Before “quiet luxury” entered the lexicon, there was simply minimalism. I got interested in it after discovering Emmy-nominated Netflix stars, podcasters, and authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, who call themselves “the Minimalists.” These two less-is-more lifestyle devotees have helped millions of people across the globe declutter, narrow down, and simplify their lives—showing them how to curate a streamlined wardrobe and remove nonessentials from their chaotic apartments. As a fashion lover with a penchant for accumulating kitten heels, I found this lifestyle complex. The minimalism of the past isn’t the same as minimalism today, and the best minimalist clothing brands concentrate on more than elimination. A reinvigorated group of contemporary designers are focusing on longevity, in the form of wearable, effortless, everyday options.
Photo Courtesy of BITE Studios
With sustainability, climate change, and repeatedly deviating trends having overwhelmed our minds and markets for the past few years, the shift toward timelessness and minimalist design has increased tenfold. By Malene Birger, whose brand reflects an eclectic vision of Scandinavian minimalism and contemporary bohemia, feels that uncertainty drives consumers to make better wardrobe investments. “There is a mindset shift in light of many things happening in our world, and we are so much more in tune with how our actions can impact the wider community and industry,” Creative Director Maja Dixdotter and Ellen Dixdotter tells Bazaar. According to a survey by First Insight and the Baker Retailing Center at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, consumers from every generation are willing to spend more on sustainable products now than even just three years ago.
At Tove, a beloved brand taking a refined, feminine approach to luxury wardrobing, shoppers were looking for quieter pieces that transcended seasons and ever-changing moods after the Covid pandemic. “It isn’t about outward and obvious displays of wealth,” according to founders Camille Perry and Holly Wright. Rather, “it is about investing in a wardrobe for the longer term that works hard for the wearer. Pieces will easily transition from city to vacation and from day to evening.”
Your wardrobe may already be ingrained with luxury, neutral-colored brands like the Row, Jil Sander, and Helmut Lang, but there are new contemporary and minimalist offerings like Maria McManus and BITE Studios to consider. This mash-up of labels has found success by providing fashion-conscious consumers with well-made, approachable, and long-lasting pieces. Their designs transcend fads, instead offering a refreshing stance on the current state of fashion.
“This turn toward neutral-colored, logo-less brands is encompassing the quiet luxury trend of investing in pieces that will last you a lifetime,” BITE Studios co-founder Veronika Kant said. “[It] is a forward-looking change that is paving the way for a more conscious consumption of fashion.”
With this ethos in mind, shop the 15 best minimalist clothing brands ahead to invest in now and own forever.
BITE Studios
BITE—which stands for “By Independent Thinkers for Environmental progress”—wants to be a label that is fundamentally about a way of thinking, acting, and relating to fashion, rather than just hitting “Add to Cart” rotely.
“Design has been deeply rooted in us from a very young age due to our Scandinavian roots. At our core, we rediscover the natural world with beautiful organic fabrications and techniques primarily focused on silks, cottons, and wool,” says co-founder William Lundgren. “The pursuit of beauty, knowledge, and uncompromising creativity is central to everything we do.”
Bite Studios Eden Sleeveless Top
Bite Studios Second Skin Ribbed Dress
Bite Studios Crease Midi Skirt
By Malene Birger
When I ask the creative director at my favorite brand, By Malene Birger, to describe it, it became clear the label was born with an emphasis on timeless, warm, and inclusive clothing.
“At the core of By Malene Birger, there has always been this bohemian spirit, and we worked to merge that with a minimalist, contemporary feeling for contrast,” creative director Maja Dixdotter says. “Our aim is to create investment pieces with a conscious approach—elevated yet free-spirited. We are not trying to be like any other luxury brands on the market; we are just trying to create our own universe.”
By Malene Birger + NET SUSTAIN Paige organic cotton-blend maxi dress
By Malene Birger Cymbaria High-waisted Trousers
By Malene Birger Dalya Maxi Dress
Maria McManus
Maria McManus is a minimal, luxury womenswear collection founded on responsible principles: Use less water, use fewer chemicals, and create less waste. During her numerous years in the fashion industry, McManus grew increasingly alarmed at fashion’s destructive impact on the environment.
At her label, McManus says, “Our goal is to create beautifully crafted garments that will last a long time, with the lowest environmental impact. Currently, all of our garments and packaging are made from either organic, recycled, sustainably farmed, or biodegradable materials, and we are currently looking to find more materials coming from regenerative farming to create truly circular garments.”
Maria McManus Oversized Button-Down Shirt
Maria McManus Crochet Polo Tunic in Crema
Maria McManus Banded Collar Dress in Fuschia Pink
Now 25% Off
Tove
Each piece in Tove’s arsenal is crafted with longevity in mind—combined with a modern twist on refined, feminine aesthetics. Friends and founders Camille Perry and Holly Wright wanted the brand to merge seamlessly into the lifestyles of busy women (and busy we are). The label produces each style in small, contemplated batches—with offerings from stretch-jersey maxi dresses to twill strapless tops.
TOVE Tamie strapless twist-front cotton-blend peplum top
TOVE Juliet Dress Ivory
TOVE Mahaney twist-front silk midi dress
Now 50% Off
Teurn Studios
Teurn Studios will allow you to assemble a contemporary wardrobe of evergreen masterpieces. Launched in 2021 by Anna Teurnell, the Stockholm-based label’s less-is-more strategy calls for cultured daywear—like drop-tail cotton shirts, oversize denim, and double leather jackets—that stands out for its slightly edgy tone.
