Brands with Personality
A celebration of playful personal style, thoughtful design, and the joy of dressing for yourself.
This series started, somewhat unintentionally, when one of my longtime favorite fashion brands, Sézane, unveiled a rebrand that left me feeling a little uninspired. It got me thinking about how many brands seem to be moving toward the same minimalist aesthetic, stripping away the little quirks and details that once made them recognizable. Where did all the personality go?
I've always loved the idea of dopamine dressing, but I don't necessarily think that means wearing the brightest colors or the loudest prints. Sometimes it's an unexpected silhouette, an interesting texture, a whimsical little detail, or a beautifully considered piece of clothing that simply makes you happy. To me, it's less about a particular aesthetic and more about approaching personal style with curiosity and playfulness.
And there's something quietly rebellious, maybe even feminist, about that. Women's fashion has historically been so wrapped up in the idea of desirability, in dressing to flatter our figures, appeal to the male gaze, or adhere to whatever version of femininity happens to be fashionable. There's something liberating about rejecting those expectations and dressing simply because something delights you. Not because it's flattering, sexy, sophisticated, or even particularly practical. Just because you like it.
So, in a sea of quiet luxury, capsule wardrobes, and clean-girl minimalism, I wanted to celebrate the brands that are doing something different. The ones embracing color, craftsmanship, interesting proportions, storytelling, and a little bit of weirdness. Many of these brands also prioritize thoughtful production, traditional craftsmanship, and clothing meant to be loved for years rather than discarded after a season.
Welcome to Brands With Personality, an ongoing collection of designers who remind me that getting dressed can, and should, be fun.
MIRTH Caftans
Founded in 2016 by sisters Katie McClure and Erin McClure Breen, MIRTH began with a shared love of travel, textiles, and the perfect caftan. Inspired by their experiences in India, the Houston-based brand works with artisan communities in India and Peru, incorporating traditional techniques like handloom weaving, block printing, and knitting into its collections.
What I love about MIRTH is that their clothing feels simultaneously effortless and special. The silhouettes are relaxed, the textiles are beautiful, and even their quieter pieces have personality. They're a perfect example of how interesting clothing doesn't necessarily have to be loud.
Beyond the aesthetic, MIRTH is committed to preserving traditional textile craftsmanship and supporting meaningful employment for the artisans who make its clothes.
Rujuta Sheth
Founded in 2015 by Indian-born, New York-based designer Rujuta Sheth, this namesake label brings together traditional Indian textile techniques and playful, contemporary silhouettes. The collections feature beautiful handwoven fabrics, bold prints, and easy, comfortable shapes that feel equally suited to everyday life and a vacation somewhere wonderful.
Rujuta Sheth is one of those brands that makes me want to build an entire outfit around a single piece. There's something so joyful about the way the brand combines pattern, proportion, and color without sacrificing comfort or wearability.
Sustainability and ethical production are also central to the brand's philosophy, with an emphasis on natural materials, artisan craftsmanship, fair employment, and creating pieces that will remain in your wardrobe for years.
TINY / The Tiny Big Sister
Founded in Barcelona in 2012 by Barbara Bruno and Gerard Lazcano, TINY originally began as a children's clothing brand called Tinycottons. Eventually, its playful visual world expanded into womenswear with The Tiny Big Sister, carrying over the same emphasis on quality, storytelling, and imaginative design.
If I had to describe TINY's aesthetic in two words, they'd probably be Wes Anderson. The unexpected color combinations, exaggerated proportions, quirky prints, and slightly nostalgic styling make every collection feel like its own little cinematic universe.
There's something I especially appreciate about a womenswear brand that isn't afraid to borrow from the playfulness of children's clothing. Why should we lose that sense of fun when we grow up?
TINY also emphasizes quality, durability, and European production, creating clothing designed to be as comfortable and functional as it is visually interesting.
Rachel Antonoff
Rachel Antonoff has been on my radar for well over a decade, and I think that's part of what makes her brand so special to me. I've watched her maintain this wonderfully quirky, slightly twee aesthetic through years of changing fashion trends, never seeming particularly interested in making clothes that blend into the background.
In fact, I still own a dress from her collaboration with & Other Stories years ago. At the time, her main collection was well outside my budget, so being able to own one of her designs felt like such a treat. The dress is a little snug these days, but I haven't been able to part with it.
Her collections are filled with saturated colors, conversational prints, nostalgic references, and a healthy dose of humor. It's clothing that doesn't take itself too seriously, which is perhaps exactly why I take it seriously.
I also appreciate the brand's commitment to inclusive sizing and its broader mission of making fashion more welcoming, expressive, and genuinely enjoyable. Rachel Antonoff understands that our clothes become part of our memories, and that getting dressed should be about living our lives, not just looking a certain way.
Samantha Pleet
Founded in New York City in 2007, Samantha Pleet is an independent fashion label known for its fantastical, art-inspired designs. Samantha studied painting and fashion at Pratt Institute, and her husband, architect Patrick Pleet, joined the business in 2012. Together, they've created a wonderfully imaginative world inspired by art history, folklore, mythology, and cinema.
