8 Life-Changing Brands If You Don’t Want To Buy Cheap Garbage But Also Can’t Spend A Fortune On Clothes
by The Candidly Team
Is it not all of our deepest desire to own a gorgeous, superb quality, well-fitting wardrobe that we didn’t go bankrupt in the process of accumulating?
But are we not also at a point where we’d rather live in a literal onesie than spend another penny on some pilling, plasticky, fast-fashion item that ends up in too poor a condition to donate to Goodwill?
If your answer to both these questions is yes, then this is the article for you. For all of us really who are willing to spend our hard-earned money on pieces that are finely made and versatile and that fit us beautifully and that we’d happily wear forever.
But when we say “spend,” we don’t mean $1000 jackets and $500 dresses and $100 t-shirts kind of spend.
We mean sourcing things that are just as excellent at a far lower price.
Well my friends, after spending thousands of hours of our lives seeking out brands that work such miracles, we have for you, a list.
These 8 brands are doing an exceptional job at making some very specific things. Because, let’s face it, the same company that makes your finest pants isn’t necesssarily gonna fashion your ideal swimsuit?
Some are oldies. Some are new. But stick with these, and you’ll have that undyingly chic closet you’ve always yearned for.
Shall we begin?
EVERLANE: JEans And T-Shirts
We’re trained to think of basics as boring. But there’s really nothing more thrilling than finding versions of things we wear every single day that are incomparably flattering and feel very, very good on our bodies. And honestly, it’s pretty much what makes all the difference between looking blah and looking chic.
Which is why we’re having what might be called a full-blown love affair with Everlane right now. The brand is doing the smartest things with fit.
Their denim glides over curves without an ounce of constriction or gapping but still looks tailored and chic and of the moment, despite never going out of style.
And their tees are light, breathable, scoop-necked things that perfectly frame our arms and chests while somehow sort of narrowing our waists. Here’s a sampling of our favorite pieces that we currently can’t imagine our sartorial lives without.
The Way-High® Sailor Jean
Magically stretchy, supportive denim in the perfect relaxed yet tailored shape.
Price: $128
The Supima® Micro-Rib Scoop-Neck Te
When was the last time a ribbed tee gave you your most perfect silhouette? Our arms have never looked better.
Price: $40
The Modern Breton Tee
The transformative French lady tee. Throw it on with anything, and you’re chic! Plus, the drop sleeve is glorious on arms.
Price: $68
2. QUINCE: SWEATERS AND SILKS
We first discovered Quince when it occurred to us that the gorgeous, luxe cashmere cardigan we were being advertised 25x a day was not in fact that other famous sweater that costs nearly $500, but a striking (also 100% cashmere) version that costs less than a third of the price. Apparently, the way they achieve this is not by skimping on quality but simply by cutting out any costly middlemen and shipping directly from maker to consumer. The result is the truest collection of quiet luxury pieces, each that we covet and wear more than any other knit or silk thing in our closet. We’re wearing one as we type this very sentence. And here are our favorites:
Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater
The acclaimed sweater itself: slouchy, spacious, endlessly chic, and possibly the softest thing to ever touch our skin.
Price: $140
100% Washable Silk Maxi Skirt
THE. PERFECT. FIT … and washable!
Price: $80
100% Organic Cotton Oversized Cable Cardigan
If a part of you fantasizes about living in autumnal New England in the 90s…or just wants to feel like you’re wearing a fashion version of your fav weighted throw…this cardi is for you.
Price: $70
Washable Stretch Silk V-Neck Cami
A silk cami tucked into a drapey wide-leg pant or our high-waisted jeans will never not scream elegance. The fact that this one is washable and $40 is major icing on the cake tho.
Price: $40
3. MARCeLlA: basics (but only if you’re really not boring)
If you’re easily bored by basics, Marcella could be a godsend. The brand has sort of mastered chic basics with a twist, meaning their pieces are very flattering, very wearable, but just a little bit more inspired design-wise, so you never look like you threw on some frumpy tee or ill-fitting skirt. Instead, you get to look more “styled” in all your staples. Here are just a few that top our list.
Clara Dress
Every single one of us bought this dress when it came out because it was the supremely flattering, easy-to-throw-on everyday dress that we’re always searching for. The softest, stretchiest, most smoothing terry on top and a light European poplin on the bottom. The whole thing looks wildly good on every shape. Wear it all spring/ summer anywhere from desk to dinner. Or pair it with a belt and boots for a fall/ winter look that, for once, isn’t pants.
Price: $118
Vesey Pencil Skirt
A stretchy column skirt is something we frequently see the appeal of owning. After all, it’s the perfect, polished, non-pant bottom to pair with every top we own. And yet, so many are thin and clingy and cut in the wrong spot on our waist which makes them bulgy and unflattering. But not this skirt. It’s high-waisted with an extra-wide waistband and fashioned from a wrinkle-resistant European ponte, so you can feel simultaneously held in and like you can still blessedly breath.
Price: $95
Eliza Tunic
A soft, spacious everyday tee, but cut in such a way to make us look 1000% “styled.”
