Here they are, the all-around best men’s clothing brands in the world right now. These head-to-toe outfitters offer a wide range of products — no specialty brands. To qualify for this list of best clothing brands, you have to be able to theoretically build at least 75% of a fully functional wardrobe from that brand alone. So you may not see your favorite footwear or outerwear brand here if it only specializes in that particular category.
The other qualification for the best clothing brands for men is that they have to design most of their products, so you won’t find any wholesale retailers here. They can sell other brands when it fills a need to round out their collection, but they have to offer original designs predominantly.
A common thread (pardon the pun) in menswear right now is reimagining old classics, and you will see that throughout this list. Inspiration is coming from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, but they all look modern in their own way. The other striking feature of this list is a lack of commonality in general aesthetics. Like popular fashion in general, the best menswear brands present a diverse array of styles, fits, fabrics, and colors.
The only unifying trend in men’s fashion is that anything goes, as long as you can make it work. So no matter your style, you can find multiple brands on this list to freshen up your wardrobe.
Todd Snyder
Inspired by Savile Row craftsmanship and with a distinct New York sensibility, Todd Snyder is the go-to for a modern take on old-school menswear. There is nothing like taking old school and making it look new school. Look to the brand for traditional casual styles, given twists like imported Italian tweeds and tartans generally associated with field clothing.
Aimé Leon Dore
The cult New York-based brand is reimagining classic American clothing, shoes, and accessories. Aimé Leon Dore has collaborated with brands like New Balance, Timberland, Woolrich, and Drake’s, giving a contemporary spin on heritage styles. Everything from elevated basics to the peak of streetwear is what you can expect from the brand that makes the above names salivate at the thought of collaboration.
Banks Journal
Banks Journal comes from Tokyo by way of an Australian surf town called Byron Bay. Its vibe is very much a mashup between those two worlds. It produces laid-back fashion inspired by beachside living. It’s perfect for heading to the beach or just relaxing where you are. No matter what your day looks like, you will accomplish all your tasks in a style calling back to James Bond’s beach looks.
Bather
Bather is a Canadian surf company. We know Canada isn’t the first country that comes to mind when you think of surfing, but Bather nails it. Its clothing combines surf heritage, like aloha shirts and modern designs. It also has a solid commitment to environmental responsibility, making all of its surf and swim gear out of recycled materials.
Buck Mason
What started in a 350-square-foot garage in Los Angeles has grown into a brand synonymous with well-made casual staples. Buck Mason makes fashion less complicated, using American craftsmanship to make each men’s jeans or T-shirts last beyond a single season.
Champion
When it comes to authentic American sportswear, Champion is one of the most tried-and-true brands of the last century. Champion pioneered the technology behind the Reverse Weave fabric, making its sweatshirts the iconic pieces they are today. Look to the line for casual classics like hoodies, tees, sweatpants, socks, and underwear with a quality that can’t be replicated.
Levi's
When Levi Strauss founded his eponymous clothing brand nearly 170 years ago, he did so with the intention of making clothes built to endure. Needless to say, a pair of Levi’s has become an American staple and is as authentic as you can get when it comes to denim. With the history of American-made style here, it’s hard to get any more American than Levi Strauss and his Gold Rush invention.
Taylor Stitch
Taylor Stitch is a northern California brand that oozes North California vibes. The clothing is comfortable and stylish, yet rugged and traditionally manly at the same time. It reworks classics into contemporary wardrobe staples. Taylor Stitch is a go-to for those foundational pieces to build any wardrobe around.
Nike
Designed for athletes, Nike’s innovative and stylish activewear surpasses sport and consistently shakes up the cultural zeitgeist. The signature swoosh means more than just a quality product: It’s a logo that can be worn in the gym or work seamlessly with designer digs. For the brand that catapulted to stardom in an industry-changing collaboration with the greatest basketball player of all time, there hasn’t been a better shoe on the market for three decades.
