We thought we’d take a look at some of the international brands that are available to buy online from Australia. We do like to support local where possible but it’s a real eye-opener to see how spoilt for choice other countries are. Like with most things in Oz, it really is just a numbers game. Australia has a much smaller population than the UK or US and therefore when retailers are zeroing in on tighter demographics, like the mature customer, the numbers drop – and Australian numbers are already much lower.
Despite the talk of global trends, we do accept that Australians (and Kiwi’s) have a unique style. Buyers have told us over the years that we’re particular about fabrics and that our market is actually quite conservative when it comes to extravagant fashion.
As always, when shopping internationally be sure to check you’re shopping in AUS dollars or it will be a rude shock when the money leaves your account after the exchange rate is applied. While not all of these stores below are specifically designed for the mature market they’ve all certainly got many pieces that appeal women of all ages. Let’s take a look!
Boden Clothing – If you’re after smart dresses, tailored jackets and a huge colour choice then Boden Clothing is where it’s at. Their signature shirt dresses (both collared and t-shirt styles) come in an extensive range of bright prints – so many options it can be hard to choose. The quality is well-known and did we mention the colour? The brand’s official aim is to add colour and fun into people lives – and don’t they do just that? They’re also committed to a transparent supply chain which we think is the most effective way to put the fun in everyone’s lives. It’s also worth noting that the shopping experience on their site is really pleasant – very user-friendly and an appealing design that seems to fit the energy of the brand well.
Chiccos – this brand is constantly mentioned by North Americans and in terms of travel-style, they’re like gods. They have a dedicated travel range and an iron-free collection. We see what they’re doing there! In fact, the way Chiccos group their ranges are half the appeal – with collections like a Slimming selection, Black Label for tailored goodies and a range called Zenergy for stylish leisure wear. And in terms of scale, it’s typically American – huge.
Anthropologie – if you consider your style a little more free-spirited then this is where you come for overseas inspiration. We mostly think of Anthro as a summer staple shop however nailing the boho look in winter can prove difficult – they’ve got some great looks to get ideas from. Discover gentle ways to incorporate lace, subtle ruffles, natural-looking dyes and a focus on details. Everything here has a little extra to it, so if clean-cut is your thing you’re probably not going to enjoy it as much. But we sure do. Another excellent point about many of the U.S brands is that so many styles extend into the plus size bracket. We may also be a little obsessed with one of their models on the Anthropologie site… and that hair!
Everlane & J.Crew. If you’re after classic cuts and colour choices beyond compare then both of these brands are great for the tailored style queen. Everlane describe themselves as “modern classics” and J.Crew “classic with a twist”. We’d say J.Crew is slightly more relaxed, with an edgy spin to their versions of the classics and Everland is for minimalists with a focus on choices in cuts. Either way, if simplistic style sounds like you then these two are sites worth surfing.
Marks & Spencer / Debenhams – There has been much talk of Marks & Spencer making it’s way to Australia but that is all it has been for years, talk. Some bits and bobs from Debenhams can be found in Harris Scarfe stores here though it’s a mere fraction of their UK range. However, both of these British powerhouses ship to Australia and do a brilliant job with mature offerings. You should expect to part with a bit of cash at Debenhams but they are a designer stockist so it comes with the territory. Anyone who has spent time in England will know how well-loved M&S is and that they’re very much a lifestyle store selling everything from fashion and homewares to sandwiches. They don’t ship the sandwiches though! hehe
Next Direct – Something that we feel the Brits excel at is eveningwear. We mean party clothes, not dresses for weddings or the races, UK women know how to design statement tops or frocks that get noticed. They’ve got your glitter covered and much of it can be found at Next Direct. Of course, that’s not all they do. The Next Direct range is so vast that the warehouse must be an entire suburb. You may have noticed we’ve included them in many features on here – if we’re looking for a specific item and tried local options (including the NZ-based Ezibuy, they’re local, right?) then we check Next Direct. They’ve got the workwear market totally cornered and the sheer scale of choice makes them a great brand to check in on. As for international pricing, they’re fairly reasonable too! Worth noting: we also love their childrenswear if you’re feeling stuck for the grandbabies.
like all the clothing and styles, will have a good look.