Teurn Studios Baggy Blue Jeans
Teurn Studios Black Doublé Leather Jacket
Teurn Studios White Droptail Shirt
House of Dagmar
House of Dagmar was founded in 2005 by three sisters who decided to pick up the legacy of their late grandmother Dagmar—a tailor and model of confidence with an extraordinary sense of craftsmanship and style.
At the label created in her likeness, the sisters established three sustainability pillars: high quality in fabrics, high quality in production processes, and high quality in designs. All of which you can easily spot upon browsing.
House of Dagmar Sculpted Tube Top
House of Dagmar Square Toe Slip Ons
House of Dagmar Off-White Pinched Seam Turtleneck
St. Agni
The ’90s are always calling—you may have seen cult-favorite pared-back brand St.Agni on the likes of your favorite influencers, editors, and celebrities. This minimalist clothing brand is an independent Australian design studio, founded in Byron Bay, on the country’s eastern coast. St. Agni approaches contemporary wardrobing through thoughtful designs and meticulous tailoring, all of which speak to their grand vision of form and function.
St. Agni Twill Midi Wrap Skirt
Now 60% Off
St. Agni Asymmetrical Neck Top
Now 27% Off
St. Agni Macrame Loafers
Now 50% Off
Loulou Studio
There’s something decidedly powerful and yet deliberately gentle about Loulou Studio. Chloe Harrouche, founder and creative director of the brand, likes to think of her designs as “soft armor.” The label offers covetable wardrobe essentials, from organic denim jumpsuits to satin bustier dresses and wide-leg trousers, steeped in genuine French simplicity.
LOULOU STUDIO Satin Bustier Dress
LOULOU STUDIO Espanto oversized cotton-poplin shirt
LOULOU STUDIO + NET SUSTAIN pleated satin wide-leg pants
Nothing Written
Young-Ju Lee founded Seoul-based fashion label Nothing Written in 2010, and it has since grown to new levels, thanks to fans searching for contemporary cuts and high-quality knitwear. Within each collection, you’ll find pieces not affixed to trends but instead connected to timelessness and multi-seasonal styling. Pile on the layers (or don’t)!
Nothing Written 2ND / Knit sleeveless (Khaki)
Nothing Written White Yena Shirt
Nothing Written Danish Cotton Vest
Marlies Grace
When I stumbled upon Marlies Grace on social media, I screenshotted several looks to save to my archives for inspiration. Then, when I noticed the brand’s exclusive Moda Operandi trunk show, I felt euphoria—finally, more people would discover it.
It’s no wonder so many creatives find Marlies Grace stimulating. The founder and designer, Verena Martin and Mariana Vergara, aspire to make pieces that resemble vintage archives, representing women who appreciate art, nature, and beauty.
Marlies Grace Mar Ruffled Cotton-Blend Mini Dress
Marlies Grace Ruby Blazer
Marlies Grace Lou Dress
Anna Quan
Under the moniker Anna Quan, Australian designer Anna Hoang supplies neat, minimalist designs that are offset by sharp details, mini lengths, and exaggerated cuffs and volume. Best known for cotton shirting, the label also creates a sampling of oversize blazers, cutout evening dresses, and billowy skirts. I’m particularly fond of the Idy dress—a piece ideal for wedding weekends and beyond.
Anna Quan Idy Ivory Dress
Anna Quan Panel-detail Midi Dress
Anna Quan Ribbed-knit V-neck Dress
Leset
Let’s go back to the basics, shall we? No wardrobe, no matter how glitzy or printed or maximalist-leaning, is complete without foundational pieces needed to build and layer. That’s where Leset comes in. It offers a line of locally made, super-soft knitwear, biker shorts, and T-shirts that can be worn during the day or late at night, depending on the accessories you pair. When you do wear it, I guarantee you’ll gasp at how comfortable you feel.
LESET Barb Wide Leg Boxer Pant
LESET Rio Strapless Stretch-ponte Mini Dress
LESET Lauren Jersey Wide-leg tTack Pants
Paris Georgia
As a reflection of the designers’ friendship and a response to their personal community of discerning women, Paris Georgia was launched in 2015. Designed in New Zealand, standout silhouettes team up with luxe fabrics that favor the female form and offer subtle design shifts over seasonal trends—there aren’t fleeting sensibilities here! The brand has quickly become a favorite because of this thoughtful, timeless care.
Paris Georgia Otto Butter Bodysuit
Now 41% Off
Paris Georgia Ballerina Draped scoop-back Dress
Paris Georgia SSENSE Exclusive Blue Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Deiji Studios
I first discovered Deiji during a knee-deep internet dive for a matching set that would carry me from day-lounging indoors to airport comfort, and I was quickly enamored. Founded in 2016 by Juliette Harkness and Emma Nelson, the Australian label aims to integrate morning into the night by obscuring ready-to-wear and sleepwear—comfort and sophistication.
Deiji Studios Belted Linen Robe Set
Deiji Studios The Ease Trouser
Now 14% Off
Deiji Studios The Halter striped organic-cotton pyjamas
Frenckenberger
If you haven’t heard of Frenckenberger yet, prepare your wallets. Co-founded by Terry-Ann Frencken and Nathalie Schönenberger, the brand, gives simple essentials a lush promotion through its variety of elevated cashmere wardrobe essentials. For fall and winter, prep your cold-weather closet with oversize nubby sweaters, felt cardigans, and utilitarian maxi dresses, to be worn inside or out.
Frenckenberger Brushed Cashmere Jumper
Frenckenberger High-neck Knitted Top
Frenckenberger SSENSE Exclusive Off-White Deep V Maxi Dress
Cortne Bonilla is freelance writer who occasionally dabbles in party reporting. When she’s not writing, you can find her vintage shopping, sipping iced lattes, reading on the train, and indulging in Pilates.
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