Fashion Talk: Which Designer Brands Inspire Me the Most?

I would like to think that for the most part, my style and taste is pretty simple. I’m not someone who cares to go all out and wear all the colors of the rainbow, but in general, I do still enjoy color. With accessories especially, I tend to gravitate towards things that are minimal in their overall structure and design, but still stand as a piece that is high quality. Having said all of this, I thought it’d be fun for me to share which designer brands I am most inspired by.




1. Celine. The photo shown on the left is a prime example of all the things I would look for when considering my next investment piece. It doesn’t just have to be a handbag however… The same criteria can be applied to shoes or jewelry. This bag in particular though is iconic to me at least because it’s functional, elegant, minimal and timeless. Attach the shoulder strap to the bag and it becomes the perfect work bag that can carry all of your essentials, but even without the shoulder strap, it still sits as a piece that can be worn for everyday use.
(Photo credits: taken from the official Celine website. Pictured: Celine Micro Luggage Handbag)




2. Teddy Blake. The marketing and branding behind this particular brand makes the prices a tad more affordable than other luxury brands (like Hermes, which is what this company is pretty much inspired by), but it’s still an investment that may seem out of reach for some people. Keeping in mind that I don't own any bags by them, what I love about the brand itself is not just what they stand for, but also their promise to still provide high quality products that feel luxurious. So many people on YouTube have made their own reviews of this brand, showing off whichever bag they’ve decided to buy, and there’s a big range of different styles and colors out there on their website! So even if you’re not in the market for a new luxury piece, I’d say that they’re still worth any exposure they get, whether it’s through social media, YouTube or some other place where you get your fashion news. (Photo credits: taken from the official Teddy Blake website. Pictured: 11’ Ella Palamelatto in dark red)





3. Tory Burch. I’m a fairly new customer to this brand and have only searched their products online and secondhand, but the quality of their products honestly just feels unrivaled compared to other brands. If you take good care of the items you have regardless of their brand name, they can still look like they’re in top notch condition. My first ever purchase from Tory Burch was a new wallet in black with gold hardware, and had I bought this new from some outlet store or in a big city from where it originally comes from, the price surely would have been higher than what was listed by the seller. (Photo credits: taken by Lorraine G from Poshmark)





4. Michael Kors. Moving onto brands that are more affordable and obtainable for the average, working woman (or man for that matter), MK is a brand that is best known for quality and function while still having enough fun and playful options. I used to carry so much hesitancy and resistance when it came to understanding the hype behind this brand, but I feel like I better understand the hype now that I have 1 top, 1 pair of heels and 2 handbags by this brand. The quality is just on point if not better than other designer brands, and the prices- when bought preloved, second hand or on sale at a local mall- are just unbeatable!
(Photo credits: taken by Poshmark Ambassador think2ndhand1st)







5. Kate Spade. The first 3 words that come to mind about this brand are quirky, fun and eccentric. Kate Spade literally has so many different styles, colors, prints and patterns that are very much within reach for the average person who’s on a budget, or even for someone who just wants to add some personality to their wardrobe while also feeling fashionable or stylish. Quality wise, I would say that some of their products do hold up over time, but if you’re someone who doesn’t baby their designer products, you will experience some signs of wear and tear over time. It’s not like the brand is known for using real leather products, like calfskin or caviar. 

(Photo credits: Megan H from Poshmark)






6. Fossil. This brand has been a long-time favorite for me because of how long the leather is able to stand the test of time. I currently own 2 bags from this brand, but throughout my shopping history, I’ve actually owned more than that and they’ve lasted me quite a long time. What I like about Fossil in particular is that no matter what kind of style bag you decide to buy, you know that you’re buying it with not just quality in mind, but also functionality and purpose. The minimalist in me is very much drawn to those little details such as structure, silhouette and design, and with Fossil, I like that I don't have to worry too much about not finding what I’m looking for.
(Photo credits: taken from the official Fossil website. Pictured: Kinley Small Crossbody in brown)

7. Coach. This brand is yet another long-standing favorite for me because a lot of the styles that get pushed out are timeless, unique, and are just well made/well-structured. This brand has probably been around for several years now (since 1941 to be exact!), and if you’re someone who’s not into fashion but still wants something that’s built to last, there’s not a doubt in my mind that the quality of this brand is top notch. The first ever accessory I owned from this brand was a red and tan wristlet with the classic brown, “C” embossed imprints; it was a gift that my aunt and uncle gave me one year as a Christmas present. I truly loved and appreciated the gift as I kept it for quite a few years, but once I found out that these products fared well on the secondhand marketplace online for reselling, I decided to check out more styles and save up some money so that I can own a couple other pieces. In total, I’ve sold 3 different pieces- of course, I bought them first and used them for a few months before reselling them- and as of right now, I only own one crossbody bag with silver hardware and a brown wristlet.
(Photo credit: from the official Coach website. Pictured: Rogue Bag 25 In Colorblock With Tea Rose)

With all this talk about different designer and luxury brands, one thing I want to note here is that I don’t have any affiliations with these names whatsoever as an “influencer”, and the images used for display are given full credit to the original sellers/owners. Even with past purchases that have been highlighted and reviewed on my blog, I don’t earn any money from simply writing about the product or mentioning the brand, so all opinions are my own and will be 100% honest. I hope that this list gave you some good insights into my thought process, or if you’re in the market for something from one of these brands, then I hope this is helpful to you! Thanks for reading and have a great day!