What brands have been worth the hype? (an UN-sponsored post)

I've been burned so many times by brands that have fallen from their former heights (Target? You're missing the mark), brands that have been bought out or died out (Rest in Pieces Modcloth), brands that quite simply aren't as good as the internet claims that they are (Madewell, you are not made well!)...

But this post is brought to you by a brand I've been hearing about for the past decade but never purchased until this week...and now I'm realizing I missed out on 10 years of perfect socks: BOMBAS. Bombas, if you are reading this and wish to sponsor me, I will edit this post. Please, I could use a discount code for my next order.

So FFA, I will ask you: in our era of enshittification, what brands are not only surviving, but surpassing all expectations and deserve our praises? Who deserves to influence us? Where are the Old Navy and H&M shirts of 2001 that are still going strong now hiding in 2026?