It can seem hard to satisfy your craving for high style
(which often comes with even higher prices) in these trying financial times.
But why spend the dough when you can get offshoots of enviable brands at a
fraction of the designer price? Diffusion lines can be just
as exclusive as their parent brands, with limited runs and a small number of
stock lists around the country. Boston is blessed with a few of these covetable
gems, such as T by Alexander Wang at Stel’s (334 Newbury Street,
Boston, 617.262.3348), the Comme des Garcons Play line at
Concepts (37 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617.868.2001), and McQ
Alexander McQueen and Martin Margiela Ligne 6 at Achilles
(283 Summer Street, Boston, 617.423.2257). Hopping on the bandwagon this fall
is Badgley Mischka, which will be offering up a less-expensive eveningwear
collection with all the sparkle and red-carpet appeal the line is known for
with Mark & James, available locally at Intermix (186 Newbury
Street, Boston, 617.236.5172). Still too pricey for you? This fall, check out
the designer collaborations between Target and Anna Sui and between H&M and
Jimmy Choo.
