Where can I find artisanal men's clothing?
February 1, 2006 2:16 PM Subscribe
The world is full of boutique shops for women's clothing, made my small, often local designers. Is there a male equivalent of this kind of thing?
I'm talking decent, not dressy clothes (not t-shirts). I don't like "big name" clothes, which are generally of lousy quality for the price and are often made in less-than-favorable work conditions (and everyone who shops at Banana Republic, et al looks the same). Well-made men's clothes all tend to come from Europe and be very expensive for things I'd want to wear around every day. Any suggestions?
I'm talking decent, not dressy clothes (not t-shirts). I don't like "big name" clothes, which are generally of lousy quality for the price and are often made in less-than-favorable work conditions (and everyone who shops at Banana Republic, et al looks the same). Well-made men's clothes all tend to come from Europe and be very expensive for things I'd want to wear around every day. Any suggestions?
I should add that all the non-European boutiques I've seen that have a sizeable men's section and aren't aimed at the Armani crowd all get there clothes from the West Coast, paticularly LA. Here's what you'll probably end up finding. $85 is a lot (about comprable to a LaCoste polo), but European brands will easily add another $30 onto that price.
posted by geoff. at 2:23 PM on February 1, 2006
posted by geoff. at 2:23 PM on February 1, 2006
I would think NYC would have quite a few. When i was in Madrid there were quite a few places that would custom make shirts, pants, suits, and ties on the premises for about the same price as you would pay at any department store.
For the most part it helps to simply get out of the Big Box Store mentality. Even for guys there are hordes of smaller clothing shops that will offer stuff not made in sweat shops.
posted by JJ86 at 2:24 PM on February 1, 2006
For the most part it helps to simply get out of the Big Box Store mentality. Even for guys there are hordes of smaller clothing shops that will offer stuff not made in sweat shops.
posted by JJ86 at 2:24 PM on February 1, 2006
I feel like I'm totally whoring this thread, but I asked a similar question earlier.
posted by geoff. at 2:26 PM on February 1, 2006
posted by geoff. at 2:26 PM on February 1, 2006
If you're not in NYC, SF, LA, Chicago, not terribly. Shop online (bluefly, revolveclothing, etc.) or try Neiman Marcus (and Saks, and Last Call / Rack / Filene's Basement). If you ARE, sure! Depending on what you like, it can range anywhere from Ted Baker to Energie/Miss Sixty to any number of "brand" stores, to one-off botiques. I don't know NYC, but I'm sure you'd do well just wandering around the shopping districts - or ask the next well-dressed guy you see (seriously).
posted by kcm at 2:33 PM on February 1, 2006
posted by kcm at 2:33 PM on February 1, 2006
Yeah. There's a Ted Baker in NYC, of course (Soho). I'd head over there, see what you like and don't, and then expand your search around that area since it's likely in a hive of like-minded stores. It's a start, but half the fun is finding new stores and things in my mind so apologies for lack of details.
posted by kcm at 2:35 PM on February 1, 2006
posted by kcm at 2:35 PM on February 1, 2006
i know the best mens clothes stores in SF are in the Castro. Have you tried looking in New York's gay neighborhood equivilent?
I've only visited New York - so I'm no expert - but I'm sure I saw men's clothes - or at least men's sections in a bunch of Soho boutiques.
Also - don't kid yourself about the abundance of well priced women's boutique clothing. That stuff from the small local designer is most often very expensive (at least for my everyday wear).
posted by Wolfie at 2:41 PM on February 1, 2006
I've only visited New York - so I'm no expert - but I'm sure I saw men's clothes - or at least men's sections in a bunch of Soho boutiques.
Also - don't kid yourself about the abundance of well priced women's boutique clothing. That stuff from the small local designer is most often very expensive (at least for my everyday wear).
posted by Wolfie at 2:41 PM on February 1, 2006
Best answer: It's not local, but I get a lot of clothes at Sean, which is a small boutiquey kind of place that sells clothes that are European in origin. There's one in Soho, I'm pretty sure.
posted by josh at 2:48 PM on February 1, 2006
posted by josh at 2:48 PM on February 1, 2006
Response by poster: I live in NYC.
