10 Small Clothing Brands You Need To Be Shopping
If you haven’t tried these brands, you’re missing out.
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Are you may be looking for new ways to enhance your way of living or improve your current shopping habits?We all have the brands that are our tried and true go-tos, but shopping from smaller brands this year can steer your purchasing habits in a new—and positive!—direction. There is a virtually endless selection of brands and stores to choose from when deciding where to shop, but supporting small clothing brands is an easy way to pay it forward, while simultaneously supporting artists, creatives, and smaller teams that are worth every cent.
And, just maybe, shopping from small fashion brands is also aligned with how you want to shop. Discovering brands that not only produce fashionable items, but also line up with your values? Sounds like a win-win to us. Not sure where to start? We’ve rounded up a few small clothing brands to get you started!
What are small clothing brands?
While not always, most small clothing brands are fashion companies that are privately-owned, paired with minimized production practices to…well, to keep things small and personal. You’ll see that many of these brands are often sustainable, female-owned, or minority-owned, all of which are important factors to consider if you are wanting to shop more intentionally. These lesser known brands also tend to fly a bit more under the radar than most—in fact, they prefer it that way! This allows them to curate their collections for their customers and put quality first.
Small Clothing Brands To Put On Your Radar
Pact
Pact is a sustainable small clothing brand that has every aspect of your fashion life covered—from quality basics and loungewear you’ll want to live in to travel-ready dresses and jumpsuits. On top of that, they also sell bedding—pillowcases, bed sheets, shams, you name it—that will make sure your bedroom is looking great. Pact thinks about its customers and our planet in a special way by utilizing eco-friendly production.
Our Picks:
Image: Pact
Everyday Tank Midi Dress
An ultra-comfy and slimming cotton dress to wear out or to lounge with at home!
Image: Pact
Oversized Button-Up Top
A soft, organic cotton top with a relaxed fit that doesn’t forsake style.
Image: Pact
Daily Twill Pant
Who doesn’t love a pair of pants that feel like sweats but look like chinos? So versatile!
Image: Pact
Sleeveless Cotton Shirtdress
This dress is the perfect combination of dressy and casual. Pair it with a cardigan for a business casual work environment or bare your shoulders on a Saturday with friends.
Parade
Parade’s casual lingerie, comfortable bras, and well-designed underwear have us going a little shop-crazy, but they have other apparel items worth checking out, too. Their signature style is shaped by applying bright, bold colors that you’re not used to seeing, such as neon, apricot, and chartreuse, to your everyday basics. On top of all of this, they are a sustainable and size-inclusive brand that is sending positive messages into the fashion industry.
Our Picks:
Image: Parade
High Waisted Brief
High-waisted underwear that is so ultra-comfortable that you’ll need more than one pair immediately.
Image: Parade
Re:Play Triangle Bralette
This everyday bralette comes in an array of colors and sizes and is made from recycled yarn.
Image: Parade
That Lace Bustier
When you want to feel a little extra confident, this bustier oozes sexiness while maintaining comfort.
Velvet Eyewear
Velvet Eyewear is an underrated eyewear brand that you need to check out! Designed by the founder, Cindy Hussey, their collections are stylish and eclectic. She shares that the shapes and designs of the eyewear are inspired by “an ancestry of famous European painters, engravers, musicians and designers.” Her immaculate eye for detail and practical sense as an optician (since 1987!), enables her to lead a design team that creates luxurious eyewear and accessories.
Our Picks:
Image: Velvet Eyewear
Amelia
Retro, round-shaped frames combined with a colorful, aviator fit.
Image: Velvet Eyewear
Maya
We love the oversized square frames trend, but the cat eye design makes this style look good on a variety of face shapes.
Image: Velvet Eyewear
Nina
Dark lens and rectangular frames are perfect from sunrise to sunset.
Alohas
Once you stumble upon Alohas website, you won’t be able to stop clicking—every pair of shoes is tempting to buy. They are another small fashion brand taking Instagram by storm (and currently, my closet). Based in Barcelona, Spain, Alohas only works with local designers and manufacturers to produce items on-demand. As a result, there is less waste from their production, and they can easily ensure that their quality standards are met!
Our Picks:
Image: Alohas
East Coffee Brown Leather Boots
These brown leather boots with a square toe detail are irresistible and would be a staple in any capsule wardrobe.
Image: Alohas
Harper Leather Sandals
The queen of platform sandals! Wear on all the sunny days coming your way.
Image: Alohas
Tb.490 Club Suede Sneakers
These unique sneakers have a vintage feel but will certainly be a point of interest in any outfit that you create.
Quince
While Quince might not be considered a true small clothing brand anymore, it is an often overlooked one. While many of us want to turn away from fast fashion in order to curate a more eco-friendly wardrobe, it’s our wallet that has other ideas. Popular sustainable brands commonly charge more for their garments, yet they are not always as transparent about where the additional cost actually comes from. Quince is founded around the idea that quality, sustainable clothing should also be affordable. Because they avoid the traditional supply chain, this small brand is able to maintain control of their production facilities, ensuring that each factory meets or exceeds the guidelines for workplace safety and equitable wages. The result? Gorgeous, high-quality clothing at a fraction of the cost!
Our Picks:
Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater
This infamous $50 cashmere sweater is just as fabulously soft as it is affordable.
Tencel Jersey Ruched Dress
The perfect casual dress for everyday wear, it also has pockets! Does it get any better?
