Men's Accessories Shopping Guide

All Purpose

In many ways All Purpose is the Swiss Army knife of a man's wardrobe. The featured attraction is Filius, the shop's in-house line of men's clothing--think classic, casual menswear with a quirky twist. All around is a well-informed collection of men's accessories from a slew of small companies like edgy jewelry and suave driving gloves, chic overnight bags and high-concept...

Aloha Rag

Okay, we admit it, our vision of the Hawaiian wardrobe is based on movies and tourist visits. So, Aloha Rag is at once a shattering of stereotypes and an amazing shopping experience. Aloha Rag carries hip, edgy "big city" brands--avant-garde constructions for both women and men that are more often associated with New York or Tokyo. If you're too caught up in the tourist thing...

Alpha

After the "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy"-ification of America, men everywhere were left wondering "where do I go to buy high-end facial cleansers, modern home goods and stylish accessories?" Look no further than Alpha. The store has a little bit of everything needed to spruce up a man's life, with an emphasis toward classy, elegant wares. There are a few racks and...

Andreas Murkudis

Reader Suggested: It's pure, it's simple, it's totally stylish. Run by the brother of (fashion designer) Kostas Murkudis.

An Earnest Cut & Sew

Now this is what we call a flagship. Popular high-end denim manufacturer Earnest Sewn opened An Earnest Cut and Sew as a demonstration of their dedication to high-quality denim. Besides the full line of Earnest Sewn denim, look for the An Earnest Cut & Sew line of more high-end, specialized denim jackets and jeans or for the ultimate treatment have a pair custom-made (using Japanese...

Apartment

Reader Suggested: Still the hot spot to find the newest and avant-garde fashion designers.

Apartment Number 9

If there's anything you'll learn from Apartment Number 9, it's that laid-back, casual clothing doesn't have to look messy. For shirts, pick from a multitude of patterned button-downs that look good whether tucked in our out, with or without a tie, and T-shirts that'll look comfortable dressed up with a blazer. Taking care of the bottom half are sleek raw denim jeans (no...

Apartment Number 9

If there's anything you'll learn from Apartment Number 9, it's that laid-back, casual clothing doesn't have to look messy. For shirts, pick from a multitude of patterned button-downs that look good whether tucked in our out, with or without a tie, and T-shirts that'll look comfortable dressed up with a blazer. Taking care of the bottom half are sleek raw denim jeans (no...

Apartment Number 9

If there's anything you'll learn from Apartment Number 9, it's that laid-back, casual clothing doesn't have to look messy. For shirts, pick from a multitude of patterned button-downs that look good whether tucked in our out, with or without a tie, and T-shirts that'll look comfortable dressed up with a blazer. Taking care of the bottom half are sleek raw denim jeans (no...

A.P.C.

With charming, wide-plank flooring underneath and a hip soundtrack in the air A.P.C.'s SoHo shop--the first in the US--is a pleasant introduction to hip basics, French style. A.P.C. takes some of the best traits of French style and distills them for a worldwide audience. While taking dalliances into the trends of the times, whether they be skinny ties or luxe leggings, most of the clothing...

Atelier

For men who'd like to make a statement with their clothing without resorting to sequins or bright prints, Atelier provides a refreshing alternative. The dramatic space is lined with clothing and accessories that are mostly white, black or some shade in between. In this case the distinction is in the details--a wool coat with an undulating detail, a pair of trousers with unfinished edges,...

Atsui Tokyo

Reader Suggested: This downtown Seattle fashion boutique carries exclusively Japanese designer clothing for men and women. Atsui concentrates on the up and coming designers of Tokyo which include labels like MofM (manofmoods), Mr. Olive, Kunna, Stodja, Filly O'Lynx, Cookie Fortune, Balcony & Bed, Hysteric Glamour, Citrus Notes, Gunze, and more.

Auto. Jewelry + Accessories

Auto. Jewlery + Accessories takes the modern, unique aesthetic of Auto the home good store and extends it to personal accessories. Necklaces are made from chunky stones or large glass chains. Hats are hand-knit in colorful yarn. Mittens are lined in shearling and covered in suede. Cufflinks are made from tinted Lucite. Every single item in the store holds some level of distinction.

Azita

Reader Suggested: Favorite boutique in Frankfurt, Germany with a strong street/skate background and living-room appeal, modern classics and stylish basics next to some edgy designs.

Barker Black

What do you get when you cross a traditional, centuries old British men's footwear company with punk rock styling. Barker Black is what. For its line of leather loafers, wingtips and oxfords, the company combines fine leathers and immaculate construction with subtle and sometimes not so subtle skull and cross bones (the company's logo) hardware and imprints. If you don't quite...

Base

Reader Suggested: The store carries lines by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania and other cult labels. They also carry accessory lines by Martin Margiela and other less known labels (Erika Pena, Louis Moralis, King Baby) I find their taste quite stunning. The best part of their store is their taste in music. I find their selection superb (they edit it very well, and they have the monthly album pick service, where you...

