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Lame family road trips. Visiting your girlfriend's grandparents in Bumfuck, USA. Just plain ol' lost. Many a time we find ourselves in situations where we are out of our element and away from our sartorial comfort zone. When you're big-city spoiled with the best shops and brands at your fingertips for shopping, it's hard to think you'll be heading to a small town that can't offer what you want. Or can they?
There are shops all over the country in places you've never been to. Shit, you may not even heard of some of these cities, but you can definitely count on these places to stock some shit that'll have you "WTF?"ing your entire visit. So keep your eyes open as we give you the The Best Small Town Men's Shops in the US.
Drinkwater's
Drinkwater's
Cambridge, MA
Let's face it; you're not smart enough to even live in Cambridge, so you're more than likely visitng a sibling. So while you're done copping that Harvard sweatshirt to impress your lady friends back home, stop in to Drinkwater's for some way better looking, and way more believable gear. Latest offerings from Penfield, and Universal Works flood the shop, with one of the best selections of Engineered Garments in the U.S., so the academia look you've been trying to pull off can be completed. And actually look good.
(photo courtesy of George Guest)
Badowers
Badowers
Des Moines, IA
The flyover/drivethrough capital (OK we made that up), deadset in the middle of the country, doesn't get a lot of compliments on it's menswear and style. But that is quickly changing with menswear shop Badowers taking over, carrying awesomeness from Tanner Goods, Gant Rugger,LBM 1911, and Baldwin Denim. We bet you don't drive straight through without stopping in next time.
Pitkin County Dry Goods
Pitkin County Dry Goods
Aspen, CO
There's only so much skiing and rich-people-watching you can do in the lovely little town of Aspen, but luckily Pitkin County has a hidden gem in Pitkin County Dry Goods, which is providing this glamourous little ski town with Gitman Vintage, Burkman Bros. and Woolrich John Rich Bros. Rich folk + skiing + PCDG = swag?
Oaklead & Acorn
Oakleaf & Acorn
Braselton, GA
Grandma's homemade apple pie is calling your name like a mug, but after that, what the hell do you have to look forward to in Braselton? A good question for the town of 7,500 people, but if you get a chance to stop by the quaint, yet awesome Oakleaf & Acorn shop, you'll be visiting this town way more often. A manly men's shop carrying smaller labels we love like Billykirk, Farm Tactics, and Raleigh Denim, while also keeping your grooming habits up to par.
(photo courtesy of Standard Tune)
Rosey Jekes
Rosey Jekes
Hanover, NH
There are few beautiful place than the Northeastern state of New Hampshire, but that won't really help this forced family trip to the mountains for a week. No internet, no cable, just family bonding. If there is any way you can get away, we suggest stopping into Hanover and visiting Rosey Jekes and checking out their great selection of Engineered Garments, RRL,Nigel Cabourn, and a plethora of vintage nostalgia that will take you back to a place where you were excited to exist.
(photo courtesy of allplaidout)
Cream
Cream
Norfolk, VA
The further south you get from D.C., the less opportunity you have to hit up prime shopping in Virginia. But lo and behold, that trip to Virginia Beach can have a stylish stop-over in Norfolk at Cream. Carrying some of the latest from streetwear favorites Original Fake, Stussy, V.A.'s own Play Cloths, even stocking a few popular Golf Wangitems. Just don't get smart with any of the townsfolk. "Ironic, the same place I'm makin' figures at..."
Brigade
Brigade
Beachwood, OH
With Bron Bron out of Ohio, it's hard to find many reasons to visit unless you're checking out a Ohio State game. But on your way, stop into Brigade in small town Beachwood to get kitted up. Bet you didn't think a spot in the Buckeye State would carry the best, like Wings + Horns, A.P.C., Folk, and Garbstore, huh?
Blue Owl
Blue Owl Workshop
Bellevue, WA
While it's only 20 to 25 minutes outside one of the Northwestern menswear meccas, Blue Owl Workshop has made a clear name for itself in Bellevue. Carrying hard-to-find Japanese brands like Momotaro Denim, Sunny Sports, and Spellboundwhile holding down the American-made goods from Left Field NYC, 3Sixteen, and Naked & Famous, this Northwestern spot may put this town on the sartorial map.
Indigo & Cotton
Indigo & Cotton
Charleston, SC
Sure, it's probably the most well-known city in South Carolina, holding about 120,000 people, but there aren't a whole lot of excuses to head there to get some nice gear. That is, until Indigo & Cotton showed up a few years back. The shop carries some of out favorite brands from Mark McNairy and Schott NYC toLVC, The Hill-Side, and Quoddy. So while you may be making your way to the beach on a sunny day, dry off and get acquainted with this awesome shop.
