Retail therapy might be your old standby, but that doesn’t mean it always has to be. Instead, consider a more minimalist and classic wardrobe to protect your budget and your closet space. Whether you go for a strict capsule wardrobe, choose to become a fashion minimalist, or simply invest in better items less often, your budget will love the refresh. The best place to start is with minimalist clothing brands.

With minimalist clothing brands, you won’t just save money and help the planet, you’ll also create a wardrobe that is unique to you and allows you to create multiple outfits. This list will help you get started. That said, be sure to always research brands to make sure they align with your values before buying from them.

Why minimalist clothing brands are worth it

Minimalist brands often care about more than just the clothing they make. They’re also invested in helping others and creating items that last a long time. Here are the benefits of a minimalist wardrobe:

Items are made to last

Minimalist fashion brands focus on top quality and a tight supply chain. You might pay a bit more, but you’ll be buying items that you can wear for years.

Since these minimal clothing brands tend to focus on classic pieces and avoid fast fashion, you can find something you really love that will be wearable for many seasons instead of wearing it twice and then doing a closet purge.

Minimalist brands focus beyond just profits

Minimalist fashion brands can also have many different focuses. These brands may help you learn how to build a capsule wardrobe or invest in multi-functional clothing so that you can buy fewer items.

They may focus on better materials and craftsmanship or use evergreen designs instead of trendy styles. They could also focus on small batches that are high ticket but don’t go to waste because they don’t produce in surplus.

Overall, minimalist brands tend to have a focus beyond just making money.

You save money in the long run

Though buying from high-quality companies may at first be more expensive, you can save money on your wardrobe over time.

First of all, you’ll have fewer items when you choose to go minimalist. Additionally, you could pay more upfront but less money replacing items over the years, as they will last much longer.

27 Minimalist clothing brands to check out!

Remember that minimalism and living a minimalist lifestyle don’t have a set definition. So it can mean anything you want for whatever phase of your life.

Personal style is super subjective, but so is your budget. That said, here are 27 minimalist fashion brands with different prices to get you started!

1. Vetta: The archive shop

Vetta aims for a “thoughtful wardrobe” through capsules.

Likewise, mix and match is the name of their game. They have pre-made capsules with five garments that can be styled into 30 outfits.

Though the online store has closed, you can still buy Vetta pieces by shopping at their second-hand store. It might take a bit of work, but you can find thoughtfully made designs that you’ll love.

Affordability ranking: Under $100

2. Encircled

Encircled creates comfortable workwear staple pieces. They’re a B Corp, Canadian-based brand.

Although their clothes are a bit too casual for a corporate job, if you have flexibility in what you wear to work, this could be a great place to build outfits you’ll actually want to wear all day long.

Affordability ranking: Under $300

3. Cuyana

Cuyana offers luxe basics you can dress up or down. So they focus on natural fibers, have a “fewer, better” philosophy with their classic items, and even sell accessories. The brand offers a sophisticated but minimal look.

In addition, they’re women of color founded and a woman-led company.

Affordability ranking: Under $300

4. Pact

Pact is an affordable organic cotton minimalist clothing brand. They’re also Fair Trade certified and have tons of comfy basics and loungewear. Their casual basics are the perfect thing for everyday wear.

Their items are great to stock up on if you want to be fashionable on a budget, especially during the sale season!

Affordability ranking: Under $100

5. Universal Standard

Universal Standard is a female-founded brand that’s all about size inclusivity and good fit. Their clothing is made to last and is also available in a wide range of sizes from 00 to 40.

As a result, this makes Universal Standard more inclusive size-wise than many other brands.

In addition, the brand’s Fit Liberty collection allows you to swap out purchased clothing for a different size within one year.

Affordability ranking: Under $300

6. Everlane

Everlane has made a pledge to “radical transparency” and the choice to showcase their factories.

The brand also promotes a “no new plastic” campaign, which focuses on the use of sustainable materials for its products.

In addition, their clothing features timeless yet modern designs and fabrics that have become important pieces for city dwellers, and it’s a great minimal clothing brand.

Affordability ranking: Under $200

7. COS

COS is a brand that sells elevated essentials as well as basic cuts and colors that stay in style. They aim for their clothes to carry you through the years instead of focusing on trends, making a minimalist lifestyle easier.

