From Our Wardrobes: Buy Once, Wear Forever

FASHION

Sep 21

In an ideal world, we would all be shopping less. Buying things for our wardrobes that can be worn multiple ways for multiple occasions - the kind of items that you find yourself reaching for whenever you want to look and feel good without thinking too hard - these are the gems we all love to have in our wardrobes and would love more of. Here are The Edit team’s picks from their own wardrobes - from a metallic tiered mini dress to a pair of sandals - it goes to show that anything can become a key wardrobe piece - even in hot and humid Singapore.

LOTTIE : ULLA JOHNSON ‘SELENA’ COVER UP

The Edit team's curated lightweight cotton dress from Ulla Johnson - ideal for expats in Singapore's tropical climate

I hesitated to buy my first Ulla Johnson Selena dress because it felt expensive for what they were calling a ‘beach cover up’. I wasn’t interested in buying it to wear to the beach, I knew that much - so I hoped that it would be worth the cost as a dress I could use for going out. As with all online purchases, it was a bit of a gamble. But as soon as I slipped it on, it became a firm favourite - so much so, that I have bought it 3 times over in different patterns and colours over the years. I have worn this dress to school functions, Christmas Day, dinners out - drinks with the girls, a night out for burgers in rural France - you name it, this dress has been worn and worn again.

Why I love it…

It is made of a really light cotton voile which means I am comfortable wearing it no matter what Singapore’s humid weather has in store for me. The tie belt can be looser or tighter as my stomach requires - which again, I love for when I’m out for dinner (I really love a dress that lets me breath and sit comfortably). The puff sleeves with ties and the gathered neckline are really flattering. And it is one of those designs that can be dressy enough to be paired with a strappy sandal and some jewellery for a night out and in the day time I have worn it with a pair of Adidas gazelle sneakers and it’s worked just as well.

What else…

One adjustment that I made is to turn the low scoop cut of the neckline into a slightly higher V neck so that my bra doesn’t show. Without a doubt, this was a great buy and has become an absolute wardrobe staple for me.

Cotton dresses from Ulla Johnson - lightweight fashion recommended by The Edit team for expat daily life in Singapore

3 great day dress options

Ulla Johnson printed dress - a favourite piece curated by The Edit team for expats in Singapore — **Ulla Johnson**

*Kairi Ruffled Tiered Floral Cotton Midi Dress*
Net-a-Porter

Flattering leopard print dress - a favourite piece curated by The Edit team for expats in Singapore — **SEA NY**

*Claude Dress*
SEA

Doen floral dress : a flattering and lightweight option for expats in Singapore — **DOEN**

*Ischia Shirred Floral Cotton Voile Midi Dress*
Net-a-Porter

EMELIE: MARIA FARRO ‘WINONA’ SANDALS

Maria Farro Winona Slides: versatile footwear recommended by The Edit team for expat daily life in Singapore

I purchased this pair of Maria Farro sandals years ago and wear them nearly everyday in the warmer months.

Why I love them…

I’ve had my Winona slides for almost five years now and they’ve been everywhere with me, from slippery cobblestone streets in Europe to sandy Aussie beaches. They look super dainty but are way tougher than they seem. Comfy, durable and easy to dress up or down - honestly, they’re the perfect sandal.

Black scrappy sandals - versatile choice from The Edit team for expat city living in Singapore

3 great black sandal options

The Edit Team Curates: versatile sandals for Singapore city living — **Emme Parsons**

*Cecilia Sandal in Black*
Emme Parsons

The Edit team’s curated scrappy black sandals – ideal for expats in Singapore’s tropical climate — **Nelson Made**

*Juliette Sandal*
The Undone

Black sandals – curated by The Edit team for expat weekends in Singapore — **St. Agni**

*T-Leather Sandals*
Net-a-Porter

vicky: Ganni Silver Tiered Mini Dress

The Edit team's curated party dress - ideal for expats in Singapore looking for a party look

A couple of Christmas’ ago, I was looking for a dress that I could wear to a Christmas party we were hosting. I thought this silver tiered Ganni dress was perfect and while I wouldn’t normally opt for metallics, it felt exactly right for the occasion. So I ordered it online and had a back up plan if it arrived and didn’t suit me. But what began as a dress purchase with a particular party in mind, turned (suprisingly!) into a wardrobe staple for all kinds of celebratory occasions.

Why I love it…

It has just the right amount of volume in the skirt with the tiers and the ruffle around the neckline is really flattering. It is a really fun, pretty dress and I have worn it on so many occasions (side note: why is it OK for men to wear the same tux to every black tie event, but women are expected to have a new dress everytime? I am bucking this trend with this dress!) It has been the perfect party dress that I’ve worn multiple times and it goes to show, that a fun pretty purchase can still be a wardrobe staple.

What else…

When it arrived I had it adjusted at the tailors so that the low neckline and top area of the dress fitted me perfectly. With a dress like this, a little tailoring is a great option to make sure you always feel amazing when you wear it.

The Edit team’s curated party dress – perfect for expats attending events in Singapore’s tropical evenings

3 great party dress options

Elegant and fun party dress – a top pick by The Edit for expat social occasions in Singapore — **Rebecca Valance**

*Vanilla Dreams Pleated Cloque Mini Dress*
Net-a-Porter

Chic cocktail dress curated by The Edit team – ideal for expats in Singapore — **Self Portrait**

*Embellished Satin-Crepe Mini Dress*
Net-a-Porter

The Edit wardrobe edit: statement party dress for expats looking for stylish options in Singapore — **Emelia Wickstead**

*Einna Floral Cloque Mini Dress*
Net-a-Porter

Claire: WNU ‘The Weekender’ Shirt

The Edit team’s curated classic cotton shirt – a versatile wardrobe staple for expats in Singapore

I rely on shirts in my wardrobe for an instant ‘look smart and stylish’ option and am always on the hunt for the perfect shirt - with fit, fabric and versatility being key. With Nothing Underneath has been one of those brands that I return to often to find great elevated basics and this WNU shirt has proven to be a great addition in my wardrobe.

Why I love it…

The seersucker fabric is amazingly soft and it needs little ironing which is a complete bonus. For summer, I bought the matching boxers which gave me even more options - the shirt is a hero piece on holiday over swimmers or worn with the boxers as a set for lunch. When I’m in London I pair this shirt with jeans and trainers for day but it works equally well for evening with a pair of heels and a pop of gold. My love for this shirt has extended to both the white as well as the red/pink combo.