Oak & Fort vs. Aritzia: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Oak & Fort is known for its timeless, minimalist aesthetic centered on high-quality fabrics and neutral tones, positioning itself as a source for foundational wardrobe pieces. In contrast, Aritzia leans into a trend-forward, vibrant style, offering a diverse range of seasonal collections, bold colors, and an extensive catalog that moves at a faster pace.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right fashion brand for your personal style.

Oak & Fort: The Modern Minimalist's Go-To

Oak & Fort is a Canadian brand that champions understated elegance and modern, minimalist design. It appeals to the style-conscious consumer who values clean lines, high-quality materials, and versatile pieces that can be easily integrated into a capsule wardrobe. The overall aesthetic is sophisticated yet relaxed, ideal for creating effortless, chic outfits suitable for both work and daily life.

• Product mix: Offers a curated collection of apparel for women and men, including classic trousers, knitwear, blouses, and outerwear, along with accessories and footwear. The focus is on creating timeless silhouettes rather than following fast-fashion trends.
• Price point: Sits in the mid-range market, with most items priced between $50 and $200. This price reflects the quality materials and thoughtful construction of their garments.
• Quality: Emphasizes durable, high-quality fabrics like linen, wool, and structured cotton. There's a clear focus on craftsmanship, so pieces feel substantial and are designed for longevity.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is generally consistent and true to size, with many pieces featuring a relaxed or slightly oversized fit that aligns with the brand's contemporary aesthetic. They typically offer sizes from XS to L.
• Sustainability: The brand's approach to sustainability focuses on creating timeless, durable pieces that last beyond a single season, thereby reducing waste. They are transparent about their manufacturing but do not currently hold major sustainability certifications.

Oak & Fort provides durable, versatile wardrobe essentials, making it perfect for shoppers looking to build a timeless and functional wardrobe with a modern edge.

Shop Oak & Fort: oakandfort.com

Aritzia: The Trend-Forward Fashion Destination

Aritzia is a Canadian fashion powerhouse known for its trendy, fashion-forward apparel aimed at a younger demographic. The brand acts as a hub for both its in-house labels and curated designer items, offering everything from bold statement pieces to polished workwear and comfortable athleisure. The aesthetic is energetic and youthful, skillfully blending contemporary streetwear influences with feminine, sophisticated styles.

• Product mix: Carries a vast selection of clothing primarily for women, covering dresses, tops, best-selling outerwear like the Super Puff, activewear, and accessories. Their multiple in-house brands (TNA, Wilfred, Babaton) each cater to a different style, from edgy to professional.
• Price point: Spans a wide spectrum from affordable basics around $30 to high-end outerwear reaching $250 or more. This allows shoppers to mix trend-driven finds with more investment-worthy pieces.
• Quality: The quality varies significantly across collections and price points. While some items feature premium materials, many trend-focused pieces use more common textiles like polyester blends to keep styles accessible and current.
• Sales: Holds major seasonal sales and promotions, making it a popular destination for shoppers looking for deals on trendy items.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally runs true to size but can vary between its different house brands. It offers a broad size range, including petite and tall options, to accommodate diverse body types.
• Sustainability: The company is investing in sustainability through initiatives focused on environmentally friendly materials and ethical manufacturing, but still operates on a faster production model.

Aritzia is the ideal destination for anyone who wants to stay on top of the latest trends, with a constantly refreshed inventory of fashionable pieces for every occasion.

Shop Aritzia: aritzia.com

Oak & Fort vs. Aritzia Comparison

Price Comparison

Oak & Fort operates with a consistent mid-range pricing model, where items generally fall between $50 and $200. This reflects their focus on durable materials and design that isn’t meant to be discarded after one season. The value here is in the longevity and timelessness of each piece.

Aritzia has a much broader range, with basics under $30 and more elaborate pieces exceeding $250. This flexible pricing allows customers to buy into trends at a lower cost while also offering more premium items. Aritzia frequently runs sales, which can make their trendier pieces more affordable.

Quality & Materials

When it comes to materials, Oak & Fort strongly favors quality. They consistently use fabrics like linen-blends, wool, and high-grade cotton, chosen for durability and feel. The construction is solid, with clean stitching and finishes intended to last.

