We get it. Shopping can be stress-relieving!

But shopping almost always means spending hard-earned moolah on expensive, branded items — nope, it doesn’t matter whether you purchase them online or in malls! — and it can be draining in the long run.

The bummer: because everyone now wants to be trendy, you’re more likely to see someone else wearing an outfit similar to yours at some point in this lifetime. (Believe me, it happened to me!)

As an alternative, why not try Filipino-made items? Not only are these quality products, they’re also unique.

Here are some local brands that will surely make you chic any day from head to toe!

Cat+Kai Handmade Jewelry

Well, it helps if you’re a beach lover… but otherwise, handmade jewelries made of sea glass are sure to turn heads around! Cat and Kai has been collecting pieces of sea glass for years, until they realized that these seemingly irrelevant items are a confluence of man-made products (bottles made of glass, for instance) and the laws of nature (the repeated battery of waves and sand). 

What better way to upcycle these items than make them wearable! As a plus point, these jewelries are made by order, so you’re sure to get a one-of-a-kind item that suits your liking.

Check out their instagram account and choose a design!

kayu.ph

Watch designs tend to look similar, no matter the brand. Sometimes, too, it can be difficult to find a watch that will fit any outfit you’d be wearing.

With the wooden watches from Kayu, though, problem is solved! The designs are minimalistic yet stylish, and you can easily wear them with either a casual OOTD or a business attire.

More importantly, you’re wearing not only something local but also something that’s been made and designed by the Ivatans.

Check out their instagram account and choose a design!

Shophumi and Humi Cheatsheet

Upsize your wardrobe with stylish leather bags by Shophumi.

Their bags never run out of varied styles and colors, and you can easily use any item whether you’re staying in the office or slaying at barkada events!

Shoes by Kai

Any fashion ensemble won’t be complete without shoes. Even Marilyn Monroe believed the right shoes can help you “conquer the world.” So, we suggest getting your lovely footwear from Shoes by Kai.

The designs are definitely Filipino: fabric used in malongs from Zamboanga and handwoven cloth from Ilocos. The indigenous weaves are repurposed and intricately handcrafted. No wonder, this home-grown brand is best described by its hashtag, #wearyourculture!

These are only a few of the many available brands out there! Let us know which are your favorites.