Brand Layering: The Art of Knowing Which Labels to Pair With Each Other

Unless you have a signed contract with a brand, you're probably not wearing just one all the time. We pick favorites, sure, but there's no way to buy everything you need from one place forever, at least when it comes to fashion. And why would you want to? Every brand offers something different, and as my financial adviser loves to say, "You'll never regret diversifying your portfolio." The same goes for your closet.

I'm by no means trying to tell you to bypass your go-to labels just for the hell of it. But sometimes, instead of always wearing one brand, adding another to the mix can add to your outfit's appeal rather than distract from it. I like to refer to it as brand layering, and it's a styling trick that people in fashion utilize to keep from looking like a mannequin or walking brand advertisement. There's a reason good "What are you wearing?" videos often involve outfits made up of at least two different labels. Wearing a designer from head to toe might sound cool, but it rarely leads to interesting, thought-provoking outfits.

This mentality also has a tendency to help you save money. Yes, you can buy basics like T-shirts, tank tops, and sweaters from your favorite designer brands, but you'll be spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more on them than you probably need to. There are more affordable alternatives that layer well with your go-to labels that no one has to know aren't hyper high-end. Think an Aritzia sculpted tank worn with Alaïa barrel trousers. It might not be quite as sculpted, but it'll also cut your monthly spend dramatically. In the photo above, my go-to creator for all things The Row, Neelam Ahooja, styled her comb cord necklace and Estelle bag with khaki-colored Banana Republic pants. Without her kindly tagging the brands in her Instagram post, no one would ever know that her pants aren't just as designer as her accessories, because the two labels pair well together. Ahooja is a master layerer—brand layering included—and it shows.

To help you master the trade too, I put together a succinct guide to the brands that just click, ranging from obvious ones like Lemaire and Uniqlo, given the former's founder, Christophe Lemaire, is the designer of Uniqlo's U line (every fashion person's secret source for basics) to more specific duos, like Miu Miu and Sandy Liang.

Scroll down to start layering your clothing brands today.

The Row + COS

If The Row is the luxury epitome of quiet luxury, COS is the contemporary equivalent. Both specialize in high-quality, stylized versions of wardrobe essentials, but both also know when to play with color, patterns, and interesting silhouettes. To get The Row's look without having to buy all The Row, head to COS for the simpler backbone items like boxy T-shirts, tailored trousers, and sandals. Then, you can indulge in a bag by The Row and maybe one or two statement pieces, from a sheer blouse to a lace skirt.

Prada + J.Crew

Say you just invested in a runway skirt from Prada (and by you, I mean me), and you're looking for the perfect shrunken cardigan or cashmere sweater-vest to go with. J.Crew is the obvious source. Or perhaps you splurged on a cool suede jacket or sporty bomber from Prada—something from the just-released S/S 25 collection. What should you wear with it? A silky slip skirt from J.Crew—that's what. The two just go together well, and since you probably can't buy everything Prada, J.Crew is a perfect counterpart that's affordable but still looks expensive.

YSL + Frankie Shop

If edgy, tailored, and sexy style is your main goal this year, look no further than the dynamic duo of Saint Laurent and The Frankie Shop. Go big on a leather bomber jacket from the former, adding in a pair of sunglasses, flats, or a handbag, and then complement them with more affordable suiting and shirts from the latter. This is the best way to become the chicest, most looked-up-to person in any room—guaranteed.

Uniqlo + Lemaire

This is probably the most obvious pairing of the bunch, given the connection between Uniqlo and Christophe Lemaire. Lemaire is both the co-creative director of French fashion brand Lemaire (alongside Sarah-Linh Tran) and the artistic director of Uniqlo's U line, which often includes similar pieces to Lemaire but with a lower price point. Go big on a beautiful piece of outerwear or pair of trousers from Lemaire's main line, and then supplement your wardrobe with heavy-duty boxy tees from Uniqlo or a cool sporty jacket. All will fit together like a fashion puzzle, I promise.

Sandy Liang + Miu Miu

Finally, one for the girls. If you like soft, statement colors, embellishments, and satin fabrics with a touch of sporty appeal, then filling your wardrobe with a combination of Sandy Liang and Miu Miu finds should be your main goal in life. And no, I'm not being dramatic. Whether you save up and buy pieces new every season or go to the secondhand market to stock up on gently used or vintage steals, it doesn't matter. Even better? Do both!