Last Updated on 6th December 2023
Luxury clothing brands have been part of the fashion industry for centuries since the introduction of haute couture. They are associated with glamour, exclusivity, and prestige.
In recent years, the UK has seen a surge in the popularity of cost effective luxury brands bridging the gap between the high street and the designer fashion houses.
These brands offer stylish and high-quality apparel at prices that are much lower than their designer counterparts. The UK is home to many well-known luxury labels. However, for those looking for something a little more accessible, there are plenty of options out there. From classic tailoring to cutting-edge streetwear, these brands offer fashionable pieces at great value for money. Whether you’re looking for statement pieces or everyday staples, this list has something for everyone.
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of some of the best affordable luxury clothing brands in the UK today. From timeless wardrobe staples to trendy must-haves, we’ll take a look at what each brand has to offer and why they should be on your radar when shopping for luxe looks on a budget.
Definition Of Affordable Luxury Clothing Brands
An affordable luxury clothing brand refer to a range of high-end products at a price point that is lower than the standard pricing of luxury items. These brands offer quality and style without the expensive price tag associated with some traditional designer fashion. It signifies a combination of quality, craftsmanship, and value that appeal to consumers who may not be able to afford the high-end products.
When it comes to defining budget friendly luxury, there are several factors to consider.
- First, the price point should be lower than the usual prices associated with luxurious items. This doesn’t mean low-cost, cheap or thrifty, but more economical, reasonable and modest overall pricing. It also doesn’t count any one-off bargains from the sales section.
- Second, the range of quality should be comparable to that of traditional luxury items.
- Finally, the product should also have an element of craftsmanship or design that sets it apart from other products in its price range.
So to accurately portray this will we use one consistent product price comparison, the simple plain white t-shirt. Even in this case, the quality of 100% cotton isn’t full reflective in the garment as ideally should be using weight to define the amount used in manufacturing as heavier means will hold it’s shape better.
And country of manufacture is a big swinger too, as some are cheaper than others which is reflected in the retail price and quality. Turkey, Portugal and Egypt are better, but that’s for another article. Plus, using pre-washed and tumbled dried fabric before cutting stops shrinkage after purchase, and not every brand does that.
Popular British High-End Brands
The UK is home to some of the most sought-after and prestigious luxury fashion brands in the world. Some of the most popular high-end brands include Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Jimmy Choo, Paul Smith, Burberry, Stella McCartney and many more.
These renowned London fashion labels have become synonymous with posh luxury fashion and designer clothing. But they have the price tag on their luxurious clothes and sunglasses to match the glamour of populist London designer clothes.
They rival the glamourous European or American heavyweights fashion designers like Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Versace, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Armani, Tom Ford, Givenchy, Hugo Boss, Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Jill Sander and Louis Vuitton. Which is no easy feat to be as recognisable as the big famous fashion logos and names.
So here is our list of British affordable designer brands worth your time perusing for quality made clothing, especially when on sale for that extra bargain.
Ted Baker
- Price of a men’s plain white t-shirt: £25
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Country of manufacture: Turkey
- Delivery costs: £3.95 (free over £100)
- Courier Returns Cost: Free
Ted Baker is one of the most renowned lines of affordable luxury brands in the UK. This designer brand has been creating stylish clothing and accessories for over 30 years. Founded by Ray Kelvin in 1987, and bought out in 2022 by the Authentic Brands Group, it still delivers quality at entry-level prices.
Ted Baker offers fashionable clothing, designer accessories, and quiet luxury fashion items at an accessible price point. The brand is well-known for its modern designs and attention to detail. Customers can also find unique pieces that are sure to make a statement when worn, from casual daywear to formal evening wear.
Ted Baker is a great choice for anyone looking for luxury fashion without breaking the bank. Their items are stylish yet timeless with a focus on quality materials and craftsmanship. So the ideal for anyone looking for cheap designer brands.
And there’s more, and a reason why Ted Baker dominates my wardrobe. They have an excellent Quality Control process that ensures what you buy is flawless. Despite many purchases, I’ve never returned anything. And their t-shirts hold their shape and don’t shrink when washed (which happens on every t-shirt I’ve ever bought from Reiss).
So for me, Ted Baker deserves the accolade of best affordable British brand, with luxury clothes at a fair price.
Reiss
- Price of a men’s plain white t-shirt: £28
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Country of manufacture: Turkey
- Delivery costs: £5.95
- Postal Returns Cost: £1.95
Reiss is another popular luxury brand in the UK with affordable pricing founded in 1971 by David Reiss. The brand offers a wide range of designer clothing, produced to the highest quality with contemporary fashion trends in mind. Reiss’ collections include:
1. Luxury outerwear
2. Designer labels and accessories
3. Quality knitwear and tailoring
4. Contemporarily styled day-to-night looks
Reiss London provides an extensive selection of affordable luxury clothing for UK customers, offering everything from everyday basics to special occasion wear and wedding outfits. The items are made from premium materials and crafted with precision, making them highly sought after by fashion conscious individuals who want quality clothing at an accessible price point.
