A beginner’s guide to contemporary fashion: 10 labels to know now and what they’ll mean for your wallet
In the world of fashion buzzwords, one bandied around on the daily is “contemporary.” Meant to describe labels with a designer aesthetic and more accessible price points (and we use the term “accessible” loosely, with most pieces averaging out around $500), the term means big bucks where the fashion industry’s concerned, having become one of the biggest areas people spend their money in the last few years.
With the rise of bloggers and social media turning designer goods into Instagram bait, the market for conspicuous consumption has never been higher. But despite this overwhelming urge to own a piece of luxury, the reality is that most credit cards aren’t equipped with Céline-level spending limits. Enter contemporary fashion. You may never be able to afford that $50,000 Birkin, but after a few weeks of saving, a 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli bag may just be within reach.
Not only will contemporary labels allow you to up your designer arsenal without forcing you to exist on an exclusively Kraft Dinner diet, but the pieces are also constructed with everyday wear in mind (no couture-like assembly required). Not to mention that contemporary lines still boast that oh-so-coveted designer aesthetic and quality craftsmanship—perfect if you’re looking to break away from the usual suspects in fast fashion retail. To assist with this transition, we’ve wrapped up the brands that we think are owning the contemporary game across all four fashion capitals in a handy top 10 list.
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