Chiang Mai brands you’ll want to wear this summer

What started as crocheted bags evolved into a love for woven fabrics and dyes and is now an internationally recognised fashion brand. Born in Chiang Mai, Palit is all about timeless designs that work for every occasion without ever being boring. Traditional fabrics made contemporary, with a trendy twist that doesn't sacrifice longevity. The palette leans neutral – cream, blue and brown – and everything is lightweight and airy, ideal for sweating it out in the summer heat. With stockists in Bangkok and internationally in Taiwan, Palit has come a long way from its iconic macramé bags. If you shop just one brand in Chiang Mai this summer, make it this one.

Pieces start from B890

5/8 Nimmana Haeminda Road Lane 5, Tambon Su Thep. Open 10am-6pm

As the name suggests, every piece here is homemade by local artisans – meaning each one is slightly different and entirely unique to whoever buys it. A family business made in collaboration with their local community, Tha Homemade uses techniques like batik painting and crackle finishing with designs drawn from the warmth of everyday life. They don't chase perfection – they embrace the imperfections that make clothes feel real and wearable by actual bodies. Marked by bright, fun colours that aren't afraid to stand out from the sea of beige and a flowing fit that keeps you aired out, this is the kind of brand you wear when you want to be noticed for the right reasons.

Pieces start from B1,190

Chang Moi Sub-district, Muang Chiang Mai. Open Monday-Saturday from 11.30am-4.30pm

For those who like their wardrobe clean, minimal and curated, Aliotte knows the basics better than most. Extra care goes into the details and fabrics – chosen for maximum comfort without sacrificing style – resulting in flattering, versatile pieces that work just as well at the office as they do on a weekend. The summer collection leans into lightweight blouses and elevated camis in blues and whites that feel ocean-adjacent without trying too hard. For anyone building a wardrobe they can actually wear every day, Aliotte is a reliable and stylish place to start.

Pieces start from B711

99/8-9 Bumrungburi Road Phrasing Muang Chiang Mai. Open 8.30am-7pm

Calling all vintage lovers and sustainability advocates – Bono Brand makes their pieces entirely from discarded denim, turning materials headed for the bin into one-of-a-kind garments. Each piece of recycled fabric is carefully inspected and redesigned into jackets, tops and shorts, with the brand managing to utilise up to 95% of every piece of old denim they work with. The result is a mismatched patchwork that somehow always comes together and makes you look effortlessly cool. For summer, their reworked vests are ideally layered over a white tee or paired with one of their recycled denim bags. Whatever you pick up, you won't run into anyone wearing the same thing.

Vests start from B1,790

28/4 Nimmana Haeminda Road Lane 11, Suthep. Open 11am-9pm

No outfit is complete without accessories and Follora's jewellery is made for summer. The brand's icon is their orchid and floral necklaces – worn by influencers across the city and immediately evoking thoughts of palm trees and warm evenings. Each piece is hand designed and handmade from clay, painted individually for a custom feel and the use of beads throughout gives everything a playful, almost mermaid-like quality. Beyond necklaces, they do bracelets, rings and keychains for anyone looking to swap out their Labubus for something a little more ‘summer style’. The price point makes it easy to pick up more than one.

Necklaces start from B160

Pop up stall at Baan Kang Wat every Saturday and Sunday. From 10am-6pm

Sendai Studio is made for summer – light, flowy and quietly feminine without being fussy. The attention to detail here is clear – silhouettes that flatter without restricting and fabrics chosen specifically to help you breathe in the heat. Pastel and neutral tones lined with frills, bows and small details that add personality without overwhelming. A majority of their pieces are made from linen, which is genuinely the best fabric decision you can make for surviving a Chiang Mai summer. The designs transition easily across seasons too, making Sendai an investment worth making even beyond the warmer months.

Pieces start from B890

256 Chang Moi Road, Chang Moi. Open 9am-6pm

If carrying a handheld fan everywhere isn't your style, a good hat is the next best solution – and Mūak makes headwear genuinely fun. Specialising entirely in hats, the Chiang Mai based, Japanese led brand reimagines the format with flower motifs, scarves attached to the brim and funny slogans across the front for those who want to make a statement. Classic straw woven hats and baseball caps are also on offer for something more versatile. Owned and designed by a Japanese founder who produces everything in-house, the quirky sensibility of Mūak is hard to replicate at your average walking street stall.

Hats from B590

14/1 Soi 9 Nimmanaheminda Road, Suthep. Open 10am-9pm