Shopping Niche Fashion Brands Is My Thing—25 Items That Bring a Cool Factor

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@maria_bernadBy now it's pretty obvious that I like to shop, but what may not be so apparent is my affinity for under-the-radar, niche brands. There's a time and place for tried-and-true staples, but sometimes you need a bit of the unexpected to break up the monotony of the same old shirt-and-jeans combo. That's where what I like to call "funky fashion" pieces come in, and usually, emerging brands are the ones that create statement-making pieces best: Take Marshall Columbia's unique stretchy cutout top or Tyler McGillivary's swirly neckline vest.
Finding up-and-coming designers to support is probably one of the most rewarding parts of my job, as I love the element of surprise of coming across a piece that hasn't yet made it big—it feels like a secret only for me. But of course, as a fashion editor, I can't keep something this good to myself, so I'm passing along my list of niche fashion items that really bring a cool factor. From whimsical pearl jewelry to revealing cutouts, these items are far from the expected. Keeping reading ahead to check all of them out.
I'm not a watch person by any means, but this one completely changed my mind. It has that expensive, heritage-watch look while being pretty affordable.
We still have a few more months of sunny, warm weather in L.A., so I plan on wearing this dress to help me carry through.
This bold red bangle is such a statement maker.
How many corsets are too many? I believe you can never have enough.
This winter, I plan on being as cozy as humanly possible.
A bit on the controversial side, but it's hard to ignore how striking this is.
I found the perfect going-out top for all of your pairs of jeans.
Wearing this top makes every day feel like a fancy party.
I've been a fan of J.Kim since earlier this year, and the designer has finally landed at Ssense.
A trick to make your sweaters feel fresh—accessorize them with cool necklaces.
The beauty of this top is that you can wear it over a bralette for an elevated night-out look or layered over a long-sleeve tee for extra oomph.
As someone who's perpetually cold, I am excited about these slippers.
If you love quirky cutouts, Marshall Columbia is a brand to know.
Around this time of year, all I want to wear are chic midi dresses.
As classic as this black one-piece looks, you can switch out the straps for beaded and jeweled versions to switch things up.
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