Image via Complex Original
Like everyone else, you probably click through high-end lookbooks and pine after the incredible garments, only to groan when you see the unreal price tag. Investment pieces are called that for a reason, and shouldn't be copped unless a. you can afford them, and b. they're going to last you a few years. Luckily, there are enough labels out there that you now have options in case your coin isn't as prosperous as it one day will be. You might already know about these labels, but we're just here to connect the dots. These are 10 Affordable Brand Recommendations to Check Out Based on Labels You Already Like.
If you like Our Legacy, check out COS
Chances are, what drew you to Our Legacy is the minimal, utilitarian garments designed by the Scandinavian brand. The outerwear, shirts, trousers, and subdued and isn't overtly trendy, which is what you would hope for when investing in the brand. COS, the higher version of H&M and also a Scandinavian brand, is the perfect alternative. Clean button downs, bomber jackets, sweaters, T-shirts, and other items you can wear now and years to come at reasonable prices.
If you like Visvim, check out Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply
If you're into Visvim, then it's most likely because the label harks back to a time when clothes were about function as much as they were about fashion. However, the rugged garments don't skimp on the latter, and the label has become legendary in its offerings. Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply provides a similar Western motif with its collections. Denim & Supply's prices don't constitute throwaway money, but it's definitely a viable alternative to when you can't toss serious dough Visvim's way.
If you like Rick Owens, check out OAK
Rick Owens has developed an aesthetic and look that's completely his own. Owen's designs can probably be best described as being understated luxury. They're minimal in the sense that there aren't any graphics, logos, or text. The design and beauty of it all is completely reliant on the asymmetry, draping, and juxtaposition and blending of light and dark with hard and soft.
The Oak collection, an extension of the Oak NYC creative collective, shares the same asymmetry, draping, and monochromatic color palette—without the three-to-four-digit price tags.
If you like L.B.M. 1911, check out Suit Supply
'If you're consistenly copping L.B.M. 1911 suits, then "We Made It" is officially your anthem. For those of us who haven't quite reached that level yet but still want to rock rakish menswear to look like an Italian heir, then Suit Supply offers similar garments for about a third of the price.
If you like Mark McNairy, check out 10.Deep
Mark McNairy's collections are the perfect mix of streetwear and menswear. His designs are both accessible and fun, always with bold prints that include everything from camo to ducks. On the flip side is 10.Deep, which also doesn't hold back from prints and patterns. The pre-summer 2014 collection alone incorporates florals, ikats, and geometrical patterns on bucket hats, pocket tees, button ups, and sweaters. You're probably already familiar with both, but the parallels between the two brands aren't too visible unless you break each brand down to its essence.
If you like Michael Bastian, check out Land's End Canvas
Michael Bastian consistenly puts out collections that pay homage to and further the notion of American dudes chillin' on the weekends. The gear always makes fans pine for summer weekends, and everything from grilling on the patio to sipping beers on a dock. Land's End Canvas, the more style-conscious branch of Land's End, also offers summer staples that are required when you're loungin' outdoors and want to put in more effort than a white tee and some cut-offs (not that there's anything wrong with that).
If you like Sunspel, check out Alternative
In the two centuries Sunspel has been around, the British brand has become known for making some of the finest and most comfortable basics. We're talking polo shirts made using the finest Egyptian cotton and some of the softest T-shirts out there. Alternative (previously Alternative Apparel) shares the same aesthetics, though at more affordable prices. Needless to say, both are perfect if you're looking for cozy sweats or tees that provide a strong foundation for whatever wardrobe.
If you like Engineered Garments, check out Penfield
Engineered Garments is one of the most highly regarded labels that effortlessly crosses the boundary between workwear and fashion-forward designs. The Made in NYC brand is highly-coveted by different style tribes across the spectrum, and the only reason why you don't own more of it is probably because of the price tag that comes with such serious design. Penfield also offers gear that stands up to the elements without taking itself too seriously, evidenced in its prints, patterns, and wide array of goods.
If you like Saint Laurent, check out Unif
When Hedi Slimane took over what was then Yves Saint Laurent in 2012, he did more than just drop "Yves" from the name. The designer, previously of Dior Homme, brought a youthful rock n' roll aesthetic to the famed fashion house and to the runway. Though Unif leans more towards grunge, that same rebellion seen in SLP's designs is captured in this label, most notably in Unif's sarcastic graphics and texts.
If you like Arc'teryx, check out Patagonia
Kit yourself with an Arc'teryx jacket, and chances are you can climb Mount Everest (Warning: do not climb Mount Everest). The high-tech label utilizes some of the most advanced materials to protect you in all conditions. Patagonia, everyone's favorite mountaineering label, lowkey also uses serious fabrics and ingredients to keep you seriously protected in all seasons. You might love it for its colorful fleeces, but Patagonia's abilities are no joke.
