11 Luxury Brands Making The Finest Men’s Wardrobe Essentials

Image Credit: Velasca

It’s impossible to build something brilliant without first laying a solid foundation. That’s why a selection of high-quality essentials is such an integral part of any well-dressed man’s clothing collection. Simple pieces like T-shirts, polos, button-downs and knitwear set the framework for a well-crafted minimalist wardrobe, subtly elevating your looks while letting bolder, statement pieces take centre stage.

Nailing these essentials means buying right, and buying right means knowing where to spend your money. Many brands make essentials, but not all of them do it with the same refinement, attention to detail and commitment to quality as the ones you’ll find below.

These labels strive to take your wardrobe to the next level through the medium of those bread-and-butter pieces – the staple garments you can’t live without, executed with precision using premium materials and craftsmanship. We believe they’re the best luxury essentials brands in the world today.

Luca Faloni

Best For: Knitwear

A cashmere sweater is the definition of a premium essential. It’s versatile, completely timeless and oozes luxury. If you’re in the market for one, or anything made of cashmere for that matter, we’d urge you to take a look at Luca Faloni, an Italian brand that knows a thing or two about knitwear’s fanciest fabric.

Whether it’s a knitted polo, a chunky cardigan or a fine-gauge turtleneck, all of Luca Faloni’s garments are crafted in Italy using traditional techniques, and while prices are still unmistakeable premium, they’re much more affordable than those of some of the other big names in Italian knitwear.

Shop now at Luca Faloni

Velasca

Best For: Handmade Footwear

Direct-to-consumer brand Velasca is all about making the best possible shoes with the lowest possible price tag. All of the label’s models are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans in Italy’s shoemaking capital, Marche, and feature the quality and attention to detail you’d expect from footwear coming out of the region.

Velasca’s Derby shoes, in particular, are pretty special. The Cumenda, for example, is a classic black design that’ll go with almost anything and never date. It’s crafted from beautifully smooth calfskin leather and put together in Italy using a blake-rapid construction for easy resoling.

Shop now at Velasca

Aspinal of London

Best For: Leather Accessories

Every stylish man knows it’s the finer details that make any outfit. And when it comes to high-end accessories, British brand Aspinal of London is the leader of the pack.

Known for its impeccably crafted wallets, bags and travel essentials, each piece is made from the finest full-grain leather and designed to age like a fine single malt. From sharp cardholders to elegant weekenders, Aspinal’s offerings blend timeless elegance with just the right amount of swagger.

Whether you’re closing deals or heading for a weekend in the Cotswolds, these accessories are your ticket to understated luxury that speaks volumes.

Shop now at Aspinal of London

CDLP

Best For: Underwear

Dressing well doesn’t have to stop at the threshold of your home. We’re not saying you should be donning a tuxedo to watch Netflix, but investing in some luxurious loungewear can help take your downtime to the next level, and Swedish brand CDLP is well equipped to deliver the goods.

The label has carved out a niche for itself, bringing typically clean and minimalist Scandinavian design and applying it to everything from underwear to T-shirts.

Shop now at CDLP

The Resort Co.

Best For: Resortwear

The Resort Co is the jet-setter’s secret weapon for effortless vacation style. This Swedish brand serves up a tightly curated capsule of resortwear classics—think terry polos, tailored swim shorts, camp-collar shirts and espadrilles—that are as sharp as they are laid-back.

But here’s the kicker: every piece is sustainably and ethically produced by skilled artisans in family-run factories across Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The result? Timeless pieces that let you indulge in poolside chic guilt-free. It’s luxury for the conscious traveller, proof that looking good doesn’t have to cost the planet—or your conscience.

Shop now at The Resort Co.

James Perse

Best For: Casual Pieces

Casual luxury is a peculiar concept, but if you want to know what it looks like, go and check out what James Perse has been doing for the past for the last 20 odd years. The American brand makes simple wardrobe staples that blend laid-back, off-duty looks with an air of indulgence that makes for some of the finest basics around.

To get a measure of the brand, we’d suggest checking out the T-shirts – they’re made in the USA from the best lightweight jersey cotton and have a well-earned reputation as some of the best tees in the game.

Shop now at James Perse

ISTO

Best For: Workwear

Portugal-made brand ISTO is a relative newcomer to the menswear scene but already its making quite the name for itself thanks to its refreshingly stripped-back designs and conscious approach to fashion.

It’s one of those brand’s you could conceivable stock your entire wardrobe with, offering everything from timeless outerwear and overshirts to denim and knitwear. What ties it all together is that everything is handmade in Portugal, right down to the labels and buttons.

Shop now at ISTO

Sunspel

Best For: Tees & Sweats

When it comes to British basics, there’s no better brand than Sunspel. The brand makes everything from sweatshirts to socks, but it’s the T-shirts that really steal the show. Yes, they’re at the top end of the price scale, but they’re also the best in the game, boasting luxuriously soft cotton, a flawless fit and perfect proportions.

The hunt for the perfect plain tee can feel eternal, that is until you finally and inevitably end up settling on one of Sunspel’s.

Shop now at SSENSE

Incotex

Best For: Legwear

You can always count on the Italians when it comes to luxury essentials, and Incotex is further proof of that. The brand specialises in premium legwear – its chinos in particular are some of the best you can buy.

The brand works with beautiful Italian fabrics to make exceptional trousers that do it all. It also applies the same concept to shorts, so that your legs can look the part in the warmer months too.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Reigning Champ

Best For: Sportswear

Canada’s Reigning Champ has been at the forefront of the athleisure movement since before there was even a name for it. It’s one of the few brands in the world that has its own cut-and-sew factory, and the design knowhow of its founders has attracted collaborations with the likes of New Era, Adidas, Asics and Converse.

The company is known for its upscale take on classic athletic garments like jersey sweatshirts, hoodies and sweatpants and it has long been our first port of call for high-end sportswear.

Shop now at SSENSE

Loro Piana

Best For: The World’s Finest Materials

Loro Piana is probably the biggest name there is when it comes to luxury materials. The historic brand is the largest processor of cashmere on the planet, importing exotic yarn from all over the world and supplying garments to some of the most esteemed fashion houses in existence.

In spite of all this, it still has time to produce its own line of indulgent knitwear and accessories, including staple items like cashmere sweaters and scarves.

Shop now at MR PORTER

Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison is Ape's Style Editor. His work has been published in Esquire, Men’s Health, ShortList, The Independent and more. An outerwear and sneaker fanatic, his finger is firmly on the pulse for the latest trends, while always maintaining an interest in classic style.