Keeping your office wardrobe up to date doesn’t have to overextend your budget, but you do need to be a smart shopper when looking for the best deals on career shoes and apparel. Taking certain steps to make your work ensemble as versatile as possible will certainly help in maximizing your clothing budget and ensuring that you look sharp all year round. Here, we listed down some tips on how you can do just that without costing a fortune.

1. Invest in High Quality Basics

From pencil skirts and dress pants, to blazers and pressed shits, ensure that your collection has pieces that fit you well and can be used to create multiple outfits. For instance, instead of purchasing a blazer with contrast piping, opt to stick with a classic grey or black blazer that can be worn as two or three different ensembles. Ensure that you purchase the right size from your favourite label so you won’t end up spending extra money for any alterations.

2. Shop Smart in Outlet Shopping Centres

While most outlet shopping centres in Singapore are great places to find good deals on designer clothing, ensure that you don’t compromise on quality just because you’re enamoured by its price. Remember, some companies tend to produce lower-quality clothes for outlet stores – meaning, you’ll get the label but you won’t get the quality of a regular store item. So be sure to take a closer look at the construction and quality of your purchases when shopping from outlet centres to avoid getting a dud of a deal.

3. Be Creative With Your Accessories

Statement jewelleries, colourful scarves and headbands can transform any basic work ensemble with just little effort. Simply tie a printed scarf around your neck, wear a set of bracelets or an oversized necklace, or put on a colourful headband to add a hint of colour to your ensemble. Shop clearance bins and sales racks for accessories that will help freshen up your work wardrobe for the season.

4. Switch to Patent Loafers

You may wear your stilettos and combat the pain through thinking happy thoughts, but we’re here to remind you that it’s not the only option. So switch your heels and plain old flats with patent loafers to achieve a classy and pain-free office look.

5. Carry Different Handbags Everyday

If you carry the same handbag every day, change things up by switching to different bag styles and colours every now and then. Carrying a handbag set in a bold colour is already enough to freshen up your office look on regular days. If you want, you can also keep things professional and chic by opting for a colour block bowler handbag or an oversized patent leather tote.

Whether you’re just starting to build up your basics or simply looking to add some trendy pieces to your collection, ensure that you’re making the right investments for your work wardrobe. Put these tips to work so you can still look fashionable even with the strict dress code in your office.

Many Singaporeans take on the stage of different fashion runways from New York to Paris these days. This means that we are not far behind. It is not easy to be a model especially with the diversity but anything can be possible if we put our heart to it. Who knows, we will become top model?

If in this case we are still struggling to make ourselves big, we have to remember things especially when modelling. The experts gave small but significant reminders for those who are aspiring to be a top model. Here are some:

• Eat sumptuously: It is important for a model to eat. Other models tend to starve themselves but that is not healthy. When we feel that we have a full schedule and back-to-back castings, we have to start out day by eating sumptuously. Sometimes because of the full schedule, eating is impossible so it is better to start with a full stomach.
• Always be early: We do not want our co-workers to have the impression that we are always late. If we want to be respected and be commended for our professionalism, we have to be early always no matter the time of day – it can be our strong suit when time comes.
• Be patient: Time is of great importance but when modelling, we have to resolve ourselves to be patient and prepare for long waiting times. When we are left nothing to waste but time, networking won’t hurt. The easiest thing that we can do is to attempt small talks with the people around us and we will not notice how time flies especially if we enjoy the company.

• Do not get wasted: After every successful runway shows, models and designers come together to celebrate. It won’t hurt if we socialize but not to the point of getting wasted. If we have a show the next morning, getting wasted will not be a good thing because we will surely look like crap.
• Do not overthink: Overthinking will only make us anxious. We know that clients want a different look every season and we do not know what they are looking for. We can try to find it but sometimes we just need to be ourselves and not overthink about it. We only need to keep calm and let the nature take its course.
• Fake it till you make it: Sometimes things go wrong like wardrobe malfunction but as a professional, we have to think that the show must go on thus the saying “fake it till you make it”.

Even the most bag-crazy Singaporean woman would admit that there’s just no limit as to how many bags they need. Unless you’re someone lucky enough to have a room-sized bag closet, space will always be an issue, which is why you’ll need to strip down to the bags that you really need. So before you start raiding your bag closet and get rid of those arm candies, here is a list of the bag types that’s definitely worth keeping in your closet.

1. Crossbody Bag

This bag is one of the types worth keeping in your closet as it’s so comfortable and wearable. Crossbody bags come in handy as you do a hands-free shopping, or train commuting. If you’re going to have your hands full on a particular day, then don’t hesitate to wear this piece around. The occasions where you can use this bag are endless.

2. Weekender Bag

Weekender bags aren’t just perfect for impromptu trips around Singapore, this large bag can also take on the work of all the bags you use in your daily life. It could serve as your gym bag, grocery bag, and a carry-on bag that will allow you to haul more stuff with you during your flight.

3. Structured Tote Bag

Among the bags that you own, this is the type that you often take with you to work. Purchase a larger version of this bag in case you need to carry laptops, tablets, or any files with you. If you only have your basic essentials – makeup, magazine, and cellular phone – then a medium-sized bag is already good for you. Opt for the ones set in classic colours, and you don’t have to worry whether or not your bag matches your look.

4. Day Clutch Bag

Also known as brunch bag, this arm candy is perfect to carry if you’re only going to spend a couple of hours outside and don’t plan to carry your handbag. Although a sequined clutch is cute, you’d mostly want to stick with a more casual, and grab on-the-go bag.

5. Evening Clutch Bag

This is definitely one of the favourite bag type of each women because aside from being easy to carry, most evening clutch bag designs are just so pretty. Stock on at least two of these that are set in neutral shades to go well with almost everything.

6. Quirky Bag

Quirky bags are considered as the just-for-fun bags. You get to decide on the structure and shape of your quirky bag, so pick something that will really make you stand out during your night-outs with friends.