The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?

10 best Spanish fashion brands

From high street giants to up-and-coming designers, here's our pick of Spanish labels available in the UK

Thursday 03 November 2016 17:34 GMT

You might not realise it, but Spanish brands can be found on most of our high streets. The likes of Zara and Mango have become go-to stores for shoppers looking for affordable fashion that translates catwalk looks into wearable, flattering pieces. At the designer end, Loewe with the UK’s Jonathan Anderson at the helm, is a firm A-list favourite, with waiting lists for its coveted bags. Elsewhere, newer names like La Portegna and Bimba y Lola are putting Spanish design on the map – and on our most lusted-for lists. Here, we bring you some of our favourite continental labels, plus our pick of their latest collections.

1. Stradivarius Velvet Lace-up Boots: £39.99, Stradivarius

Stradivarius is Zara’s cooler – and cheaper – younger sister, that is yet to become a ubiquitous presence on the British high street. There are two stores in London – Westfield Stratford City and Oxford Street – as well as an online base in the UK. (Ireland has three stores.) Stradivarius collections are perfect for anyone looking for a quick fashion fix, and unlike its bigger sibling, you won’t see every other girl on the street in its designs. Our pick for autumn is these biker boots in a velvety material – velvet is the fabric du jour – with ribbon-style laces. The chunky rubber soles make them ideal for stomping through those autumn leaves.

2. Bimba y Lola Small Heel Ankle Boot: £250, Bimba y Lola

Founders Maria and Uxia Dominguez, nieces of renowned designer Adolfo Dominguez (next on this list), named the brand after their dogs, Bimba and Lola. With the playful name comes a playful brand. Its chunky, colourful jewellery, funky scarves, fun prints (we love the cheetah and panther-motif shirts in the latest collection), and fashion-forward leather boots and shoes, have gained the brand a big following in the UK. It now has seven stores in London. Our pick from the latest collection is this pair of patent pointy ankle boots with a flash of purple on the on-trend low heel. The silver eyelets further funk these up. They also come in a more in-your-face canary yellow.

3. Adolfo Dominguez Granulated Bowling Bag: £120, Adolfo Dominguez

Adolfo Dominguez was a trailblazer for Spanish fashion in the Seventies and Eighties. Now, with his three daughters working for the brand, the label has a strong international presence, including a shop in London’s Covent Garden. The brand describes clothing as “simplicity with a breath of poetry”. In practice, think understated but eye-catching, unexpected styles. Among the autumn-winter collection is a perforated neoprene skirt and silk pussy-bow tops in mannish stripes. The brand also increasingly uses sustainable materials where possible, like eco suede and leather made from recycled polyester fibres that otherwise would become waste. We like this chic, roomy bowling bag – with the granulated texture, it’s a dead ringer for the real deal. It comes in olive or black and has a useful detachable shoulder strap.

4. Zara Long shiny dress: £49.99, Zara

Zara has 68 shops in the UK, including five on Oxford Street alone. Celebs from the Duchess of Cambridge to Zoella are fans, and every other girl in The Independent office seems to be wearing something from the brand. It translates catwalk trends to wearable, covetable pieces and aces basics and on-trend footwear too. It might be because it’s nearly Christmas party season, but our stand-out piece from the current collection is this glam metallic gold dress that looks at it’s best dressed down. We’ll be rocking ours with a wool turtleneck underneath.

5. Massimo Dutti Limited Cashmere Chunky Foulard: £139, Massimo Dutti

The name might sound Italian, but the brand is as Spanish as they come. Owned by the company behind Zara and Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti has tailored workwear and sleek separates nailed. It also gets brownie points for its well-priced, quality knitwear in muted, very wearable colours. We love this brown chunky-knit cashmere scarf that will keep you cosy for winters to come. It’s super-versatile: wear it as an oversized scarf, wrap or belt it for a put-together but cosy vibe.

6. La Portegna Petra Bucket Bag: £350, La Portegna

La Portegna is known for its top-quality leather accessories that are handcrafted by artisans in Spain. From butter-soft purses and bags in sunny colours to wear-with-everything trainers, these are piece that are firmly on our Christmas list. With one shop in London’s Marylebone High Street (there’s another in Madrid) the label has won lots of fans in the UK. This big bucket bag in black vegetable-tanned leather is our pick from the new collection. With no metal hardware, it has a pared-back, minimalist look with plenty of room to carry a little bit more than just your daily essentials. Small details set it apart from the bucket bag pack: the suede lining and sliding knot system that makes the strap adjustable. It comes with a five-year guarantee so you can get it repaired for free. It also comes in turquoise and like most of La Portegna’s pieces, you can get it monogrammed.

7. Loewe Puzzle Bag: £1,575, Selfridges

Loewe was founded in 1846 but since London-based designer Jonathan Anderson was named creative director in October 2013, the label has repositioned itself as one that reflects its luxury Spanish heritage but also feels contemporary. Anderson introduced the Puzzle bag in 2015 and it’s become an A-list favourite (Beyoncé and Sienna Miller are two of its fan). Living up to the name, the cuboid-shaped bag can be worn multiple ways: as a shoulder bag, across the body, as a one-strapped backpack, or as a clutch. It also folds flat, making it an ideal for travelling. There are 12 colours to choose from. Our favourite is this Aqua.

8. Mango Leather Biker Jacket: £119.99, Mango

Mango has more than 40 stores in the UK and its campaigns have featured the likes of Kate Moss, Miranda Kerr and Kendal Jenner. Known for its fresh, youthful take on urban style, it is particularly good for affordable leather pieces like this classic black biker. If you want something brighter, this one comes in five colours. Layer up to make it work through winter.

9. Tous Pink Vermeil Silver Caramelet Ring: £49, Tous

You don’t have to be a fan of Tous’s trademark teddy bear logo to find a lot to like from this accessories brand. As well as teddy-themed pieces, it offers other sweet, playful styles that make great presents. This candy-inspired silver ring in a pretty rose gold tone is a case in point. If you’re shopping for kids, try the bracelets from its ‘Sweet Dolls’ collection. There is no physical shop in the UK, but you can find the entire collection on the UK website.

10. Intropia Patterned Blouse with Flounces: £167, Intropia.

Intropia’s collection (formally known as Hoss Intropia) embodies the phrase “hippie chic” – you'll find the likes of flowing maxi dresses, relaxed silk blouses and slouchy knits in luxe, flattering fabrics. The Madrid-based brand has a free-spirited, ageless feel to its collections, which somehow always make us feel summery. We love this Victorian-inspired silk-mix blouse in the abstract blue print. The ruffles on the shoulder give a nod to one of the season’s biggest trends, too.

The Verdict: Spanish fashion brands

Velvet is everywhere this autumn and Stradivarius's lace-up boots are the perfect way of working the trend without breaking the bank. To update your leather biker, try Mango. If it’s designer you want, put Loewe’s Puzzle on your Christmas list.