Price: $69
4. Z SUPPLY: EASIEST, BEST-FITTING DRESSES
We were thrown when we discovered how well style after style of Z Supply dresses fit. Clearly, someone over there understands the shape of women’s bodies and the way dresses should fit them. The support that’s needed when a spaghetti strap is involved. The fall of frabric that makes waistlines look longer and leaner. Every dress we’ve tried has been as easy as it’s been flattering. We actually called them out as one of our favorite dress brands to shop, because they have the incredible benefit of not costing a fortune. And yet, the quality is beyond.
Winslet Shadow Reef Maxi Dress
Fit makes you feel like a literal model.
Price: $89
Melbourne Midi Dress
Looks like the most flattering, sleekest, stretchiest little black dress (notice the side ruching which is amazing round the tum), but feels like yoga pants. It works beautifully with a bra but there’s a little lining/ shelf on top that makes it so you don’t need one. We wear it with THIS and THESE to hit that chic yet chill note we’re always after.
Price: $79
Dewi Maxi Dress
We dare you to find a human who doesn’t look (and feel) glorious in this dress.
Price: $119
5. MADEWELL: LEATHER
It’s very hard to find a brand making bags and belts and shoes as beautifully as Madewell that don’t cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Madewell is consistently thoughtful about how we humans use these very things to lug our way about the world, yes hoping to look chic, but also needing to be practical, and unencumbered and pain-free (in the case of our feet). Every detail is considered, and therefore, both their bags and their shoes blessedly laaaaast.
The Transport Shoulder Crossbody Bag
The most boring name for the most perfectly executed bag - the one we’re always seeking: ideal in shape, size, softness of leather. And a zip-closure. Bless!
Price: $158
The Greta Ballet Flat
If stilettos make you want to weep, these are the sleek little ballet flats that render them unnecessary.
Price: $98
The Drumgold Boot in Extended Calf
The rarity of finding a stunning tall boot that doesn’t kill our feet or strangle our calves. IYKYK.
Price: $298
6. J. CREW: BUTTON-DOWNS
J. Crew is good again, guys. The styles are supremely flattering. The size range is excellent. Not to mention the constant sales make the prices extremely reasonable.
And they’re especially good when it comes to the cool, crisp classics like the button-down. The versatility of a button-down cannot be overstated. It’s a large part of why it’s a staple in the acclaimed closet of every chic French lady. We tie ours with skirts, tuck it into our drapiest wide-leg pants, and wear it open over a tank and our favorite pair of jeans. It takes all of 3 seconds to style, and yet we look 100% “styled” the very moment we throw one on.
Garçon Classic shirt in cotton poplin
The perfect cut. And we get to freely move our arms.
Price: $98
Garçon classic chambray shirt
You won’t know the degree to which a chambray shirt was the layering piece that’s been missing from your life until you own a chambray shirt. This chambray shirt.
Price: $98
7. ANTHROPOLOGIE: PANTS
If you’ve been sleeping on the brand Maeve, which is only available at Anthropologie, the effort you spend getting dressed is about to get 22x more rewarding. Because their pants are seriously special. They’re smartly tailored but also crafted out of some sort of magical material that’s smoothing but also luxe and expensive-feeling. Anthropologie is home to our favorite wide leg pants in the world, but also our stretchiest cropped trouser, and our sleekest everyday work pant. And every single one sizes in plus, tall, and petite and comes in a color selection typically reserved for our dreams.
The Avery Pleated Wide-Leg Trousers by Maeve: Linen Edition
The easiest spring/ summer linen pant with a comfy elastic waist. Balances perfectly with all your fitted tops and tees to create a completely flattering silhouette, while feeling like PJs.
Price: $98
The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Pants
It’s a given that we need these in black, but white is also a necessity. And one fun color. Or maaaaybe two. Then we’ll stop. We promise.
Price: $120
The Junie High-Rise Wide-Leg Flare Pants by Maeve
No pant has every looked better on big butts and thick thighs and then gone on to fasten at our waist with some kind of smoothing sorcery.
Price: $128
8. COZY EARTH: HOUSE CLOTHES
We are, above all things, cozy people. But like, really cozy people. We won’t do a hint of scratch or some flimsy material that stiffens after a single wash. What we’re saying is we’re picky…annoyingly so. But the good news is you don’t have to hear us complain about the sea of loungewear we’ve tried and hated, because we found a brand that takes coziness to whole new level. Okay, fine Oprah found it. But let’s not split hairs. It’s life-changing. And half their stuff is so nice we wear it out.
We admit, at first glance, their clothes will not exactly seem inexpensive, but that’s not the whole story. Because in addition to having lots of site-wide sales, the fine people at Cozy Earth gave us a code for 35% off to share with you. So you can get your Oprah-level leisurewear at Candidly level prices.😘 Use code CANDIDLY.
Rib-Knit Jogger Pants
If you have curves, these soft as all heavens joggers will be your new best friend. Also, they’re cute enough to wear outside the house.
Use code CANDIDLY to get 35% off.
Price: $160
Custom Bamboo Pajama Set in Stretch-Knit
Please don’t make us get dressed.
Use code CANDIDLY to get 35% off.
Price: $195
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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