From its viral fishnet flats to its celeb-packed spring 2024 show (which was casually set on a footbridge overlooking the Seine in Paris), there’s no question that Alaïa is the brand on the tip of the entire fashion industry’s tongue right now. Founded in Paris in the late 1970s by Tunisian couturier Azzedine Alaïa, the house is most known for its clingy, form-fitting silhouettes—the designer was nicknamed in the media the “King of Cling” during his heyday in the ’80s and ’90s—and laser-cut accessories, from corset belts to handbags.
Today, a new designer sits at the helm of the brand, creative director Peter Mulier, but while his unique design style is certainly apparent, Alaïa’s enormous legacy remains fully in tact, with his signature cling and cuts continuing to act as symbols of the house. And with the return of ’80s trends like cuff bracelets, nipped-in waists, sculptural shapes, and more, a perfect storm’s been brewing for Alaïa’s biggest moment yet.
Unfortunately, as much as I’d like to line the racks of my closet with hooded body-cons and netted footwear, doing so isn’t always realistic when you’re shopping on a budget. That’s why I went ahead and rounded up 31 under-$150 pieces that’ll get you the Alaïa look for less from Nordstrom and Zara.