Picture this: You step outside wearing a brand-new pair of white Chanel sneakers. What’s that around your waist? Oh, you know, just a skinny black Gucci Marmont belt. You wouldn’t dare leave the house without a bag, so before you rushed out, you threw a Louis Vuitton Neverfull over your shoulder.
No judgement, but I personally don’t think I could pull off a multi-designer look — at least not like this. There’s a fine line between tacky and chic, and finding a balance between stylish and ‘Hey! Look at me!’ is actually quite tough. If I was caught wearing what I described above, it would make me feel like a walking billboard swallowed up by almost every designer known to (wo)man. Not cute.
As rampant logos continue to gain momentum by brands (Side note: Can someone please explain this? I always feel uncomfortable wearing huge logos!), when does someone cross the line from trendy to utterly overdone? Does that mean we must limit our outfits to just one logo-bearing item? Can various designer logos be tastefully styled together? (I.e. Fendi sneakers with a Chanel crossbody?)
What’s fascinating is when a multi-designer look (as in wearing multiple items from a single brand or numerous brands) totally works. Take Fendi’s recent collection, where a handful of the brand’s shoes, bags, belts, and clothes are drenched in the iconic double F brown logo. Many of the models and celebrities spotted wearing multiple items from the line come off, at least to me, as cool, fun, and effortless. (Priyanka Chopra is serious #fashiongoals.) If I was wearing anything of the sort, I would look like Fendi threw up all over me. Bleh.
Besides purses, I’m really into sneakers — specifically ones dreamed up by some of my favorite purse-makers. Fendi’s silver and pink slip-ons and Chanel’s retro-looking coral, light blue, and white ones have been on my wishlist for a while now. Then there’s Gucci’s notorious ace embroidered version and Balenciaga’s Triple S. If I want to rock a pair, does that mean putting down my favorite purse, or at least wearing a more discreet one? Decisions, decisions.
So what’s a girl with a thing for all different types of designer items to do? Would you wear a branded outfit with shoes and a bag to match all at the same time? Or would you space it out for a more low-key look? I’m definitely an under-the-radar gal, which is why I don’t think I’d be able to take myself seriously in a multi-branded look. But hey, that’s just me. If you can pull it off, I’ll support you from the sidelines wearing a plain white tee and an understated Chloe bag.
Interesting… would it be an issue if you wore Levis with a Michael Kors bomber over a Chanel /Boss Tee?
I think it isn’t about wearing the brand or logo, but the fact that we are unconsciously atributing more value to these items.
You’d mix and match Dorothy Perkins and Boohoo, Old Navy with Macy’s, so why holler over a Burberry Bomber with a Gucci Fannypack?
Mix and match because they go together not because they may both or indeed all be pricey items, frankly, if you always buy pricey, that’s all you’ll have to mix TBH.
My 2 cents…or is that only acceptable because i didn’t say my $2000?
I’m with you on this one! It’s rarely a nice look, although some “instagirls” manage to pull it off at occasions, as I just see these posts as advertisement of the brands, not as outfit inspiration. But a lot of things that look cool on Instagram will never work in real life with real surroundings and real, regular people around you.
FF-logo covered Fendi trousers, a Dior logoed jacket with Chanel logoed sneakers, a Gucci GG-supreme cap and a BALENCIAGA screaming bag, a YSL tee and a LV monogram belt might look fun, bold and cool in a add picture, but in real life looking like you are trying to impress people by showing your money is not really what I would consider to be classy.
But if you are not bothered with classy, rock on!
From other comments I see that I need to correct myself. I assumed it was obvious that with “branded” the writer ment visibly branded with many, or large logos!
Today I wore Chloé winter boots (No visible logo on them) and a Chanel scarf (only logo on them is the not-so-recognizable lion head instead of the CC logo) and my Celine belt bag (has a small brand name on the front), to someone not into these brands I could as well have worn H&M from top to toe. 🙂
And I just want to add that I am in no way against logos. I have a GG Supreme bag from Gucci and would love to add a Dior bag with logos to my collection. 🙂
There is a difference between wearing multiple brands, and wearing multiple logo-ed items.
I have no problems wearing a pair of chanel espadrilles with a celine nano. But I wouldn’t wear anything highly monogrammed with my lv mono neverfull.
Today I wore a navy burberry coat, black valentino chelsea boots, and a black kelly. It works because none are super loud or monogrammed. If I was to wear a burberry plaid coat, LV monogrammed shoes, and a fendi monogrammed bag, it would be too loud, too billboard-y and verging on tacky. The size of the items also makes a difference. A small monogrammed bag isn’t as overwhelming as a large one. I wouldn’t mind wearing an LV eva crossbody with chanel espadrilles.
