BY JAY AQUINO

OCTOBER 18, 2025

There are plenty of labels out there that can stitch you a shirt—some local, some global—but every so often, one comes along that makes you pause. In Paris, that brand is Simplifier. A friend of ours recently came back from Paris with a Simplifier shirt, priced around 8,900 PHP–9,000 PHP (depending on exchange rate). You get exactly what you pay for: no fluff, just craftsmanship and integrity. Having tried one myself (a.k.a. borrowing our friend’s shirt), I can confirm that the quality is there.

Simplifier’s story starts in 2020, in the thick of the COVID lockdowns. Christophe Nguyen, after nearly two decades in prêt-à-porter, decided to start fresh. Rather than chasing seasonal microtrends, Nguyen opted for what feels more urgent now: basics done well, and a brand built around longevity over immediacy. Simplifier is genderless and seasonless. It drops in chapters, not collections. They produce in limited runs—fewer overstocks, fewer sales, fewer regrets.

Their shirts, especially the Ralph, are boxy and unisex; the fit is relaxed, with dropped shoulders and a roomy body meant to be worn by anyone without feeling awkward. They source fabrics from Portugal—Oxford cotton and poplin, sometimes heavier textiles—each finished neatly with clean buttons and a classic collar. There’s no unnecessary detailing, and often no chest pocket to distract. The shirt works either tucked into trousers for a sharp yet effortless look or untucked over denim or wide-leg pants for casual weekends. Because of its cut, it layers easily under overshirts or light outerwear.

One thing the brand emphasizes is local European production, with fabrics woven in Portugal and manufacturing often done in Porto or nearby regions. “In fact, the fabric is woven in Vilarinho in Portugal, and the shirt is made in Porto,” the brand notes. This approach pushes up costs, but the trade-off is clear: better craft, better materials, better labor conditions, and more sustainable sourcing. “In this region of Europe, we have the opportunity to make everything locally. The quality is great, and it is very important,” Simplifier added.

Their shirts are not cheap. But when compared to mass-produced basics that lose their shape and softness after a few washes, the value becomes apparent. You’re paying for limited editions that reduce waste, European sourcing that ensures quality and fair standards, and a design philosophy that prizes longevity. The brand also taps into a larger shift in how people think about fashion. We’re living through an era where inflation is sky-high, and consumers want fewer, but better things. Genderless cuts speak to a new generation of luxury consumers uninterested in boundaries, while seasonless drops remind us that clothes don’t need an expiry date.

Simplifier has plenty of room to evolve and can eventually turn into a Parisian fashion house like Chanel or Louis Vuitton. This could mean refining their range to include accessories or outerwear that still orbit around their “shirt as cornerstone” philosophy. Maybe they can experiment with fit—offering slimmer or longer silhouettes for those who prefer structure. But whatever direction the brand takes, whether it remains a local name or becomes a global powerhouse, one thing’s certain: when you wear a Simplifier shirt, you’ll feel the love, time, and discipline behind it—and the belief that less truly is better.

Discover Simplifier Paris here.