No doubt about it, 2018 was a good year for dresses. Whether it was Topshop's viral polka-dot pinafore, ASOS's leopard-print sundress or Ganni's checked Charron maxi, there was no shortage of chic styles for all tastes and all budgets. But 2019 is challenging last year for its sartorial crown, thanks to four new brands winning the hearts of the fashion crowd as we speak.
While there's still plenty of appetite for big-name brands, it seems as though our penchant for lesser-known labels is continuing. Case in point: You'll probably recognise the designs of N-Duo and Cecilie Bahnsen from fashion week or the feeds of Instagram's most stylish (they're hard to miss), but chances are the names behind the dresses won't be so familiar. Apparently the more niche the label, the cooler it is.
From Rotate's party-ready cool-girl glamour to Dream Sister Jane's affordable, statement-making pieces, these dresses are perfect for special occasions, but you can rest easy knowing that they won't be replicated 10 times over at the next wedding and feel sufficiently smug that only the most discerning eye will be able to identify what you're wearing. Scroll down to see five dress brands you need on your radar.
Rotate by Birger Christensen
Rotate by Birger Christensen was born from a collaboration between Danish influencers Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Friis Madsen and the Copenhagen-based concept store. Their first collection is inspired by '80s partywear: Expect big shoulders and plenty of attitude.
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Iris & Ink
Iris & Ink is the in-house brand exclusively at The Outnet. Created in 2012 it's the go-to for wardrobe staples, including the effortless dresses that'll see you through work, weekends and everything in between. They're also on the more affordable side so they're the perfect option if you have more than one wedding come up.
N-Duo
Launched in 2014 by Natuka Karkashadze and Nina Tsilosani, N-Duo's dress designs have been snapped up by the likes of Eva Chen and Reese Blutstein thanks to their modest yet fashion-forward aesthetic. We have our eye on the Dance Through the Meadows Balloon Sleeves Midi Dress for spring.
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Related: 15 Spring Dresses From Finery, Whistles and Arket That You Can Wear Now
Cecilie Bahnsen
The designs of LVMH Prize finalist Cecilie Bahnsen are seriously distinctive, and their voluminous silhouettes and whimsical details could easily be picked out of a lineup. Bahnsen's smock dresses in particular have won the hearts of the fashion crowd, and come in a range of fabrics and colourways.
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Dream Sister Jane
London-based brand Dream Sister Jane is our go-to for affordable statement dresses. Vibrant and eclectic, its pieces are inspired by vintage designs—let's just say these aren't for minimalists. They offer a new capsule collection every six weeks so you don't need to worry about running out of ideas.
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Next, these are the nine new buys you need to see.
Opening Image: @thora_valdimars
