Finding an affordable destination for closet essentials shouldn’t be a burden. Luckily, H&M has remained a staple brand for minimalist shoppers everywhere. H&M focuses on elegant separates that withstand the wavering trend cycle. Below I have listed 22 stores like H&M that carry this theme of simplicity throughout their collections so you can exude elegance wherever you are!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting my site! Read more about my disclosure policies here. All prices are accurate at the time of the article and are subject to change.
Note from Hailey: We all need a little makeover sometimes. This article was originally published in June 2022 and has been updated and revamped for accuracy and consistency.
COS
COS is an abbreviation for “collection of style”. This perfectly introduces this brand’s point of view. The brand is a curated assortment of basics, offering shoppers timeless staples.
Owned by H&M, COS operates independently from this fast-fashion giant. Like many luxury brands, COS releases only two collections every year. One for spring/summer and the other for fall/winter. However, unlike these high-end, luxury brands, COS boasts more accessible prices. Dresses range between $80-$150 and coats fall between $150-$250.
All COS’ styles are understated yet contemporary, with subtle details incorporated throughout. COS is skillful at playing with structure. They turn basic fabrics into well-tailored, sculptured silhouettes. You will find a plethora of blouses, jackets, tops, and dresses. All these reflect this reinvented minimalism. What’s more, is that COS utilizes high-quality, sustainable fabrics. For example, organic cotton and recycled cashmere, ensure comfort with every look.
& Other Stories
& Other Stories brings a feminine, airy approach to minimalism. They are also housed under H&M. & Other Stories has ateliers in Stockholm, Paris, and Los Angeles. They incorporate these various cultures into every collection. The brand takes the coolness from Stockholm, the elegance from Paris, and the effortlessness from Los Angeles. They fuse them into a cohesive contemporary woman’s brand.
Threaded throughout these differing styles is an ode to minimalism. & Other Stories is one of the stores like H&M that balances exploration with classicism. This makes it perfect for shoppers who want equal parts curation and timelessness.
& Other Stories allows you to shop by city, curating pieces that reflect that location’s attitudes and styles. In this way, & Other Stories pushes a curated shopping experience that feels more unique than the average fast fashion brand.
Quince
If you love fashion and you’re looking for a brand that is stylish, ethical, and affordable, then you need to check out Quince. Quince is a clothing brand with the goal of revolutionizing fashion and the manufacturing behind it. Quince stands out with their high-quality essentials for radically low prices.
Here, you will find luxurious products at a fraction of the price. The way they do this is by using a factory-direct model that cuts out the supply chain middleman. I’ve personally purchased a number of products from Quince, including my favorite washable silk dress that I wore countless times on a recent trip to Europe (and beyond).
Quince has a number of best-selling pieces, including their signature cashmere sweater which you can buy for the affordable price of $50! Most cashmere sweaters will run you at least a hundred dollars. If you are looking for great fashion staples that won’t break the bank, Quince is definitely the brand for you.
Los Angeles Apparel
Los Angeles Apparel is of the best brands to solely focus on everyday essentials. They offer classic pieces for women, men, and children. Out of this list of stores like H&M, Los Angeles Apparel is the only one that is USA-made. The brand pushes a strong value system by producing everything locally in Los Angeles. They also pay workers fair wages, generate jobs for Americans, and locally sourcing material.
Beyond strong values, Los Angeles Apparel boasts an impressive collection of every basic you can imagine. From tops to socks and underwear! The brand’s prices range from $10-$20 for tops and $30-$60 for bottoms. This makes it an affordable option for high-quality, durable fabrics.
Although the brand boasts a vast collection, it presents minimal options per product category. This encourages shoppers to collect, rather than hoard, items. For example, let’s say you are searching for a basic skirt. The brand presents one for each aesthetic (i.e. sporty, dressy, mini, long). This is rather than producing multiple styles within the same category, as many fast fashion brands tend to do.
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch is no longer the graphic t-shirt and moose icon brand you used to know in middle school. After a rebrand in 2017, Abercrombie & Fitch transformed itself into an elegant, simple, and logoless retailer.
We all know Abercrombie’s offerings of hoodies and low-rise jeans in the past. This is no longer the case! The brand now offers Gen Z consumers timeless dresses, tops, blouses, jackets, and denim. It’s perfect for minimalist shoppers, as it primarily sticks to neutral colorways and subtle patterns.
With this design shift, the brand has also moved towards body inclusivity. The brand’s past marketing was quite exclusive, only utilizing thin, white models. Abercrombie & Fitch has now worked to incorporate a wide array of bodies, races, ethnicities, and genders into its campaigns. Further, the brand has partnered with body-positive activists and content creators. This is to ensure that its apparel is actually functional for all body shapes and sizes.
