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Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street

25 replies

Dsfdf · 29/08/2026 15:48

I'm so bored of high street brands, styles and materials. I like good quality materials like silk in bright colours. I don't like busy prints though. Does anyone have any recommendations for brands? Budget around £200 per top.

OP posts:
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Tortephant · 29/08/2026 15:54

WNU are the best.

Me+Em yes but choose carefully.

Dsfdf · 31/08/2026 06:04

Thanks, both

Anyone else have any tips? Very happy to buy European brands.

OP posts:
iwantavuvezela · 31/08/2026 06:17

try some of the Scandi brands

Stella Nova are fabulous
Baum und Pfergarden

or brands such as

Sideline
YMC
LF Markey
Leon and Harper

RowsOfFlowers · 31/08/2026 06:33

Sezane ?

MakemineaGandT · 31/08/2026 07:19

The Shirt Company

Divebar2021 · 31/08/2026 07:38

Rise and Fall have the natural fabrics and some brighter colours although tend to stick
go the more neutral end. They have some good reductions at the moment.

https://riseandfall.co/products/pink-drop-shoulder-easy-silk-top

This is a Spanish brand I believe and I’ve been stalking a shirt if there’s for a while

https://www.adolfodominguez.com/en-gb/woman/sale/view-all/?page=3

www.soeur.uk/

Also don’t forget Jigsaw… they fly under the radar a bit.

Women´s View all Sales | Adolfo Domínguez | AD UK

Take advantage of the sales on women’s View all by Adolfo Domínguez. Find your favorite styles at the best price. Don’t miss the discounts!

https://www.adolfodominguez.com/en-gb/woman/sale/view-all/?page=3

Anyoneforcoffee · 31/08/2026 08:08

As a previous poster, Sezane and WNU. Also Marie Marot.

Thingamebobwotsit · 31/08/2026 08:21

I have just bought some nice ones from Boden which I wasn't expecting much from. Good to see the WNU recommendations - have been pondering trying them.

HeyPrune · 31/08/2026 09:16

Bourrienne and Wiggy Kit - though a bit toppy for your budget

Dsfdf · 31/08/2026 15:38

Thanks for all the suggestions

@HeyPrune Budget is flexible!

OP posts:
cumbrians · 31/08/2026 15:46

Oh I love that rise and fall top @Divebar2021

Sorry OP no advice, I’m in the same boat as you!

eatreadsleeprepeat · 31/08/2026 16:33

Oxford Shirt Company, Marimekko, Wolf and Badger.

Kunik · 31/08/2026 19:51

Seidensticker

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 31/08/2026 20:07

Poetry. Actually the silk shirts M&S do are great! As are some of their cotton ones. I mix expensive (ish) with cheaper end and I do like the Poetry silk patterns. I do think Arket sell great silk and poplin and not seen everywhere!

TealReader · 31/08/2026 23:43

With nothing underneath are fab but not so much for the bright colours! Essentiel Antwerp has great shirts but you’ll have to look for the quieter prints. Size down! Stine Goya, Stella Nova, Baum+Pferdgarten. Comptoir des Cotonnieres.

EleanorMc67 · 01/09/2026 00:05

All Joseph, in the sale (though sizes limited in some), & £250-ish or below. Also all or mostly silk/silk blend/cotton-linen blend etc.

Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
EleanorMc67 · 01/09/2026 00:06

These are Joseph too.

Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
Smart blouse/shirt brands? Not regular high street
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 01/09/2026 09:45

@EleanorMc67 It’s not a forgotten brand but MN is not normally in their market space! My DD is a fan.

EleanorMc67 · 01/09/2026 12:02

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 01/09/2026 09:45

@EleanorMc67 It’s not a forgotten brand but MN is not normally in their market space! My DD is a fan.

I meant overlooked in the fashion media these days - magazines/websites etc, plus I see little mention of it in any Instagram feeds I follow. I do realise that the MN S&B section (while not homogeneous) is probably not entirely representative of what we all wear!!

In terms of their customer base, I'd probably put it alongside MaxMara & another couple of brands that had their heyday of being "in" in the 80s/90s (though even then, quietly). But obviously they're still successful enough & have enough loyal customers to keep bricks-&-mortar stores as well as a website, because they do lovely classic (but still contemporary) clothing.

I came across an article on the vintage labels to collect now, & was very amused by the fact that they were raving about 80s/90s Escada, Gina Bacconi, Windsmoor etc. Back then I thought they were either tacky or what my granny wore. No mention of the labels I coveted back then, like Romeo Gigli, Rifat Ozbek or early Dries van Noten! The romantic quirky designers - alongside the purveyors of simplicity like Calvin Klein, Joseph etc (where I could always find lots of black!) - were what I was drawn to, alongside vintage from the 30s-70s. Not so different to now, really ...

The good thing though about Joseph being under-the-radar is that it's generally not snapped up instantly or overpriced on eBay/Vinted etc! I'll leave it to the 20/30-somethings to fight over Escada ...

Dsfdf · 05/09/2026 10:23

EleanorMc67 · 31/08/2026 23:55

By blouse though, do you mean a button-through one, @Dsfdf ?

I love this Joseph one. Though it's viscose crepe, not silk - but the fabric quality will be good.

https://joseph-fashion.com/products/adele-light-crepe-blouse-green-jf0094332211?_pos=49&_fid=49c2bdb69&_ss=c

Blouses and shirts are both fine. I quite like the tailored look. It's easier to find in the shirts but equally shirts can look a bit too formal..

OP posts:
TealReader · 05/09/2026 11:33

I love Joseph Eleanor but didn’t think it was in the budget!

EleanorMc67 · 05/09/2026 14:03

TealReader · 05/09/2026 11:33

I love Joseph Eleanor but didn’t think it was in the budget!

Full price, most shirts/blouses wouldn't be - but I did choose quite a few in the sale that were £150-270-ish (as the OP did say £200 per piece but that budget was flexible!!). And I have bought pieces in Vinted/eBay before.

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