Mixing it up

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Whilst I don’t go about preaching my ‘mix’ as I’m not a preachy sort of person, I do practise a very particular ‘mix’.  What is this ‘mix’ you say?  It’s the high street, top designers, vintage, sample sale/consignment, charity shop, young designers and finally the ‘low street’ that makes up my wardrobe.  I’m not going to give specific percentages to the mix seeing as it is dependent on what the debit/credit card throws up but there you go, that’s the mix. 

More specifically, it’s the ‘low street’ category that I’d like the expand upon.  I’m rubbish with naming things so just bear with the name for the moment.  These are brands that are not widely circulated and aren’t household names by any means nor would they be classed as ‘young designers’ because their price points suggest anything but ‘designer’.  It’s when you want to buy things at Topshop prices but don’t necessarily want to buy actual Topshop things.  A lot of the brands in the Topshop lower floor bazaar section on Oxford Circus would probably qualify.  Public Beware, Peoples Market and Tofu also qualify.  Beyond the Valley which is a boutique in Soho, created by CSM grads and their in-house label definitely qualifies and will be my SS08 port of call for my fix of the ‘low street’.  Whilst Beyond the Valley stocks a mix of designers like Makin Jan Ma and Yuko Yoshitake, their in-house stuff with prices from ¬£28 and upwards blends casualwear with very small doses of unintimidating interesting touches that would have the effect of wearing BTV without having its provenance immediately gussed. 

The rise of the ‘low street’ brands getting stocked at the likes of ASOS and Topshop/man does mean that people’s low street secrets are coming out but I guess the eventuality is that many more people will be developing their own mix that is a bit more outside the box and that’s no bad thing…

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25 comments

  1. hehe. I’ve never heard of “low street” before. I like the definition though! Now if only I knew where to find brands like that over here in Australia…

  3. The last two looks just reminds me of 5 years olds who have been allowed to dress themselves for the day

  4. I LOVED Beyond The Valley when I went. I couldn’t believe the prices of their own designs, which were fab. I bought a top but would have bought a couple of dresses too had I not been on my way to the TwoSee presentation, and I didn’t want to be laden with bags – but we know how THAT ended up don’t we!? Cue Michelle on phone to Susie telling her she’d now completely lost the will to friggin’ live!

  5. you pretty much named all the places i shop! possibly as they are so close to where i work. beyond the valleys and number 22 carnaby street especially.

  6. What lovely designs! Where can I buy this brand online though? I had a look on the website and the prices aren’t how you described. Is there anywhere else?

  7. SEE!!! Skinny gray pants are still in. (Not like I would have cared if they were out), but I wanted to get a pair in a store once, and this sort of overly conscientious girl working there was like, “THOSE are out!”

  8. Cool looks. A bit young for me, but I could see this being very popular where I live amongst the young whipper-snappers.

  9. Man, I really want that bat sweater, even though it would make me look like my brother when he was five years old. I think it’s my obsession with Halloween(ish)things. Even though it’s just an association, and if you take it apart it doesn’t really mean anything.
    I wish it was Halloween today.

  11. I think we’ve found the answer to the question, how could Suzie and her bf dress alike?
    And the answer is good.

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