UNIQLO x SHENTONISTA: Ready, Set, Go — A Change Ahead

Andrea, Banking. EZY Ankle Pants from UNIQLO; rest of outfit Andrea’s own.

Each time we meet Andrea, she surprises us with a different look. We still remember her from two years ago—braces on, fresh-faced, only a year into her job, in a colourful top that she now looks back on in mock horror. The Andrea today has grown and learnt along the way, but she says her penchant for an ever-changing style remains the same. When it comes to dressing for work, she has to look professional, but that doesn’t mean she loses any of her own personality. By incorporating patterns or vintage pieces into her outfit, she ensures that she doesn’t look like a carbon copy of everyone else in the CBD—after all, there’s no fitting in for this maximalist at heart.

Shentonista (S): You previously studied Marketing in Polytechnic but now you’re working in finance and accounting. Why the change?
Andrea (A): I initially chose marketing as I needed a creative outlet, and I felt like I needed to follow my heart. I’m good with numbers though, and after I graduated I felt I would be better off doing something which plays to my strengths. It’s just that sometimes I need to do something more exciting to make myself feel alive!

S: What’s a day at work like for you?
A: My days are quite relaxed right now; I’ve just started to learn how to value stocks and bonds and all sorts of things. There really isn’t a day-to-day routine and I’m learning a lot of things right now—I love it! What my boss is focusing on right now with me is my learning, as it’s a highly technical job, kind of like quantum physics in the finance world. I’m also currently doing product control valuations so I take care of the different products in a bank and make sure that our traders’ valuations are correct. A trader can inflate their market positions to their favour; they can price their products to influence their bonuses so they might be biased. We’re basically the policemen who make sure that we’re not over- or under-valuing our balance sheet.

S: Work-life balance or work-life harmony?
A: I believe in working hard and playing hard as well so really, having a balance. I feel that you should give everything your 100 percent and I don’t like to half-ass things. If I’m going to do something, I have to do it all the way. For example, I’m currently juggling both school and work. When I’m at work, I’ll fully focus and not think of school; when I’m in school, I’ll devote my time to studying.

S: What’s a typical day like for you on a weekday and a weekend?
A: On the weekday, I work from 9AM to 6PM and then from 645PM, I go for class till about 945PM so it’s pretty hectic. This happens twice a week. On weekends, I’m mostly chilling and looking at dogs. I love dogs—I used to have a beagle.

S: You mentioned that one of your hobbies is to longboard and you often do this after work in the CBD. Tell us a little more about that.
A: How I got into longboarding is a really long story. I was on Tinder for awhile and the very first person I matched with was this really cool guy. He didn’t have any “ulterior motives” and we just became friends. He introduced me to longboarding and to his friends as well who have day jobs, but who longboard at night. We like to meet up on weekday nights to skate—we’d start at Raffles Place MRT, head to Gardens By The Bay, pass by Marina Barrage and the bridges, before heading back to Raffles Place again.

S: You’re also working on getting your ACCA (professional accounting qualification)—how have you been juggling both work and school at the same time?
A: Well, it’s actually really difficult to do both at the same time because I’m also a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend. I wear many hats in the day but as I said, if you’re at work, you have to devote your time, effort, and mental energy to doing that single thing. Also, you shouldn’t forget to rest. On normal days, I get six hours of sleep but on the weekend, maybe 14 hours (laughs). I really sleep in.

S: Since you started work, how have you grown? What are some lessons you’ve learnt along the way?
A: I think I’ve learned how to be more disciplined. I take exams every three months, and with work and school, I try to break things up so I don’t have to chiong (rush) at the last minute. I read my notes in the train sometimes, and try not to spend too much time on social media. I’m also very thankful to be working in an office where everyone works hard and is diligent. I think I’ve learnt from them to focus on my own growth in terms of understanding the market and products.

