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When I boarded the minimalism train years ago, one of the first steps I took was to purge my closet. My goal was to build a capsule wardrobe that would last me for years. Basically, I wanted to look nice every day without having to think about it much. I had no idea where to start at the time. Knowing nothing about fashion, I started my quest by searching for capsule wardrobe ideas on Pinterest and YouTube. And I learned a lot of important lessons in the process. Through that research, plus trial and error over the last few years, I discovered some great minimalist clothing brands that are my go-to’s for basics to build a capsule wardrobe.
My Approach to Minimalist Clothing Brands
You’ll see the brands I’m recommending are not cheap. They’re not outrageous designer prices, either. But I recommend things that are a little pricier because they last longer.
I used to buy the cheapest items I could find. But they’d start to deteriorate quickly until they were unusable. I’d be back to square one on shopping. That wasted both money and time. I learned the motto “buy cheap, buy twice” the hard way.
I also used to buy things on sale – usually in colors that no one else wanted. That also resulted in an overstuffed wardrobe, as I had tons of pieces that didn’t match each other. As I learned, basic capsule wardrobe advice is to stick with relatively neutral colors that can be mixed and matched. So, I now spend a little more on pieces that are not necessarily on sale in order to curate the small wardrobe I want. Since I have way fewer clothes, I’m still spending much less overall than I used to.
And finally, a personal preference of mine is for pieces to be machine washable. Not everything within my capsule wardrobe is, but it’s something I check when I’m shopping.
To summarize, my criteria for best minimalist clothing brands are:
- Basics in timeless styles that you can wear for years
- Durable materials that can stand the test of time
- Most pieces are easy to care for (machine washable)
- Pieces can be easily mixed and matched within a capsule wardrobe
- Reasonably affordable (although not as cheap as fast fashion)
I’ve seen similar lists online with 30+ recommendations. And I find that a bit overwhelming. My goal is to provide an easy reference for people like me – who hate shopping – to quickly research pieces for their capsule wardrobe.
What Are the Best Minimalist Clothing Brands to Build Your Capsule Wardrobe?
All that being said, here are my recommendations for minimalist clothing brands to check out when building your capsule wardrobe. These recommendations are based on my experience, focusing on brands that deliver durability, useability, quality, and comfort.
1. Everlane
For: women, men
Why I recommend it: Everlane is the first on this list because it’s probably my favorite place to look for capsule wardrobe basics. Most – if not all – of their pieces are timeless styles that won’t go out of fashion next year. Plus, their colors can be easily mixed and matched, and the materials are durable enough to last for years. I’ve gotten everything from summer dresses to cozy sweaters from them and have loved them all.
Beyond just having great products, Everlane is unique in their transparency. At their stores, you’ll see information next to each product about the actual cost of producing it. They’re also committed to working only with ethical factories that offer fair wages and reasonable hours. Plus, they actively work toward environmental sustainability. If you lean towards minimalism, you’ll be happy to shop from a brand that consciously tries not to contribute to fast fashion’s uglier impacts.
2. Quince
For: women, men, kids
Why I recommend it: I’ve had great luck curating a capsule wardrobe of machine washable pieces from Quince. And I always get compliments on them. Quince aims to offer timeless styles from excellent materials that will stand the test of time. They also aim to be more affordable than other brands using similar high-quality materials. They claim their goal is to make luxury items within reach for most people. Since they’re only online, they avoid storefront retail costs and can offer lower prices And they only work with factories that meet international guidelines for safety and fair wages. Similar to Everlane, they’re transparent about their materials and the true cost of producing each item.
The only “con” I’ve experienced so far is that a few pieces have started to fray over the last 2-3 years. To be fair, though, that’s after quite a bit of frequent wearing and washing.
3. Uniqlo
For: women, men, kids
Why I recommend it: I personally haven’t purchased anything from Uniqlo yet, but my husband has gotten quite a few pieces. He’s actually not a minimalist and doesn’t subscribe to the capsule wardrobe method. (And I’ve got some advice on how to handle that dynamic over here.) But he still likes their products simply because they’re comfortable, affordable, and they look good. I like that they offer basics with a minimalist aesthetic that would make them easy to mix and match into a capsule wardrobe. And that doesn’t mean that every piece is white, black, or gray. They offer solid colors and basic prints that are more interesting than the usual capsule wardrobe neutral palette but still very versatile.
