Singapore style tips
- When choosing what to wear in Singapore, keep in mind it has a hot and humid climate all year round.
- Casual dress is acceptable for most situations as long as it is neat and clean – the locals are very clean, correct, and frown on scruffiness.
- Jeans and t-shirts are acceptable but our advice would be to take lightweight clothes in natural fabrics; linen, silk and cotton will be more comfortable in the heat and will wash and dry quickly.
- Some restaurants and clubs may require more formal dress (no flip flops, shorts or sleeveless tops), so consider packing a smarter outfit and shoes just in case.
- Hotels, restaurants and shopping malls are usually air-conditioned and at times this can be pretty fierce so be sure to pack a pashmina, wrap or pullover.
- The sun is very strong, so you must wear a sunhat and take plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection) too. You can use a travel umbrella for extra shade, as the locals do.
- Make sure you have comfortable shoes for daytime exploring (try Hotter shoes, they provide total comfort and look great too). Flip-flops or sandals are a good idea as it will be much easier to dry your feet after the frequent rain showers.
- Flip flops are almost considered the national footwear, especially amongst the young, so with these you will blend right in. Make sure they are comfortable for walking around – we like the Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops range, using interchangeable shoe and flip-flop bases with snap-on decorations, you can change your look from day to evening in an instant whilst still packing light.
Clothing tips for women
- The humidity can play havoc with your hair – so think about accessories or a scarf to keep it looking neat and tidy.
- A few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry will transform any outfit.
- And a pashmina is a versatile piece that will dress up any outfit too
- You can use your pashmina or a sarong to cover your shoulders when visiting religious sites.
- If you are on business then regular business suits or a dress are acceptable, and because of the heat it is ok to not wear a jacket.
Clothing tips for men
- If you're looking for versatile and stylish beachwear, try the Madda Fella range of shirts, shorts, polos and swimwear.
- Men should pack a shirt, long pants and jacket for smarter restaurants and clubs.
- If you are on business regular business suits are acceptable, and because of the heat you don't have to wear a jacket.
- For great versatile travel jackets with multiple pockets including RFID security options, we love the SCOTTeVEST range.
Pack for the weather
- The wettest months are November, December and January (the monsoon period) and it is slightly cooler then, but rain is usual throughout the rest of the year too. Rainstorms are usually short but heavy, so take a travel umbrella whenever you go; as it's so hot and humid you probably won't want to wear a waterproof.
- We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip 🙂 Download for iPad/iPhone or Android
Singapore travel essentials
- There are literally thousands of shops along the many shopping malls and items are good value too. If you're a shopaholic, pack light! And you may want to take an empty carry-on or fold-up bag to bring all your purchases home with you.
- Note that smoking is banned in most public places in the city, so you will find it hard to light up. If you need to, pack alternatives such as patches.
- Chewing gum is not allowed on the Mass Rapid Transit system (MRT), and don't drop litter or anything on the pavements – laws are very strict and the fines are high. It's why Singapore is so clean.
- A lightweight day sack or shoulder bag will come in handy to carry your sightseeing essentials.
- The tap water is safe to drink, but if you don't like the taste and tend to buy bottled water consider carrying a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle – fill up from any source and get clean, safe drinking water without wasting plastic bottles.
- Look after your mobile phone with a phone bunjee – it protects against loss, theft and damage.
- To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step down voltage converter if your devices are not designed for local voltage (230V).
- If you're aiming to travel with just carry-on baggage, try the CabinMax soft-sided rucksack – it's light, roomy and has plenty of pockets to keep your stuff organized.
- Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! Bottles of Singapore Sling co*cktail are popular, but remember any liquids must go in your checked-in luggage. Merlion is the national mascot of Singapore, and you'll see countless products to buy featuring this icon.
Community photos of Singapore
At the Marina Barrage, January
