From my notes app: My ongoing list of where to shop when you want an outfit with an oomph
bookmark for your "I only threw this party 4 you, 4 you" moment
You know when you want to find something truly special, flattering and unique to wear and the Shopbop, Revolve’s, Nordstrom, Reformation’s feel overdone and unexciting?
I keep a running list in my notes folder titled “brands”- it’s my personal archive of brands I’ve discovered for niche and unique shopping. So here I am to share some of my secret sources for THAT look. You know the one: a birthday, wedding, vacation or any moment that calls for something with a little more ooomph and individualism. Your main character moment to Charli xcx’s, party 4 you.
Also, I add a lot of these to my watchlist on The RealReal so I can keep an eye on my favorite brands for less <3
Mais x Frida- A Barcelona based that focuses on hand-crafted jewelry and fashion pieces made from carefully curated materials sourced globally. Their designs often feature bold colors, intricate patterns, and unique silhouettes that celebrate individuality and cultural heritage.
I love this brand, they are so unique, definitely one to add to your list. I love their rita top paired with the rita skirt. I posted about wanting these pants a few week ago.
Pro trip- if you look through who they follow on Instagram, you will find endless inspiration from Barcelona creators. They have some of the best fashion.
Buci- womenswear label founded by designer Mishka Ivanovic. The brand is celebrated for its commitment to ethical production, sustainable materials, and a design philosophy that emphasizes comfort and timeless elegance.
Their mini off the shoulder pollen dresses are so sweet. So many stunning white dresses I’d get eloped in like this, this and this. Obsessed with this black mini and their ponchos!
Desert Vintage- Our aesthetic grows out of our sense of place. Being located where the ancient and the new are forever connected, where history and cultures meet, where landscape is mysterious and magnificent, inspires our creativity and drives our timeless sense of style. Desert Vintage was founded in 1974 on the eclectic boulevard of 4th avenue in Tucson, Arizona. In July of 2012, Salima Boufelfel and Roberto Cowan took over the already established Desert Vintage, with the desire to curate an undeniably stylish and eclectic mix of true vintage items for both men and women.
Incredible vintage like the detail on this skirt and this puffer cape. Or this 1930’s floral dress.
A Yoon- based in Los Angeles, the brand focuses on clean lines, refined silhouettes, and a neutral color palette, creating versatile pieces that blend seamlessly into any wardrobe.
Basics that make you stand out, love their Jasper V tee, would look very cute paired with a skirt. Also like their boatneck tee and dress.
Chelsea Mak- an eponymous womenswear label designed in Los Angeles and handcrafted in Shanghai. Uncommon material choices—primarily deadstock silks sourced from local markets—and smart silhouettes toe the line between rebellion and formality; tradition and the avant-garde; femininity and androgyny.
I am obsessing over Chelsea Mak’s latest drop. Specifically this pink skirt. These shorts are fun. The brown silk of this dress! Adorable yellow dress.
Emily Dawn Long- living textiles, wearables, collaborations and soft sculpture. New York City based fashion label founded in 2019 by stylist and designer Emily Dawn Long. The brand is known for its artisanal, gender-fluid designs that blend vintage nostalgia with contemporary sensibilities.
If you are active on Substack, you have probably come across this slinky, sexy and simple backless tank that all the cool girls are wearing. I also love their dammit janet dress (great name).
Charlie Beads- Charlie Beads is an experiment in curating future heirlooms as timeless and evolutionary as nature. Founded by multifaceted artist Charlotte Hourston in the spring of 2020, Charlie Beads is an aesthetic universe inspired by a life dipped in sea foam and brushed by wildflowers — a life lived outdoors. Designed in Charlotte’s Beachwood Canyon studio, sourced from worldwide vintage suppliers and handmade by family-owned Los Angeles ateliers, products by Charlie Beads honor the rawness of craft.
I know Charlie from when I worked at Nike and she is just the best! Her style is Pinterest worthy, I highly suggest following her for endless inspo. The bloomers are an absolute must have for a flirty and fun Summer of frolic. Also this silk tank. And the polka dots!
