In a world where we cycle through trends faster than you can even utter the word ‘viral’, shopping sustainably while keeping your purse strings tightly drawn feels near impossible.
Though we at ES Best are massive supporters of the second-hand clothing community, the soaring popularity of vintage styles has resulted in the astronomical mark-up of even non-designer items, with Depop sellers pricing high street dresses and tank tops at £50 and over.
As a result, even die-hard vintage lovers – ourselves included – have been searching in earnest for affordable brands which offer stylish, vintage-inspired and unique designs to fill our crammed-full wardrobes with.
Despite the ever-permeating presence of targeted advertisements via Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, we know the feeling of clicking through to a dreamy looking clothing item only to find it’s priced far beyond our budgets or – worse – featured on a dodgy looking fast fashion website.
What if we told you there was a way to get your hands on trendy fashion items at an affordable price point, without feeling like you’re destroying the planet? We’ve rounded up some of the chicest affordable clothing brands making waves in the online world right now. From summer dresses and funky patterns to full going-out ensembles - keep scrolling for more.
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Best affordable clothing brands for women at a glance:
Omnes
Best for: sustainably-produced style
Perhaps one of the only officially climate-positive fashion brands which produce clothing at an affordable price, Omnes has been taking strides to lead the high-street fashion community and e-commerce world into a better future. Having partnered with Earthly to measure their carbon emissions per head, Omnes is dedicated to going beyond carbon neutrality by contributing 110 per cent of their overall carbon footprint.
Yet Omnes is also aware that carbon offsetting isn’t the sole solution. The brand is making further efforts to ensure the entire production process is both ethical and sustainable – a process which you can read more about here.
If you’re looking for flouncy yet understated dresses alongside funky, summer-ready co-ords – Omnes is the website for you. They’ve even got a dedicated wedding season edit, through which you can shop for the chicest, silkiest and sexiest slip dresses. We also particularly love that this brand provides the option to shop by material – whether you’re into eco-friendly viscose, recycled polyester or deadstock fabrics, filter your search to find what’s best for you.
Who said sustainability couldn’t also mean affordability? Omnes certainly didn’t.
Buy now, Omnes
Unfolded
Best for: commitment to causes beyond sustainability
A wonderfully sustainable, waste-reducing brand, Unfolded works with existing customers to design every item to ensure that clothes that they know you'll love are the only ones to hit the digital shelves. Made-to-order, Unfolded ensures that they only produce garments that are actually wanted and needed. What's more, every order helps fund a child's education in the communities where the clothes are made thanks to the brand's partner, Pratham.
Buy now, Unfolded
NA-KD
Best for: trend-led ensembles
With an easy to navigate website which is split into sections such as ‘most wanted’, ‘key trends’, ‘influencer collections’ and even a pre-loved exchanged tab – NA-KD is set to be your new favourite go-to destination for everything from basics to going-out dresses.
We’d compare NA-KD’s aesthetic to a more affordable version of Everlane, with its muted colour palette and abundance of ready-to-wear basic tees, trousers, shoes and accessories. Plus, with the brand’s free climate compensated shipping, this is another budget-friendly label which you can feel good about ordering from.
Buy now, NA-KD
Damson Madder
Best for: brightly coloured checkerboard and oversized collars
Available to shop via ASOS, Urban Outfitters and Wolf & Badger – Damson Madder is the new independent clothing brand that you’ve been seeing everywhere, perhaps without even realising.
Having recently collaborated with Danish fashion royalty Amanda Djerf (who you might recognise as the sister of icon Matilda Djerf aka founder of Djerf Avenue), as well as influencers such as Hollie Mercedes and Poppy Almond, rest-assured Damson Madder is a high-quality, stylish yet affordable high street brand which has been given multiple stamps of approval across the board.
Buy now, ASOS
Aligne
Best for: back to basics
Aligne creates planet-friendly, contemporary collections with a unique edge. Think: puffly sleeves, tailored outerwear and maxi dresses galore. The label’s mission statement is to produce versatile, capsule pieces that can be built upon to create your dream wardrobe – however big or small. Plus, 100 per cent of their collections are made with at least 50 per cent conscious materials – with a view to increase the percentage of eco-friendly pieces on offer every season. Watch this space.
Buy now, Aligne
Nobody’s Child
Best for: dresses, dresses and… more dresses
Once a concession in that big, beautiful and now obsolete Topshop flagship on Oxford Circus, Nobody’s Child is an affordable clothing brand for women which has certainly come into its own in recent years. With sustainability pledges and results that would make any eco-warrior proud, we couldn’t recommend this brand more for all your summer dress needs.
The brand also recently collaborated with Fearne Cotton in celebration of her brand-new book, Happy, in order to release a collection of limited-edition, joyous and colourful printed dresses.
