Confessions of a Shopgirl
9 brands I consistently recommend to clients as a stylist and personal shopper
I came across this note about a month ago, reposted it without a second thought, and then watched my DMs fill up with a consensus so resoundingly clear I had to say something.
I was truly alarmed at how many people shared the same sentiment about a viral cotton t-shirt that has, for years, been widely recommended by influencers, editors, and newsletter writers. I myself bought these tees a few years ago, and surprise—they didn’t last very long. I own probably two or three Margos plus the pointelle ones, all of which I now wear to sleep.
And yes, I know it’s a cotton t-shirt and it’s not supposed to last forever. But for a white tee that costs $80, I expect it to stay in great shape for well over a year of consistent wash and wear. While earlier versions of the Margo had better quality, the sheer volume of complaints in my DMs suggests something has significantly deteriorated.
So the lesson is that we all need to stop buying pricey stuff that isn’t worth our hard-earned money. And because I am of service to you, my readers, I’m spilling the stuff that’s real good.
This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means. Just a few tried-and-true, unsponsored brands I consistently recommend for wardrobe staples that are worth your money. None of them are heavily promoted by influencers or newsletter writers. Several are exclusively DTC. A few aren’t even on ShopMy. None of the brands the cool girls are wearing, ok?
If you’ve been reading my letters for a while, you might already know some of these. Either way, consider this your cheat sheet.
FLORE FLORE
FLORE FLORE has made its rounds in fashion Substack and for good reason. Trying on this tank immediately converted me into collector status. My favorite for summer is this one, which I got last season and can’t wait to rewear again.
They use a mid-weight organic cotton that’s substantial, soft, and has a slight stretch. My favorite design detail is the slightly raised neckline, which reads more refined than your standard tee. These are the kind of t-shirts and tanks you can wear on their own without feeling sloppy. But they have an intentional slim fit, so if substantial cotton and fitted isn’t your thing, this might not be the brand for you.
I wash and dry mine like normal and they’ve held up great for well over a year with zero shrinkage. If you’re curvier up top, have a long torso, or just prefer a more forgiving fit, the Monica tee is their relaxed style and worth trying first.
Labo.Art
Labo.Art is a real IYKYK label. Based in Milan, their pieces are hard to find because they’re only carried in some of the best specialty stores in the world. You won’t find them on most affiliate platforms, and that’s part of why I love them (perks of being a shopgirl and buyer-in-training at a specialty store: you find the good stuff.)
Think The Row basics at a much more palatable price point. They’ve mastered oversized silhouettes that still feel refined and wearable for everyday. My clients stay loyal because the quality of their fabrics and construction stay consistent every season.
My personal faves are their wide-leg poplin pants, cotton twill trousers, short-sleeve shirts, and knits, which beautifully balance refinement and comfort. On my wishlist: this gorgeous mac coat in washed cotton. The real proof of concept: I recently wore these pants on a 10-hour flight to Paris and landed feeling comfortable and polished—which, if you’ve ever stepped off a long-haul flight feeling like a crumpled receipt, you know is no small thing.
The Only Jane
I’ve been talking non-stop about Jane Herman’s jeans since I bought my first pair last year. And I still get at least five “excuse me, what jeans are you wearing?!” whenever I have these on.
Yes, they’re pricier than your average denim, but nowhere near the influencer-favorite Khaite jeans, which now retail for $620 (yikes). I actually owned those and was not impressed with how they held up.
Sally is the one I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone wanting to invest in a classic straight-leg jean: clean dark wash, elongating, 100% cotton, cut and sewn in one of the last remaining denim mills in the country. Every detail is considered: hidden rivets, a carefully chosen top stitch color, a chic anchor charm on the right hip.
Jane recently launched t-shirts, tanks, and sweatshirts, all of which I’m dying to try.
Still Here
I almost didn’t include Still Here because it’s been so popular on socials since they launched this style a few years ago, but after wearing this pair on my 11-hour flight from CDG to SFO, they absolutely deserve to be on this list.
Yes, you read that right — I wore jeans on an international flight (psychotic behavior, I know). It was honestly great. I didn’t feel restricted or uncomfortable in any way. Did I feel morally superior to everyone in sweatpants around me? Yes. Just kidding (kind of.) But I really mean it when I say these jeans were more comfortable than wearing leggings on a plane.
