You’ll find most of the world’s fashion labels along Orchard Road, invariably clustered around Ngee Ann City, The Paragon and the Hilton Shopping Gallery. Thanks to Chanel, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Armani and Chloe you won’t be left wanting here… However, do expect to pay higher prices for these brands than you would in their country of origin. A Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress costs about $780 compared to $600 in the US. During the sales though, prices can be slashed by 50 to 70%, and some lucky shoppers have been known to snap up Gucci heels for $100. Club 21, the exclusive distributors of Vera Wang, Armani, Calvin Klein, Paul Smith, Donna Karan and more, hold a sale twice a year.

European high street labels are popular here – shops like Topshop, Warehouse, Miss Selfridge, Zara and Mango are always packed although their hemlines are always too long for shorter Asians. Because of the ‘unfavourable’ exchange rate between the English pound and the Singapore dollar, Topshop, Warehouse and Marks & Spencer have cut their prices so that their merchandise is about 20% cheaper than in the UK. Mango and Zara are still cheaper than in Europe by about 20 to 30%.

Homegrown designers are well-supported. GG5 makes good quality and reasonable classic clothes with a twist (like shirts for work at about $59), M)phosis, which you’ll find in most major malls, is popular among young working adults who want clothes that take them from work to a night out and Individual Expression makes cool summer clothes with an Asian twist. For ‘larger’ sizes, Marks and Spencer, British India, Australian brand Country Road, Liz Claiborne, Marina Rinaldi and local label Joan Allen have clothing in sizes up to at least a UK 18.

Another place to unearth large sizes as well as really good deals (if you know your fashion labels) is at the overruns and seconds shops. At Factory Outlet Store, Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirts sell for $19.90 and at the Export Shop, one can sometimes bag an Ed Hardy T-shirt for a 10th of the price at the official store.

Club Street and Haji Lane off Arab Street have evolved into trendy fashion areas. Here young designers and entrepreneurs have turned traditional shophouses into hothouses of creative fashion. Venue on Club Street, for example, houses limited edition Puma shoes and clothing. Comme des Garçons’ guerilla store is currently located in Haji Lane (but they move it to a new ‘secret’ location every few months!). For original local designs, check out the winner of Singapore’s ‘Young Fashion Designer of the Year Award 2005’ Baylene at Stamford House (www.baylene.com). Her interpretations are fresh and prices are reasonable (there’s nothing over $500).

If premium jeans are your thing, Inhabit at Palais Renaissance stocks Blue Cult, True Religion, Notify and Rock and Republic. Blackjack across the street at the Forum The Shopping Mall stocks Da-Nang, Ernest Sewn, Sass & Bide, and Maharishi. Skin at Marina Square has most of these brands plus Von Dutch.

It’s quite common to get formal gowns tailor-made here. Wedding shops all offer this service. But if you need tailormade everyday clothes, it may actually be cheaper to fly to Bangkok and get it all made in a day there. Alternatively you could look for home-based seamstresses, whose names are usually spread by word-of-mouth.