When it comes to shopping for fast fashion brands, big designers and overall well-known brands, they are in the position they are in because they trend, they have a large volume of products, they have frequent drops, and they are extremely accessible. But if you are looking for something that is not unique but also supports local businesses at the same time, you’ve come to the right place.
It’s hard to find small businesses because they never come at the top of search results, but also you just don’t know about them yet, and products, and you are introduced to small brands, but that’s why it’s nice when you do finally stumble across something that piques your interest.
Why Shop At Independent Brands?
There are several reasons why one might shop at small independent brands, including that they want to support the small businesses that are local to them. It’s very common for people to choose brands that aren’t fast fashion, whether it’s vintage stores or carefully curated and designed brands.
It’s also common for small independent brands to have better quality garments made from sustainable, recycled or good quality materials such as 100% cotton and so forth, while big brands, as they grow, tend to get worse and worse with the quality of materials.
For example, JADED LONDON, once a small brand, has grown and is a successful international brand. While their designs are unique and very on-trend and are, in a sense, trendsetters, they don’t curate products from good-quality materials. For example, a lot of their new collection (mainly women’s) is made out of polyester, which is known for shedding microplastics but also isn’t breathable for their dresses and holiday wear, all the while charging £80+ per item, which is a lot of money.
I understand that charging £80 is good for unique pieces when they are made of good materials, but while Jaded has created a brand where people are willing to spend a large amount of money, £80+ for polyester? Not worth it at all. This is why small independent businesses should be on your radar, as while they might not always be affordable like fast fashion, when you are looking at paying £80, you are getting a product that is worth it, timeless and long-lasting.
10 Independent Menswear Brands
P&Co
I have just this year become familiar with P&Co, which is a streetwear, indie-labelled brand that is very modern with what we want to see more of, and that includes good quality at a moderate price. For example, you are looking at spending between £30 and £45 for a t-shirt, but they are adding new products made from organic cotton and 100% cotton products.
All that mashed up with their cool aesthetic inspired by motorcycle aesthetics, along with iconic places around the world, you are getting something not unique but also sustainable and of amazing quality that will last a lifetime. I would strongly recommend P&Co for those who are enthusiastic about men’s streetwear but also might be new and looking to find their style within this aesthetic.
Rivet & Hide
While they only have 2 physical stores in London and Manchester, they do have a website. I have been in their Manchester store, and straight off the bat, you can see how much pride they have in their products. Rivet and Hide specialise in Japanese imported items, specifically Japanese denim, which has to be the best. As Japanese denim ages, it just looks better and better, and when enquiring at Rivet and Hide, they have a range of brands for you to try, pre-order and buy that are truly authentic and, again, of insanely great quality that will leave you with the ultimate pair of denim jeans.
While these are relatively expensive brands here, they know their worth, charging £200 plus for one denim item. They do occasional sales, but it’s worth the money if you have it, and it’s an item that you would appreciate for life.
Faded Store
If you are from Manchester and haven’t heard of Faded Store, are you truly a Mancunian? That being said, they are still a relatively small brand within the UK. With famous influencer Chet Sket being the co-founder of the brand, they have been slowly growing their presence and, again, it is a great streetwear option for beginners who are trying to find their style or maybe aren’t sure where to start. They are another brand that prioritises great quality at affordable prices and is looking at the same spending as P&Co.
If you are looking for more reasons to try Faded Store, they are a closely related brand to Closure London, which is a huge brand in the UK. This provides some reassurance that you get what you see and reliability.
Primulaveri
A very small fashion brand that is contemporary and minimalistic but prioritises quality beyond all else. You can tell with some of their products, such as their jeans, that they’ve drawn inspiration from the popular Carhartt carpenter jeans. But also, I still think Primulaveri is one to keep your eye on. I’ve personally had a tracksuit from there, and it’s both heavyweight and of amazing quality. Plus, it’s just two lads that own it from Manchester; you can truly see how they are building their brand and aesthetic each year. Not to mention, if you’ve got a little one, you could get matching outfits, which is sick.
Asket
Talk about telling a story; at Asket, each product has a history and is easily accessible to whoever wants to know. This is what has helped the small company grow and grow. With the vast majority of brands, you aren’t sure of where the product is sourced from, as the ‘made in’ label doesn’t mean so much anymore, as only a fragment of the garment technically has to be made there for it to qualify as ‘made in’. With Asket, you know every single detail about the product, which is great for environmentally conscious people, but they also make great staple pieces.
Cortiez
This might be for Gen Z strictly, but this is a relatively new brand, and this small brand started gaining momentum in the UK around 2021, especially in London. This brand is similar to how Supreme works with limited stock, occasional drops to try and gauge that sweet spot of not being overly worn and then eventually abandoned like we do with all major trends. They are popular for their branding on their jeans being unique and their overall streetwear vibe.
Collars & Co
For those who enjoy dressing more smartly than adhering to the streetwear trends, Collars & Co. is a small business that is the saviour for those who have created the perfect smart summer attire, so you aren’t left sweating through your shirts and blazers. I would definitely recommend it if you have a wedding abroad coming up or are generally fed up with what summer brings and you’ve got nothing that is both work-appropriate and formal.
DramaCall
Quite similar to Cortez and Supreme with their current strategy with drops, now and then with huge build-ups, but they are a relatively new brand in the game and really started to do well during 2022, maybe 2023, where you’d see lads all over Manchester representing the brand. They are still online only, but they are relatively popular with the younger generation within the streetwear aesthetic.
Our Legacy
An independent brand turned luxury is exactly what you have in store when it comes to our legacy. Small independent brands don’t always mean they are cheap; they are just at a smaller scale and aren’t as well-known as your ultimate luxury and huge fast fashion brands are. That being said, our legacy has carefully curated a range of products with exceptional quality, with such unique features that truly make their items not only stand out but also retain value. It’s not for everyone, but that’s what is so enjoyable about this brand.
Museum of Peace & Quiet
This is a great everyday attire, a small brand to invest in. While founded by an American couple, their motivation for the brand came from drawing people’s attention to the things that matter through simplistic and normal everyday pieces. It’s their branding and extra cosy appeal that draw people and keep them by.
