Top 5 Wardrobe Essentials for Life in the Tropics

No one likes to look like a hot mess, so here are Ms.Yin | Ms.Yang’s top 5 tips for looking cool when the mercury is on the rise: wardrobe essentials for life in the tropics

Are you a mama who still wants to look stylish even in the face of, well, being a mom? Do you want to know more about fab local designers and brands? We’ve teamed up with fashion bloggers (and Singapore mamas) Ms Yin/Ms Yang to bring you a monthly dose of fun and practical fashion tips that are equally perfect for fashionista mamas or mamas who are just happy to be out of their gym clothes or flip-flops. You can read more here about their column. 

We have been living in Asia for over 10 years, so we think it’s fair to say that we have some solid experience on how to dress when the Asian sun has got its hat on.

Stay cool and fabulous, mamas!

Love Ms.Yin | Ms. Yang 🖤

Read More: Five Tips for Getting Out of the House Fast (and Still Looking Stylish):

This is golden rule #1 when that golden sun is beating down. Any block colours will show perspiration marks. So, unless you’re anchored to the aircon all day, go for print which will camouflage sweat. Because, boy, are you going to sweat on those Singaporean streets.

Dress by Indii Breeze

Natural, lightweight breathable fabrics are best. Think lightweight cottons and linens. Your beautiful polyesters and the like will only serve to heat you up rather than keep you looking and feeling cool.

Left: Ribbon & Roses
Right: Simone Irani 

Yin will happily ignore this piece of advice given her love of black. But as they taught you in school, dark colours absorb heat, whereas light colours reflect it. So, ditch the darks and go for the light brights à la Ms.Yang. But if you must go dark, then stick to tips 1 and 2 above.

Left: Indii Breeze
Right: Coco Sand

The less clothing you have touching your body, the better. Think lovely, loose flowing maxi dresses which let the air freely circulate. Even wide-legged jumpsuits and pants will work. The main thing is to go with the flow and not venture into skin-tight / uptight territory. Also, remember tips 1 to 3 above and if you can manage to combine all of these, then you’re onto a winner.

Left: Innika Choo
Right: Simone Irani

Not only are you instantly adding an extra layer to your clothing, but linings are often made from synthetic fibres which make you sweat unless your body operates at an abnormally cold level. So, when buying clothes avoid lining if possible, but if you really must, then try and find linings that are made from natural fibres.

Skirt: Theresa Cotton