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The Best 25 Online Retailers of 2010
With this past "Cyber Monday" reaching a record-making $1 billion dollars spent on everything from shoes to sex toys, we thought it would be a perfect time, to share our list of the Top 25 Retailers for 2010. We selected our list by the highly scientific method of buying a grip of crap from a gang of sites for everyone in our lives and judging not only the site's individual offerings but the buying experience as a whole. Limited edition items, rare brands, and just cool stuff period. So be ready to bookmark these sites as your go-tos for next year. Click below and prepare to have your wallet murdered.
Best European Site
BEST EUROPEAN SITE: tresbienshop.net
FOUNDERS: Jakob Tornberg
SINCE: 2003
BRANDS CARRIED: Junya Watanabe MAN, Dries Van Noten, Band of Outsiders
FAVORITE ITEM: Junya Watanabe MAN Duck Down Jacket
When we say the best, we mean they're killing it from product to brand to the 20% off for non EU customers.
Best Proxy Site
BEST PROXY SITE: japangoodsfinder.com
FOUNDERS: Jorge Pazmino
SINCE:2009
BRANDS CARRIED: ANYTHING YOU WANT!
FAVORITE ITEM: Givenchy Podium Blouson
Consider this site your Japanese butler. Dude blesses you with treasures that don’t make it out of the country. DOMO ARIGATO MR. ROBATO.
Best Obscure European Goodness
BEST OBSCURE EUROPEAN GOODNESS: Chcmshop.com
FOUNDERS: Sweetu Patel
SINCE: 2009
BRANDS CARRIED: Shuron, Drakes, Lavenham
FAVORITE ITEM: Lavenham 'Denham' Wax Jacket
They got the goods from across the Atlantic. It may be a brand you can't pronounce (e.g. Zimmerli) but it'll make sure you're the freshest.
Best Site out of Canada
BEST SITE OUT OF CANADA: Havenshop.ca
FOUNDERS: Daniel and Arthur Chmielewski
SINCE: 2007
BRANDS CARRIED: HeadPorter, Reigning Champ, Wings + Horns
FAVORITE ITEM: Reigning Champ Heavyweight Fleece Varsity
What's a little international traveling when it comes to the internet? In Canadian "apparel heaven" = Haven Shop.
Best Return Policy
BEST RETURN POLICY: asos.com
FOUNDERS: Nick Robertson
SINCE: 2000
BRANDS CARRIED: Porter Yoshida, GANT Rugger, COMME des GARCONS SHIRT
FAVORITE ITEM: Porter Yoshida & Co Tanker Travel Wallet
Free Shipping both ways FTW. Killing us with customer service.
Best for Home Goods
BEST FOR HOME GOODS: thefutureperfect.com
FOUNDERS: David Alhadeff
SINCE: 2003
BRANDS CARRIED: Matthew Hilton, Donna Wilson for SCP
FAVORITE ITEM:Zig Zag Poufs
Style runs deeper than the clothes on your person. The Future Perfect keeps your bachelor pad laced, so female callers are wont to return. Again and again. Not too often though. Or bringing luggage or some crazy shit.
Best for Sportswear
BEST FOR SPORTSWEAR: cmonwealth.com
FOUNDERS: Omar Quiambao and Larry Incognito
SINCE: 2004
BRANDS CARRIED: 10.Deep, Gourmet, Norse Projects
FAVORITE ITEM: NP 5 Panel Cap Printed
You could live and die by this store but its niche lies in the sportswear lane, so go crazy with your favorite streetwear brand.
Best for Vintage Watches
BEST FOR VINTAGE WATCHES: secondtimearoundwatchco.com
FOUNDERS: Jon Goldfarb
SINCE: 1976
BRANDS CARRIED: Rolex, Omega, Tiffany & Co., among others
FAVORITE ITEM: Rolex Submariner
Taking vintage to the next level, they've got this season's favorite military style all the way to the technical chronos.
Best for Grooming
BEST FOR GROOMING: groominglounge.com
FOUNDERS: Pirooz Sarshar and Michael Gilman
SINCE: 2007
BRANDS CARRIED: (Malin + Goetz), Dermalogica, Anthony Logistics
FAVORITE ITEM: (Malin + Goetz) SPF 15 Face Moisturizer
Stop going to the corner pharmacy for the pedestrian goop. Man up and snag women for days. And nights.
Best for Sneakers
BEST FOR SNEAKERS: nicekicks.com
FOUNDERS: Matt Halfhill
SINCE: 2006
BRANDS CARRIED: Nike, Supra, adidas
FAVORITE ITEM: Nike Air Maxim 1
This may seem biased, since they are a part of the Complex Network, but we only team up with the best. Click and prove.
Best for Japanese Imports
BEST FOR JAPANESE IMPORTS: store.unionlosangeles.com
FOUNDERS: Chris Gibbs
SINCE: 1995
BRANDS CARRIED: Maiden Noir, Visvim, Original Fake
FAVORITE ITEM: Original Fake Taste Test 2
Tons of stores are getting on the imports boat to bring us that far-flung new, but Union LA are pioneers. We trust them, you should too.
Best for Footwear
BEST FOR FOOTWEAR: needsupply.com
FOUNDERS: Sarah and Victor Lytvinenk
SINCE: 1996
BRANDS CARRIED: H by Hudson, Red Wing, Florsheim Limited
FAVORITE ITEM: Florsheim Limited Veblem
If sneakers aren't your steez, Need Supply is. Hard bottoms, traction treads and every other awesome product right here.
