New York Essentials

[whittaker]

I'm making two business trips to New York in May and June.

During both I hope to take some personal time for a little shopping. As I'm travelling from London, I wish to take advantage of the reasonable (from my perspective) currency exchange rate.

What do New Yorkers perceive as the unimpeachably excellent shops from a mens clothing perspective? My preference is for those items I am unable to purchase in Europe.
Is Flusser worth a visit? I shall only have a single free Saturday morning on both occasions.

[manton]

Bergdorf Goodman is overall the best shop in NY. I would be hard pressed to say what they have that you can't get in Europe.

Personally, I love Flusser's accessories. Ties and pocket squares are mady by Drake or Nicky, mostly, but the best designs and cut quite full.

Paul Stuart for socks. Venanzi has sized socks. Barneys is worth a look, I guess. I don't buy much there. Still, the socks are pretty good. (I am saying so much about socks because they are just about the only thing I ever shop for anymore.)

Seigo (way uptown) has unique ties.

[jasstoltz]

Is there anything specific you want? I.e. tailored clothing, accessories, shoes?

If you have a morning, I would suggest Barneys, Bergdorf, Saks, and finally Paul Stuart. Barneys has better shoes than Bergdorf and nice high-end RTW tailored clothing if that's your thing. Their house label turns out a couple gems every season, though quality is often less than stellar. Sales are frequent. Bergdorf, only a few blocks away, is without a doubt the best single stop. Lots to savor, some that you would not find elsewhere. Saks, only a little further down Fifth Avenue is also worth a visit, but with fewer unique items. I always see a few nice ties. They carry Charvet, Holliday & Brown, Drake's, etc. Paul Stuart is your best chance of unique merchandise. Everything is house label, and I beileve most of it is designed specifically for them.

Brooks Brothers, very close to Paul Stuart, would also be worth a stop just to see the space.

[Concordia]

If the dollar keeps collapsing at its present speed, you might be able to pull off some foreign currency arbitrage by purchasing at Turnbull & Asser on E57th.

[zhhooper]

In addition to Bergdorf and Paul Stuart, I'd recommend the Robert Talbott shop on Madison for ties, pocket squares, etc.

For a sligthly edgier experience, try a trip downtown to Nolita--Seize sur Vingt, Barker Black, Duncan Quinn and Lord Willy's. Each can be an acquired taste, but the proprietors are usually present and fun to chat with.

[Mark Seitelman]

Flusser is worth a visit. I recommend calling first.

The usual suspects (Barneys, Bergdorf, Jay Kos, ,etc.) have beautfiully displayed and selected imported goods from Europe and England. If you want something unique, you won't find it. You'll find the international brands, such as Kiton, Brioni, Borrelli, Ferraggamo, Lobb, Edward Green, Drake, etc.

If you want something American and not readily available in Europe:

1. The Oxxford Clothes Store--Its tailored clothes are by and large sold in the USA. It is only now entering the international market; it made its first visit to the last Pitti show. Also, shirts and ties are made in the USA. The tailored clothing is the best quality RTW. Period. If you visit feel free to mention my name.

2. Brooks Bros.--its quality has declined, but it is still the standard bearer of American style. There's always a few items that are worthwhile. Prices are reasonable.

3. Paul Stuart--American style with class and whimsy. Prices are moderate to expensive.

4. J. Press--This is the museum of the 1950's preppy look. Excellent for certain standards, such as shetland sweaters, tweed sportscoats, etc. Prices are reasonable.

5. Peter Elliott--It's an updated American style store with whimsy, color, and chutzpah. It's a small boutique with suits next to bathing suits. A small store, but one of my favorites. If you go, mention my name.

6. Hickey Freeman--It's the factory owned store of this better American suit. I don't think that it's sold outside the USA. It's the type of suit a midwestern CEO wears. A good number of clothing retailers consider H-F the best value in upper level clothing and the workhorse of clothing.

N.B. Brooks, Paul Stuart, and J. Press are almost neighbors. J. Press will soon be moving to Madison and 47th Street.

Also, the Peter Elliott store is a little out of the way on Madison and 81st St. It also has a branch called Peter Elliott Blue at Lexington and 72nd St.

Good luck.

[whittaker]

Paul Stuart for socks. Venanzi has sized socks. Barneys is worth a look, I guess. I don't buy much there. Still, the socks are pretty good. (I am saying so much about socks because they are just about the only thing I ever shop for anymore.)

Yes, I hear that. Finding interesting socks is a challenge in London, less so in Italy and France. I've heard a lot about Paul Stuart so will probably have a nose around.

Personally, I love Flusser's accessories. Ties and pocket squares are mady by Drake or Nicky, mostly, but the best designs and cut quite full.

Apart from socks, the only other item I enjoy buying are ties. I'll try to check Flusser out, if only to pay homage to a partial influence.

Sounds like Bergdorf is a good single stop but I'm not much of an impulse buyer these days.

My best shopping tip is Tip Top Superfine Fabrics in Brooklyn.

Thank you. That's a great idea. In another post, there was a reference to some grey, rough covert fabric. That would be a great find.

The Oxxford Clothes Store--Its tailored clothes are by and large sold in the USA. It is only now entering the international market; it made its first visit to the last Pitti show. Also, shirts and ties are made in the USA. The tailored clothing is the best quality RTW. Period. If you visit feel free to mention my name.

Thank you. I've read your previous report with great interest. If I have time, I would love to visit.

And thank you very much for the advice. I'm looking forward to the trips.

[whittaker]

My best shopping tip is Tip Top Superfine Fabrics in Brooklyn. Worth a journey, as they say in the Michelin Guide.

I'm guessing that this would use most of the morning but well worth it. Apart from the rough covert, any other tips of good finds? The address is 675 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn?

[SilkCity]

Jim's shoe repairing:

50 East 59th

Shoe repair shop from 1932--still the best.

[lxlloyd]

I've heard good things about Carson Street Clothiers for accessories. http://carsonstreetclothiers.com/

[Concordia]

I suppose his trip's come and gone, but another thing to look for would be Alden shoes. Not quite the finesse of most British RTW, but some classic styles and the shell cordovan is quite durable. Brooks Brothers sells some models, and there is an Alden shop just a block from there on Madison Ave.

[Miles Messervy]

Last time I was there, I found some very beautiful ties at J. Press, including ancient madder. Worth a visit.

[Cufflink79]

I'm a bit late to this post, but I would say check out the Oxxford Clothes flagship shop, the Alan Flusser Custom Shop, Brooks Brothers for certain items, Paul Stuart, J. Press, Len Logsdail, Saks Fifth Ave. Bergdorf Men's Shop, and H. Herzfield.

For cuff links, Retro Metro The Missing Link, James Robinson, and Tiffany & Co..

NYC is full of great places, sometimes I like to just see the shop. What I mean by that is the people who work there and the building itself.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79