Additionally, sourcing is also critical to the brand, and they explain it in detail on their sustainability page, so COS is another minimalist clothing brand that is pretty popular.

Affordability ranking: Under $200

8. Amour Vert

Amour Vert has sustainability at its core. They have a “give-back” program where one t-shirt sold equals one tree planted, and their packaging is also compostable.

With a strong focus on fabric manufacturing and treatment, they even sell a zero-waste collection. Overall, the Amour Vert style is laid back and feminine, and you can find some iconic pieces for your wardrobe.

Affordability ranking: Under $300

9. Able

Able is a brand that creates ethically-made clothing and accessories with a specialty in leather goods. Worker empowerment is a focus for Able.

As a result, they have the commitment to post their wages publicly.

96% of their Nashville staff identify as women. While their jewelry is made in the U.S., handbags are made by women in Ethiopia and Mexico. This approach provides jobs to women in these countries. So you can take part in helping others as you build your wardrobe.

Affordability ranking: Under $200

10. Organic Basics

With Organic Basics, the name says it all. This brand is quick to get you basics you can believe in. While undergarments are their bread and butter, they also sell other great items, e.g., activewear, loungewear, and other relaxed outfit options.

You’ll have no problem finding a wide variety of tee shirts and other basics for your wardrobe. This brand also focuses on their environmental impact and how their workers are treated.

Affordability ranking: Under $100

11. The Nisolo brand

The Nisolo brand is an ethical and sustainable company focusing on fashionable and classic shoes and accessories, e.g., boots, sandals, sneakers, and dressier shoes. Their products are well-made and practical to help you reach your fashion goals. The company also focuses on:

• Pursuing 100% living wages for their employees
• Pursuing 0% Net Carbon

The classic look that the Nisolo brand offers means that the items you purchase are sure to go with many other items in your closet.

Affordability ranking: Under $300

12. MATE the Label

MATE the Label creates sophisticated loungewear with impact in mind.

For instance, they use organic materials, ethical factories in LA, and non-toxic dyes. Additionally, you can even return your items at the end of their life cycle, and MATE will turn them into new garments.

Their collections are full of muted colors, which is great if you want to look chic in earthy tones and keep a color palette that matches well.

Affordability ranking: Under $200

13. Fair Indigo

Fair Indigo aims to be “forever in fashion” with its simple designs. They partner with Peruvian farmers for top-of-the-line Pima cotton, and they also have a foundation that supports educational opportunities for children.

They sell comfortable outfit staples and dressier items, so all your wardrobe essentials are covered.

Affordability ranking: Under $100

14. Reformation

Reformation is a climate-neutral certified clothing and accessories brand firmly committed to sustainability.

Additionally, the brand has ambitious plans to be climate-positive, earning them a place as one of the most desirable minimalist clothing brands out there.

That said, there are plenty of pieces for everyone (for instance, dresses, sweaters, shoes, bags, and wedding attire), with new styles added to the site weekly. If you need some trendier pieces that are still minimalist, this is a great shop to check out.

Affordability ranking: Under $300

15. Arket

Arket is a sustainable clothing brand dedicated to providing its customers with information on how to care for garments to extend their lifespan.

Additionally, their in-store recycling services make them an excellent choice for environmentally conscious people.

The brand is fashion-forward while still being simple enough to be minimalist. In addition to selling sustainable fashion for women, men, and children, they also sell responsibly crafted home accessories.

Affordability ranking: Under $200

16. Sezane

Sezane is known for maximizing the lifespan of garments through the quality of pieces they sell and by sticking to the model of four seasons per year, with smaller collections throughout the year.

Additionally, Sezane’s sustainability commitments are proudly displayed on its website, demonstrating its passion for a more ethical future in fashion.

So you’ll find everything you need from this forward-thinking brand, from dresses and knitwear to jewelry, belts, and accessories. The products are colorful, classy, and well-made, so you can add a few interesting items to your minimalist clothing collection.

Affordability ranking: Under $300

17. Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher is a great brand to consider if you’re looking for ethical and timeless fashion pieces to add to your wardrobe. Choosing a piece from this collection means you’ll always look elegant, and it’s an excellent example of sustainable fashion.

