I feel that I have been in France for so long over the summer that I have actually gained some insight into the much revered subject that has spawned many a book: The French Woman.

I think what’s most attractive about them is their ability to appear effortless. Where the American mom will get a blow dry and a French mani, the French woman wouldn’t want you to know she’d made that much effort. She may have dried her own hair, painstakingly perfectly, but she’d much rather you thought it was a five-minute rough job than an hour’s session.

Forgetting all that for a moment – back to ME! –  I dashed to buy some durian upon landing in Singapore after the summer. I headed straight for my favourite fruit seller in Tiong Bahru.

En route to his stall, something caught my eye. “C’est très chic, non?” was the phrase that tumbled from my mouth.  And yes! I had stumbled across THE most amazingly stylish but effortless top.

Beautifully soft cotton, not only shall I be taking it with me to France, but I’ll also be wearing it to a party in Paris at the end of the month. Add ripped jeans and heels to the mix and I hope I will rock it, but without looking like I have made an effort. Très Parisienne!

1818 Garments is run by the lovely Alice Tan (pictured below) and her stall is on the outside of the market – by the side entrance that is opposite Seng Poh Road. See below for unit number and opening times. Rummage and be rewarded. My top cost S$30.

Block 30, Tiong Bahru Market, Seng Poh Road, #01-247

Tel: 9237 5956

Open: 7.30am-5pm

If you need *any* further convincing, look at the silhouette of this top that Vogue included in their SS email round up from Milan:

BOOM!