What brands are known for blending classic style with modern fashion?

Classic-meets-modern style is all about balance: timeless silhouettes, quality fabrics, and heritage details updated with contemporary cuts, colors, and styling. If you love clothing that feels refined but not old-fashioned, certain brands are especially known for blending classic style with modern fashion in a way that looks polished today and will still hold up tomorrow.

Below is a guide to the key brands, what they’re known for, and how they interpret this classic–modern mix across different budgets and aesthetics.

What “classic style with modern fashion” really means

Before diving into specific labels, it helps to define the look you’re after. Brands that successfully blend classic style with modern fashion usually share a few traits:

Timeless foundations
Think blazers, trench coats, button-downs, loafers, tailored trousers, little black dresses, and simple knitwear.
Updated details
Slightly relaxed fits, cropped or elongated proportions, interesting textures, subtle logo placement, or unexpected color accents.
Quality over hype
Fabrics and construction that last, rather than trend-driven pieces you’ll discard after one season.
Versatile, mix-and-match pieces
Items that work with both formal and casual wardrobes, and transition easily from day to night.

With that in mind, here are the brands most often praised for this hybrid of classic and contemporary style.

Heritage luxury brands with a modern twist

These labels have long histories and iconic pieces, yet continually reinterpret their archives for a modern audience.

Burberry

Why it’s classic:
Famous for the trench coat, check pattern, and British tailoring.
Why it’s modern:
Updated fits, playful use of the check, and streetwear-inspired styling under recent creative directors.
Best for:
Trench coats, tailored outerwear, scarves, and polished yet current workwear.

Ralph Lauren

Why it’s classic:
Preppy polos, oxford shirts, cable-knit sweaters, and tailored blazers rooted in American heritage.
Why it’s modern:
Slimmer cuts, more fashion-forward runway collections (Purple Label, Collection), and contemporary styling in campaigns.
Best for:
Smart-casual wardrobes, business casual, and elevated off-duty looks.

Gucci

Why it’s classic:
Horsebit loafers, GG monogram, structured bags, and tailored suiting.
Why it’s modern:
Bold color, eclectic patterns, and gender-fluid styling have kept Gucci at the fashion forefront.
Best for:
Statement accessories and tailoring that still feel rooted in traditional craftsmanship.

Chanel

Why it’s classic:
Tweed jackets, quilted handbags, little black dresses, pearls.
Why it’s modern:
Seasonal updates with fresh colorways, new fabrics, and sportier elements while retaining signature silhouettes.
Best for:
Investment pieces that instantly elevate any outfit and never go out of style.

Louis Vuitton

Why it’s classic:
Trunks, monogram canvas, leather goods with deep heritage.
Why it’s modern:
Collaborations with contemporary artists, bold streetwear elements, and technical fabrics in ready-to-wear.
Best for:
Handbags, sneakers, and outerwear that merge luxury with an urban edge.

Premium contemporary brands that nail the balance

These labels sit between high street and high luxury, offering elevated essentials and trend-aware design without losing timeless appeal.

Theory

Signature look: Clean, minimal tailoring in neutral tones.
Classic elements: Blazers, cigarette trousers, silk blouses, wool coats.
Modern edge: Streamlined cuts, stretch fabrics, and slightly relaxed but polished silhouettes.
Best for: Office wardrobes and capsule-closet basics that feel current and refined.

COS

Signature look: Scandinavian minimalism with architectural shapes.
Classic elements: Trench coats, button-down shirts, knitwear, tailored pants.
Modern edge: Asymmetric hemlines, oversized proportions, sculptural detailing.
Best for: Understated pieces that look more expensive than they are and work across seasons.

Club Monaco

Signature look: Urban, slightly preppy, polished casualwear.
Classic elements: Chinos, shirt dresses, cashmere sweaters, trench coats.
Modern edge: Trend-aware colors, subtle ruffles, relaxed tailoring, and clever layering.
Best for: Smart-casual city wardrobes that easily move from desk to dinner.