My airplane jean is a mid-rise, relaxed straight cut in the softest denim that fits like a dream. I had it hemmed just below the ankle so I can wear it with flats, heels, boots, whatever. Obsessed for life. And I wore this one a few years back on a cross-country flight and it was just as great, so the pattern holds.
Still Here makes the kind of jeans you can wear on an airplane without regrets. That’s the whole review.
My Dear Tejas
If you’re familiar with Christina Kim’s Dosa, you should also know about My Dear Tejas, Susan Kim’s (Christina’s sister) brainchild.
Each jacket is one-of-a-kind, made by Texas craftsmen using sustainably sourced American deerskin and methods rooted in the late 1800s. The hides are tanned by one of the few remaining North American tanneries keeping this tradition alive. The work is done by hand, so when I source one of these for a client, I know no one else has the same jacket. The natural marks in the hide are part of its history, and that’s part of why I love recommending them. Every piece is a small act of preservation.
Naturally, I have a few on my own wishlist. On it: this buttery soft fringe jacket for spring, and this cropped style that looks like suede but is actually buckskin.
E.M. Reitz
E.M. Reitz makes the kind of shirts you’ll cherish forever. Every detail is deliberate: their Japanese oxford is woven at a century-old mill using a tradition where each thread is dyed before it meets the loom, then washed until the weave opens and feels like a cloud. The buttons are made from real Trocas shell. The side seams are constructed as outward-facing French seams with 18 stitches per inch. None of it is incidental, and their loyal following knows it.
I typically recommend the Boss Dog to a client looking to invest in a classic button-up, and the Kingfisher (my dream shirt) for those who want a unique collar that can be worn buttoned all the way up to create a drape-y cowl neck or or worn low with the sailor collar falling into a dramatic V-neck.
Safe to say, any of their shirts will earn a permanent spot in your wardrobe.
The Anteros
Bryn Rhoads and her mom Lisa are the dream duo behind this emerging label. I own two Anteros shirts: the Presley and the Nova in Italian organic cotton, and both guarantee compliments whenever I wear them. I’m already planning my next buy: these cotton poplin shorts as soon as they’re restocked.
I love recommending The Anteros to clients who want a classic shirt with a modern twist, especially those who love wearing color. Everything is produced in small-batch, family-owned mills in Portugal, where craftsmanship is generational. And they do color so well! Their newest hues like Saffron, Brick, Thyme, and Dusty Lilac were developed to complement every skin tone rather than chase trends.
Bryn and Lisa’s obsession with craft is real: when they couldn’t find a merino fabric that balanced movement with structure and softness with longevity, they just made one themselves, working with a master fabric engineer in Italy. It’s lightweight, season-less, and drapes beautifully.
AYR
AYR (All Year Round) has been around for a while and continues to earn its flowers. Co-founded by Jac Cameron (now founder of Ruadh), this is a fashion-industry vet who understands what women actually want to wear. AYR is my immediate go-to when a client wants high quality and great design without the high ticket.
Their jeans are made in LA at a factory with 30 years of premium denim expertise—Wirecutter-approved if you need a second opinion. Their shirts punch well above their price point too. I’ve owned this one for at least five years (oldest shirt in my wardrobe) and it’s still going strong.
Buck Mason
So underrated but absolutely delivers. Buck Mason is another go-to for clients who refuse to compromise on quality but don’t want to overspend.
They take their materials seriously—they essentially saved the fabric mill that Stitch Fix used to own. The cotton they use for their tees is grown on farms in California, Texas, and Georgia, spun domestically, and sewn at their own mill in Mohnton, PA.
Their jeans are great too, and the knits are the kind of basics that become the pieces you reach for most.
Before you go… sharing a few past letters that pair well with this one. If you’re investing in better pieces, you’ll want to know how to take care of them (The Only Jane and E.M. Reitz make an appearance). And if The Anteros caught your eye above, I did a deep dive on the brand last year.
xx Angela
P.S. If you want help figuring out which of these brands are right for your wardrobe specifically, that’s exactly what I’m here for. Let’s work together.
