Tired of the mega-malls? Head down to Haji Lane, a small shophouse-lined street in the Kampong Glam area near Bugis. This area has always been one of my favourite retail hangouts. Most of the local wear in my wardrobe and accessories were actually bought from boutique stores at Haji Lane. I will always fork out time to drop by to do some shopping at this area whenever i can. New shops have opened recently and anyone is sure to find some treasures! Don’t go early, though – most shops don’t open till noon. The next time you have a whole afternoon free, take a trip down Haji Lane. Sometimes you just need to get out of the malls. You need a hit of creative smack. You need to find uber-cool with a capital U. Hot foot it to Haji Lane, here's what you will find........ Misleading all movie-buffs, surprising all sporadic shopaholics, this FilmBox shop may be small and compact but certainly leaves no square footage untouched and unstuffed. A standard layout of stacked cubes of knick-knacks on either side, get ready for some impulse shopping. This is the kind of store for the pal who has everything or the friend that enjoys random presents, like a satchel or an animal-head contact lens holder. There are two speciality shops for this Eighty-Two Tales boutique store, one on Level 1 catered to bicycles and one on Level 2 which is more of a 'lifestyle store'. Eighty-Two Tales specialises in designer apparel for men, women, accessories and home decor. Their fashion collections seem to reflect Taiwan and Korea street trends. Shop Wonderland is the retail arm of the Wonderland for Detailed Planners event agency, which provides ‘the look’ for weddings and events, from the flowers to the Tiffany chairs and table sets. And their new Haji Lane shop – which sells an artfully curated selection of homeware, from elegantly simple flower bouquets to pom poms, potion jars, stationery and scented candles – does indeed have a Wonderland feel. In Singapore's fast-paced lifestyle, there's hardly any time to stop and smell the roses. We rush to meet appointments on trains, buses or spanking new cars bought with hard-earned cash. This perhaps explains why bicycle boutique Tokyobike's philosophy of 'more about slow than fast, exploring the city and escaping it all' is catching on with a crowd exhausted from the grind. Having pedalled its way down from the old Tokyo suburb of Tanaka, the first flagship store in South-east Asia was set up here in May last year. Their bike designs are touted as 'city bikes' (as opposed to mountain bikes) so it's not really about speed or sturdiness. The focus is on comfort and aesthetics, which is reflected in the compact, lightweight and whimsically colourful frames. From the white, minimalist theme to the vintage local street signs hanging on the walls, it is clear that the store located in the serenity of Haji Lane offers a sense of nostalgia for simpler times and enjoying the little things. Define Happiness (dh) Sunglass Shop - A pillar outside this shop displays the brand names they carry as a clever bid to grab the attention of their target market. As a total sunglasses fanatic I think that sunglasses can complete and transform a look, create an attitude and channel a character. The shop is very simply decorated, with main focus on their goods as opposed to ads. dh is a shop that lauds sunglasses, from the chic decor to the layout, the focus is firmly on the glasses and in this shop, they really are a thing of beauty. They have a very large Oakley collection. Prices are somewhat lower than what you'll find in most retail stores across the island. I walked in aimlessly, looking at their shades and telling myself I need to get another pair soon because I had an accident with my oakley while on a trip at Cambodia back in August. Tucked away on a cozy second floor shophouse, a very welcoming atmosphere at Wanderwonder gives you the opportunity to take your time and browse through the various brands that they stock. Dressy but never formal, WanderWonder is the go-to for quality shirts, suiting and footwear, particularly their oxford shirts that never stray into 'too serious' territory by encompassing playful, daring details. With bold, patterned inserts and block colour panels, the humble shirt is lifted from drab to dapper in an instant. The WanderWonder man is a bespectacled creative type, boys who have graduated from streetwear and men who decide to dabble in a world away from run-of-the-mill fashion. A clean loft-like space in Green Poppies creates a sense of calm away from the otherwise bustling alleyway, ideal for slow perusing through colourful racks of printed silk dresses, crocheted clutches and gauzy tops. The ground floor offers a range of products, from delicate stud earrings to laptop cases and daintily bound notebooks. With a crisp white backdrop, Salad Shop is a funky fashion and homewares space. I dig their home accessories like vases, cushion covers and their dresses, earrings and leather bags. Salad Shop is a fashion and lifestyle boutique catering for customers who favour an uncluttered, individual life. White dominates the decor - from facade to the interiors, ensuring that the products are the focal point of attention. And the goods themselves are often unique or from very limited runs, making them highly sought after. 同族一潮 UAOF Store which stands for Unite Asia One Fashion is a Singapore multi- label Asian concept boutique. It merges quintessentially Asian styles, flair and details with modern apparel. Imagine a mandarin collar on a modern shirt? Nice! Quiet and quaint, it was known more for its logo 花草樹木 and flower arrangements that it delivers. 花草樹木 Skyroom slowly blossomed through with the fashion and lifestyle products that were brought in to the shop since year 2005 when it first opened. A greeting from Skyroom the moments you walk in or exist from Haji Lane serves the first or the last goodness boutique to visit. This is their first boutique before branching out their 2nd branch at Central.
Haji Lane is a cute little street that features many little fashion stores and cafes. It’s only a little street, but believe me, you will spend lots of time here. It’s great for buying fashion, accessories and fashion gifts. First of all, it’s colorful! The street in itself is a joy to look at. You get taken back to the days of old Singapore. Then there is the fashion! No branded stuff, but just quaint little, independent fashion stores. Prices tend to be cheap, but the trend level is high. Many of these shops featured their own creative interpretations of these trends and at much lower prices. Great for gifts too! This is also a good place to shop for original gifts, especially for the coming christmas holiday. :-)
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