Oroton

Aug 13, 2023

Share Question | I am headed back to work after maternity leave. My body has changed and, after more than a year out of the office, so have trends. I want to refresh my wardrobe but I also don’t want to spend thousands of dollars. Are there places to shop that don’t require the equivalent of a house deposit in exchange for a pair of pants? They are called shopping centres, and it’s time to become reacquainted with them because something is happening with mid-tier Australian labels. They’re getting really, really good. Cue is one Australian brand that’s delivering for the mid-tier shopper. I was alerted to this fact by a friend whose wardrobe is filled with Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga. Her basic black pants are from Max Mara and Prada – which, it must be said, both make excellent black pants. To my friend, Zimmermann is mid-tier. Actual mid-tier brands (that is, mid-priced labels, which are often found in shopping centres and do a roaring trade in mainstream basics and a few key trend pieces each season) were a mystery to her until she spied a jumper in Country Road and bought it. Everyone in her circle asked if it had come from Stockholm-based Toteme. She proudly told them it had not, and it had cost a fraction of whatever the Toteme price would have been. Overseas, mid-tier or high-street brands, as the British call them, are the first port of call for well-made basics (in France, Agnes B and Sezane fill this need; in the UK, Marks & Spencer; Spain has Zara; and the US has Banana Republic and J. Crew). An oversized suit is a good investment, and needn’t break the bank. In Australia, the mid tier has ebbed and flowed – and I’m happy to report that we seem to be mid-flow right now. Brands like Country Road, Cue and Oroton have had makeovers in recent years, and now offer some excellent wardrobe staples and pretty decent sustainability credentials, too. Advertisement Last month Country Road released its “Australian Made” T-shirt, created with Good Earth cotton from NSW and embedded with FibreTrace technology so that you can see (via QR code) where it was dyed, cut and sewn. Much of Cue’s clothing is still made in Australia, and Oroton has begun using hemp and recycled leather in its collections. But back to what they offer in style. What these brands do well is take trends and translate them for the everyday, at fair prices in quality fabrics. They also tend to have broader size ranges than more exclusive brands, and more stock. Take this hobo-style bag from Oroton, with its bamboo handle. It’s chic enough to carry to work, but without an exorbitant price tag. Luxury for less at Oroton, where handbags are well-made and well-priced. At Country Road, slightly slouchy suits made with linen are polished enough for the office but can also withstand summer temperatures. Be aware of fit when it comes to mid-tier clothing. Don’t be afraid to have hems taken up, waistbands taken in or jacket sleeves changed. Remember that these clothes are made for a wide range of women, not for you specifically. Make them look like they were made for you with simple tailoring (it is, quite honestly, the key to looking pulled together). Hightail it to the high street – and happy shopping. Do you have a style question for How to Wear It? Email our fashion editor, Lauren Sams, with your query: lauren.sams@afr.com Read next in How to Wear It How often should you clean your suit? Do you wear a uniform to the office every week? Here’s how to take care of it from the minute you’ve bought it. Can men wear jewellery to the office? Adornments, like fashion, are more gender-fluid than ever. It’s time to man up and wear some pearls – with a little help from an expert. How to wear ‘quiet luxury’ without paying a fortune Do you want to look like you’re on hit TV show “Succession” but lack the inheritance? We have answers. Here’s why it seems everyone is wearing mesh sandals It’s just as well La Nina is over: odd slippers are taking over your social media feed and soon, they’ll be here for your feet. Skinny jeans are dead, so what do I wear now? Try a classic straight-leg style instead – you’ll look on trend without having to resort to the current fashion for baggy denims.