Ted Baker's not a bad suggestion, but overpriced (I picked up a shirt of his at Century 21 for about 1/2 retail).
Wolfie- I'm not expecting cheap, more in the $100 range.
posted by mkultra at 3:05 PM on February 1, 2006
Ted Baker's not a bad suggestion, but overpriced (I picked up a shirt of his at Century 21 for about 1/2 retail).
Wolfie- I'm not expecting cheap, more in the $100 range.
posted by mkultra at 3:05 PM on February 1, 2006
Response by poster: Oh, and aside from their shoes, I find Prada's stuff seems to fit only very skinny people (I have a medium build, and broad shoulders). Besides, I'm thinking smaller scale than them.
posted by mkultra at 3:08 PM on February 1, 2006
posted by mkultra at 3:08 PM on February 1, 2006
There's a store on the west side of Elizabeth a little bit south of Houston that sells men's clothes made by a few NYC designers, including a second label made by Seize sur Vingt.
posted by nicwolff at 3:17 PM on February 1, 2006
posted by nicwolff at 3:17 PM on February 1, 2006
There are a lot of non-chain men's stores in Chelsea (big surprise). I'm kind of surprised you haven't found more stuff you like at Century 21--I've found Hugo Boss, Zegna, and Hickey-Freeman things there (it seems to be good for me because I go for understated, simple clothes, unlike the usual Century 21 customer).
I like Sean's stuff too, but I can't really find anything that fits me--I'm short and they make stuff for the tall and lanky. If that describes you, you can get a nice Jean-Paul Belmondo kinda look from them.
If you want to go really artisanal, you can get shirts made for as little as $125 or so at Ascot Chang on 57th and 5th. I got four as a gift in 1998 and just had the collars replaced on two of them. I guess they still have a minimum order of four, but it's a really nice treat for a birthday or something. And the work is really good, so they last forever (I think you have to have at least 20 years experience to get a job as a tailor there).
posted by lackutrol at 3:23 PM on February 1, 2006
I like Sean's stuff too, but I can't really find anything that fits me--I'm short and they make stuff for the tall and lanky. If that describes you, you can get a nice Jean-Paul Belmondo kinda look from them.
If you want to go really artisanal, you can get shirts made for as little as $125 or so at Ascot Chang on 57th and 5th. I got four as a gift in 1998 and just had the collars replaced on two of them. I guess they still have a minimum order of four, but it's a really nice treat for a birthday or something. And the work is really good, so they last forever (I think you have to have at least 20 years experience to get a job as a tailor there).
posted by lackutrol at 3:23 PM on February 1, 2006
Response by poster: There are a lot of non-chain men's stores in Chelsea (big surprise). I'm kind of surprised you haven't found more stuff you like at Century 21--I've found Hugo Boss, Zegna, and Hickey-Freeman things there (it seems to be good for me because I go for understated, simple clothes, unlike the usual Century 21 customer).
I've found decent stuff at Century 21 as well, but again, I'm thinking of stuff that doesn't have a brand name behind it.
posted by mkultra at 3:48 PM on February 1, 2006
I've found decent stuff at Century 21 as well, but again, I'm thinking of stuff that doesn't have a brand name behind it.
posted by mkultra at 3:48 PM on February 1, 2006
If it's not out of the question, consider making your own clothes. The first few may not be the greatest, but you'll get the hang of it, and they can be as unique as you like.
posted by attercoppe at 6:01 PM on February 1, 2006
posted by attercoppe at 6:01 PM on February 1, 2006
There's a place in Pittsburgh like this called Luxx. I haven't been there though.
posted by driveler at 7:22 AM on February 2, 2006
posted by driveler at 7:22 AM on February 2, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
All the boutiques I've been to have at least 30% dedicated to men. If there's one thing the metrosexual phenomenon has accomplished, it's opening up more clothing options for the rest of us.
I've always had good luck with really good quality materials coming from boutique designers, but you will have to pay for it. People don't use sweatshop labor because they are into exploiting people, it is really expensive to produce clothing otherwise.
posted by geoff. at 2:20 PM on February 1, 2006