Reiss’ collections feature timeless designs that offer a unique spin on classic pieces, making them perfect for anyone looking to add a touch of luxury to their wardrobe without breaking the bank. The brand has become synonymous with quality and style, cementing its place as one of the leading cheaper UK luxury brands.
One point of note though, I find that unlike Ted Baker, their t-shirts always shrink after the first wash, making it too small for me to wear comfortably and ruining the shape. For this reason, I no longer buy from them although my personal views have no impact on their place among the luxury British clothing brands.
Allsaints
- Price of a men’s plain white t-shirt: £35
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Country of manufacture: Turkey
- Delivery costs: Free
- Postal Returns Cost: Free
AllSaints is a British fashion label that provides luxury clothing for men and women with contemporary designs. Don’t be put off by the trendy vibe of the stores, they create high-quality pieces featuring unique details, rich fabrics and modern silhouettes, making it a popular choice for luxury shopping and fashion labels.
The brand focuses on creating chic and stylish clothing with an edgy twist that appeals to customers who want to be fashionable and trendy without breaking the bank. AllSaints offers an array of designer clothing at an affordable price range, ranging from casual daywear to evening attire.
The brand also offers exclusive collections like leather jackets, denim jeans, dresses and more. In addition, its signature style has become synonymous with British fashion, making it a go-to destination for those looking for elegant yet affordable luxury clothing.
The clothing quality is very good, holds shape after washing and you can tell it’s high quality on touch. So clear merit for our list of best affordable clothing brands.
Maniere De Voir
- Price of a men’s plain white t-shirt: £29.99
- Material: 95% Cotton, 5% Elastane
- Country of manufacture: TBC
- Delivery costs: £3.99 (free over £100)
- Postal Returns Cost: Free
Maniere de Voir is a luxury fashion label based in Manchester that has been gaining popularity for its streetwear-influenced collections and their mantra, buy once, wear forever. This fashion retailer specializes in contemporary designer clothing, urban apparel and preppy style, creating modern pieces perfect for any wardrobe.
The brand’s signature lace detailed and patterned designs have become highly sought after amongst those with an eye for fashion. Their collections are loved by celebrities and influencers alike, making them a go-to brand for the latest trends.
Maniere de Voir is the perfect choice for anyone looking to add some sophistication to their wardrobe with their modern take on classic silhouettes. From formal wear to casual looks, they have something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a dressy or casual outfit, MDV has it all and you’ll be sure to find something special here.
Their pieces exude sophistication and elegance while still being affordable enough to fit into any budget. Maniere de Voir is one of the best affordable luxury contemporary clothing brands available in the UK.
Fred Perry
- Price of a men’s plain white t-shirt: £45
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Country of manufacture: TBC
- Delivery costs: Free
- Postal Returns Cost: Free
From the modern to the classic. Fred Perry is one of the UK’s most iconic British luxury fashion brands, founded in 1952 by the British tennis player of the same name. It’s collections are renowned for their classic sportswear-inspired designs that have a modern take on British style.
With a focus on menswear and womenswear fashion, Fred Perry has become a go-to for those looking for stylish but comfortable clothing with an edge. Its collections include polo shirts, t-shirts, hoodies, jackets and accessories such as bags, shoes and scarves.
The brand’s signature piece is its trademark Laurel Wreath Logo Polo Shirt which was first introduced in 1952. It has since become a timeless wardrobe staple that looks great paired with almost anything from jeans to chinos to skirts. Its other popular items include its Harrington jackets, Fred Perry bags and its range of trainers that come in a variety of colours from classic black to bright pink. The brand also offers a selection of accessories such as hats, wallets and watches that complete any outfit perfectly.
Overall, Fred Perry is an affordable luxury fashion brand that offers stylish menswear and womenswear clothing as well as accessories with a unique British touch.
Barbour
- Price of a men’s plain white t-shirt: £25
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Country of manufacture: TBC
- Delivery costs: £4.95 (Free for orders over £49)
- Postal Returns Cost: Free
Barbour is a renowned British fashion brand that has been around since 1894. It is known for its luxury clothing and accessories, in particular jackets and wellington boots so appearance on this list is more for niche items.
But Barbour does offers high-end fashion pieces with the highest quality of materials, so deserves a mention due to it’s timeless and sustainable nature. Its heritage fashion is inspired by classic British designs and its focus on using traditional techniques to create modern garments.
Barbour offers customers luxurious pieces without breaking the bank. Their collections are created with impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail. Their clothes feature timeless designs that will last for years to come, so customers can invest in quality clothing without having to worry about it going out of style or becoming dated quickly. Barbour’s designer pieces are also very reasonably priced, making them an ideal choice for those looking for affordable fashion with a high-end feel.
