Brands worth knowing
Six brands across denim, jewellery, bags and more that have been on my mind recently.
There’s a sense of comfort that comes with the familiar high street brands like Uniqlo and COS. They’re my go-to for reliable wardrobe staples. Alongside them are brands like Tibi. These aren’t the pieces I buy most often but the ones that help shape how I think about getting dressed.
I also love discovering smaller or less well-known brands. Those that feel a bit more thoughtful, distinctive and less overexposed.
These are six brands I’ve been thinking about lately.
1. Dala
Dala is a London-based label focuses on crafting 100% rigid denim. Rigid denim takes a bit of wear but moulds to your body and tends to age beautifully over time.
They work with a B Corp factory with longevity in mind. Prices start at around £180, though some styles go on sale and signing up to their newsletter gets you 15% off your first order.
I was kindly gifted a pair of jeans after already having my eye on the brand.
The Lido jeans are a great barrel option without being too extreme (wearing in the above image). For something straighter, the Alley Linear Repair jeans have a slim leg, a high rise and just enough detail to feel interesting. At 5’11”/180cm their longer seams are especially good if you’re tall.
2. Justine Clenquet
When it comes to jewellery, I gravitate towards silver-toned pieces or mixed metals. Jewellery isn’t something I wear a lot and, as a result, I never want to spend too much on it. I want pieces that feel interesting with costing hundreds of pounds.
Justine Clenquet is a French brand making recycled jewellery with a subtle punk edge. The asymmetry is what first drew me in.
The pieces are made from brass with a palladium finish and prices start from around £40. There is a wide selection on the website, though it’s worth noting that the orders ship from France, so additional duties may apply.
3. MODERN WEAVING
MODERN WEAVING is a Los Angeles-based brand creating ready-to-wear and accessories. Every piece is either handcrafted or laser-cut, resulting in sleek, modern designs that feel quietly distinctive.
Their products aren’t the easiest to get hold of in the UK. Bizarrely, that exclusivity only makes the brand more appealing to me. I recently ordered a bag directly from their website and did pay duties, though with a 15% welcome discount the total came to roughly the same as buying from a UK stockist.
4. Port Tanger
Never underestimate how much a great pair of sunglasses can elevate even the simplest outfit.
Port Tanger is an independent eyewear brand based in Paris, with all of its frames made in Japan. The shapes are distinctive, the lens colours feel thoughtful and every pair makes a subtle statement. They feel fashion-forward without trying too hard.
It’s a premium brand, with prices to match. Most pairs start at around £260, which may not be ideal if you’re someone prone to sitting on or losing your sunglasses (speaking from experience!). That said, I bought my pair on sale from FARFETCH in December for £120. It’s also worth keeping an eye on sites like SSENSE and Zalando for discounts.
The Beldi acetate frames are a great option if you prefer something softer than a heavy black pair. Low-key, versatile and easy to wear all year round.
5. lana Blumberg
Ilana Blumberg is a London-based knitwear brand making some of the coolest hats around.
A great hat has a way of making an outfit feel more intentional and these are some of the best I’ve seen. Knitwear may not be top of mind right now but these are too good not to include.
The flap hat is the style you may have seen if you’ve heard of the brand before. It caught my attention after the effortlessly cool Taylor Russell was spotted wearing it.
Prices start from £85, which is a lot for a hat, but they are made from 100% lambswool and suitable for itch-sensitive skin, which is music to my ears as my forehead has very little tolerance for anything remotely scratchy.
They occasionally host sample sales in London too, which is worth knowing if you’re hoping to pick up a piece at a discount.
Honestly, the hardest part is deciding which colour to choose. There are so many and they are all excellent.
The hats are what first drew me in, but their asymmetrical cardigans are now firmly on my wish list.
6. Wandler
Wandler is a brand I’ve loved for years. The Dutch label creates beautifully crafted leather bags but what I love most is their use of colour. Alongside the expected black and brown, you’ll find bags in pink, lime green, red and orange, all made in Italy by artisans who shape every detail by hand.
I bought my first Wandler bag four years ago, and much to my surprise, the brand kindly gifted me another last year.
The Penelope slouch bag has become a go-to and has travelled with me on several trips as it packs down easily in hand luggage. The sculptural and ladylike Ida bag is a compliment-grabber and I absolutely love the colour.
Wandler isn’t a brand I hear many people talking about, but they should.
If you have a favourite under-the-radar brand, send it my way. I’m always looking for something new to discover.
Ooh, a lot of these are new to me! Off to do more digging...
Wandler is one of my faves, it feels like being in on a secret.