50 best shops in Singapore

With pastel-coloured walls and high ceilings, what draws you in the store is how much it looks like a museum. In Good Company offers visitors a retail experience beyond just clothes. The curated collection includes its womenswear, menswear and children's wear which is known for its timeless silhouettes and quality fabrics; and also books, accessories, scented candles and chocolates. When you're done with shopping, grab a scoop from ice-creamery Birds of Paradise known for gelato created from herbs, spices and botanical ingredients. Think flavours like Masala Spice, Earl Grey & Lemongrass and White Chrysanthemum.

With the sustainable movement growing in Singapore, it's nice to see that clothes swapping is becoming a thing in Singapore. Opened in July 2018, The Fashion Pulpit is a physical store where you can swap preloved clothes and accessories, and even buy them. Its collection is vast – you can find both high street and designer pieces in the mix and prices are kept affordable. But if you sign up to be a 'swapper' there are also many benefits to reap like racking up those swap points for an incredible item and joining in on fun events.  

Who says everyday wear has to be dull and boring? Think whimsical prints and bold colours that are not over the top. The sophisticated but unique pieces from Our Second Nature inject a little more fun in your daily wardrobe. Shop wide-leg pants, breezy blouses, kimonos, midi dresses and more from the collection. The prints are one-of-a-kind too – the brand works closely with artists to produce art that will set the tone for the collection. If looking artsy, fashionable and effortless at the same time is something you seek, drop by the cafe and boutique at Holland Village. 

Local lingerie brand Perk by Kate is known for her dreamy and feminine bralettes that are beautiful but comfortable as well. For the first time, the brand will now actually have a physical studio where customers can drop by to try and check out the collections in-store. The intimates and lingerie are meticulously created and it shows in the quality of the pieces. 

The first centre to open outside Japan, the Pokémon Center Singapore is a specialist store for all things Pokémon. Think plush toys, video games, trading cards, apparel and more. The centre looks just like the ones in Japan but the Jewel Changi Airport outlet also stocks Singapore-exclusive official merchandise so if you’re a huge fan, you’ll probably need to collect ‘em all.

If you think vintage shopping is about second-hand duds and 80s clothes, A Vintage Tale will prove you wrong. This little gem in Joo Chiat stocks genuine vintage threads, some from way back in the '50s. Dig up brands like Gucci, Valentino, Moschino, pick from accessories and clothes and also bring home your collection of treasures at the end of it all. 

If you’re looking for the latest designer fragrance, you won’t find it at SIFR Aromatics. What you will find are gorgeous, uniquely shaped bottles that house a myriad of scents, all lovingly handmade by owner Johari Kazura. Far from your ordinary, run-of-the-mill perfumery, the shop offers a unique, customised approach where a range of ingredients are presented and used to get the right scent.

A bookstore, event and café space all in one, The Moon is a whimsical space that brings you into the library of your favourite chronicles with a wide variety of genres from modern literature to illustrated cooking books and thought-provoking non-fiction reads for you to browse through. With its warm lighting, wood furniture and comfy plush cushions sprawled across the reading room on the third floor, The Moon is the perfect spot for an afternoon read with a cup of coffee in hand.

Two words: posh sneakers. For exclusive collaborations and high end sneakers fom desihner brands like Balenciaga and Stella McCartney, you can expect it to be stocked here. The store is laid out in a way where you're made to explore the different zones and take in everything. Talk about experential shopping in its purest form!

‘For the common good, and goods for the common folk.’ That’s the mission of this local brand, and we’d gladly dress our home with all its furniture – if our pockets allowed it. You’ll find environmentally sustainable pieces here from small brands and craftsmen from around the world, including Fred and Bobo, Everyday Studio, and VIJ5, with prices starting at $220. We’re particularly taken with Studiohiji’s Net series (from $340). The Jakarta-based design studio incorporates strands of rattan cores into its pieces, and the result’s a series of lightweight furniture that’s built to last and sustains the rattan industry.

The Social Space wears many hats. It's a cafe, a florist, an eco-friendly lifestyle store, a nail salon and also houses The Refillery. The section is decked out with at least ten dispensers, each ranging from 15 to 20 litres. Items on sale include shampoo, eco-friendly dishwashing and laundry liquids so if you're stocking up on household cleaning products, here's where to go. 

A Singapore institution, Mustafa is open round the clock, offering 75,000sq ft of bargains, not to 
mention a hotel, café and supermarket.  It’s a treasure trove of discount shopping, carrying everything from skincare and electronics to sportswear and luggage. Sumptuous sari fabrics can be found in basement 1, and beauty products and appliances at ground level.   Mustafa Centre was included in our recent One Night Stand feature.