For instance, they focus on reselling clothing that is pre-owned and repurposing materials. You can purchase stunning wool, velvet, and silk pieces from this brand.

Affordability ranking: Under $300

18. & Other Stories

& Other Stories has an innovative approach to the materials that are used in their pieces, they focus on sustainable and recyclable materials. They use fabrics like cotton, silk, linen, and recycled polyester.

In addition, their minimalist fashion range is made up of versatile collections that include outerwear, stylish dresses, and accessories. So whatever your unique style is, you’ll find some pieces here to add to your wardrobe.

Affordability ranking: Under $100

19. Frank & Oak

Frank & Oak state that 100% of their products are created with sustainable processes and, additionally, with eco-friendly materials. Their clothes are designed to give you a timeless fit and look, perfect for fashion minimalists.

They stick to neutral and simple patterns, so your clothes will be in style for years to come.

Affordability ranking: Under $200

20. NA-KD

Swedish brand NA-KD is another minimalist clothing brand with a wide range of items, from tops and dresses to accessories and footwear. They’ve created a unique, sustainable womenswear collection to aid you with how to be elegant and minimalist at the same time. They aim to have a 50% reduction of climate emissions per product by 2025.

The company is also committed to boosting its products’ circularity by improving its supply chain model.

They offer truly unique but simple looks that can be at once trendy and minimalist.

Affordability ranking: Under $100

21. Jenni Kayne

Jenni Kayne is your go-to brand if you want a minimalist wardrobe suitable for all seasons. The brand offers a truly essential yet sophisticated look that is memorable and pretty. With recycled knits and eco-friendly homewares, there’s plenty for even the most environmentally conscious shoppers.

Without a doubt, you’ll love the brand’s high-quality, timeless, and versatile pieces, as well as their regular sales!

Affordability ranking: Under $500

22. Allbirds

Allbirds creates comfortable and sustainable footwear for the whole family. The brand hopes to reduce its carbon footprint to almost zero by the year 2030, and they focus on natural materials for their products.

They offer quite a variety of running shoes and other comfortable options that you’ll wear on repeat for years. As a bonus, you can easily wash Allbird shoes, meaning you can keep them in good condition for longer, and even owning one pair can give you multiple styling options.

Affordability ranking: Under $100

23. Patagonia

The Patagonia brand focuses on outdoor and active wear with a sustainable focus. For many years, the company has given 1% of its sales to help the environment.

Their commitment to helping the planet and creating great basics makes it the perfect store to shop for outdoor gear.

Affordability ranking: Under $100 to over $500

24. UpWest

UpWest is an excellent option for a comfortable, environmentally-conscious, and wallet-friendly wardrobe. Great for those who prefer a casual look. They recycle old clothing to create new products with their program, Recircled.

Their clothing features a relaxed and simple look that any minimalist will love.

Additionally, UpWest’s partnership with Give Back Box is a fantastic and easy way for you to donate your used clothing and accessories and do your bit for the environment.

Affordability ranking: Under $100

25. Kotn

Kotn’s garments are beautifully made and a great addition to your collection. It’s a great assortment of basics you won’t soon tire of. Their products feature high-quality Egyptian cotton, linen, lyocell, and more. The company is committed to making its supply chain as transparent as possible, earning them a place as one of the best minimal clothing brands.

As a result, their products are designed in a considerate way to provide their buyers with high-quality clothing that has a positive impact on the environment.

Affordability ranking: Under $300 

26. Secondhand retailers

You don’t have to buy anything new! Shopping secondhand is perfect if you want to afford luxury items but have a limited budget.

You can check out local thrift shops. However, online secondhand retailers make it even easier to search by size, brand, style, and color. You can even search “new with tags”! Check out ThredUp or a site like Poshmark.

Affordability ranking: Prices range from $100 to $500+

27. Curated retailers

Curated retailers like Made Trade or Done Good vet a variety of different brands and make them accessible in one place. With this in mind, you can feel confident about shopping with ethical, sustainable brands.

Affordability ranking: Prices range from $100 to $500+

Expert tip: Add your unique personal style to outfits

Remember that even if you choose to create a minimalist wardrobe, it doesn’t mean you can’t add your own unique personal style to your outfits.

