In the spirit of Diwali, Dreamfellas sheds a much-deserved spotlight on the best of desi Fashion that Singapore can offer — from intricate Sarees to contemporary Lehenga silhouettes and more.
Courtesy of Naina Nisa Studio
Synonymous with vibrant colours and warmth, Diwali brings about one of the most joyous times of the year for Singapore, lighting up our city’s streets with an awe-inspiring display of fluorescent lights to mark the triumph of good over evil.
As Singapore prepares to kickstart the highly anticipated festivities, we can’t help but reflect on the richness of Indian culture in Singapore, most predominantly seen through the intricate and eye-catching outfits adorned by Hindu families during visitation to friends and family’s places. We certainly can’t help but live vicariously through our friends who celebrate the holiday by excitedly checking through our social media feeds for updates on their Diwali outfits.
If you’re like us and can’t get enough of Indian traditional attire, or are celebrating the holiday and intend to find a new store to frequent, look no further than our list of the four best boutiques to shop for desi fashion in Singapore.
Courtesy of Jinders
Jinders
There’s something for everyone at Jinders, an Indian boutique specialising in desi traditional wear that has seen an expansive career of over 25 years of experience under their belt. The store houses an impressive selection of Indian Haute couture during its occasional multi-designer exhibition entitled ‘Jinder’s Designer Exhibit Lookbooks 2022’, featuring coveted brands like Mul Mul, The Boozy Button and The Arab Crab, a must-visit for any regular or prospective customer that is keen on owning distinctive traditional attire that’ll have you the envy of the party.
Aside from their sought-after showcases, Jinders also provides a wide collection of Anarkali dresses, Kurtis and Kurtas crafted in-house by their designers under Studio J, a subsidiary of the brand.
Courtesy of Jinders
Shopping for your loved ones has never been easier at Jinders, as the store caters to all genders and body types — even providing an adorable matching ensemble for your little ones if you so desire. We recommend visiting their physical store to see their beautiful garments up close as you’ll be able to get your pieces altered on the spot to suit your tastes.
And if you’re a lovestruck couple looking for a suitable designer to bring your bridal dreams to fruition, rest assured, Jinders would be able to have you and your partner looking like royalty on your special day.
Shop Jinder’s collection here or visit them at 153 Selegie Road, Singapore 188316.
Courtesy of Canvas and Weaves
Canvas and Weaves
Let’s be real, in this day and age where shirts and jeans are the quintessential Singaporean uniform for most inhabitants of this city, only a handful of locals reach for traditional dresses as their preferred choice of daily wear. After all, aren’t culturally rich clothes usually saved for festive occasions? Not in the eyes of Ferzin Patel, founder of Canvas and Weaves — an online store that carries works by talented artists and designers alike — who believes that traditional clothing should be sustainable, stylish and wearable as casual attire.
Courtesy of Canvas and Weaves
With this ethos in mind, Canvas and Weaves have carefully handpicked a selection of brands and fashion labels that advocate for slow-made products and fair trade laws. Injecting a modern spin on beloved desi silhouettes like Chanderi Anarkali sets and Dupattas, the store will entice you into sporting intricately handwoven Sarees and pleated Kaftan dresses on the regular, as their vibrant designs are too eye-catching to resist.
Keen on strutting through the city in their sustainable pieces? Purchase a set here.
Courtesy of Naina Nisa
Naina Nisa
Boasting opulence and lively colours is Naina Nisa, a one-stop Pakistani boutique that offers a personalised shopping experience unlike any other. Much like the aforementioned brands, Naina Nisa has a variety of ready-to-wear chiffon suits, party-wear lehengas and designer dresses by well-known Pakistani designers like Suffuse by Sana Yasir, Republic Womenswear and MNC Design Studio to name a few.
The biggest draw of this Pakistani boutique lies within its services such as complimentary styling, which sees customers decked out in jewellery by the Naina Nisa team, as well as the availability of pre-wedding photography packages for busy bees who’d prefer to be well-taken care of by professionals.
Check out their online store here or pay them a visit at #01-340 and #02-329 (bridal boutique), The Plaza, 7500A Beach Road, Singapore 199591.
Courtesy of Opium by Bubbly J
Opium by Bubbly J
The hunt for the perfect Lehenga Choli has been made easier thanks to Opium by Bubbly J, a popular store whose seemingly endless catalogue will have you scrolling for hours on end as their affordable silk collection will leave you spoilt for choice.
A fan favourite amongst the younger crowd, Opium by Bubbly J leaves no crumbs as their modern and contemporary-styled suits are to die for. You’ll want to gather the girls for this shopping spree because the boutique — with all its captivating designs and renewed vision — is one worth sharing with your top crew.
Check out their online catalogue here or pop by their store at Selegie Centre 189 Selegie Road,
#B1-08 Singapore 188332.
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