12 stylish menswear stores in the UK you’ve probably never heard of
Step away from the high street into the UK's most unique independent stores
We love shopping in Topman, Selfridges, H&M, and all the other high street staples, but sometimes you want to embrace the snob in you and shop somewhere no one knows about.
"Oh this, it's from this boutique I know, you've probably never heard of it."
If you want to be that guy that all your friends hate on the outside but are secretly jealous of on the inside (AKA the best kind of friendship), then check out the best menswear stores in the UK for niche brands, limited edition pieces, one off vintage pieces and sharp tailoring.
Blitz
Where: 55-59 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5JP
What: If you're tired of digging around charity shops and lugging yourself from one little thrift store to the next, then head straight here. Blitz is a massive vintage emporium and a mecca for all retro clothing lovers, located right in the heart of East London's Brick Lane, where you'll find Eighties sportswear, Levi's jackets and jeans, punk leather jackets and loads more hidden gems at a reasonable price.
Tip: look out for Blitz fliers being handed out around the area at the weekend, as they usually come with a 10 per cent discount.
Chinese Laundry
Where: 51 Goodramgate, York, Y01 7LS
What: A new shop that sells old things. York newcomers Chinese Laundry are purveyors of well kept vintage clothing as well as iconic British brands, with highlights including cowboy boots, suede jackets, paisley mod shirts and band t-shirts celebrating everyone from Nirvana to Eagles of Death Metal.
Check out their latest drops here
Beyond Retro
Where: 110-112 Cheshire St, London, E2 6EJ
What: A vintage mecca for all those who stop by London’s east end. Nestled on a quiet street in Brick Lane, you wouldn’t really guess this old dairy factory would be a second hand clothing shop, just because of the sheer size of the building. But it does indeed house thousands of wall-to-wall retro bargains, bringing tears to the eyes of Northern lads still trying to seek out an early-2000s military jacket in the style of the Libertines.
Retro
What: 2 High Bridge Square, Newcastle, NE1 1EN
What: Where did all the Newcastle United football hooligans tracksuits from the Eighties end up you ask? In this shop right here, which also sits alongside timeless bomber jackets, lumberjack shirts and Mad Men-esque leather document bags.
End.
Where: 133-137 Grainger Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5AE
What: If a host of the hottest brands such as Palace, Commes Des Garcons, A Bathing Ape and more don't invite you in, it's a great laugh going to watch all the teens freezing their bollocks off on release days camping outside, as End Clothing are one of the only places in the North to stock limited edition trainers such as Yeezy's and adidas NMDs.
Dover Street Market, London
Where: 18-22 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4DG
What: Looking more like a contemporary art instillation than a menswear store in a grade II listed building erected by the founder of Burberry in 1912, Dover Street Market was created by Commes Des Garcons founder and designer Rei Kawakubo, and stocks everything from high fashion luxury from Brioni, to up-and-coming designers like Wales Bonner, to streetwear collaborations from Reebok.
Find out more about what brands they offer
Oi Polloi
Where: 63 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1LQ
What: Manchester isn't all parkas and bucket hats, as independent menswear boutique Oi Polloi proves with its impressive stock of sleek and timeless pieces such as waxed Barbour jackets, selvage Edwin jeans, premium knitwear from Our Legacy and other luxurious everyday staples, including pieces exclusive to their shop.
Joshua Kane Bespoke
Where: 53 Brushfield Street, Old Spitalfields Market, London, E1 6AA
What: If you plan on visiting Joshua Kane's store to check out his impeccably dark and Tim Burton-esque suiting, you'll want to take a camera (and maybe not wear joggers and a hoodie), as the London tailor has kitted out the likes of Game Of Thrones' Joason Momoa, McFly's Dougie Poynter and the Libertines' Carl Barat.
Check out his site and new video shopping campaign with Lab Series
Weavers Door
Where: 1 Cavern Walks, Cavern Walks Shopping Centre, Harrington Street, Liverpool, L2 6RE
What: This really is a little gem that most discover by chance when shopping in Liverpool, priding themselves on promoting "true brands" with an emphasis on quality that'll last you for years, not weeks. You'll see an emphasis on work and active names here, such as Carhartt, Grenson and Patagonia, but they also stock a fine array of watches from Instrmnt and leather belts from Folk.
Explore their site to find out more
Suit Supply
Where: 9 Vigo Street, London, W1S 3HH
What: You might've walked right by one of these before and completely disregarded it as a discounted suit shop with its simplistic, dull name. But don't judge a book by its cover, as this Scandinavian store produces high quality tailoring with some sharp cuts and designs; their Vigo Street store has an in house tailor to alter your suit to your exact liking.
The Hip Store
Where: 84-86 Vicar Lane, Leeds, LS1 7JH
What: This independent Yorkshire store mixes cult streetwear with a high fashion aesthetic, selling the likes of adidas Originals and New Balance beside Universal Works and Polo Ralph Lauren, knowing that its loyal customers can't be painted with one broad brush.
If you can't make it to Leeds, check out their online offering
Dick's
Where: 3 N W Circus Pl, Edinburgh, EH3 6ST
What: Dick's ethos is to support small, independent manufacturers, whether they be old or new, who work hard in their craft to produce pieces that have both style and longevity. So if you're looking for that brand that nobody has heard of (yourself included), then this is the place to start.
Get lost in unheard of, quality brands over at Dick's
