Question – I love the idea of “quiet luxury” dressing: clean silhouettes, beautiful fabrics, classic pieces. But every time I look for these clothes to build a wardrobe, Google points me in an expensive direction. Are there brands out there that offer champagne garments on a (craft) beer budget? – Quietly Hoping
A beautiful coat from Friends with Frank.
Dear Quietly Hoping
Rumours of the death of “quiet luxury” have been greatly exaggerated. It’s not going anywhere because it is not a trend: it is a way of dressing, a lifestyle, an ethos. And I swear I am not just saying that because it’s how I like to dress.
I digress. In answer to your timely question, there are quite a few brands that specialise in this area, without the accompanying eye-popping price tag.
The first that comes to mind is Melbourne-based brand Friends with Frank. It began as an outerwear business, selling faux fur coats. But it has since become a fully fledged ready-to-wear business and has recently opened its first store in Emporium Melbourne (a Sydney store might be on the cards, too). Founder Julia McCarthy told me she launched the label out of her own frustration with your exact problem.
Coats at Friends with Frank at Emporium Melbourne.
“I wanted a faux fur jacket but they started at $800, $900, and I couldn’t afford it,” says McCarthy. “So I decided to make one myself, and I was so impressed with the quality and fit.” Friends caught on and asked her whether they could buy the coat for themselves. Over time, McCarthy found she had a business.
Though she still gets weekly requests for her coats, FWF now offers a full wardrobe, focusing on clean knits and tailored suiting. “It was all from my own personal challenge to find a classic shirt, or coat, or pants, without bells and whistles,” says McCarthy. “I wanted those beautiful pieces, done simply. We focus on head-to-toe dressing now, in a very pared-back way.”
The Thomas coat is made with pure, double-faced wool and retails for $679, for example.
