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Last Updated on June 24, 2022
Few brands embody the American preppy style as much as Tommy Hilfiger.
The brand made a name for itself by being quintessentially classic but keeping up with fashion trends that add an interesting twist to its designs. They have also stayed true to their roots while embracing young ambassadors like Gigi Hadid, with whom they recently launched a capsule collection.
Despite Tommy Hilfiger not being considered a luxury brand, it is certainly in the $$$ range! I would call it a medium-luxury powerhouse, with high-quality garments that exude class and elegance. They favor many sporty items like down jackets, padded coats, sweatshirts, and so on, but they are always crafted just so, creating an air of effortless elegance.
If you are looking for brands that are similar to Tommy but more budget-friendly, you are in luck! These alternative brands share some of the core qualities of Hilfiger, have that same preppy aesthetic, or manage to pull off the chic sporty modern look to perfection. Scroll down to check it out!
Main qualities of Tommy Hilfiger
- Medium-luxury
- High quality
- Classic style
- American heritage
- Traditional and iconic
- Preppy
- Nautical
- Pop culture
- Sporty vibe
Most iconic garments from Tommy Hilfiger
- Blazers
- Polo shirts
- Lowtops
- Sweatshirts
- Padded and nylon jackets
#1. Hollister
Overview: Hollister is a retail brand owned by Abercrombie and Fitch that focuses on slightly nautical, sporty, and trendy clothes at budget prices.
Price Range: $$
Origin and Concept: The brand was founded in 2000 in Ohio and soon expanded to Kansas, Georgia, California, and New Jersey. Conceptually, they skirt the like of being a surf brand, taking inspiration from the lifestyle and protagonists rather than going in heavy with the core surf stuff.
The brand has created a make-believe story about its founding that entails a certain John Hollister that emigrated to New York City from the Dutch East Indies and establishes his company in California in 1922. This, however, is nothing more than a bit of flavor the brand has added to its image.
Their main offering when it comes to garments is graphic and crew t-shirts, polos, cardigans, puffer jackets, sweatshirts, and super comfortable underwear.
Recommended Product(s): Easy Embroidered Logo Graphic Marble Effect Hoodie & Ultra High Rise Faux Leather Flare Pants + Anorak Midi-Puffer Parka & Seamed Curved Hem T-shirt
Celebs who are fans: Adele, Amita Suman, Billie Eilish, Candice King, Carey Mulligan, Chrishell Stause, Claire Holt, and Coral Simanovich, among others.
Ethical Practices: There is a clear lack of information regarding their green practices that seriously impacts my ability to form a verdict but from what I could find, they lack robust policies that protect the planet as well as their workers.
#2. Abercrombie & Fitch
Overview: Abercrombie & Fitch is an American fashion retailer that focuses on casual wear. They also operate Abercrombie Kids, Hollister, and Gilly Hicks (which has amazing underwear!).
Price Range: $$
Origin and Concept: Abercrombie was founded in 1892 in New York City, by David T. Abercrombie. It was originally an outfitter for the outdoorsy Manhattan elite. After Ezra Fitch bought a significant interest in the company, its name was changed to Abercrombie & Fitch.
Eventually, Fitch would outbuy Abercrombie and situate the company as an elite outfitter of sporting and excursion goods that sold expensive tents, fishing rods, and shotguns, among other things. They even supplied gear for Theodore Roosevelt at one time, and Richard Byrd’s Antarctica expedition. Hemingway was also a regular at the time.
By 1970 a struggling economy forced them to forgo the most expensive items and to cut inventory in favor of moderately priced items.
Later on, the company was revived by Jake Oshman and turned into a mail-order retailer of hunting wear and novelty items. However, it wouldn’t be until 1988 that the company would achieve its final clothing retailer form, gaining notoriety after 1997 for its advertisement and branding.
Nowadays, despite the bad rep for its sexualized campaigns of yore, the brand has turned a new leaf and toned down its imagery. Their nearly nude models are notoriously absent from their advertisements, replaced by an inclusive array of new models.
Recommended Product(s): Tweed Slip Mini Dress & Ruched Puff Sleeve Poplin Midi Dress + Elevated Knit Slim Halter Polo & Printed Ultra High Rise 90s Straight Jeans
Celebs who are fans: Malin Akerman, Jamie Dornan, Channing Tatum, Olivia Wilde, Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones, Kellan Lutz, Heidi Klum, Emma Roberts, Penn Badgley, Michelle Trachtenberg, Niki Reed, Taylor Kitsch, and Trevor Donovan.
