There's a time and a place for statement jackets, bold printed shirts and brightly coloured backpacks, but sometimes, it pays to strip things right back to basics.
Make Marie Kondo proud and champion a 'less is more' approach by building your wardrobe around a foundation of well-made minimalist men's clothing, accessories and footwear that you'll wear time and again. Think plain black and white cotton T-shirts, understated tote bags and beautifully crafted leather sneakers. Need some inspiration? We've rounded up 14 of the best minimalist menswear brands that should be on your radar.
Madrid-based sustainable clothing brand Neutrale draws inspiration from the beauty of the Mediterranean to create high quality genderless wardrobe essentials that you'll rely on for years to come – think organic cotton hoodies, tees and sweatpants in easy-to-wear muted hues. By foregoing seasonal collections and sales, Neutrale rejects the never ending 'rat-race' of fast fashion, promoting mindful consumption instead.
Independent British accessories brand Campbell Cole is one of our go-to labels for beautifully crafted small leather goods. Run by a husband and wife team, it produces minimalist wallets, card holders and key rings that are characterised by a confidently understated aesthetic underscored by the balance of refined proportions, subtle detailing and effortless functionality.
Since its inception in 2014, Lisbon-based footwear label JAK has garnered a cult following thanks to its perfectly pared back minimalist leather sneakers. While silhouettes and colourways vary, all of the brand's shoes boast clean design and top notch construction, prioritising quality of craftsmanship over showy aesthetic details.
L'Estrange was founded with the goal of simplifying the male wardrobe. The London-based menswear brand has designed a modular clothing system of premium seasonless staples intended to transcend trends and stand the test of time. With a fervent commitment to sustainability, L'Estrange only uses renewable and recycled materials like organic cotton, and offers free repairs to extend the life of clothes.
With a less-is-more ethos at its core, Lisbon-based label ISTO. creates minimalist men's and women's clothing staples made from organic and natural materials like organic cotton and linen. Its smart-casual pieces are classic and timeless, boasting relaxed cuts, earthy tones and refined details. Designed to be dressed up or down, they'll look just as great at the office as by the pool.
Built upon the 'pursuit of less' Swedish brand ASKET has made a name for itself as a leader in minimalist men's clothing. Expect high quality wardrobe staples that range from French linen shirts to recycled wool coats, all made in accordance with the brand's strict commitment to sustainability and transparency.
Luca Faloni's eponymous label specialises in beautiful Italian-made wardrobe staples designed to stand the test of time. As the menswear maestro himself told us in an interview, "What worked seven years ago works today and we think it’s going to work in 20 years because we focus on those elements that every man should own, we don't focus on trends".
We would happily stock our whole wardrobe with A Day's March's unpretentious and affordable tees, overshirts and trousers, that's how versatile they are. With a commitment to long-lasting quality, the Swedish brand prides itself on creating perfect wardrobe essentials that will get its wearer through the day with style and dignity.
Mismo is rooted in the Danish design tradition of classic craftsmanship, minimalist design and modern-day functionality. The brand creates men's bags and accessories that fuse sleek aesthetics with hard-wearing construction, making use of long-lasting materials like waterproof Italian nylon and vegetable-tanned full-grain bridle leather.
Swedish streetwear powerhouse Axel Arigato has mastered the art of minimalist yet characterful clothing, footwear and accessories. Everything it designs – from its signature Clean 90 sneakers (read our review) to its organic cotton hoodies – is imbued with just the right amount of attitude and flair, without commanding too much attention.
Understated menswear staples are what Dutch brand Unrecorded do best. Its range is permanent and seasonless, comprising made-to-last pieces in neutral colours, classic cuts and luxurious fabrics. We particularly can't get enough of the brand's heavy cotton worker jackets and impeccably cut knitted polo shirts. And we can guarantee you won't be able to either.
Norse Projects epitomises everything that Scandinavian style stands for. Its minimalist men's clothing range is fuss-free and functional, made up of essential pieces characterised by classic workwear silhouettes and restrained detailing. Innovation underscores everything the brand produces – from lambswool knits made using a seamless tubular knitting technique to weatherproof GORE TEX parkas with specially-designed pockets for increased storage capacity.
If you're on the lookout for that perfect pair of plain white leather sneakers, look no further than Artisan Lab. The brand partners with selected Italian artisans that have worked with some of the most renowned luxury brands to produce limited runs of beautifully made footwear, tailored garments and leather accessories. Prioritising simplicity, it makes use of clean, functional shapes and silhouettes for timeless pieces you'll cherish forever.
Keep up the minimalist momentum with these minimalist watches for men.
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