Relwen
Relwen makes casual, stylish clothing that is built for performance. It uses functional and durable materials to create designs that are inspired by the classics like vintage military gear and 1960s beach gear. It is the perfect brand for a classic look in modern design.
New Balance
Are you familiar with Steve Jobs? The man who was the billionaire owner of Apple? In the ultimate comeback, New Balance managed to turn its 990 sneakers from the quintessential dad shoe to an in-the-know status symbol.
Patagonia
The Pacific Northwest is known for the outdoors, and Patagonia put the company on the map as one of the go-to outdoorsy destinations in the country. Known equally for its top-quality outdoor clothing as it is for its dedication to environmental activism, Patagonia has transcended sporting wear to become an accountable lifestyle brand. Patagonia usees thoughtful processes to create long-lasting gear for both sports and leisure.
Portuguese Flannel
Portuguese Flannel produces all its goods in Portugal using traditional craftsmanship, but it makes a lot more than just flannel. Its spring/summer lines are vibrant and light, featuring textures and colors that stand out from their peers. It is the perfect brand to add some fun to your wardrobe.
Thom Browne
The visionary tailor of our generation has continued to gain relevance by blending his world of modern suiting with unexpected talent from emerging athletes to rappers. Thom’s signature four bars can be found everywhere from a perfectly tailored skinny suit to a more casual sweatshirt.
Uniqlo
Casual wear Japanese retailer Uniqlo is known for its well-designed and budget-friendly wardrobe staples. While Uniqlo’s basic tees and sweaters are highly recommended for everyday layering, the game-changing technology behind Heattech thermals and moisture-wicking AIRism can’t be beaten for their price point. Also watch for noteworthy collaborations with institutions like the Louvre museum, artists like Keith Haring, and designers like Christophe Lemaire (shown above).
Faherty
Faherty is a family business. Mike Faherty left the RRL design team to start his own clothing company in 2012. A year later his twin brother Alex left a comfortable career in finance to join Mike and somehow convinced his attorney wife Kerry to join them. The Faherty family has created one of the most well rounded lifestyle clothing brands based around coastal vibes and committed to ethical, transparent, and sustainable production.
Rowing Blazers
Rowing Blazers the brand was founded based on the success of Rowing Blazers the book, both by former world class rowing champion Jack Carlson. The aesthetic is both retro and timeless, drawing inspiration from American preppy style, English gentry style, and all things vintage sporting style. Carlson is dedicated to integrity and authenticity, insisting that all his collaborations are with genuine original companies, locations, and individuals.
Private White V.C.
Private White V.C. started out making outerwear but they have grown into a full service brands. All their merchandise is made in England, in and around their hometown of Manchester. Everything the produce is of the absolute highest quality and inspired by timeless English essentials. That means anything you buy from them will never wear out and never go out of fashion.
J.Crew Men's
We’re hardly the first to call it, but J.Crew Men’s is back. With a full line by creative director Brendon Babenzien, the heritage brand has already regained a buzz resembling that of its glory days a decade ago. Babenzien has restored the commitment to high quality production and modernized takes on Americana that made J.Crew one of the most influential menswear brands of the early 2010s.
Outerknown
Sustainable clothing company Outerknown has been around since the 2010s and has always been committed to supporting fair labor and the enviornment. It has a committment to high quality, and it offers a unique service called Outerworn.
In keeping with Outerknown’s commitment to quality and sustainability, Outerworn is a program where customers can sell pieces of pre-worn Outerknown clothing on an online marketplace in exchange for store credit to purchase new items. With a line of men’s clothing that covers comfortable T-shirts to flannel overshirts and even jackets and accessories like hats and sunglasses, Outerknown has something to fill all of your needs while lowering your impact on the planet.
Fashion is all subjective, so maybe your favorite brands aren’t on the list right now. This is just our take on the current residents atop the menswear mountain. It is a rolling list because fashion is an ever-changing landscape, so check back again soon to see any shakeups. Hopefully, you discovered something new and if not, congratulations, you have excellent taste, my friend.