Vintage lovers: behold Singapore Trading Post, a homeware emporium filled with memorabilia sourced from places that used to be the trade routes of Singapore’s colonial past. One-of-a-kind pieces to covet include large statement furniture like grandfather clocks and bronze statues to trinkets like vintage keys and an old pair of binoculars. Plus, there's a cool corner that pays homage to the Singapore of old, displaying nostalgia-inducing items like Sinalco trays and Kickapoo ads.

An advocate for the zero waste, no plastic movement, The Green Collective strongly encourages shoppers to bring their own bags and also sell food items and Castile liquid soap without packaging. If you're heading down for a spot of shopping, BYO bags and containers!   

Armed with only $3,000 and a bedroom-turned-office, founder Dennis Tay started Naiise in 2013 with the simple goal of making good design more accessible to the public. This lifestyle store now stocks over 1,000 local and international brands selling cute stationery, household items, local books and more across its six locations.

Dim lighting and a crowded display space lend this independent retail shop a cosy feel. Cat Socrates carries a variety of knick-knacks such as terrariums (and planters for making your own), tote bags, clothes, homeware, fabric, books by homegrown writers, postcards, Singapore-themed products like local music albums, and, of course, a section of cat-related merchandise. Bonus points if you manage to lure resident cat Chestnut out from his favourite spot under a red table. Cat Socrates’ second branch, in Katong, also has a store kitty: Zoo-Zoo.

Stepping up to the door, Nana & Bird gives off that rare hole-in-the-wall charm. Iron bars still protect the windows and the original tiled floor is intact. Beaded necklaces, feather earrings, tote bags and polka-dot blouses, as well as local labels Aijek and Yumumu, are all on display. The fashion-loving duo behind the humble shop also encourages people to sit down for a cuppa to discuss fashion.

This minimalist husband-and-wife co-owned souvenier shop is the perfect place to pick up thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts for that special someone (or yourself).Think asymmetrical bowls, dimpled cups and painstakingly handpainted plates inspired by modern Singapore culture. Because most items are available in limited quantities, your best bet’s to pop in and find out what’s in stock.

Since its inception in 2010, The Farm Store has been collaborating with local up-and-coming designers to showcase Singapore design at its best. Each piece you find in the store links back to our Singaporean identity – whether it’s a chilli crab coaster or a vintage Peranakan tile table runner – so if you’re looking for a unique keepsake, you’re in luck.

This cutting-edge, multi-label store is filled with quirky, eclectic items from labels like Freitag, Boy London, Fjallraven Kanken and Lazy Oaf, offering everything from apparel and shoes to bags and accessories.

Take a step back in time and learn craftsmanship the old-fashioned way: with your hands. With The General Co’s range of workshops, learn how to build terrariums, craft leather accessories, arrange bouquets and more. There’s also a retail space where you can pick up local design goodies, be they skateboard decks, quirky charms or handprinted tote bags.

Founded in 2006 by Frenchman Arnault Castel in Hong Kong, Kapok curates fashion and design brands in its Singapore outlet, the largest flagship store in the world. Patrons can expect watches by Swedish label Daniel Wellington, Miami-based accessories from Miansai, Code Deco perfume and an in-house brand of menswear shirts. You can also find popular cult brands like Maison Kitsune, Stepney Workers Club, Freitag and Cariuma.

Spanning over 10,000 square feet with 50 local and international brands across seven thematic zones – you’re guaranteed to be spoilt for choice at City of Tomorrow. There’s the F&B zone, The Secret Garden, where you’ll find specially created house blend by Alchemy X; The Locker Room, every man’s dream cave of apparel, footwear and high-tech gadgets; The Studio, the minimalist dream space; Tropical Paradise, for all your vacation swimwear and tropical prints needs, and more.

The multi-label store – the fourth in the world after London, Tokyo and New York – stocks 25 designer brands that range from Comme des Garçons and Anti Social Social Club to Céline and The Row. Housed in a converted army barracks with high ceilings, black cage-like grills as racks, and a colourful ‘cashier’ hut, you’d be forgiven if you mistake this for an art gallery.

Apparel, accessories and footwear from brands around the globe feature here, alongside an array of lifestyle goods. For raw denim aficionados, look out for pieces by labels like Engineered Garments, Human Made, Orslow, Ten C and Sync Made by Medicom.

The largest high-fashion chain, Club 21 runs a string of mono-brand boutiques for the likes of Armani, Balenciaga, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana and Paul Smith (to name a few). Its 
flagship multi-label store carries the best of the prêt-à-porter collections from Dries Van Noten; Viktor & Rolf; Alexander McQueen; Martin Margiela and more. The shop directly opposite, Club 21 Men, is a three-storey, sleek temple of metrosexual style .

