4 Singapore Outfit Ideas That Always Make My Packing List

I have honestly lost track of how many times we’ve been to Singapore. This is a city we always make a point to stop in en route to other destinations in Southeast Asia. It is the biggest hub in the region after all! Yet, before you hit all the hawker centres and explore Gardens by the Bay, you’ll need to know what Singapore outfits to add to your packing list. Here are some fun Singapore outfit ideas, what to wear on a short visit, and more helpful tips to know.

Planning a Trip to Singapore 

✈️  Changi Singapore Airport is an attraction in itself with so much to see and do on a layover! If you have time before or after your flight, don’t miss out on the world famous Singapore Jewel waterfall and beautiful Butterfly Garden.

🚊 The best way to get around is by using the Singapore MRT. There is an extensive subway network that’s super fast and simple to use to help you get to all the best neighborhoods.

🍜 As you’ll see in this article, we eat the majority of our meals at the Singapore Hawker Centres! These massive food courts are filled with delicious street food from all over Asia, at a fraction of the cost of dining at most restaurants. Be sure to stop into the Tekka Food Centre, Lau Pa Sat, and Chinatown Complex on your visit.

🌃  You’ll want to save some energy for nighttime as there are two epic Singapore Light Shows to experience. Here are more of the best things to do in Singapore to know about for your first trip.

Putting Together Your Singapore Packing List

The first time we visited Singapore, we stayed about a week and absolutely loved it. However, the one downside to the city, is that the hotels are actually quite expensive!

The price of accommodations can easily add up if you’re planning an extended trip to Southeast Asia. This is especially true when you compare it to other major cities such as Bangkok and Hanoi.

For this reason, our return trips were usually limited to 2 or 3 nights thereafter. Don’t worry though, this always allowed plenty of time to hit our favorite favorite hawker centres, catch a light show, and discover the unique neighborhoods.

When it comes to my Singapore outfits, I try really hard not to dump my entire bag out on the first day! Typically, I make sure I have a few select items to wear and put those right on the top of my luggage (along with my pajamas and essentials) for a short trip. 

I obviously don’t want to waste time packing and unpacking my bag back in the hotel room and miss out on anything. Singapore is so different than other cities we’ve been to on our travels through this part of Asia.

It’s modern, high tech, and has a very business-like feel to it. This is not the place to be wearing elephant pants from Chiang Mai and beach-style tank tops from Bali that you might have collected along the way. 

While it is a big city, I wouldn’t pick many black or darker Singapore outfit ideas. This may work well in places like New York City, but you don’t have to keep your wardrobe so neutral here.

It’s still a tropical destination that’s exploding with life! I’ve commonly seen bright and bold colors, fun patterns, and very stylish Singapore outfits. Everyone looks put together, but as you’ll see, there’s far more to this city than the towering skyscrapers and business district.

4 Must Pack Singapore Outfit Ideas

1. Dresses Always Work

This will be a relatively short list compared to other packing lists I’ve written. The reason being is that if I’m traveling to Singapore for just two or three days, I’ll probably have three different dresses planned. They look cute in the city while still feeling loose and flowy with the sticky, humid climate. 

Are you not a fan of wearing dresses in the warm weather and walking far distances? Then I highly recommend ordering something like this to put underneath. Even if you size up so they’re not too tight, these anti-chafing pants make such a difference in the heat!

You’ll also want to think about what shoes to pack with your Singapore outfits. Really, the best option is something you can be comfortable all day in. There is so much to see and do in Singapore, and it’s an extremely walkable city.

I wouldn’t go for sandals or any type of heal with your Singapore outfit ideas. A closed-toe, white minimalist sneaker is my top pick.

I wore this brand Olukai for my last couple of trips to Asia and truly loved them. It was also nice how easy they were to wash if they did get dirty. 

Usually, I plan to wear short dresses during the day and maybe a longer, maxi-style dress at night. It just depends on how hot it’s going to be and how I’m feeling in the moment.

2. Singapore Outfits For Casual Exploring 

If I’m not picking a dress out of my luggage, then I’m wearing something more low-key for sightseeing. I’ve always worn a romper on past visits and thought it fit great.

Yes, Singapore is modern and business centered, but still has plenty of relaxing elements to it. Trust me when I say you won’t want to dress too elegant eating street food at all the different hawker centres!

For days where I know I’ll be doing a lot of walking, a simple pair of loose shorts and a nice top or t-shirt is the way to go. I don’t want to keep harping on the weather, but know that Singapore can get scorching hot year-round! 

It gets extremely humid from March through September before the monsoon season arrives. Keep this in mind when planning out what to wear in Singapore, and avoid anything thats too tight or uncomfortable. 

→ Epic 2 Day Singapore Itinerary (What You Absolutely Can’t Miss!)

3. What to Wear in Singapore For a Night Out

There are two very different sides to the city after the sun goes down, and both will influence the Singapore outfits you wear. One has a more upscale, modern vibe, where you might want to pick a stylish dress with comfortable flats. The other (which we love) is the bustling hawker centres and laid-back drink spots along the river. 

Obviously, what Singapore outfit you choose depends on your plans for the night! If you aren’t going out to the nightclubs or high-end restaurants, then casual day-time clothing is perfectly fine. 

You’re definitely better off with just shorts and a t-shirt at the Gardens by the Bay Light Show, as most people lay on blankets on the ground. Nevertheless, if you want to hit the Marina Bay Sands Casino or stop in for a Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel, then plan to wear something nicer. 

4. Singapore Outfit Ideas for Different Accommodations 

One more thing to consider with your Singapore outfits is where you will be staying. There are so many different neighborhoods to see and all kinds of accommodation options that come with them.

Some popular areas to to spend the night are Singapore Chinatown, Little India, and the Arabic quarter around Haji Lane. Remember to add a bathing suit and coverup to your Singapore packing list if your hotel has a swimming pool. 

Also, if you plan to stay at a hostel, you might want to think of more relaxing Singapore outfit ideas that can be used in common spaces. Here are a few different hotel recommendations for every budget.

Marina Bay Sands – An absolute bucket list hotel! We stayed here to celebrate Jake’s 30th Birthday and had an amazing time. Just know that the price has really increased over the years since our stay, so be prepared to open your pocket book.

Heritage Collection on Chinatown – This highly-rated brand has several locations in the city. Chinatown is one of our favorite areas to stay and plan your visit around.

Cube Social Boutique Capsule Hotel – It will honestly be hard to find a room for two people under $150 USD that isn’t at a hostel. This pod-style accommodation is surprisingly chic and has an awesome location right in Boat Quay. 

What Singapore Outfits to Skip 

So what would I skip completely when planning what to wear in Singapore? On all my trips, I have never had a need for jeans or thick pants. You absolutely will not find me in a sweatshirt or extra layers unless for some reason the air conditioning is blasting in my hotel room. 

A very lightweight cardigan could come in handy if you’ll be indoors for a long period. This includes eating out, shopping at the mall, or maybe going to more than one museum. Still, I really have never needed too many layers to go with my Singapore outfits.

If your trip does fall between December and March, then know that you’ll be smack in the middle of monsoon season! This is when you’ll want to have a rain jacket and umbrella, as tropical rainstorms can come out of nowhere.

Have any questions about this article or want to share your own Singapore outfit ideas? Let us know in the comments!

Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake

Pin for Later ↓ 

*We receive a commission for purchases made through links in this post. This allows us to continue our travels and keep providing great content to our readers! Also, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.