Premier Skate
You might not expect to find one of the world's best sneaker shops in the Rust Belt, but that's not the only thing about Premier Skate that's outside the norm. As the name might suggest, Premier is both a skateboard and sneaker shop, offers a solid selection of both decks and shoes, with the occasional collaboration with Nike SB. There's also a good selection of clothing and accessories, but if you can find what you want in your size, don't fear — you can walk to nearby Hopcat and sip on a beer while you try to snag it off their website.
Hidden Treasures
It doesn't matter if you're looking for vintage clothing, a costume, or just a cool old knick-knack — you're likely to find it at Hidden Treasures. Beyond the store's fantastic collection of clothes from the 1970s and earlier, there's also tons of generally cool stuff, all set in an amazing nautical/pirate-themed environment. If you're looking for bargain clothes, this might not be your place, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for — and the goods at this shop are worth every penny.
NikeLab
Part store, part experiment, the new NikeLab store is a must-see for fans of the brand or design in general. Built with sustainability in mind, using as little material as possible, and plays host to limited edition and collaborative versions of both Nike's latest shoes and apparel as well as reimagined heritage styles. Oh, and don't worry if you're not planning a visit to NYC anytime soon — this new store opened the same day as its sister stores in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Paris, and Milan.
KICKS/HI
Just because you're on the ocean doesn't mean that you'll want to wear sandals 24/7. So when it's time to get a new pair of kicks, direct your feet in the direction of KICKS/HI. Founded in 2001 by Ian Ginoza of Saint Alfred fame, this store is the premiere place to buy sneakers on the islands, boasting a solid selection of brands, plenty of limited edition kicks and exclusive collaborations, and some sought-after store-brand tees.
Bloom & Branch
In a city filled with great shopping, it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd. Such it is with Tokyo and Bloom & Branch. This new shop features a modern, yet distinctly Japanese interior of white walls, warm woods, black steel shelves, and exposed concrete, all of which serve as a backdrop to the selection of clothes, shoes, and accessories, including items from their three house labels as well as carefully selected pieces from trusted labels. Oh, and there's also a professional shoeshine bar, and a coffee shop should you need a few minutes to contemplate your purchases. [via]
Bait
You could stop by a killer comic shop for some cool office decorations, stop by a boutique for some cool clothes, and then hit up a sneaker shop for some cool kicks. Or you could just make a visit to Bait. In addition to killer sneaker collaborations, this unique shop offers a wide range of comic and pop culture toys, artwork, and a well-curated selection of clothes. It's a one-stop shop for all goods worthwhile.
Ebbets Field Flannels
It's one thing to be on the lookout for handcrafted, vintage sports apparel. It's another to be able to buy it from the same place it's made. And that's exactly what you can do at Ebbets Field Flannels. Their new flagship store houses not only a shop but also a production room where they cut, sew, press, and otherwise build the fantastic items available up front — which include faithful reproductions of historic baseball jerseys, caps, and jackets, as well as tees and accessories. Oh, and be sure to pay attention to the gymnasium bleachers, lockers, and locker room benches, all of which were salvaged from a local high school.
Ledbury
Finding a decent dress shirt at the department store or mall is possible — it's just a pain. Finding one at Ledbury is easy. Housed in a repurposed tobacco warehouse, this storefront sells shirts that are made with Italian fabrics, sport details like mother-of-pearl buttons, and are cut with less fabric in the waist and torso for a more flattering look. It doesn't hurt that the place looks amazing, too — from the Tecumseh portrait to the dressing rooms built out of wood from the co-founder's family farm.
Tanner Goods LA
While Los Angeles might be better known for its high fashion and ocean-friendly outfits than for rugged outdoor style, that doesn't mean you can't find some of the latter while in town. In fact, Tanner Goods LA is the new place to head for such things while in SoCal. Located downtown not far from the new Ace Hotel, this spacious shop offers a full range of Tanner's fine leather goods — ranging from belts and bags to leather notebook holsters — as well as clothing and accessories curated by the company's Woodlands brand. Oh, and be sure to give the jukebox a spin while you're there.
Mizzen+Main
While the finer details might differ, odds are any dress shirts you pick up at the local mall are going to be like all the rest. Which is what makes Mizzen+Main so interesting. Their signature shirts features moisture wicking fabric that stretches four ways, letting them move with you, as well as athletic cuts and the ability to go from washer to ready-to-wear in just 16 hang dried minutes. In addition, their Short North flagship store also highlights a wide range of third-party goods, including Hook + Albert socks, lapel flowers, and pocket squares, Allen Edmonds shoes, bags from Sword & Plough and Monte & Coe, sunglasses from Shwood, and Stalward and Pierrepont Hicks ties — making it easy to put together an entire outfit in one stop.
The Armoury
Hong Kong is home to some of the world's best shopping — but if you're looking for a great suit, you'd be wise to skip the usual suspects and make a stop at The Armoury. Founded in 2010, this curated men's haberdasher carries a carefully curated selection of both ready-to-wear and custom offerings from high-quality makers and producers. Whether you're in the market for a shirt, tie, accessory, shoes, jacket, or an entire suit, they'll have you looking your best in short time. Not ready to cross the ocean in the name of fashion? That's okay — luckily for you, they just recently opened an outpost in NYC.
The Class Room
We love clever store names, and The Class Room is no exception. Serving notice that this Rice Village shop both A) sells classy wares and B) is available to share its knowledge about style, the moniker does double duty in a smart way. Of course, a name gets you only so far, so it's a good thing the store also features a friendly staff, clean, bright sales floor, and a terrific range of quality goods from brands like Gitman Village, A.P.C., Freshjive, Naked & Famous, and Shwood. Oh, and be sure to watch out for their Whiskey Wednesday events, which give you yet another reason to drop some cash.
