Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.
Amazon Fashion
SHOP amazon.com
Yes, yes, the same spot you rely on for everything from paper towels to pet supplies also offers a rapidly expanding selection of bona fide fashion. We’re not talking purely basics, either (though the in-house Essentials line is always a solid bet). You can score some serious steals from big-name brands and smaller labels alike, often at prices that make the process of navigating the site’s not-so-user-friendly design well worth it.
Price: $-$$
Best for: Everyday basics
Abercrombie & Fitch
SHOP abercrombie.com
One of the greatest reboots of the past few years is undoubtedly Abercrombie & Fitch. After its early aughts reign over the graphic tees and rugby shirts market, the brand has grown up. In the adult version of A&F, you’ll find new favorites including long double-breasted coats, cozy knits, and one of the best inexpensive suits we’ve added to our formal wear rotation.
Price: $-$$
Best for: elevated athleisure, inexpensive formalwear
Arket
SHOP arket.com
There’s got to be something in that Scandinavian water, because the Swedes keep on cheffing up increasingly convincing ways to separate us from the money in our wallets. (To be fair, when the product looks like this, it takes very little.) Arket is yet another brand under H&M’s umbrella, a recently launched label that has no brick-and-mortar presence outside of Europe but through its website offers a hefty selection of styles so good you’d swear they were designer.
Price: $$
Best for: Minimalist, elevated staples
Asos
SHOP asos.com
Asos offers a wide-ranging assortment of ultra-hip brands complemented by an in-house label that rarely misses. The site’s selection of product is particularly suited for testing out a trend or statement piece you don’t want to drop some serious coin on. (Pro tip: Both the shoe and tailoring departments are especially well-stocked.)
Price: $-$$
Best for: Trendy ready-to-wear pieces
Banana Republic
SHOP bananarepublic.com
Even though Banana Republic tops the price tier among its Gap Inc. counterparts, Gap and Old Navy, there are plenty of quality pieces to be found. In fact, the brand is so cool that Timothée Chalamet wore it on the red carpet. From everyday button-down shirts and knit sweaters to chinos and linen essentials for warmer weather, this is a solid choice for business casual wear.
Price: $$
Best for: Business casual wear
Banana Republic Factory
SHOP bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com
If you like Banana Republic, you’ll love BR Factory. Why? Simple—it’s the same quality and style you know and love, but at fantastic discounts. So really, what’s not to love? BR Factory provides high-quality staples at prices you seriously cannot beat. Consider this a life hack.
Price: $-$$
Best for: Discounted business casual wear
Bonobos
SHOP bonobos.com
To say that we at Esquire are fans of Bonobos is an understatement. The pants, in particular, are pretty amazing: its Rec shorts, drawstring chinos, and suit trousers have all gotten our endorsement. Lest we forget, the Riviera shirt is a must-cop, too. From the use of quality fabrics to the way styles are cut, hugging the body in all the right places, it’s no wonder that the brand consistently receives our seal of approval. Also, all of these pieces don’t break the bank, not in the least. All in all, what’s not to love?
Price: $$
Best for: Elevated staples
Buck Mason
SHOP buckmason.com
Buck Mason sells elevated basics with a bit of an edge. The brand’s curved-hem tees are modern-day staples, but it also offers a range of other thoughtful, hard-wearing items, all in a variety of cuts and fits. (The leather styles, in particular, are always seasonal standouts.)
Price: $$
Best for: Rugged, durable staples
Cos
SHOP cosstores.com
When Cos landed stateside for the first time almost a decade ago, the London-based brand (and H&M sibling label) established itself as a fashion-editor favorite through its selection of streamlined styles with enough subtle design details to separate it from the pack. Cos is more than another brand selling elevated basics—it routinely churns out covetable versions of everyday staples you’ll always reach for at a price point that belies its design bona fides.
Price: $$
Best for: Chic everyday pieces
DSTLD
SHOP dstld.com
There’s always going to be demand for inexpensive denim, especially when it’s as comfortable as DSTLD’s. The brand makes shopping super simple, offering four fits in a range of washes, and all for less than $100. The California-based company also sells a solid selection of sturdy tees and all-black accessories sure to enliven (so to speak) any outfit.
