Think you can't afford super-high end pieces? Think again, as fashion designers design ranges for more budgets than just the enormous!
Think you can't afford high-end designer pieces for your wardrobe? Think again. Obviously prices aren't going to be quite as cheap as the great British high street, but if you want something a little bit more special that won't completely break tha bank, it's now a lot easier to find.
High-end brands have become increasingly aware of the desire for lower entry price points and are now offering pieces with uncompromised design at a less eye watering price.
Here are six designer brands it will pay to keep an eye on...
Marc by Marc Jacobs
Head honcho at his own labels – Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs (now designed by Katie Hillier and Luella Bartley) – and 16 years at the reins of mega-brand Louis Vuitton, Monsieur MJ is a bit of a fashion legend. If you aren't familiar with his diffusion line Marc, then you need to be. Way back when, one of our first points of call when shooting in NYC was ALWAYS his Soho Store – and fresh off the plane we'd be hotfooting it to Bleecker Street to snap up flipflops for under $20 and Effiel Tower tees for under $40. Imagine our delight when he opened in London! In my shopping bag at the moment? The Piqué-shell clutch, an ideal 'in-bag' organiser and the perfect standalone clutch. And at just £65, yes, we repeat £65, you can have a bit of MJ without remortgaging. We like.
Marc By Marc Jacobs, £65
Sophia Webster
Sophia is a relatively new shoe designer, but since bursting on to the fashion scene she has made a MAJOR mark. Her fabulous loud, fun upbeat designs are regularly seen on the toes of the most finely heeled fashion editors and directors, and her presentations during the month-long carousel of fashion shows are always a highlight for team MC. This season she had us sprinting to a disused church in Chinatown, and we quite frankly loved what we saw. The good news? You dont have to break the bank to be part of Club Sophia. Flats start at £195, which isn't that much more than a lot of high-street brands. Tick Tick TICK! We're in!
Sophia Webster, £195
MICHAEL Michael Kors
The sac-du-jour last season was most definitely by Michael Kors. They were everywhere – and for good reason. The super-cool clean-cut shapes didn't actually make you feel light-headed when you looked at the price tag. The MK logo was THE logo to be carrying. Next season's MK must have? Introducing 'The Greenwich'. We like it A LOT. We're lusting after this one in sky blue – and at £345 its not going to be too many missed lattes and pennies saved before we can be the proud owners of one. It sounds like a cliche but it really is worth investing in something you'll use every day, and we predict this bad boy being a bit of a classic that will last for years.
MICHAEL Michael Kors, £345
COACH
We're hugely in love with Stuart Vevers' Coach Americana Accessories line, printed purses and bags with fabulous names such as 'Badlands Florals and Bramble Rose'. The label has totally nailed it. Coach boasts a massive celeb following, with former MC cover stars Jessica Alba and Drew Barrymore among its fans. These pieces are more statement than some, but there are, quite frankly, little pieces of art. Justification done.
Coach, £145
DNKY
If you're going to invest in a watch, you may as well go designer – after all, you're going to look at it literally all the time. But wait! You don't have to bankrupt yourself. We're huge fans of DKNY's timepieces – ranging from sporty to classic – as you can snap up a bit of the fabulous Donna Karan brand for under £100. The one we have our hearts set on is 'The Tompkins'. It won't look out of place in the office or dressed down at the weekends, and classic designs have a lot more scope.
DKNY, £88
KARL by Karl Lagerfeld
Another fashion maestro here people – the man behind Chanel, the owner of Choupette (a very famous fashion cat who has her own Instagram account (obvs) and a maid (yep, we're serious)), and the mind of many things mega-fashionable, also has a diffusion line. It's brilliant. Some items are playful and tongue in cheek, purses emblazened with Choupette's face for example, and some pieces beyond chic – sharp tuxedo jackets, the toughest bikers and iconic bags. We love being able to have a piece of the iconic designer in our lives without having to cut out food/heating/rent for a year. Our go-to site for all things Karl right now? VeryExclusive.co.uk.
Karl Largerfeld, £195