Club Monaco
Club Monaco was created in 1985 as a stylish alternative to preppy brands like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. The brand’s founders wanted to create clothing made of “better basics”. Club Monaco quickly gained popularity for its chic, minimalist style. The brand is still thriving today because of their durable staple wardrobes that last a lifetime.
Some of Club Monaco’s best-selling products include their classic coats and jackets, denim, and sweaters. Their clothes are perfect for any season, and their simple style can be dressed up or down. Whether you’re looking for a new work wardrobe or some casual pieces for your weekend wardrobe, Club Monaco has something for you.
Club Monaco’s founding principle was to provide well-designed, fashion-forward clothing at an accessible price point. Today, Club Monaco is known for its clean, classic styles and its dedication to quality craftsmanship. Club Monaco’s clothing is the perfect mix of classic and modern, making it a wardrobe staple for fashion-savvy women.
Pixie Market
Pixie Market is one of the best clothing brands on the scene. Started in NYC in 2006, Pixie Market quickly made a name for itself as a go-to source for trendy, accessible fashion. Since their inception, Pixie Market has been able to keep up with the latest trends and offer stylish pieces at a fraction of the price of other brands.
Whether you’re looking for a casual sundress or a more formal option for a night out, Pixie Market has you covered. Pixie Market is especially known for their tops, specifically the Chiara Knit Bustier Top which is one of the most flattering tops I’ve ever seen! What sets Pixie Market apart from other brands is its commitment to quality. While fast fashion is often associated with poor-quality, disposable clothing, Pixie Market offers on-trend pieces that are made to last. This focus on high quality has made Pixie Market a favorite among fashionistas.
Whether I’m looking for a new dress for a special occasion or just some everyday pieces, Pixie Market is always my go-to. If you’re looking for a new fashion brand to try, I would highly recommend Pixie Market. You’ll be impressed by the quality of the clothing and the unique designs. Plus, you can’t beat the prices are fairly accessible!
Madewell
We can’t talk about stores like H&M without mentioning Madewell. Madewell specializes in carefully tailored basics, with a feminine and playful intermix. The brand is best known for its impressive sustainable denim collection. This boasts jeans and jean shorts in almost every size, cut, and color. Madewell is unique amongst this list of stores like H&M in that denim is at the forefront of everything the brand creates.
Beyond denim, Madewell offers a comprehensive collection of elegant staples. This spans tops, sweaters, coats, shoes, purses, and jewelry. Created to be effortlessly paired with jeans, these designs are still versatile to be dressed up.
Madewell is slightly pricer than other stores like H&M. The tops range between $50-$100 and bottoms range from $100-$180. However, Madewell’s commitment to using high-quality fabrics and production techniques ensures that you are investing in durable pieces.
Cuyana
Next on this list of stores like H&M we have Cuyana. This brand was created with the goal of providing high-quality, timeless pieces that women can wear for years to come. It has quickly become known for its minimalist style and commitment to quality over quantity.
Cuyana’s best-selling products include its signature leather totes and wallets, which are both stylish and practical. The brand also offers a range of other classic pieces, like cashmere sweaters and silk scarves, that are perfect for elevating any outfit.
There are many minimalist brands on this list, as I’m a huge fan of shopping H&M for wardrobe staples. That’s why Cuyana made it on this list of stores like H&M because of their timeless, high-quality styles.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic is the perfect destination for affordable luxury. This retailer has been serving staple workwear attire since its founding. Dresses, jumpsuits, blazers, and other tailored silhouettes are found consistently throughout its collections.
Although Banana Republic specializes in work wear, the retailer also offers everyday essentials. Even with a basic t-shirt, Banana Republic threads an essence of elegance and refinement into each piece.
Despite its focus on understated pieces, the brand boasts adventure-filled designs. Inspired by exotic landscapes, you will find intricate patterns in a variety of dresses and blouses. In this way, Banana Republic appeals to both the minimalist and exploratory shopper.
Kotn
Kotn started with a simple goal. To create the perfect t-shirt that did not compromise on fit, quality, and the integrity of the people who made it. The brand has done this and more. They offer apparel for men and women as well as homeware. Their products use the finest materials and give back to the communities that make them.
Kotn works with cotton farmers in Egypt through direct trade. By buying the raw materials themselves, Kotn provides customers with fair price. They also provide its farmers with better wages and protection. This helps provide transparency into how its partners conduct business. Further, with every Kotn order, they donate a portion of funds to NGOs throughout Egypt to build primary schools in the Nile Delta.
