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Women are ditching their bras for this comfortable alternative

“This is so comfy"

The Lesser-Known High-Street Brands We're Championing This Year

Joy Montgomery
·7-min read

Although the big-name high-street brands (H&M, Mango, etc.) will always have a special place in my heart, there's something exciting about coming across a lesser-known label. Of course, there's nothing wrong with buying into the latest trending item. However, as all true fashion lovers will know, it can be easy to become disillusioned by the identikit ensembles that can come from sticking to the well-trodden path.

My solution? Take some time every few months to dig around online and discover some new brands. This will ensure that your wardrobe is kept fresh, diverse and individual and help avoid the awkward outfit-clash moment. To save you time, I've scoured the internet and interrogated the Who What Wear team to find our top lesser-known affordable brands and their best new-in pieces. Prepare to smugly name-drop these labels next time you WhatsApp your fashion-loving friends.

1. Seventy + Mochi

Having only launched this year, Seventy + Mochi remains a lesser-known gem in the affordable fashion world. Founded on the premise of sustainable, seasonless and long-lasting design, it prides itself on using recycled materials and creating collections in limited runs. On top of all this, the brand's designs really hit the nail on the head for me: Think retro-inspired dungarees, ruffled collar blouses and boxy shackets.

SHOP MY PICKS

Seventy + Mochi Suki Dungaree in Retro Vintage (£120)

Seventy + Mochi Pablo Jacket in Caramel Cafe (£95)

Seventy + Mochi Iris Jumpsuit in Insignia Blue (£130)

2. Glassworks London

Launched in 2010 in a converted glassworks factory in Shoreditch, Glassworks London started out as a pop-up but now has three locations across the capital. You might've spotted the brand's whimsical cloud print jumper on Instagram recently, but it also offers plenty of premium-feel staples and year-round basics.

SHOP MY PICKS

Glassworks London Brown and Ivory Contrast Stitch Flare Trousers (£85)

Glassworks London Mid Blue Denim Front Slit Maxi Skirt (£95)

Glassworks London Brown and Yellow Diagonal Block Mock Neck Jumper (£70)

3. Omnes

New launched sustainable womenswear brand, Omnes, work with a small, carefully selected set of fabric producers and mills, all individually approved by top environmental authorities to create wardrobes staples with a trend-led twist. At the top of our wishlist is the checkered monochrome trousers.

Shop my picks

Omnes Organic Cotton High Waist Wide Leg Trousers in Gingham Check (£55)

Omnes Bci Cotton Daphne Square Neck Tiered Midaxi Dress in Blue Squiggle Floral (£75)

Omnes Organic Cotton Midaxi Dress With Tie Straps in Gingham Check (£65)

4. Extraaf

Another sustainability-minded brand, Extraaf aims to create styles that are at least 80% sustainable, using fabrics like lyocell and BCI cotton. You can expect everything from wearable, colour-pop frocks and smocked blouses to cute co-ords. Shop our faves below.

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Extraaf Extra Dress (£159)

Extraaf Holly Dress (£200)

Extraaf Lydia Dress (£149)

5. Damson Madder

If you're hunting for directional wardrobe heroes, look no further than Damson Madder, the brand that aims to use more eco-friendly materials, including 100% recycled polyester, natural dyes and cotton from organic farms. I'll be wearing the brand's cotton maxi with chunky boots all season long.

Shop my picks

Damson Madder Oversized Ribbed Vest in Recycled Polyester Co-Ord (£65)

Damson Madder Organic Cotton Tiered Maxi Dress in Patchwork With High Neck (£104)

Damson Madder Recycled Polyester Oversized Longline Sweater Vest (£0)

6. Pieces

We only recently came across the brand Pieces on ASOS and were instantly won over by its fun and versatile edit of wardrobe staples. At the top of our wish list this season is the brand's mom jeans and pastel-coloured knit vests.

