Style

The 10 Best Mall Brands

Navigating the monument to consumerism and bad taste just got a hell of a lot easier.

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Ah yes, the shopping mall. The suburban paradise where bored teens spend their idle time eating frozen yogurt and perhaps catching an occasional flick. It's where parents take their spawn to run around on leashes, and also where old people go each morning to power-walk some laps. In high school, it might have been the only place you went to upgrade your wardrobe (although there are plenty of affordable ways to do that too). And well, if you don't live in a major metropolitan area, it might still be the same case.

Don't fret, there's plenty of great men's clothing to be had—you just have to know where to look. That's why we're taking some of the guesswork out of it for you. While online shopping is always a viable option, sometimes you just really need to know how clothes fit before you pull the trigger. Besides, there's usually plenty of great deals out there—not to mention potential honey dips hanging out at the food court. Whether heading back to school or simply upping your style game, we got you covered. Here are The 10 Best Mall Brands.

H&M

Double-breasted Blazer
More info at H&M, $99


Tapered Low Jeans
More info at H&M, $40


Varsity Jacket
More info at H&M, $50


The Swedish retailer has quickly established itself as a spot any dude can roll into and find a variety of styles. Where else can you come out with a burgundy double-breasted blazer, red varsity jacket, and washed slim jeans... for under $200? Sure, you might not find details like functional cuffs and premium Italian fabrics, but for gear that looks good and fits great, most guys can come up on some decent clothes here.


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American Eagle Outfitters

Tweed Blazer
Buy It Now at American Eagle, $100

Suede Chukka Boat Shoe
Buy It Now at American Eagle, $60

Buckled Suede Clog
Buy It Now at American Eagle, $30

So... did you know that while bro-brands like Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch kept putting out the same iterations of flip-flops, hoodies, and graphic tees, American Eagle started making affordable menswear pieces that wouldn't make you look like a tool? Yeah. We're talking tweed blazers, "athletic fit" button down shirts, and of course, slim straight jeans and chinos. The real standout? Cheaper versions of footwear like suede chukkas and thick-soled boots... and even these Birkenstock-like clogs all the cool kids seem to be wearing these days.

Urban Outfitters

Champion for UO Coaches Jacket
Buy It Now at Urban Outfitters, $68

Def Leppard Tee
Buy It Now at Urban Outfitters, $28

Koto Tiger Camo Military Chino
Buy It Now at Urban Outfitters, $59

Quite possibly the only mass retailer you can find Nike, Stussy, tiger stripe camo pants, and vintage-inspired rock tees under one roof. Recent collaborations with the likes of Burkman Bros. and Champion show that they've still got an ear to the ground as to what's cool, while a bevy of stores nationwide and internationally ensure that plenty of people will be able to get their hands on the gear.

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Dockers Alpha Khakis

Dockers Alpha Khaki in Midnight
Buy It Now at Dockers, $59


Dockers Alpha Khaki in Loretta Blue Corduroy
Buy It Now at Dockers, $59


Dockers Alpha Khaki in Loretta Blue Corduroy
Buy It Now at Dockers, $59


An ideal balance of fit, price, and quality, the Dockers Alpha Khaki is the pant that gave jeans a run for their money. You can find them at a bunch of department stores, and they look great with a T-shirt, button down, denim jacket, or a sportcoat. With more camo versions about to drop, we can imagine these'll be even heavier in the streets.


Champion

Champion Super Hood With Raised Embroidered C
Buy It Now at Champion, $75

Champion Super Fleece Sweatshirt With Raised Embroidered C
Buy It Now at Champion, $70

With collaborations with brands like Urban Outfitters and Supreme, there's no denying that Champion is one of the hottest knitwear companies right now. So why not go straight to the source and cop some Big C gear? Easily available at sporting goods shops like The Sports Authority or Dick's Sporting Goods, this is one of the cases where the original easily trumps the collab version.

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Land's End Canvas

Guildsman Chambray Workshirt
Buy It Now at Land's End Canvas, $60


Allen Edmonds Stewart Plaintoe Oxford Shoes
Buy It Now at Land's End Canvas, $268


Elston 608 Slim Fit Chino
Buy It Now at Land's End Canvas, $60


Land's End might've been one of those mail-order catalogs your dad would get frumpy-looking gear from, but its Land's End Canvas line is definitely geared for style-minded guys. You can easily find it at the Land's End section at Sears, of all places. Carrying clothes like washed oxfords and red chambray shirts, you can dress them up with things like fair isle blazers and square-ended ties. Pants and jeans get a nice slim fit, and shoes are a menswear nerd's dream: collaborations with brands like Allen Edmonds and Oak Street Bootmakers, resulting in quality loafers and oxfords in dope colors like navy blue.


Levi's Jeans

Levi's 511 Made in the USA Jeans
Buy It Now at Levi's, $178

Levi's Made in the USA Trucker Jacket
Buy It Now at Levi's, $210

'50s Tee
Buy It Now at Levi's, $25

The great American jeans brand has long since returned to producing some of its goods in the country that birthed it. While their Levi's Vintage Collection is known for their quality reproductions of vintage gear, don't sleep on updated fits like the 511 and slim trucker jacket, utilizing premium fabrics like Cone Mills White Oak denim. Consider it the type of clothing you invest in at the beginning of fall, and keep breaking in all year long. Levi's is also great for tees and shirts, as well as their bike-friendly commuter collection, which uses tech fabrics like 3M reflective technology and an odor-resistant finish.

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Polo Ralph Lauren

Canadian Cargo Pant
Buy It Now at Ralph Lauren, $98

Merino Wool V-Neck
Buy It Now at Ralph Lauren, $98

Organic Chino Sportcoat
Buy It Now at Ralph Lauren, $295

Quite possibly the most accessible designer brand, Ralph Lauren's Polo collection stays at the top of its game for easy-wearing men's clothing. Ranging from rugged chinos, comfortable sweaters, and well-tailored sportcoats, the preppy mainstay remains a good spot for any guy to grab some dope gear—and it's readily available at numerous department stores.

The Gap

Lived-in Slim Khaki
Buy It Now at Gap, $60

Solid Oxford Shirt
Buy It Now at Gap, $50

Four-pocket Military Jacket
Buy It Now at Gap, $90

Yup, Gap's back. While all the fashion buzz may be about brands like J. Crew and Club Monaco, this '90s style icon recently released a solid collection of well-fitting chinos and oxfords in slimmer fits and numerous colors. Combine that with some cozy outerwear and an already-dope collection of jeans, and every guy just got a new resource for reliable basics.

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Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply

Denim & Supply Safari Print Tee
Buy It Now at Macy's, $60

Denim & Supply Jeans, Slouch Fit
Buy It Now at Macy's, $90

Denim & Supply Military Ripstop Backpack
Buy It Now at Macy's, $125

A new line from Ralph Lauren, Denim & Supply takes its inspiration from workwear and obscure Japanese streetwear labels like Visvim and designers like Junya Watanabe—which makes it awesome. Tie-dye tees and patchwork camo shirts pair together with tribal-print accented M-65 jackets, ripstop backpacks, and worn-in jeans, creating a look that's equal parts stylish and tough. Sure, you can buy it online... but if you wanna find it in stores, you're going to have to go to Macy's. That's right, the department store is the only place to find the cool collection.

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