Singapore—A Shopper's Paradise

Clean, affluent (recent reports say it has the world's highest percentage of millionaires), and uber-modern-not to mention, English-speaking—the city-state of Singapore is perhaps the easiest place in Asia for a well-heeled (and well behaved!) expat or vacationer to assimilate. The public transit is excellent, whether you're taking the MRT subway system, the busses, or you're on foot. And, most importantly for some people, it's retail paradise. The area around Orchard Road (the main thoroughfare) and Scotts Road affords a breezy walk through a spectrum of world-class shopping.

Far East Plaza on Scotts Road is the first place to go as a tourist, according to insiders. Clothing retailers here range from fun fashion to traditional Singaporean silk shops to bespoke tailors to Chinese boutiques selling traditional Cheongsams. There are dozens of jewelers, specialty leather stores, and even a snakeskin purveyor. Great deals can be found on electronics and appliances as well.

For designer clothes, insiders recommend Takashimaya, a Japanese shopping center where medium-range retailers are mixed with high-end branded boutiques like Gucci, Hermes, Coach, DKNY, Jimmy Choo, and Bruno Magli.

At super-retailer Tangs, all sorts of impulse buys, mini-splurges, accents, and whimsy items are mixed in with regular merchandise collection, and grouped according to "Lifestyle Concept." You've got Tangs Beauty Hall, Technobay, Cookshop, Playlab, and Playground, to begin. If you're looking for something specific, rest assured there's every brand you could want, from Adidas to Anna Sui, La Mer to Levis.

For a throwback experience, visit Little India, where bargaining is acceptable and hints of the real India add spice to Singapore's typical glossy-shopping-mall style. Here, exotic little shops await down narrow lanes, local women weigh out ethnic foodstuffs to prepare for supper, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants dish up mouthwatering Indian cuisine.

This is just the beginning of Singapore shopping—it's a dynamic and exciting scene, one which you can only master in person. Once you arrive, find the latest fashion trends and hot boutiques in English-language fashion/lifestyle magazines Her World for women, or the The Rake for men.

Photo Credit: Market (Singapore Tourism Board)

Comments

[sherri hill]

I have to admit, Singapore is one of my favorite shopping destinations! You have both designer boutique and cheap stores with lovely sun dresses, shoes and jewelry. The women there dress phenomenally so I always look for a chic looking girl and ask her for a list of her favorite stores :)