Base

Reader Suggested: The store carries lines by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania and other cult labels. They also carry accessory lines by Martin Margiela and other less known labels (Erika Pena, Louis Moralis, King Baby) I find their taste quite stunning. The best part of their store is their taste in music. I find their selection superb (they edit it very well, and they have the monthly album pick service, where you...

Bblessing

Bblessing is that rare so-called lifestyle store that has us looking at the living it promotes and shouting "one large Kool-Aid on the rocks please." First off we'd briskly ditch our digs to live in the moodily lit, richly furnished interior. The clothing all around is cool without being obnoxious, and mixes Ts and denim with luxe jackets and trousers. The books are great for...

Bespoke Boutique

Reader Suggested: The collections are amazing, sourced from around the world. The two co-owners have bought fresh labels to the UK, they have a massive Scandinavian influence, with focus on cut and material. All the collections are designed to flatter! Very friendly and full of knowledge, the small but aspirational boutique deserves to be shared with fashion hungry individuals.

Blackbird

Reader Suggested: Blackbird carries a wide array of brands from Modern Amusement to Filippa K., and the prices range greatly too. Men love my store because they feel at home shopping here and they don't want to run around town shopping at 6 different stores, unlike the average woman.

B Store

Reader Suggested: B Store has long been at the very sharpest edge of London fashion. Opened in 2000, owners Matthew Murphy and Kirk Beattie started in a small unit on Conduit Street, Mayfair and soon began to make waves on the burgeoning London fashion scene. Designers like Peter Jensen, Bernhard Willhelm and Siv Stoldal received recognition early in their careers, bought from B Store's racks. The...

Butch Blum

Every city worth a visit has its retail institutions. New York has Bergdorf, Boston has Louis and Seattle has Butch Blum. The store earned its institution status by combining old school with new, classic with avant garde. Old school comes from the classic threads--crisp white shirts, vibrant ties ready for the boardroom, finely tailored suits, cashmere sweaters. But make a sharp turn in the...

Carve

Reader Suggested: cool store that sells things you can't find most places: comme de garcons, visvim (i believe, i haven't been in awhile), apc, y-3, levi's vintage clothing, spring court.

Cog & Pearl

Cog & Pearl's mantra is "handmade stuff to give and keep" and it's really that simple. In little groupings all around the spacious store are handmade home and personal accessories made by artists and designers across the country and world. Watches with bands made from ties, leather cuffs, fabric purses, journals, a large selection of varied jewelry--it's stylish,...

Comme des Garçons

Frankly, we'd be disappointed if the New York Comme des Garcons shop wasn't tucked into a nondescript building, with a futuristic cave for an entryway. All of the requisite pieces of the sprawling Comme des Garcons universe are appropriately scattered throughout the austere, yet approachable space. Because no other stockists would dream to carry all the severely different Comme des...

Composition

Ever walk into a design store to find items that don't really seem to serve a purpose. And then you're told by a salesperson (assuming they even acknowledge your existence), that this was seen in X magazine and if you don't want to buy one, well then you're pedestrian. I guess no one told them walking is good exercise. Composition appreciates our need for well-designed...

Dean

Some people have a very specific idea of what they want and they're willing to search high and low to find it. And when they can't find it, they're willing to open the factory to make it. In the case of Danny Dean Davis of Dean it was the search for "a wide leather watch band with a vintage feel yet modern sensibility", that lead to Dean. We weren't searching...

Debut

Reader Suggested: The perfect mix between fashion and style. Really interesting brand list: Raf by Raf Simons, Acne, Comme des Garçons Play, Fred Perry, YMC, B Store, Opening Ceremony. Enjoy it!

Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir adds subtle class in notoriously loud and casual Los Angeles. The men's store keeps it simple and elegant. Fine button down shirts, well cut pants made in soft fabrics, luxurious sweaters and not a single "Everything's bigger in Texas" T-shirt in sight.

Dover Street Market

Reader Suggested: Incredible guerrilla store from Comme des Garçons where they give space to up and coming designers. The selection is always amazing and changing frequently, you'll find everything from Lanvin to Boudicca to Balenciaga to Jens Laugesen. The building seems more like a warehouse but it just makes their selection stand out even more!

DressCodes

Contrary to popularly held beliefs, casual dressing shouldn't equal not-even-trying dressing. DressCodes is all about making that T-shirt and jeans day into a style statement. Try replacing that ratty T-shirt, with a hip graphic shirt, those faded jeans with dark, slim denim, that cheap nylon wallet with a handmade leather one. Women get all that plus cute dresses, tops and jewelry.

Duncan Quinn

Combine fine European suitings and shirtings with some hints of funky, fun American style and we get Duncan Quinn. The shop offers the hallmark service of any European tailor--bespoke suits carefully crafted from a variety of luxurious fabrics--but the atmosphere and accompanying clothing is decidedly less stuffy and traditional. Those without the funds for such an indulgence will still want to...

