Getting ready for a special occasion can be almost as exciting as the event itself. Whether you’re attending a wedding, birthday celebration, dinner or long-awaited reunion, virtually everyone can agree that it’s quite satisfying to expand your wardrobe and put together a new outfit and that makes you feel your best.
Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need to make multiple trips across Singapore to get everything sorted. City Plaza has a mix of fashion boutiques, tailors, shoe shops and beauty businesses that can help you prepare from head to toe. From finding an affordable outfit to getting your brows and nails done, here’s how we would plan a pre-event refresh at the mall.
Find an Affordable Outfit at Fashion Scale
Before thinking about accessories or beauty appointments, you’ll need an outfit to build your look around. Fashion Scale Pte is a good starting point if you’re hoping to find something stylish without blowing your budget.
The shop is known for offering affordable yet quality clothing, with individual pieces costing around $50 or less. That makes it particularly handy if you have an upcoming event but don’t want to spend a small fortune on an outfit you’ll only wear occasionally.
The friendly and helpful owner also makes browsing a little easier, particularly if you’re unsure about what to pick. With prices this reasonable, you may even find yourself leaving with a few pieces rather than just one event outfit.
Fashion Scale Pte
Location: 810 Geylang Road #01-110, City Plaza, Singapore, Singapore
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM | Sunday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Pick a Dress at Lisa Penny Fashion Design
If you’re specifically after a dress, make a quick detour to Lisa Penny Fashion Design. This small boutique carries mainly dresses alongside other affordable clothing, with some pieces priced from around $25.
There’s not much of an online presence to browse beforehand, but that can arguably be part of the charm. Instead of scrolling through endless pages of clothing online, you can drop by and see what catches your eye in person. It’s definitely worth popping in if you’re after an affordable dress and don’t mind discovering your options as you browse.
Lisa Penny Fashion Design
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #02-51, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8 PM | Closed on Sundays
Get the Perfect Fit at Townflair Fashions
Even a great outfit can look underwhelming if it doesn’t fit properly. That’s where a good tailor can make all the difference. Townflair Fashions is helmed by an experienced aunty who can alter all kinds of garments on the spot, with customers praising her detailed, skilful and meticulous work. She is also known for offering practical advice when appropriate, so you can get a second opinion if you’re unsure about how a garment should be adjusted.
The prices are reasonable, and the hospitality makes waiting for your alterations a little more pleasant, with drinks offered to customers in line. If you’re planning to visit, just remember to bring cash as the shop does not accept PayNow.
For an important event, it’s worth getting your outfit altered well before the big day rather than gambling on a last-minute fix.
Townflair Fashions
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #02-74 CITY PLAZA, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 AM – 3 PM | Closed on Sundays
Put Your Best Foot Forward at Midas Shoes
Now that your outfit fits properly, it’s time to consider what’s going on your feet. Midas Shoes offers a wide variety of footwear at reasonable prices, making it a practical stop for finding a pair to complement your event outfit. Its leather shoes are particularly worth a look if you’re after something smarter, with good quality and value for money.
Think beyond aesthetics, too. If your event involves plenty of standing, walking or mingling, comfortable shoes could save you from spending the latter half of the evening wondering when you can finally take them off.
Midas Shoes
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #02-96 City Plaza, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Operating hours publicly unavailable
Get Your Hair Event-Ready at Magenta Hair Salon
With the outfit sorted, it’s time to move on to your hair. Magenta Hair Salon has become a go-to for many locals, with plenty of customers returning for years.
It’s easy to see why. The owner and her team are experienced with everything from straightforward cuts to more elaborate updos, so you can book a visit whether you simply need a trim and blow-dry or want something more polished for a special occasion.
The atmosphere is part of the appeal, too. Rather than the hard-selling and scripted small talk sometimes associated with newer salons, Magenta offers a more personal experience, with genuine conversations between the team and long-time customers. Nostalgic Hokkien music playing in the background adds another touch of old-school charm.
For quality styling at reasonable prices, it’s a reassuring choice when you want your hair to look good without making a huge production out of the appointment.
Magenta Hair Salon
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #01-78, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Sunday-Friday: 9 AM – 7 PM | Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Add Length and Lashes at Angel Xin Beauty
Want a slightly more dramatic transformation? Angel Xin Beauty specialises in hair and eyelash extensions, making it a convenient option if you’re hoping to add some extra glamour before an event.
Hair extensions can give your locks more length and volume, while lash extensions offer a more defined eye look without needing to spend as much time on mascara and other eye makeup. Lash extension appointments can be completed in under an hour and last for weeks.
The experienced staff are also happy to answer questions and don’t pressure customers into adding more extensions than necessary. That makes the experience particularly useful if it’s your first time experimenting with extensions and you’re unsure about what would suit you.
Angel Xin Beauty
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Open Daily 11 AM – 8 PM
Give Your Nails Some Attention at Cantik Nails Spa
It’s easy to overlook your nails when planning an event look, but they’ll inevitably make an appearance when you’re holding a drink, taking a group photo or reaching for the dessert table.
Cantik Nails Spa offers an affordable way to give them some attention. The salon is clean, spacious and staffed by friendly professionals who maintain good hygiene practices. Its Spa Gel Classic Manicure and soak-off is among its more popular services, so you can leave with neatly finished nails that complement your outfit.
Interestingly, you can also get your hair done here, making Cantik Nails Spa a convenient choice if you’re hoping to tackle more than one part of your makeover in a single visit.
Cantik Nails Spa
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #01-104a city plaza, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 10 AM – 8 PM | Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays
Frame Your Look with Perfect Beauty Brow House
Finally, don’t forget your brows. Well-shaped eyebrows can subtly change the appearance of your face and make the rest of your look feel more polished.
Perfect Beauty Brow House is a multi-award-winning brow house helmed by certified brow specialists, with pain-free eyebrow embroidery being one of its main specialities. Its colour pigmentation products are Korea-based and organic, while treatments are carried out with an emphasis on hygiene and comfort.
First-time customers are taken through the different embroidery styles and advised according to their skin type and preferences, rather than being pushed towards the most expensive option. The specialists also pay close attention to face shape and small details to create natural-looking, defined and symmetrical brows.
Afterwards, you’ll receive advice on aftercare and maintenance, while the results are designed to last for a considerable time. If you’re preparing for an event and want one less beauty detail to worry about, it’s a practical option to consider.
Perfect Beauty Brow House
Location: 810 Geylang Rd, #02-87 City Plaza, Singapore 409286
Opening Hours: Open Daily 11:30 AM – 8 PM
Final Thoughts
Getting event-ready doesn’t have to involve a frantic last-minute shopping spree. With a little planning, City Plaza can cover many of the essentials, from finding an affordable dress and getting it tailored to picking out shoes and booking your beauty appointments.
The trick is to give yourself enough time. Sort out your outfit and alterations first, then schedule your hair, nails, lashes and brows closer to the occasion. That way, when the big day finally arrives, you can spend less time worrying about how you look and more time enjoying the event itself.