S: The first time we met you two years ago, you mentioned that you love maximalism. What do you think is the difference between your style then and now? Has it changed? How so?
A: I feel like back then, I was more rebellious so my clothing reflected that as well. Over the years, I’ve become a little more polished with that maximalist style. I’ve toned down a bit and I guess context matters as well. On Fridays, I would definitely wear something I really feel like wearing and impress my colleagues! (laughs)

S: How important is style and comfort to you?
A: Super important! I feel that you need to have style to put your best face forward and I feel like it makes you feel more confident and ready to take on the day. People view you differently when you’re stylish as well. Comfort is also key because if you can’t walk in your heels, then there’s no point in wearing them.

S: In your opinion, how do you manage to stay comfortable and be stylish both at once?
A: Before I buy a piece of clothing, one of the key things I look out for when I try it on is comfort. If my movement is limited or if it doesn’t feel good, I’d probably not want to wear it. Pants are my go-to outfit of choice for days when I have to head to the office, school (and sometimes the club) because they’re both practical and fashionable. The pants that I’m wearing now, for example, fit me like a glove and you can always tuck in a simple blouse or pair it with sneakers for a comfy-chic look.

S: Share with us a few things you’ll look out for when purchasing a clothing item.
A: Colour! It needs to showcase my personality and style. The material as well—in Singapore’s humid weather, you need to wear things which are breathable.

S: How differently do you dress on your weekends off, or when you’re just headed out around the neighbourhood?
A: I wear a lot of shorts on the weekend and I’m not really that stylish on my days off. I do try to dress up a bit by wearing shades or hats to bump up my look.

S: If you could raid anyone’s wardrobe, who would it be and why?
A: Maybe David Bowie. He’s androgynous and I think I am too!

S: Describe your style in three words.
A: Fun, eclectic, and kind of a wild card sometimes! (laughs)

S: Clothes for everyday wear, be it for home, work or play—share with us some of your style hacks.
A: I think you need to have key basic pieces and then you can expand your wardrobe by adding accessories like badges, scarves, hats, and maybe a few bold items as well, like a neon yellow clutch. I also think it takes pays to take very good care of your clothing because I have a lot of vintage items from my mum’s wardrobe when she was in her twenties. My sister and I really benefitted from that as we can raid her wardrobe now. For example, we have vintage earrings from Valentino which are one-off items!

S: Share with us how you would take an outfit from day to night.
A: I’m quite a big fan of these pants that I’m currently wearing because sometimes, I like to pattern-clash! I’d pair a polka-dotted top with houndstooth-printed pants like these or with a graphic tee. It’s very versatile and I’ve actually worn the same pair of pants to work—you can come up with so many looks.

S: You mentioned that you often get quite crafty in the kitchen. What’s a recipe you’re currently trying to learn?
A: Well, it’s not a recipe per se, but I’m trying to learn more about Peranakan cuisine. I just bought a recipe book by one of Singapore’s first ladies. Peranakan cuisine is quite time-consuming and takes a lot of effort—you have to get the freshest ingredients, and that means going to the market early. You have to slice, dice, and pound, and really work your muscles. You’ll definitely have to break a sweat to get your rempah (spice paste) right! I feel that it’s a time-consuming process but it’s really rewarding because at the end of the day, you can share this meal with your family. I started cooking a year back and I’ve done a lot of curries and popiahs but I haven’t cooked with Buah Keluak, which is a type of poisonous nut. I’m not sure how to do it yet but if it’s not treated right, you might end up poisoning yourself!

S: What’s a dish that best describes you?
A: 九层糕 (nine layer cake). I think that’s me—sticky, sweet, and colourful! (laughs)

S: If you could invite anyone, living or dead, to your fantasy dinner party, who would he/she be?
A: I think I’d invite Anthony Bourdain. I would love to meet him and bond over our shared love of food, culture, and exploring the unknown. He was a masterful storyteller who used food as a vehicle to inspire people to experience the world with an open mind and an open heart.

S: If you could possess any one talent or ability, what would you choose and why?
A: I’d like to time travel because I’ve always wondered how it’s like to live in the past, and how things would be like in the future. I’m excited to see how things turn out.

Andrea was previously seen here and here.

This is a SHENTONISTA project for UNIQLO, featuring their all-new EZY Ankle Pants. Shop for men here, and women here.