10 Melbourne Designers to Add to Your Winter Wardrobe

Baby it’s cold outside! Winter’s stark mornings and frosty nights necessitate rugging up, and it’s easy to do that in style with the rich design talent on show here in Melbourne. Layer up in lush knits, statement outerwear and comfy sets while supporting locally designed or made clothing. Many labels sport impressive sustainability credentials too, so you can feel extra good while staying toasty.

Lois Hazel

Lois McGruer-Fraser’s eponymous label puts sustainable and ethical practices at the heart of everything they do. Every piece is made in Brunswick with collections incorporating deadstock, organic and traceable fabrics to minimise waste. In keeping with that philosophy, their designs are multifunctional and wearable season after season. Shop comfy yet chic merino blend dresses, flattering ribbed skivvy tops and long skirts that traverse both work and leisure.

Suku Home

Suku Home’s thrillingly colourful knitwear and outerwear will brighten even the most drab of winter days. The lifestyle and fashion label is headed by Christine Lafian, who draws on the ethereal patterns and aesthetics of her childhood home in Indonesia for Suku’s designs. A breath of fresh air amid the monochromatic and minimalist style Melburnians are known for, you’ll feel instant joy wearing their eye-catching mohair sweaters, silky bamboo puffer robes and funky print pants.

Form by T

The sixth winter collection from Melbourne label Form by T is everything you need to build a classic capsule wardrobe. Peep sophisticated wrap dresses, high waisted gingham pants, soft skivvies and boxy turtleneck jumpers in gorgeous shades –perfect for layering all season. The sustainable brand makes every item to order from high quality fabrics, ensuring little waste. Any material that is left over is refashioned into pretty scrunchies and masks that you’ll also want to add to your basket.

Alpha60

Run by sibling duo Georgie and Alex Cleary, Alpha60 is one of Melbourne’s great fashion success stories. Since launching in 2005 they’ve flourished thanks to their fresh take on classic styles and cuts, with 10 boutiques open across Australia and New Zealand. Their latest autumn/winter collection is as essential as ever, with oversized drop shoulder jackets, boxy blazers, wide leg check pants and pleated maxi dresses creating stand out silhouettes that will turn heads.

Par Moi

Glamourous, cool and a little bit quirky, Par Moi will add a little je ne sais quoi to your winter wardrobe. Blending novel silhouettes with upcycled fabrics, their current collection contains nods to both leisurewear and ‘70s style. The ethical brand, which is all designed, drafted, cut and sewn to order by powerhouse founder Ashiya Omundsen, makes every piece to order using deadstock fabrics.

Best Jumpers

Local born and bred label Best Jumpers takes casual staples to the next level by investing in fit and fabric. Their new autumn/winter collection taps into streetwear and athleisure influences with Japanese cotton sweater sets and mac coats, while cosy merino wool beanies and V-neck sweaters keep you warm all season. Predominantly tonal colours like caramel and soft green make their garments effortlessly wearable, with a few pops of pink in the collection to keep things interesting.

Kuwaii

Staying rugged up shouldn’t come at the expense of looking cute, which is why you’ll fall in love with Kuwaii’s playful and feminine lookbook. We’re talking blush pink miniskirts and turtlenecks (with plaid stockings to match), cropped argyle-print cardigans with ‘70s inspired collars and daisy-embroidered boots. For maximum effect, dress up in one of their matching sets – your winter blues will be instantly cured.

Lumi

Refresh your winter work wardrobe with comfy yet cool dresses, pants and blazers from local label Lumi. Every garment is handmade in their Melbourne studio, using dead stock and natural fibres wherever possible meaning you’ll feel even better about buying their cotton cord and knit dresses, cashmere blend coats and wool trenches that are carefully tailored to flatter and last.

Radical Yes

Don’t forget your feet! Melbourne shoe label Radical Yes has all the boots, loafers and lace-ups you need to keep your toes toasty and stylish all winter. They exclusively make flat shoes, advocating comfort, mobility and the idea that you don’t need to wear heels to look dressed up. We’re loving their chunky slip on loafers and contrast colour boots, which add an unmistakable edge to soft knits and feminine dresses.

Simétrie

Complete your look with one of Simétrie’s gorgeous geometric leather bags. The Melbourne label’s accessories are locally made from sustainably-sourced wild kangaroo leather, with minimalist shapes ensuring you reach for them year after year. Spy sleek crescent moon pouches, handy commuter totes (that transform into backpacks) and structured bucket bags in refined, versatile shades.

Now that you’re all dressed up, it’s time to go out. Make a date at these inviting French restaurants and romantic bars, or get cosy with Melbourne’s tastiest Sunday roasts. Love a roaring fire? So do we, which is why we’ve collated a list of local pubs with crackling fireplaces.