If there’s one thing Singaporeans love more than freebies, it’s travelling. There is no better way to get away from the hectic lifestyle in Singapore than to take a short break to the beautiful beaches of Thailand or hit the shopping mecca that is Hong Kong or Tokyo. Unfortunately, Singaporean tourists have became easily identifiable due to our penchant for t-shirts, shorts and slippers regardless whether we are in Bangkok or Berlin. While holidaying may be your chance to relax, it’s no excuse to forget about fashion and dress like a slob! Arissa and I have put together a list of 5 fashion essentials while travelling here.

1. A dressy pair of shoes.

A quick survey among friends soon reveal that most of them prefer to only pack slippers and sneakers in their luggage due to space constraints. While slippers and sneakers are no doubt comfortable and easy to pack, they are not by any means suitable for every occasion. What happens if you decide to hit up a hot night spot, or choose to pamper yourself with a meal in a classy restaurant? Slippers and sneakers are hardly the way to go. I am not saying that everyone has to pack 6″ platform heels for a weekend trip to Bali, but wedges and dressy flats hardly take up more space than sneakers and slippers. Dressy yet comfortable shoes can take you to so much more places than your ratty pair of sneakers could.

If you are visiting a beautiful place, why not dress accordingly? Shoes are vital in finishing an outfit and hence they are my no.1 fashion essential while travelling.

2. A nice bag.

Is there something about those North face and Jansport knapsacks that I’m missing out on? I understand that they are easy to carry on board the plane, especially when you are lugging grossly overweight check-in luggages like I always do. Much like shoes, however, they are hardly suitable to carry to most occasions like shopping or hanging out at the beach. I find it awkward how you would have to put everything down in order to swing your backpack around to get things out of there anyway. Consider a nice weekender or a boston bag – They can fit the same amount of things inside and are much more convenient. Plus, backpacks are a neon beacon to every pick pocketers out there!

3. Makeup

Another travel essential for me is makeup. I never ever leave the country without a makeup bag!

Everyone loves to take pictures when they are travelling. And we all know what changes in climate can lead to breakouts,  jetlags to bad eyebags, dry air to chapped lips. A little makeup always helps you look better when smiling for that picture! It will be a pity to have a picture taken at a beautiful place, only to have everyone’s attention focused instead on your eyebags or that huge zit on your forehead. Even if you don’t wear makeup, moisturiser, sunblock and chapsticks are a must in protecting your skin.

4. Basics for layering.

I find it extremely cumbersome to pack things that won’t match with most of my items. It takes up luggage space which could have gone to shopping loots! Tank top, a button-up shirt, shorts and tights are a permanent fixture in my luggage (in black, of course.) You can throw a blazer over a tank top and tights and be ready for a night out in town, or pair it with denim cut-offs and a loose shirt for some cocktail by the sea.

Having everything in blacks or neutrals minimizes the chance that the colours won’t match, too.

5. Accessories.

You’ll be surprised at how small accessories can completely change your outfit around! You can be dressed in just a tee-shirt and shorts, but adding accessories like bracelets and hairbands is a quick fix to help you look like you’ve put more effort into dressing. Playing around with different sorts of accessories can make you look like you are wearing a completely new outfit too. You can change your maxi skirt to a tube dress by wearing a belt around your midsection – The possibilities are endless!

So here you have it, our 5 fashion essentials for travelling girls. Now it’s your turn to tell us what’s in your luggage!

What are your fashion essentials while travelling?

Another one of those iTunes generated titles again for our Black outfit post!!!

Tis was a hot day, oh don’t ask why I was in a mock turtleneck.

And these are seriously the best pair of shoes I own. I would wear them to its death, and in the event that happens, I have an exact same pair to replace them, which will be worn to its death too. Don’t question why I own 2 pairs of the same shoes.

Black Outfit Breakdown:

• Mock Turtleneck: Comme de Garçons
• Shorts: m)phosis
• Necklace: Lip Service
• Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell for LF stores

オマケ~！！(OMAKE~!!)

Here’s a bonus pic of the DIY Chain Harness that we made~!! We spent a good amount of effort and time making it and we would really appreciate that the entire tutorial isn’t copied and pasted on your blog even if you linked back cause no one’s gonna come to our blog if the information is duplicate. It is as good as stealing. Thank you.

Hello friends,

As promised, I have returned with pictures of 2 of our favorite shops we stumbled upon the other day while shopping in Haji Lane.

To the untrained eye, Haji Lane is this nondescript little street hidden from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, it is filled with much hidden treasures and interesting finds. Do not expect clothes for pretty princesses, we’re talking about clothes akin to a cat’s love for rolling on the pavement and taking in all the grime of the world (yes, I do reference that to Dawn’s cat in case you’re wondering).

First up is Wonderwool~!! Who could resist such a cute name?

Wonderwool offers both new and pre-loved clothes and offers the option for you to bring your lightly worn or new pieces to the store to exchange for store credits. A perfect way to recycle clothes (while getting new ones!!) without actually spending money.

I know it’s getting kinda old to be taking photos at this same spot again. ;A;

I’m totally pimping my iPhone case and matching headphones which I spent HOURS sticking on Swarovski crystals. I get alot of compliments when I whip out my iPhone and most people just stare at it, amazed at how shiny it is. I call it a magpie syndrome.

I was very inspired by Taylor Momsen in her “Make me wanna die” video. I had my eyeliner and eyeshadow on very generously that day. And of course, garters and thigh-highs seem to be a staple in her look as well.

I’m really loving the body chain I got from H&M (I bought it recently, it should still be available but I found it to be a little too long and I had the length altered a little).

Black outfit breakdown:

• Asymmetrical dress: m)phosis
• Shorts: m)phosis
• Body chain: H&M
• Garters and socks: Calzedonia, London’s Westfield Mall
• Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
• Ring: Forever 21
• Accessories: Diva and m)phosis

Are  celebrity inspired outfits to your liking? Should we post more of these?

Greetings patient ones~!! I know we’ve been neglecting the DIY section although we KNOW everyone enjoys it. We just couldn’t really find the time to make a decent post cause we had stuff to do. *shifty eyes* BUT FEAR NOT~!! We have an awesome DIY for you to do this weekend~!

We’ll teach you how to make your own Ann Demeulemeester zipper headdress, and an accurate one at that down to the number of zippers and darts because we are -that- anal.

This DIY is a little more high-level than the rest that we have done so please read through every single line of instructions carefullly. I’m also assuming that people who attempt this have a basic knowledge of sewing (ie sewing darts and bias tape).