Monster High Draculaura cosplay by Cordelia Frost

I thought it would be helpful if I made a Cordelia’s Fashion Favorites page rounding up my current favorite alternative fashion brands. I feel confident and know I look my best wearing items from these brands. Some links are affiliate links and I make a small commission on sales made through these links. Thank you if you choose to use them! If you’re looking for my affiliate codes, they’re listed on my Affiliate Code page.

I’m currently a resident of hot, humid Tampa Florida and have been for the past two decades. Many of my fashion choices are inspired by comfort in hot humid temperatures.

Alternative Fashion Favorites

Bras and Panties

After undergoing a double mastectomy, I’ve been advised to wear wire-free bras only. These are the cutest and most supportive wire-free bras I’ve found. Many options are uncomfortable or look overly matronly, which isn’t my style at all. I’m excited to share my alternative fashion favorites for post-mastectomy wear.

  • Bare Necessities Bare The Wire-Free Front-Close Bra in 32G – I own this in Black, Festival Fuchsia, and Hazel. It’s incredibly comfortable and looks great with all my low cut tops.
  • Feelingirl Smooth Seamless Comfort Wireless Bra in Small – I own this in pink, black, and beige. It’s another incredibly comfortable wire-free bra that looks good and is perfect for t-shirts.
  • Amoena Lymph Flow Long Wire Free Front Closure Bra – I own this in white and black and I wish it came in hot pink. I use these bras whenever I do yoga, work out, and for sleep to make sure my breasts are properly supported and to prevent the implants from flipping.
  • Sunzel V Neck Seamless Ribbed Crop Camisole with Ruffles – I own this in hot pink, lavender, black, white, red, teal, sprout green, and splash blue. These are ultra comfortable lounge camis that are just enough of a suggestion to hold my breasts in place. They look cute as a base piece under button up shirts, sheer shirts, and they’re comfortable to sleep in, but they don’t provide much actual support for my breasts.
  • Vanity Fair Women’s Illumination String Bikini Panties – I’ve tried all types of panties via Amazon, TomboyX, MeUndies and more, and this style is what I find most comfortable to wear these days. I wear size 6. I own black, rose beige, polish pink, gentle lavender, sangria, malibu leopard, and lunar garden print. They’re comfortable and they feel sexy.

Handwash Clothing to Extend its Lifespan

I handwash all of my bras, panties, and much of my BlackMilk. Anything that I feel is delicate in my fashion favorites, I will handwash. I use Soak Laundry Soap in Fig scent to do my handwashing. It’s a gentle, no-rinse formula that you gently agitate on the clothing. I usually leave it soaking for around 20 minutes and then will carefully wring out and hang up to dry. I do rinse out my Amoena Lymph Flow Long Wire Free Front Closure Bra because of my skin sensitivity before I hang them up.

Workout Gear

I primarily wear yoga pants and yoga shorts for my bottoms for working out. I’m more flexible on shirts for working out than I am on my bottoms. These are my workout gear fashion favorites.

  • Barbell – They make Dave’s favorite workout gear and my favorite workout shirts.
  • Bassdash UPF 50 shirts – I use these for my walks and workouts. I buy size small and have light purple, peach amber, carolina blue, and light grey colors.
  • G4Free Stretch Capri Dress Yoga Pants – I own these in black and hot pink. They’re nice for yoga. I wear size M.
  • The Gym People Yoga Leggings – These are great, thick leggings in beautiful bold colors like fuchsia and bright purple.
  • Heathyoga Yoga Pants – these make up the majority of my yoga pants collection.
  • Bombas – I wear Bombas socks because they’re comfortable and have no toe seam, so I don’t have tactile issues with them.

A Note About Hot Topic

I used to include Hot Topic in my list of favorite fashion brands, but I’ve removed them because it’s become increasingly difficult to find quality pieces from them. I’m not a fan of fast fashion or itchy clothing that doesn’t feel well-made and falls apart quickly. I prefer to buy things that are well-made and will last.

