Blog

April 06, 2022 at 06:34AM

Unearthing lesser-known dress brands is something we relish in the challenge of. Of course, that doesn’t mean we completely turn our backs on the labels we already love and have served us well in the past—think Rixo, Self-Portrait, Reformation, and Ghost, to name a few. But, when it comes to dress shopping, it often pays to think outside the box, broaden your horizons, and find something that you’re less likely to see everyone else wearing, be it at weddings or on the beach. And that’s where this particular edit comes in. 

We’ve found nine impressive brands that create beautiful dresses which are still, miraculously, flying under the radar. From fabulous frocks you’ll want to wear back-to-back to all of your summer weddings to the pieces you’ll want to dedicate space to in your holiday suitcase, we’ve found a lesser-known dress brand for every mood (and budget, no less). Scroll on to see them, and you’ll be forgiven for forgetting all about your jeans.

An independent brand based in the Mediterranean, Sidrés’ goal is to create fun fashion with “soul”. That soul? It manifests by way of bright colours, statement prints, and playful dress silhouettes. 

Back to Homepage 🖱️

Back to Homepage 🖱️

Why is it that all of the best new brands that fall into our radar hail from Australia? Effortlessly elegant and summer-ready, Alémais’ dresses are hard to resist. 

Whimiscal and romantic, Selkie’s size-inclusive dresses have become a honey trap for social media likes. The silhouettes are frothy and the prints dreamlike, making them the perfect frock option for anyone who ever wanted to be a princess when they grew up. 

Okay, so Na-kd might not exactly be an “under-the-radar” brand but I don’t think its dress department gets enough props. Although there are plenty of options to choose from on the Scandi site, its edit of minimalist dresses by far look the most expensive. 

Ukrainian designer Anna October has long been on our radar, but her latest collection is one of the most beautiful to date. Featuring her trademark satin and silk fabrications on refined silhouettes, slip on one of these dresses whenever you need to feel your fanciest. 

Founded by twin sisters Sayana and Claudia. each Gimaguas collection is created in collaboration with global artisans from Jaipur, Madagascar and Mexico, among others, advocating for local craftspeople and supporting social projects in the process.

Lug Von Siga’s collections are designed for women who like to have fun with their clothes. Influenced by founder Gul Agis’ Turkish roots, each style is defined by bold statement prints, romantic ruffles and intricate embroidery. The palette? Expect a lot of fresh blues and whites. 

Voyager uses deadstock fabrics to create its collections, in which the dresses are always a highlight. Due to the nature of deadstock being very limited and rarely able to re-source, some pieces are even one-of-a-kind. if someone rocks up to a wedding you’re attending in the same dress, we’ll eat our summer straw hats. 

Taller Marmo might still be lesser-known but we doubt this will remain the case for long. With bold hues, luxurious fabrics, and very extra embellishments, these are dresses to wear when you need a confidence boost. Why? Because you’ll rake in all the compliments. Having already won over editors, influencers, and celebrities, we have a feeling you’ll be next. 

Chances are you’ll already have heard of sustainably-minded fashion brand Nobody’s Child (Holly Willoughby is a fan, after all), but if you’re yet to invest in a dress from the label, you might want to consider doing so this spring, as the designs are incredible. 

Next Up, Spring/Summer 2022 Trends: The Only 17 Looks You Need to Know About

Author Maxine Eggenberger | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC