50 Best Australian Fashion & Clothing Brands | Man of Many
FASHION
Former advertising creative Anthony Pitt put his marketing skills to use when he launched this Australian fashion label back in 2008. Here we are over ten years later and Academy Brand is going stronger than ever before. Pop into one of its impeccable stores or check it out online. No matter where you find it, expect clean colours and premium designs.
Founded in 2008 by Edwina Robinson and Adrian Norris, Aje remains synonymous with uncompromising coolness and effortless feminine allure. It’s then no wonder that this Australian clothing brand has over 291k followers on Instagram. If you’re looking to impress your girlfriend or wife, buy her a gift card from this quintessential label and watch her jaw drop.
It’s no secret that we Aussies love ourselves some hats, and Akubra is one of the continent’s foremost hat brands. While best-sellers like the Cattleman clearly aim for the rural demographic, this historic label is certainly no stranger to the urban crowd. Bridging the two worlds is the Melbourne Cup, where Akubras are more or less ubiquitous. Classic is the operative word here.
Alice McCall cut her teeth in the London fashion scene before migrating to Australia to launch her namesake brand. In the time since, McCall’s eye for detail and instinct for design has kept her on the cutting edge of feminine style. 484k Instagram followers can’t be wrong, nor can all the female celebrities who rock this top Australian clothing brand.
Established in 2011 by Australian fashion designers Damien Horan and Daniel Oliver, Assembly Label delivers everything a young Aussie might look for in a modern fashion brand. Think high-quality materials, minimalist designs, and affordable prices and you’re heading in the right direction. Underpinning each release from this Australian clothing company is an aesthetic lifted straight out of the nation’s coastal lifestyle.
Hailing from our beloved Sydney, Barney Cools continues to spread its care-free spirit around the world. At the heart of the operation is a steadfast commitment to freedom and rebellion, manifested by way of crisp colour and a casual vibe. Pair a Barney Cools tee with some Pac Suns and head to the beach, Aussie style.
Becky Cooper and Bridget Yorston met in design school and then kicked off this Australian fashion label in 2003. Straddling the line between innovation and sophistication, Bec + Bridge exudes modernity at every stitch and seam. The colours are fresh and the details stunning, with 557k Instagram followers to show for it.
This iconic women’s undergarment brand has a history going all the way back to the early 1900s, but don’t take that to mean it doesn’t keep up with the times. On the contrary, Berlei’s bras always stay ahead of the curve (no pun intended) by delivering style and comfort in equal measure.
A label that needs no introduction, Billabong once brought Australian surf and skate culture to the world at large, changing the landscape in the process. The company has undergone some ups and downs in the time since, but it still manages to churn out products and collections that are both optimal and inspired. Plus, 1.8 million Instagram followers is certainly nothing to scoff at. Whether you live for the skate park or the pipeline, you can do no wrong with this popular Australian brand.
This Australian underwear brand has been keeping us safe where it counts for just over a century. Even if it’s not the same titan it once was, Bonds remains a veritable source for quality undergarments and clothing, all at an affordable price. Need undies? This Australian clothing brand is for you.
Striking a deft balance between traditional and progressive style, Johnny Schembri’s dynamic womenswear makes for guaranteed head-turning. And we mean that quite literally, as this iconic brand can frequently be seen on the runway during Australian Fashion Week. Alternately sporty, simple, stunning, and evocative, By Johnny is modern garb for the modern woman.
By embracing a somewhat experimental sensibility, C/MEO Collective manages to distinguish itself from the other womenswear labels. Heck, you could even go as far as to say that this Australian designer brand distinguishes itself from…well…itself. Specifically, each and every annual collection comes anchored by a central theme, resulting in a truly singular aesthetic, year after year. Join their 363k Instagram followers to see what all the fuss is about.
Over 25 years ago, Calibre emerged as Australia’s first up-market men’s boutique. While there’s certainly more competition these days, the brand remains a cherished and award-winning institution, with locations scattered throughout our most populous cities. To enter this domain is to discover undeniable fashion and the tailored suit experience, two things no stylish Aussie argues with.
Taking inspiration from her respective loves of colour, travel, and beauty, Sydney’s own Camilla Franks launched this bespoke label over 15 years ago. Bursting with creativity, Camilla encapsulates the bohemian lifestyle to extraordinary effect. More than one of the best Australian fashion brands, this is art in clothing form.
The brother-and-sister team of Australian fashion designers Camilla and Marc Freeman have women’s fashion on lock, which helps explain the perennial popularity of their iconic label. Since 2003, Camilla and Marc has been firing on all cylinders, dropping tailored dresses, trend-setting coats, and striking patterns to wild acclaim. If it’s good enough for Kendall Jenner, it’s definitely good enough for your girlfriend or wife.
Australia might be overflowing with killer bespoke labels and trendy boutique stores, but that doesn’t mean we can’t give it up for one of the big chains. That big chain is Cotton On, and it’s been dressing millions of Aussies for nearly three decades. What was originally a women’s only retailer has since expanded in every conceivable way, to include menswear, kidswear, and tons of peripheral merchandise. Visit one of their 1000 stores (worldwide) and enter a realm of limitless possibility.
Speaking of the big guys, Country Road is a middle market retailer of epic proportion. The company started in the mid-1970s as Australia’s first lifestyle brand and has since become something of a behemoth, offering a little bit of everything. Of course, it still churns out plenty of classic apparel, both under its own label and through a range of subsidiary brands, including Trenery. Country Road is one of the most iconic Australian brands clothing folk since 1974.
True to its name, Driza-Bone (aka “dry as a bone”) has been famously crafting waterproof coats and outerwear for over a century. While the Driza-Bone coat still functions as a great way to ward off the rain, it’s also become a national symbol, appearing in various performances and during the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
Kym Ellery was already one of the most in-demand Australian designers by the time she launched her namesake label as a side project in 2007. Nowadays, that label holds centre stage, with frequent appearances at Paris Fashion Week (and recently, Paris Couture Week) to show for it. That’s not to mention the celebrity clientele or 292k Instagram followers. Is Ellery one of the best Australian designer brands for women? You bet it is.
Infusing serious silhouettes with playful undertones, Finders Keepers retains a flirtatious edge as it straddles the full spectrum of women’s fashion. Hailing from Adelaide, the label’s utterly wearable output often walks the line between sexiness and earthiness. Expect natural fabrics, eye-catching prints, and a somewhat breezy style, among other things.
Made for confident women who embrace their individuality, Ginger & Smart delivers luxurious designs and a touch of whimsy. Each season, this Australian fashion label seems to reinvent itself by way of new colours and prints, all without straying too far from its aesthetic foundations.
Australian designer Lisa Gorman is the mastermind behind her eponymous label, which began as a limited eight-piece collection back in 1999. As the requests continued to roll in, Gorman’s business continued to grow. Eventually, it blossomed into an all-encompassing lifestyle brand, complete with footwear, clothing, homewares, and accessories.
Here’s a brand so iconic that the word “Yakka” (which reportedly derives from the Aboriginal term for “work”) made its way into the Australian vocabulary. If you work a job that requires physical labour and safety gear, odds are you’re rocking Yakka work boots. The brand also makes shorts, jeans, and other workplace apparel.
If you want to help a great cause and look good while doing it, start shopping with HoMie. To peer beyond the brand’s popular streetwear is to discover a full-blown social enterprise, which donates 100% of its profits to provide clothing and job opportunities for homeless people. This isn’t just street style, it’s style that helps people get off the streets.
The name I.Am.Gia (inspired by 80s supermodel Gia Carangi) exudes absolute boldness and the label’s designs follow suit. Sleek and unique, these wardrobe essentials ooze with modernity. The brand has over 767k followers on Instagram, in part due to an extra push from models like Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid.
One of the biggest and most affordable Australian clothing brands, Industrie has modern masculinity down to a science. That is to say, the label delivers practical, affordable, functional, and versatile apparel. If you don’t want to overthink the whole clothes shopping process, then head to one of Industrie’s numerous retail stores and leave with an entire wardrobe.
Robert Adcock founded KingGee as a Sydney-based overalls company back in 1926, but it’s since grown into so much more. By continually keeping pace with the latest and greatest innovations, the brand ranks among the leading names in modern-day workwear. Included in its portfolio are tees, shorts, footwear, and accessories.
Quality denim reigns supreme at Ksubi, where the normal rules of fashion need not apply. Touting progressive patterns and raw accents, the brand’s signature aesthetic is as easy to identify as it is hard to ignore. Celebrities like ASAP Rocky and Kylie Jenner swear by this Australian designer label and you should too.
Dismayed by the poor quality of women’s workout apparel, part-time aerobics instructor Lorna Jane Clarkson took things into her own hands. That was back in the 1980s. Jump ahead a few decades and Lorna Jane is a multi-million dollar empire and one of the best Australian clothing brands, which offers a range of products and operates 146 stores in our nation alone. For the top tier of feminine athletic performance and style, why go anywhere else?
Three sisters joined forces to create Manning Cartell, bringing their vision of femininity, strength, and beauty to life. Committed to innovation, sophistication, and sustainability, the brand is accredited by Ethical Clothing Australia and known for its luxurious fabrics and exquisite ready-to-wear outfits alike.
Since 1999, designer Toni Maticevski’s masterful dresses, gowns, and structured blazers have remained the stuff of legend. One look at Maticevski’s Instagram feed (which has 345k followers) is all it takes to see that this Melbourne-based label treats clothing as art, and accepts nothing less than perfection. Despite the modern vibe, a timeless aura persists.
As 380k Instagram followers can attest, Australian fashion brand Maurie & Eve cultivates a clean and contemporary aesthetic. This is the kind of womenswear that will make her want to spend more time outdoors, either basking in the sun or chilling on the lounge patio during a warm night.
Women’s evening wear gets an eye-popping upgrade from Australian designer Michael Lo Sordo, who demonstrates a brilliant knack for both colour and cut. Beauty need not be in the eye of the beholder when it’s this transparent.
Like Billabong, Quiksilver didn’t just spread surf and skate culture around the world, it practically defined it. Born in Torquay, Victoria, and available just about everywhere, the affordable Australian clothing brand delivers performance, quality, and style in equal measure. Just as impressive is off-shoot brand Roxy, which targets the female demographic.
Take it from spokesman Hugh Jackman: the handcrafted boots from this Aussie brand are rife with quality and character. Drawing upon over 70 years of experience, R.M. Williams still makes those iconic boots from a single piece of leather. The widespread label is just as well known for its clothing and accessories, among other things. Welcome to the outback, gentlemen.
While Ralph & Russo is technically a London-based brand, the designer couple behind it hails from Australia and does our continent proud. Thanks to famous clients like Meghan Markle and Angelina Jolie, this haute couture label currently has over 2.1 million followers on Instagram. High fashion doesn’t get much higher.
Designers Alexandra Spencer and Teale Talbot launched Réalisation Par in Melbourne in 2015 to see it take off across the world. Known for its wrap dresses and popular prints, the label gives modern style a subtle vintage infusion. If the female in your life has an eye for fashion and a social media presence, then she’s likely one of the 483k people already following this popular Australian brand on Instagram.
In 1968, surfer Doug Warbrick wrote the words “Rip Curl Hot Dog” on his vee-bottom board. One year later, Rip Curl was founded by Warbick and fellow Aussie Brian Singer. The brand’s innovative and award-winning wetsuits, bathing suits, and surf accessories remain second to none, hence the massive global success.
Everyone knows and loves SABA here in Australia, where the popular chain has 30 stand-alone stores and terrific online presence. Finding great fashion at a great price doesn’t get much easier.
Beyoncé, Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna, and Rihanna are just a few of the big names to be seen wearing sass & bide, a beloved Australian label since the early 1990s. Despite the overtly stylish aesthetic, the brand’s output remains extremely versatile in terms of wearability. No trend-setter’s wardrobe is complete without it.
Welcome to Australia’s largest women’s swimwear brand, which is stocked at over 2700 locations worldwide. When you’re at the beach and taking in all those glorious bikinis, you have Seafolly to thank.
SIR the Label is a rising star in the Australian fashion scene, which has made a name for itself by way of minimalistic, feminine silhouettes. It’s all ready to wear and ready for action.
Young women who like their fashion fast and at a great price shop at Supré, an absolute haven of stylish basics. Get it while it’s hot! Supré is the perfect Australian clothing brand to buy a gift for your sister or girlfriend.
Fashion and fantasy intertwine at Talulah, where boho-luxe is both an aesthetic and a way of life. Bold, sexy, and beautiful are three words that come to mind.
Before you and your girlfriend embark on your next exotic getaway, make a stop at Tigerlily. Founded in Sydney, the distinctive swimwear brand will have you drifting to the furthest beach or resort in sustainable style.
100% Australian owned and family run, this leading women’s footwear label has been in the game since 1972. Offering retro style to striking modernity to everything in between, For Him & Her: A Closer Look at the Longines Master Collection Moonphase Watches is nothing short of shoe heaven. Just ask its 487k followers on Instagram.
Owned by Boardriders Inc (the same parent company that owns Quiksilver), Von Zipper is the place to go for outdoor eyewear and goggles of impeccable quality and design. Whether you surf, skate, ski, or snowboard, this Australian label will keep those eyes safe and stylish.
When Country Road bought this Aussie label back in 2012, it paved the way for one of the nation’s biggest specialty retailers. To date, Witchery continues to make elevated fashion statements for the modern woman, leaving no trend or wardrobe essential behind. The brand also provides tons of support for Ovarian Cancer Australia.
Progressive streetwear and men’s fashion thrive at Zanerobe, a label that designs clothes it’s founders actually want to wear. As a result, shopping with this Australian fashion brand is like joining a huge family, albeit one that gives you plenty of room to express yourself as an individual. Zanerobe is one of the most globally recognised Australian clothing brands.
Made by women, for women, Zimmermann is about as iconic as Aussie style gets. The label’s versatile sundresses, distinguished prints, and celebrity followings have generated 1.5 million Instagram followers and counting. The world is talking about Australian fashion, and this brand is one huge reason why.