I thought it would be helpful if I made a Cordelia’s Fashion Favorites page rounding up my current favorite alternative fashion brands. I feel confident and know I look my best wearing items from these brands. Some links are affiliate links and I make a small commission on sales made through these links. Thank you if you choose to use them! If you’re looking for my affiliate codes, they’re listed on my Affiliate Code page.
I was a resident of hot, humid Tampa Florida for the past two decades. Many of my fashion choices were inspired by comfort in hot humid temperatures. Now I’m living in Europe, where it’s much colder.
Alternative Fashion Favorites
Bras and Panties
After undergoing a double mastectomy, I’ve been advised to wear wire-free bras only. These are the cutest and most supportive wire-free bras I’ve found. Many options are uncomfortable or look overly matronly, which isn’t my style at all. I’m excited to share my alternative fashion favorites for post-mastectomy wear.
- Bare Necessities Bare The Wire-Free Front-Close Bra in 32G – I own this in Black, Festival Fuchsia, and Hazel. It’s incredibly comfortable and looks great with all my low cut tops.
- Amoena Lymph Flow Long Wire Free Front Closure Bra – I own this in white and black and I wish it came in hot pink. I use these bras whenever I do yoga, work out, and for sleep to make sure my breasts are properly supported and to prevent the implants from flipping.
- Sunzel V Neck Seamless Ribbed Crop Camisole with Ruffles – I own this in hot pink, lavender, black, white, red, teal, sprout green, and splash blue. These are ultra comfortable lounge camis that are just enough of a suggestion to hold my breasts in place. They look cute as a base piece under button up shirts, sheer shirts, and they’re comfortable to sleep in, but they don’t provide much actual support for my breasts.
Handwash Clothing to Extend its Lifespan
I handwash all of my bras, panties, and much of my BlackMilk. Anything that I feel is delicate in my fashion favorites, I will handwash. I use Soak Laundry Soap in Fig scent to do my handwashing. It’s a gentle, no-rinse formula that you gently agitate on the clothing. I usually leave it soaking for around 20 minutes and then will carefully wring out and hang up to dry. I do rinse out my Amoena Lymph Flow Long Wire Free Front Closure Bra because of my skin sensitivity before I hang them up.
Workout Gear
I primarily wear yoga pants and yoga shorts for my bottoms for working out. I’m more flexible on shirts for working out than I am on my bottoms. These are my workout gear fashion favorites.
- Barbell – They make Dave’s favorite workout gear and my favorite workout shirts.
- Bassdash UPF 50 shirts – I use these for my walks and workouts. I buy size small and have light purple, peach amber, carolina blue, and light grey colors.
- G4Free Stretch Capri Dress Yoga Pants – I own these in black and hot pink. They’re nice for yoga. I wear size M.
- The Gym People Yoga Leggings – These are great, thick leggings in beautiful bold colors like fuchsia and bright purple.
- Bombas – I wear Bombas socks because they’re comfortable and have no toe seam, so I don’t have tactile issues with them.
Daily Wear
I have a strong preference for natural fibers whenever possible—cotton, modal, and a little bit of spandex for stretch. A touch of polyester can also help with moisture-wicking.
- BlackMilk Clothing – Most of my outfits these days are built around my BlackMilk clothing because I love looking like a piece of art. They make all my cutest dresses, skirts, pants, and tops. According to my OpenWardrobe app, BlackMilk makes up 2/3 of the items in my closet, more than double any other brand.
- Lively Ghosts – (code CORDELIA for 10% off) I adore them so much for being so inclusive for sizes XS to 5X. I love their gorgeous witchy gothic fashion pieces. See my Lively Ghosts Witch Fashion.
- Midnight Hour – Such cute stuff! I love their babydoll choker top, blue velvet robe, dresses & skirts from here. They offer sizes from XS to 5X.
- One Golden Thread – They make most of Dave’s favorite cuddly comfy clothing. He prefers natural fibers like the ones they use. My daily wear hoodie is from here and I also have a jumpsuit and dress from them.