They’re also currently doing 20% off site wide through the 23rd.
Massimo Dutti- a Spanish fashion brand renowned for its sophisticated, timeless designs that blend modern elegance with high-quality craftsmanship. Often described as Zara’s more refined and bohemian sister brand, Massimo Dutti offers elevated wardrobe essentials that emphasize exceptional tailoring, luxurious materials, and versatile styling.
This isn’t a small or unknown brand at all but I feel like it is less popular in the US since there are no physical stores here. I did not shop here often until I went to London and fell in love every time I went in. They have so many amazing pieces and the materials felt well made. All the pieces I own from them are still in perfect condition.
Obsessed with these shoes. This cotton blend tank looks very flattering. Also love this V neck flowy dress. Great blue.
They have an art section on their website where they talk about the artist they feature in their stores. A good way to discover new artist and some good reads. “Massimo Dutti’s art tour project was created to promote the creativity of local artists in the main European capitals.”
Posse- Australian based brand, an ode to enduring style - a soft, reassuring presence that cherishes the timeless over the temporary. With a deep reverence for simplicity and classic modernity, each piece tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship embedded with sumptuous fabrics and memorable details.
Another great Aussie brand. I love the styling on their website, they have some amazing pieces. This Matilda jacket styles with the gingham bloomers. A perfect boat look. This polka dot dress with some really fun heels.
Belle- a Los Angeles based brand. A guided daily expression for those whose personal style is second nature; an enduring yet-of-the-moment offering to the discourse of dress. BELLE was founded in 2018 by Annabelle Noelle and today is realised alongside the women closest to her. A student of film, Annabelle’s separation from the fashion industry has allowed her and like-minded collaborators, to see the world of garment-making with refreshing naivety, candor and intention - as if unburdened by convention.
So much good styling!! And inspo! We’ll start with the sequin dress because how fun would this be to wear. Also love how they styled it with the orange bandana. This set! An amazing belt. We love going out tops.
No. 6 Store- launched in 2005, No.6 began as an under-the-radar shop in downtown Manhattan, carrying curated vintage and European designers. No.6 Store’s in-house lines of clothing and footwear have grown in the subsequent decades, garnering a cult following for their handmade shoes and aspirational yet accessible ready to wear pieces.
A great place to look for unique pieces is boutiques with an online presence. I have bought a few pieces from No. 6 store including my favorite Halo Labels skirt. They have really great stuff. More polka dots I love, I would layer this with a white tank peeking out. Beautiful Collina Strada pieces. I LOVE the color of this dress and it’s velvet?! So cool.
Damson Madder- Every Damson Madder piece is crafted to endure, to be worn, loved, and reworn. Our hope is that through considered design and intentional production, our garments become long-standing fixtures in your wardrobe — never destined for landfill, but made to last.
Love the bright colors and quirkiness of their pieces. Their bloomers are flirty. Their use of bows are very fun.
Don’t forget to check out their perfect hats!
La Garçonne- La Garçonne specializes in a unique point of view in luxury fashion curated by Kris Kim. Based in New York City and serving a global clientele, La Garçonne embodies a way of life by presenting thoughtfully-selected collections in fashion and design that move easily between bold, artful statements and timeless classics.
A great place to shop for minimalistic and high quality brands that will last. On pricier side but you can find affordable items. They sell everything from Dries Van Noten, Issey Miyake, Lemaire to Sacai, Toteme, Sophie Buhai and more. Absolutely love this bag for $110 by Minä Perhonen. And this Dries Van Noten! This bright yellow Plan C dress and this beautiful ruffle dress by Simone Rocha.
St. Agni - an independent, Australian design studio, founded in Byron Bay. The studio explores contemporary wardrobing through considered design and precise tailoring, that speaks to a minimalist aesthetic.
