If you’re like me, you love the look of designer clothes but hesitate at the price tags that often come with them. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for paying a bit extra to have comfortable, durable, and well-made clothes. But I don’t necessarily want to break the bank to add designer brands to my closet.
That’s where my favorite affordable designer brands come into play. These brands often fall into the mid-range in terms of price but offer the same quality and attention to detail you’d expect from luxury brands. These options are a good middle ground between fast fashion and high-end luxury.
I’ve gathered ten of my go-to affordable designer clothing brands you’ll want to add to your wardrobe. Keep reading to learn more about these companies and to get helpful tips on how to find designer clothing for less. With this information, you’re sure to be the standout fashionista anywhere you go.
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What Does Affordable Designer Clothing Mean?
Talking about affordable designer clothing can often be a bit dicey since what is considered “affordable” can vary from person to person. Generally speaking, when we talk about affordable designer brands, we’re not referring to companies that could be considered cheap to buy from.
Instead, we’re talking about brands that still offer the quality of high-end luxury but are more reasonably affordable for the average person to purchase. These prices will still be higher than what you can find in most retail stores or your local mall but won’t reach the sky-high prices that many high-end designers charge.
By comparison, most of the clothing you can purchase at stores local to you is what we would call fast fashion. Fast fashion clothing is mass-produced using lower-quality goods, which allows it to be sold cheaply. Designer clothing is not fast fashion, and there is a slightly higher cost to get quality products.
So, in other words, these affordable designer brands aren’t necessarily cheap. However, they offer options that fall on the lower price end when it comes to designer clothing.
What Are Mid Luxury Clothing Brands?
When you think about affordable designer clothing, most brands that come to mind will fall within the category of mid-luxury clothing. Prices for the clothes produced by mid-luxury brands tend to fall in the middle of the market. They aren’t as cheap as fast fashion options but aren’t as expensive as high-end luxury alternatives.
While high-end luxury brands aren’t generally affordable for the average person, mid-luxury options are much more reasonable. If you’re looking for designer options to add to your wardrobe, mid-luxury brands are a great place to start.
10 Affordable Designer Clothing Brands
Below is my list of the top ten designer brands that are both affordable and high-quality. The list is generally organized from the most affordable options to those that are slightly more expensive. Clothing from these brands would be an excellent addition to your wardrobe.
1. DSTLD
DSTLD, pronounced “distilled,” is a California-based designer brand that first hit the market in 2014. DSTLD was created to provide customers with simple, staple products that can be used as the basis for any designer wardrobe. They are very conscious about ethically sourcing their products and make a considerable effort to steer clear of any mass-produced items.
DSTLD is the perfect brand to turn to if you are looking for new denim staples to add to your wardrobe and various leather jacket and pant options. It is an excellent place to source neutral looks for men and women, designed to be good foundational pieces for your clothing collection.
All-in-all, DSTLD takes classic, everyday clothing like jeans and t-shirts and elevates them to a new level. More importantly, their superior quality comes at a very affordable price tag.
2. Summersalt
Summersalt was first established as a brand in 2017 and, since the beginning, has marketed itself as an affordable designer brand for women, by women. The company has made a name for itself with its extensive swimwear collection, however, the brand isn’t limited to just swimsuits and beach coverups.
Summersalt also produces a variety of designer summer clothing options and comfortable pajamas. They design their clothes with one thing in mind – they should look good while also being comfortable. Summersalt also makes a conscious effort to use sustainable materials whenever possible in their lines.
Summersalt has continuously set the standard for high-quality swimwear, especially when it comes to the fit of their clothing. The brand took 1.5 million measurements from approximately 10,000 women in their quest to design clothes that fit perfectly. Few companies, designer or otherwise, can boast such attention to detail in their creations.
More so than that, Summersalt offers a range of extended sizes to fit women of all body types. They also provide maternity options for expectant mothers. You’ll also want to check out their line of coordinating swimwear, designed for the entire family.
To keep their inspiration fresh, Summersalt regularly creates new collections featuring well-known guest designers and influential fashion houses. Recent collections include partnerships with Mestiza, Kendra Scott, and Belgian designer Diane Von Furstenberg.
3. Lucky Brand
Lucky Brand originated in Los Angeles in 1990, offering its take on vintage-inspired denim looks. The brand has continued to craft true all-American looks centered around their love of all things denim. All-in-all, Lucky Brand offers quality casual clothing for the entire family.
Where the true designer element comes into play is with their handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces. Since the company began, Lucky Brand was so committed to quality that they distressed, patched, and washed each piece of clothing by hand. This gave their work unique touches and finishes for which the brand became known.