- Foxblood – Love my jumpsuits from here. They offer products in XS to 5X.
- Forest Ink – Sustainable gothic fashion from XS to 4X. They have some great designs.
- Barbell – They make some of Dave’s favorite dress shirts and pants. I love and wear the size Small Motive Dress shirts because they’re wrinkle free, easy to maintain, and wear.
- BlackCraft Cult – They make some of my favorite crop tees, such as my green Sinner tee and pink Low Key Goth tee.
- La Femme en Noir – They make lovely staple dress wardrobe pieces in XS to 4X. And my glasses and sunglasses are from here.
Shoes
Comfort is a must when it comes to footwear for me. I no longer have the patience or pain tolerance for shoes that are ill fitting. Some of the cutest shoes I’ve purchased were from Strange Cvlt, but aside from my Green Velvet Spirit Boots and Pumpkin Flats, I can’t wear the rest because they never seem to form to my feet.
- Clarks – I have the Emily2 Reyna pull-on ankle boots and adore them. They’re very comfortable boots.
- New Balance Trail Running Shoes – What I use for walking, running and other activities.
- Hot Chocolate Designs – Their shoes are so cute and comfortable! I own the Lilith heels in size 39.
- Lifestride Parigi Pumps – I really like these cute and comfortable pumps. I own them in Pinot Noir Patent, Black Patent, Fire Red Patent, and Raspberry Pink Faux Leather.
Lingerie
The Lingerie fashion group I’m in on Facebook has offered great alternative fashion advice for how to layer elevated lingerie in outfits.
- Honey Birdette – They make stunning lingerie!
- Thistle & Spire – Elevated lingerie that is stunning as outerwear.
- Videnoir Couture – They make custom lingerie and other gothic pieces.
Handbags
I buy the majority of my fashion favorites handbags secondhand because I prefer them to be real leather instead of vegan leather that ends up peeling. Real high quality leather lasts longer, and buying from the secondhand market is more sustainable and better for the environment. Make sure you examine every photo closely before you purchase anything and don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions. I’ve only had two negative experiences, both on Poshmark, from dishonest sellers. Every other experience has been great.
- Poshmark – I’ve found some great secondhand handbags on here. My newest is a Coach Y2k Fuchsia shoulder bag. I also found this awesome Coach Purple Ruby Crossbody a few years ago. And this Betsey Johnson Pinky-Purple Quilted Hearts Metallic Purse is fantastic.
- Betsey Johnson – It’s no secret I love Betsey Johnson! I have several handbags as well as jewelry from her. My favorite might be the red and black multi graffiti heart bag, currently on eBay. The Emerald Cut Out Sparkler Clutch is stunning too.
- The Real Real – I’ve found a few great handbags from here as well. My favorite is the Christian Louboutin Maroon Patent Loubette Large Satchel.
- eBay – Yes, you can find awesome items secondhand on eBay. My best find on there was a Christian Louboutin Black Patent Leather Telescope Satchel Bag.
- Etsy – I love my LadyMoon Company Cozy Crystal Ball Bag I found. Electric Bubblegum Alien Jelly Bag is really cute too.
- Coach – my grandmother purchased me two of the Turnlock Edie Shoudler bags as Christmas gifts before she passed, one in dark navy and one in deep burgundy. This is the style of bag that she carried for years. Coach no longer makes this style but you can find a wide variety of them on Poshmark.
Accessories
And no alternative fashion favorites list would be complete without jewelry!
- Bunny Paige – they make amazing spiked swarovski jewelry and offer custom designs.
- Etsy – I know it’s vast, but I still manage to find great handmade pieces on Etsy.
- ISLY NYC – gorgeous acrylic jewelry that’s on trend.
- SWEETV – (code phyrra15 for 15% off) handmade awesome crowns and tiaras for weddings, photoshoots, cosplay and more.