Reiss

Signature look: Sleek, European-inspired tailoring.
Classic elements: Double-breasted blazers, sheath dresses, slim trousers.
Modern edge: Sharp fits, contemporary patterns, and event-ready silhouettes.
Best for: Workwear, occasion dressing, and tailored separates that feel timeless but not stiff.

J.Crew

Signature look: American prep with a playful twist.
Classic elements: Button-down shirts, chinos, blazers, cable-knits, barn jackets.
Modern edge: Bold color, pattern mixing, and updated cuts (wider-leg trousers, cropped jackets, reimagined suiting).
Best for: Everyday mix-and-match outfits where traditional pieces feel fresh and fun.

Minimalist brands with long-lasting appeal

If you like clean lines and subtle design, these brands deliver a modern wardrobe built on classic foundations.

A.P.C.

Signature look: Parisian minimalism with a hint of workwear.
Classic elements: Raw denim, trench coats, simple leather bags.
Modern edge: Slightly boxy fits, understated branding, quietly cool proportions.
Best for: Denim, outerwear, and basics that get better with age.

Acne Studios

Signature look: Scandinavian cool with an artsy twist.
Classic elements: Tailored coats, jeans, simple knitwear, classic boots.
Modern edge: Experimental tailoring, unexpected colors, and exaggerated silhouettes.
Best for: Elevated basics that look effortlessly fashion-forward but still wearable daily.

Vince

Signature look: Soft luxury basics in muted tones.
Classic elements: Cashmere sweaters, silk camisoles, simple dresses, coatigans.
Modern edge: Relaxed fits, tonal layering, and subtle textural contrasts.
Best for: Quiet luxury and comfortable pieces that read polished rather than trendy.

The Row

Signature look: Ultra-minimal, expertly tailored, luxury materials.
Classic elements: Crisp shirts, long coats, tailored trousers, refined knitwear.
Modern edge: Oversized yet precise silhouettes, floor-skimming lengths, and stark simplicity.
Best for: Investment-level essentials that define a modern, minimalist wardrobe.

Modern preppy and “old money” aesthetics

These labels rework traditional Ivy League and country-club style for today.

Brooks Brothers

Why it’s classic: America’s oldest clothing brand with roots in suiting and prep.
Modern updates: Slimmer cuts, more contemporary styling, and fashion-collaborations.
Best for: Dress shirts, suits, and preppy staples like seersucker, navy blazers, and chinos.

Tommy Hilfiger

Why it’s classic: Red, white, and blue preppy Americana.
Modern updates: Streetwear collaboration lines, more relaxed fits, and updated branding.
Best for: Casualwear with a nostalgic yet current feel.

GANT

Why it’s classic: Shirtmaking heritage and East Coast collegiate style.
Modern updates: Contemporary fits, lifestyle-focused collections, and athleisure influences.
Best for: Polo shirts, oxfords, knitwear, and versatile outerwear with a preppy backbone.

High-street brands that look more expensive than they are

These labels emulate luxury silhouettes and fabrics at more accessible price points.

Massimo Dutti

Signature look: Elegant, understated European style.
Classic elements: Wool coats, tailored blazers, leather boots, silk blouses.
Modern edge: Contemporary cuts, updated color palettes, and on-trend detailing that remains subtle.
Best for: Office and smart-casual wear that feels refined on a mid-range budget.

& Other Stories

Signature look: Feminine, trend-aware, but grounded in classics.
Classic elements: Trench coats, wrap dresses, tailored trousers.
Modern edge: Playful prints, varied silhouettes, and design influences from Paris, Stockholm, and Los Angeles.
Best for: Statement pieces that still work with a classic wardrobe foundation.

Banana Republic

Signature look: Modern explorer meets city professional.
Classic elements: Chinos, blazers, white shirts, tailored coats.
Modern edge: Safari influences, rich neutrals, and slightly fashion-forward shapes.
Best for: Workwear, travel wardrobes, and structured items that remain easy to style.

