There's a reason everyone's closet has a piece from Essentials Fear of God. The brand perfectly masters the art of elevated basics, offering those clean, minimalist hoodies, tees, and joggers that make you look effortlessly cool without even trying. Its focus on quality materials, oversized fits, and neutral palettes has made it a go-to for building a modern, versatile wardrobe.
If you're looking to expand on that minimalist streetwear vibe, you're in the right place. Here are 17 other brands that deliver a similar blend of understated style, comfort, and quality.
Let's start with the source. Fear of God is the main luxury line from founder Jerry Lorenzo, offering the same aesthetic as Essentials but with higher-end fabrics, more intricate designs, and a luxury price tag. Think layered outerwear, luxe cashmere, and impeccably tailored trousers. If you love the Essentials silhouette but are ready to invest in runway-level quality and craftsmanship, the parent brand is the ultimate upgrade.
Shop now at fearofgod.com
A.P.C. (Atelier de Production et de Creation) brings a Parisian sensibility to minimalism. Known for its clean lines, raw denim, and understated staples, this brand offers a more refined and classic take on everyday essentials. While Essentials leans into a relaxed, streetwear silhouette, A.P.C. provides a slightly more tailored fit. It's the perfect brand for when you want simple, high-quality pieces that feel timeless and sophisticated.
Shop now at apc.fr
For minimalism with an architectural twist, COS is a fantastic choice. The brand is known for modern, functional designs that often feature unique proportions, clean lines, and high-quality, sustainable fabrics. Like Essentials, COS focuses on a neutral color palette, but their pieces often have a more structured, tailored feel compared to Essentials' soft, oversized drapery. It's a great option for building a versatile wardrobe with a contemporary, artistic vibe.
Shop now at cos.com
John Elliott is famous for perfecting wardrobe basics. Obsessed with high-quality fabrics and functional details, the brand offers premium hoodies, joggers, and tees that are often seen as a direct, more premium competitor to Essentials. The silhouettes are similarly relaxed and modern, but John Elliott often incorporates unique textures and innovative textiles. It's a go-to for anyone who appreciates thoughtful construction in their everyday wear.
Shop now at johnelliott.com
If you love the streetwear side of Essentials but want something with a bit more edge, Ksubi is your brand. The Australian label is famous for its distressed denim, oversized graphic tees, and a rebellious, rock-and-roll attitude. While the overall vibe is edgier, Ksubi shares Essentials' love for monochrome palettes and relaxed, oversized fits, making it a great alternative for adding a bit of grit to your minimalist wardrobe.
Shop now at ksubi.com
Rooted in Scandinavian design, Norse Projects blends streetwear, classic workwear, and high-end fashion into a clean, functional aesthetic. Their pieces are designed to withstand the elements while looking effortlessly stylish, with a focus on quality materials and timeless silhouettes. Like Essentials, they offer beautifully simple basics, but with a distinct Northern European practicality and a slightly more classic fit.
Shop now at norseprojects.com
Y-3 is the iconic collaboration between Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto and Adidas. It brings a futuristic, avant-garde perspective to sportswear. The brand is known for its dramatic black-and-white palettes, innovative fabrics, and clean, architectural silhouettes. If you appreciate the minimalist and monochrome aspects of Essentials but crave something more high-fashion and athletic, Y-3 offers the perfect fusion of both worlds.
Shop now at y-3.com
This Japanese label takes minimalist streetwear and injects it with a strong dose of rebellious, tailored energy. Known for oversized silhouettes and sharp tailoring, John Lawrence Sullivan combines elegance with a tough edge. While sharing Essentials’ taste for muted color schemes and generous fits, this brand often features avant-garde details like unique cutouts and hardware, appealing to someone who wants their minimalism to make a statement.
Shop now at ssense.com/en-us/men/designers/john-lawrence-sullivan
Founded by Matthew M. Williams, 1017 ALYX 9SM (or just Alyx) mixes luxury with urban subculture. The brand is famous for its industrial hardware - like the iconic rollercoaster buckle - and its refined, minimalist approach to streetwear. While it’s at a higher price point, Alyx shares that clean, modern Fear of God aesthetic but with a sharper, more industrial and technical feel. It’s for the person who loves understated luxury with thoughtful, utilitarian details.
