I came across a column in The Straits Times questioning the logic of local malls and boutiques flaunting Fall/Winter collections in eternal summer Singapore.
Models clad in suede jackets, wool ensembles and thick leather accessories are sprawled across glossy magazine pages, and many a mannequin is dressed likewise. Take a walk along Orchard Road and you will spot the occasional girl-in-boots. Most fashionistas fail miserably at pulling off an otherwise chic look, while the few who actually manage it still end up looking out of place.
Take SUVs, for instance, a popular choice among Singaporeans. But where in Singapore is there a need to go off-road?
The closest we have to challenging terrain are the potholes caused by heavy vehicles and the bumpy patches left behind by roadworks. In which case, what you probably need is excellent suspension, not an SUV. And if you find yourself veering off Old Upper Thomson Road, it’s not going to make much of a difference whether you drive an SUV, MPV or any other form of vehicle.
As for convertibles, Singaporeans by now seem to finally recognise that open-air cars are not really practical in our climate. We are talking scorching sunlight and wilting humidity, nothing like the warm sunshine and cool wind-in-your-hair experience in some other parts of the world.
It is the foolhardy foreigners, who have recently arrived from places where the sun don’t shine (as much) and hence cannot get enough of sunny Singapore, that we usually see driving with the top down despite the sweltering weather. Let’s admit it, getting a convertible is really more for the cool factor and implied lifestyle than anything else.
Ultimately, we enthusiasts still buy the cars we like to drive, and wear the clothes we want to wear. It is a good thing that my fashion decisions are not dictated by the same criteria with which I choose my cars. Otherwise, you will see me strutting down Orchard Road in the latest Fall/Winter collection.
