Best of Shopping 2008 Mens

Best Shop for the Upscale Hipster Look
Blackbird
(Ballard, 5410 22nd Ave. NW; 206.547.2524; helloblackbird.blogspot.com)
Don’t try to pigeonhole the Blackbird man: The store has an eclectic, “skinny look” reputation, yet stocks plenty for the full, buff physique. You’ll find funky designs and also many basic pieces. Prices range from Paul Frank tees at $40 to a Band of Outsiders blazer at $1,555. Slim denim jeans from Japanese cult favorite Diet Butcher Slim Skin ($300) fly out the door. The must-have fall accessory? A vibrant scarf from Denmark’s Henrik Vibskov ($160–$185).

Best Shop for Boomers Looking for Color
Road
Downtown, 1420 Fifth Ave., Suite 120, 206.264.8300; Bellevue, 202 Bellevue Square, 425.451.8800
At this relaxed shop, where all clothing is Road’s own label, life is in the details—particularly those of their woven shirts ($88–$135), made of richly hued, patterned and sometimes embroidered fabrics, terrific over the perfect layering piece: their supersoft Ultimate T ($54), available in a dozen colors. Road’s own newly created denimline comes in ultracomfortable Lyocell Lux fabric (better known by the brand name Tencel, $108), Earthwash (imparting a brown tone, $125) and classic blue-hued stonewash with suede-trimmed pockets ($88–$98).

Best Shop to Get Made-to-Measure
Mario’s
Downtown, 1513 Sixth Ave.; 206.223.1461
Sometimes the clothes really do make the man. Positioned between “off the rack” and “full bespoke” (meaning hand-tailored from start to finish), suits made to measure—by which customers select from certain styles and hundreds of fabrics, linings and buttons—is a flexible option that’s gaining wider recognition at posh Mario’s. Luxe Italian lines like Brioni ($4,500) and Kiton ($5,500) marry Old World craftsmanship with timeless style. Order in early autumn for pre-holiday delivery and allow at least an hour for the initial consultation with a Mario’s specialist.

Best Shop for a Marvelous Manbag
Marqsmen
Bellevue, 1083 Bellevue Square; 425.679.5610
Belgian designer Martin Margiela’s distinctive leather messenger and travel bags ($800–$1,200) are transportable art; also handsome and a little easier on the wallet are Jack Spade’s Warren Street line ($300–$600) and choices from Rian’s Versailles ($400–$795). In clothing, James Perse tees ($68) and polos ($87) are big sellers at this urbane boutique, as are Loomstate organic cotton tees ($60).

Best Shop to Get (Almost) Unique Jeans
The Industry
Fremont, 3516 Fremont Place N; 206.547.9961
Says co-owner Angela Kantanto, “I hate going into a bar or restaurant and seeing everybody with the same pocket detail!” That’s why this laid-back Fremont shop offers 22 denim styles, starting at $79 for RVCA and topping out at $234 for William Rast; the most popular line is 1921 ($124–$184). There are also intricate graphic tees ranging from Tank Farm (starting at $29) to Monarchy ($79).

Best Shop to Go From Mountain Man to Magnificent
Oslo’s: A Men’s Store
Queen Anne, 1519 Queen Anne Ave.; 206.282.6756
Say you’re an ejected Survivor contestant, straight off the island: At casually sophisticated Oslo’s, start with a shave and a haircut ($55), then get kitted out with wardrobe-extending classics with a twist, like 12-gauge cashmere crewnecks from Vince in violet, artichoke, royal or black ($245), or a brown herringbone or Blackwatch plaid sports coat from Hickey ($895). Gain protection from the elements with a hooded bomber jacket ($425) from Victorinox (the Swiss Army Knife company), featuring extras like a ski fob and mobile-phone pocket.

Best Shop to Find What You Covet in Magazines
Ian
Downtown, 1919 Second Ave., 206.441.4055; Fremont, 501 N 36th St., 206.322.7380
Ian seems to know what guys want—in fact, the downtown women’s section has been turned over to the popular G-Star line of men’s jeans, shirts and jackets ($98–$350). Also look for slim, shorter button-down shirts ($198) from Shipley & Halmos and Gilded Age jeans ($250–$375), a New York brand using turn-of-the-century looms to make their denim. John Varvatos Star USA henleys, hoodies, jeans and jackets, ranging from $98 to $475, are available downtown, and Fremont stocks Converse by John Varvatos, the designer’s lower-priced line of apparel ($85–$150).

Best Shop for the Business-Casual Professional
Jaxx Boutik
Eastlake, 2345 Eastlake Ave E; 206.325.8882
Owner Kimberly Carney changed the store’s name from Ericce, doubled the men’s inventory (but there’s still plenty for the gals), and business is booming. Casual dress shirts from Ted Baker and Robert Graham (ranging from $180 to $200) are hard to keep in stock. Supersoft tees from Vince (starting at $60) and Velvet ($90) look great with William Rast jeans ($178–$220). Carney also offers personal shopping services for her ultra-busy clientele.

Best Shop to Get a Hip Euro-Silhouette
Kuhlman
Belltown, 2419 First Ave.; 206.441.1999
Scott Kuhlman’s cutting-edge eponymous shop offers cool, trim antidotes to the baggy look. Suits (10 to 20 options per season) are a house specialty, from lines such as Merc (England) and J. Lindeberg (Sweden), and all components are available as separates. (Pants start at $150, vests at $250, and coats range from $125 to $675.) Match the suit with a slim-fit Italian shirt or go casual and pair a jacket with denim jeans from Nudie ($170–$275). Alterations are done in-house, and Kuhlman also makes suits to order.