When it comes to male clothing brands, of course, having some big-name designer brands in your wardrobe is something we all long to aspire to. A statement piece perhaps, or a high-end custom-made suit are going to be worth the large investment if they’re going to see a lot of wear.
But for everyday wear, popular men’s designer fashion brands don’t always necessarily mean better and fortunately, there are a plethora of menswear labels available today that are all producing incredibly high-quality clothing, usually with a strong focus on sustainability and ethicality and for incredibly affordable prices.
Men’s designer clothing may be great, but you wouldn’t want to expose your high end and equally expensive cashmere sweater to everyday threats such as drink spillages or children’s dirty hands.
We’ve, therefore, rounded up our absolute favourite and must-have clothing brands of the moment into one trendy guide. Some of our favourite brands may be names you have heard of before, others may be new, but what they all share is a common goal of making men look good.
Everlane
Materials are sustainably sourced and everything is made to ethical standards, making purchasing stylish well-made clothing a complete no-brainer.
*Editor’s note: Everlane is one of the hottest clothing brands for everyday essentials.
Outerknown
It’s certainly a stylish brand, with pieces constantly being on-trend and being made from quality fabrics that are built to last.
Pangaia
If you’re looking for an emerging fashion brand built on good values and sustainability then Pangaia is your jam. Pangaia’s range of simple no-fuss menswear appeals to the masses but also had loads of colour and flair. From hoodies to shirt to denim, Pangaia’s range is bright and bold but simple enough to wear every day. Pangaia’s sustainable and ethical approach is sure to win over many.
James Perse
The son of a savvy boutique owner in Los Angeles, James Perse has always been involved with fashion from a young age. Starting out by developing his own take on the classic baseball cap, James quickly built his eponymous brand, putting a focus on premium fabrics and designs inspired by his US west coast roots. Bringing together the very separate worlds of casual and luxe fashion, James Perse’s menswear collection is one that will look sublime in your wardrobe.
Hugo Boss
The company has invested heavily in suit-fitting technology, resulting in perfect fits that raise your sartorial game tenfold. Add to that an extensive, high-quality range of menswear essentials with Hugo’s own unique twist, whether it be with branding, colouring, or fabric; this sophisticated label deserves heavy attention.
Bonobos
American menswear brand Bonobos is one to turn to if you’re looking to really stock up on the basics. Founded with the mission to develop the perfect fitting pair of pants, Bonobos has since expanded into a complete clothier for guys looking for well-fitting, simple pieces that won’t break the bank. We’re particularly fond of their shirt, jeans, and chino collections, and you should certainly take a look at the dedicated golf range if you’re a keen golfer.
Rhone
Women may have almost too much choice when it comes to athletic clothing, but men have always had to make do with the bare minimum. Rhone arrived to put an end to that, offering guys genuinely premium gym clothing and athletic wear, that can also easily be worn away from the squat rack as everyday pieces. Serious research and development go into all of Rhone’s fabrics, resulting in a brand you can rely upon for genuine quality and high performance.
Reiss
Founded in 1971 as a menswear only brand before eventually diversifying into womenswear, British fashion brand Reiss is one for the dapper gentleman. Suiting, chinos, shirts, and knitted polo shirts make up the menswear collection, so if you’re someone who appreciates clean lines, neutral colours, and subtle yet effective details, Reiss is the clothing brand for you.
Flint & Tinder
Now, unsurprisingly, under the ownership of Huckberry, owing to their shared values of well-made clothing designed for actual use in the great outdoors, Flint & Tinder is for guys who are happiest when getting down and dirty.
Stonemen
Stonemen designs all of its product range in Byron Bay, Australia and ships worldwide. With all popular styles of men’s underwear available to choose from: boxer brief, brief and trunk, and a range of colours of unique prints on offer too, you’ll soon start to wonder how your underwear drawer ever did without them.
American Giant
But just because everything is made in the US doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay extra, as American Giant employs a direct to consumer model, which allows it to charge less for the clothes. It’s a win-win situation.
Buck Mason
All pieces centre around the staple American menswear pieces that remain timeless no matter the season. With a large online presence and three physical stores in America, this is an up and coming brand to keep your eyes on.
