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9 Alternative Fashion Brands Like Gorman That’ll Make You Look And Feel Good

Looking for a good alternative to Gorman? Here are 9 shops like Gorman. - by Rhys McKay
  • 25 Feb 2020
9 Alternative Fashion Brands Like Gorman That’ll Make You Look And Feel Good

Australian womenswear brand Gorman has been around for two decades, but its longevity is only one reason the brand is so popular. With loud, bold prints and colour, colour, and more colour, Gorman’s pieces are quirky, cute, and playful. For many women, donning a Gorman fit means you can love fashion without taking it too seriously!

But while Gorman became the standard-bearer in alternative fashion since its establishment in 1999, we’re seeing a crop of new brands that can rival the OG. If you’re a hardcore Gormie, this is good news – more brands means more options to play around with!

But before we get to our list of 9 brands like Gorman, let’s look back at the 20-year story of this unique Aussie fashion line!

RELATED: 70s Fashion for Men: 70s Style & Fashion Trends

Rags To Riches

Did you know that founder and designer Lisa Gorman started the brand with a measly eight-piece collection which she sold in a friend’s boutique? Lisa had just been to Tokyo, where she drew inspiration from the super-fashionable streets of Shibuya and Harajuku. She returned home with a notebook full of sketches, inspired to create something different. 

Her first collection sold like hotcakes, and over time, Lisa was able to put up a little fashion studio which she managed herself in the first six months. Soon, her brand grew, and her pieces were being stocked in over 50 retailers. Gorman also launched collaborative collections with numerous artists, including the inimitable Camille Walala.

gormanclothing View Profile
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1999 was when it all began...🎈 Over the past twenty years, @_lisagorman has grown her brand from a one-women operation into one of Australia's most iconic womenswear fashion brands; synonymous with print and colour. What began as a simple Velcro'd fishing pant, has resulted in over 150 collections, 80 collaborations and many passionate supporters. 💫 Thank you to the people who mean the most to us... that's you! ❤️ It's time to pull out the Team Gorman Sweater and PARTY LIKE IT'S 99! 🎉 Photography: @benglezer Models: @liliya.kotsur @koujayn Hair & makeup: @mr.welch Stylist: @_lisagorman x #birthday #20yearsofgorman #1999

The Queen Of Green 

But Gorman wasn’t just about doing things differently in terms of style. The brand released its organic label back in 2007 and has since advocated for sustainable fashion, making use of sustainable fabrics like recycled polyester and raw rattan linen. The Sydney Morning Herald once said that Lisa was “the woman responsible for making green fashion fashionable” and called her the ‘Queen of Green’. 

Gorman remained successful through the years, thanks in part to a partial acquisition by retail giant Factory X, which helped the family business establish 40 boutiques across Australia. However, in 2016, controversy struck the brand – Baptist World Aid Australia released a fashion report which graded Factory X with an embarrassing F. 

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Let's move, let's groove! 💃🏻 Our 20-50% off storewide* sale is in full swing. Shop our Black Friday sale in store and online. Conditions apply, see website for all the details x Photography: @benglezer Models: @liliya.kotsur @koujayn Hair & makeup: @mr.welch Stylist: @_lisagorman #gorman #sale #summer #sale #blackfriday

Troubled Times And Bouncing Back

Though Factory X was failed for “choosing not to be affiliated with the survey as it did not know Baptist’s real process”, as the Guardian notes, the reason didn’t matter. Gorman’s image was tainted by this decision and even dedicated Gormies were dropping the brand.

The brand has worked hard to make up for it in recent years, showing much more transparency with their processes and inspiring other companies to do the same. Gorman also recently collaborated with Indigenous artists from the Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency in a respectful way that received praise from the likes of Vogue. Proof that the hardy team behind this brand are dedicated to their cause and vision.

Now, let’s take a look at some shops like Gorman that are matching up to the brand’s visionary approach to fashion.

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THANK YOU ❤️ @vogueaustralia for this piece on our current collab with @mangkajaarts at @darwinfestival 💫 Take a read at the full article and interview with @_lisagorman via the link in bio x #mangkajaxgorman #gorman #daaf #darwinfestival #gormanclothing #indigenous #arts #collaboration Interview & story by: @amy_starr

9 Stores Like Gorman

1. Obus

Obus and Gorman are similar in many ways. They’ve both been around for about 20 years now, they’re advocates for sustainable fashion, and their designs are characterised by big and bright prints. Obus has a lot of floral-printed and tropical-inspired pieces, and if you’re all about rocking the carefree, forever summer look, this one is a great choice.

Oh and don’t miss their Pink Friday sale where selected items are sold at 20 to 50 percent off!

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Our signature swim collection is back, featuring spirited prints, classy cuts, sun-safe shapes and ocean-friendly fabric. Just add water! Instore + online now. . . . . #obusclothing #obus #goldenhour #summer19 #ss19 #melbournefashion #melbourneshopping #pininsta #flindersquarter #weareflindersquarter #fitzroy #northcote #gertrudestreet #melbournefashion #summerfashion #designedinmelbourne #madeinaustralia #swimwear #recycledfabric #obusswim

2. Princess Highway

Princess Highway calls itself Melbourne’s “most popular vintage-inspired label”. From the colours to the choice of prints to the cuts, Princess Highway’s pieces bring us back to best trends from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘90s while still retaining a very modern look. These aren’t your granny’s clothes. They’re better!