In the end it’s all relative, and to each their own 🙂
Took the words out of my mouth! I also think there are BRANDED designers and then there are high-end designers. Today I wore an Agnona coat, a Gabriela Hearst bag and a pair of Saint Laurent sneakers and ironically the most ‘branded’ looking item was the SL sneakers (cuz they have ‘SL’ written on them), but they were the cheapest component of my outfit. I don’t actually own any non-high-end shoes or bags, and I don’t see why I should go out of my way to acquire them just so I don’t come across as head-to-toe branded….? That to me, seems a bigger waste of money. Hope some here agree 🙂
Hey vyt1616, it’s nice to see someone collecting more off-the-beaten-track designers (Agnona, Gabriela Hearst). I’d love to know where you typically shop. And how do you choose which designers you’ll wear? Do you just buy for style and quality, or are there certain brand names you look for? I’m just starting out as a purse designer and would love to know how to reach shoppers like you, so any advice you have would be great! Thanks so much.
Hey Laura! Up-and-coming brands I’ve been digging of late include Danse Lente, Staud (clothes only, not so much bags), Boyy, Neous (shoes), Monse, Saloni, Jonathan Simkhai, Brock Collection, Benedetta Bruzziches (omg those clutches!). Personally I appreciate more structural, unconventional and almost architectural shapes. I don’t shop for particular brand names but enjoy finding new designers that ‘look expensive’ (generally this entails: impeccable quality, material, leather, finishing) yet aren’t obviously ‘branded’ – although that’s not to say I avoid established designers. I really enjoy shopping Net-a-porter’s Vanguard section, Moda Operandi and Instagram suggestions, haha. All the best to you, can’t wait to see what designs you have up your sleeve!
WOW!!! This is a great list! It all feels very fresh, and I can totally see what you love about these brands. I especially love the Staud jumpsuits! I wish I would look good in them. And the button tufted Benedetto Bruziches bags are darling. I have big plans for button tufted bags in the future, so it’s cool to see it being done well. Thanks so much for sharing! In case you’re looking for more ideas, my new favorite brand is Mister Zimi. It might be a little too boho and patterned for your taste, but I think you might like the overall energy of it.
I’m not sure if my bags will be up your alley, but I’d love your feedback on them any time. You can see what i’m up to on Instagram @ForLoveAndLegacy. (I’ll be relaunching under a new brand name in the next week or two, so that will change soon.) My vision is very simple, clean silhouettes of excellent quality with hand painted, foiled, and sculpted details. They’ll be mostly very small run and one-of-a-kind designs. But, as I mentioned, I’m just starting out and am interested to see where it takes me.
Thanks so much again for your reply!
Well ofc, I assumed it was obvious that with “branded” the writer ment visibly branded with many, or large logos!
(I know your comments were not directed at me personally but they made me see that I needed to correct myself)
Today I wore Chloé winter boots (No visible logo on them) and a Chanel scarf (only logo on them is the not-so-recognizable lion head instead of the CC logo) and my Celine belt bag (has a small brand name on the front), to someone not into these brands I could as well have worn H&M from top to toe. 🙂
And I just want to add that I am in no way against logos. I have a GG Supreme bag from Gucci and would love to add a Dior bag with logos to my collection. 🙂
I personally shy away from wearing more than one clearly visible logo at a time. It tends to look like “I wasn’t sure how to dress myself today so I just tacked on my most expensive items in each category and hoped for the best”. IMO truly well-made clothing and accessories are visibly “nice” because you can see the richness of the leather, the quality of the silk and wool, and the crispness of the cotton, not to mention having a flattering fit. For items like that, you don’t need a big cold “CC”, “H”, or “LV” to signify that it’s fancy.
Agreed. Though I tend to avoid any visible logos in general. I suppose it’s just not my thing. But beyond logos, I think the same can be said for fabrics and jewelry.
Even without logos, I think it can be completely overdone by wearing a fur jacket, exotic bag, over-the-knee-boots, and jewelry on every possible inch of visible skin. I’m exaggerating, but you get the idea, I’m sure. And maybe I digressed too far off the topic of this post. My point is, to overdo any one thing tends to veer into tacky. Be it logos, exotic skins, diamonds, and so on.
I do, but it’s never on purpose. As far as logo’ed items go, I don’t really do those. I do have a Chanel with the double CCs. I have a Pouchette Accessoire from Louis. Vuitton. Everything else is recognizable but without the logo.
If done correctly and on the right person, it can look stylish and put together. On others…try hard.
