There’s a lot of talk in fashion about splurging on luxury, designer items as well as budget-buying fast-fashion dupes. Not often discussed, however, are the brands that meet you in the middle. Fashion’s take on the Goldilocks principle, these brands aren’t too cheap nor too pricey, but just right, often ranging from $150 to $600, give or take a few bucks. Essentially, they offer a level of quality that surpasses most fast-fashion brands without the designer price tags.
Perfect for those shopping days when you have some extra cash in your pocket—it’s tax-return season, you know—and want one or two pieces that will last, the 13 brands below are guaranteed to turn up the style level of your current wardrobe. And yet, none will leave you with that all-too-familiar knot in your stomach that comes with dropping an extravagant amount of money on one shockingly expensive item. Instead, all you’ll feel is excitement over your new buys.
A favorite among fashion girls, The Frankie Shop’s aesthetic perfectly toes the line between New York and Paris style, likely because it has a brick-and-mortar outpost in both cities. From oversize button-down shirts and slouchy trousers to bomber jackets and elevated tees, the brand specializes in basics that look expensive but actually cost a lot less than the quality would have you believe.
There’s a reason this top is always selling out. It’s the perfect button-down—and yes, it does come in other colors.
The epitome of effortless.
Bombers are the number one outerwear trend of 2022 thus far. You know what to do.
Style and accessibility collide in the form of Who What Wear Collection, where you don’t have to spend more than $250 to add classic-with-a-twist wardrobe staples to your regular outfit rotation. Comfy-cool sets, easy dresses, and compliment-inducing outerwear are the brand’s bread and butter. Perhaps soon, they’ll be your closet’s, too.
This bodysuit changed my mind about bodysuits forever.
Hello, best seller.
You’ll never travel by air in anything else after wearing this knit 30,000 feet up.
MatchesFashion’s in-house label Raey is every fashion editor’s secret source for luxury essentials that only look like they cost $700 or more. While some of the brand’s pieces do err on the pricier side (mostly leather and cashmere styles), it also offers a good selection of fairly priced finds that will never go out of style and will last you a lifetime.
Tube-top season awaits.
Even a low-rise hater will love these.
The only LBD you’ll ever need.
Environmentally conscious, size-inclusive, and often under $300, Reformation is a triple threat. From its beloved linen dresses and sets to buzzy and unexpected styles, there’s a little bit of something for everyone at Ref. And if you’ve been sleeping on the brand for a few seasons, I’d recommend perusing the site. You might be surprised by what you find.
This dress comes with compliments.
Kaia Gerber has a pair of these. Now, you can too.
This color is straight-up gorgeous.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a fashion editor or influencer who doesn’t own at least one Staud piece, be it the brand’s popular two-tone dresses or its viral handbags. Built around the idea that fashion should be something that’s possible for anyone to save up for—not everyone can save up enough money for The Row, no matter how hard they try—Staud is the epitome of a midrange brand. Though, you wouldn’t know it by looking at its selection.
Now presenting the next It bag.
It’s the little bow for me.
I’m not a big logo person, but this one is surprisingly enticing.
The result of French influencer Chloé Harrouche—you may know her by her Instagram handle, @louloudesaison—not being able to find timeless, stylish pieces for a fair price, Loulou Studio serves women who want to look their best without having to spend thousands of dollars on designer apparel. “I wanted to help women around me and design collections that would make them feel comfortable in their everyday life,” Harrouche says on the brand’s website.
This dress feels like pajamas but looks like ready-to-wear.
Yes, you do need a cashmere bra.
Consider me jealous of anyone who buys this jacket.
For jeans that look perfectly worn in and vintage yet fit perfectly without tailoring, Agolde is the mecca. Known for its ’90s and Pinch Waist silhouettes, the brand has a denim style for everyone’s tastes, with the common factor always being jeans that just look and feel good.
Your search for the perfect pair of jeans ends here.
Tank tops are trending thanks to the F/W 22 runways.
Every celebrity is wearing leather pants instead of jeans right now.
Unique shapes, bright colors, and beachy aesthetics are a dime a dozen at Cult Gaia, Jasmin Larian Hekmat’s ready-to-wear brand that’s built up quite the cult following since it launched in 2012. And while some of its more formal pieces will cost you, the label also offers a wide selection of under-$500 styles, from sherbet-colored sandals to pin tops.
How cool is this top?
Your summer wardrobe is calling this dress’s name.
Do it. I dare you.
If you’re on TikTok, then you know how popular Canada’s beloved brand Aritzia is. From its viral Melina and Effortless pants to its wide selection of elevated basics, Aritzia has everything you need to fill your wardrobe with fashion-forward pieces for every occasion.
You can’t talk about Aritzia and not mention the Melina pants. They’re iconic.
The perfect leather jacket doesn’t exist… oh wait.
These come in pretty much every color. Which will you pick?
When Dua Lipa wears a brand, you know it’s good. Such is the case with Isa Boulder, Cecilia Basari and Yuli Suri’s Bali-based brand of swimwear and knitwear that celebs and influencers alike have become obsessed with wearing. And with good reason. The brand never goes the expected route, always designing pieces with interesting twists, like cutouts, shiny and sheer fabrics, and corset details.
Saturday night called. It said to wear this dress.
A fresh take on the cutout trend.
This dress is a beauty.
From Proenza Schouler’s creative directors, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, comes its more affordable White Label, which offers all the style of its main brand with a far lower price tag. Expect bold colors, unique details, and, of course, XXL tote bags, which White Label is constantly selling out of.
You don’t have to spend $1000 or more for Proenza Schouler.
The supersize-bag trend is going strong.
An easy addition to your year-round wardrobe.
Founded by Central Saint Martins graduate Elliss Solomon in 2016, Elliss is an up-and-coming ready-to-wear brand that focuses on unique collage prints made with conscious production in mind. Now that its stockists include Nordstrom and Ssense, prepare to see a lot more of the brand on your feeds in the coming seasons.
There’s something special about having pieces that not everyone has.
*Finger hovers dangerously close to the purchase button.*
Stunning.
Remember the leopard-print midi skirt that everyone owned (or wanted to own) in 2018? That was from Réalisation, the French-girl favorite Aussie brand that never fails in the fashion department. From sheer maxis to flouncy minis, if you’re looking for a dress for a special occasion or even just one to wear on repeat this summer, Réalisation is the place to go.