The one “con” I noticed is that many of the pieces my husband bought need to be line dried. That’s a bit inconvenient for pieces as basic as pants (at least for someone in the US who’s used to a machine dryer). So, I recommend reading the care instructions before buying.
4. Levis
For: women, men
Why I recommend it: Ok, obviously, many stores, including others on this list, sell jeans. But I recommend Levi’s for a capsule wardrobe because I’ve had several pairs from them for a decade and beyond. They hold up great and continue looking good. At a Levi’s store, tons of sizes and colors are available within each style, so it’s efficient to quickly determine which look good on you in the dressing room. (Personally, I hate shopping, so “efficiency” of the experience is important to me!) Sizes are detailed according to waist and inseam, so you can ensure the perfect fit.
Jeans cost less at the other stores on this list (Quince, Uniqlo, Aritzia), but for the reasons above – mainly durability and finding the perfect fit and color – I’d argue Levi’s is worth the higher price. When building a capsule wardrobe, each piece matters, and you want to find the perfect fit and color that you’ll be happy with for many years.
5. Aritzia
For: women
Why I recommend it: Aritzia is maybe not as obvious a choice as a brand like Everlane for minimalist fashion. But I found a lot of basics there that were versatile but also interesting. They’re not necessarily cookie cutter, but still work in a capsule wardrobe and add a pop of color. A capsule wardrobe can have pieces with a little more zing than gray t-shirts and blue jeans, after all.
The only “con” is that several of the pieces I got are dry clean only.
6. Vuori
For: women, men
Why I recommend it: This is maybe an unconventional choice, as I’ve never seen it mentioned on similar lists of minimalist clothing brands. But I’m including Vuori in my top 6 because I wear their athleisure pieces constantly. They’re machine washable and hold up perfectly with continuous use. Each piece is comfortable, soft, and stylish. So, you can get away with wearing workout clothes while still looking put together.
Minimalist Clothing Brands I’ve Seen Highly Recommended But Haven’t Tried
Beyond these 6 retailers, there are others I’ve seen recommended on many lists of minimalist clothing brands. I want to give an honorable mention for that reason. But I can’t yet recommend them based on personal experience, as I haven’t purchased anything from them.
I wanted to give that disclaimer, but there is a lot of hype for these in the minimalism sphere. So, they’re worth checking out.
1. Pact
For: women, men
Pact offers comfy basics from organic cotton. They’re also Fair Trade certified and dedicated to sustainability.
A bonus for minimalists is their partnership with ThredUp, which I’ve recommended as a way to recycle clothes, to sell unwanted garments and earn credits to spend at Pact.
2. Organic Basics
Organic Basics offers essentials that are designed for comfort and versatility – perfect for a capsule wardrobe.
The company also supports sustainability and transparency by putting out an impact report each year to analyze their environmental footprint, as well as by donating a percentage of their sales to environmental initiatives. Like others on this list, it only works with factories that uphold standards for safety and fair wages.
3. Eileen Fisher
or: women
It’s obvious why Eileen Fisher is on most lists of minimalist clothing brands I’ve seen around the web. Fisher claims that her original vision for the company was to create simple, timeless pieces that worked together to make getting dressed easy. In other words, the brand is centered on the concept of a capsule wardrobe.
When you enter the site, you’ll be directed to a section for foundational pieces, as well as a seasonal planner. Plus, a guide to find your perfect fit, size, and fabric. All this makes it easy for you to narrow down which pieces belong in your personal capsule wardrobe. Another thing I like about it is that it includes styles that are appropriate in a work setting but still look comfortable, as well as easy to mix and match. The brand demonstrates that you can look polished without a lot of effort.
What Do You Think?
Are there any brands you swear by for durable, timeless pieces? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!
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