Quince
This emerging clothing brand hailing from San Francisco aims to cause a huge shakeup with its quality and pricing model. Quince is a direct to consumer brand that genuinely does believe luxury quality shouldn’t cost the earth. With all major clothing categories on offer including t-shirts, pants, and activewear, and with quality pieces for prices that are firmly affordable, Quince could easily become your new favourite male clothing label.
AllSaints
AllSaints has made the move to using organic cotton wherever possible for its clothing, taking a greater stance towards sustainability, which provides an even greater reason why you should check them out.
Alex Mill
A great place to turn to for t-shirts, shirts, and blazers among other menswear essentials.
Saturdays NYC
A brand that just oozes contemporary New York style is Saturdays NYC. Founded as Saturdays Surf, owing to the fact it took inspiration from beachy vibes and surfing culture, the brand blossomed into a more mature, yet still undeniably cool label. Completely unpredictable when it comes to each season’s drop, Saturdays NYC consistently keeps things fresh and fashion-focused, incorporating new fabrics, prints, and branding so loyal customers remain loyal.
Ministry Of Supply
You will be forgiven if you have never heard of Ministry of Supply before but they’ve got it all. The brand claims to engineer the most comfortable clothes on the planet, through scientific research and human-centred design. Their garments are performance and durability tested to ensure you’re getting value for money. Better still they’re well priced.
Todd Snyder
The American menswear designer of former Ralph Lauren fame founded his eponymous label in 2011 to great success. Taking his already profound knowledge of US-style, Todd has created an enviable collection of thoughtfully designed men’s clothing that your wardrobe is seriously missing out on.
Mango
Spanish clothing company, Mango, was founded in 1984 with one goal in mind: to create clothes with “a Mediterranean essence”. Mango’s garments achieve this with their natural and contemporary styles paired with comfortable fabrics. If you’re after well-crafted and durable everyday basics as well as more formal men’s clothing, Mango has you covered.
Paul Smith
If you’re wanting to add a touch of sophistication to your wardrobe, check out Paul Smith’s range of menswear that’s elegant but not too pretentious.
Taylor Stitch
Born from a need for products without limitations, Taylor Stitch produces versatile men’s clothing that can handle anything; chopping wood, surf sessions, snagging trout, heading to the office… Committed to building the best possible clothing while also pledging to limit their environmental impact, Taylor Stitch is one impressive brand.
Aether Apparel
Founded in 2009 by city dwellers who had a passion for the great outdoors, Aether was launched to provide men with clothing that looks at home in the city but is built to withstand the outdoors. Aether’s menswear defies trends & seasons with its classic, clean aesthetic and is crafted with highly functional, technical fabrics. If you too are a city man who loves weekend adventures out in nature, you have to check out Aether’s range.
Smartwool
What started as sock company is now a fully-fledged clothing brand that deserves to be on your list of must-visits.
Suitsupply
Every man needs at least one good suit, and for an incredible range of affordable, high-quality suits, look no further than Suitsupply. Off-the-rack or custom-made, Suitsupply has suits for all occasions, in a variety of fabrics, colours, and styles. You literally don’t need to shop anywhere else for all your sartorial needs. Plus, Suitsupply don’t just do suits; they also produce elevated well-tailored basics that won’t break the bank.
Frescobol Carioca
Another brand making its mark on the premium beachwear scene is Frescobol Carioca. Named after a beach game played with wooden bats (which the brand also makes & sells), this Brazilian brand is fun, energetic, and has a penchant for quality. With an equally beachy collection of menswear to complement its eclectic range of swim shorts, Frescobol Carioca is for those men who love to spend their time in the sun.
Unbound Merino
As the name suggests, this Canadian brand is a lover of all things Merino wool, known for its durable, breathable, and comfortable properties. The company ethically sources all of its wool from Australia and uses it to produce a complete range of clothing including t-shirts, hoodies, underwear, pants, and shorts. Odour-resistant, quick-drying, and built to last, Unbound Merino is an alternative brand you need to check out for high performing basics.