While the brand has since risen in popularity and not every piece can be handmade, Lucky Brand does offer its Upcycled line. Upcycled is a capsule collection of designer clothes handmade from repurposed materials. The collection guarantees quality, one-of-a-kind originals at affordable prices.
The handmade pieces are limited in quantity, so you’ll want to hurry over to the site to snag them while you can. While you’re there, you’ll want to check out the fabulous sales they offer on their regular clothing line.
4. Jessica Rey
Jessica Rey first gained notoriety not as a fashion designer but as an American actress in the early 2000s. Eventually, she turned her attention to clothing design out of deep frustration with many of the ill-fitting swimwear options produced by the fast fashion industry. To that end, she launched her namesake swimwear brand in 2009 to provide quality alternatives for women worldwide.
Much of Jessica Rey’s quality comes from the high-grade Italian fabrics used in the brand’s products. These fabrics are imported to Los Angeles, where skilled artisans cut and sew each garment. The brand prides itself on ethically sourcing and producing its products while maintaining the highest quality standards.
In 2017, the brand expanded to include a range of dresses, tops, and skirts designed to have timeless, feminine looks. Many of the pieces in this newer line were inspired by the late British actress Audrey Hepburn. The collections do truly emulate the fashion icon’s trim, elegant aesthetic.
5. Ralph Lauren
The Ralph Lauren brand has become a household name since the American fashion company was first created in the 1960s. The brand’s signature aesthetic centers on classic styles suited for the entire family. You certainly won’t look out of place in luxury country clubs wearing pieces from this brand.
What makes Ralph Lauren’s clothing so iconic is that the brand does not necessarily try to keep up with fads and what the day’s trends happen to be. Instead, the brand offers a collection of timeless pieces that can act as the foundation for any wardrobe. These looks will be stylish for years to come and won’t quickly appear dated like many ultra-trendy pieces can quickly be.
In terms of affordability, Ralph Lauren offers many collections that fall at different pricing tiers. While their luxury line is often the choice for celebrities with deep wallets, the brand offers many more affordable collections that can fit any budget. They also aren’t afraid to offer a good sale from time to time.
What’s even more fun is that you don’t have to limit your Ralph Lauren purchases to just clothing. The brand offers a wide range of home goods, gifts, and accessories that allow you to bring the designer look to many different elements of your lifestyle.
6. Eileen Fisher
Since 1984, the Eileen Fisher brand has focused on simple, timeless pieces that will remain staples of your wardrobe for years to come. Nearly all of the classic looks created by this brand can be mixed and matched with one another, giving you endless outfit combinations to create. Additionally, most pieces are produced using organic cotton and linen for added comfort with minimal environmental impact.
Sustainability is the cornerstone of the Eileen Fisher brand, both in terms of raw materials used and the durability of its clothing. The brand has created programs where customers can return clothing to the store that they no longer wear. Other customers can then purchase the pieces at a significant discount.
The brand even repurposes fabric waste into artwork, accessories, and home goods. This helps create as little waste as possible while offering stylish designer pieces.
If you’re interested in this brand, check out their monthly design capsules to see the most current styles. You’ll also want to check out their excellent sales, as well as their second-hand offerings. There’s nothing like getting designer wear for a steal!
7. Michael Kors
Michael Kors is one affordable designer brand that offers a complete wardrobe for your entire family. Their designer products include ready-to-wear clothes for men, women, and children. The brand is also widely known for its handbags, footwear, jewelry, and even a line of fragrance products.
Where other designer brands have embraced simple, classic designs, the Michael Kors brand has fully embraced a glamorous aesthetic. If you’re looking for clothing options that show the world you have a sophisticated eye for fashion – this might just be the brand for you. Michael Kors brand pieces are meant to look luxurious and chic.
If you’re looking for an extra-special touch, check out the brand’s personalized accessory options. The company offers custom monogramming and engraving on their luxury handbags, watches, and jewelry options. These pieces will be one of a kind, made just for you.
8. Ted Baker London
Ted Baker London was founded in Glasgow in 1987, originally focusing on contemporary menswear options, but the brand quickly expanded to include products for the entire family. Ted Baker London now offers additional lines of home goods, accessories, fragrances, shoes, skincare products, and even eyewear.
Since its creation, the brand has been dedicated to creating quality pieces worth the expense. Their attention to detail is top-notch and can rarely be matched by other brands on the market. You can shop confidently knowing your purchase will be well-made and last you a lifetime.
