8 November 2024
The ultimate guide for more sustainable wintercoats
- COSH! Member Publicity
- Lifestyle
Why be constantly tempted by high discounts and quickly passing trends when you have timeless basics that will last a lifetime? Upgrade your wardrobe with some good timeless basics and you’ll always look stylish! At COSH! we give you tips on what to look out for when buying the right basics and we list our favourite timeless brands so that you can build a stylish, timeless wardrobe that you will enjoy for a long time.
What should you look for when buying basics?
If you are looking for a new timeless and high-quality garment that is easy to combine with the rest of your wardrobe, you have come to the right place! At COSH! we give you tips on what to pay attention to when purchasing a new basic item.
Style and fit
A good, more durable basic distinguishes itself from fast fashion brands, among others, by a nice fit. Isn’t the T‑shirt too short or too long? Is the hood of that cute hoodie comfortable? But it also has everything to do with preferences of your personal style. Do you prefer a T‑shirt tight or wide? Is the length of that jacket right for your body? Do you want a basic look or do you prefer something more edgy? Ask yourself a few questions that are important to you and make a conscious choice for a new purchase.
Comfort
When you buy a new basic garment, you naturally want it to be so comfortable that you never want to take it off. Therefore, pay attention to comfort. Is it a soft fabric that feels nice on your skin? Is the fit good enough that you can move around in it effortlessly? By asking yourself these questions before you buy a new piece of clothing, you are more likely to wear it more often and with more pleasure!
More sustainable materials
Besides being timeless, do you want to make an ecological purchase? An important aspect in terms of sustainability is the material. Many basics are made of 100% natural materials, many of which are better for people and the environment. Natural materials often feel nicer on the skin and fabrics made of 100% the same raw material are easier to recycle than fabrics that are mixed. You can also pay attention to whether a basic garment is made of, for example, certified organic cotton, mulesing-free wool or Tencel.
Made locally and fairly
Want to look at all the factors when buying a more sustainable basic item? Then investigate whether the brand produces the garments in a fair and/or local way. A garment produced in the Netherlands or Europe, for example, does not have to travel as far to the customer. But a garment produced outside Europe may also be made completely fairly. When doing so, always check whether the brand does visit the factory and/or they have seals of approval. That way, you can be sure that your garment has been produced safely and at a fair wage.
At COSH! we realise that this research can sometimes be a tricky and confusing job. Could you use some help with this? Then check out the COSH! brand checker, where we have already researched more than 400 brands in terms of sustainability with our own research team! This will make it easier for you to make a sustainable choice for your next purchase.
Discover the best sustainable basic brands through COSH!
Colorful Standard
A basic wardrobe in all the colours of the rainbow
Want a good basic T‑shirt, hoodie or tracksuit in your favourite colour? At Colorful Standard, you’ll find sustainable basics for men and women in all the colours of the rainbow. Produced in Portugal, the clothes are made of 100% certified organic cotton and recycled merino wool. Look stylish in Colorful Standard’s colourful essentials.
Colorful Standard is available in Belgium at the brand flagship store of Colorful Standard in Antwerp or at the resell locations in the Netherlands and Belgium, like Tally-Ho and Pek & Kleren in Amsterdam, Moose in the City in Antwerp, Harvest Club in Leuven, Fonetik in Aalst en green guerrillas in Düsseldorf en Köln.
Teym
Timeless classics of high quality
Looking for timeless classics to add to your capsule wardrobe? Then you have come to the right place at the Amsterdam brand Teym! From the classic Chelsea boot to a timeless merino wool sweater that you can wear season after season: Teym’s collection will certainly not disappoint you. At Teym you invest in high-quality clothing that you will enjoy for years to come.
View the collection of Teym in their webshop or visit their stylish store in Amsterdam.
New Optimist
Basics with a twist
Looking for durable basics with unusual details, colours or fits? Then Amsterdam-based brand New Optimist might be for you! New Optimist works with timeless yet unique designs that are mostly gender-neutral. All clothes are made of 100% GOTS-certified cotton and are made locally in the shop/atelier in Amsterdam-West. Here, at the back of the shop, you can even see the whole making process!