I feel like the question being posed is more about multiple visible logos rather than multiple designer items. All of my bags are designer but my epi leather Alma BB is more understated than my Gucci Soho Disco in terms of logos for example. So if I choose to wear any designer clothing items I’m by default going to be wearing multiple designer items. Personally I’m more likely to go for a bag lacking a logo on the occasions I wear my Gucci sneakers or my LV scarves but I’m also not going to judge anyone who decides not to. I also think that wearing a designer bag shouldn’t mean the rest of my items have to be neutral basics or that it makes me ‘tacky’ to enjoy wearing the items I work hard to purchase
My husband gave me an Hermes belt kit a few years ago, and I wear it often on the weekends (it’s a bit flashy for the office). I have a couple of different reversible straps for it, so it’s extremely versatile, and I don’t feel the need to buy other belts (except two other discreet, non-logo belts for work – one in brown, one in black). I’ll often find myself wearing my Hermes belt whilst carrying a Chanel bag, so I’ll have an H at my waist and a CC on my arm (or sometimes it will be my LV Neverfull or Speedy, which is even more “in your face” logo-wise), and admittedly it makes me feel a bit self conscious. The H buckle is 32 mm, so not huge but also not tiny. I find it conspicuous. I wouldn’t have chosen it for myself, but, again, it was a gift, and I wear it often as such. I try never to wear any other logos together. The other day I was out, wearing my usual Hermes belt, the Chanel jumbo I’ve neen using often as a weekend bag, and a pair of Louboutins with a shiny new, obvious red sole (I only own 2 pairs of Louboutins for that reason, because the red sole might as well be a logo, and it’s a bit too flashy for my lifestyle, which involves a lot of toddler play dates these days). It was colder than expected, so I reached for a puffer before leaving the house, which happened to be a Montcler with its tell-tale logo patch on the sleeve. When I glimpsed my reflection in a window when we arrived at the restaurant, I thought I looked pretty tacky. Lol. Not something I feel I can pull off, either.
I don’t think about what designers Im wearing. I think about whether or not my look is put together and that everything matches/looks good.
Multiple designer items? I hope we all do that every day! Multiple visible LOGOS? Horrid, I hope not. It makes me cringe to see IG posts of their logo bag on their logo steering wheel with their logo bracelets and logo t-shirt with logo belt and logo shoes. Puh-LEASE. Get a life. Quit trying so hard to scream I AM PARVENUS -I NEED PEOPLE TO THINK I AM IMPORTANT. And, I need to SHOW you how I am more important than you! Honestly, and truly curious, does anyone really think it’s NOT tacky to snap a pic of yourself waiting at the airport in your Gucci sneaks, H belt, LV luggage, Chanel bag and Dior t-shirt? Barf. One logo item maybe? Clasp on a bag (like a Chanel or the like) and a belt. Good, all good. But overkill only makes me pity that person because there is so much else going on in this world than trying to be a billboard.
multiple designer items – yes
multiple monogram items – no
Yes, yes, yes, it’s all a question of balance and logos, too many logos (oh, look, look what I got and you don’t!) = Tackyville:)))
I think that depends on your personal preferences and the occasion you are dressing for. I wouldn’t wear any logo tops to work but I do like them for running errands and going to the gym. If I were you I wouldn’t worry too much about looking tacky. There is always going to be a fashion snob out there who thinks they are better than everybody else. If you like your outfit and it makes you feel good, you should wear it.
I mix all the time because my designer items’ branding is discrete. Easy to mix without overkill. My designer shoes either have extremely small logos (none of the huge, toe cap logo on my Chanels) or no logo at all. Same for bags.
I think the Gucci and LV belts are vulgar. I’d NEVER buy one.
I def could wear designer from head to toe because I hate logos and visible branding so my designer clothes would def not have any huge logos; no Chanel brooch, no Gucci logo shirt, no Fendi Zucca scarf, no LV logo print jacket etc.
Most designers have clothes with minimal branding as well, they just might not be as hot among new money and people who wear designer just because they want to make an impression on others.
Yes, I do since everything looks good together. For instance, I’ve worn my Gucci belt with a LV bag, Chanel flats and Chloe blouse. I wear for my own comfort and appreciate the quality of these items. I treat them as casually as anything else that I own. I’m not wearing them to get attention since I abhor that and the items I wear are more discreet and don’t scream “logos”.
Agree. I live in an Asian country where head to foot logo-ed merchandise is the norm in bigger cities. It can get tacky at times esp if they’re all together in one place, ie in a mall. Personally, I have an aversion to logos, but I know I’m in the minority. On the upside, non logo-ed items usually go on sale. Very few people here want to buy bags they can’t show off.
I find myself feeling a little uncomfortable wearing more than 2 Louis Vuitton monogram items at one time. If I wear LV shoes and a LV belt, then I won’t carry a LV handbag. If I carry a LV handbag and wear LV shoes, then I might wear an Hermes belt instead. Otherwise, Hermes tends not to be heavily monogrammed, so I’ve done as much as carry an Hermes handbag, wear H shoes and belt, a scarf and a few H bracelets at one time.
K I am ignorant about all of this stuff. My wife wanted a pair of jimmy choo shoes. She has wanted them since she was a teenager. So she got a pair of black heels with I think studs on the strap. I was thinking about it the other day and realized she doesn’t really have a bag to go with it. My question is I am guessing you would want a clutch to go with designer heels, and do you recommend staying with the same brand? If you could help that would much appreciate, cause I would like to surprise her with something nice that would go with her shoes, and not ruining it by picking something expensive that she doesn’t like or does go good with her shoes.