I love this time of year, not for the freezing dark mornings and the constant raining but for the wardrobe sort out and the excitement of wearing less, putting the heavy knitwear and woolly socks away and think about cool cottons, summer dresses, regular pedicures and sandals and trainers instead of boots, hats and scarves.
I was in central London a few days ago window shopping in Zimmerman, planning for my spring summer wardrobe and noticed the shop next door Nanushka on Bruton St parallel to Upper Brook St, is closing down everything 75% off and it made me think about businesses even in wealthy Mayfair dwindling away and all the more reason to think about my summer wardrobe before everyone else, before there’s nothing left to buy at all.
1. Zimmermann — Aussie Elegance with Natural Textiles
Based: Sydney, Australia
Price Tier: Premium luxury (ready-to-wear often £500–£2,500+)
Celebrity Fans: Beyoncé, Kendall Jenner, Margot Robbie, Taylor Swift and Katie Holmes have all worn Zimmermann.
I always check where clothes Are Made, you cannot avoid slave labour totally but the more you look and find out the less likely you are to support bad practise and exploitation. ZZimmerman offer a combination of production in Australia and Europe, using quality natural fabrics like cotton, linen and silk for dresses, blouses, and tailored pieces.
Zimmermann is known for romantic yet structured designs that bridge femininity with functional elegance. Its use of premium natural fibres gives staples a silk-soft feel and a natural fall, making them wardrobe favourites for both everyday and special occasions.
2. Jil Sander — Master of Minimalist Precision
Based: Hamburg, Germany (with significant design operations in Milan, Italy)
Price Tier: Premium luxury (often £600–£2,000+)
Celebrity Fans: Minimalism devotees, fashion editors and style curators often champion Jil Sander for its refined simplicity.
Where Clothes Are Made: Mostly in Europe — Italy and France — with a focus on cotton, silk, wool and fine poplin.
Jil Sander’s approach is one of spare elegance: impeccably cut cotton shirts, understated trousers and crisp tailoring that speak through shape and quality rather than embellishment.
3. Khaite — New York-Born Refined Essentials
Based: New York City, USA
Price Tier: Premium luxury (elevated ready-to-wear staples often £400–£2,000+)
Celebrity Fans: Worn by Katie Holmes, Kendall Jenner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Cindy Crawford — especially its denim and refined staples.
Where Clothes Are Made: Designed in NYC; denim often made in Los Angeles and many knitwear and cashmere pieces manufactured in Italy, with some garments in other European workshops.
Khaite has carved out a niche as a luxury brand producing timeless essentials — including classic denim, crisp cotton poplin pieces and beautifully tailored staples — with a minimalist yet sensual design language that feels effortless and modern. If you like understated and under branded, my preference Khaite also make wonderful bags, accessories and shoes that feel and look like couture for less.
4. Totême — Scandinavian Modular Wardrobe Staples
Based: Stockholm, Sweden
Price Tier: Luxury (often £300–£1,800+)
Celebrity Fans: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jennifer Lawrence, Sophie Turner and other minimalists.
Where Clothes Are Made: Italian and European ateliers crafting pieces in cotton, linen and wool.
Totême blends strict minimalism with functional design. Its structured trousers, classic shirts, soft linen dresses and cosy wool coats make up timeless capsule wardrobes built around quality fabrics that feel planted in everyday life.
5. Isabel Marant — Parisian Casual Luxe
Based: Paris, France
Price Tier: Premium (often £250–£1,500)
Celebrity Fans: Alexa Chung, Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.
Where Clothes Are Made: European production in France and Italy with cotton, wool, linen and jersey staples. However I have found some Isabel Marant Etoile collection made in China.
Isabel Marant’s pieces often feel casual but luxe — relaxed trousers, cotton poplin shirts, and soft knitwear that feel like elevated basics with a Parisian edge.
6. Ganni — Playful Scandinavian Minimalism
Based: Copenhagen, Denmark
Price Tier: Accessible luxury (often £150–£800)
I have quite a few Ganni pieces in my wardrobe and I go to this brand often because it’s the cheapest on this list. For me it’s the brand that consistently delivers value for my fashion sensibility.
Celebrity Fans: Popular with fashion influencers and style stars around the world.
Where Clothes Are Made: Production across Europe and Asia, with many garments featuring cotton and wool blends that elevate everyday essentials.
Though a bit more playful and trend-forward than ultra-quiet minimalism, Ganni’s focus on quality natural fabrics and wearable shapes ensures its collections feel luxe without logos.
There are a few others too on the cheaper end, I love the simple staples at Cos, even some pieces from Uniqlo especially their JW Anderson and Jil Sander collaborations are worth a look, in the middle I am always lured into the Me and Em store, especially the sale, they do have great reductions and not the stuff from 10 seasons ago no one else wants and on the more expensive end, brands like Iro Paris, Self Portrait (for dresses and special occasions - although I buy these second hand as the quality is better than new stock) and Musier Paris make amazing clothes using luxury staple fabrics.
Why These Brands Stand Out For Me
Across this list, what unifies these houses is a commitment to:
Quality natural fabrics — such as premium cotton, linen, silk, wool and cashmere that feel beautiful and endure over time.
Subtle, refined design — where cuts, proportions and material choices matter more than loud logos.
Timeless silhouettes — the beauty of buying staple pieces from brands like these, you’ll wear the clothes for years, not just a season. I’ve got a couple of Ganni summer dresses I love so much I cannot wait for the sun to come out, get a bit of a tan and wear some gorgeous cotton well steamed crisp cotton next to the skin. No better feeling.