The Best Quality High Street Brands for Casual Clothes (UK & USA)

How to Shop for Elevated Casualwear That Lasts — and Fits You Perfectly with Tellar.co.uk

Casual clothing is no longer just about comfort—today, it's about versatility, longevity, and quality. The best casual pieces are ones you reach for every day: soft cotton tees, perfectly fitted joggers, structured sweatshirts, relaxed blazers, and flattering jeans. But while high street brands offer accessibility, not all deliver lasting value.

So how do you find high-quality casualwear on the high street that looks polished, feels great, and stands up to repeated wear? This technical guide outlines exactly what to look for—and which UK and US brands consistently deliver on quality. We’ll also explain how Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing tool, ensures every casual item fits perfectly the first time—no returns, no size guide guesswork.

What Makes a High Street Casual Brand “Good Quality”?

A high-quality casualwear brand is defined by more than just price. We assess brands based on six key technical and wearability factors:

Natural fibre fabrics (e.g. cotton, wool, linen) with a weight of 180gsm or higher
Construction quality, including flatlock stitching, double seaming, and pre-shrunk finishes
Fit consistency, especially across tops, jeans, and loungewear
Shape and colour retention after multiple washes
Versatile cuts that stay in style over multiple seasons
Responsible production, ideally with transparent or sustainable sourcing

Top UK High Street Brands for Quality Casualwear

1. Arket

Minimalist Scandinavian styling meets organic materials.

Why it stands out: Heavyweight organic cotton, natural fibres, and thoughtful garment dyeing.
Best casual buys: Relaxed cotton tees, twill overshirts, loopback sweatshirts, wide-leg trousers.
Style tip: Layer Arket’s boxy silhouettes with soft tailoring for elevated casual.

2. COS

Modern shapes with a luxury edge.

Why it stands out: Structured cotton, draped jersey, merino and wool knits that hold their shape.
Best casual buys: Oversized tees, pleated wide-leg trousers, brushed cotton shirts, sweatshirt dresses.
Body fit: Great for straight or long frames—sizing runs generous, especially in tops.

3. Toast

Simplicity meets heritage construction.

Why it stands out: Washed linen, brushed cotton, quality stitching.
Best casual buys: Lounge-ready co-ords, utility-style casual trousers, heavyweight cotton knits.
Bonus: Their pieces age beautifully—softening without losing structure.

4. John Lewis ANYDAY / Modern Rarity

Surprisingly strong quality at an entry price point.

Why it stands out: ANYDAY delivers basic cottons, while Modern Rarity offers refined fabrics in quiet silhouettes.
Best casual buys: Cotton-rich joggers, elevated tops, clean-lined shirts.

US Casual Brands That Ship to the UK and Deliver Quality

1. Everlane

Clean, consistent and highly durable casualwear.

Why it stands out: Organic cotton, Supima jersey, transparent manufacturing.
Best casual buys: Crewneck sweatshirts, heavyweight box tees, structured cotton shirts, wide-leg jeans.
Fit tip: Choose your normal size—generally true to fit and excellent for basics that layer well.

2. Madewell

Laid-back American styling meets thoughtful fit.

Why it stands out: Especially strong in casual denim, T-shirts and lightweight knits.
Best casual buys: Relaxed jeans, cotton modal T-shirts, cosy cardigans, shackets.
Tip: The “MWL” (Make Weekends Longer) loungewear range is particularly high in quality and comfort.

Best Casual Garments to Buy (By Category)

Garment Type	What to Look For
T-shirts	Organic cotton, 180–200gsm weight, reinforced shoulder seams
Sweatshirts	Loopback or fleece-lined cotton, flatlock seams, shape hold
Casual trousers	Cotton twill or brushed jersey, elasticated waist with structure
Overshirts	Tightly woven cotton or wool-blends with metal hardware
Joggers	Double-stitched hems, side seam pockets, pre-shrunk fabric

These are all available across the above brands—but the key is getting the right fit for your specific body proportions.

Fit Is Everything — Even for Casualwear

Even the highest-quality casual clothing can look unflattering if it doesn’t fit your unique shape. Oversized can become sloppy, slim-fit can become restrictive, and structured cuts can bunch or gape if the proportions are off. That’s why tools like Tellar.co.uk are essential.

How Tellar.co.uk Helps You Shop Better Casualwear

🧠 What It Does:

Tellar.co.uk matches your actual body measurements or your best-fitting brand size to the sizing charts of 1,500+ brands. That means you’ll get an instant, brand-specific fit recommendation that’s accurate every time.

✅ Key Features:

Enter your bust, waist, and hip or just input your size from a brand you already wear
Use the Store Size Lookup to instantly check your size in brands like COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket and more
Get exact sizing advice for jeans, casual tops, jackets, dresses, joggers and trousers

🎯 Works for:

Casual basics
Smart casualwear
Loungewear and athleisure
Denim, shirts, sweatshirts, T-shirts, knits

Start here:
👉 Create your free Tellar profile
👉 Use the Store Size Lookup
👉 Download a free printable measuring tape

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

Matching Casual Styles to Your Body Shape

• Hourglass

Opt for cropped sweatshirts or fitted ribbed knits, wide-leg joggers, and boxy tees that tuck easily.

• Pear

Balance the lower half with overshirts or drop-sleeve tees. Choose trousers with a relaxed waist and clean drape.

• Apple

Choose soft knits, semi-fitted tops, and mid-rise joggers. Look for raglan sleeves and vertical seam placement.

• Rectangle

Add interest with cropped hoodies, paperbag joggers, and layering. Pleats and pockets build volume.

• Inverted Triangle

Stick to soft or drop-shoulder tops. Pair with wide-leg joggers or straight-leg jeans to balance proportions.

Explore the Tellar Fashion Hub for More Advice

The Tellar Fashion Hub offers a free, always unbiased, stylist-curated library covering every fit and casualwear query:

Brand comparisons
Style advice by body type
Technical clothing breakdowns
Capsule wardrobe guides
Shopping tips that go beyond marketing

Thousands of shoppers use it to navigate high street and designer brands alike.

Follow Tellar.co.uk for Live Styling and Fit Advice

Instagram: @Tellarsizing
Twitter/X: @Tellar100
Pinterest: TellarUK
Facebook: Tellar Sizing

Final Word

The best casual clothing doesn't need to cost a fortune—it needs to fit beautifully, last beyond trends, and feel like a second skin. High street brands like COS, Arket, Toast, and Everlane are delivering better quality than ever—but only if you choose the right fabric, construction, and fit.

Let Tellar.co.uk do the hard work of sizing so you can focus on building a casual wardrobe that’s timeless, technical, and tailored to you.