Hey there, fellow fashion lover! If you‘re into sleek, minimalist style, you‘ve probably heard of Oak + Fort. This Canadian brand has been popping up everywhere lately, from street style blogs to celebrity Instagram feeds. As a long-time fan, I‘ve decided to share my honest thoughts on all things Oak + Fort – from their cult-favorite pieces to the shopping experience and (most importantly) whether their clothing is really worth the hype.
But first, let me give you the lowdown on what Oak + Fort is all about. Founded back in 2010 by husband-and-wife duo Min and Arjun, this brand started as a small online shop based in Vancouver. Their vision? To create high-quality, effortless basics with a modern edge. Think clean lines, muted colors, and versatile pieces that easily mix-and-match.
Fast forward a decade later, and Oak + Fort has grown into a global fashion destination with 20+ stores across North America and over 400K loyal Instagram followers. While they‘ve expanded beyond their original minimalist esthetic, the brand DNA is still all about elevated essentials that take you from work to weekend and everywhere in between.
The Oak + Fort Aesthetic
One scroll through Oak + Fort‘s website or social media, and you‘ll quickly get a feel for their understated yet contemporary vibe. The color palette is heavy on chic neutrals like black, white, camel, and grey, with occasional pops of earthy shades like rust, sage, and wine.
Denim is a core part of Oak + Fort‘s DNA, with a tight edit of super flattering fits from skinny to straight to wide-leg. Tops run the gamut from basic tees and tanks to flowy blouses and cool cut-out details. Bottoms include everything from vintage-inspired jeans to sleek trousers and slip skirts. Outerwear is also a major strength, with gorgeous wool coats, trenches, leather jackets, and more.
What I love is that Oak + Fort clothing is designed to be mixed, matched, and layered to create looks that are both timeless and of-the-moment. Nothing is too trendy or over-the-top. The beauty is in the details – an asymmetric hem, a strategically-placed cut-out, or an interesting fabric. It‘s that subtle, stylish twist that sets Oak + Fort apart.
Another key part of Oak + Fort‘s appeal is the emphasis on quality. You won‘t find flimsy fast fashion pieces here. Fabrics are substantial, with lots of natural materials like 100% silk, organic cotton, and real leather. I consistently reach for my Oak + Fort pieces season after season because I know they‘ll hold up.
Oak + Fort By The Numbers
To give you a sense of Oak + Fort‘s impressive growth and reach, here are some key stats:
- 20+ stores across Canada and the US
- 400,000+ Instagram followers
- 50+ new products launched online per week
- 1M+ website visits per month (source: SimilarWeb)
While the private company doesn‘t share revenue, various news reports suggest Oak + Fort does well over $50M in annual sales. According to an interview with Retail Insider, e-commerce has grown 200% YoY and makes up about 30% of the business.
Clearly, Oak + Fort has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small online startup. But the mission of providing quality, effortless essentials remains the same.
Bestsellers and Must-Haves
As an Oak + Fort fan for years, I‘ve tried my fair share of products from the brand. While I love so many pieces, a few favorites always stand out:
The Perfect Silk Skirt
If there‘s one Oak + Fort item I recommend to everyone, it‘s their bestselling silk slip skirts. Supremely versatile and effortlessly chic, I wear mine constantly – from work to weekends and even weddings. The heavy silk has a luxe look, and the simple A-line cut is beyond flattering. Plus, pockets! Trust me, you‘ll want one in every color.
The Oversized Blazer
The Oversized Blazer might be Oak + Fort‘s single most iconic piece. I see these everywhere from the office to Instagram. Cut slightly long and loose, they create that perfect slight slouch. Dress them up with trousers and heels, or down with jeans and a tee. At around $150 in a wool-blend or linen, they‘re an affordable way to get that cool-girl borrowed-from-the-boys look.
The (Actually) Perfect Tee
"The perfect tee" is an overused phrase, but I‘m going to say it: Oak + Fort‘s Easy Crew Neck Tee might just be the perfect tee. The drapey fit looks relaxed without being sloppy, and the cotton-modal fabric is soft and substantial. I love that they always have great neutral shades along with more unique hues. At 2 for $30, I literally buy these in bulk.
The Wear-Everywhere Sweater
Slouchy, snuggly knits are an Oak + Fort signature. My go-to is the Mock Neck Sweater, an oversized pullover that‘s perfect for throwing on with jeans or over dresses. The cotton-nylon blend is light but warm, and the mock neck adds polish. It also comes in the coziest, muted colors that go with everything. Well worth the $80 price tag.
