The Upstart Brands Making Killer Basics

The Upstart Brands Making

Killer Basics

March 8, 2017

Men are creatures of habit. We like what we like and it's not always easy to switch things up—just ask your partner if you change your mind easily, we dare you. But there's a lot to be gained by opening your mind, just a little. For instance, you've got your go-to brands, the ones you like and trust and tend to rely on for your staples and essentials. We're not here to mess up that relationship. We respect that. But we're also in the business of introducing you to new things we think you're going to like. And this is the perfect time of year to reconsider some of the staples you wear the hell out of, and refresh your wardrobe for the coming season. These five brands, which we think are doing fantastic work, are deserving of your time, attention and hard-earned money. We know you won't be disappointed.

Lady White Co.

A simple T-shirt that has that something extra

Noticing the gulf between the beautifully crafted Japanese loopwheeled tees and your throwaway Hanes 3-pack, designer Phillip Proyce launched his brand using Northern California-grown cotton that's milled, woven, cut and sewn in Southern California. The signature T-shirt is tubular knit (meaning no side seams) and features a reinforced "Browns Beach" style chest pocket and an old school double-stitched ribbed collar.

Clark pocket tee, $65 at Supply & Advise

Les Basics

American sportswear with a Transatlantic sensibility

Conceived in London, named in French and crafting their clothes in Portugal, this new brand embodies continental cool by elevating comfortable sportswear. The result? Simple but sophisticated pieces that are as comfortable as they are expertly tailored.

Cotton mesh bomber, $115.86 and peak cap, $54 at Cruise

Adam Mar

Rugged staples with a shot of coastal cool

"As an active guy living in New York, I struggled to find clothing that moved seamlessly between the city and the beaches or mountains I escaped to in my free time," says Adam Mar of his eponymous line. "What worked in the office didn't work for the trail." Every piece in the carefully curated collection is cut from unique textiles and made to pull double duty—from the expertly cut chinos (that feel as comfy as sweats) to a smart snap-button overshirt with stash pockets on the side seams.

Montauk overshirt, $160 and
Tacoma chinos, $148 at Adam Mar

Montauk overshirt, $160 and Tacoma chinos, $148 at Adam Mar

Vacation

Everything you love about vintage,
updated for today

Designers Krys Maniecki and Meghann Stephenson launched Vacation by updating their favorite vintage pieces to fit seamlessly into a 2017 wardrobe. Made entirely in New York, the collection includes selvedge denim pieces as well as a handsome Japanese chambray shirt inspired by the US Navy's work shirts from the 1940s. A lightweight chore coat and the perfect leather motorcycle jacket will be launching later this spring.

Worker shirt, $160 at Vacation

Flint and Tinder Supima Air Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Flint & Tinder

Casual staples that are as handsome as they are hardwearing

While Flint & Tinder has been around since 2013, they've gone through a transition from their early Kickstarter days and over the past year or so have reworked some of the best-sellers and expanded into a full collection of durable, comfortable and deceptively simple pieces. Supima cotton tees and polos, reversible garment dyed sweatshirts and waxed cotton trucker jackets. The kind of garments that look great on you because all the small stuff has been perfected—from the fit and finish to the rich, neutral colors.

Supima Air long sleeve T-shirt, $48
and waxed trucker jacket, $198 at Huckberry