If it’s not obvious by the name, Cheap Monday, evolved into the brand it is today by continuing to offer their customers quality fashion at affordable prices. The Swedish-based brand began when a couple of friends opened a small second hand store outside of Stockholm. The store was called Weekend and was only open on Saturday and Sunday. Shoppers were all over it and soon the concept and store grew. They opened a new central location with hours every day of the week and changed their name to Weekday. The new store carried a mix of high fashion and consignment goods which, long story short, led them to create an in-store label starting with the first style of Cheap Monday denim. By 2005, Cheap Monday had developed into a full brand and was selling abroad. Cheap Monday’s tight denim and characteristic skull logo define their signature style, but now there are chic separates, accessories, underwear, and shoes maxing out at $170. Keep an eye out for the Fall 2012 collection’s new denim color ranges and washes, relaxed silhouettes, and folded layering.

Cheap Monday Spring 2012; available at revolveclothing.com

 

Snoozer Loser might be one of the coolest, free-spirited, affordable, concept brands we’ve come across in a while. With humble beginnings as an artist collective founded by designer Sonia Tay and her two besties, the label evolved from one particular installation—a Pop-up Shop called Forever is a Daydream where Tay debuted her first hand sewn pieces. Tay’s philosophy for the brand remains ever changing but her ultimate goal is to make ethical clothing affordable. “I pick a concept and execute it in an eco conscious way. Sometimes I can’t afford the gorgeous fair trade cottons but what I can do is use eco friendly dyes that I mix myself,” she tells Uniform Project. How does that translate to wallet friendly price points for the consumer? Here’s how it works. Tay designs and creates samples of her collection each season. Beyond those, the label’s pieces are made-to-order and hand-printed in the New York studio. Dye batches are mixed for each order resulting in, you guessed, a one-of-a-kind piece every time. This spring’s collection features simple silhouettes and eclectic prints like antique scissors and birdcages, unicorns, and sailboats—plus silk scarves and vintage lockets—all under $185.

Snoozer Loser Spring 2012; available at snoozerloser.bigcartel.com

 

We love Thief & Bandit because we love supporting designers that keep their production domestic, their prices reasonable, and their creations unique. Designer Amie Cunningham hails from our northern neighbor Canada, but now lives and works in Richmond, Virginia hand printing and manufacturing her colorful goods. Thief & Bandit reminds us American Apparel hopped up on native-inspired prints with its “basic” tees, tanks, dresses, and leggings. In soft jersey fabrics, these quality fabrics are perfect for brightening up your spring wardrobe on the cheap. Alongside apparel, Cunningham hand makes accessories including bracelets, necklaces, scarves, and headbands with her printed textiles, gold chain, leather, and antique brass notions. We’re crazy about the multi-patterned Braided Bracelets ($18) and Chevron Racerback Tanks ($54), just to name a few. You’ll also find the occasional sweet dress and hand carved bead necklace, as Cunningham is not only an expert in quality separates but woodcarving as well. Nothing over $100 in this designer’s special shop—which means we’ve got some extra cash to buy a few extra pieces!

Thief & Bandit Spring 2012; available at Thief & Bandit on etsy.com