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 ££

Here's another with a longer auction running: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116718335058?_skw=doen&itmmeta=01K1XYDT6TZD1PADK4B2AER0AX&hash=item1b2cf47452:g:VugAAeSwMIJoj7z7

Just finished watching The Great British Sewing Bee, where the presenter Sara Pascoe wryly revealed that judges Patrick and Esme sometimes tease / irritate her as she’s leaving the dressing room by condescendingly asking if she got her outfit ‘from the High Street’.

I will be chuckling over that until the new year at least. 😂

Not as fashion-forward and inspiring as some of the places on here but American Vintage (actually a French company) have excellent knitwear. I bought one of their alpaca jumpers in a sort of neon-mint-green and it's so gorgeous. And well priced too for the quality.
https://www.americanvintage-store.com/gb/en/women-knitwear/

Some slightly different options:

Kaftans: https://shopfumbalinas.com/collections

Boho (vintage / reworked fabric): https://www.allaboutaudrey.co.uk/

USA made size inclusive (some lovely fabrics) https://www.byvinnik.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopx6byX933fxu4jRiic5kgp2Zi2uX4rdaEHGtA9NtVEOiDT_Qgl

Nigerian made (beautiful prints) https://www.heritageclothings.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18130295017&gclid=CjwKCAjw-svEBhB6EiwAEzSdrvVS07qNRcKheu-VN42yo8dyDny18fsfORYQH75RGrjxUlI3xrCsuBoCeGQQAvD_BwE

Has anyone mentioned Palome? I’ve just ordered the Belleville shirt.

https://www.instagram.com/palome?igsh=MWUyNWZ2MHoyaTRmaA==

lurking place marketing

Le Bon Shoppe - American brand slow fashion - High street prices. Good well made casual staples without visible logos.

I have bought a few things from Olivia May's online store, they carry a range of brands and it says they have a store in Oxford. Prices ££-£££

https://www.oliviamay.org/collections/new-arrivals

I saw this shop, based in India, on another S&B thread and it looks amazing, but I'm a bit reluctant because of shipping/difficulty in returns.

https://kharakapas.com

Has anyone seen anything similar off high street in the UK perhaps? Or tried them? Lots of flowy, interesting shapes in natural fabrics and bold patterns with pockets!

As a lover of slow fashion and non chain shopping, reading this thread is so cathartic! Thank you OP. I love your writing style.

I only discovered Beira yesterday (while shopping for an autumn cape as I seem to have a cape fixation that just isn’t going away)

https://beira.scot

And the capes (one of which is now winging its way to me):
https://beira.scot/collections/capes

Also, I’m not sure if I mentioned earlier on this thread (but I’m too lazy to check on a Sunday morning) about Hades? They do wonderful knitwear.

https://hades-shop.co.uk

I bought this wonderful cardigan from them recently, and am now slightly gutted that the weather is nice again so it’s too warm for cardigan wearing. Bring on autumn! And also wondering if a cardigan with FUCK buttons is too much for my office (I know it’s too much really but I wish it wasn’t!):
https://hades-shop.co.uk/collections/cardigans/products/carrington-cardigan-black-fu-k

Pretty someone, possibly you, mentioned the cardigan somewhere up-thread!

Ah sorry! Yes, it will have been me!!🙄

Another UK brand using dead stock fabric and native wool. Elwin Studio based in London but they don't seem to have a physical shop.

A brand that looks like a French version of Toast Moismont useful for those of us in the EU if you like that style.

Thanks for the Elwin link. I followed a link on their website, and came across this website that stocks their products and some other lovely things. I’ve never come across it before (& don’t think it’s been mentioned earlier in this thread!):
https://gatherandsee.com/

Oh! Clothes from Gather and See have been suggested quite often on other threads. A few really lovely brands.

I’m liking the look of Moimont.

Lists of stockists are the sort of rabbit hole that mean a brief awakening at 2.am extends to four hours of avid burrowing and discovery …

Emiko Studios - made to order, Japanese vibe. https://emikostudios.com/

Talking of Japanese, I really like the brand Nicholson & Nicholson that I came across in a lovely shop in Winchester called The Hambledon:

https://thehambledon.com/collections/nicholson-nicholson

Mild warning re MOT (in the OP) - I ordered and it took a month to arrive, and then they'd sent the wrong colour but expect me to pay the return fees to Nigeria. Not a promising first order. The item is well made and a lovely fit though.

I love this stuff!! Their bias-cut bridal dress is gorgeous.

I’d like to add Maison Wanda. New label set up by two women in Sussex.
https://maisonwanda.com

And Abi K, Brighton based designer making really beautiful bags from vintage Japanese kimonos.
https://www.abi-k.com/pages/bags

Those bags are fabulous, @VenusClapTrap

Dangerfield Excellent for gothic teens. Has the added advantage of being Australian so the sales are always full of garments for the incoming season

Having been primed by this thread I happened to be passing by Emporium Kalu early this week and had a very expensive visit 🤣🤣.