Kind of Affordable Clothing Lines I Wish I Could Shop Right Now
And a note on style after 40
After a half-decade of wearing only ugly, misshapen sweatpants, I finally want to dress like a person who has no self-worth issues again.
My personal style has always been part preppy 12-year-old boy, part prairie homesteader, and occasional South Beach hoochie. I am trying to expand to be a bit more “womanly” as my once 12-year-old boyish figure has shifted toward middle age.
I love androgyny, but as I get older, I want to be less invisible. Which is weird because I was really committed to the little boy look — which protected me from male attention — for so long. Though I used to step out in tiny body con skirts for nightlife situations when I wanted free drinks and entry. It’s funny how much you feel you have to hide your femininity when you’re younger and then you get older and you start to miss the perverts whistling from their vans.
There are so few style icons in their 40s that I’m honestly just riffing here with little guidance. I have no real income at the moment, but I dream big with no budget — which is the perfect name for a DIY HGTV show for kids.
So, here’s a list of relatively affordable clothing lines I wish I was wearing right now, broken down into “specials” and “basics.”
SPECIALS
Sezane reminds me of my middle school French teacher Mme. Haggiag because it sells very French styles that I’d like to wear three days in a row.
I have purchased items from Sezane in the past, and it offers great quality and fits true-to-size — though they don’t have plus sizes. I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but I would truly be content with an entire wardrobe of Sezane. The cuts are sophisticated in a way that I am not but sort of aspire to be and feminine but not offensively so. The best items tend to sell out and their sales are hard to find.
I will launch a recurring theme here: I want purple bottoms.
Everything this Spanish company sells feels Italian. It’s colorful, bold but classic with fun shapes. I’m not sure you can wear these items if you have an ass or are not very tall or very thin since they don’t have models with curves. Even so, this is legit my dream fashion line. It’s like if Benetton grew up and ditched the logos.
I want to wear these pants on a breezy beach night over a fresh suntan.
I’m especially susceptible to fairy core and cottage core everything. Samantha Pleet does all that but with a more modern, wearable twist. I did get myself one of her bathing suits so I could get a tiny bit of color on my stomach without fully exposing my midsection this year. It’s a great fabric and the patterns are out of this world.
I will take one of everything.
I purchased the moth dress from this artist-led line and then the founder made fun of people who bought the moth dress. I can take the heat because I love bitchy subversive behavior. And I love all of her creative and sometimes tasteless designs. What I really want is her dress that features the “The details of my life…” Dr. Evil speech from Austin Powers.
When I learned of Batsheva, my inner Laura Ingalls Wilder danced muddy and barefoot with happiness. Batsheva isn’t your classic prairie dress/Victorian peasant situation all around, it’s a hip New York line that riffs on Laura Ashley dresses — which were huge in the ‘80s and sometimes had huge collars. I love that the line has expanded with exciting fabrics and the perfect New Year’s Eve dresses.
This Spanish brand has the energy of Ulla Johnson but more precious and bold. I want to run through the fields adorned with their embroidered blouses. I want to pick wild flowers in this dress and then eat ice cream on a bustling piazza. This isn’t a large collection, but it’s packed with statement pieces I want to own.
I know nothing about this line, but the dresses are mature and sexy, so I had to add it to my list.
SIDE NOTE: Not clothing, but I also want to shout out my good friend Randi’s stunning, sustainably made jewelry line, Aiden Jae, certain to elevate any outfit. Her designs are inspired by nature, and it’s all so beautiful in a delicate, classic way. Use the code LIZ15 for a discount and go wild.
BASICS
I really own too many items from Big Bud Press but I want more. The pants and shorts look structured from the front but have elastic backs, so you can wear them if you shrink or expand. As I am known to do both from time to time, I enjoy the freedom and the bright colors. Again, I want the purple pants.
Buck Mason is for long lesbian walks on gusty cliffs overlooking the North Sea. It’s moody and plain and stylish. It’s a dream.
This line is known for its wonderfully crafted and affordable plain tees, but I bought pants and jean shorts on Postmark and like them, too. I also splurged on a matted wool jacket last year when I had some dough, and it’s my favorite thing to travel in.
I kind of went overboard on Kule tees before they got into their groove, so they all fit differently. But I have to say that Kule is cool. It’s just infinitely wearable and I want some of their overpriced sweaters. Heads up, their shorts are made for people without asses or bellies.
I wish I could wear this ‘70s comfy ski bunny top and bottom with a cocoa in hand on Christmas.
This is a stylish basics line that I want to indulge in one day. The sweaters look oh, so wearable but are pricey IMO.
I was going to put Everlane on this list, but then I thought, I have enough Everlane. I’d like to try out this line that has a similar energy and price point to mix it up.
That’s all I’ve got right now. Please add your favorites in the comments!