Price: $
Best for: Comfortable, cool denim
eBay
SHOP ebay.com
The OG peer-to-peer reselling platform might be an industry veteran at this point, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be one of the first places any savvy shopper checks if they’re looking to score some serious heat on discount. Once you figure out how to navigate the site’s search parameters, stop by to sift through one of the best selections of reasonably priced vintage clothing on the web.
Price: $-$$$
Best for: Designer resale and vintage
Etsy
SHOP etsy.com
You might know Etsy as the online shop that specializes in all sorts of handmade crafts, but it’s a surprisingly good clothing resource, too. Sellers have everything from vintage tees to hand-knit sweaters, so if you know something specific you want, you’re sure to find it here.
Price: $-$$$
Best for: Unique and custom finds
Everlane
SHOP everlane.com
The DTC darling promised nothing short of a revolution when it launched with a platform predicated on “radical transparency,” and thankfully it didn’t disappoint. The Internet’s favorite retailer does what many now consider the prototypical millennial aesthetic better than almost anyone else—in other words, it’s the place to go to cash out on democratically priced cashmere, pocket tees, and other streamlined essentials.
Price: $$
Best for: Everyday favorites
Gap
SHOP gap.com
What started out as a single store in San Fransisco selling Levi’s gradually evolved into a titan of international retail and a name synonymous with American design. Today, Gap is a mainstay of shopping centers around the world and is still one of the best places to stock up on basics at a bargain. Gap is an OG, so put some respect on its name.
Price: $
Best for: Casual, timeless basics
Grailed
SHOP grailed.com
Grailed remains one of the best sites to try if you’re struggling to track down any hard-to-find rare garms, but the resale platform also stocks an enviable selection of more approachable heat, courtesy of a prolific user base that’s as clothing obsessed as you’d imagine.
Price: $$-$$$
Best for: Designer resale and rare pieces
H&M
SHOP hm.com
H&M is a pioneer of what’s now referred to as fast fashion, and it remains one of the largest players in the scene. If it’s not already your go-to place for last-minute pick-me-ups, it should be. The Swedish retailer sells products that span the style spectrum—from foundational wardrobe essentials to hyper-trendy pieces, all on the cheap. (Bonus points for the brand’s renewed interest in sustainability.)
Price: $
Best for: Trendy, contemporary styles
Huckberry
SHOP huckberry.com
Huckberry is a multi-brand site with an outdoorsy bent. It’s basically a done-up Camping World, sans most of the equipment and gear and with more tailored fits. From waxed trucker jackets by Flint and Tinder to shorts by Patagonia to flannel shirts by Roark, there are a variety of styles available, ready and waiting to accompany you along a woodland trail, on a mountain summit, at brunch in the city, or just lounging on your recliner. It’s durability and timelessness—plus a damn good sale section—that Huckberry offers.
Price: $$
Best for: Cool, comfortable outdoorsy brands
J.Crew
SHOP jcrew.com
Sure, J.Crew isn’t always inexpensive, but it can be. You just need to know where to look. The iconic retailer often hosts sale offers that seem almost too good to be true, from steep discounts on seasonal items to a clearance section that’s second to none. And it’s still one of the best spots to shop for classic, prep-inflected Americana, including sun-dyed tees, slim chinos, and perfectly-cut OCBDs.
Price: $$
Best for: Elevated, chic staples
J.Crew Factory
SHOP factory.jcrew.com
If you love the reductions offered in J.Crew’s sale section (see above), you’re going to go wild over J.Crew Factory. From waffle half-zip sweaters and plaid shirts in a slew of colors to crewneck sweaters and sharp suits, many of the styles that you love at J.Crew proper are discounted significantly. On top of that, the site regularly offers promo codes with additional markdowns.
Price: $-$$
Best for: Marked-down J.Crew
Kotn
SHOP kotn.com
Kotn is a bit of a sleeper on this list, but hopefully not in your closet after reading this. The lineup of options is ideal for layering and mixing in basics, and the brand’s sustainability efforts ensure that a portion of each piece purchased goes back to the communities and people who made it.
Price: $
Best for: layering essentials with a conscience
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