Ethical Practices: There is no evidence that it has set a greenhouse gas emission reduction target. However, it does use some eco-friendly and recycled materials.
Recommended: 5 Brands Like Abercrombie & Fitch for that American Aesthetic
#3. Ralph Lauren
Overview: Ralph Lauren is an American brand that specializes in garments, home, accessories, and fragrances. The company also includes several brands like Chaps, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Ralph Lauren Childrenswear, Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, and Ralph Lauren Collection. Each brand caters to a different budget segment, ranging from mid-range to full-on luxury.
Price Range: $$$
Origin and Concept: The company was founded in 1967 by Ralph Lauren, in New York City. It all began with men’s ties and soon he had a full line of menswear being sold at Bloomingdales.
The brand launched a line of tailored shirts for women with the now-iconic Polo player emblem embroidered on the shirt cuff. His first free-standing store in California in 1972 marked the beginning of its most important stage, with the launch of what would become the polo shirt with its famous logo.
The company is known for its stylish garments that are preppy, moneyed, and ultimately American.
Recommended Product(s): Tiered Coton Midi Shirtdress & Embellished Surplus Jacket + Relaxed Fit Straight Shirt & Striped Waffle-Knit Henley Dress.
Celebs who are fans: Naomi Campbell, Billie Eilish, Andy Samberg, Barack Obama, Demi Moore, Ed Westwick, Emily Blunt, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Hillary Duff, among others.
Ethical Practices: The company uses few eco-friendly materials and despite having set a science-based target to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, there is no proper evidence that they are on track or anywhere near achieving it.
Read:
17 Outfit Ideas to To Get That Preppy Style (Women’s Edition)
Brooks Brothers vs Ralph Lauren
#4. J. Crew
Overview: J.Crew is an American multi-brand retailer that offers apparel, accessories, and jewelry.
Price Range: $$$
Origin and Concept: The company was founded in 1947 by Mitchell Cinader and Saul Charles under a different name, it sold low-priced women’s clothing via in-home demonstrations. It then evolved into catalog sales and in 1985, re-launched itself under the name “Clifford and Wills”, selling affordable women’s clothing. They aimed for a Ralph Lauren look with lower prices.
It wasn’t until 1983 that the brand became J.Crew and opened its first retail store in Manhattan, New York. Despite several ups and downs, the company continues struggling. Their most recent issue being when in 2020 they announced that they would apply for bankruptcy protection due to the pandemic.
Recommended Product(s): Full-length demi-boot jean in Emporio wash & Cashmere cropped sweater-tank + Shirtdress in stretch denim twill & Winona two-tone loafers in spazzolato leather
Celebs who are fans: Yara Shahidi, Whitney Port, Zoey Deutch, Florence Pugh, Mila Kunis, Rachel Lindsay, Reese Witherspoon, Meghan Markle, and others.
Ethical Practices: Despite having extensive descriptions on its website about supposed steps to improve their impact on the environment, they are mostly concerned about energy efficiency and they lack open communication about their goals and policies when it comes to being green and protecting the environment.
This is a very common form of greenwashing (conveying a false impression that it is environmentally good without providing actual proof) that some fashion brands use to appear greener than they are.
Check Out: 10 Brands Like J Crew That Will Surprise You!
#5. Moncler
Overview: Moncler is a French-Italian luxury fashion brand renowned for its puffer jackets and skiwear.
Price Range: $$$$
Origin and Concept: It was founded in 1952 by René Ramillon and André Vincent and its name is an abbreviation of Monestier-de-Clermont, an Alpine town near Grenoble (France).
The brand’s first quilted jackets were created after noticing how workers in a small mountain establishment used jackets on top of their overalls to combat the freezing temperatures.
Their quilted jackets were soon chosen to equip the Italian expedition to K2 and the brand also accompanied the French expedition that reacher Makalu’s peak in 1955. They have since gained a reputation as the puffer jacket to have among celebrities and anyone who can afford them.
Recommended Product(s): Bionic Short Down Jacket & Guethary Reversible Jacket + Argyle Pattern Cardigan & Wool and Cashmere Hoodie
Celebs who are fans: Reese Witherspoon and her daughter, Sophie Turner, Joe Jonas, Elle McPherson, Tom Hiddleston, Bradley Cooper, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Naomi Campbell, Priyanka Chopra, Sandra Bullock, and Geri Halliwell, among others.
Ethical Practices: It uses few eco-friendly materials and despite using some renewable energy in its operations there is no evidence that it reduces its climate impact for real in its supply chain. However, it does comply with REACH’s restricted substance list to minimize hazardous chemicals.
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