Most of you probably know this amazing Australian brand. They are classic, sexy and chic. Like this doily column dress, great shoes and their bags are amazing. Love this silver silk dress.
Ssense - a global technology platform operating at the intersection of culture, community, and commerce. Headquartered in Montreal, it features a mix of established and emerging luxury brands across womenswear, menswear, kidswear, and Everything ElseTM.
This one is obvious and I hope you add it to your list if you have never heard of it! I do most my online shopping here, they simply have a fantastic selection of brands in all prices ranges. They also have a great social media presence. I consistently check their new arrivals page.
Hai- London based brand. Hai started with silk, and our early pieces were about experimenting with, and stretching, the possibilities of the fabric. In time, this focus on silk has broadened to encompass a whole palette of finely crafted materials including velvet, lace and pearls. This widening approach to materials has happened hand-in-hand with us expanding from our bags, to shoes, dresses, shirts, skirts: a whole Hai wardrobe.
I am a big fan of Hai ever since I went into their London boutique, it is beautiful in there. I love their silk bags, I think they are perfect for every occasion. And their silk dresses are just!! The silk shorts are so versatile to dress up or down. And the halter in light pink.
Garmentory- a curated marketplace for the artist, the trendsetter, and You. With the ability to discover emerging, sustainable, and cult-classic brands, you can support local boutiques from a global stage. We empower you to put fast fashion brands behind you and confidently step into your style evolution.
Another one of my go to’s, I’ve posted about them many times on here. Garmentory has so many cool brands and boutiques from around the world- you will 100% discover some new brands that you love. You can seriously find so many things from clothes to jewelry and accessories for affordable prices while supporting local brands and stores.
Love this simple black strapless mini from Permanent Vacation. This sheer red dress. Alohas mesh ballet flats, these are good. This top.
Maj Kiosk- insanely beautiful Italian vintage!
Very very good vintage, highly suggest signing up for their newsletter to get their new drops. This trench coat! Love this mesh skirt. Cute blouse.
Paloma Wool- born in Barcelona, Paloma Wool garments are produced locally, at family-owned factories predominantly in Spain, but in Italy and Portugal too. In addition to selling DTC, the brand works with key retailers such as Ssense, Nordstrom and Voo Store, but places limits on wholesale orders to avoid saturating suppliers. “We try to do controlled production of our pieces,” she says. “The world doesn’t need more clothes, so I have to be super proud of what I’m doing… I really want to make timeless pieces.” Vogue
I really do love everything Paloma Wool puts out. It’s flowy and comfortable and unique. I recently screenshotted this image of Joanna Halpin because I love these pants so much.
They also do a great job at micro shorts. Cool dress you could layer. Talked about this sweater before but love the thought of this with a tied halter swimsuit under it. This red skirt and this mini!
Bona Drag- founded in 2006 by Heather Wojner, Bona Drag is an online boutique based in Milwaukee, WI. Bona Drag showcases a carefully curated collection of fashions and objects. Our selection of items are chosen according to originality, quality, timelessness, wearability, and spirit.
Another example of finding unique pieces at a boutique! Bona Drag has a ton of cool options. They have their own flip flops in different colors that super chic. So much Maryam Nassir Zadeh. Paris Georgia mini black dress on sale. Very fun sheer dress by Signe. Belt!
Siedres- rooted in the vibrant spirit of Istanbul, SIEDRÉS began its journey in 2020 with a women's ready-to-wear collection inspired by childhood memories under the Mediterranean sun.
I absolutely love watching what Siedres does. I’d wear a dress like this to a wedding. I think funky dresses with texture look so good in photos. Their skirts are FANTASTIC. Even their simple short skirts have an extra something something.
That’s it for now and this doesn’t scratch the surface of my little notes app. A part 2 is in the future. Thanks for reading as always x
In case you missed it:
I also fell in love with Massimo in London and now I try to visit a store whenever I’m there or in Europe. And the prices are so much better in Europe than ordering to the US.
Filling this one away, thanks for sharing! so many cool brands!