Retail therapy may feel like an old standby, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead, consider a minimalist and timeless wardrobe to conserve your cash and closet space. Regardless of whether or not you adhere to a strict capsule wardrobe, favor a minimalistic style, or merely select to buy better items less frequently, your spending will appreciate a budget refresh. The best place to begin is with minimalist apparel brands.
Why minimalist is worth it
Minimalism and living a minimal lifestyle do not have defined parameters. It can mean what you want it to for any type of life stage you are in. Many apparel companies prioritize quality and a tight supply chain.
That means that you will likely pay more, but what you are purchasing is made to last and you can feel proud of what your money is supporting.
Minimalist fashion brands might have a wide range of focuses. They may emphasize capsule wardrobes or multifunctionality, making it so that you wind up getting fewer things.
They may manufacture better materials or assemble more upscale products, or use traditional rather than up-to-date designs. They might also make smaller batches without wasting materials because they employ only what is needed.
Find the right minimalist clothing brands for you
Style is highly variable, and so is your budget. Here are 15 affordable fashion brands to get you started on your personal style journey.
1. Vetta
Vetta targets a “thoughtful wardrobe” through capsules. Mix and match is the name of the game. They have ready-made capsules that consist of five garments and can be customized into 30 outfits.
You can choose from a wide variety of colors to create your own capsule. If you want to perform the operation yourself, you can make a capsule that is one of a kind to you. Their quiz is a good place to start.
2. Encircled
Encircled produces high-quality workwear items. They are a B Corporation, Canadian-made, and certified by Pure North to be free from toxic chemicals.
In spite of the fact that their clothing might be too informal for a super corporate job, you can find a job here where you might wear outfits you really like all day.
3. Cuyana
Cuyana has luxury basics that you can outfit or dress up. Their items feature natural fibers and are designed to last for years. They also have a “philosophy of fewer” and sell accessories. Bonus: They are women of color and founded and run a minimalist clothing line. When it comes to minimalist clothing brands, this is a popular choice.
4. Pact Apparel
Pact is one of the most affordable organic cotton minimalist clothing brands. They’re Fair Trade certified and have a wide range of comfortable basics and loungewear. Watch for signs of cancer in the family members during a big sale.
5. Universal Standard
Universal Standard is all about size inclusiveness, offering sizes 00-40. This emphasis on fit makes sense because they are a female-founded business.
In addition to being made to last, they also have a product line designed for women’s changing bodies-their Fit Liberty line may be swapped out for a different size within one year.
6. Everlane
Everlane was one of the first brands to go mainstream with their pledge to “radical transparency” and the option to display their factories. They also maintain a “no new plastic” campaign and use sustainable resources for their items. Their timeless but modern designs have made them wardrobe staples for city-dwellers.
Although Everlane is one of the most celebrated “ethical” brands, they ran into quite a bit of trouble during the coronavirus pandemic because of their treatment of their workers. All of us have our own shopping preferences, so be sure to thoroughly research any product before making a purchase.
7. COS
TOS provides high-quality products and services. They sell standard cuts and colors that are always in style. Their clothing is intended to last you a lifetime, rather than a single season.
Sourcing is also crucial to COS, which the company explains in detail on their sustainability page. This is another one of the minimal clothing brands that is incredibly popular.
8. Amour Vert
Amour Vert’s mission is to protect the environment. They have a tree-planting give-back program in which one t-shirt sold is equivalent to one tree planted and all of their packaging is compostable. They manufacture beautiful, high-quality garments and also offer a unique zero-waste collection. Their Amour Vert style is laid-back and feminine.
9. Able
Able produces ethically made accessories, with a focus on leather products. Worker empowerment is a focus for the company, with 95% of its employees identifying as women and a commitment to publish their wages publicly.
Their jewelry is made in Nashville, while their other items provide employment to female workers around the world, in Ethiopia, Mexico, Brazil, and India.
10. Organic Basics
With Organic Basics, the name says it all. This tongue-in-cheek brand doesn’t take shortcuts when it comes to getting you essentials you can trust. Undergarments are their primary product, but they now sell numerous other kinds of casual clothing as well.
11. The Nisolo brand
The Nisolo brand is a sustainable and responsible enterprise that makes shoes and gear. Their items are well-made and very useful. The online store has also gained a prominent reputation for its high-quality merchandise, which includes boots, loafers, sneakers, and other footwear.
12. MATE the Label
MATE the Label creates stylish loungewear that is sustainable, comfortable, and fashionable. They use organic cotton, fair factories in Los Angeles, and nontoxic dyes. MATE will even use your returned items to manufacture new items.
Their palettes are full of muted shades, so if you’re looking for a bold outfit, this is not the brand for you. If you prefer earthy tones over bright apparel, then you are in the right place.
13. Fair Indigo
Fair Indigo wants to be “forever in vogue” with its simple designs. They partner with Peruvian farmers to provide excellent Pima cotton, providing fair wages, great working conditions, and an educational foundation to aid the local farmers’ children. They have clothes that are comfortable and fashionable, along with accessories that are still appropriate for the colder seasons.
14. Secondhand retailers
There’s no need to purchase anything new! Shopping used is great if you can’t control your maximalist tendencies or if you are interested in shopping at the best stores but can’t afford to buy at full price. Really, if you fall anywhere in between.
You can certainly go to your local thrift stores, but online auction sites make it even simpler to search by size, brand, style, and color. You can also find new clothing items with tags on sites like ThredUp, Swap, Poshmark, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace or eBay.
15. Curated retailers
Maybe you have trouble deciding where to start when choosing among a large assortment of options. They may like shopping at a curated store, such as Made Trade or Done Good. They do all the work of the vetting process so you can feel confident that you are going to land on an ethical, sustainable brand.
If you have a favorite restaurant or learn about a new food brand from a friend or an ad, you can look up a restaurant on an app like Good On You.
Try out minimalist clothing brands
If you’re on a budget, buying inexpensive clothing brands could be the easiest way to increase your spending. Just make sure you aren’t too strict with your purchases. It’s not necessarily about what you want to have in your closet.
Instead of thinking about what you’d like to wear or buying expensive items, it’s more important to think about what clothes you really like and need to wear. The items on this list are worth your money. Anything else is a waste.
Once you get acquainted with this new minimalist approach to shopping, do your own research as well. Try out new brands and consider purchasing products based on your needs or concerns, such as multi-use garments, natural fibers, fair-trade products, and plastic-free shipping. There’s an option available that matches your budget and style. Happy shopping (or saving)!