Shop now at alyxstudio.com
A sibling brand to COS, Arket is another Scandinavian powerhouse focused on well-made, enduring basics. Think of it as a modern-day market for quality essentials, from knitwear to outerwear and perfect-fit tees. Arket’s vibe is slightly more classic and practical than COS's architectural style, landing it closer to Essentials in its focus on daily, wearable pieces. It's a fantastic, affordable option for building a sustainable and minimalist wardrobe.
Shop now at arket.com
Based in Canada, Reigning Champ is obsessed with one thing: making the best athletic fleece in the world. They design and manufacture premium essentials like hoodies, sweatpants, and tees with an incredible focus on fabric and construction. Their aesthetic is pure, understated minimalism. If you value the premium feel and comfort of Essentials loungewear and want pieces made with meticulous craftsmanship, Reigning Champ is a must-try.
Shop now at reigningchamp.com
Ami offers a friendly, relaxed approach to Parisian style. Founded by Alexandre Mattiussi, the brand strikes a perfect balance between casual and chic with pieces that feel effortless and authentic. Like Essentials, Ami creates elevated basics, but with a distinctly Parisian character - think finely crafted knit sweaters, relaxed trousers, and smart jackets. It's a great choice for a slightly more polished and less oversized take on minimalist style.
Shop now at maisonkitsune.com/fr/ami
Known for its "radical transparency," Everlane focuses on ethical production and high-quality basics at accessible prices. Their collections feature modern, minimalist staples like clean-cut tees, cashmere sweaters, and well-fitting denim. Everlane delivers on the same promise as Essentials - creating a versatile, everyday wardrobe - but places a heavy emphasis on sustainability and timeless, classic designs over streetwear trends.
Shop now at everlane.com
Officine Generale masterfully blends classic tailoring with a relaxed, everyday attitude. Their pieces are designed to be loved and lived in, with a focus on beautiful fabrics from Italy, Britain, and Japan. The brand offers a more tailored and refined silhouette compared to Essentials' oversized streetwear vibe, but shares a commitment to quality, neutral palettes, and effortless sophistication. It’s 'wearable real-world clothing' at its finest.
Shop now at en.officinegenerale.com
While known as an outdoor brand, Patagonia's commitment to durability, function and a simple aesthetic has made it a quiet favorite in minimalist and streetwear circles. Core pieces like the classic fleece jackets, simple logo tees, and functional outerwear fit seamlessly into a minimalist wardrobe. It offers the same casual, high-quality vibe as Essentials, but with an added focus on sustainability and rugged, outdoor-ready performance.
Shop now at patagonia.com
No list of minimalist basics is complete without Uniqlo. The Japanese retailer is the undisputed king of affordable, high-quality essentials. Whether you're looking for the perfect t-shirt, a simple hoodie, or innovative basics from its Uniqlo U line (headed by designer Christophe Lemaire), the brand delivers. While it won't have the same "hype" or luxury feel as Essentials, it's the absolute best place to build the foundation of a minimalist wardrobe on a budget.
Shop now at uniqlo.com
Sometimes the best alternative is another drop from the brand you already love. While it feels obvious, keeping up with the seasonal releases from Essentials itself is key. Each new collection offers perfected versions of their core items - hoodies, sweatpants, tees, and outerwear - in of-the-moment neutral colors. If what you love is that specific Essentials blend of comfort, style, and accessible luxury, staying loyal is often the best move.
Shop now at essentials.shop
At Apart Style, we're obsessed with curating the best in fashion, beauty, and jewelry to help you discover new brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, style, and uniqueness. When you make a purchase through our links, Apart Style may earn a commission - which helps support our small team, and allows us to continue bringing you the best in online style brands.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our full brand directory or check out our curated brand guides to find your new favorite thing.
