5 Places to Shop for High Quality (And Reasonably Priced) Basics

It’s not just you. Your clothes are indeed getting shittier by the day. Fast fashion has created a race to the bottom, leading brands (even the previously “good” ones) to produce cheaply-made pieces with fabric seemingly woven from tissue paper and the tears of underpaid garment workers. The fits are worse. The fabric is worse. Everything falls apart in a few months. Which is why it feels more necessary than ever to find brands producing high-quality basics that you can rely on for years to come.

When it comes to high quality basics, it’s worthwhile to invest in fewer, better pieces. Basics are the essential building blocks to create a wardrobe, and finding ones that fit well, look good, will last, and preferably cost less than your rent sometimes seems impossible. But there are a few brands doing it well—really well, in fact. Here are 5 great brands offering high quality basics ranging from more inexpensive to affordable luxury price points.

1. everlane

For Affordable, Cool Pieces with a Conscience

Promising radical transparency through their direct-to-consumer model, Everlane has managed to do what fashion has almost always considered impossible: sell quality clothing at affordable prices with a focus on sustainability and ethical practices. They clearly lay out how each piece was made, how much it cost to make it, what their mark-up is, and details on the factory that created each piece. In particular, we love their beautifully knit sweaters, wide array of jeans, and sturdy leather boots.

2. Vince

For Premium Fabrics And Investing In Your Wardrobe

Ok, so I know we said “reasonably priced” in the title, and many of you will see these prices and leave a totally justified comment about how $300 is not, in fact, “reasonably priced” for a simple sweater. But. BUT. No list of high-quality basics would be complete without Vince.

If you want to start investing in your wardrobe—into pieces that last more than a minute and a half—Vince’s premium fabrics and classic silhouettes are always solid purchases. I have silk Vince shirts that are older than most house pets and still look brand new. Plus, their outlets always run great deals and are stocked with actually-nice clothes and not just made-for-outlet junk.

3. Quince

For Life’s Necessities At Truly Amazing Prices

Following in the footsteps of DTC brands like Everlane and Brooklinen, Quince offers everything from wardrobe essentials to sheets, pickleball paddles, and suitcases at just-above-wholesale prices. Their mission is to produce quality, sustainable products at affordable prices, and they’re pulling it off.

You’ll get the most bang for your buck when investing in their silk and cashmere pieces, but don’t sleep on their fine jewelry, which boasts some of the most beautiful and affordable pieces you can find anywhere on the internet.

4. Italic

For European-Chic Offerings That Feel Like Luxury

Yes yes, another DTC brand. But Italic feels…different. More chic, perhaps? Their clothes conjure images of a desperately needed European vacation to a quaint seaside village where you’ll enjoy an aperol spritz while basking in the sun. They’ve leaned strongly into the “quiet luxury” trend.

Like Quince, they offer a variety of goods from sheets to clothes and more. But their sense of elevated luxury makes for pieces that you can feel good about investing in.

5. AYR

For Cool-Girl Styles That Are Incredibly Well Made

Probably the least well-known brand on this list, AYR is a well-kept secret amongst It Girls who breeze past you in a slicked back bun, Byredo scent wafting behind them.

Yes, they’re not inexpensive. But with AYR, you get what you pay for. And let me tell you…their t-shirts are some of the best I’ve ever worn. With soft fabrics and chic fits, they’re just cool. Everything from their jeans to button downs feels effortless and yet thoughtfully made.