Keep It Simple: 16 High-Quality Basics Brands All Stylish Men Need To Know

Experimenting with your personal style and ‘finding yourself’ in a sartorial sense is all well and good, but you’re not going to get far if you don’t already have the basics dialled in. If you’re not sure what we mean by that then good news: you’re in the right place.

So-called ‘basics’ are the backbone of your wardrobe. They’re the staples, the go-tos, menswear’s bread and butter. We’re talking plain tees, classic-cut jeans, overshirts, Oxfords and the like. These are what you might call the main ingredients. Everything else is just seasoning.

But, to draw another culinary comparison, a dish is only as good as its ingredients. In other words, it matters where you get your produce, or, in this case, clothes. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up what we believe are the best of the best in men’s wardrobe basics and listed them below to make getting dressed that little bit easier.

ASKET

From Stockholm hails a minimalist label with no interest in seasonal drops or fleeting trends. Instead, ASKET takes the long view, offering a finite and permanent collection of what it deems to be unequivocal essentials.

We’re talking T-shirts cut from heavyweight cotton, classic Oxfords made from crisp poplin, and every single garment can be traced right back through the supply chain, so you know exactly where your clothes are coming from.

The result? A leaner wardrobe built on quality rather than quantity.

Shop now at ASKET

Uniqlo

Uniqlo has become somewhat of a meme in menswear circles. The default advice for those struggling with what to wear is almost always ‘go to Uniqlo’. So much so, it’s now a bit of a cliché.

But that’s simply because there is nowhere else offering affordably priced wardrobe basics to the same standard. The Japanese giant creates the kind of pieces you wear every day without thinking. Selvedge denim, down jackets, simple Oxfords. And does them consistently well.

Add the accessible pricing and occasional collaboration with a heavyweight designer, and you’ve got a recipe for success.

Shop now at Uniqlo

LESTRANGE

Think of LESTRANGE as a modular wardrobe system. These are simple, well-made pieces you can mix and match endlessly, allowing you to achieve more with less.

At its centre sits the 24 Trouser, a refined chino designed to cover work, travel and downtime in equal measure. From there, the London label builds out into overshirts, merino layers, and knitwear, each made to mix and match.

The philosophy is simple: own less, wear more.

Shop now at LESTRANGE

ISTO

In Lisbon, ISTO adopts a similarly streamlined approach, but with a Mediterranean twist and regular new product releases.

The lineup leans into breezy beach-friendly linen shirts, well-cut trousers and relaxed tailoring, all designed to endure far beyond the confines of a single season.

Transparency is key here too, with every garment broken down by cost and provenance. The conscious consumer’s holy trinity: ethical, understated and easy to wear.

Shop now at ISTO

COS

For those of a more fashion-forward persuasion, COS is a solid alternative to some of the more conservative basics brands. The rails in its stores are filled with boxy overshirts, wide-leg trousers and minimal tailoring, all cut clean and presented in muted tones.

It’s a relatively affordable high-street brand, but with a design sensibility that feels closer to a contemporary fashion label. A solid place to shop if you want high-end looks on a low-end budget.

Shop now at COS

Sunspel

Some brands simply talk about heritage. Sunspel has been living it since 1860. From its Long Eaton factory, it has produced some of the best basics in the business, from Riviera-ready polo shirts to benchmark T-shirts – all good enough to be worn by James Bond himself.

The clothes are understated, refined and built to last, quietly raising the standard for everyday staples. Just be prepared for some lofty prices to match.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Armor Lux

In Brittany, sailors wore striped jerseys long before Instagram made them fashionable. Armor Lux is one of the few labels still making them the old way, using heavyweight cotton and a workwear mindset.

The Breton stripe remains its calling card, but the wider collection encompasses knitwear, outerwear and nautical-inspired basics that carry a distinct, rugged French charm.

Simple designs made to be worn to death.

Shop now at END.

Norse Projects

Scandinavia has a knack for turning utility into style, and Norse Projects is perhaps the prime example. The Copenhagen-based label draws inspiration from military and workwear, then refines them into clean, wearable staples.

Expect heavyweight sweats, functional outerwear and simple overshirts, all infused with a touch of Copenhagen cool.

Shop now at SSENSE

A.P.C.

Simplicity and refinement run deep in everything A.P.C. does. The Parisian label has long been known for its tasteful minimalist pieces, ranging from tees and knitwear to its famously well-fitting denim.

Not the cheapest brand out there, but if it’s stripped-back pieces with a bit of je ne sais quoi you’re after, you’ll struggle to find better.

Shop now at END.

Everlane

San Francisco’s Everlane built its reputation by lifting the curtain on clothing production. In the interest of full transparency, each garment comes with a detailed cost breakdown and factory information, allowing you to see exactly what you’re getting for your money.

The range itself covers the staples: chinos, denim, knitwear and outerwear in modern, unfussy cuts. It’s the sort of brand you could fill an entire wardrobe with and never find yourself wanting for anything more.

Shop now at Everlane

A Day’s March

Stockholm has given us no shortage of minimalist labels, but A Day’s March adds a touch of workwear grit to the tried-and-tested formula.

The name comes from an old military term for the distance an army can cover in a day, which tells you a lot about its mindset.

Expect clean overshirts, heavyweight sweatshirts and sharp outerwear, all cut with that distinct Scandinavian restraint.

Shop now at A Day’s March

Percival

East London’s Percival has a knack for taking classic menswear and giving it a contemporary twist.

You’ll find relaxed tailoring, playful knitwear and T-shirts with a subtle sense of humour. A men’s basics brand grounded in British style but delivered with a knowing wink.

Shop now at Percival

Wax London

Similarly, Wax London takes its cues from classic British menswear and gives it a modern update.

The Whiting overshirt is its calling card, a versatile layer cut from heavyweight tactile fabrics in vibrant colours and bold checks. Alongside that, the brand does relaxed tailoring, easy knits and trousers that lean into contemporary silhouettes.

Everyday clothing, but with more personality than your usual high-street slop.

Shop now at Wax London

Polo Ralph Lauren

Few brands can claim to have defined an entire look, but Polo Ralph Lauren did just that with preppy American style. From Oxford shirts and chino shorts to cable-knit sweaters and polo shirts, the brand’s staples are instantly recognisable.

They can read as Ivy League, country club or even streetwear depending on how you wear them. Timeless and still relevant decades on.

Shop now at MR PORTER

James Perse

Laid-back Californian refinement is the name of the game here. Los Angeles label James Perse deals in quiet luxury.

Its calling card is the T-shirt, cut from soft jersey and perfectly fitted, but the collections expand into sweats, loungewear and casual tailoring.

The palette rarely strays from muted tones, and the fabrics are always premium.

Shop now at MR PORTER

J.Crew

Once the blueprint for American prep, J.Crew has experienced its ups and downs, to say the least, but the formula remains intact. Think button-down shirts, chinos, rugby tops and navy blazers, all delivered with that relaxed East Coast sensibility.

Arguably not the hippest brand in the game, but it’s undeniably reliable, classic and versatile. These are clothes that work just as well now as they did 30 years ago.

Shop now at J.Crew