Her designs have been worn by the likes of Zooey Deschanel and Jenny Lewis, and if you're familiar with either of their personal styles, that probably tells you a lot about the aesthetic. Think medieval tapestries, Gothic romance, whimsical prints, and silhouettes that look like they belong in a beautifully strange fairy tale.
As someone with a fine art background myself, I especially appreciate the way Samantha approaches fashion as another form of artistic expression. The brand has even created a series of short films, bringing its collections to life through cinematic storytelling.
I also love the emphasis on limited production and pieces made to be treasured. There's something special about discovering a garment, falling in love with it, thinking about it, and eventually deciding to make it yours. It's a slower, more intentional relationship with clothing that feels increasingly rare in the age of fast fashion.
The brand produces in small batches with a longtime manufacturing partner in India and emphasizes craftsmanship, fabric quality, and longevity.
Kina & Tam
Founded in Melbourne, Australia, in 2017 by Gianni Kina and Linnie Tam, Kina & Tam describes itself as a small, independent fashion brand for people who want to have a little fun getting dressed. And honestly, it's hard to imagine a brand more perfectly suited to this series.
Their designs are delightfully unconventional, with playful proportions, exaggerated ruffles, bold color combinations, and pieces that sometimes look like they wandered straight out of a children's storybook. I recently watched them share the design evolution of one of their purple, ruffled, almost clown-like cardigans on social media, and I loved getting a glimpse into that creative process.
What I especially appreciate about Kina & Tam is its accessibility. The brand sits at a lower price point than many of the other designers on this list, and while not every piece is made from natural fibers, the company is refreshingly open about its pricing, production, and efforts toward responsible manufacturing.
They release only around 15–25 unique styles each year, produced in small batches, and share information about their manufacturing partners and business practices.
I think there's something important about making expressive, imaginative clothing available at different price points. Not everyone can spend hundreds of dollars on a single garment, and I love seeing independent brands finding ways to make personal style a little more accessible.
TBCo
I first discovered TBCo, formerly The Tartan Blanket Co., during the early days of the pandemic when I was deep in an Outlander obsession and decided I absolutely needed a tartan wool blanket. Naturally.
Founded in Scotland in 2014, the brand originally focused on beautiful wool blankets inspired by Scottish textile traditions. I was drawn to its emphasis on quality, responsible materials, and thoughtful production, but it's been especially exciting to watch the company evolve over the years.
In 2023, The Tartan Blanket Co. became TBCo, reflecting an expanding collection that now includes statement scarves, knitwear, clothing, pajamas, bedding, and home accessories. Unlike some rebrands that seem to strip away a company's identity, I think TBCo has done a wonderful job of building on what made it special in the first place.
I'm particularly obsessed with the brand's accessories, from its colorful wool scarves to its more unusual knit hats. There's even a little nautical-inspired sailor hat that I'm completely smitten with. I've developed a growing appreciation for nautical fashion over the years, and I love seeing traditional or vintage-inspired accessories reinterpreted in playful, contemporary ways.
TBCo is also a certified B Corporation and prioritizes natural and recycled fibers, responsible production, and products designed to last.
It's genuinely exciting to watch a brand you loved from its earlier days grow into something bigger without losing the values or creativity that drew you to it.
World of Crow
Founded in 2011 by designer Shaila Khubchandani, World of Crow is a New York-based label that celebrates traditional Indian textile craftsmanship through relaxed, contemporary clothing. The brand specializes in handwoven fabrics, beautiful textures, unexpected color combinations, and patchwork designs that feel both artistic and incredibly wearable.
Everything about their clothing looks comfortable in the best possible way. I'm especially drawn to their long, generously cut skirts, which seem like the kind of pieces you could practically live in.
I've become increasingly fond of skirts lately because they're so versatile. A beautiful long skirt can be worn with a simple T-shirt and sandals in the summer, then layered with a turtleneck, chunky sweater, and boots when the weather gets cold. I love clothing that can evolve with the seasons and be styled in completely different ways.
World of Crow designs its collections in New York and produces its garments in India, working with handwoven textiles and emphasizing ethical production, traditional craftsmanship, and longevity.
I actually have a World of Crow gift card that I received for my birthday in September, and I have been agonizing over which skirt to buy ever since. There are simply too many beautiful options. Perhaps I'll eventually have an update to share once I manage to make a decision.
Ultimately, I think what connects all of these brands is a willingness to approach fashion with a sense of imagination. They aren't all alike aesthetically, and they don't all occupy the same price point, but they each have a recognizable point of view.
And perhaps that's what I find most refreshing. In a fashion landscape that can sometimes feel increasingly homogeneous, these designers remind us that personal style doesn't need to follow a formula.
Sometimes the best thing you can wear is simply something that makes you smile.
I'll continue adding to this collection as I discover more brands worth celebrating, so consider this an ongoing love letter to fashion with a little personality.
A little note: This post is a genuine celebration of brands I love, and I have not been paid or sponsored to feature any of them. Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Not every brand featured offers an affiliate partnership, and every recommendation here is entirely my own.