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Pieces Knitted Vest in Blue (£26)

Pieces Longline Shirt With Exaggerated Collar in Black (£34)

Pieces High Waist Mom Jean in Blue (£35)

7. Kitri Studio

Set apart by its tightly edited collection of premium-feeling affordable pieces, Kitri Studio is a Who What Wear fave. It only stocks limited quantities of each style, so you can guarantee that you won't see the same item on every other person on social media. The Gabriella dress was an instant sellout when papped on Charlotte Groeneveld at fashion week last year, so keep your eyes peeled for the next big thing.

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Kitri Wendy Green Alpaca Blend Wrap Cardigan (£95)

Kitri Studio Cat Space-Dyed Dress (£165)

Kitri Kent Animal Print Drawstring Trousers (£85)

8. Neon Rose

Neon Rose is the UK-born brand you may have already spotted on ASOS. The statement prints, attention to detail and super-purse-friendly price tags are some of the things we love. It offers cute co-ords and is a winner in the plus-size category (the brand goes up to a size 28). Neon Rose is quite the dream collection.

Shop my picks

Neon Rose Plus Oversized Shacket With Embellished Buttons in Tweed (£45)

Neon Rose Dreya Animal Square Neck Blouse With Puff Sleeves (£23)

Neon Rose Plus High Waist Jeans in Split Leg Denim (£35)

9. Sézane

Sézane is the little bit of Paris everyone needs in their wardrobe. The label began life as a vintage store on eBay but now produces retro-inspired, understated pieces that'll easily slip into your capsule wardrobe—ideal if you're looking for pieces that stand the test of time. I'll be adding Sézane's cool leather bags and midi dresses to my basket for now and patiently waiting until spring arrives.

Shop my picks

Sézane Estela Dress (£135)

Sézane Will Jacket (£100)

Sézane Kahina Cape (£135)

10. Rouje

Created by our favourite Gallic It girl, Jeanne Damas, Rouje is in the market to deliver Parisian basics with a nostalgic twist. Think flighty camisoles, flared jeans and button-up sundresses—a go-to for elevated staples. We'll be buying one of the brand's sellout floral dresses to wear with chunky sandals. What better way to achieve that elusive je ne sais quoi?

Shop my picks

Rouje Alfredo Coat (£295)

Rouje Tina Cardigan (£195)

Rouje Marais Jeans (£130)

11. House of Sunny

Describing its wares as "supersized basics with a clean, flawless aesthetic and silhouettes cut precisely for everyday success," House of Sunny has become cool girls' go-to affordable fashion brand. Now on its 13th collection, the brand offers up plenty of references to new-season trends, alongside artistic silhouettes and unfussy, unprinted fabrics (apart from the odd bit of gingham).

Shop my picks

House of Sunny Jungle Jessie (£90)

House of Sunny Hockney Dress (£98)

House of Sunny Day Dreamer Cardi (£92)

12. Gestuz

If you're looking for key pieces to add to your wardrobe with a cool Scandi twist, then Gestuz is the brand for you. Launched in 2008, the Danish label has remained relatively unknown, but it is now available on ASOS so easily accessible for all. Expect great dresses, chic trousers and prints.

Shop my picks

Gestuz Ellie Western Suede Jacket in Brown (£200)

Gestuz Astrid Long Skirt in Washed Black (£55)

Gestuz Shirt in Bright White (£55)

13. Sister Jane

Sister Jane is the London-based brand here for all your vintage-inspired fashion needs. Its eclectic selection of personality-packed pieces stands out from the high street's identikit offering—think frou-frou blouses, printed maxi dresses and retro accessories.

Shop my picks

Sister Jane Topspot Scallop Blouse (£59)

Sister Jane Wonderland Tapestry Jacket (£175)

Sister Jane Roller Gingham Mini Dress (£155)

Next Up: Spring/Summer 2021 Trends: The Most Important Fashion Looks You Need to Know

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

This article originally appeared on Who What Wear

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