If you're a fan of minimalist streetwear, you're almost certainly familiar with Essentials. The brand has perfected the art of high-quality, understated basics - think perfectly cut hoodies, joggers, and t-shirts in the most wearable neutral tones. Their pieces form the foundation of a modern, effortless wardrobe without the ultra-luxury price tag.
For anyone who loves that clean, versatile style but wants to expand their closet, we've rounded up 22 brands that hit that same sweet spot of comfort, minimalism, and quiet cool. Here are some great alternatives to check out.
A.P.C. delivers that effortlessly cool French minimalism, offering clean-cut streetwear with a major focus on high-quality denim. If you're looking for structured jeans, simple tees, and understated yet polished staples, this is where you go. While Essentials masters the relaxed, cozy vibe, A.P.C. elevates it with more refined tailoring and premium fabrics, giving your minimalist look a slightly more sophisticated edge.
Shop now at apc.fr
As the diffusion line from the Fear of God luxury label, this brand is the closest you'll get to the original's vibe - because it's directly related. It nails the art of elevated basics, offering oversized hoodies, perfect-fit tees, and relaxed joggers in signature neutral hues. Compared to other similar brands, Fear of God Essentials has a more distinct, designer-level approach to fits and silhouettes, making it a go-to for those who want that premium streetwear look with a high-fashion feel.
Shop now at fearofgod.com
Uniqlo is the undisputed champion of affordable, high-quality, functional basics. Sharing a minimalist aesthetic with Essentials, the Japanese brand offers a much broader range of staples, often at significantly lower prices (think under $50). They're famous for their innovative fabrics like AIRism and HEATTECH, which make their tees, pants, and jackets perfect for layering and reliable everyday wear. It's the ultimate destination for building a minimalist wardrobe on a budget.
Shop now at uniqlo.com
For minimalism with a modern, architectural twist, COS is your brand. This Scandinavian powerhouse is known for its clean lines, striking silhouettes, and high-quality fabrics that feel far more expensive than they are. Where Essentials focuses on slouchy, relaxed basics, COS offers more structured and fashion-forward pieces. It's the perfect choice when you want a sleek, contemporary look that still feels understated and cool.
Shop now at cosstores.com
While known as a legendary streetwear pioneer, Stüssy has leaned into a more refined, minimalist look in recent years. You can still expect the iconic graffiti-style logo, but their collections are also full of high-quality basics with subtle branding and relaxed fits. Their hoodies, basic tees, and accessories capture the same laid-back feel as Essentials but with an authentic street culture edge that's been cool for decades.
Shop now at stussy.com
Everlane is all about radical transparency, sustainable materials, and timeless design. The brand delivers beautifully simple wardrobe staples like streamlined tees, chinos, and crewneck sweatshirts that fit right into a minimalist aesthetic. Their vibe can be a touch more polished and can lean towards smart-casual compared to Essentials’ classic streetwear feel, making it great for versatile pieces you can dress up or down.
Shop now at everlane.com
Nike is an obvious choice for sporty, minimalist style. The Sportswear line, in particular, delivers sleek streetwear staples like simple hoodies, joggers, and iconic sneakers in monochrome or neutral colorways. Their strength lies in blending high-performance athletic function with modern design, giving their pieces a clean, functional edge that differs from Essentials' pure lifestyle focus. If you want comfort that’s rooted in sport, Nike is unbeaten.
Shop now at nike.com
Best known for its outerwear, Patagonia also offers incredible functionality-focused streetwear. Their simple fleece pullovers, fair-trade cotton tees, and rugged pants offer a minimalist look built for durability and purpose. While Essentials is a fashion-focused brand, Patagonia appeals to those who value a similar aesthetic but want rugged, eco-conscious construction - making your stylish pieces ready for any adventure.
Shop now at patagonia.com
For a fast-fashion take on minimalist streetwear, Zara’s TRF line is always on trend. It offers wallet-friendly basics like oversized hoodies, casual joggers, and simple tees that capture the Essentials vibe. The key difference is that Zara is more trend-driven, offering subtle design twists that change with the season. It's a great option for trying out new silhouettes or grabbing a quick style update without a big commitment.
Shop now at zara.com
Kith sits at the crossroads of elevated streetwear and clean minimalism. The brand delivers impeccably crafted hoodies, tees, and statement sneakers that often sell out instantly. Like Essentials, Kith favors neutral tones and understated designs, but its pieces have a decidedly more premium feel, often incorporating luxe materials and exclusive collaborations. It's for the person who loves minimalist streetwear but craves a bit of hype.