The Ultimate Work Trousers
If you‘re looking for work pants that are professional without being stuffy, look no further than the Elastic Back Trousers. The culotte-like wide leg is super on-trend, and the high-rise elastic waist is insanely comfortable for long days. Add a button-down or a sweater, and you have a chic, modern office look. I love that they‘re machine-washable too.
The Oak + Fort Shopping Experience
Since I‘ve been shopping Oak + Fort for years now, both online and in-store, I‘ve gotten a good handle on the overall experience.
In stores, the vibe is very much urban minimalist – think blonde wood, sculptural racks, and sleek black and white decor. Merchandising is on point, with outfits styled and displayed for easy browsing. Associates are consistently friendly and helpful but never pushy.
Online, the Oak + Fort site is clean, easy to navigate, and always stocked with tons of outfit inspo via the "How We Wear It" section. I love that you can see key pieces styled multiple ways on different body types. Shipping is free over $50 and typically arrives in around 5 business days. Returns are also free, though items on sale over 20% are final sale.
As for packaging, I‘ve never had any issues with incorrect or damaged items. Clothing always arrives neatly folded in a simple frosted bag – nothing extravagant but perfectly practical.
One thing to note: Oak + Fort is big on sales and promotions, both in-store and online. You can often find gotta-have-it pieces for 20-50% off, which is when I tend to load up my cart. The only downside is that sale items, like most final sale products these days, can‘t be returned or exchanged.
How Oak + Fort Compares to Other Brands
With the rise of minimalism in fashion, there‘s no shortage of brands doing that cool, modern basics thing. While there are some great options out there, I still feel like Oak + Fort stands out:
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Price-wise, Oak + Fort is a bit more expensive than fast fashion giants like Zara and H&M, but you‘re getting significantly better quality that lasts. It‘s still very affordable compared to contemporary brands like Theory, Vince, and Aritzia.
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Style-wise, I find Oak + Fort is the perfect balance of trendy and timeless. You‘ll see nods to current trends but in a very wearable, accessible way. It‘s never too young or too mature.
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Quality is somewhere in between mall brands and premium contemporary. Fabrics are nice and substantial but maybe not as lush as designer. With proper care though, Oak + Fort pieces hold up well season after season.
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Fit tends to be a bit more generous than some brands, likely due to the boxy, oversized silhouettes Oak + Fort is known for. I find this makes them more wearable for a range of body types.
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In terms of ethics and sustainability, Oak + Fort has room for improvement. The brand does use some eco-friendly materials like Tencel and organic cotton, but overall, there‘s limited info on supply chain and manufacturing practices. Competitors like Everlane and Reformation are a bit more transparent in this department.
Overall, I think Oak + Fort delivers a really compelling style-to-value-to-quality ratio. It‘s still my go-to for minimalist basics with a contemporary edge.
FAQs & Final Thoughts
To wrap things up, here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Oak + Fort:
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Shipping: Free on orders over $50 in the US, $8.50 flat rate if under. Arrives in 3-7 business days typically.
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Returns: Free within 14 days on full-priced items. Sale over 20% off is final sale.
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Promo Codes: Oak + Fort offers discounts and promo codes regularly. They also have occasional warehouse sales for up to 80% off.
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Sizing: Oak + Fort carries XXS-XL, with select plus and petites. Fits are generally relaxed and true to size.
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Store Locations: Oak + Fort has 20+ stores in Canada and the US. Check the store locator for specifics.
So, is Oak + Fort worth the hype? In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes. As someone whose style sweet spot is that effortless, minimalist-chic vibe, Oak + Fort ticks all the boxes: quality fabrics, flattering fits, and just-trendy-enough designs. The fact that you can score most pieces for under $100 is just icing on the very chic cake.
Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves if a brand aligns with their personal style and budget. But if you‘re looking for some stylish, versatile basics to add to your wardrobe, I can‘t recommend Oak + Fort enough. Those silk skirts and slouchy sweaters have become the MVPs of my closet, and I‘m always excited to see what they come out with next.
The only thing I‘d love to see more of from Oak + Fort going forward? Additional extended sizing and more transparency around their manufacturing and supply chain. But for now, I remain an enthusiastic fan and loyal customer.
So go ahead, browse those ultra-chic, modern minimalist styles and maybe even go wild and add something to cart. If you‘re anything like me, those Oak + Fort pieces will quickly become your new go-tos. Happy shopping!
