From chinos to pocket squares (and everything in between), our list of the best London menswear shops will have our gentlemen readers well on your way to dapper perfection.
Trunk Clothiers
8 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7PU
Great service and a stellar range of tailored suits and jackets “for gentlemen seeking modern classics of the highest quality” define Trunk Clothiers. Their Marylebone store offers menswear and accessories handcrafted by small, family-run businesses in Japan, Italy, Sweden, the US and UK. According to Mats Klingberg, Swedish founder of Trunk, Mickey Drexler (CEO of J.Crew) is a fan.
J.Crew Lamb’s Conduit Street
38 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3LD
At this menswear speciality store by J.Crew, you’ll be lost in a sea of Ludlow suits, British-made umbrellas by Undercover and cashmere scarves woven in Ayr, Scotland from Begg & Co. In-store services include monogramming, custom stitching and buttons, plus complimentary delivery.
LN-CC
18-24 Shacklewell Lane, London, E8 2EZ
LN-CC or Lane Night Chameleon Café, is a by-appointment-only “evolving platform of curated ideas” – think library, record store, gallery and club space. It’s safe to say you’ll never quite get a shopping experience like this, especially after walking through its wooden tunnel and space-age interiors. The boutique’s list of brands includes designers like Dries Van Noten, Rick Owens and Maison Martin Margiela.
Topman General Store
98 Commercial Street, London, E1 6LZ
A well-edited version of this high street mega brand, the Topman General Store stocks the likes of Quiet Life snapbacks made in Los Angeles and classic shirts from British heritage brand, John Smedley – it’s curated by Topman’s Gordon Richardson and B Store’s Matthew Murphy. There’s also a branch in Covent Garden along Earlham Street.
Albam Soho
23 Beak St, London, W1F 9RS
This British label started in Nottingham – apparently above a dentist’s surgery! – but opened its flagship store in Soho in 2006. Albam is our go-to brand for classic staples made from English, Italian and Japanese fabrics in carefully sourced factories usually based in England.
Present
140 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JE
A gallery-style lifestyle store in Shoreditch, Present is home to labels such as Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers and Hikaru Noguchi (traditional knitted ties). Stay for an award-winning flat white or browse around the store for vintage posters and books.
Opening Ceremony
35 King Street, London, WC2E 8JG
From New York City to Covent Garden, Opening Ceremony’s stores have cult shopping status. Never without pieces from Acne, KENZO and T by Alexander Wang, the clothes are well organised and the space airy. Expect to find exclusive designer collaborations like Mykita x Maison Martin Margiela eyewear or sneakers by Raf Simons x Adidas.
Jack Spade
83 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9ZN
Jack Spade’s first store in Europe, this American menswear brand is classic and casual. It offers a range of leather accessories – including sleek cases for your phone and tablet – signature totes and Gingham pocket squares for the everyday gentleman.
The Garbstore
188 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2ES
Ian Paley’s menswear boutique is inspired by “familiar garments that reference the past but with a modern edge.” Cult labels include the likes of Monitaly, Mountain Research, Post Overalls and Bedwin & The Heartbreakers from Japan. Located together with its sister branch, Couverture, this independent Notting Hill store is not to be missed.
Start
59 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3QQ
Helmut Lang, Carven, and Rick Owens are just a few of the big names stocked in Philip and Brix Start’s Shoreditch department store. You can also expect signature slim-fit shirts by in-house label, Mr. Start. Walk a few doors down to No. 40 for bespoke tailoring and ‘Made to Measure’ suits.