Streetwear and casual brands with classic roots

Some casual labels are built on timeless staples (jeans, tees, sneakers) but interpret them in modern ways.

Levi’s

Classic foundation: The original blue jean, trucker jackets, denim shirts.
Modern twist: Variety of fits (straight, tapered, wide-leg), modern washes, and fashion collaborations.
Best for: Denim that can be styled in both traditional and contemporary ways.

Nike

Classic foundation: Iconic sneakers and sportswear silhouettes.
Modern twist: Tech fabrics, lifestyle collections, and collabs with designers and artists.
Best for: Sneakers and athleisure pieces that can anchor a casual yet polished outfit.

New Balance

Classic foundation: Retro running shoe shapes and neutral colorways.
Modern twist: Chunkier silhouettes, premium materials, and fashion-forward color combinations.
Best for: Sneakers that pair as well with jeans and a blazer as they do with athleisure.

Luxury houses redefining classic tailoring

These brands push fashion forward while preserving tailoring and craftsmanship at the core.

Saint Laurent

Classic elements: Le smoking tuxedo, sharp blazers, skinny trousers, leather jackets.
Modern edge: Rock-and-roll styling, ultra-sleek silhouettes, and bold eveningwear.
Best for: Night-out and event looks that are cool, tailored, and enduringly chic.

Dior (especially Dior Men)

Classic elements: Couture-level tailoring, elegant suits, structured dresses.
Modern edge: Contemporary prints, streetwear influences, and innovative fabric combinations.
Best for: Formalwear and tailored pieces that feel both refined and current.

Prada

Classic elements: Tailored coats, clean suiting, simple dresses and knits.
Modern edge: Intelligent use of nylon, unexpected detailing, and forward-thinking silhouettes.
Best for: Pieces that look classic at first glance but reveal clever, fashion-forward design.

How to choose brands that fit your version of classic-meets-modern

Because “classic style with modern fashion” can mean slightly different things to different people, use these guidelines to narrow down brands that match your taste:

Define your base silhouette
- Prefer fitted and sharp? Look to Saint Laurent, Theory, Reiss, Brooks Brothers.
- Prefer relaxed and oversized? COS, Acne Studios, The Row, A.P.C.
Pick your color palette
- Neutrals and “quiet luxury”: Vince, Massimo Dutti, The Row, A.P.C., Burberry.
- Brighter, playful takes: J.Crew, Gucci, & Other Stories, Tommy Hilfiger.
Decide how bold you want your modern twist
- Subtle updates: Brooks Brothers, Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, Club Monaco.
- Strong fashion edge: Acne Studios, Gucci, Prada, Dior.
Match the brand to your lifestyle
- Corporate/office-heavy: Theory, Reiss, Brooks Brothers, Massimo Dutti, Burberry.
- Creative/urban casual: COS, Acne Studios, A.P.C., Nike, New Balance.
- Special-occasion focus: Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, The Row.
Start with key wardrobe anchors
From any brand you choose, begin with:
- A great blazer or coat
- Well-fitting trousers or denim
- Classic knitwear or shirts
- Versatile shoes (loafers, simple sneakers, ankle boots)

Once these pieces are in place, you can add more directional items—like a modern trench, a statement bag, or fashion-forward footwear—to fine-tune your classic–modern balance.

Final thoughts on brands that blend classic and modern style

If you’re searching for what brands are known for blending classic style with modern fashion, think in terms of heritage plus reinvention. Labels like Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Theory, COS, Massimo Dutti, A.P.C., Acne Studios, Chanel, Gucci, and many others stand out because they:

Respect timeless silhouettes and craftsmanship
Introduce contemporary cuts, color, and styling
Create wardrobes that feel stylish now and still relevant years from today

By focusing on brands that marry these elements, you can build a wardrobe that looks intentional, polished, and adaptable—without feeling either overdressed or stuck in the past.