When you think about fashion, you think of certain places: New York, Paris, Milan, London, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and if you’re especially hip, maybeTbilisi, Georgia. A locale that doesn’t often spring to mind? Australia.
But that’s unfair because our friends down under have an easy, bohemian, often unapologetically daring sense of style that’s evident in their sartorial exports. So much good fashion comes out of Australia that you might not even know some of your favorite brands, like Erdem, Ellery, and Sass Bide, are from there.
But there are also dozens of Aussie indie brands that you’re missing out on. Check out some of the best below.
Alice McCall cutout gathered flocked georgette playsuit ($450; Net-A-Porter)
Alice McCall
If whimsical and unabashedly girly is your aesthetic, you’ll love Alice McCall’s floated, pastel-hued garments, which occasionally draw inspiration from artistic movements like Pop and Rococo. With plenty of cut-outs, playsuits, and abbreviated hemlines, these are the type of clothes that can take you from Coachella to a wedding. Or, perhaps to a Coachella wedding.
Acler Nunan Dress ($270; Shopbop)
Acler
Despite being founded byKathryn Forth and Julia Ritorto just two years ago, Acler’sknack for making perfectly draped pieces that transition seamlessly from the office to cocktails has made the fledgling label a star of sites like Shopbop, Revolve, and Moda Operandi. From boyfriend-cut button downs to asymmetrical-hemdresses, it can be hard to find minimalist pieces that still feel fun and attention-grabbing, and this is exactly where Acler excels.
Dion Lee cold shoulder velvet wrap dress ($690; Net-A-Porter)
Dion Lee
Kind of like an Aussie Cushnie et Ochs, Dion Lee’s pieces are the literal definition of sexy, but never veer into trashy territory. Seriously, if you’ve got an event coming up and you’re feeling like knocking people’s socks off, I suggest investing in a velvet Dion Lee slip dress. You won’t regret it.
Zimmermann, lace-trimmed embroidered silk georgette dress ($672, Net-A-Porter)
Zimmermann
If you feel you’re still not getting the principles of Aussie style, spend some time with Zimmermann, whose effortlessly romantic dresses, tops, and accessories embody the easy elegance of Sydney’s beach-meets-city lifestyle. Women from other beachsidelocales will relate to the need for clothes you can throw on over a bikini and head to dinner in, and no one does that better thansisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann.
We Are Kindred ruffle maxi dress ($430, Shopbop)
We Are Kindred
Created by another sister duo, Lizzie and Georgie Renkert, We Are Kindred does ’60s boho-luxe inspiration with a modern twist and a wonderfully curve-skimming fit. If you’re the kind of person who isn’t scared to wear three floral prints at once or rock a floor-length maxi on a regular Tuesday, these are your people.
Emma Mulholland space bomber ($175; Electric Ladyland)
Emma Mulholland
If you live for kitsch and can’t get your mind out of the ’90s, check out Emma Mulholland, whose eye-popping pieces incorporate aliens, animals, and plenty of neon and tie-dye. But be warned: This is not a brand for the faint of heart–or those afraid of pink velvet hotpants.
Realisation Par Alexandra dress ($195; realisationpar. com)
Realisation Par
You know that dress you’ve seen everywhere on Instagram? Yep, that red one, the one even Kylie Jenner has been spotted in. It’s by Realisation Par, which is kind of like Australia’s answer to Reformation. Founded byAlexandra Spencer and Teale Talbot, Realisation is (relatively) affordable and embodies the simple-chic, slightly ’70s throwback aesthetic that street style stars seem to love.
Romance Was Born, fringe skirt ($234; Ferfetch. com)
Romance Was Born
If “psychedelic” is how you would describe your style, check out Romance Was Born, Luke Sales andAnna Plunkett’s technicolor dream wardrobefilled with enough fringe, florals, and faux fur to make even Twiggy jealous.