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sugar + spice ✨✨✨ rachel, jed & charlotte revealing how best to style the brown sugar blazer ~ shop in store, myer & online! #princesshighwayclothing #friendsofph #princesshighway #staffstyle

3. KarlaCola

KarlaCola is a labour of love – beginning as a mum-to-be’s project for her newborn baby, the brand now makes eclectic, colourful pieces that are all handmade in South Australia. Their designs are a lot like Gorman, but the prints are even bolder and there is a lot of pink! 

One more thing we love about this brand is its Ready To Ship collection – these are dresses that can be sent out the very next day. Perfect for last-minute parties!

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✖️JUMPSUITS✖️ they are coming tomorrow night via pre order. As a little thank you for the customers that purchase both , we will be adding a free twist headband to your order. No code necessary. All play suits will ship via express post inside Australia and regular air mail with tracking for international customers Now who's excited !?? 🙋🏼‍♀️

4. Doops Designs

Doops founder Jane Newham is an illustrator who hand-draws and screenprints her designs herself at home. The result? Beautiful prints that you won’t find just anywhere. And if you love Jane’s designs but want them in a different style, you can purchase screen printed fabrics by the metre from her website!

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@wildtribe rocking our new linen jumpsuits & our collab with @eachtoown stunning earrings #comfortableclothes #madeinaustralia #ethicallymade #eachtoown #wildtribe

5. Dangerfield

Dangerfield is actually older than Gorman by 10 years, so you could say they’re the real OGs of alternative fashion. Just like Gorman, their dresses and tops are pretty much drenched in colours and prints. However, just as its name implies, Dangerfield’s pieces are smidge edgier than Gorman’s, with an overall look that’s inspired by rock n’ roll, soft grunge, and even a bit of goth.

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Do not swear by the moon, for she changes constantly, then your love would also change 🌛 Leave it to fate in our star cross'd new arrivals - available in store, Myer & online now. #dangerfield #dangerfieldmens #drmartens #starcrossd #fate #love #new #matchymatchy

6. Mister Zimi

Mister Zimi’s style is described on its site as exuding “holiday relaxation in its 70s inspired designs”. And truly, with their flowy and feminine frocks, Mister Zimi’s pieces look like something straight out of the Mamma Mia films. Wear any Mister Zimi dress on holiday and you’ll stand out in all your photos!

misterzimi View Profile
1,472 likes - View Post on Instagram
🌸H A L C Y O N D A Y S🌸 Available Now!! We are jumping out of our seats to be launching our Summer range!! couple of important things to note: ⭐️Launching online today and in stores on Saturday ⭐️You can shop by size and by print ⭐️Make sure you read descriptions for any dispatch notes ⭐️Fabrics for this season are our traditional viscose crepe, a beautiful brand new super soft eco viscose (used on some styles that we done in different fabrics in the past, our favourite linen blend and our awesome eco Lycra) ⭐️We will get through orders and customer enquiries as fast as we can, please bear with us during this crazy busy time ⭐️One more thing YOU ROCK! X

7. Romance Was Born

Fair warning: this is not the place to get cheap, casual outfits. Romance Was Born is a contemporary Australian fashion house that creates fantastical, campy pieces loved by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Miley Cyrus, Tavi Gevinson, Nicki Minaj, Karen O, and Lily Allen. Vogue even called the brand “Australia’s most exciting brand”.

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508 likes - View Post on Instagram
Our Halcyon Daze Beaded Feather Dress from our latest collection Chimera Calling, as featured in @marieclaireau "Seeing double" | Shot by @georgesantoni | Styled by @chloebuttenshaw⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #romancewasborn #chimeracalling #fashion #editorial

8. Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers’ aesthetic is relatively muted compared to Gorman and the other brands on this list, but the brand does pride itself in being fun, flirty, and flattering. Their classy pieces seem to be very much inspired by the glamour of the ‘70s. 

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142 likes - View Post on Instagram
New *glamorous* spring stuff is here - shop now via link in bio 🤳⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #finderskeepersthelabel #sequinsdress #partyseason #partylook #glitter #springtosummer

9. Monki

In a little note at the bottom of Monki’s website, it says, “we’re tight-knit fashion lovers who believe in dressing how we want and loving who we want - while empowering each other (and ourselves)”. And really, that’s all you need to know about the brand. Monki is a brand that millennials and gen-z kids will love – their products range from vintage-inspired skirts and pants to tongue-in-cheek bodysuits printed with hands. Meanwhile, their Insta page is filled with body-positive images. 

monki View Profile
4,564 likes - View Post on Instagram
The wait is over. Monki ✖️Selam Fessahaye limited edition collab collection is here. Available online & in select stores ✨

RELATED: Cheap Online Shopping Australia: 10 Best Bargain Sites

Rhys McKay

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