Best for Suits
BEST FOR SUITS: jcrew.com
FOUNDERS: Mitchell Cinadar and Saul Charles
SINCE: 1980
BRANDS CARRIED: In house
FAVORITE ITEM: Ludlow Suit Jacket
J.Crew has its highs and lows, but there is no one that comes close to the selection of its Suit Shop. Complex co-signs the Ludlow fit.
Best Discount Site
BEST DISCOUNT SITE: gilt.com
FOUNDERS: Alexis Maybank
SINCE: 2007
BRANDS CARRIED: A member-exclusive rotating roster of designers, some of our favorites include Shipley & Halmos, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Generic Man
FAVORITE ITEM: Generic Man Pony Hair High Top Sneakers
Every day is a surprise with your favorite brands at incomprehensibly low prices.
Best for Shirts
BEST FOR SHIRTS: odinnewyork.com
FOUNDERS: The Five Guys,” a.k.a. Ted Allen, Bobby Johns, Joel Mozsersky, Steve Shuck and Don Weir
SINCE: 2009
BRANDS CARRIED: Burkman Brothers, Thom Browne, Band of Outsiders
FAVORITE ITEM: Thom Browne Flannel Shirt
Regularly referred to as one of the best independent men’s shops in America, Odin’s online selection is up to snuff as well.
Best for Americana
BEST FOR AMERICANA: contextclothing.com
FOUNDERS: Ryan Huber
SINCE: 2005
BRANDS CARRIED: Haversack, Apolis, Post Overalls
FAVORITE ITEM: Haversack Hooded Rain Parka
That real American workwear product is right here. Unfortunately, it comes at a pretty penny. Not saying it's not worth it, because you could live in the oxfords and trousers.
Best for Bags
BEST FOR BAGS: blackbirdballard.com
FOUNDERS: Corky Luster
SINCE: 2004
BRANDS CARRIED: Filson, Porter, Black Pine Workshop
FAVORITE ITEM: Porter Tanker 2 Way Briefcase
Backpacks, totes, weekenders...and wicker baskets?! Yeah, all that.
Best for Sunglasses
BEST FOR SUNGLASSES: eyegoodies.com
FOUNDERS: Dan Single and George Gorrow
SINCE: 2000
BRANDS CARRIED: Balenciaga, Karen Walker, Tom Ford
FAVORITE ITEM: Tom Ford TF0148 Miguel
Don’t go to one of those mall sunglass stores, you’ll just be tempted by the Cinnabon next door (234234238 calories!). Eyegoodies has everything from Polo to Persol.
Best for Toy Collectors
BEST FOR TOY COLLECTORS: toytokyo.com
FOUNDERS: Manhattan Toy Store
SINCE: 2004
BRANDS CARRIED: Medicom, Kubrick, Kaws
FAVORITE ITEM: 100% Staple Be@rbrick
You got toys and collectibles of every ilk and generation, from rare promo toys from the 1950s to the latest Kubrick, all on one comprehensive website. Win.
Best for Art Books
BEST FOR ART BOOKS: artbook.com
FOUNDERS: Distributed Art Publishers
SINCE:2008
BRANDS CARRIED: Fellini, MoMA, Basquiat
FAVORITE ITEM: Jean-Michel Basquiat Book
Taschen publishes everything from Beaux Arts to Big Butts. Something for everyone.
Best for Cool Shit
BEST FOR COOL SHIT: openingceremony.com
FOUNDERS: Carol Lim and Humberto Leon
SINCE: 2002
BRANDS CARRIED: Colette, Vilac, Jean-Paul Gaultier
FAVORITE ITEM: Vilac Keith Haring Chair
Looking for those exclusive Pendleton collabs, outrageously expensive goodies, and souvenirs in the form of oddly shaped chairs? This is the one-stop-all-cool-shit-everything spot. Hoarders with a sense of style, have at it.
Best for Girlfriends
BEST FOR GIRLFRIEND: madewell.com
FOUNDERS: J.Crew
SINCE: 2006
BRANDS CARRIED: Cardigans, tees and jeans
FAVORITE ITEM: Jeggings in anvil
A gift from J.Crew’s cosmopolitan cousin will score you points in originality and style with dividends paid in the bedroom department.
Best for Mom Gifts
BEST FOR MOM GIFTS: net-a-porter.com
FOUNDERS: Natalie Massenet
SINCE: 2000
BRANDS CARRIED: Diane Von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney, Alaia
FAVORITE ITEM: Lanvin Leopard-print ballerina flats
Plan mother's day NOW. Break the bank and show her your gratitude for bailing you out of jail tough situations and for always having a home for you in the basement.
Best for Dad Gifts
BEST FOR DAD GIFTS: thetannery.com
FOUNDERS: Steve Kennerk
SINCE: 1975
BRANDS CARRIED: Barbour, Canada Goose, Clarks
FAVORITE ITEM: Canada Goose Alberta Vest
It's so easy to buy bullshit for dad and expect him to grin and bear it, but shop The Tannery and surprise him with ACTUAL quality shit that won't make him secret-cry in his man-den.
Best for Denim
BEST FOR DENIM: Tobi.com
FOUNDERS: Catherine Chow, Corina Nurimba
SINCE: 2006
BRANDS CARRIED: Nudie Jeans Co, PRPS, etc.
FAVORITE ITEM: A.P.C. New Cure Indigo Jeans
400+ jeans, in over 30 brands with pricepoints for the "choosy beggar" and/or the baller. Tobi is where it's at, homie. Selvedge denim is definitely the way to anyone's heart. Anyone with legs. Sorry legless people!