Although hitting the stores alone may not sound like the best idea for having a fun time, I believe it's a true litmus test of independence.

It may appear a little strange or even sad to go shopping without anyone else to chitchat with on the way, but it can actually be a very relaxing experience for the stressed out urbanite. There are perks to shopping alone. Firstly, you will be free to pop in and out of shops at record speed, or choose to linger for a longer period without feeling like you're inconveniencing your shopping buddies. Going solo also means you will not be distracted from the sacred task of finding the things you like.

Some shops are particularly attractive to me when I'm going it alone, and my choices are quite varied. Sometimes a tiny space with a personal touch does the trick, while at other times, I prefer to lose myself in large, bustling stores full of other faceless shoppers. Over the years, I've compiled a small collection of my favourite shop-alone haunts. Maybe you will like them too!

Bookshops are a natural draw for me. Although I love the vibes of quaint little bookshops, I still feel the most comfortable in the cavernous space of Borders. For a bibliophile like me, I have little trouble spending a good few hours trawling the seemingly endless rows of shelves. If you're a frequent book buyer, sign up for the free fortnightly emailer online to enjoy its regular discount coupons. Coupling these coupons with the Borders Preferred Card, you can get as much as 50% discount off your bulk book purchases! The amount you save will far exceed the $20.30 you pay for the one-year membership fee. My membership is expiring soon but I'll definitely be renewing it, considering how often I stock up.

Another large store that I like to frequent when I'm on my own is the incredibly well-stocked, everything-for-$2 Daiso. I greatly admire the Japanese for their ingenuity in product design; I'm enthralled by the cleverly crafted odds and ends that can be found here. My favourite buy from Daiso would have to be an eye mask reminiscent of the ones Holly Golightly wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's, complete with girly eye-lashes! I am also addicted to its hair accessories and spend a lot of time poring over the hair bubbles. Last night, I was happily picking out cute little hair ties from Daiso when I suddenly realised that my hair is now too short for me to use them. Naturally, I got a little depressed about that.  

Shopping for clothes alone can be a little trickier because we tend to want a second opinion (e.g. do you think this is a slimming mirror?). Personally, I can handle going through the racks by myself if there is enough variety to keep me interested. For this purpose, I like P.O.A (People of Asia), the chain store label that carries both menswear and womenswear.  Stocking a full range of products, I enjoy sieving through what's on offer. Unexpected bargains often turn up on the sales rack. Once, I even considered buying a long-sleeved striped t-shirt in all the colours available (there were about five) just because they were so perfect and comfortable.

If you're looking to spend a lazy afternoon in your own company, Haji Lane's small shops will keep you occupied. Pluck, a multi-concept store consisting of a retail space and an ice-cream parlour, is among my favourites. Established in 2006, Pluck is literally a retail veteran in the area. I was first drawn to the shop by its very naughty but clever 7 Deadly Sins t-shirts (I love the Lascivious one). If you're crafty, you may also want to take a look at the shop's high quality fabrics featuring chirpy, vintage-inspired prints. It is also a great place to take a break from all that shopping and reward yourself with a scoop of nice home-made ice-cream.
 P.O.A (People of Asia)
  Pluck


Whenever I find myself in Haji Lane, I'll definitely drop by Soon Lee to check out what's new in its carefully curated inventory. In the short time since it has started out, this little shop has grown tremendously and now brings in coveted international labels such as Dr Denim and Irregular Choice. Recently, the people behind Soon Lee opened Rockstar, a larger retail space at Cineleisure. This younger sister still bears the mark of Soon Lee's lovely, simple style, but is edgier with a little more spunk. The last time I was there, I spotted reproduced vintage telephones and cute prints by Swedish illustrators, just a few of the many things I would love to bring home with me.

Maybe one is not such a lonely number after all. At least not in shopping.

Xoxo
Dottie


Stephie & Dottie
Stephie & Dottie are the girls behind Fashion Nation, a high profile blog featuring their adventures in the realm of fashion and retail in Singapore. Catch a glimpse of their worlds on inSing.com every Wednesday.