Shop New Optimist at the New Optimist shop in Amsterdam, LOYA in Breda or rent an item from the collection at LENA Fashion Library in Amsterdam.
Rhea
Sophisticated, stylish and comfortable basics
For luxurious, classic basics you should go to the Amsterdam brand Rhea. In the collection you will find beautiful, refined and timeless items that will give your capsule wardrobe a huge boost. From an effortlessly chic oversized white shirt made of Egyptian cotton to a comfortable merino wool suit in timeless black, white or beige – with Rhea you know that you will look stylish on every occasion.
Discover the chic, timeless and minimalist collection in Rhea’s webshop.
Ragnarøk
The ultimate black & white basic T‑shirt
Are you looking for a good basic T‑shirt made from a soft, natural material and of high quality? Then you’ve come to the right place at the Dutch brand Ragnarøk, because here they make basic T‑shirts in black and white of 100% Tencel. Order a T‑shirt in the webshop and your order will be made-to-order within 2 weeks by their tailor Zagros Brim and delivered to your home.
Discover Ragnarøk’s timeless, high-quality and stylish basic collection in the webshop or visit the headquarters in Zwolle.
Ridges & Steam
Basics with playful embroidery
Do you like basics, but can your clothes have a playful detail? Then take a look at the collection of Belgian brand Ridges & Steam. You will find oversized jumpers and regular fit T‑shirts in timeless colours with cute embroideries on the chest, for women, men and children alike. The super-soft basics made of recycled and organic cotton, are made in a fair and honest way by a Portuguese family business.
You can find Ridges & Steam’s collection in their own webshop.
Common Era
Unisex basics with an urban twist
The Dutch brand Common Era makes timeless and high-quality basics from recycled materials. Almost all designs are unisex and come in various neutral and timeless colours. From blouses to sweatshirts and T‑shirts, you will find it in the Common Era collection. In addition, the brand is very transparent and communicates clearly about where the products come from, which materials are used, the impact and the purpose of their mission.
You can shop the collection in the webshop by Common Era.
BEARTH
Fashion-conscious, cool and comfortable basics
Take your basic wardrobe to a higher level with the cool, comfortable and playful basics from the German brand BEARTH. From sporty sweatshirts with prints in fresh colours to comfortable high-quality T‑shirts in GOTS-certified organic cotton. The basics from the BEARTH collection can be combined endlessly, from feminine and trendy to cool and sporty.
You can find the BEARTH collection in their own webshop and roberta in Düsseldorf.
TWOTHIRDS
Fashion-conscious and minimalist clothing
The Spanish brand TWOTHIRDS makes high-quality, timeless and fashion-conscious clothing with love for the ocean, people and planet. In addition to trendy items, the collections also contain timeless basics that you can combine with new items in your wardrobe every season. Think of beautiful tops, comfortable T‑shirts with minimalist prints, flowy dresses and cool jumpsuits in warm tones and made from more sustainable materials such as organic cotton, linen, Tencel, wool, recycled materials, residual supplies and materials taken from the ocean.
The TWOTHIRDS collection is available through their own webshop and the Conscious Fashion Store in Berlin.
Kalani
Comfortable and timeless loungewear
Besides soft and high-quality bed linen, Belgian brand Kalani also sells basics for men and women. Think comfortable and unisex hoodies, jumpers, jogging trousers and T‑shirts. But also tank tops, dresses and shorts for women in soft, basic colours. The clothes are mostly made of certified organic cotton and produced in a certified factory in Bangladesh.
Discover the timeless and basic clothing collection, but also high-quality bed and table linen in Kalani’s webshop.
Abelone Wilhelmsen
Timeless basics with a Scandinavische touch
Stylish basics with sleek, Scandinavian elements: you’ll find it at Abelone Wilhelmsen! All clothes are made locally in Belgium and mainly from fabrics such as GOTS-certified cotton, viscose or deadstock materials. At Abelone Wilhelmsen, they don’t do seasons, work with small runs and most designs are gender-neutral. Invest in a high-quality item and enjoy it for years!
