The war for fashion capital supremacy between Melbourne and Sydney is still ongoing. Though to the style mavens of the world, the former is most responsible for cultivating the chic and demure menswear culture down under. The "Second City" of Australia has fostered a number of creative indie brands and prestige designer labels-spawning an eclectic shopping district of cult and mainstream boutiques fitted for the modern gentlemen with trendsetting motives.
But in a large metropolitan area loaded with phenomenal retail pockets, one can overlook the city's more underrated clothing staples. And that's the last thing you want. So for the tastemaker looking to sharper his wardrobe with fresher styles, we recommend getting familiar with these shopping haunts. Take a look at the 11 Men's Fashion Stores in Melbourne You've Never Heard Of.
Threads specialist Goodwin Charli specializes in ready-to-wear, made-to-measure suits tailored to perfection with the finest fabrics sourced from the most popular mills in Europe. Every one of its suits radiate a well-mannered and vintage charm only the most dapper don can display. Its trademark attention to detailing, fit, and style is a testament to the company's marveling craftsmanship, resulting in rare and unique collection pieces of a world-class standard.
Hypebeasts looking to score limited edition sneaker drops should have their radar locked here. But don't be fooled into thinking it's an average local underground footwear stop-shop. It's actually a retail service chain that stocks exclusive products from contemporary brands around the globe such like Adidas, Baxters, Deluxe, Norse Project, Public School, and several other names your body is clamoring to be decked out in. You'll also find a variety of accessories from bags to wallets that pair well with those one-off Chuck Taylors.
Saint Side feeds into the retro biker sub-culture by offering its own designed apparel, plus collections from over 20 popular street-wear brands across different categories. The lineup consists of Black Scale, G-Shock, Illest, Only New York, and UNDFTD just to name a few. And if you got a vintage motorcycle sitting in the garage, the company can also work to restore it for future preservation. Like fashion, a good ride never goes out of style.
Every man at one point or another must treat himself to a fine tailored suit. And whether it's for a business meeting with a rich client or your wedding day, believe us when we say every penny is worth splurging on an ensemble from P. Johnson Tailors. This made-to-measure service offers the complete suit tailoring experience by guiding customers through its selection of sartorial fabrics, measuring their bodies, and then shipping that information to either Amsterdam or London to assemble their fitted outfit. Sure, a suit costs somewhere in the $1800 price range, but hey, that's the high price of fashion.
Vanishing Elephant embodies a design philosophy that is both classic and economical, while utilizing palatable colors and materials to create time-honored menswear. The store embodies the earthy aesthetics of its collections with an amorous and comforting presence that's immediately felt when walking past the gatekeeper mannequins on the front display. Besides carrying its own premium line of apparel and footwear, shoppers will discover hand-made leather accessories from Makr Carry Goods, Edwin denim jeans, and much more.
Blending the line between art, fashion, and streetwear, the flagship boutique of Perks and Mini has garnered a massive following thanks impart to its vast selection of specialty American, Europe, and Japanese brands. Walking through the doors of Someday will warrant you a first look at some of the hottest P.A.M. collections, as well as designs from cult-favorites like Bernard Wilhelm and Supreme. The store also stocks rare books, films, sunglasses, and other unique collectors items that manifest its distinct image.
Double Monk caters to the sophisticated gentleman who can appreciate an exquisite pair of English-crafted shoes. The luxury footwear outlet boasts an extravagant selection of dress shoes headlined by an elite class of designers consisting of Crockett & Jones, Edward Green, George Cleverley, and John Lobb. It even has a well-stocked bar in the back that doubles as a shoeshine station and carries a fine selection of whiskies. Seeing how the starting price for a pair of shoes runs around $485, a shot of Jameson is much needed before hitting the register.
The brainchild of twin brothers Brian and Vincent Wu, Incu has remained one of Melbourne's edgiest clothing houses with its diverse range of indie and popular labels. Burgeoning brands like A.P.C, Norse Projects, Saturdays Surf and in-house label, Weathered dominate the window display with trendsetting looks that are sure to inspire your next Friday night git-up. Incu also totes some of the most wanted limited edition and one-off products available worldwide. Simply put, it's quality menswear that "is designed, not designer" so to speak.
An emporium for luxury fashion brands, Assin is a retail shopping experience for the lavish individual with expensive taste. A who's who in high-end menswear from Christian Dior to Maison Martin Margiela can be found inside, alongside international urban staples like Miharaysasuhiro and White Mountaineering. And it's all presented in a gallery-esque setup that showcases every collection look like a modern work of art.
The select clothing store specializes in finery from local import brands around the globe. Supply's gained notoriety for its limited-tier and unique products from the likes of Comme Des Garcons, Nike, Stussy, Wtaps, and its own commercial line of fashion wear. The company continues to build partnerships with up-and-coming designers, solidifying its mass appeal amongst the hipster demographic.
Desire a new pair of oxfords? Maybe some desert boots? How about some cool kicks? Then heavily consider a trip to South Melbourne and stop into the luxury shoe shop, which showcases a variety of casual, formal, and sporty footwear. BMT strays away from the traditional retail experience by serving more as a "men's interest" store that provides select grooming services from shaving kits to shoe shines. They also sell Parisian Scooter helmets for distinguished motorists.
