While all of the talk about quiet luxury brands felt like a fleeting trend, there’s certainly an ever-enduring need for quality, timeless designs. After all, we live in a day and age when prices continue to rise—and often, at the same time, quality continues to dwindle. So it only makes sense to spend a bit of time discovering the best brands creating classic staples that look great no matter what the fashion czars deem as in or out.
As a shopping editor, I keep my eyes peeled for labels that focus on creating long-lasting designs that steer clear of the ebbs and flows of the fashion industry. Of course, The Row automatically comes to mind, especially with its collection of impeccably tailored suiting and polished staples. But there are so many more amazing brands to mentally bookmark. I personally, can’t get enough of Khaite’s and St. Agni’s modern takes on timeless femininity. And emerging brands like Salon 1884 and Phoebe Philo’s eponymous label are the new go-tos for classic silhouettes redefining workwear elegance. I won’t spoil it all here. There are so many more quiet luxury brands to discover ahead.
Ninety Percent
For trans-seasonal dressing at an affordable price point, Ninety Percent is the brand to know. Founded in 2018 by Para Hamilton and Shafiq Hassan, the London-based label prioritizes using thoughtful materials like certified organic cotton.
Fforme
The ability to elevate simple wardrobe staples has become Fforme’s strength. For example, the label has taken the classic T-shirt and infused it with a modern attitude, thanks to an updated silhouette that features rounded shoulders and a belled sleeve. The same meticulous attention to detail flows over into its timeless trousers and dresses too.
Tove
Tove first captured my eye with its dresses that offer a modern approach to femininity, but the brand’s ready-to-wear collection is a great resource for building a capsule wardrobe, from classic jeans to polished blazers. Most recently, the London-based label expanded into the shoe category with minimalist-approved silhouettes.
Toteme
Looking for a brand that offers an extensive list of wardrobe essentials? Totême checks all the boxes with its sweaters, breezy frocks, and chic denim. The Swedish brand, founded by Elin Kling and Karl Lindman in 2014, also has a coveted collection of handbags, especially it’s timeless T-lock bag that now comes in a leather-trimmed canvas finish.
St. Agni
With an emphasis on creating high-quality, versatile pieces, Lara and Matt Fells founded St. Agni on the northeastern coast of Australia. Since its launch in 2014, it has amassed a strong roster of fans that include names like Kendall Jenner and Meghan Markle.
The Garment
Thank co-founders Sophia Roe and Charlotte Eskildsen for this chic Scandi label. At The Garment, you’ll find previous season staples mixed and styled with newer releases to emphasize the brand’s values of shopping sustainability and re-wearing core pieces in your closet.
By Malene Birger
By Malene Birger, a Scandinavian brand founded in 2003, continues to prove that—by infusing graphic details and architectural yet relaxed silhouettes into its designs—minimalism doesn’t have to mean boring.
Khaite
Catherine Holstein’s label, Khaite, strikes a perfect balance of being understated with captivating details. Each season, the collection evolves with updated silhouettes on classics—like its button-down Tamal shirt that comes with exaggerated proportions.
Salon 1884
A Parisian art exhibition inspired the name of Andrea Mary Marshall’s label, Salon 1884. And the brand’s designs exude the same sense of provocative, cool ease as the famed portrait, Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau) by John Singer Sargent. Mix and match the polished blazers and vest into your workwear uniform, or have fun with the ’80s-inspired draping and asymmetric finishes.
Proenza Schouler
For a complete wardrobe that whispers chic, turn to Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez’s line Proenza Schouler. Over the years, the label has won five CFDA Awards. Some of the collections have dibbled and dabbled in ritzy embellishments, but it’s the luxurious staples that continue to capture our hearts. Next fall, you’ll certainly appreciate having one of the layered tees and a pair of chic glove flats in your closet.
Maria McManus
In addition to the undeniably chic creations in each collection, Maria McManus is a label that also comes with a message. Sustainability remains at the forefront of every detail, from the recent use of deadstock fabrics to the use of Global Recycled Standard yarn.
Loro Piana
Founded in 1924, Loro Piana can be considered the founding father of less-is-more dressing. If you want closet staples meticulously produced at the highest level, this is the brand to turn to. One of the most coveted items this year is its handbags, which are shaped like vintage suitcases. That said, the label’s timeless shirts and classic trousers are worth every penny. No frills, no fussy embellishments, just great fashions.
Phoebe Philo
After years of being a beloved designer for fashion houses like Celine and Chloé, Phoebe Philo has finally released an eponymous line, and it truly puts the quiet in quiet luxury. I personally (and quite a few of my editor friends) want to invest in the boxy pumps. Plus, the structured shirting and sharp tailoring are the types of classic pieces that ooze confidence in a chic, understated way.
The Row
Founded by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, The Row is well on its way to becoming a heritage fashion house. Named after London’s Saville Row, a street known for its offering of bespoke suiting, The Row specializes in expertly crafted tailoring. And with bags like The Margaux under its belt, the label has quickly become a go-to for minimalist accessories.
Alexis is the Commerce Content Lead at ELLE.com. In this first-of-its-kind role, she gets to combine her love for shopping with her obsession for innovative content strategy. Alexis is constantly thinking of new ways to elevate the online shopping experience. And when she’s not browsing the market for the latest fashion trends, you can find her nerding out listening to a business podcast or taking a long hot girl walk.