Beyond Uniqlo: SGDrips’ Step-by-Step Style Guide for Singaporean Dudes

There are way too many Singaporean men who are unfairly labelled plain, boring, “too uniqlo”, lazy, or fugly. Our local dudes are often busy balancing the societal expectation of being providers and the human need of having a life.

So here’s a super basic step-by-step style guide, which covers:

1. Your Colours
2. Choosing Fabrics
3. Cuttings
4. Coordinating Outfits
5. Wardrobe Curation & Shopping

Part 1: Your Colours

Notice how Uniqlo’s clothes look so good on the model, but so plain on commoners? Well, Uniqlo is mass-market, so the clothes need to look decent on everyone, but not necessarily make anyone look exceptional. That said, you will find stuff that makes you look extra good at Uniqlo (and other shops), once you know which colours flatter you. If anything, it’s now the season to try colours, after 2 years of WFH-induced moodiness.

Simplest litmus test: Borrow your family’s jewellery. Find 1 silver and 1 gold piece. The chunkier, the better, and try to make sure both pieces have a similar lustre. Then place them against your face, and see which one makes you look more radiant. (Do this under sunlight, if possible. Daylight LED lighting is fine too; 5000 to 6500K.)

• If the silver looks better, you have a cool undertone. Your colours are blue-green, blue, purple. Basically, anything from Grab delivery bag green to recycling bin blue to eggplant purple.
• If you look better with gold, you have a warm undertone. Red, orange, yellow, yellow-green. Think fire engine red to M1 orange to lemon yellow.
• If you look ok with both, you have a neutral undertone. Congratulations, you’ll look ok in many colours, but you’ll need to try harder to be exceptional.

As you can see, I look fine with both metals, but the silver side makes my skin look a bit more radiant (pink) and fair. For some people, the difference can be pretty glaring.

No women around to lend you jewellery? Grab your bros and do this exercise together. If you look better (less cui) in the Army №4, you’re warm undertoned. If you look better in the RSAF №4, you’re cool undertoned.

Once you know this, you can start experimenting with colour saturation and brightness. Folks who look good in the Navy №4, you’re probably really fair or really dark. This means you can try bold and saturated colours, so go for it.

Cool-toned people: Try pastel blue, blue grey, bright blue, and navy blue.

Warm-toned people: Try pastel sakura pink (yes, if our prime minister can wear pink, so can you), ashy-grey-red, fire engine red, and burgundy red.

Neutral-toned people: Try pastel-mint, teal, dark teal, dark green. Or, if your skin is a bit more yellow, try the warm-toned colours. More pink, try cool-toned.

Which of the four looks good on you?
Take note, then try the other colours in the corresponding column.

Warm-toned Version

Cool-toned version

WAIT A MINUTE, where are my neutrals?!

Easy. Warm-toned people — go for browns and khaki. Cool-toned people can go cool grey, monochrome, or navy. Neutral-toned people, just match based on the above. (You can also try warm greys and cool browns.)

Assuming you have a finite budget, you can’t go wrong with neutral-coloured shoes. I also recommend getting bags and belts that are the same colour as your shoes. (It’ll make coordinating outfits so much easier.)

Part 2: Choosing Fabrics

Yeah, we’re all lazy people living busy lives in a hot and expensive country. So, our clothes need to match these keywords: breathable, wrinkle-resistant, and good value. A few pointers for tops.

• Scrunch test: Scrunch up the fabric in your hands. If it looks like a primary school kid’s worksheet when you straighten it again, don’t buy it. (Idk about y’all, but if a piece of clothing can’t look decent with just a quick steam, I’m not buying it.)
• Reach into the middle of the pile/stack of the tops. If it doesn’t feel warm, you can buy it. (Doesn’t count if the items are right under a super cold aircon vent ah.)
• 100% cotton isn’t a guarantee of breathability/comfort/performance; at lower price brackets, cotton blends are usually better. (Take a look at the Airism label.) This rule of thumb will start to go out of the window when you look at tops that cross SG$50.

Textured cotton like this is a bit more breathable. Source: https://www.uniqlo.com/sg/en/products/E452668-000

• If you insist on 100% cotton, pay attention to the thickness. Contrary to conventional wisdom in seasonal countries, breathableness trumps durability every time.
• Linen (blends) are AWESOME for comfort, but usually not wrinkle-resistant at a lower price point. Do the scrunch test; if you find a plain linen shirt that looks good on you, is opaque enough to censor your nips (even in cold rooms), doesn’t wrinkle (much), AND is within your budget, just buy 2 pieces in different colours. Then repurchase more if you really love it and it’s in very good condition after 5–10 washes.

A linen blend will have a softer hang similar to this, and sometimes a finer weave.

Pants and bottoms are a whole different ball game and probably require a whole separate guide. Let’s just talk about the easiest option for comfortable casual long pants.

