If you are a seasoned shopper, chances are that you have purchased from Taobao on numerous occasions. The Chinese shopping platform offers almost anything and everything, from household appliances to furniture and even food items.
However, one can argue that the online marketplace is best known for its inexhaustible collection of clothes. The wide variety of designs and styles available is bound to leave you spoilt for choices. For those overwhelmed by the seemingly endless list of options, we have curated a guide of 12 alternative fashion brands on Taobao that offer both quality and style.
2th Desire stands out from the crowd with its unique name and elevated basics with an added dash of spice. One of our favourites from their collection is this brown halter dress, with a playful patchwork effect thanks to its plaid asymmetrical skirt. Pair any of their looks with their selection of footwear and accessories, including their popular buckled boots, shoulder bags, and belts with metal embellishments.
ARIADNAw is a chic and experimental grunge fashion brand. Despite the predominantly grayscale palette across its apparel, the brand catches the eye with its unconventional designs. Their leg warmers are fashionably fused with faux fur while their models don skirts that drape down in tasteful layers. With their animal prints and fur-lined pieces, ARIADNAw’s collection is for the bold and daring.
BLOOD SUPPLY takes heavy inspiration from Victorian and Gothic themes. Given their name, it is no surprise that most of their clothes seem befitting of a vampire, from tight-fitting corsets to pieces decked out in frills and ruffles. Their creations boast thoughtful details from lace embroidery to satin ribbons. BLOOD SUPPLY’s detail-oriented pieces will have you commanding attention wherever you go.
A name that you have likely heard of, Cest Nous offers a tasteful blend of romantic and dark aesthetics. Their garments prioritise comfort and style and are suitable for daily wear while retaining a fashionable edge. Featured above, their mock two-piece hoodie is a testament to that, with a distinctive lining scrawled with graphic writing. Cest Nous departs from the usual conventions with their punk-inspired pieces.
Another brand that pays homage to punk and grunge styles is Frustration Garden. Their items play with different materials such as denim and faux leather and display meticulous details like metal studs. Their leg warmers are also available in various options, such as plaid and leopard prints. Other standouts include trench coats and pants that are characterised by their overlapping straps. Frustration Garden is perfect for those seeking a cosy fit coupled with a dark aesthetic.
LIS CALLA is distinguished by their feminine pieces reminiscent of coquette-core and Y2K. Their whimsical style is best represented by their assortment of tights, with designs ranging from ribbons and stars to even little, adorable bunnies. Their knee-high and full-length tights are a sure way to elevate your outfit with a splash of colour. LIS CALLA’s playful nature caters to those with a penchant for garments that are sweet yet unorthodox.
Nico Molly’s striking threads look like they’re straight out of a Mad Max set. The Japanese fashion brand is fairly new but already gaining steady traction for their ultra-grungy pieces—see the knitted jumper with its bell sleeves and shoulder cut-outs, the mixed-textile asymmetrical mini skirt and the buckled brown leather boots. Leopard prints are also back in trend. Nico Molly delivers the motif in spades, from fur bags to high-necked tops. Otherwise, opt for other statement pieces, from skull-bedazzled belts to holographic skirts with pendants that dangle off the hem.
NO ROMANCE’s creations are moody and romantic with a rebellious edge. Be prepared to drink in a combination of lace, tweed, and faux fur as you browse through their page. Some notable items include off-shoulder tops, camisoles, and multi-tiered skirts that are embroidered with elaborate lace designs. NO ROMANCE speaks to those with a love for alternative fashion with its wide range of products that extend from feminine dresses to striking gothic tops.
OfAvika is a designer brand that celebrates the feminine allure through their duality of romantic and Y2K aesthetics. They mainly feature a variety of bold flare jeans and figure-hugging dresses that accentuate the curves and evoke a sense of nostalgia. The dresses also come in numerous prints, making their pieces ideal for date nights, formal events, and special occasions.
Perhaps the most well-known on this list, PERSONSOUL has built a loyal following for their rugged and distressed denim pieces. Their most innovative product has to be the Three-Stage Maxi Denim Skirt which can be worn in a multitude of ways. By unzipping the long skirt, sections of it can be transformed into a tube top, a mini skirt, and even a tote bag. This ingenious design has won the hearts of many and raised expectations for their craftsmanship and upcoming launches. PERSONSOUL’s trendy and experimental approach to denim will not disappoint.
独INDULGE utilises minimal colours and subscribes to the element of goth while staying true to the beauty of simplicity. From their assortment of maxi skirts to trousers with baggy silhouettes, their seemingly minimalistic pieces are characterised by fine details, such as embroidery and lace trims. Their garments are fitting for a capsule wardrobe that bears basic, but not necessarily plain pieces. 独INDULGE is ideal for those seeking outfits that are both compelling and understated.
Often shortened as 云鬓斜簪, 云鬓斜簪原创设计师品牌’s products follow a primarily black colour scheme and are largely inspired by traditional Chinese wear. The brand offers Hanfu-inspired skirts with drawings that resemble historical paintings, as well as modern takes on cheongsams. 云鬓斜簪’s style is a marriage between tradition and modernity, preserving traits of Chinese historical culture while incorporating contemporary elements.
Tired of regular, conventional outfits? These 12 alternative fashion brands on Taobao subvert the norms through their unorthodox aesthetics. Their innovative designs and attention to detail are sure to elevate your wardrobe.
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