Best of Philly: Where to Go for the Best in Men’s Shopping and Style
Photo by Gene Smirnov for Philadelphia Magazine.
Best of Philly 2016 is now online as well as at newsstands. Check out the best in men’s shopping as well as the rest of the best in food, drink, shopping, beauty, health, fitness, fun and games.
Men’s shopping gets a bad rap. Far too often are men schlepping to the local mall and just settling for whatever multipack of cotton t-shirts they can get their hands on. But Philadelphia’s shopping scene is in the midst of a golden age — and that includes men’s, too. We’ve put together a round up of our best of Philly men’s shopping winners, including everything from the finest of bespoke menswear to the hottest in-store happenings. Read on for a detailed look at your newest closet obsessions.
SNEAKERS: UBIQ
A sneakerhead’s heaven looks a whole lot like this modern, industrial shop, where kicks are mounted in gold-and-glass cases like works of art, elevated street wear hangs at the ready, and cult-followed sneaker launches see crowds lining up around the block.
COLLABORATIONS: Lapstone & Hammer
What happens when a painfully cool mens-wear boutique exhausts standard offerings? It joins forces with equally cool brands. In the past year, this shop has rolled out destructed denim hats from old-school sports mecca Mitchell & Ness and a recent 100-piece denim collection with Fishtown menswear brand Gentry + Rose.
GROOMING: Meister’s Barbershop
This handsome addition to East Passyunk is everything it needs to be and nothing it doesn’t: a smartly designed space, a simple first-come, first-served system, and four chairs where owner Rob Baumiester and his team will deliver the finest fade you’ve ever received.
HANDMADE MENSWEAR
The suiting is handmade to order, the textiles are custom-designed and inspired by splashy African prints, the silk scarves and squares are frame-worthy, and the University City-based company Ikiré Jones — the brainchild of a former attorney and an expert tailor — is soon to be a household name.
VINTAGE: Cultured Couture
It’s unexpected (weathered Louis Vuitton luggage, vintage Hermés ties — on Girard?), unassuming (owner Erik Honesty knows everything about the history of menswear, but he’s never snobby or pushy), and, when it comes to selection and style, unparalleled.
GIFTS: Gorshin Trading and Post Supplies
This two-year-old shop is a venerable retail anchor for Haddonfield’s sleepy main street, with a mix of gear and goods he’ll love from brands like Filson, Topo Designs, Dubarry and Shinola. Want something out of the box? Starting this fall, Mitch will lead trips to outdoorsy spots like Steamboat, Colorado.
CLOSET UPGRADE: Suitsupply
It’s Holland’s best export (pictured above), with everything you’d expect from a place that offers velvet dinner jackets but none of the intimidation factor. Prices are low ($399 for a two-piece suit), alterations are quick (no more than three days), and the non-suit stock (leather bags, crisp shirts) will help you finally understand what “business casual” actually means.
IN-STORE EVENTS: Art in the Age
Come First Friday, the tastefully rugged boutique transforms into a legitimate scene, complete with seasonal cocktails, boozy confections, and an art installation or pop-up shop courtesy of Philly’s most creative souls.
Published as “Best of Philly 2016” in the August issue of Philadelphia Magazine.
Join us in the heart of the city on August 4th for an evening of award-winning food, summer cocktails and dancing under the stars in celebration of the winners at the Best of Philly Soirée. Get details and ticket information here.
