I was intrigued by the name Homade Zakka. It sounds like home made. But it isn't. Mostly items made for the home, hangers and so on, but also inexpensive scarves and dresses.
Problem
Where do you buy a cheap dress in Singapore? I felt guilty after I made the impulse purchase of a 10 dollar dress from Homade Zakka. I could have spent only 5 dollars in the same shop on a satiny caftan in many prints, mainly of flowers.
Later that day I went into Robinsons Department Store on Orchard Road, Metro in the Paragon. Tangs. All had signs saying this percentage off and last chance. Lovely stuff.
But not in my price range.
I saw the pattern and had to have it. Lively reds. Soothing but vibrant royal blue.
I love my ten dollar dress. I wore it straight away.
The shop was Homade Zakka.
I asked, "May I try it on?"
"Cannot," she said. I wasn't sure whether she meant no fitting room or no trying because that creases the garments and you risk not wanting it if it doesn't fit. It looked like it might be too small. In which case I would have to cut the side seems and make it into a tabard with a waist level ribbon linking front and back, either pieces tying into a bow, or just fixed to make it larger, or maybe elastic.
I said, " I must try it to see if it fits" Before she had time to protest, I pulled it over my head.
"Yes, I said, "It fits. I'll buy it."
I always like to buy the item I have tried on - not another already wrapped and folded. The other one could be a different size, have a defect, or be a different pattern altogether. I once made a mistake, twice I think, and ended up with an item which was not what I wanted.
In a trice, I was out. Mission accomplished. Not a brilliant item. No cut. Not ankle length. I would need to wear it over a long underskirt. But with four colours, white red, royal blue, green, yellow and traces of black, I would be able to find something to co-ordinate.
If it did not turn out to be a firm favourite, or not nice enough to wear out, only good enough for lounging around at home, never mind, worthwhile at that price.
I thought it was good value. It even had a string-width belt with two loops to tighten it.
I happened to like the pattern which reminded me of my paintings.
The painting is religious, with the God born on a lotus flower in the middle, with his milkmaids and holy cows.
My painting's design, I presume will cause no trouble offending any religious sensbilities, is a tree with a bird, with horses below.
You might like something else. If you arrived in Singapore and lost your luggage and needed an instant outfit, or need lots of gifts at reasonable prices, dash along here.
Cheap clothes have certain disadvantages, they may pull apart if you put them in a washing machine. The colours could run even if you wash them by hand. So hang them to drip dry over a plastic bowl or something which won't stain.
If you'd rather buy designer clothes, go into Isetan in Nex next door, and read my next post.
Zakka
Zak-ka is Japanese for miscellaneous things. Cutesy and kitch.
Homade Zakka
Ground floor
Near the bus station at Serangoon MRT beside Nex shopping mall.
I searched online for Homade and found several locations and qoo10 had other items from the same store and different dresses at budget prices from other stores.
Homade Zakka
#B2-21 Serangoon Nex
23 Serangoon Central
Singapore 556083
https://www.qoo10.sg/gmkt.inc/Search/Default.aspx?keyword=Dress
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakka
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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