THE JOURNAL
Some people just seem to dress well without appearing to try very hard. What’s their secret? The answer is rarely a trend. Often, it’s a handful of labels that they just trust, and return to without thinking. These are the labels that make the same reliable suit, the same faultless knit and the same shoes, season after season, without the need to make a big fuss about it. They make things properly – well enough that you stop looking elsewhere. Some are long-established, others are newer and have simply earned their place through reliable, repeated wear. Here are a few that make the cut.
01. Saman Amel
Founded in Stockholm in 2015 by childhood friends Saman Amel and Dag Granath, Saman Amel makes tailoring that sits between the traditional and the contemporary. Scandinavian minimalism meets British structure and Neapolitan softness, with jackets handmade in Italy using full-canvas construction, wider lapels and fuller trousers cut to a full break. Designed to move between the office, the dinner table and the weekend, its limited distribution makes it a name to know in today’s tailoring scene.
02. J. Mueser
Founded in 2008 by Jake Mueser, J. Mueser makes clothing that feels elegant without being strict. It brings a distinctly New York attitude to classic tailoring – the suits are soft-shouldered and lightly structured, with hand-sewn buttonholes and plenty of handwork through the collar and sleeve. Shirting, knitwear and leather jackets share the same relaxed, considered sensibility.
03. Husbands
Husbands was founded in Paris in 2012 by Nicolas Gabard, a former lawyer who set out to make the perfect suit. Named after the 1970 John Cassavetes film, the label is steeped in the style of that decade, with wide lapels, high-waisted flared trousers and silk shirts. Suits are made in Italy from English cloth, cut to flatter your silhouette with an almost cinematic, distinctly Parisian flair.
04. Stòffa
Stòffa takes its name from the Italian word for cloth, making it pretty clear what the New York label is all about. Established in 2014 by Agyesh Madan and Nicholas Ragosta, who met at Neapolitan house Isaia, it started off with felt hats and scarves before expanding into relaxed, considered ready to wear: soft wool trousers, shirt jackets, knitwear and linen shirts. Produced slowly and with the highest quality materials, the pieces favour timeless design and comfort over trends.
05. Ghiaia Cashmere
Ghiaia Cashmere was launched in 2019 by Sicily-born Davide Baroncini, who named the label after the smooth pebbles found on the island’s beaches. Run from Pasadena, it blends Italian craftsmanship with Californian ease, with cashmere knits at its heart and chinos and pastel shirts alongside. The jeans, too, are one of our buyers’ standouts, with an exceptional fit.
06. Métier
Founded in London in 2017 by Melissa Morris, Métier makes leather goods with a focus on practicality and pared-back elegance. Handcrafted in Italy, its weekend bags, holdalls and briefcases are modular, considered and built to last. All feature thoughtful compartments and signature diamond hardware – a smart choice for the workweek or anyone who commutes and travels often.