Beyond the High Street

[TheLongRider]

I'd like to start a collaborative thread for everyone to contribute shops, designers or online clothing sources that they love or think others might like. It's easy to get stuck in a rut of available high street shopping, but that choice is a becoming more limited as physical shops close.

There is a world of online shopping available, it does have disadvantages in terms of sizing and delivery charges but I think there is far more choice out there than just the high street.

This thread is an attempt to show what else is available across different price points and styles. It would be great if people could give an idea of what the brand is known for and it's price point. The brand/shop should have worldwide shipping so that all Mumsnet users can use them.

I'll start - I have no connection with these companies.

L F Markey UK based womenswear - strong focus on colour and casual wear. Price ££ - £££

Stable of Ireland Irish store promoting Irish design and production, natural fabrics, womenswear, menswear & accessories. Price ££-£££

Marimekko Finnish company - Womenswear, menswear, children's clothing, home wear and accessories - often does collaborations with Uniqlo. Price £ - £££

MOT Nigerian company - Womenswear, children's wear. Price ££

Demobaza is pretty amazing.

These dresses are rather lovely

https://www.demobaza.com/collections/dress-demowoman/products/dress-reunion

https://www.demobaza.com/collections/dress-demowoman/products/tex-dress-insight

Renli Su, which, alas, are not for me as an L is a 12.

Clothes for Edward Gorey characters.
https://www.renlisu.com/collections/spring-summer-2025

I'll nominate local business Megan Crook https://megancrook.com/. Not the most expensive but joyful and colourful. Made in UK, about £90 for a dress, lots of velvet.

These are stunning, out my price, and lifestyle but stunning none the less

Well I’d never dare to share this place on a thread - it’s really just for looking. May appeal to people obsessive about craft. (Click on Shop.)

Blue Mountain School

The clothes here are just for looking at; the jewellery is jewellery prices:

Wendy Nichols

Discovered this place through another poster. Haven’t bought, but the coats do look superb;

The Landskein

I've seen her clothes at the craft fair which runs in August in Edinburgh during the festivals.

People have bust their laughing muscle when I’ve mentioned this site on other threads - but it brings me utter joy:

Apres Paris

As does this. Adore Marseille; adore this online snippet of it. (And often chase up brands I discover there.)

Jogging

Love this place a bit, have discovered brands here and pursued them to their own sites:

Rendezvous-vous

This girl knows women’s bodies beautifully and does the odd movie star and sleb:

woowooboutique.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopi_fi9TSxLPRZXfF2G3BnKP58sZh7LoZ1rFO1ChHIlUuCPjfrQ

.

Epitome of Edinburgh
very cool and stylish casual wear

Beaumont Organic
sustainable beautiful clothes with shop in Manchester

Some nice stuff on that Beaumont Organics link, thank you.

I nominate Celtic Fusion Design, a small company from the West Coast of Ireland that I found on Etsy. They are inspired by celtic culture and Irish folklore, and use natural materials. Basically, they are about slow fashion, ethical production, sustainability etc. Their designs wont be everyone's cup of tea, but I love them, and have a few pieces.

Great thread. I’m always looking for new websites to browse and add to my repertoire.

My contributions are more mainstream than most of these and might not be new to people, but I’m a big fan of Ninety Percent for super soft, draped jersey and Tallulah & Hope for beautiful embroidery.

I also strongly second a pp's suggestion of Manners London.

I do love a good cape!

Landskein is an Irish brand and their coats are fantastic in real life.

I have one of their dresses and wore it at Halloween in Salem MA. It fitted right in with the addition of a pointed hat and hatless it just looked like an ordinary dress.

For the colour and print lovers Bruce Glen US based black owned business. Sales are good and clothing has a very good size range.

@TheLongRider oh my God those Bruce Glen clothes are amazing! Exactly my vibe. Do you know what their sizing's like?

Fantastic thread. I would like to echo pp’s and say that I always value your posts, @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle, and it is thanks to you that I have a long range crush on the scarlet tutu from Kindred of Ireland. Perhaps this Christmas!

My own contribution would be Haruka. Interesting fabrics and high quality cotton jersey. I have many pieces, now all too big, so will be restocking this autumn when the new line comes in. Single designer, hippy boho vibe. The Rhiannon dress in particular is great.

A mix of prices is great and I hope no-one will feel deterred from posting sites that are £££. I can't afford much in a couple of my own recs but I still like to look.

I doubt I'll be able to buy much from the newly re-launched Pollyanna (Barnsley legend Rita Britton) but I still can't wait to see what she does.

I'm not sure when they launched but the website wasn't there the last time I looked a couple of months ago. There's not much to see yet but I assume there's more to come. They're also on Instagram.

I occasionally visited the original Pollyanna in the early 80s and, at the time, I'd never seen anything like it. I also remember how friendly and helpful Rita was, even though it must have been obvious I was never going to spend any money there.

www.pollyannabarnsley.uk/

I agree with that sentiment, @Floisme. For those that are interested in fashion, looking at beautiful things is a pleasure in itself, even if one can’t afford to buy them. They can also serve as inspiration and help to shape your own style at a more affordable price point.

Plus, perhaps a once a year splurge on a coveted, special piece that you will hopefully wear forever.

Pollyanna relaunching (again?)?

Oh my! Had a look and there are already half a dozen things I cannot possibly live without.

Some of it looks so ridiculously handmade.

Thank you!

great thread idea - much appreciated! LOVE M.O.T!!! GORGEOUS!

I have one of their jackets in small - I'm a UK 10.

With all of the recommendations I would strongly encourage knowing your own measurements and checking any online sizing guides from the companies concerned.

A tape measure is a girl's best friend.

My contribution is If Only If
Gorgeous cotton and silk nightdresses I wear all the time around the house and on holiday :)
https://ifonlyif.co.uk/