Abelone Wilhelmsen’s basics are available at the Abelone Wilhelmsen Concept Store in Antwerp and for rent at Dressr in Mortsel.
Jan ‘n June
Fashionable and minimalistic basics
Looking for fashionable and minimalistic clothes that you can enjoy for a very long time? Take a look at Jan ‘n June’s collection. Each garment has its own ECO ID, which allows you to find out in which factory it was made. The collections are made from materials such as organic cotton, Tencel, recycled polyester, organic linen, recycled polyamide, recycled cotton and Tenowa (“Textile No Waste”). Jan ‘n June also pays great attention to fair production.
In Belgium, Jan ‘n June is available at the Supergoods shops in Antwerp, Gent and Mechelen, HOST in Berchem, Harvest Club in Leuven and KNAP in Hasselt. In the Netherlands, you can visit BrandMission in Amsterdam. In Germany, you can buy Jan ‘n June at roberta in Düsseldorf, Rosenblatt & Fabeltiere in Hamburg, green guerillas in Köln, Kleiderei in Hamburg and Slow Friday in Berlin.
Nordlicht
Timeless basics inspired by nature
Hamburg-based brand Nordlicht stands for clothes and accessories inspired by nature. What started as a company focused on bags has grown into a brand offering honest, timeless fashion and accessories. All designs are completely plastic-free. Nordlicht’s northern aesthetic is timeless and their business ethos focuses heavily on social responsibility. Thus, the brand supports various local and international organisations. You can find beautiful blouses, T‑shirts and jumpers in mainly earth tones, among other things, both in their shop in Hamburg, and online.
Merz b. Schwanen
Vintage inspired basics
The Merz b. Schwanen GOOD ORIGINALS collection consists of basics such as T‑shirts, tank tops, trousers and shorts made for everyone. The brand combines the traditional simplicity and durability of workers’ clothing from the 1920s, 30s and 40s with a contemporary twist. Looking for classic basics with a modern, more sustainable approach? Shop Merz b. Schwanen in their shop in Berlin or online.
Bamboo Belgium
Timeless and comfortable basics made of bamboo
Discover Bamboo Belgium’s timeless bamboo collection for both men and women, ranging from size 32 to size 52. Have doubts about bamboo’s durability? Read how Bamboo Belgium offers high-quality bamboo viscose here. The brand is known for its beautiful, comfortable and wearable clothes, made with respect for people and nature. They base themselves on the UN SDGs to produce as sustainable and inclusive as possible, with transparency and sustainable bamboo production at the forefront. Moreover, the clothes are ethically produced in Portugal.
Bamboo Belgium is available in their own shop in Eksel, webshop and at Anders Getint in Leuven.
Living Crafts
Comfortabel basics in natural materials
At Living Crafts, you will find comfortable clothing for the whole family. From socks, to underwear, pyjamas and casual wear, Living Crafts has it all. The German brand has been producing ecological and timeless clothing since 1985. In the material compositions, you will mainly see organic cotton and wool.
Shop Living Crafts’ basics at supermarché in Berlin, Meer dan Mooi in Geel and Anders Getint in Leuven.
HempAge
Timeless basics made from hemp
HempAge makes clothes from, yes, hemp (and organic cotton)! The collection features mostly timeless basics, made with attention to both more sustainable and ethical production. The brand has been working with the Fair Wear Foundation for 14 years to ensure more ethical working conditions. Looking for timeless clothes for men or women made from hemp? You can buy the basics from HempAge’s collection in Belgium at Mandragora in Antwerp and Meer dan Mooi in Geel. In Germany, you can visit supermarché in Berlin.
Filippa K
Stylist and minimalistic basics
Another brand that has long been loved by lovers of timeless, quality and minimalist clothing is Scandinavian brand Filippa K. The designs are always very stylish and made of high quality and more sustainable materials, such as 100% organic cotton and 100% mulesing free merino wool.
You rent Filippa K at the clothing library LENA Fashion Library in Amsterdam.
If you are looking for a new timeless and quality garment that you can easily combine with the rest of your wardrobe, hopefully this article has helped you!