Italian Leather Handwoven Satchel
Quince isn’t just known for their high-quality clothing, their leather accessories are out of this world, too.
100% European Linen Square Neck Jumpsuit
The clean lines of this jumpsuit give it such a chic feel, but also make it a space-saving piece to pack on a vacation. It’s a whole outfit ready to go—just coordinate your favorite accessories.
100% Organic Cotton Cropped Cardigan
Another staple in any capsule wardrobe, this cardigan is soft and relaxed, with large buttons for added personality.
LAmade
LAmade is a special brand that was built upon the ideals of the “American Dream” and focuses on making all of its products ethically. As Taiwanese immigrants, the founders, Jack and Georgia Chang, created LA Made Clothing to not only achieve their dream, but to also help inspire other immigrants as well. On their website, they share that all of their clothing is made with love in Los Angeles, California, at a family-owned factory, ensuring that employees are treated well and fairly.
They offer “super soft and sustainable basics” and so much more! You can find tops, sweaters, and bottoms perfect to wear for your professional days in the office or when you’re ready to dance the night away. This sustainable small clothing brand is definitely worth adding to your closet this year.
Our Picks:
Image: LAmade
Iris Cardigan
Long and lightweight, this cardigan can be paired with absolutely anything for a comfortable feel.
Image: LAmade
Winner Silky Chemise Dress
A light and flowy maxi dress that is pretty enough for any sunny destination!
Image: LAmade
Classic Long Sleeve Thermal
A simple, yet high-quality long sleeve basic that easily upgrades an everyday, casual outfit.
Sanctuary
Founded in 1997 by husband and wife duo, Ken and Deb Palanco, Sanctuary is a brand is oozes the quintessential California vibe—laidback, sunny, and overtly carefree. Aside from their elevated aesthetic, Sanctuary is another brand that is prioritizing an environmentally conscious stance, producing more than half of their products each season with sustainable materials, such as recycled fibers and sustainably-sourced cotton.
Our Picks:
Image: Sanctuary
Cherished Lace Tee
Puff sleeves aren’t going anywhere! But this lacy design makes the trend even more comfortable and easier to wear every day.
Image: Sanctuary
Sculpted Denim Blazer
A mid-length blazer that puts a new spin on your favorite denim wash.
Image: Sanctuary
Pointelle Shell Sweater
This versatile sweater can be worn buttoned for a vest-like feel or open as a sleeveless cardigan to create a variety of different looks.
Outerknown
Co-founded by professional surfer, Kelly Slater, Outerknown is a sustainable clothing brand that focuses on quality garments with an understated approach. 95% of all items produced by Outerknown are made from recycled, organic, or regenerated materials to have a profound impact on the Earth and reduce the waste from fast fashion. The brand makes both men’s and women’s clothing styles and is ideal for anyone looking for a laidback, effortless beach style.
Our Picks:
Image: Outerknown
Chroma Blanket Shirt
Like its namesake, this buttoned shirt is as soft as a blanket for a structured-yet-casual look.
Image: Outerknown
Boundless Puffer
This puffer jacket is made from recycled fishing nets, helping to keep over 13 million pounds of plastic out of the ocean! The oversized fit makes it a great layer for multiple seasons, and the insulation fill is even made from recycled polyester, too.
Image: Outerknown
Chambray Utility Shirt
The aged wash and Italian cotton give this top a perfectly-worn-in feel that you’ll reach for every time that you open the closet.
Image: Outerknown
Westbound Utility Pants
A structured pair of pants with a plethora of pockets, these utility pants are an ideal combination of work and play.
Lily & Bean
For anyone wanting to add a supremely unique piece to their closet, Lily & Bean is a brand that makes hand painted totes, bags, and luggage, all started from a small studio in Hampshire, England. Whether you’re looking for a truly custom beaded tote of your favorite things or a structured leather bag, each item from Lily & Bean will quickly become the jewel of your accessory collection.
Our Picks:
Image: Lily & Bean
The Lily Canvas Mini
This cute mini tote can be customized with your initials for a personalized touch. Need more room? The bags range from this mini size to a large beach tote!
Image: Lily & Bean
The Bridal Beaded Clutch
Have something borrowed, but need something new? This beaded clutch is perfect for the newlywed and can be a great wedding present, too.
Image: Lily & Bean
Hettie Bag
This leather bag has a gorgeous structured shape that quickly elevates any look, whether it’s office workwear or a formal date night. While the red is a bold pop of color in any outfit, the neutral hues have a classic ‘old money’ feel.
LA Relaxed
Not to be confused with LAmade, this Los Angeles-based company creates limited runs of their clothing, avoiding the over production that often sends unsold items to the landfill. This practice also allows them to maintain their local sourcing and make, dye, and finish each garment within the city itself. Even better, their shipping materials contain zero plastic—each order is shipped in compostable glassine bags or recyclable undyed kraft mailers!
Our Picks:
Image: LA Relaxed
Scout Jacket
Made from ultra-soft terry, this jacket has the look and feel of your favorite sweatshirt.
Image: LA Relaxed
Organic Rib Tank
There’s nothing better than a well-fitting staple tank. Endlessly versatile in any wardrobe.
Image: LA Relaxed
Washed Stripe Trouser
Made from 100% California-sourced linen, these lightweight pants are the perfect pair for any activity.
If you've been thinking about shopping and spending your money with purpose and more thoughtful intention, consider shopping small by starting with these brands!