Japanese artisanal clothier 45R debuts here with its flagship store at Capitol Piazza, putting premium quality materials at the forefront, sourcing for them even before conceptualising designs to ensure customer comfort. It uses pre-war antique looms and traditional techniques such as hand-spinning cotton into yarn, hand-stitching and silkscreen printing for all products, making every piece of apparel unique. The shop also exclusively stocks artisanal Italian leather label Henry Cuir and its iconic line of bags, wallets and accessories all made with its signature hand-stitched, natural vegetable-tanned leather.

Designed with a modern, industrial vibe in mind, the store carries over 60 names across luxe fashion labels, street-style staples and alternative indie brands. Take your pick from avant-garde apparel, minimalist accessories and off-kilter footwear from designers such as Opening Ceremony, Barbara Bui and Anna Thomas. This one’s aimed at the cool types. 

Marimekko, the design house well known for its iconic poppy print, adds flair and colour to the mall at Capitol Piazza. Having collaborated with the likes of Converse, Banana Republic and Finnair, the brand has cemented its global mark since its birth in Helsinki. Marimekko's core value is the beauty of everyday life, and its product range reflects that: colourful homeware, accessories and clothing, as well as textiles that can be purchased online.

Here’s where every young Singaporean male kick-starts his denim phase. Nudie, that brand you now see knock-offs of at pasar malams, is the big seller here, but we suggest you skip it. You’ll want to seek out Pure Blue Japan, Imperial Denim and APC instead. The latter tends to run in slimmer cuts (it is a French brand, after all), while Imperial jeans are heavy, sturdy and thick – which means you’ll literally sweat your balls off. The Pure Blues use far lighter denim, so go for those if you don’t want your denim to stank after five wears. 

As its name suggests, The Prestigious is a well-known bespoke tailor often consulted by the well-heeled and well-dressed community. All commissions suits are crafted in-house in the atelier by a team of 7 tailors and apprentices, mentored and personally supervised by master tailor Thomas Wong, a veteran who has over five decades of experience in the industry. There's no outsourcing and no secret factory here – The Prestigious is one of the only places in Singapore where the pieces don't leave the premises except in the client's hands (or body). To up the Savile Row experience, a personal tailor is assigned to each patron who is tasked to measure, fit, draft, cut and construct the pieces. 

Here’s a new tailoring boutique to add to your shopping hit list. The Bespoke Club, a local start-up that caters to the business wardrobes of men and women, finds its flagship home in an elegant space at Suntec City. Furnished with warm wood interiors, plush leather couches, and neat rows of ready-made accessories such as bow ties, pocket squares, cufflinks and lapel pins, the shop offers professional style consultants to stitch up your bespoke creation. Choose from fabrics in various shades, patterns and textures to craft your one-of-a-kind suit, shirt or shoes. It’s all about the perfect fit here. 

Get your bespoke menswear at Q Menswear, which provides both ready-to-wear and tailoring services to create that perfectly fitted suit. The local outfit also stocks a slew of accessories such as lapel pins, pocket squares and everything in between so that you can look your spiffiest in the shortest amount of time.

Locally owned Surrender is the top choice among tastemakers here. This hipper-than-thou store stocks a slew of obscure brands including Denim by Vanquish and Fragment, Mindseeker, Readymade and A-Cold-Wall among others, making this quiet boutique a heavy-hitter in the youth culture scene. The store gives off the air of ‘look-but-don’t-touch’ – but spend enough time browsing its racks and you’ll discover gems.

Tuckshop and Sundry Supplie offers the discerning Singaporean man a wide selection of apparel, footwear, leather goods, accessories and various other gentlemanly requirements, including shoe oil and hair products. Brands featured include Iron Heart from Japan, Rising Sun from the US, China’s Red Cloud and even its very own local OBBI Good Label, which specialises in handcrafted leather wallets, belts and pouches.

Spread over 35,000 square feet, Decathlon’s largest store in the region offers over 95,000 affordable products for more than 50 different sports from 20 in-house brands, and features indoor testing zones, an outdoor playground and a basketball court. You get to try out gear for sports like table tennis, mini golf and cycling (or get your two-wheeler fixed at the bicycle repair workshop). Even our self-professed, non-athletic, inertia-driven selves are psyched.

It’s smack in the middle of Tiong Bahru, so you know the kind of Hipster 101 albums this hole-in-the-wall stocks. Still, you’ll be able to pick out a few good finds – albeit at ludicrously high prices – like a rare first-press of Nirvana’s In Utero.