For example, consider various types of jewelry, accessories, and great shoes. Even if your closet is full of minimalist designs, it will never feel boring if you take the time to be creative with your outfits.

What makes a great minimalist clothing brand?

A great minimal clothing brand provides its customers with a wide range of high-quality pieces that can be used to create several looks.

Additionally, the designs of the clothing are classic and timeless. You can wear your pieces for many years to come (all while having a minimalist budget).

Given that, there are some things to consider that will help you decide what makes a great minimalist clothing brand.

First, think about sustainability. Are natural and regenerated materials being used? Does the company have methods in place to subsequently reduce energy and water usage?

Consider the ethics of a company, as well. Are they transparent on who makes the clothes and where they are made? Do they ensure that their workers are treated fairly?

And last, find out about the brand’s circular practices. For example, does the brand have a recycling initiative to avoid sending clothing to landfills?

All of these things tie together to make clothing more sustainable. When clothing is more sustainable, it fits better into a minimalist wardrobe since your clothing will be high quality, and you’ll need fewer items.

It also allows for opportunities to recycle and reduce waste, and less waste due to ethical practices means we can all live more minimally and also learn how to live sustainably.

What are some of the most affordable minimalist clothing brands?

There are plenty of affordable options when it comes to minimalist clothing brands. As a result of these options, you don’t have to compromise on quality or sustainability values either!

Our favorites are:

• Vetta
• Pact
• Everlane
• COS
• Organic Basics
• Fair Indigo
• Arket
• & Other Stories
• NA-KD
• UpWest

Buying garments from high-quality, minimalist companies helps with how to save money in the long term!

Can I still be stylish with a minimalist wardrobe?

Yes, you can, as the best thing about minimalist fashion is that it always stays in style. So you’ll always be stylish, no matter how you mix and match your wardrobe.

To achieve a minimalist wardrobe, be sure to add a few classic and timeless garments to your closet. It will help you look and feel your best with minimal effort and a simple wardrobe.

Whatever your motivation for creating a minimalist wardrobe, enjoy the process and then be proud of the difference you’re making to the world (and your confidence).

How many pieces of clothing does a minimalist have?

There’s no rule regarding how many pieces of clothing a minimalist should have. The key is to keep things simple! One minimalist could own 10 items, while another could have 40.

For example, here’s a list of ideas for staple pieces that will allow you to create more looks with less:

• Vests or bodysuits for layering
• Casual T-shirts (black, white, and grey work well!)
• Workout tops
• Long-sleeved tops/shirts
• A durable blazer/jacket
• Smart black trousers
• Skinny or straight-leg jeans (black and blue)
• Sweater
• Two casual skirts or dresses
• Running shoes
• A pair of comfortable heels
• A few pairs of flats
• A set of loungewear/pjs
• Two swimsuits
• Three good quality bras
• Seven panties

How do minimalists buy clothes?

Minimalists buy clothes after careful consideration, and they tend to buy high quality rather than something that needs to be replaced often. You should focus on purchasing things that you’ll wear often and that pair well with your other clothing items.

In addition, a good way to shop minimally is to make a list and know exactly what you need. Then, go through the list and cross off anything impractical or anything that you already own using the “shop my closet” technique. See what you already have that you enjoy wearing and don’t need to buy.

You can use the list above of minimal clothing brands to help you find what you need to purchase.

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Minimalist clothing brands are definitely worth considering!

If shopping for clothes is your biggest budget buster, then going for minimalist clothing brands might be the quickest way to maximize your spending. And it can definitely help if you wonder, “Why can’t I save money?” and need to be mindful of purchases. Remember: it’s not necessarily about a target number of garments in your closet.

Instead, it’s about considering what you need, what you’ll wear, and what makes you feel fantastic (this can also help you beat a shopping addiction!). Subsequently, the items that check those boxes are worth your hard-earned cash. Anything else is just a waste.

After you get acquainted with this new minimalist fashion approach to shopping, do your own research, too. Go down the rabbit hole and search for brands based on your needs or concerns, e.g., multi-use garments, natural fabrics, ethically made, plastic-free shipping, etc. There’s a solution out there that fits your style and budget. Happy shopping (or saving)!