Fashion
These are the brands that are elevating basics by weaving purpose into everyday fashion
Good basics make the foundation for every kind of wardrobe. If there is anything that has helped us sail through the past year, it’s comfortable clothing, partially giving us a sense of warmth and safety in an otherwise uncertain world. Whether you’ve spent your socially-distanced days in cottagecore-inspired nap dresses or lounged around in sweats and Birkenstocks in and out of the confines of your home, cosy dressing is an ethos we intend on taking forward to the future.
That said, finding the perfect everyday T-shirt can be tricky. What goes on your back definitely affects your mood. While fast fashion might provide us with quick fixes that last only a season or two, these Indie labels are thoughtfully crafting clothes that are made to last. Look no further than these six emerging homegrown labels that get basics just right to upgrade your daily wardrobe.
Cityof is a Mumbai-based casual wear label (from The Bombay Shirt Company) that focuses on knitwear for urban lifestyles. From their bio-washed combed cotton T-shirts to crewneck sweatshirts made with french terry—an absorbent, lightweight, moisture-wicking material that can be worn all year round—the label is successfully reimagining everyday wear that's functional and contemporary.
Treading down the conscious path, One Less was founded by Hansika Chhabria in 2020 with the objective to make sustainable fashion accessible in India. The gender-neutral label uses GOTS certified organic cotton and bamboo fabric, which is less water intensive as compared to normal cotton, to create styles that suit most body types. The dye pigments are obtained from raw materials such as marigold and acacia arabica (commonly known as babul), and an innovative formulation derived from iron for darker washes. Available exclusively through capsule collections, the Pune-based label repurposes the leftover fabric from its T-shirt production into face masks.
“One person’s basics are another person’s dressy,” believes Dash and Dot founder Akshay Gujral. The label was born in 2020 in response to changing dynamics during the pandemic—with homes doubling up as offices and waist-up dressing for Zoom calls becoming the new norm. Their work-play collection was designed to look like work wear, but feel like tracksuits. The homegrown label produces daily wear that does not compromise on expressive design. Who says basics have to be unimaginative and dreary?
When four UI designers could not find a good enough basic tee to wear to work, March Tee was born. Making the basic was anything but basic for them, their versions are made out of Supima fabric—a long staple cotton that is soft yet sturdy. Apart from perfecting their T-shirt game, the label also has a home range which includes ultra-soft pyjamas that serve as the perfect lounging companion.
The brainchild of brother-sister duo Avni and Ambar Aneja, Six5six is a streetwear label known for its functional and comfort focused aesthetic. The BA6IX range by the Delhi-based label consists of gender-fluid hoodies, T-shirts and pocket cargo-joggers that are far from your regular lounge wardrobe. Each piece in the collection has been hand-dyed and acid washed separately, so no two pieces look identical.
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