Visit shops that do outdoor/camping/hiking clothes. Then look for pants that don’t wrinkle badly (scrunch test!). Also, bonus points if the pants are convertible (the leg portions can be detached); idk how to describe how amazing those are on rainy days. You should also check out the hiking shirts there. Even more bonus points if the pants’ cutting fit your frame nicely.

Part 3: Cuttings

Let’s start with t-shirts.

• The sleeves need to start where your shoulder ends. Unless you’re really into the skateboarder aesthetic (or have a very specific set of body proportions), the sleeve-to-shoulder seam should land nicely on the edge of your shoulders.
• The thicker/shorter your neck and the broader your shoulder, the wider your collar needs to be. V collars work too. (Buibuis take note!) Also, if you’re on the juicy/chunky side, or have a round jaw, avoid polo tees like the plague.
• The sleeves should end about midway on your biceps. Also, they shouldn’t be too tight; lift your arms up in the fitting room. You shouldn’t feel any constriction. (Unless you’re really damn fit and can rock that muscleman style.)
• Length-wise, just tuck in, then raise your arms all the way up. If it doesn’t pop out of your pants, it’ll do. Unless you have washboard abs and don’t mind flashing people.
• Of course, the tee shouldn’t be so long that it can cover your butt. Unless you’re a skater, b-boy, rapper or something like that.
• The skinnier you are, the bigger the design on the tee can be.
• Is the collar made from the same fabric as the rest of the tee? If yes, don’t buy. It’ll definitely warp and develop weird creases. The collar has to be made of a slightly ribbed stretchy material. I know this because I’ve made this mistake before.

The black tee does not have a stretchy ribbed collar. As you can see, it creases up. Can be overcome with ironing, but who has time to iron these days?

Onwards to shirts.

• ALWAYS try before you buy. They are less forgiving than tees, and tailoring isn’t always a viable or wallet-friendly option.
• The longer and slimmer your neck, the higher your collar can go.
• Round-jawed dudes should try mandarin collars.
• Slim-cut for him isn’t always slim-cut for you. Everyone is juicy in different spots, so the size/length/position of the darts for the slim-cut effect will result in varying levels of effectiveness.
• Of course, perform the tuck-in-and-lift-arm test. At a bare minimum, the shirt shouldn’t pop out of your pants and you shouldn’t feel any constriction when your arms are parallel with your shoulders.

Re: Bottoms

• Besides fitting you well around the belly and hips, you also need to look at the fit around your thighs. Unless you have nice legs, the rule of thumb is your thigh circumference + 5cm. It’ll be just nice to outline your figure and provide adequate comfort. (It applies for the juicy bros as well; too much fabric will make you look even massive, even though it covers everything.)
• Shorts
  Unless you’re rocking a certain style, or have very nice/long/slim legs, the length should be around your kneecap, up to 0–5cm above your knee.
• Pants
  * Avoid pants with elastic cuffs like the plague. Unless you wear a lot of boots, and/or have nice legs. 🙃
  * There are a thousand and one cuttings. (Really a hell lot to learn.) So, focus on getting a couple of nice straight-cut pants first.
  * Full-length pants should end between the top of your ankle joint and the top of your heel bone. Just nice for a peek at your socks.
  * For other lengths, the rule of thumb is it should end where the slim-enough part of your calves start. HIGHLY personal as it depends on your leg shape; explore later.
  * Always try before you buy. They can be less forgiving than shorts.

Part 4: Coordinating Outfits

Oh boy. This part is yet another area of study; which is why people pay stylists. So, a few easy tips.

• Take a photo of the mannequin in the shop when you buy the item. Just copy the shop assistant’s homework!
• If the colours are next to each other on the rainbow, it’ll work fine. For example, a dark forest green top will go with blue bottoms. Or a orange top with light brown bottoms.
• Stick to 2–3 main colours in an outfit. Yes, black and white are colours too. Black and white = 2 colours.
• Copy the designer’s homework — if the colour exists on the tee/shirt, just wear more of it. (You can also vary the brightness and saturation.)
• Example 1:

Source: https://www.uniqlo.com/sg/en/products/E444544-000?colorCode=COL00

A bottom in red, yellow, brown, or black will work. Apply the same logic to the rest of your outfit.

• Example 2:

Source: https://www.uniqlo.com/sg/en/products/E444643-000?colorCode=COL64

Not at all a fan of this shirt. But you know what, it’s a common enough piece that has cramped so many dudes’ styles that I think it’s worth discussing. So, the obvious answer is a pair of dark blue jeans, which looks SUPER dowdy. (Hell, even the model looks miserable in it.) Unbutton that top button and put on a pale blue pair of shorts instead, maybe in a super light jeans fabric. Then white sneakers, white bag, done. (Shoes and bags in black, grey, green, or red will work too.)

This logic applies to everything. Yes, even your weeb tee. Try a dark teal bottom with your Hatsune Miku tee, or a dark pink/dark red pair of shorts with your Anya Forger tee.

