10 Melbourne Designers to Add to Your Summer Wardrobe
Spruce up your summer wardrobe with 10 of Melbourne’s best local designers
Aloha, summer! With the mercury rising, the beach beckoning, and Melbourne's event calendar jam packed it’s time to don airy dresses, statement sunglasses and colourful swimmers. This season, support homegrown talent by purchasing locally designed or made clothing, with many labels sporting impressive sustainability credentials too. We’ve collated ten of our favourite up-and-coming and established designers for your browsing happiness.
Okay Pretty
Okay Pretty is a sustainable swimwear label that’ll instantly lift your mood and brighten your wardrobe. Gorgeous prints and vintage-inspired cuts made from 90% recycled fibres? Sign us up. While the Melbourne-based brand offers a few sleek one pieces, its bread and butter is vibrant print bikinis that straddle the line between cute and cool.
POMS
When your sunnies have been worn by Beyoncé, Solange and FKA Twigs, you know you’ve got serious fashion world credentials. Melbourne-based brand POMS has been a summer staple for 10 years, its founder Adriana Giuffrida coming through year after year with high quality yet affordable sunglasses that are influenced by her Italian heritage. Funky colours, frames and lens shapes rule supreme, with designs always on trend.
Baaby
Sustainable swimwear label Baaby has long been a favourite for their flattering, modern takes on classic bikini shapes. Locally made from luxe recycled fibres, they’re a friendlier option for the environment too. Last year they expanded into apparel, with light and bright pieces that are perfect for summer – think terry towelling tennis dresses for that beach-to-bar vibe.
Par Moi
Chic, cool and a little bit quirky, Par Moi will add that je ne sais quoi to your summer wardrobe. Blending cutting-edge modernity with Victorian-era references, you’ll see lots of oversized collars, bold patterns, puffy sleeves and flowy shapes that’ll keep you cool all season. The ethical brand makes every piece to order using deadstock fabrics to keep waste to a minimum.
Lé Buns
This Melbourne brand is mainly known for producing super comfy organic underwear and loungewear, but they also make great swimwear too. Eschewing trends for sophisticated yet interesting cuts, these are pieces you’ll want to pull out season after season. Versatile triangle bikinis, elegant one pieces and easy-to-wear bandeaus are all ethically manufactured from regenerated fabrics.
Sister
Add a bit of inner north cool to your look this summer with Sister, a fun local brand that manufactures all their clothes around the corner from their Brunswick studio. Gingham mini dresses, sheer silk dresses, linen jumpsuits – you’ll have no problem finding a colourful new outfit to rock at the beach or in the beer garden.
Bombshell Bay
Bombshell Bay’s stylish swimwear is made out of – yes you heard right – rubbish. Through the magic of modern technology, they recycle floating plastic and other misplaced synthetics into soft, breathable fabric that’s a joy to wear. The small Melbourne label avoids mass production and restocks, meaning every piece is limited edition. They design by listening to what women really want, meaning better coverage, less logos, mid-waisted styles and proper sun protection.
Steele
Melbourne label Steele trades in easy femininity, creating trendy yet timeless pieces that flatter all. Their summer dress collection is a showstopper, full of blazingly bright fuschias, yellows and interesting prints woven onto breathable linen blends and flowy cuts. They’re also selling effortlessly chic oversized beach shirts perfect for throwing over your swimmers.
Mari + Clay
Started by two local optometrists, Mari + Clay is a sustainability-driven brand making sunglasses that are durable, affordable and gentle on the environment. Frames are made from biodegradable bio-acetate, while a focus on versatile, classic shapes ensure you get many years of use from each pair. And it’s no surprise given their founders’ background that each pair offers 100% UV protection and the option of prescription lenses.
White Story
After the perfect summer dress? You can’t go wrong with a pick from White Story’s latest release, which includes gorgeous yet practical white linen dresses and loose-fitting cotton shirt dresses. They envoke instant Mediterranean seaside glamour while featuring luxe details that make each piece a treasure. All of their clothes are proudly designed, patterned and manufactured right here in Melbourne, making the brand a homage to Australian craftsmanship.
Discover more fashion inspo with these Australian female-owned apparel, jewellery and activewear brands you’ll love. Feeling like a lazy day at home? Kick your heels up in style with our fave local loungewear labels.
