I'm a Minimalist But Can't Get Enough of These 3 Chic Affordable Brands

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(Image credit: @weartoeatiff)

For better or worse, the pandemic has changed how consumers peruse and purchase goods. Gone are the days where I'd grab an iced coffee and casually pop my head into Zara on the way back to Who What Wear's NYC office. Instead, I've solidified a humble routine of at-home cold brew and endless scrolling through my fellow editor's latest finds—sometimes during a walk around the block, if weather permits. 

In addition to changing so much of our daily routines, the pandemic has also had an effect on my personal sense of style. High heels, liquid liners, and seasonal décor are gathering dust, having been replaced by a mix of cozy sweaters, subtle highlighter, and high-quality basics. While I took a hiatus from wearing jewelry for several months, I resolved to reclaim my sparkle in 2021, while also continuing my commitment to an ethos of shopping fewer, better-quality pieces whenever possible. Fortunately, I had my fellow Who What Wear editors to point me in the right direction.

When reviewing my recent purchases, I realized that I have only shopped three fashion, beauty, and jewelry brands so far in 2021. Granted, it's only March, but still, if you're honing your personal style and have a minimalist aesthetic, allow me to officially put Quince, Merit, and Stone and Strand on your radar. 

Quince

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(Image credit: @kat.shearer)

I'm extremely particular about fabric, and favor clothing made of cotton, linen, silk, or cashmere. With that in mind, I was delighted to discover Quince, which carries a selection of clothing, jewelry, home, and leather goods.

Merit

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(Image credit: @chrissyford)

Since you're reading Who What Wear, you probably already know about our sister brand, Merit. I know Katherine Power dreamed up this clean, five-minute face brand pre-pandemic, but it was certainly made for the present era of minimalist beauty. 

Stone and Strand

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(Image credit: @peonylim)

I have a love-hate relationship with jewelry. I love wearing it, but I hate worrying about taking it off or damaging it and consequently, forgetting to put it back on. Stone and Strand solves this conundrum for me by creating beautiful, high-quality pieces that are both sturdy and special enough to be worn every day. 

Up Next: I Stopped Wearing Jewelry During Quarantine—Here's How I Got My Sparkle Back

Drew Elovitz
Director of Content Strategy

Drew Elovitz is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has spent the last decade living and working in New York City. She earned a master's degree in media and popular culture from New York University, then began her career on the internet as the Twitter voice of Barbie. She worked previously at Who What Wear as the director of content strategy and also spent several years leading the social media teams at Teen Vogue and Entertainment Weekly. You'll find her byline on the site around topics such as celebrity fashion, must-have basics, beauty favorites (particularly nail polish), and wellness tips and tricks. Her personal style tends to favor the classics: She loves crisp white button-downs, sneakers, and skinny jeans—and no look is complete without a great pair of oversize sunglasses and a trusty leather jacket. After she finishes reading the entire internet every day, she can be found dining out at her favorite restaurants, trying new beauty treatments, or indulging her historical-fiction habit.