Beyond moral integrity, Kotn produces high-quality, and unique pieces for the elegant shopper. The brand has an “essentials” section on its site. This displays pieces from both its women’s and men’s collections that are unisex. They can be paid with about anything in your wardrobe. The brand is best known for its organic cotton t-shirts and tank tops, which reflect supreme quality and comfort.
Free People
Free People is a clothing brand that was created with the modern boho-chic woman in mind. What sets Free People apart from other brands is its focus on providing quality clothes that are both stylish and affordable. You’re able to find both trendy and staple items here, which is why the brand made it on this list of stores like H&M.
Free People’s style is all about effortless cool and put-together yet undone looks. Free People’s best-selling products include their FP One collection, which is a line of clothing made with sustainable materials. What sets Free People apart from other brands is their focus on empowering women through fashion. Their clothes are meant to make women feel confident and beautiful.
Free People’s style is all about being natural, effortless, and stylish. That’s why they landed on this list of stores like H&M because they offer a product selection that will always impress you with its versatility and affordability.
Everlane
Everlane is where fashion and function meet. The brand creates staple pieces that are perfect for an active lifestyle or upcoming trip. Here you will find ribbed tank dresses (perfect for day or night), 90s-inspired denim, and crisp button-down shirts.
What makes Everlane unique amongst this list of stores like H&M is that the brand designs with utility in mind. Whether it is a pair of pants or a dress, the brand ensures that its fabrics are breathable, comfortable, and flexible enough to move with you. This sense of function is also reflected in the brand’s impressive purse selection. They sell items such as the leather mini sling bag which has the perfect mix of sportiness and chicness for any city goer.
The best part about Everlane is that despite its high quality, its prices remain affordable. Pieces range from $20 on the low end to $150 on the high end. It is the perfect destination for that cherished pair of pants that goes with everything. Or that comfortable t-shirt that you can throw on when you’re in a rush. The brand appeals to minimalist shoppers by simply giving them what they need, with no frills or gimmicks.
Reformation
When it comes to fashion, sustainable and ethical brands are few and far between. Reformation is one of the few brands that is managing to make a difference in the fashion industry. The brand was created with the goal of revolutionizing the fashion industry with high-fashion yet sustainable products. Reformation has succeeded in creating best-selling pieces that stand out from other brands.
The brand was created by Yael Aflalo, who was inspired by her own experience working in the fashion industry. Aflalo wanted to create a brand that would be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Reformation sources sustainable materials, like deadstock fabrics, and uses less water and energy in their production process. They also offset their carbon emissions, so that their products have a net-zero impact on the environment. They openly share their sustainability practices with their customers, so that they can make more informed choices about the clothes they buy.
What’s more, Reformation designs are incredibly flattering. The brand offers everything from flowy dresses to form-fitting denim, all with a unique, modern twist. Their best-selling style is their wrap dresses which you can see here. If you’re looking for fashion that feels good and looks even better, Reformation is the brand for you.
Mango
Mango is the perfect destination for refined European looks at an affordable price point. Starting in Spain and since taking the global fashion scene by storm, Mango focuses on elegant basics, with trendy items trickling in.
Unlike other fast-fashion retailers, Mango treats trends delicately. Instead of duplicating styles seen everywhere else, Mango takes cues from trending colorways and silhouettes. and turns them into something that is authentic to the brand. For example, the current trend of lingerie-inspired wear is reinvented into elegant bustier crop tops for the brand’s 2022 summer collection.
Perhaps the most impressive piece of Mango’s collection is its dress selection, which spans every occasion you can imagine. Here you will find romantic day dresses, cool going-out dresses, elegant formal dresses, and chic workwear dresses, among others.
Pact
Pact was created as an alternative to conventional fast fashion. It was founded in 2009, with the aim of providing high-quality, sustainable, and affordable clothing. Pact’s mission is simple; they want to build Earth’s Favorite Clothing Company and they are doing just that with their simple and timeless styles that focus on classic silhouettes and natural fabrics.
What sets Pact apart from other brands is its commitment to sustainability and fair trade. They use sustainable crops, organic farms, and GOTS-certified manufacturing. All of its products are made from organic cotton and/or recycled materials, and the brand works with Fair Trade-certified factories.
Pact’s best-selling products consist of their Downtime Wed-Leg Sweatpants and Fisherman Turtleneck Tunic Sweater to name a few. They also have a great activewear line where you can buy leggings for an affordable $38. That’s pretty great compared to when you think about the $100+ activewear leggings on the market today.
