Project Upgrade: The Next Three Brands You Need on Your Style Journey
Project Upgrade: The Next Three Brands You Need on Your Style Journey
- Words Grailed Team
- Date February 26, 2019
Project Upgrade is a recurring franchise for those just starting their style journey. Each entry introduces three dependable, stylish—and above all, attainable—brands perfect for building your wardrobe, all at a prices well below retail. If you have been itching to update your wardrobe but unsure which direction to go in, look no further
At the core of every great wardrobe are dependable basics. A great pair of jeans, a solid sweater and a great denim jacket are staples everyone needs before they venture into uncharted territory. While statement pieces are great, without the proper essentials to back them up, they inevitably wear thin after a few wears. Bellow, we present three labels that do basics better than anyone–at a price you can only find on Grailed.
Initially an art collective, Acne began its foray into clothing as a small denim capsule for friends and family of founder Jonny Johansson. The initial run was so successful that the Swedish-based brand began to sell premium selvedge denim to some of the best boutiques in the world. Today known as Acne Studios, the brand is now considerably more directional, as Johansson has abandoned his former life as an artist and works as a full-time fashion creative director. Still, those original designs—inspired by ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll and shaped by Scandinavia’s well-known penchant for minimalist design—form the basis of his label; the jeans, trucker jackets and lush cashmere sweaters can’t be beat when shaping the foundations of a fashion-facing wardrobe. While jeans start at $300 and sweaters can be nearly $1000 at retail, prices start as low as $80 on Grailed.
We've selected some of our favorites below. Want more? Shop All Acne Studios here.
Similarly based out of Sweden, Our Legacy has quietly become one of the most beloved cult menswear brands in the world. Founded in 2005 by friends and co-owners Jockum Hallin, Christopher Nying and Ricardos Klaren the brand—alongside Acne Studios—helped popularize modern Swedish minimalism as an enduring fashion trend. While the brand has recently skewed more high-fashion, its top notch knits, hoodies and raglan sleeve top coats were menswear’s best kept secret for over a decade. While a mohair-wool blend Our Legacy top coat usually runs $700, you can find them for less then $400 on Grailed.
We've selected some of our favorites below. Want more? Shop All Our Legacy here.
Paris based A.P.C. (Atelier de Production et de Création) is the brainchild of French-Tunisian designer Jean Touitou. Founded in 1987, the brand was initially ridiculed for designs so minimal critics argued that the clothes weren’t even “fashion.” Nevertheless, Touitou persisted and presented his vision of unbranded basics with a subtle military influence. Over thirty years later, his league of devotees spans from Pharrell and Kanye West to Pusha-T and Kid Cudi (who recently launched a collaboration with the brand). While the chore coats and sweatshirts are classics, the label’s real signature is denim. Playing a huge part in popularizing selvedge denim in the early ‘00s, the New Standard and Petit New Standard jeans are some of the best in the industry. While a brand new pair is $200, you can find both the raw and washed renditions for less than $80 on Grailed.
We've selected some of our favorites below. Want more? Shop all A.P.C. here.
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