. Now that’s healthy shopping.
Spare Your Shoulders
Beds, bikes and bookcases might not be the first buy you think of buying online, but let’s face it, when was the last time you enjoyed a trip to IKEA? Save on traveling time and shop for bulky items from the comfort of home and have them delivered right to your doorstep. Beds and furniture can be purchased and delivered via Beds and Furniture Mart. Think designer bed frames, coffee tables, television consoles, kitchen cabinets and even bar furniture—all without breaking a sweat.
For cycling and sports enthusiasts, you can shop for vintage-inspired items like the Flying Pigeon bike available through the good folks at Deki Bike. Choose from a gent’s bike (from $151) or lady’s bike (from $196) complete with hi-ten steel painted frames, U-shape steel handle, front and back mudguard, back carrier and chain cover.
Even limited edition art pieces and original works are available for purchase online. Local art gallery Vue Privée offers you prints and original artworks from just $80, featuring works from artists like Burton Machen, Olivier Henry and Inga Beckmann that will look great in the living room.