The brand’s commitment to creating iconic pieces and staying true to their British roots, plus the quality products and reasonable pricing makes them a top choice when looking for luxury apparel within a budget.
L.K. Bennett (womenswear only)
- Price of a women’s plain white t-shirt: £69
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Country of manufacture: TBC
- Delivery costs: £4.95 (free over £300)
- Courier Returns Cost: £4.95 for sale and bridal items
L.K. Bennett is one of the leading modestly priced luxury brands for women in the UK. Founded in 1990 by Linda Bennett, and despite falling into administration in 2109, they continue to provide shoppers with designer clothing and accessories at an accessible price point.
The British clothing brand are know for classic and timeless designs, yet distinctly stylish and modern. The quality of their products is second to none; they use only the finest materials and craftsmanship in all their products, so you can be sure that whatever you buy will last a long time.
Whether shopping for yourself or looking for a special gift for someone else, L.K Bennett provides customers with an excellent selection of luxurious yet affordable pieces that will make any outfit stand out from the crowd.
Oliver Bonas (womenswear only)
Oliver Bonas is another popular affordable luxury brand, known for its designer fashion with a mix of luxury and British style. The company offers high-end fashion at an accessible price point.
The Oliver Bonas collection includes clothing, accessories, homeware and gifts. They have a range of garments from everyday basics to elegant eveningwear. So they qualify for top affordable British luxury brands in many sectors.
From everyday basics to luxurious items, Oliver Bonas offers something for everyone who desires quality fashion at an accessible price point. Whether you are looking for classic British style or high-end designer fashion, this brand will exceed expectations with its wide range of products and excellent customer service.
Whistles (women only)
- Price of a women’s plain white t-shirt: £35
- Material: 100% Cotton
- Country of manufacture: TBC
- Delivery costs: £2.95 (free over £150)
- Courier Returns Cost: Free
Whistles offer fashion-forward clothing, accessories, and shoes for stylish individuals. The brand has become popular among those who seek top quality products to express their individual style.
Whistles clothing items range from everyday basics to eveningwear, and their accessories include bags, jewellery, and scarves. Whistles fashion items are designed with attention to detail that is evident in the finish and fabrics used for each piece. Furthermore, Whistles UK collections feature modern silhouettes and on-trend colours which makes them stand out from other luxury clothing brands.
The Whistles sale also offers customers great value as they have discounts on certain items throughout the year. Those looking for a new wardrobe addition can find affordable prices at the sale while still enjoying high-quality products that last longer than conventional fashion pieces. Additionally, shoppers can take advantage of Whistles’ exclusive offers such as free delivery within the UK if they purchase over £50 worth of items.
Most importantly, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for in their comprehensive online store which features filters on product page so customers can narrow down their search by colour, material or size quickly. All these factors make Whistles one of the best affordable luxury clothing brands in the UK for those looking for an effortless way to look stylish without breaking their budget.
Mulberry
To be clear, I do not define the next two as affordable luxury designer clothing brands. To me, they should be discounted if the cheapest item costs more than a day’s work at minimum wage. But as they are British clothing Royalty I’ll give them the courtesy of a mention for those that think differently.
Mulberry has become synonymous with British fashion since being founded in 1971, and is a leading creator of leather accessories and designer handbags. Their high-end fashion products are made from premium materials and craftsmanship, offering luxury shopping experiences at an accessible price range.
Mulberry bags are coveted for their distinctive designs and timeless appeal. The brand offers an array of sophisticated styles that can be dressed up or down for any occasion. They also have a selection of clothing items and small leather goods to complete any look.
All of their pieces are crafted from premium materials such as Italian leathers, English tweeds and Scottish wools to ensure they hold up over time. Furthermore, they offer a wide selection of colours to choose from so customers can find exactly what they need to elevate their wardrobe.
Whether it’s for everyday use or special occasions, Mulberry creates luxurious pieces that will help express individual style and elevate any ensemble. With their selection of leather goods and apparel, shoppers can experience the best of British fashion without breaking the bank.
Kurt Geiger
Kurt Geiger is a UK designer brand that specializes in luxury footwear, designer shoes, boots, and sneakers. Their statement shoes are popular for their unique designs and timeless style. As with Mulberry, Kurt Geiger offers luxury sandals as well as leather bags and accessories.
Luxury shopping from Kurt Geiger has become a status symbol for many shoppers in England due to the quality of their designer bags and shoes. The variety of styles and colours available make it easy to find something that matches any taste or occasion. From casual sneakers to high-end statement pieces, there is something for everyone at Kurt Geiger.
Each product is made with quality materials to ensure long-lasting wearability; making them an ideal choice for those who want to invest in luxurious fashion items that last. With an array of stylish options, Kurt Geiger provides the perfect blend of comfort and style while still being affordable.
So there’s our list of best affordable luxury clothing brands in the UK.