Of course, repeating this exercise for everything in your wardrobe will probably cause it to explode exponentially. This brings us to…

Part 5: Wardrobe Curation & Shopping

Option 1: Remember the colour test in step 1? Look at your wardrobe first; the odds are good that you already have stuff that suits you. Streamline down to 1–2 colours that suit you (and make you happy to wear), and the neutrals that match it. (Keep the blacks, whites, and jeans too.) Then add whatever items contain the colours you picked. Then store/sell/donate everything else that doesn’t match or suit you. Then go shopping if need be.

Option 2: Of course, if you absolutely hate your current style (or have a lot of budget), go hunt for a super unique patterned/printed shirt that looks REALLY GOOD on you. Then buy a printed tee that is a close sibling of that shirt. Then REALLY copy the designers’ homework. Buy a top and a bottom for each colour found on the two tops. Then fill up with the basics.

At the end of the exercise, your wardrobe should have:

• 10 solid colour tops: A few tees and a few shirts, in black/white/neutral and the colours you chose.
• 1–2 patterned tops that match the above colours.
• 2–3 pairs of jeans — light blue, blue, dark blue, grey, black.
• 3 pairs of pants in neutral colours.
• 3+ pairs of shorts in jeans or neutral colours.
• 1–3 pairs of shorts/pants in your signature colour(s)
• 1 set of bags/shoes/accessories in the same neutral colour (some accents and slight variations are fine, but must largely be the same.)

A brief note on bags, shoes, and accessories:
If you have the budget, get another set in your favourite colour or a colour that suits you. You can go crazy, because it’s more forgiving. But do make sure the item sets are a close match in colour. Bonus points if the sets contrast well with what you own.

• Example 1: You’re cool-toned, and most of your wardrobe is various shades of blue and green. Get a pair of red sneakers, a red cap/watch, and a casual red sling bag. Done.
• Example 2: You like blue colour, but you’re warm-toned and dark-skinned, so your wardrobe is white, yellow, and brown. You can get bright blue accessories.

For reference: My husband’s muted grey-blue set.

Your set doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be consistent.

List what you are missing, then go shopping. (I do not believe in shopping without a checklist.)

Note: I did not include sports gear, jackets, home clothes, etc. as these are highly dependent on lifestyle. But, the most cost-effective and easy option is to get these in your neutral colour.

Where to go:

• Basics: Uniqlo. It is popular for good reason. If you have a bit more budget, go visit Zara, MUJI, Mango, or the outlet shops at IMM. Easties can go Changi City Point.
• Hiking outdoors: This is for weather-appropriate pants and shirts. Visit the big Decathlon outlets, or go to Velocity@Novena. If you have budget, try Timberland.
• Edgy style (and people who like ADLV tees): Pull & Bear. DOT Singapore.
• Shirts: Besides the shops listed under Basics, you can also try department stores. Plenty of good options, especially if you choose colours that feel younger or have boyishly-cute prints. (Things like tiny boats, tiny leaves, etc.)

Community Contributions:

• velocipedic — J.Crew (Fun casual shirts and basics!)
• SunnySaigon — H&M (Apparently, good quality and fitting basics. OP thinks that YMMV.)
• paddy_boomsticks — For tall dudes: “Tommy Hilfiger polos on Zalora are often discounted and also come in a longer cut.”

Closing comments:

• If you’re just trying out a new colour, start with an affordable top first. It requires less commitment than a bold colour bottom.
• Feel free to shop online, but do it with a current set of measurements and a clear understanding of what suits you.
• Find an affordable tailor. My tailor converted some of my Uniqlo tees into tanks; they look so much better on me now.
• u/se4nnnn wrote a basic guide 2 years ago too; feel free to read it too for the absolute basics. Here are a few points from there that I’d like to comment on.
• The quality & cutting at ZARA & Mango can be quite inconsistent, but you will find some gems there.
• Sports shoes are amazing for comfort, so please don’t avoid them lol. IDK about y’all, but comfort is priority number 1. Coz there’s nothing sadder than stylish-but-tired feet and faces on a nice day out. Consider investing in a really nice and stylish pair, and maintain them well.
• Yeah, do avoid having too many complicated-looking tops. A couple of pieces will do. (5–10% of your wardrobe is fine.)
• As with many things, YMMV. If you wanna break some of the rules, coz it looks good to you or makes you feel good, go for it.

Others said:

• u/ddeng: TLDR?
  Me: Just do Part 1. Then chuck out all the tops that don’t suit your skin tone.
• u/knead4minutes: imho the amount of recommended bottoms is total overkill
  Me: You are right, especially if you do laundry twice (or more) a week. Cut down the numbers if it makes sense for you.
• u/ItzMrDeee: Subscribe to subreddits like r/malefashionadvice or r/frugalmalefashion
• u/bilbolaggings and u/sinkiepwnsinkie on male fashion influencers.
• u/fateoftheg0dz and others talk about tailoring.

This content is revised from my top post at r/Singapore. I’ve included supporting images, and edited the language to accommodate international readers. While the content has been crafted with Singaporean men in mind, it can be useful for men living in humid tropical climates too.