Daily Wear

I have a strong preference for natural fibers whenever possible—cotton, modal, and a little bit of spandex for stretch. A touch of polyester can also help with moisture-wicking.

  • Barbell – They make some of Dave’s favorite dress shirts and pants. I love and wear the size Small Motive Dress shirts in Black and White because they’re wrinkle free, easy to maintain and wear.
  • BlackCraft Cult  – They make some of my favorite crop tees, such as my green Sinner tee and pink Low Key Goth tee.
  • BlackMilk Clothing – Most of my outfits these days are built around my BlackMilk clothing because I love looking like a piece of art. They make all my cutest dresses, skirts, pants, and tops. According to my OpenWardrobe app, BlackMilk makes up 23% of the items in my closet, more than double any other brand.
  • Forest Ink – Sustainable gothic fashion from XS to 4X. They have some great designs.
  • Foxblood – Love my jumpsuits from here. They offer products in XS to 5X.
  • KMK Designs LLC – Absolutely stunning, high-end custom clothing designs specializing in alternative, steampunk, gothic and neo-Victorian wear.
  • La Femme en Noir – They make lovely staple dress wardrobe pieces in XS to 4X.
  • Lively Ghosts – (code CORDELIA for 10% off) I adore them so much for being so inclusive for sizes XS to 5X. I love their gorgeous witchy gothic fashion pieces. See my Lively Ghosts Witch Fashion.
  • Midnight Hour – Such cute stuff! I love their babydoll choker top, blue velvet robe, dresses & skirts from here. They offer sizes from XS to 5X.
  • One Golden Thread – They make most of Dave’s favorite cuddly comfy clothing. He prefers natural fibers like the ones they use.
  • TeeTurtle – They make the majority of the t-shirts in my collection. I own several Unicorn shirts, as well as Disney Villains.
  • Too Fast Clothing – They make my favorite booty shorts and some cute tops. My favorite bats and drop dead hoodies are from here and they’re so cuddly soft.

Shoes

Comfort is a must when it comes to footwear for me. I no longer have the patience or pain tolerance for shoes that are ill fitting. Some of the cutest shoes I’ve purchased were from Strange Cvlt, but aside from my Green Velvet Spirit Boots and Pumpkin Flats, I can’t wear the rest because they never seem to comform to my feet.

  • Lifestride Parigi Pumps – I really like these cute and comfortable pumps. I own them in Pinot Noir Patent, Black Patent, Fire Red Patent, and Raspberry Pink Faux Leather.
  • Taos Shoes – I adore their Crave Boots and Show Sandals. These are high quality, comfortable shoes with good arch support. I wear the Crave Boots instead of Doc Martens and I’ve hiked all over Scotland in them.
  • Clarks – I have the Emily2 Reyna pull-on ankle boots and adore them. They’re very comfortable boots.
  • New Balance Trail Running Shoes – What I use for walking, running and other activities.
  • Hot Chocolate Designs – Their shoes are so cute and comfortable! I own the Lilith heels in size 39.

Lingerie

The Lingerie fashion group I’m in on Facebook has offered great alternative fashion advice for how to layer elevated lingerie in outfits.

Handbags

I buy the majority of my fashion favorites handbags secondhand because I prefer them to be real leather instead of vegan leather that ends up peeling. Real high quality leather lasts longer, and buying from the secondhand market is more sustainable and better for the environment. Make sure you examine every photo closely before you purchase anything and don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions. I’ve only had two negative experiences, both on Poshmark, from dishonest sellers. Every other experience has been great.

Accessories

And no alternative fashion favorites list would be complete without jewelry!

  • Bunny Paige  – they make amazing spiked swarovski jewelry and offer custom designs.
  • Etsy – I know it’s vast, but I still manage to find great handmade pieces on Etsy.
  • ISLY NYC – gorgeous acrylic jewelry that’s on trend.
  • SWEETV – (code phyrra15 for 15% off) handmade awesome crowns and tiaras for weddings, photoshoots, cosplay and more.