Check out the brand’s designer handbags, which have become fashion staples worldwide. The brand offers everything from everyday purses to travel bags, suitcases, and backpacks. The styles are generally neutral, letting you add the designer’s influence to most of your go-to outfits.
If you’re looking for an extra-good price, don’t forget to also check out their sales. The brand frequently offers discounts of up to 60% off their list prices.
9. Reformation
Since 2009, the Reformation brand has been selling clothing pieces emphasizing quality and sustainability. The company began building its iconic style by selling vintage clothing from its original Los Angeles storefront. It quickly expanded to making its own designs that are both effortless to wear and emphasize the feminine figure.
Clothing by Reformation can be described as minimalist, which has given the brand it’s massive following. It has become a favorite go-to stop for women looking for pieces to wear to formal events. You’ll want to be sure to check out its line of long, slinky dresses that come in an array of neutral and floral designs.
10. Kate Spade New York
Rounding out our list is Kate Spade New York, an American luxury brand that was first founded in the spring of 1993. The brand first launched with a limited range of designer handbags before quickly expanding to offer clothing, shoes, accessories, and even home decor.
Unlike many designer brands focused on neutral pieces, Kate Spade New York has fully embraced all things bright and modern. It has a distinct style that is all its own, often featuring bright pinks, reds, and oranges as the focal part of its designs. This has helped create instant brand recognition, guaranteeing everyone around you will recognize your designer pieces instantly.
Moreover, you can also support the brand, knowing that they are conscious of their social impact. Kate Spade New York has made it a mission to empower women and girls worldwide, particularly focusing on supporting mental health initiatives. Hundreds of thousands of women will receive support from the brand’s programs by 2025.
There’s certainly something positive to be said about being able to support a brand that supports women equally in return.
What Is the Cheapest Designer Brand?
Deciding which designer brand is the cheapest is a bit tricky to do since it depends on what types of clothing you are looking for. Of the brands we’ve discussed in this article, DSTLD is probably the cheapest designer brand. Most of the classic pieces this company offers fall below the $100 mark.
DSTLD offers mostly pants, tops, and jackets on their site. So if you’re looking for pieces outside these categories, you’ll need another cheap brand. Summersalt could take the title of cheapest designer brand if you find yourself searching for swimwear, dresses, or even pajamas.
All-in-all, the cheapest options will depend on your style and the types of clothing you are looking to buy. Keep in mind that the list included in this article is loosely organized from cheapest to most expensive. Stick to the first few options on the list if you’re looking for our cheapest recommendations.
How Do I Find Cheap Luxury Brands?
Aside from lists like the one we’ve given here, it can be very difficult to find cheap luxury brands on your own. Searching online will give you seemingly endless lists of brands to search through. This can take a lot of time and effort to find pieces you like.
I often find affordable luxury brands by taking other approaches. You can look for styles you like on social media sites like Pinterest or Instagram and then search for the brands mentioned in posts you see. You can follow influencers with similar styles to your own and go where they like to shop.
You can also search online for sites having sales and take advantage of the discounts. Many designer brands will often give one-time discounts on your first order or if you join their newsletter subscription. I find many of my best pieces by going online and doing an internet search for designer brand sales.
Don’t be afraid to turn to secondhand sites to seek out luxury items. Many online sites offer gently used, secondhand clothing at very affordable rates. Nobody will ever know that you didn’t purchase the item brand new.
If you seek out secondhand items, always be sure to verify the piece is authentic. Legitimate websites will offer you proof that the item has been verified and may even give you certification proving that. Try to shop from sites that offer money-back guarantees or return options, should the piece not live up to your expectations.
Which Designer Brands Have the Best Sales?
While most designer brands will have sales from time to time, some do this better than others. Ted Baker London, for example, often offers discounts of up to 60% off on their products.
The Michael Kors brand has been known to offer up to 70% off of its pieces at certain times of the year. Meanwhile, Kate Spade New York also regularly offers large discounts on many of its handbags.
In terms of secondhand clothes, Eileen Fisher offers some of the best sales you can find in the industry. You can purchase gently-used pieces directly from the designer for a fraction of the cost.
The key to finding the best designer brand sales is to check the sites regularly. Many companies will only offer their sales for a few days to a week, meaning that you could easily miss out on the perfect opportunity to score some great pieces for less.
Conclusion
You don’t have to break the bank to find affordable designer pieces to add to your wardrobe. Begin building your wardrobe with classic pieces from the designers listed in this article, and don’t be afraid to look for sales when they come along. Keep this list handy, and check these sites regularly to score the best deals.