Less is more: a mantra to live by in more ways than one. Trends come and go, but minimal well-crafted garments never go out of fashion and never lose their ability to pair with almost anything.
There’s also something to be said about minimalism as a sign of quiet sophistication. Don’t get us wrong, the odd graphic print doesn’t hurt and some people are able to nail brash patterns, bold colour and extrovert design. For most of us, however, a capsule wardrobe full of minimally designed basics is not only a stylish and bulletproof comfort zone, but a sign that you’ve grown comfortably into a mature style.
So, if you want maximum style from minimal pieces, look no further. We’ve pulled together the best minimal clothing brands for those simple, effortlessly cool pieces.
L’Estrange London
One wardrobe. Any time, anywhere. So goes the mantra at L’Estrange London, and it’s one we can get behind. Their modern approach to clothing combines a modular, seasonless collection that’s versatile and highly interchangeable with every stage of the clothing’s lifecycle designed to have less impact on the environment. Free repairs and recycling ensure a closed loop.
The brand’s Merino Wool Flannel Blazer and 24 Trouser are prime examples of this ethos: able to be dressed up or down, wonderfully comfortable to wear and made with a concerted effort to use recycled or sustainable materials. Buy once, buy better.
Shop now at L’Estrange London
ASKET
ASKET is a Scandinavian brand with a simple mission: the pursuit of less. Dealing in a small collection of meaningful essentials, the label prides itself on its sourcing, design and quality with the story of each piece proudly told alongside it online. Traceable cashmere jumpers, durable flannel shirts and 100% organic cotton jeans are some of the highlights. All effortless, all made to last.
Shop now at ASKET
COS
H&M’s cooler older brother does modern Scandi minimalism with a bit of rock and roll flair thrown in for good measure. More so than other high-street brands, Cos also keeps an eye on what’s happening in high fashion, translating designer trends for everyday wear. It was doing blocky design and baggy trousers long before the rest of menswear jumped on the trend.
It’s particularly good for wide-legged trousers and contemporary shirting, and if you want affordable tailoring in modern cuts, it’s a great place to start.
Shop now at COS
Aurelien
Quiet luxury on a relatively quiet budget. That’s what you get at Aurelien, a direct-to-consumer brand that brings the Mediterranean to any wardrobe. The collection is a masterclass in smart-casual elegance, with staples like polo shirts and chinos crafted in elevated materials that you could wear to the beach or a reservations-only restaurant.
The Mediterranean influence also extends to the colour palette with warm terracottas and ocean blues that look great with a tan and a glass of spritz.
Shop now at Aurelien
Luca Faloni
A lot of brands do classic-with-a-modern-twist these days. Luca Faloni is one of the few labels that does it without the collection feeling safe and generic. Delving into the plentiful heritage of Italian craft and design, the brand zeroes in on everything that’s timeless about the country’s approach to style.
Unflashy but extremely elegant is the vibe, with casual tailoring, exceptional knitwear and must-have basics like linen shirts, polos and pleated trousers. Everything is made in Italy, but sold at prices lower than you’d normally find for this level of craftsmanship.
Shop now at Luca Faloni
Neutrale
If Madrid isn’t currently on your style radar, it certainly should be, thanks to Neutrale. Channelling a bright Mediterranean aesthetic with a bold use of pastels, Neutrale is a brand pushing textile innovation, using the latest technology to improve sustainable production.
The results, like many on this list, are seasonless, keeping to a core range of gender-neutral sweats, T-shirts and hoodies. Their natural-dye tees are ideal for adding colourful bases to layered outfits and if you’re looking for comfortable, soft leisurewear that will last, your search is over.
Shop now at Neutrale
JAK
Every pair of shoes that Portuguese label JAK produces is an “attempt to rethink simplicity.” The brand specialises in minimalist takes on old athletic shoes and the jazziest design touch you’re likely to see is a contrast-colour lace option.
It’s also a study in sustainability. JAK’s minimalist approach extends to the footprint it intends to leave as it experiments with new materials and other ways to make its products greener. More recently the label has also started producing simple, stripped-back sweatshirts, made with the same ethos.
Shop now at JAK
Mismo
The Danes are at it again, this time with bags. Whether we’re talking crossbody or a classic leather tote, Mismo is worth considering for truly luxurious, minimalist luggage. The company was born in 2003 after the founders observed uninspiring nylon briefcases and travel bags. Durability is at the core of the brand’s large collection, be it a wallet or carry-on luggage.
The M/S Adventurer and Something are two standout pieces, ideal as weekend bags and made from ballistic nylon. Vegetable-tanned, full-grain bridle leather trims add that premium feel.
Shop now at Mismo
Sunspel
Simple elegance is the vibe at historic British outfitters Sunspel. The label, founded in 1860, doesn’t reinvent menswear, instead using elevated materials like sea island cotton, silk and cashmere on iconic staples. (Its tees and boxer shorts are some of the best you’ll find, anywhere.)
The vibe is understated, but polished and tailored too. Presented in a mostly neutral palette, there are also pastels to liven things up, while the fits are relaxed without being baggy. Check out the brand’s excellent and extensive knitwear for some mid-season layers.
Shop now at MR PORTER
NN.07
Scandi minimalism is never a bad thing, but it can get a bit stale when it’s just slim-fit everything in navy, grey and white. Copenhagen label NN.07 freshens it up with a modern collection that draws from a global moodboard, taking in Japan, LA and the Mediterranean (the NN stands for No Nationality).
In that mix, there are flowing silhouettes, a little workwear and feminine takes on knitwear, which all combine to create a casual wardrobe that feels completely in tune with menswear right now.
Shop now at MR PORTER
Colourful Standard
Who said minimalism had to be just grey, black, navy and white? Colourful standard takes a bolder approach to simple dressing, presenting basics in a huge spectrum of colours from warm reds and pinks to an ocean of blues.
