There’s a certain kind of woman who wears a calf-length skirt that doesn’t cling, an oversized shirt that looks like it costs a month’s rent, and flats that are always sold out. In all likelihood, she’s wearing The Row.
Minimal, obsessively considered, and ridiculously expensive, The Row is the quietest kind of luxury—clothes that don’t beg for attention but command it anyway. So highly coveted (just ask Neelam Ahooja) that, naturally, the internet has responded the way it always does: with dupes. Social media is flooded with ‘looks like The Row’ hauls and ads for literal ‘dupes’, which usually come for a fraction of the price, are crafted in not-the-best materials, and turn out to be deeply unconvincing. Dupe culture has blurred the line between inspired by and copied poorly—which is where this list comes in.
The brands below don’t churn out fast-fashion replicas. They live in the same universe as The Row—refined silhouettes, muted palettes, and pieces that feel intentional—but without the four-digit price tag. There are, of course, brands like Lemaire, Toteme, Khaite, Auralee, and Tove that make beautiful minimal clothing in the same world but are still a stretch unless you’re stalking the sales or resale sites compulsively.
The slightly more affordable ones we’re talking about? They understand proportion. They respect a good collar. They believe cream, navy, black, and the occasional pop of colour can make a complete wardrobe. Some are well-known mall mainstays, some are quietly cult, but all of them deliver design and quality without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a price-conscious conspicuous consumer or are just on the hunt for some quality basics, below are the brands that do it well. The best part? Most of them are on sale at the moment. Happy considerate shopping!