Browsing books promises to be a fun affair in this charming two-storey shophouse-turned-bookshop. The indie bookstore carries titles across all genres that range from specially selected literary, non-fiction, travel narratives, and award-winning children's books. Additionally, the books on sale – ranging from bestsellers and literary classics to children's titles – are actually quite affordable, or at least cheaper than you'd expect from other bookstores.  

Basheer Graphic Books is no stranger amongst the art types in Bras Basah. A regular haunt for graphic designers and illustrators, the bookstore stocks the best and latest in disciplines that range from graphics and architecture to fashion and animation. There are also regular discounts offered on specialised magazines and publications. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Leave your name, number and the desired title(s), and you’ll be notified once it arrives.

The store houses over 30 luxury lifestyle brands in its massive showroom. Reliable favourites – such as B&B Italia and Vitra – sit alongside yet more options, each set in home interior environments to show off Space’s extensive selection. We like the unfussy pieces from SP01’s Outdoor Collection ($400-$6,035), dreamt up by Australian designer Tom Fereday. They aren’t all looks, either: built (in Italy, no less) to withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight and sea spray, these’ll hold up just as well on your balcony or patio.

You’d be hard-pressed to find more good-looking furniture than at Noden. The independent store sources for mid-century and Scandinavian design pieces from the ’40s to ’70s, meaning you’re guaranteed a one-of-a-kind classic that could, for all you know, become a family heirloom down the line. Expect furniture not unlike the refinished Danish Bureau ($2,190) – the ’60s teak piece from Denmark comes complete with tambour sliding doors, drawers and a pull-out desk, plus sculpted teak handles. And stock’s replenished every two to three months, too, with prices starting from $200 – although that depends on factors like the condition, designer, year, maker and rarity of your chosen piece.

The furniture addicts behind Castlery take obsession to a new high, and in the best way. So while there are dining and study tables, sectional sofas, loveseats and all sorts of lamps, there are also basic (and complimentary) customisation options if you want your furniture a little off-kilter. That includes reupholstering and replacing the legs of your chosen sofa set with your colours of choice, for example. 

With attitudes loosening around lounging around on second-hand furniture, stores like Hock Siong and Co are suddenly top-of-mind to score home goods at a steal. (No one at the sprawling Tai Seng store is actually named Hock Siong – the name was coined by the company’s old-school towkay.) The goods – tightly and neatly packed into three units – cover a wide range of styles, from vintage rosewood to mid-century to the downright opulent. The products are hand-me-downs from hotels and show flats, furniture shops that have closed down, and the occasional beautifully appointed home. Oh, and make sure to bargain – the staff will happily knock down prices. Talk about retail therapy. 

Furniture shouldn’t cost an arm and leg, and HipVan knows it. The homegrown store prides itself on fair pricing across more than 5,000 designs: think L-shaped sofas and other sectionals, lounge chairs, hammocks, chest drawers, and bookshelves, as well as homeware such as planters and wall decals. While most of its furniture is sold online, a selection’s available for viewing at HipVan’s flagship store – or else, it’s free returns (by way of store credits) within two weeks of purchase on its website. 

No home is complete without an art piece or two and that’s where Wandewoo comes in. The brainchild of Singaporean space stylist Sonny Boey and his two siblings, this home and lifestyle accessories store stocks one-of-a-kind items made by talented designers from around the world.

Need a home makeover but can’t find the time to do it? Let Arete Culture’s interior design services create your dream space with homeware sourced from around the world. You can browse through a huge variety of designs including cushions, lamps and mirrors from The Luxe Hotel Collection, textiles from Linen and Moore, luxury bed linens from Sleep Naked, and artworks from Urban Road, Karen Charmoille and Christina Jensen at its flagship store. 

The simple, IKEA-esque homeware with a quirky twist on display in this hip concept store stands out – and it’s all made by local talent.

Matter sees itself as a ‘socially motivated brand’ that also prides itself as being a sustainable and conscious fashion label. It works with skilled artisans living in rural parts of Asia to make products from heritage-based fabrics in a sustainable and thoughtful manner. Handcrafted in organic cotton as well as biodegradable fabrics, its collection of toilet-friendly jumpsuits, trousers, tops and dresses are breathable and comfy.  

This store on the Duxton block recreates Los Angeles’ beachy vibe in its shop that’s part retail and part café. On its retail front, you’ll find American menswear labels such as Katin and Alex Mill that have yet to make its way into the mainstream Singapore market. When you’re done browsing, grab a cup of speciality coffee or nosh on artisanal bread at the café.