Aritzia's material quality can be less consistent across its varied product lines. Higher-end collections from brands like Babaton or Wilfred often feature quality fabrics, but their more accessible, trend-driven items may use polyester and other synthetic blends, prioritizing style and price over long-term durability.

Style & Aesthetic

Oak & Fort is fundamentally minimalist. Its aesthetic centers on neutral colors, functional silhouettes, and simple, modern design. It’s the definition of a "less is more" brand, creating sophisticated basics that form the backbone of a capsule wardrobe.

Aritzia is unapologetically trend-focused. Its collections are vibrant, energetic, and constantly updated to reflect current runways and street style. While they offer timeless pieces, the overall vibe is contemporary and dynamic, with bold prints, seasonal colors, and of-the-moment designs.

Fit & Sizing

Oak & Fort’s sizing is typically reliable and consistent, with many designs featuring a relaxed, comfortable, or slightly oversized fit. They offer a standard XS-L range.

Aritzia’s sizing tends to run true to size, but since it houses multiple brands, fit styles can vary from cropped and body-conscious to relaxed. Their key advantage is a more inclusive size range, offering petite, tall, and extended sizes that cater to a wider variety of body shapes.

Shopping Experience

Both brands provide modern, easy-to-navigate online stores. Oak & Fort’s website mirrors its minimalist aesthetic - clean, straightforward, and focused on showcasing garment quality. Aritzia’s site is more visually dynamic, often featuring lookbooks, styling edits, celebrity features, and a constant stream of "new arrivals" that encourages frequent browsing.

Their return policies are comparable, both typically offering returns within 30 days for unworn items, making it straightforward to shop online.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style philosophy and what you're looking for when you shop.

Choose Oak & Fort if:

• You're building a capsule wardrobe and want high-quality, versatile basics.
• You prefer a minimalist aesthetic with neutral colors and clean lines.
• You prioritize fabric quality and long-term durability over passing trends.
• Your style is understated, modern, and professional.

Choose Aritzia if:

• You love experimenting with the latest fashion trends and vibrant styles.
• You enjoy a wide variety of options across different price points.
• You want access to a more extensive size range, including petite and tall options.
• You get excited about frequent new arrivals and seasonal sale events.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oak & Fort or Aritzia more expensive?

Oak & Fort is more consistent in its mid-range pricing ($50-$200), offering a predictable cost for quality investment pieces. Aritzia has a broader price range, with some items starting much cheaper (around $30) and others costing more (over $250). Aritzia often feels more affordable for trendy items, especially during sales.

Which brand has better quality?

For durable, long-lasting pieces and superior fabric quality, Oak & Fort is generally better. Their clothes are designed to be timeless staples. Aritzia's quality varies, while some pieces are excellent, their fast-fashion model means some items prioritize trendiness over longevity.

What is the style difference between Oak & Fort and Aritzia?

Oak & Fort embodies a modern minimalist style with neutral palettes and clean silhouettes. Aritzia focuses on fun, youthful, and trendy fashion with bold colors, popular prints, and seasonal statement pieces.

How do Oak & Fort and Aritzia sizes compare?

Oak & Fort's sizing is generally true to size with a focus on relaxed fits. Aritzia is also true to size but offers a more diverse range of fits from body-hugging to oversized and has a better selection of petite and extended sizes.

Which brand is better for workwear?

Both brands offer excellent workwear, but for different styles. Oak & Fort is ideal for a classic, sophisticated, and minimalist professional wardrobe. Aritzia provides more trend-forward office options, with modern suits, colorful blouses, and dresses.

Can I find men's clothing at both brands?

Oak & Fort has a dedicated men's line that follows its minimalist aesthetic. Aritzia focuses almost exclusively on womenswear, though some pieces in their TNA collection are considered unisex.

What are the return policies for Oak & Fort and Aritzia?

Both brands generally have similar return policies, allowing returns of unworn merchandise with tags attached within a 30-day window. It's always best to check their websites for the most current policy details.

Are these brands sustainable?

Both companies are working on sustainability, but with different approaches. Oak & Fort's model encourages sustainability through timeless design and durable materials, reducing the need for constant replacement. Aritzia has formal programs to increase its use of sustainable materials but is still a larger-scale retailer with a faster production cycle.