As the year draws to a close, the time for reminiscing and reflecting is upon us. It was a whirlwind of a year for fashion to say the least, one that was jam-packed with noteworthy moments and viral trends. We saw a return of minimalism in the form of quiet luxury, an aesthetic that consisted of elegant and muted separates that were often constructed of premium fabrics. Buzzy internet styles such as “mermaidcore” and “corpcore” gained notoriety over the summer, replacing the sleuth of gorpcore and Y2K ensembles that flooded our social media feeds the year before.
Here at Vogue Singapore, 2023 was one to remember. There were various firsts this year, from the triad of AI faces for our March issue to a never-seen-before reactive thermal cover for September. Vogue Man and Club Vogue saw a revamp this year, and who could forget our three-day landmark extravaganza Next In Vogue that celebrated our third anniversary and closed the year with a bang.
Given the editorial team’s fervent love for fashion, it was nice to play dress up and look our best for the bright lights of these social occasions. However, of the hundred of items that were shared and recommended in an endless array of shopping guides and features, which gems actually found a place in our wardrobes? Below, the team shares several of their favourite purchases from the year.
1 / 13
Desmond Lim, editor-in-chief
Favourite fashion purchase: Martine Rose western fringe-detail coat, $2,232
“A relatively recent purchase of mine, this beauty features fringe detailing that goes from the arms all the way through to the back. It has a slightly leaner silhouette completed to its peak shoulders which is a nod to the slightly tacky Italo Disco from the late ’90s. I love the idea of subversiveness being played out on an otherwise classic coat.”
Available at Farfetch.
2 / 13
Amelia Chia, deputy editor
Favourite fashion purchase: Chanel Coco Crush ring in 18k gold, $4,150
“It’s been a year since my grandmother’s passing, and what keeps me closest to her is when I put on one of the rings or pair of earrings she left to me. Her curated jewellery collection reminds me of the vision and style she once possessed. It inspired me to buy more jewellery when I could—and Chanel’s Coco Crush collection was a great start. The Coco Crush ring is simple, yet edgy and sophisticated, and one I can see myself wearing for a very long time. It stacks well with my other gold rings and adds panache to any outfit.”
Available at Chanel.
3 / 13
Gordon Ng, watches & jewellery editor
Favourite fashion purchase: Loewe nappa leather Toy Slipper, $1,300
“I was looking desperately, for months, for an evening shoe. The requirements: simultaneously bizarro yet elegant, and reminiscent of something a witchy old lady might prefer. Happily, Jonathan Anderson is in his era of funky weirdness at Loewe and turning out lovely little oddball designs that fit the bill.”
Available at Loewe.
4 / 13
Alli Sim, beauty director
Favourite fashion purchase: Simone Rocha taffeta mini dress, $2,406
“Entering a new decade for me activated a mindset shift, translating to an evolution in my personal style. I now prioritise doing, wearing and celebrating things that bring me joy. Think I look kooky, aunty or jolie laide? A smidge over or underdressed for a Tuesday morning? I literally don’t care. I’m dopamine dressing for me. And I feel the most ‘myself’ in Simone Rocha. This piece hanging in my wardrobe, while yet to be worn, offers so much delight. It ticks all the right boxes for me: a romantic silhouette with hardened, utilitarian details. It’s me. It’s fun to play dress up for yourself.”
Available at Farfetch.
5 / 13
Janice Sim, digital editor
Favourite fashion purchase: Acne Studios Berylab W leather loafers, $671
“It’s definitely one of those purchases where I feel like I snagged it at a steal—and I haven’t been proven wrong just yet. These loafers go with pretty much everything and what I especially love is the tiny Acne Studios face mascot imprinted on the back of the heel; something only the wearer would notice.”
Available at Farfetch.
6 / 13
Azrin Tan, digital writer
Favourite fashion purchase: COS asymmetric gathered midi dress, $179
“I had been eyeing this particular number since June this year, when I was on the hunt for more versatile one-piece options to fill my wardrobe. I’m naturally drawn to bright pops of colour and this delectable green was something that was definitely up my alley. Not only does the soft ruching around the waist make it a really flattering silhouette, but the flowy asymmetric lower also imbues it with a playful ‘swoosh’ factor that I simply can’t get enough of.”
Available at COS.
7 / 13
Emily Heng, associate beauty editor
Favourite fashion purchase: Van Cleef & Arpels vintage Alhambra pendant, $12,400
“2023 was a huge turning point in my style evolution, seeing how I decided to make less frivolous purchases and more serious, long-term ones. One of them is this Van Cleef pendant, which I’ve been coveting for some time mostly because of how delicate and versatile it is. I love how it adds a touch of whimsy to all my outfits, and works with just about every ensemble in my wardrobe.”
Available at Van Cleef & Arpels.
8 / 13
Maya Menon, fashion features editor
Favourite fashion purchase: Jean Paul Gaultier Trompe l’oeil maxi dress, $891
“I purchased this Trompe l’oeil denim effect dress last month and though I was slightly hesitant about it at first, I’ve grown to love it! It’s made out of stretch viscose jersey and comes with detachable sleeves so you can alternate between a more formal or casual look. It is also a maxi dress and has a turtleneck so it’s great to pair with an oversized structured blazer. Fun, fuss-free and a little tongue-in-cheek.”
Available at SSENSE.
9 / 13
Bryan Ho, fashion features writer
Favourite fashion purchase: Balenciaga striker boots, $1,760
“A black combat boot is a wardrobe essential regardless of style, and this pair from Balenciaga checks all the boxes for me. Its chunky toe and thick-toothed sole offers a rugged, utilitarian silhouette that works well with the wider bottoms I tend to gravitate towards. The supple calfskin exterior also ages naturally with repeated wear, making these the perfect everyday beaters.”
Available at Balenciaga.
10 / 13
Jason Thien, designer
Favourite fashion purchase: Comme Des Garçons Homme Plus wide-legged printed shorts, $426
“I’ve always been a fan of Rei Kawakubo, and when the opportunity arose to purchase this pair of shorts at a more-than-fair price I jumped at it. This piece embodies everything to love about her work, from the tasteful print to oversized fit. The pleated detailing and tailored waist also allows for it to be dressed up for any occasion.”
Available at Grailed.
11 / 13
Nicholas See, fashion stylist
Favourite fashion purchase: Loewe leather hat, $356
“I have been on the hunt for a quirky statement hat for a while now and I finally found this hat from Loewe’s fall/winter 2019 collection on Vestiaire Collective. Referencing from Dumbo, one of my childhood favourites, this makes any muted or monochromatic ensemble pop in a playful manner.”
Available at Vestiaire Collective.
12 / 13
Jasmine Ashvinkumar, fashion stylist
Favourite fashion purchase: Courrèges asymmetric denim midi skirt, $883
“This pearl white skirt features asymmetric detailing which provides an elevated take on a traditional denim skirt without being unnecessarily flashy, a timeless edition to my wardrobe.”
Available at Net-a-Porter.
13 / 13
Jesslyn Lye, writer
Favourite fashion purchase: Dr. Martens 1460 Swarovski lace-up boots, $279
“I was looking for a classic pair of black boots to replace my old ones after they fell apart, and these fit the bill for me. They’re super versatile and go with most things in my wardrobe, be it a casual pair of jeans or cute dress. The devil is in the details as well, with the little safety pin and chain embellishments making the pain of breaking them in worth it.”
Available at Dr. Martens.
