The benefits of a good set of wardrobe basics are endless. Combat closet fatigue? Check. Look polished with the least amount of effort? Check. Feeling comfy in your own clothes? Check! A comfy tee, a good pair of jeans, and a cozy sweater — these are all classic must-haves for when you have that “I have nothing to wear” dilemma. (Spoiler alert: you always do.) But you don’t want to go running to your closest mall for some t-shirts to slip into, either. Basics should be the building blocks of your closet, which means that quality is of the essence. The upside is, there are so many brands out there that have made basics its mission with aesthetics that are anything but basic.
Here are brands with the best basics you should invest in.
Kotn
It all started for Kotn when founders Benjamin Sehl, Mackenzie Yeates, and Rami Helali wanted to create the “perfect t-shirt”. The ethos of this staple Toronto brand is entirely built on basics. Think crew neck tees, button-down shirts, and cozy hoodies all made with ethically grown and manufactured Egyptian cotton.
Betina Lou
Think basics with a little bit of retro flair. For Betina Lou designer Marie-Eve Emond, the focus is on craftsmanship and making clothes that will last. Marie-Eve has also made it a point of working with other local talents, curating a mix of sustainable (and aesthetically pleasing!) brands in her Montreal store.
Harly Jae
Harly Jae is another proponent of the slow living movement and this brand wants to help you look good at the same time. Each piece is locally made in Vancouver with sustainable fabrics like linen or hemp. We’re eyeing the brand’s wide-leg Pierrot pants and boxy Pierrot jacket —easy classics to wear as a set or separates, while its Bardot jumpsuit looks like an easy piece to dress up or down.
Aritzia
Aritzia is a well-known retailer that makes some pretty trendy items with a minimal twist. Think casual wear and dresses blended with a classy vibe that makes for the perfect foundation for a capsule wardrobe. From tees, to tanks, to blazers, you’ll find it all.
SKYE
Long-line cardigans and shirt dresses take center stage with SKYE, a San-Francisco-based womenswear brand that caters to the minimalist in all of us. The result? A sophisticated outfit that looks put together even if you got dressed in the dark.
Richer Poorer
Touting itself as an elevated basics brand, New York-based Richer Poorer offers pieces with a hip, laissez-faire attitude. Think like an Urban Outfitters sort of vibe with boxy cropped tees, vintage-inspired t-shirts like the raglan or henley cuts, half-zip sweaters, and its best-selling classic bralette that comes in 16 different colours. Comfy, casual, and oh-so-cool.
Everlane
It wouldn’t be a true basics roundup without including Everlane, although the brand hardly needs an introduction these days. The brand’s lineup features everything from cashmere sweaters and silk shirts, to bootcut jeans, and clean-cut jumpsuits — all simple and classic enough to complement anything in your existing closet.
Grana
Think of Grana as Everlane’s slightly more tropical cousin. Based out of Hong Kong, the brand’s focus is on fabrics, featuring only the best from all around the world: Chinese silk, Pima cotton from Peru, Tencel from Austria, and linen from France. Whether it’s a slip dress for easy-peasy dressing or a cashmere boyfriend sweater for colder climates (ahem, Canada), Grana’s got you covered.
Dynamite
Dynamite offers both classic apparel as well as on-trend styles to add to your collection. You’ll be able to shop for all of the essentials and basics you need for your everyday outfits. Don’t forget to browse the accessories section to add to your jewellery drawer too!
AYR
It’s right in the name with this one: AYR stands for All Year Round and it’s an apparel brand dedicated to versatile styles that can be worn all year. Functionality plays a major role throughout its collections without sacrificing its clean, neutral aesthetic. Check out the brand’s timelessly chic denim cuts or billowy button-downs for that effortlessly polished vibe.
OAK+FORT
OAK + FORT now has over 19 locations across North America, including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver. Here you’ll find minimalistic, Japanese-inspired basics that we promise will go with just about everything in your closet. Most of what you’ll find here comes in a timeless, neutral colour palette of black, white, gray, tan, and navy, meaning it can all be mixed and matched with what you already own with total ease and without complication. In addition to women’s and menswear, you’ll also find jewellery, accessories, homeware, and beauty products.
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Fact: bras can be uncomfortable. And let’s be real, no one wants to be stuck wearing an itchy or tight bra all day, but hey, it happens. Because of this, it comes as no surprise why so many women are opting to go bra-free these days. Rather than give up hope altogether, we’re here to tell you that there are some incredibly soft and comfortable bras out there that will not only solve those frustrating problems but will actually leave you feeling like you’re not wearing one at all. Whether you’re looking for the perfect t-shirt bra, wireless option, or bralette, these brands have you covered.
Here is our list of the most comfortable bra Brands.
Knix
When it comes to comfort, Toronto-based Knix is a world leader in both wire-free bras and functional underwear. Designed to make women feel comfortable in their own skin, Knix has pioneered the use of a patented bonding technology to create seamless, chafe-free designs, as well as fabrics with support structures built right into them. Each bra was designed for all-day comfort and wire-free support that takes to your body, so you’ll never have to deal with uncomfortable and unflattering fits again. Plus, there are several bra styles and sizes to choose from.
Uniqlo
You’ll never find pesky underwires at Uniqlo, thanks to the popular brand’s modern approach to intimates, which includes using soft, breathable, and innovative fabrics, making each piece unlike anything you’ve ever seen (or felt) before. Here you’ll find an impressive selection of seamless bras in every colour, shape, form, and strap-style, so whatever your taste is, there’s a bra that’s perfect for you.
Underbares
If you like to keep your intimates more on the simple side and aren’t crazy about funky colours, uncomfortable wires, or bulky padding, we highly recommend giving Underbares a try. This US-based brand puts comfort first and its collection is a testimate to that. Here you’ll find pared-down bras in neutral and skin-coloured hues, each made with a honeycomb-patterned lace. Each bra is priced at a reasonable $44 and sizes range from 30A to 38D.
Aerie
Chances are you shopped at Aerie from time to time when you were younger, but we’re here to let you know that you need to get your booty back in your nearest Aerie store ASAP to check out its bras. Here you’ll find bras in a wide range of styles including push up, lightly lined, unlined, bralettes, and sports bras, all in inclusive sizes and incredibly comfortable and moveable fabrics.
ThirdLove
If you’re ready for a bra company that truly represents ALL women and body types, ThirdLove is definitely it. Made with millions of real womens measurements, not size templates, ThirdLove can recommend you your perfect bra in just 60 seconds, and you won’t even have to step into a dressing room. What we truly love about this brand is how comfortable every bra is, as they are made with simple details like tagless labels, straps that won’t slip, and ultra-soft fabrics.
Richer Poorer
If the first thing you do when you get home from work is take off your bra, trust us when we say, Richer Poorer has bralettes that you definitely won’t be taking off and throwing across your room any time soon. These bralettes are reminiscent of a training bra and are so comfortable that it’s easy to forget that you’re wearing anything at all. Plus, the brands bralettes are made to form to the natural shape of your body while providing ideal coverage and keeping you comfortable all day. Seriously, what more could you ask for?
SKIMS
SKIMS is setting new standards by providing solutions for every body. From technically constructed shapewear that enhances your curves to bras that make you feel extra supported and comfortable. Its goal is to consistently innovate on the past and advance the industry for the future.
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