For months, Life pored over Instagram accounts, looked through its archives and asked fashion insiders for recommendations. And for months, the team deliberated and tried to settle the question: Who should go on Life's inaugural best-dressed list?

Anyone who cribbed head-to-toe designer runway looks was axed. Those who mixed and matched cult labels, however, made the shortlist. Extra points if the outfits of the day sent waves through Instagram, influencing the fashion industry.

In the end, Style reporters Stacey Chia, Leslie Kay Lim, Gladys Chung and others on the Life team came up with a list of men and women in Singapore, whose styles range from the bold to minimalist.

Each has his or her own individual take on dressing up and it is impossible to rank them.

At its core, the list reflects a vibrancy in Singapore's style scene. We searched across various age groups and industries and found Ms Susanna Kang, a housewife in her 50s, who knows no boundaries. She makes the cut for pulling off dramatic looks - think feathered headpieces and capes - without looking gaudy.

On the other end of the spectrum, counsellor Nisa Ngaiman, 29, encapsulates minimalist chic in crisp white shirts and tailored blazers from affordable labels.

Others such as Ms Yoyo Cao, 27, and Mr Hasnor Sidik, 35, were shoo-ins because of their international reach.

Earlier this year, Ms Cao, who owns Exhibit boutique, topped New York Magazine's The Cut fashion blog's Best-Dressed People From Fashion Month list.

As for the ever-cool Mr Hasnor, he was handpicked by online menswear retailer Mr Porter in 2012 to be part of its Style Council. This puts the Asia-Pacific music director at W Hotels in the company of 127 tastemakers, including musician Pharrell Williams and fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu.

The Life Best-Dressed List will be compiled annually and you can expect a new set of faces every year.

We give you the 10 best-dressed people of 2015.

Singing the blues