The label doesn’t go in for traditional seasons, saying it wants fashion to move away from the overconsumption that model fosters. All of its clothing – tees, jackets, shorts, sweaters – is simply designed and made to last, either from organic cotton or recycled merino wool.
Shop now at END.
Common Projects
With the Achilles Low, minimalist sneaker brand Common Projects created an archetype for sleek, pared-back design that is now a foundation for the way that lots of men still dress. The simple, white, low-top tennis shoe is still the most iconic design in the brand’s line-up, imitated a thousand times but never bettered.
Common Projects also crafts its sneakers like traditional shoe brands make Oxford shoes. Simple doesn’t have to be simplistic.
Shop now at SSENSE
Fear of God
With Fear of God, cult designer Jerry Lorenzo set out to prove that Californian streetwear could be not just minimalist but luxe, too. The label’s chunky designs and flowing silhouettes follow the form of traditional baggy streetwear, but the fabrics and general quality are hard to beat.
What you don’t get are the big logos, crazy graphics or wild colours associated with a lot of streetwear labels. Instead the vibe is relaxed, the palette muted and the overall effect just gorgeous.
Shop now at SSENSE
About: Blank
As the name suggests, About: Blank keeps it simple. The brand’s focus is pared-back unisex streetwear, usually with little more than its logo interrupting a simple, block-colour design.
Alongside staple tees and hoodies, the brand’s collections also dabble in something a little more tailored. You’ll find flowing pleated trousers and traditional Bermuda shorts, as well as midcentury-style cardigans and knitted cycling tops.
Shop now at END.
Pangaia
Pangaia considers itself a materials science brand that happens to make clothing rather than an out-and-out fashion label. Its purpose is grounded in an R&D department that brings alternative fabrics to the market that are less land- and water-intensive than cotton. Think denim made from nettles or down created not from duck feathers but wildflowers.
The fruits of these experiments are clothes that look slick and feel great to wear. Staple tees and hoodies line up with a mix of tailoring and activewear, all brought together by soft, streetwear-influenced silhouettes and a rainbow of colours.
Shop now at END.
Lululemon
What started as a yoga brand has flexed impressively into an all-round lifestyle proposition. Lululemon was perfectly positioned to benefit from the love of activewear that we all carried into post-pandemic life, its stripped-back essentials and neutral colour palette easy to blend with the rest of our wardrobes.
And it’s not just sportswear that the label produces now. You’ll also find puffer jackets, chino-style trousers and even blazers in a collection that is still defined by easy wearing and everyday comfort.
Shop now at Lululemon
Norse Projects
Minimal but still innovative, Norse Projects have become a staple of the new Scandi-inspired casualwear charge, creating timeless collections of cool basics without a brash logo in sight. Teaming up with the likes of Barbour, Adidas, Liberty London and Paraboot, the brand have a way with working with others, too.
The Norse Projects essentials range is a perfect place to start. Expect solid brushed flannel trousers, classic crew neck sweatshirts and heavyweight cotton T-shirts – pieces that will help set the foundation of your own capsule wardrobe.
Shop now at END,
A Day’s March
Those overshirts. We can’t get enough of them. Simple yet well-made in a variety of materials and an earthy palette that is ideal for layering. Slowly but surely other items have crept into the A Day’s March collection and they all channel the same commitment to quality and minimalist style.
If you’re looking to build a mature and robust capsule wardrobe but still want to experiment with colour, A Day’s March is a good starting point. Take your pick from relaxed wool trousers, heavy cotton tees and the aforementioned overshirts.
Shop now at A Day’s March
ISTO
There’s a rebellious independence to ISTO. Not willing to be held to industry constraints and fast fashion negligence, they’ve got one collection and they do all they can to keep it permanent. Said garments are continually iterated on, making it a story of consistent improvement and something to be celebrated.
Think heavyweight utilitarian workwear crafted by artisans in Portuguese factories. Key lines include chore jackets, flannel shirts, corduroy trousers and high-quality socks.
Shop now at ISTO
Uniform Standard
The minimal sneaker has been a wardrobe essential for some time, despite the onslaught of chunky designer styles and ‘Grail’ drops from the big boys. One thing we’ve noticed however, is how difficult it is to find a silhouette that is truly minimal. Perforations, needless padding, ‘design touches’ here and there… just give us a classic, stripped-back tennis shoe, we say.
If you agree, check out Uniform Standard, whose line in timeless sneaker silhouettes is complemented by other wearable basics including Supima cotton T-shirts and organic cotton sweatpants.
Shop now at Uniform Standard
Unrecorded
The founders of Unrecorded knew exactly what they wanted when they set up their company. No unnecessary branding, no hidden plastics and no excessive prices. This ethos remains, with a sizeable selection of organic cotton garments and an emphasis on high-quality wool and recycled fabrics.
The brand’s unisex wool jumpers use 100% extra-fine, mulling-free Australian merino, which is spun in Italy and twisted to give a cashmere-like softness. The result is a regular fitting and very warm base layer that’s ideal for layering. Available in a range of earthy tones, they also do a nice line in cardigans in the same material.
Shop now at Unrecorded
Everlane
Radical transparency and minimalist pieces is what Everlane do best. Theirs is a uniform for everyday life, aiming for the best possible construction and a range of extremely wearable options. So confident in the quality of their Uniform range, Everlane will happily replace an item, be it a T-shirt or jumper, if it doesn’t stand the test time of time. Any problems within the first 365 days, you just send it back. That’s the same for a hole in a garment, just as it is for a shrunken collar.
Not a logo in sight either, across a range that spans wardrobe basics as well as accessories and shoes.
Shop now at Everlane
