The Best In-House Apparel Brands At Your Favorite Stores
Many of our favorite retailers offer in-house brand apparel that is budget-friendly and stylish. These are our picks for top in-house brands at big-name retailers.
The rising costs of…well, everything, right now might have you starting to reevaluate your spending habits. You may be going out to eat a little less or shopping for store-brand products more than you have in the past.
When we think about store brands we normally think about paper towels and cereal, but some retailers also offer in-house brand apparel. Shopping these in-house brands can get you stylish pieces at very affordable prices. Below are some of our favorite high-quality in-house fashion brands. Plus, they’re from stores you already shop. So, the next time you’re browsing through Macy's or Target be sure to check for deals on these in-house apparel brands.
Best Workwear: INC International Concepts at Macy’s
Macy’s launched INC International Concepts in 1996 and the brand offers workwear-focused pieces for both men and women. We recommend shopping INC International Concepts for blazers, dress pants, and blouses. All of which are often on sale for well under $50.
Charter Club is another affordable in-house brand that customers love. Without fail, Macy’s has offered $40 Charter Club cashmere sweaters every Black Friday and they are one of the hottest sellers in the sale. This in-house brand also offers affordable deals on housewares, like bedding and home decor.
Best Apparel Basics: Amazon Essentials
Amazon has over 100 in-house brands in its portfolio. Their apparel brand, Amazon Essentials, launched in 2014 and has quietly gained traction for the retail giant in recent years. With hundreds of products boasting four-star ratings and above from tens of thousands of shoppers, this is a budget brand worth checking out.
You can find everything from basic tees to bras to sweaters for prices lower than most comparable items you’ll find anywhere else. This Men's Full-Zip Hoodie has a 4.5-star rating from over 35,000 customers and is under $30. The Women’s French Terry Fleece Joggers are under $25 and rated 4.5-stars by over 25,000 shoppers. I personally own three sweaters from the Amazon Essentials brand. They have all held up through machine washing and drying better than several I paid three times as much for!
Other Amazon in-house apparel brands we love:
Best for Kids: Cat & Jack at Target
Cat & Jack is a kid’s apparel brand made for and sold only at Target. They offer sizes for, infants, toddlers, and up to kids sizes 4-20. Cat & Jack and Target guarantee the clothing for up to one year and returns at Target are always free and easy.
Best bets include school uniform pieces starting at $5. We also love Cat & Jack multipack deals. A four-pack of toddler leggings for under $20 works out to less than $5 per pair, beating Carter’s and Old Navy prices. Clearance sales can slash these prices even lower if you’re able to grab them before they’re out of stock.
Other Target in-house apparel brands we love:
Best Athletic Wear: Zella at Nordstrom
If you have Instagram, you’ve likely seen these leggings and joggers everywhere during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Zella is a fitness apparel brand that launched in 2007 and since then we’ve seen a huge increase in athletic apparel and athleisure styles.
The women’s high waisted leggings are a popular buy with thousands of positive reviews and XXS to XXL size availability. Most shoppers comment on the great quality and flattering fit. During the Anniversary Sale, these leggings are under $50. While they’re regularly between $60 and $70, it still beats the price of lululemon or Alo.
Other Nordstrom in-house brands we love:
Best Casual Clothing: Sonoma Goods for Life at Kohl’s
Kohl’s first launched its in-house Sonoma brand in 1994 with a big re-launch of Sonoma Goods for Life in 2016. They wanted to offer a more casual and easy lifestyle experience for modern families. We consistently see great deals on their women’s dresses, often priced under $20, and men’s polos for under $10.
Sonoma is also well known for its houseware deals, particularly patio and outdoor. We highly recommend them for great-quality patio pillows and cushions, outdoor rugs, and anti-gravity chairs.
Other Kohl’s in-house brands we love:
Shopping In-House Apparel Brands
Right now, with spending as high as it is, every dollar counts. These brands offer good-quality, fashionable pieces at prices that won’t bust your budget. Check back for our picks for the best store brands for top grocery items and for household essentials. We know saving money without sacrificing quality is more important than ever right now, and we’re here to help.