Buy now, Nobody’s Child
Lucy & Yak
Best for: funky, fresh and comfortable
Lucy & Yak’s tagline is ‘independent, organic and recycled clothing’. Despite skyrocketing in popularity in recent years due to the viral nature of its wonderfully comfortable overalls, Lucy & Yak has stayed true to this promise.
Founded by Lucy and her partner Chris back in 2014 from their van known to friends and family as – wait for it – ‘Yak’; the trio set off on a mission to create the comfiest of clothing using organic and recycled fabrics.
As such, other than making size-inclusive overalls with funky patterns, Lucy & Yak is also known for its commitment to sustainability – most notably through its repair and upcycle network which operates via Facebook, Depop and Beyond Retro. You can even ‘Re:Yak’ your clothing, through which Lucy & Yak will recycle your old garments in exchange for a voucher worth up to £20.
Buy now, Lucy & Yak
Gap
Best for: dreamy denim
Ensure your denim arsenal is second to none with Gap’s robust yet refined designs. The high street hero is the first port of call for well-cut jeans, cosy pyjamas and sumptuous basics. Designed for all ages and sizes, Gap’s collection intrigues shoppers with classic checks, neutral colour palettes and insulating knits to cocoon yourself in this season.
Buy now, Gap
United Colours of Benetton
Best for: quirky, colourful style
Gen Z dress codes meet traditional prints in Benetton’s youthful designs. Bold colourblocks, vibrant stripes and delightfully clashing tones create outfits to remember. A single piece by Benetton is enough to inject a bolt of pigment into any safe shopper’s wardrobe wanting to experiment with dopamine dressing this year.
Buy now, United Colours of Benetton
Mango
Best for: trend-setting
On the border of high fashion and high street sits Mango. The beloved brand is adored by fashion-forward thinkers who desire covetable pieces to pair as they please. Known for its aptitude for kickstarting trends (think buckled biker boots and crochet dresses), Mango is the ultimate destination for those wanting to unearth the next hype product before it goes viral.
Buy now, Mango
Uniqlo
Best for: minimalists
Scandinavian aesthetics have taken off in the past few years, leaving many yearning for a mesmerising, minimalist wardrobe.
Follow in the footsteps of influencers across the board and head to Uniqlo to uncover your dream knit, longline coat or pair of straight-leg trousers. Not forgetting the ubiquitous Uniqlo bag which sent trend-followers into a sartorial spin.
Buy now, Uniqlo
Beyond Retro
Best for: maximalists
Street-style enthusiasts look no further. Beyond Retro is brimming with sporty chic pieces to lift your clothing collection.
Colourblock tones, vivid graphics and household names including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Nike await eagle-eyed retro lovers. Exude Eighties disco fever, recreate Seventies punk attitude and peace out with some Sixties flower power garms courtesy of the brand’s statement timepieces.
Buy now, Beyond Retro
Oxfam
Best for: giving back
Boasting a diverse range of styles, sizes and price tags, Oxfam is a much-loved source of second-hand steals.
Peruse the expansive online collection in the comfort of your home without having to sift through rail upon rail of garments.
Pick from Yves Saint Laurent knits from the Y2K collection to uber-affordable Per Una pieces, Miss Sixty patchwork gems and more. Dressing up and donating go hand in hand with Oxfam’s eclectic offerings.
Buy now, Oxfam
Topshop
Best for: playful partywear
Price range: £11-£260
Size range: XS-XL
Sprinkle material magic onto your jaded partywear archive. Sequins, sparkles and oodles of sassy prints are set to reignite your out-out collection. From club-ready mini dresses to diamante-encrusted jeans, baguette bags and so much more, Topshop’s It-girl items are here to get the party started.
Buy now, ASOS
Joanie
Best for: plus size perfection
Gothic romance is Joanie’s forte. The brand’s glitter-clad partywear, cottagecore-inspired frocks and seventies silhouettes are certainly not to be missed.
Available in a wide range of inclusive sizes, Joanie’s pieces are suited to a host of occasions, from office days to evening cocktail soirees and countryside sojourns. Sprawling velvet blooms, ditsy prints and shimmering metallics are always on Joanie’s sartorial menu, ensuring your browsing experience is never a chore.
Buy now, Joanie
Monki
Best for: dopamine dressing
Known for trendy and wonderfully colourful pieces ranging from outerwear, knitwear and formal dresses to swimwear, Monki describes itself as the ‘antidote to boredom.’ Founded in 2006, it’s been a go-to destination for teens and young adults discovering their own sense of personal style and also serves as a brilliant option for affordable basics.
Buy now, Monki
Lisa Says Gah
Best for: effortless, independent style
Purveyors of cool-girl sustainable and ethically made garments, Lisa Says Gah is an LA-based one-stop-shop for all things stylish and environmentally friendly. While the brand has its own label, you’ll also find that its home to some of your favourite independent labels such as NIA, GEEL and more.
Buy now, Lisa Says Gah