Duncan Quinn

Combine fine European suitings and shirtings with some hints of funky, fun American style and we get Duncan Quinn. The shop offers the hallmark service of any European tailor--bespoke suits carefully crafted from a variety of luxurious fabrics--but the atmosphere and accompanying clothing is decidedly less stuffy and traditional. Those without the funds for such an indulgence will still want to...

Eugene Choo

Reader Suggested: Eugene Choo specializes in Canadian designers (Mercy, Comrags, Dust, Sunja Link) and a few select international labels (APC, Freitag, Rogues Gallery) all displayed in an airy cottage like setting. Rotating selection of gifts, books and accessories according to season. Everything here feels lovingly handpicked, lots of one of a kind handcrafted items, a small well thought out selection of shoes,...

Famous Friends

Start with the denim. For Famous Friends, a hip casual wardrobe starts with a fine pair of jeans. And they have several examples of such: raw selvedge denim from Scandinavia, high-end denim from Levi's, a selection from Japan's most revered denim lines. Jeans in hand, complete the look with a T-shirt or two, a pair of sneakers and some sharp accessories. T-shirts are distinctive,...

Firmament

Reader Suggested: Probably one of Europe's finest selection of upper American and Japanese (streetwear) brands such as: Supreme, Neighborhood, Original Fake, Visvim, uNrivalled, Acronym, idiom, Wtaps as well as a selection of international magazines and books.

Fitzsu

When you happen upon a design store and the salesperson (adorned in all black of course) encourages you to pick up items and fiddle with them you know you're on to something. This was exactly our experience at Fitzsu. The sanitary appearing space displays items carefully, but also reminds us that all these bright shiny gadgets are supposed to be fun. The selection draws mainly from the...

Fitzsu

When you happen upon a design store and the salesperson (adorned in all black of course) encourages you to pick up items and fiddle with them you know you're on to something. This was exactly our experience at Fitzsu. The sanitary appearing space displays items carefully, but also reminds us that all these bright shiny gadgets are supposed to be fun. The selection draws mainly from the...

Freemans Sporting Club

Freemans Sporting Club has all the Old World style that its name might suggest, but dated it is not. Fashioned like a gentleman's clothier of yore, the shop alternates between the classic and the hip. On the one had we have jackets and coats in thick herringbone fabrics and crisp white and blue shirts. Steps away are hip graphic T-shirts in worn, soft cottons and thick work shirts in...

Freudian Kicks

Reader Suggested: Freudian Kicks is one of Oslo's few independent shops. It carries an interesting mix of labels ranging from sophisticated streetwear to progressive casual clothing. The shop is spacious, raw and gallery influenced, with big wall areas dedicated to art. Freudian Kicks is located in the city center of Oslo in a section called Quaderaturet. This is a new location for clothing shops but many...

Gargyle

Gargyle takes inspiration in the country club of yore, where having fun—while stylishly dressed of course—was paramount. Indeed, all the clothes at Gargyle are clothes one can have fun in: swimsuits for a day at the beach, cute shorts for the day on the courts, sumptuous frocks and patent leather lace-ups for a night on the town. Primarily an online boutique, Gargyle also keeps a showroom,...

Groupe 16 Sur 20

Want to attract men to your shop? A classic sportscar near the window will help (either a Lotus or Ferrari will do). Want to keep their attention? Put in a long rack of hip, high-quality dress shirts, a shelf of sweaters and accessories and pristine Italian and English leather shoes. That's the strategy of Groupe 16 Sur 20. An offshoot of fine custom shirt and suit maker Seize Sur Vingt,...

Haberdash

The name Haberdash hints at a bygone time, where distressed jeans and neon sneakers were not part of men's wardrobes. Instead the store offers a more clean-cut, refined presentation of casual men's clothing. Black and brown blazers and slacks, a bevy of striped and solid button-down shirts and a selection of polos and basic T-shirts form the foundation. For a splash of style look to...

Harputs Market

For decades avant-garde fashion jetted from New York to Tokyo, flying right over San Francisco's head. With Harputs Market, dark, high-style clothing finally has a West Coast outpost. The looks for women and men, mostly in black and friends of black, is the type of moody, intellectual fashion that should fare well in the Ph.D. heavy, art and design-obsessed city. And in case you're...

Hejfina

Hejfina has elegant modern living down pat. For clothing expect avant-garde Japanese brands, ultra-exclusive New York brands, next to creative selections from Brazil, England and France. These are articles you certainly won't find anywhere else in Chicago and you might even have trouble finding in New York or LA or London. For the home visit the adjacent furniture space that serves up the...

Hollander & Lexer

Being a stylish male doesn't mean looking like the squared-jawed models walking down the runways of Milan. Hollander & Lexer presents an American, almost Old West take on men's style. Stored in antique display cases and furniture are shirts that look better a little wrinkled, leather shoes that look better a bit scuffed and jeans that look better a bit dirty.

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