In
2011 GQ magazine named Boston the worst dressed city in America. Caught
with their slim-fitting, flat-front chinos down, Boston's sartorialists sought to redeem this city in 2012. Luckily, it turns out that there are plenty of outfitters in this town
that cater to discerning gentlemen. From icons like Bobby's from Boston to
upstarts like Ball & Buck, and innovators like a mobile streetwear truck,
these nominees brought style and swagger back to Boston's streets. Your move, GQ.
_Eric Twardzik
BALL AND BUCK | BOSTON
Ball and Buck's Newbury street
location is like a menswear dream you might find yourself pinching yourself to
awaken from, such is the fantasy-like nature of their digs. Yes, all of their
oxfords do have hunter patches. That
actually is a cologne labeled
"moonshine", just across from the row of vintage Pendleton jackets.
And there's really a barber shop in the backroom, where you can get an old-fashioned
straight-razor shave. It's not so much a store that sells men's clothing as it
is a store that sells being a man.
BOBBY
FROM BOSTON | BOSTON
When
entering local legend Bobby from Boston,
you may ask yourself if you've just stumbled onto the set of Boardwalk Empire. That's a fair
assumption to make, as the HBO series is just one of many period productions
(including Moonrise Kingdom and Titanic) that have made use of owner
Bobby Garnett's curated time capsule of menswear. But you don't need Hollywood cash to pick up vintage threads at the South
End store. Bobby from Boston
will transform you into Don Draper or Jay Gatsby without completely flattening
your wallet.
GREEN STREET VAULT | EVERYWHERE
With
all the time we spent this year eating out of trucks, it was only a matter of
time before we were outfitting ourselves from them. The Green Street Vault gave
new meaning to "streetwear", vending their mix of street fashion and
limited release sneakers from the back of their truck. If only the Green Street
Vault sold food, they'd be on their way to becoming a mobile mall.
SAULT
| BOSTON
So
you weren't born into the Kennedy family. Join the club. You can make the best
of it with help Phillip Saul's South End boutique, a monument to all things
Waspy, where you can browse carefully curated vintage alongside new threads
from classic brands. If your summer plans include summering on the Cape... or merely dressing the part...Sault is your best
bet.
MOTLEY
| BOSTON
The
store's name refers to its grab-bag mix of merchandise and eclectic mash of menswear.
This South End gem offers Nixon watches, Adidas sneakers alongside oddball
lines like Defunct Tees (which emblazon their shirts with the logos of failed
companies). Motley is perfect for the man whose style doesn't need a master
plan, but a dose of spontaneity.
UNIFORM
| BOSTON
For
a store called "Uniform", there's a lot of diversity to be found
along these racks. The South End shop features a roll-call of men's brands from
Gant to Diesel and abounds with ginghams, plaids, patterns and stripes of every
shade. Plus, while you're there you can pick up skincare products, shampoos and
shaving creams to complete your decidedly un-uniform look.
Get shopping, and then get voting! And don't forget that if you don't see your fave menswear store repped here, you can write it in!
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