Taobao has come a long way from its reputation as just another site of designer dupes.
Ask any shopper in the know and they’ll tell you that the site is a veritable trove of independent designers who are looking to offer shoppers their own collections of designs ranging from the cool to the quirky. The choices are endless, and while this could sound enticing for the more experienced Taobao users amongst us, this can also seem a little bit overwhelmingly intimidating if you don’t have a guide into the world of Taobao fashion.
So what’s the best way into getting the sartorial most out of the site? Know your style, and zoom in on the places that cater to you.
Fortunately, unlike other e-commerce marketplaces where sellers sell everything from classic tweeds to acid-washed torn jeans, there are a good number of Taobao sellers who hone in on one singular style and expand their offerings on that. This gives you plenty of options to select from within one single store, thereby making your browsing experience a lot simpler and more enjoyable.
Here are some of our fave stores from Taobao right now, which are doing fabulous options for work and for play.
The aesthetic: Think feminine, ‘French Girl’ looks like Rouje, Maje, and Loulou Studio
If you’re in the market for a new fuzzy cardigan for your sub-zero offices or a printed slip dress to wear underneath your blazer, you’re in luck when you stop by Dimple Hsu’s shop. Not only is it a chockful of the aforementioned, they’ve got plenty of cute separates that can be worn on the weekends too – pastel-coloured twinsets, anyone?
The aesthetic: Leans towards the more eclectic and playful, and is almost Moschino-ish.
For all of its extensiveness, most Taobao fashion shops tend to steer away from anything too eye-catching, but Alu taps on that as its differing factor. On Alu, you’ll find things like acid-colored tweed suits, pastel bombers, sequinned outerwear and ’70s-inspired graphic sweaters with a dash of irony. Not a store for those who want to blend in, that’s for sure.
The aesthetic: A mix of girlishness with cool separates à la Miu Miu.
Sparkling sequinned jeans and a mint-coloured jacket? Yes and yes. VCRUAN’s listings offer lots to ooh at, including floral embroidered knit tanks, prairie-inspired dresses and swingy pleated skirts.
The aesthetic: Elevated basics that could have you confused for The Row or Nanushka.
Mali Studios is one of those rare finds where everything just works. The offerings you can expect include knitted dress-over-pants combos, oversized boyfriend blazers and sleek dresses that marry form and function into one attractively minimalist look.
The aesthetic: Come here if you love brands with a strong focus silhouette – such as COS or Marni.
On the surface, MADEINAM may look like another iteration of the previously-mentioned Mali Studios, except that when you click further into MADEINAM’s site, you’ll find that the standout here is the attention to shape and silhouette. It’s more sculptural, and those who appreciate a strong cut will love this.
The aesthetic: Geek chic girls who love A.P.C or Agnes B will love this.
It doesn’t immediately scream ‘work wear’ like the rest of the brands here, but Cloud Space offers plenty of geek-chic items that could still work in a more relaxed office setting. Think argyle-checked sweatshirts, dark wash carrot-shaped jeans and slouchy wool trousers.
The aesthetic: Effortless, everyday pieces that you might mistake for Isabel Marant or Zadig & Voltaire.
With a penchant for classic pieces, Jupe Vendue is quickly becoming our go-to stop for workwear basics. Here, you’ll find everything from louche striped shirts and classic blue jeans to frilly chiffon dresses and roomy cardigans. Their lookbook styling are also a great source of inspo for when you’re in a bit of a corporate wear rut.
The aesthetic: Streetwear meets grunge, like Ambush or Givenchy.
Streetwear for the workplace? FREEMEIGE has some cool options, like boxy cropped blazers, utilitarian jumpsuits and edgy shift dresses. Only attempt FREEMEIGE if your office has a lazed dress policy.
Text: Aaron Kok/HerWorld