The 10 Coolest Men's Stores In New York Right Now

Image via Complex Original

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-8 p.m.
Sun 12-7 p.m.

Website: jpressonline.com

Address: 304 Bleecker St.
New York, NY 10014

In the wake of Ralph Lauren Rugby's demise, the mythical phoenix has risen from the ashes in the form of J. Press York St. Not even two months old yet, the recently-opened shop definitely isn't the J. Press your grandpa might've worn. Instead, prep staples get reinterpreted with modern cuts, while the collection balances old-school style with bold offerings like bandana paisley-inspired T-shirts, floral polos, and Nantucket red denim. With the twin brothers behind Ovadia & Sons at the helm, it's refreshing to see the York St. isn't afraid to take the road less traveled.

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-8 p.m.
Sun 12-6 p.m.

Website: hwcarterandsons.com

Address: 127 N 6th St
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Tracing its roots to Lebanon, New Hampshire, it's easy to dismiss the wooden facade and haberdashery-like setting of H.W. Carter & Sons as the type of shop where perhaps the members of Mumford and Sons deck themselves out. And while you'll find plenty of tailored gear from Engineered Garments, Carter's own in-house brand, and Our Legacy, you'd be surprised to find other awesome stuff too. Besides kicks from the likes of Mark McNairy, Grenson, and Oak St. Bootmakers, they also carry streetwear-friendly togs by Norse Projects, slim-fit button downs from Gitman Vintage, and knits with serious sprezzatura from Italian sweater manufacturer Esemplare.

Hours: Mon-Sun 11-7 p.m.

Website: chcmshop.com

Address: 2 Bond Street
New York, NY, 10012

British shopkeep Sweetu Patel was inspired to open his shop in 2008, stemming from an appreciation of well-made things. As such, the stuff he stocks in his Bond St. basement shop are pretty much all worth investing in. While you'll find plenty of brands from across the pond like Mackintosh, Stone Island, and Crombie, Patel definitely keeps his ear to the ground. That would explain why he also picks cult brands like Kazuki Kuraishi's CASH CA and weatherproof jackets from Arc'teryx Veilance on the racks as well. The best part? Like any passionate menswear aficionado, he knows the gear inside and out, and won't hesitate to tell you what makes any of the pieces so great.

Hours: Mon-Thu 12-7 p.m.
Sat-Sun 1-7 p.m.
Closed Tuesday

Website: extra-nyc.com

Address: 10 Extra Place
New York NY 10003

Proprietor Koji Kusakabe set up this shop on Extra Place, a small alley off of Bowery. Inside, you'll find rare Japanese brands like Post O'Alls and Battenwear juxtaposed with vintage gear and knickknacks like old signs, toys, and accessories like canes. Its off-the-beaten path location makes it seem like one of the city's best-kept secrets, and in fact it is. If you're feeling like checking out one of NYC's other hidden gems, grabbing a bite at the restaurants across the street isn't a bad idea either.

Hours: Mon-Sun 12-7 p.m.

Website: nepenthesny.tumblr.com

Address: 307 W 38th St. # 201
New York, NY 10018

Nepenthes manages to always offer the type of things you didn't realize you needed in your life until you saw that they existed. Items like floral Ground Jackets from Engineered Garments and reversible quilted bombers from Needles might sound outlandish, but the fit and materials are always spot-on. The customer service is very Japanese in nature—everyone is friendly and knowledgeable on the stock, and while they might shadow you as you shop, remember it's because they're there to help, not because they're throwing shade. If you find that their wares a little out of your price range, you can always pick up a Hells Kitchen Music Society T-shirt or an art magazine as a more affordable souvenir instead.

Hours: Mon-Sun 12-7 p.m.
Closed Tuesdays

Website: hickorees.com

Address: 109 South 6th Street, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11211

Emil and Sandy Corsillo, the brothers behind The Hill-Side series of accessories, turned their appreciation for hardwearing goods and awesome materials into a full-on retail store about two years ago. Since then, they've done a series of collaborations with companies like Gitman Vintage shirts and Rancourt Shoes, but they've also established the shop as a go-to spot for awesome, obscure Japanese brands. Stock up on goods from the likes of Kapital, Battenwear, and Blue Blue Japan, while getting a look at gear from other cult brands like Arpenteur, Folk, and soft hemp tees from Jungmaven. Don't forget to grab an Astronaut Ice Cream or Mast Bros. Chocolate bar for the road.

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-7 p.m.
Sun 12-6 p.m.

Website: carsonstreetclothiers.com/theblock/

Address: 63 Crosby St
New York, NY 10012

The new kid on the block, Carson Street Clothiers is already making waves for its impressive selection and the store's awesome interior. Exposed brick and high ceilings add to the masculine vibe, while a lounge area in the back displays sports on the television while beverages are served to guys waiting to get measured up for a custom suit, or just waiting for a shoe in their size to be retrieved. While the #menswear nerd would feel right at home, luxe sneakers from Buttero and Our Legacy are also on offer, as well as an in-house line of rumpled basics like oxford shirts and slim-fitting chinos. Opened up by two former lawyers whose dream was go into business together, it's great to see their vision finally realized.

Hours: Mon-Sat 11-7 p.m.
Sun 12-7 p.m.

Website: @21Mercer

Address: 21 Mercer St.
New York, NY 10013

Anyone who's ever tried to cop a limited-editon pair of kicks knows the drama of a twitter RSVP at 21 Mercer. But beyond feeding the hypebeasts, the shop itself boasts some of the best apparel around too. It's no secret that Nike Sportswear has also been behind the coolest looking bomber jackets, windbreakers, and athletic gear around, and this is also the go-to spot to pick up gear from Gyakusou, Nike's collaboration with Undercover designer Jun Takahashi. Of course, you're probably gonna want a pair of fly sneakers to finish off your kit. While salty sneakerheads bide their time at Flight Club overpaying for retros, 21 Mercer is the spot cool guys go to stay ahead of the game.

Hours: Mon-Fri 11-6 p.m.
Sat 11-7 p.m.
Sun 11-6 p.m.

Website: store.vfiles.com

Address: 12 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10013

If a tumblr dashboard were to be a storefront, it would probably resemble the stock of the V-Files Store. Margiela sneakers share minimal shelf space with reblogged-about gear from Hood By Air, Conflict of Interest, PYREX VISION, and Les Plus Dores. Meanwhile streetwear connossieurs can come up on finds from Erik Brunetti's Fuct, its higher-end line SSDD, X-LARGE, and Japanese brand Hysteric Glamour. On the hunt for something a little more exclusive? Consider picking up special-edition tees from artist Tom Sachs, designer Telfar, or a piece from the V-FILES x X-LARGE collaboration.

Hours: Mon-Fri 11-7 p.m.
Sat 12-7 p.m.
Sun 12-6 p.m.

Website: ateliernewyork.com

Address: 304 Hudson St
New York, NY 10013

The one-stop shop for goth-ninja brands like Rick Owens, Damir Doma, and Carol Christian Poell, Atelier caters to high-end dark designers. While the prices may be out of most people's budgets, there's no better environment in which to experience these pieces in the wild—or see more people wear them so well. Atelier is the kind of store with plenty of acolytes, and every other customer appears worthy of a street style shot. With the street goth movement becoming more of a dominant presence in the world of style, this is the place to go to be on the cutting edge of fashion.