Commentary: Is the 'SG Uniform' of Singaporean men practical or plain lazy?

SINGAPORE: Take a good look around any public space in Singapore and you are sure to spot a dude, or even a group of them, rocking the quintessential “SG Uniform” - the UNIQLO AIRism Cotton Oversized T-shirt, with a pair of shorts and slippers.

Time and time again, the SG Uniform is the target of online ridicule, generating a slew of memes on TikTok and Instagram.

UNIQLO has caught wind of the ubiquity of its AIRism oversized tee, cheekily dubbing it “the SG Uniform” in its marketing materials. The AIRism tee now shares the dubious honour with the Singapore Armed Forces admin T-shirt as being indispensable in local men’s fashion.

This “basic” SG Uniform sticks out like a sore thumb when compared to how ladies dress up in Singapore. Just recently, a former co-worker was describing to me the stark difference in the fashion of a young couple that she noticed at a hawker centre.

The woman, with a full face of makeup, donned a beautiful floral midi dress, complemented by a chic Kate Spade tote bag and strappy sandals. The man, on the other hand, was in - you guessed it - his trusty UNIQLO AIRism oversized tee, coupled with the army PT shorts and slippers.

This jarring contrast made her wonder why Singaporean guys always seem so bochup (less bothered) with their style.

To all the men out there, before you raise your pitchforks and berate her for coming to a hasty generalisation, hear me out.

With the AIRism oversized tee being a staple in the average Singaporean man’s closet (I have six of those T-shirts), it would naturally seem that most guys dress the same, and that they are boring and unimaginative style-wise.

But we need to also ask: What makes those T-shirts so popular?

IN OUR DEFENCE

The UNIQLO brand was founded in 1984 in Hiroshima, Japan, under the name Unique Clothing Warehouse - an ironic name considering its notoriety for producing clothing that is in no way “unique”.

I believe there are three main factors why the AIRism oversized tee is so well-received. The most salient factor is the fabric - it is highly breathable and quick-drying, making it an ideal choice in the face of Singapore’s tropical humidity.

As someone who is constantly perspiring buckets, there are few T-shirts I can wear without feeling sticky even before leaving the house.

Another factor is its wide array of colourway choices, from your essential whites, greys, navy blues and blacks, to your pastel and earth tones.

But what makes the AIRism oversized tee truly special is its well, its oversized fit. Anyone in the know knows that the skin-tight T-shirts of the early 2010s are officially out of style, and the baggy silhouette is the current zeitgeist. Oversized tees play into this trend, with their elongated sleeves and boxy cut giving off that relaxed, comfortable vibe.

This makes it an extremely versatile piece of clothing - whether you choose to tuck them in or leave them out, they could easily go with any pair of pants. One less decision to make in the morning before heading out is certainly a win.

BASIC DOESN’T HAVE TO BE BORING

Nevertheless, these high praises do not vindicate us from the charge that Singaporean men do not put in as much sartorial effort compared to women. Sure, the SG Uniform may be versatile, but it isn’t going to cover all occasions, like first dates. To all my “SG Uniform-core” boys, we can do better.

For starters, maybe we can learn a thing or two from our Gen Z counterparts.

Fashion is an avenue for self-expression and experimentation for many Gen Zers. From challenging conventional gender tropes and mixing different styles or “cores”, Gen Zers have shown us that dressing up can be fun.

You don’t have to discard your prized oversized tee collection and do a massive wardrobe overhaul. Rather, there are simple little things we can do to spice up our SG Uniform, while keeping that minimalist, city boy aesthetic.

First, don’t be afraid to pair your oversized tees with different bottoms. The usual jeans or black chinos may seem like the safest combination, but you don't have to limit yourself to them. Switch it up with joggers, cargo pants, jorts or even trousers.

The same goes for your footwear - it doesn’t always have to be slippers or white sneakers.

The next time you head out, try pairing your oversized tee with pleated wide-fitted trousers and dad shoes for a more casual street look.

Alternatively, you can roll up the sleeves and tuck your T-shirt into a fitted pair of chinos, and throw on a pair of loafers if a dapper look is your cup of tea.

Also, do not hesitate to throw on some accessories to complement your fit. You don’t have to overdo it; simply adding a hat, belt, watch, bracelet, necklace or ring would easily elevate your fit.

Dressing up doesn’t have to be an arduous affair, but putting just a little more effort into dressing up would certainly make us feel more confident.

Frederick Lim is a final year student at Nanyang Technological University.