Gap
Gap was one of the first brands in the retail market to prioritize comfort and simplicity above all else. Since its founding, Gap has focused on closet essentials: jeans, t-shirts, and knits (amongst a plethora of other items). With this, Gap has always strived to be body inclusive, staying true to their brand motto “fit for all”.
This body inclusivity is reflected in the brand’s denim collection, which comes in a wide range of sizes and styles. Further, the Gap site makes it easy to assess how the pants will look in real life through its virtual 3D model.
Not only does Gap provide a comprehensive selection of wardrobe staples, but the brand’s prices hover around the $15-$25 range for tops and the $40-$80 range for pants. For even more savings, check out Gap’s sister brand, Gap Factory, which sells Gap overstock at 50-80% off.
Gap is also a great destination for loungewear and pajamas. Here you will find lounge sets that are made with comfortable and breathable fabrics but still chic enough to pass off as a cute work-from-home outfit.
J. Crew
Another brand on this list of stores like H&M to have a rebrand, J. Crew changed course in 2020. After shoppers stopped connecting with the brand’s signature preppy and modest style, J. Crew transformed itself into a contemporary women’s wear brand by leaning into the timelessness of preppiness, rather than the constraint of this style.
J. Crew reflects the wardrobe of a refined, wise woman who is confident in who she is. The brand focuses on cuts that are flattering on a wide range of bodies and rarely strays from classic silhouettes. Further, the brand focuses on fabrics that feel good on the body, and move with, rather than against you (such as linen and cotton).
Despite J. Crew’s minimalism, the brand still incorporates youthful, and playful designs. Here you will find subtle details that make its items fresh and modern, such as a criss-cross strap, an open back, or a slit on the side of a day dress.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo was founded on the principle of innovation-making clothing that adapts to consumers’ ever-changing needs. The brand continues to value function and quality above all else, by developing a multitude of technological innovations.
Perhaps the brand’s most successful endeavor was the launch of heattech, a fabric that automatically warms the body by trapping heat. The heattech line has now expanded to a plethora of thin and lightweight items that can be layered under cold weather apparel for extra warmth. Another great example is Uniqlo’s packable down coat, a lightweight yet warm winter jacket that can be rolled up for easy packing.
Uniqlo is constantly thinking of ways that fashion and function can meet, which makes it unique from stores like H&M. Beyond this, Uniqlo consistently engages in interesting collaborations with artists, fashion influencers, and other creators to launch limited edition products. These products are always unique and give Uniqlo a high-fashion edge.
American Eagle
American Eagle is one of the most popular clothing brands in the world. The brand’s style is casual and classic, with a focus on denim which is why they landed on this list of stores like H&M. What sets American Eagle apart from other brands is its focus on quality and value. The brand offers a wide range of products at prices that are affordable. Due to this, The brand has since become known for its stylish, laid-back looks and has become a favorite among teenagers and young adults.
If you’re looking for classic American style, American Eagle is the brand for you. From jeans and tees to dresses and outerwear, the brand has everything you need to create a great wardrobe. And, with new styles arriving all the time, you can always keep your look fresh.
Like Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle has completely shifted their brand over recent years. American Eagle has committed to no photoshopping and prides itself in their body-positive campaigns. The proof is right on their Instagram where you can see the inclusivity, which is much needed in the fashion industry.
Nap Loungewear
Nap Loungewear is a newer brand on the scene and they’re already making waves with their fashionable and comfortable loungewear. The brand was founded in 2020 to cater to the ever-growing need of loungewear that we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic. And they’ve definitely succeeded in just that, even with the pandemic (almost) behind us!
Their best-selling products include classic tailoring and feminine lines, which you can see throughout their cotton track set https://naploungewear.com/product/cotton-track-set/. which is made from super soft cotton that’s perfect for lounging around the house or taking a quick run to the grocery store. They also have a cozy hoodie that’s perfect for those lazy days and of course, they have a comfy pair of joggers that are perfect for lounging around.
What sets Nap apart from other brands is its focus on quality and comfort. Their products are made from high-quality materials that are designed to be comfortable and last. One thing to note is that while Nap Loungewear offers products similar to H&M, their prices are definitely higher. But they are the perfect “treat yourself” brand because they have products that are made to last.
Final Thoughts
If you thought that minimalist style was boring, hopefully, this article changed your mind. Minimalism is constantly being rewarded in today’s retail world, you just have to open your eyes wide enough to see it. Check out these stores like H&M for timeless treasures!
Don’t forget to check out more style-related content here.
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