Acne Studios
If you’re after clothing with unique aesthetics, you have to check out Acne Studios. This Swedish brand sings to its own tune, producing collections of menswear essentials in typically Scandinavian, minimalist style, but the brand’s clothing is also heavily influenced by art and photography, with Creative Director Jonny Johannson being a keen fan of the creative arts.
Mission Workshop
Initially founded to put together a range of go-anywhere bags and backpacks, Mission Workshop now makes some of our favourite men’s clothing around, which also, considering the vast majority of it is black or grey, looks damn cool and sleek too.
Club Monaco
Club Monaco is one of those brands that takes the essential wardrobe for all modern men and gives it a bit of a spruce up, using more premium fabrics and paying closer attention to cut and fit, to provide guys with a much more viable option when they’re shopping for clothes. If you’re after men’s clothing that’ll make you look polished effortlessly, Club Monaco is the brand for you.
J. Crew
J. Crew believes in ‘looking a million bucks, not spending it’ which is why they source the best high-quality fabrics at the most accessible prices. All of their products are classic with a modern twist, meaning you’ll always look effortlessly polished when sporting J. Crew.
The Kooples
French fashion label The Kooples was founded in 2008 by three brothers. Their quirky, rock ‘n’ roll-inspired designs, aimed at couples wishing to dress in similar ways, has proven hugely successful, and their men’s clothing has even been worn by many celebrities. Whether it be skull-emblazoned t-shirts or skinny-fit suits, The Kooples has carved out a unique aesthetic; one that you should seriously get behind.
Western Rise
Founded by a couple of outdoor guides in Colorado, Western Rise promises to offer you performance men’s clothing that can replace the majority of what you already have in your wardrobe. The brand’s collection consists primarily of tops, such as t-shirts, hoodies, and shirts, along with some pants and a few pairs of shorts. But most of these pieces are water-resistant, offer a good amount of stretch, are made from premium materials and in some cases, are moisture-wicking. They look great too, so Western Rise’s clothing can be worn for anything from outdoor hikes to indoor date nights.
Vilebrequin
Summer and its respective holidays always calls for an update to our beachwear wardrobe, and Vilebrequin is a brand you need to be stocking your summer wardrobe with. The French brand is the master when it comes to swimming trunks, which might be more expensive than your everyday high-street brand, but the level of detail and quality of materials that goes into them makes the price a whole lot more justifiable.
Rag & Bone
Rag & Bone’s denim range is the real highlight of the brand’s arsenal, but tops, suits, and accessories are equally urban in their aesthetic direction.
AMI Paris
Founded in 2011 by Alexandre Mattiussi, Parisian label AMI Paris produces clothes that are minimal yet sleek. One to lean more towards casual looks than formal, AMI’s founder describes his collections as “real clothes for a real man”. That’s certainly evident, as you won’t find any real signs of men’s fashion trying too hard to be fashionable, instead, much simpler pieces that you’ll genuinely be able to wear each and every day.
Belstaff
For quality outerwear including leather and waxed jackets – and to invest in a brand loved by David Beckham – turn your attention to Belstaff. You can expect nothing less than the highest quality from this British label, which has a strong association with motorbike culture. In fact, Belstaff, which was founded in 1924, was the first to use wax cotton to make waterproof motorcycle jackets, a feat that has since been imitated by countless other men’s clothing brands.
Orlebar Brown
Another genuine favourite of us here at DMARGE, Orlebar Brown makes, in our opinion, some of the best looking and best value swim shorts around. Add to that a fully-fledged men’s fashion clothing collection that encompasses winter pieces too, and one that makes great use of innovative fabrics, and you have yourself a British brand that needs to be on your shopping list.
Tomorrow’s Laundry
Californian brand Tomorrow’s Laundry offers guys two ways to buy their thoughtfully curated collection of t-shirts and hoodies. You can either buy as normal via a shopping cart, or you can subscribe and receive two t-shirts or one hoodie each month, chosen by the company’s stylists. Quality is guaranteed because the company focuses its attention on just a limited range, meaning more time is spent ensuring they’re the best around.