6 Midrange Brands You Should Be Shopping If You’re Sick Of Dressing Like Everyone Else
We feel many things when we spend money on clothes. Bored should not be one of them.
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by The Candidly Team
As much as we say we like to dress understated and classic, there are times when we get very, very bored by our clothes. We end up wearing whatever we don’t hate on our bodies instead of feeling actively excited by what we’re putting on.
Enter these 7 brands.
Now, you might have heard of some of them. Maybe even all of them.
And that's okay.
The reason is because it's not just the label that matters when you're creating your own clothing identity (we could have just said “style” but how dull). It’s having individual pieces that turn whatever you’re wearing from clothes into a “look.”
What does that even mean? It means choosing clothes that:
Look really good on real, non-model bodies.
Are both special and timeless. Versatile and standout. Each piece has to have something markedly unique about the fit or material or whatever elevates your look so when you put it on with your favorite jeans or a boring black skirt - you look your absolute, individual best.
Ok, enough preamble. Let’s get to the brands.
1. Sézane: For Romantic French Lady Finds
You’ve heard of Sézane. Perhaps you already love it, but even if you follow the brand very closely, you will never see sameness in a new collection. There will always be something absolutely original and heart-wrenching and beautiful that you’ll want to keep and cherish forever. And because it’s so exquisitely made, you can.
2. Nation: For the ultimate “Cool Girl” wardrobe
We go hard on the “cool girl” aesthetic but really all that means is we like our clean, classic, minimalist style to have some edge. That is exactly what’s special about Nation. They add one, deeply original element that not only up-levels your entire outfit and makes you 20x more put together, it also makes that piece MORE flattering. Examples include a billowy puff sleeve on a traditional striped tee or a clever waistline that isn’t too tight but somehow creates an hourglassy silhouette all the same. It’s all so clearly designed by someone who understands what looks good on a human body.
3. Boden: For British Designs That Spark Joy
Boden is a flurry of color and prints, which can feel overwhelming at first. Possibly even a bit too happy for our cold, cynical hearts. But look closely at each piece and there is some splendid detail that will win you over. The lace insert on the sleeve of a striped button down. The bright pink accent on the toggle of a tan raincoat. Anything you wear from Boden makes you feel unique and lovely and like you want to order a cream tea and strawberry scone from a smart café, because that, my friend, is what you’re dressed for.
4. Cos: For high-end tailored looks with a twist
You will not find a single pair of boring, unflattering pants that end up collecting dust in your closet in all of Cos’s inventory. Ditto skirts. The draping, the pleating, the swooping barrel shapes and the slimming cuts, every single thing seems intentional and complementing to our many curves. And everything looks extremely high end.
5. Favorite Daughter: For the details that turn clothes into outfits
There are some really smart and special things coming from this brand on a seemingly weekly basis. And then there are the staples, which also manage to be original. You’ll make fun of us for including 3 black belts in this section but Favorite Daughter makes the kind of belts that elevate your boring jeans and tees to the point you look styled by a professional. Their clothes are classic but they have wow factor to them that makes people stop us on the street and ask about what we’re wearing, especially our belt.
6. Rachel Antonoff: For utterly off the wall Prints
Nobody knows they need a polka-dot trimmed, sheer, black blouse or a toile-print puffer jacket until then own. However, once you do suddenly, it is the most interesting, complimented, exciting item in your closet, and you no longer feel bored by your clothes because there that one exceptional thing is, belonging to you.
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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