Shop now at kith.com
If you're looking to take your minimalist aesthetic into the luxury realm, Saint Laurent Rive Droite is the ultimate upgrade. Blending high fashion with streetwear, the line includes perfectly cut hoodies, t-shirts, and accessories made from ultra-premium materials. It captures the simple, clean-lined look of Essentials but elevates it to a designer level with impeccable construction and a touch of Parisian sophistication.
Shop now at ysl.com
Off-White is known for merging high fashion with street culture, and while famous for bold graphics, the brand also excels at minimalist designs. You can find simple hoodies, sweats, and joggers that feature founder Virgil Abloh's iconic but subtle branding, like diagonal stripes or the subtle arrow logo. This offers a similar aesthetic to Essentials but with a much higher fashion cred and artistic edge.
Shop now at off---white.com
Muji is the master of no-frills, utilitarian minimalism. The Japanese brand offers a range of simple, functional clothing designed with a "no brand" philosophy - meaning zero logos and total focus on quality. Their plain tees, relaxed pants, and comfy basics are made from sustainable fabrics and built to last. If you find even Essentials a bit too branded, Muji’s hyper-minimalist, function-first approach will be a perfect fit.
Shop now at muji.com
Based in Vancouver, Reigning Champ is obsessive about quality, specializing in heavyweight fleeces and handcrafted athletic wear. Their sweatshirts, hoodies, and joggers are celebrated for their durability and perfect, modern fit. While both brands champion minimalist design, Reigning Champ focuses more on rugged craftsmanship and premium, long-lasting materials, often at a slightly higher price point. It’s an investment in a basic that will last forever.
Shop now at reigningchamp.com
Coming out of Copenhagen, Norse Projects provides Scandinavian minimalism with a functional twist. Their collections are filled with high-quality, versatile essentials like clean t-shirts, subtle outerwear, and sleek hoodies. The aesthetic is understated and refined, sharing the minimalist spirit of Essentials but often incorporating more technical fabrics and subtle design details for a look that's both smart and street-ready.
Shop now at norseprojects.com
Snipes is a one-stop-shop retailer for global streetwear, offering a huge assortment of minimalist staples from various brands as well as their own house line. You can easily find affordable hoodies, tees, and joggers that capture the easy-to-wear Essentials feel. Compared to a single brand, Snipes is more heavily rooted in mainstream street culture and offers a broad selection at highly accessible prices for a young audience.
Shop now at snipes.com
Alo Yoga is a master of athleisure that looks just as good on the street as it does in a studio. The brand offers super-soft leggings, stylish joggers, and perfectly slouchy sweatshirts designed with high-performance fabrics. Their look captures the comfort-first mentality of Essentials but adds a wellness-focused, sporty twist. It's the perfect choice for minimalist style that's built for movement and effortless cool.
Shop now at aloyoga.com
Weekday is a Swedish streetwear brand with a moody, creative vibe inspired by youth culture. They offer oversized hoodies, relaxed-fit jeans, and understated basics that hit the same minimalist notes as Essentials but with an edgier, more rebellious feel. With an emphasis on muted tones and simple silhouettes, it's a great place to find affordable pieces that put a street-style spin on Scandinavian simplicity.
Shop now at weekday.com
For a dose of quiet luxury, Lemaire offers timeless, minimalist pieces made from incredibly high-quality fabrics. With Christophe Lemaire (of Uniqlo U fame) at the helm, the brand focuses on refined but relaxed essentials that elevate any wardrobe. Think buttery-soft tees, flowing trousers, and sophisticated knits. It channels the same minimalist spirit as Essentials but from a more exclusive, luxury perspective.
Shop now at lemaire.fr
Public Rec is an expert in creating "leisurewear for everywhere." The brand specializes in thoughtfully designed basics like joggers, tees, and sweatshirts that feel like loungewear but are styled for everyday city life. Much like Essentials, their focus is on versatile, hyper-comfortable pieces. Public Rec stands out with its technical fabrics and obsessive attention to creating the perfect fit, making its staples feel both practical and polished.
Shop now at publicrec.com
Axel Arigato brings a sleek, Scandinavian point of view to minimalist streetwear. Though they started with sneakers, their apparel - from sleek hoodies to minimal tees - shows the same commitment to craftsmanship and subtle branding. The look is clean, modern, and high-quality, sharing a similar neutral palette with Essentials but with a more contemporary, Euro-centric flair.
Shop now at axelarigato.com
If you love the minimalist aesthetic but want to make a more sustainable choice on a budget, H&M's Conscious collection is a fantastic option. This line focuses on affordable basics - tees, hoodies, and joggers - made from eco-friendly materials like organic cotton or recycled polyester. The styles align perfectly with the everyday vibes of Essentials, allowing you to build your minimalist wardrobe affordably and sustainably.
Shop now at hm.com
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