Singapore’s retail bona fides start with some of the most magnetic and glossy malls this side of Tokyo. The crucible of commerce in the sleek city-state, however, resides with the independents, mom and pops and rare local gems that cater to the Merlion Republic’s singularly sophisticated shoppers. With this firmly in mind, we present a shortlist of shops that make us swoon whenever we visit Singapore.

Photo credit

Déjà vu Vintage
#01-70 Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Blvd

This intimate shop feels like a fashionista of yore’s walk-in closet. Rare one-offs, iconic styles from decades past, funky prints and designer duds figure prominently.

Where to stay: Pan Pacific Singapore

Tea Chapter
9A & 11 Neil Rd

Get set for your next book club rendezvous with all the proper accoutrements courtesy of Tea Chapter, a Chinese specialist with beautiful, one-of-a-kind items.

Where to stay: New Majestic Hotel Singapore

Basheer Graphic Books
231 Bain St

Is your coffee table a little drab and bare? Spruce it up with a beautiful tome on photography, design or architecture. For rare out-of-prints, Basheer Graphic Books is the place to be in Singapore.

Where to stay: Fairmont Hotel Singapore

The Little Dröm Store
7 Ann Siang Rd

When it comes to thoughtful souvenirs to ship back home, local products make the most sense. No other shop in Singapore delivers quality local goods quite like the nifty Little Dröm Store.

Where to stay: Hotel 1929 Singapore

Sccube the Apothecary
176 Orchard Rd

For choice, artisanal toiletry items with some scientific support, Sccube the Apothecary is a must. The tony shop on Orchard trumps the corner drugstore any day of the week.

Where to stay: Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre

New China Opticians
B1-12A Peninsula Hotel, 3 Coleman St

Vintage frames, designer frames and rare, avant-garde frames make New China Opticians the place for anyone who likes to make a bold, accessory statement.

Where to stay: Peninsula Excelsior Hotel Singapore

Quintessential
#02-01 Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Rd

What New China Opticians is to frames, Quintessential is to handbags. And totes. And minaudières. And satchels. And so on.

Where to stay: Royal Plaza on Scotts Hotel Singapore

Trolley
88 Club St

While you can always ship that antique armoire back home, it can sometimes be difficult to locate sensible, useful souvenirs to carry in your luggage. Trolley’s trove of fun decoratives help rectify the quandary some.

Where to stay: Ascott Raffles Place Singapore

Egg3
33 Erskine Rd

Egg3 is a home accessory maven that specialises in clever and minimalist designs.

Where to stay: Amara Hotel Singapore

Blackmarket
19 Jln Pisang

Singapore’s fashion scene has benefited from a boost in public and private patronage of late. With that, Blackmarket showcases some of the city-state’s best and most innovative needle-and-thread talents.

Where to stay: M Hotel Singapore

Granny’s Day Out
#03-25 Excelsior Shopping Centre, 5 Coleman St

The name is self-explanatory but Granny’s Day Out proves, once more, that Singapore is tops for hunters of vintage garments.

Where to stay: Swissotel The Stamford Singapore

BooksActually
9 Yong Siak St

Every city needs a non-corporate haven for ardent book lovers. In Singapore, BooksActually is it.

Where to stay: Hotel Re Pearls Hill Singapore

Singapore City Guide