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When Associate Editor Amy Clark asked me for a list of brands where I "get cool sh*t", she didn't have to ask me twice.

I'll share my favourite homegrown labels with anyone who asks — and I regularly do, over on my Instagram. Even when nobody asks.

Case in point: Sharing my outfit details from our recent Nothing To Wear podcast record. Post continues below.

While we're fortunate to have access to high street brands and luxury houses from all over the globe, there's a special place in my heart for the lesser-known Australian labels that are doing things differently — whether they focus on sustainability, or specialise in keepsake pieces you won't see everywhere else.

Where I can, I try to invest in these brands to keep our economy strong (any justification will do) and ensure my wardrobe has a range of interesting styles I look forward to wearing and fielding questions about.

Because time and time again, I find these are the clothes that get the most compliments and queries both in my DMs and IRL.

So without further ado, here are the "mid-tier" Aussie brands that I love shopping from… and really need you to know about (if you don't already).

Arcaa.

Best for: Comfy, elevated daywear.

Living on Sydney's South Coast, I spend most of my days by the beach with a toddler clinging to my leg, so I'm primarily looking for comfort with a side of coastal cool.

My love affair with Arcaa began when I spotted a woman wearing one of their slouchy knitted coats at my local bakery… then proceeded to chase her down to get the details (and yes, I bought it.)

Born in B yron Bay, Arcaa makes clothes for everyday wear — their linen and natural cotton pieces soften over time, and take you from morning to night with ease.

I'm slowly collecting their soft knit tees and pants, and am currently lusting after one of the bestselling gingham "Matteo" bomber jackets.

The best part is that every new collection is made to complement the last, so you don't have to start again or feel like you're chasing trends.

My picks from Arcaa:

Arcaa Matteo Jacket, $299.

Arcaa Orlando Oversized Tee, $179.

Arcaa Emmet Pant, $199.

LMND.

Best for: Stylish staples.

Ana Maria Escobar is a real name in Australian fashion. She was previously the creative director of Oroton, and carried that aptitude for closet classics over to her casualwear line LMND.

When I was living in Bondi I would regularly visit the flagship Gould Street boutique — it entices you in with rows of perfectly matching cotton shirts and shorts.

LMND does colour, but for minimalists — everything is cut to be roomy and effortless, and the silhouettes remain consistent season after season. I'm loving the recent introduction of bold knitwear, too.

My picks from LMND:

LMND Mara Oversized Shirt, $220.

LMND Chiara Shirt Classic, $159.

LMND Chiara Maxi Dress, $259.

Kinga Csilla.

Best for: Wearable art.

You've likely spotted a Kinga Csilla printed tee while you're scrolling — the brand has a dedicated cult following and the girls who get it, get it.

Founder Laura Liles is an artist who custom-designs prints for her covetable line (if you follow her on the 'gram you can see the work-in-progress of her literally painting them).

Beyond the prints, there's a distinct Boho vibe to each collection, with elements like colourful lace and tie-dye woven through. I've been wearing the maxidresses for years, and now have quite the collection of Kinga pieces including tees, jeans and lace flares.

Liles is also the lady behind beloved brand Ciao Ciao Vacation. It's got more of a casual, beachy energy that translates beautifully to holiday dressing (see: the fun print shirting and quirky matching sets.)

My picks from Kinga Csilla:

Kinga Csilla Citron Nova Lace Cherry Maxi Dress, $320.

Kinga Csilla Hyper Lily OG Tee, $180.

Kinga Csilla Bowie Spot Hades Pant, $260.

Blanca.

Best for: Fashion-forward essentials.

You can't convince me there is anyone making cooler stuff for the Aussie fashion girlies than Blanca's Ana Piteira, who also happens to design the popular jewellery line Reliquia.

Blanca is known for modern wardrobe staples with a twist. You just know a piece is Blanca from looking at it — whether it's the sheerness of a printed shirt, the texture of a pencil skirt or the directional tailoring of a coat.

While it's not cheap, it sits firmly at that mid-market level, and I'm always first in line to shop their end-of-season sales, which are amazing.

Making an edit of pieces I want from this brand is almost impossible because I want everything, but here goes.

My picks from Blanca:

Blanca Faro Tee Red, $180.

Blanca Isley Dress Pink, $270.

Blanca Samantha Blazer Biscuit, now $120.

Tiny Trove.

Best for: Twinning with your cool kid.

Designed in Western Australia by mums Sandy Lai-Daniel and Jocelyn Leong, Tiny Trove started as a boutique kidswear line, then expanded into womenswear.

The fun aspect that sets them apart is that they produce matching styles for mamas and their mini's, but not in a twee way. We're talking seriously cool separates like oversized graphic tees, striped pants and bold knitwear.

The brand uses only quality materials — I own a pair of trackpants and a printed tee, and love how soft they feel on my body and how well they wash and wear.

For my daughter's third birthday, she was gifted the cutest two-tone tee that I'm now considering buying in my size.

My picks from Tiny Trove:

Tiny Trove Women's Stars Relaxed Tee, $85.

Tiny Trove Women's Celia Cotton Stripe Pants, $85.

Tiny Trove Women's Odette Knitted Cardigan, $149.

Antipodean.

Best for: Chic and unique resortwear.

If you follow me or listen to Nothing To Wear, you'll have clocked my obsession with Antipodean.

Founder Danielle Milojevic is a trained fine artist and textile designer, and she brings that pedigree to every piece she creates for the brand.

The one-of-a-kind garments have the kind of attention to detail you rarely see these days — think hand-beading, embellishment and intricate embroidery that make the pieces glamorous, unforgettable, and well worth the investment.

I adore their robes (I wore one to Australian Fashion Week recently) and colourfully embroidered linen dresses.

My picks from Antipodean:

Antipodean Golden Break Mesh Long Sleeve Top, now $158.

Antipodean Cruze Pareo, now $137.

Antipodean Oasis Embroidered Robe Dress, $750.

Honourable mentions.

Want a list of the other homegrown brands that fill my closet? I'm glad you asked.

• Venroy.

• Zulu & Zephyr.

• Mister Zimi.

• Nude Lucy.

• Lucy Folk.

• Alemais.

• Morrison.

• Faithful The Label.

• Mon Renn.

• Kivari.

• Mael.

• Rove Byron Bay.

For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube.

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Feature image: Supplied.