Sprezza is a new kind of newsletter exploring men’s style.

We talk about independent menswear, WTF style means, cover drops, review products, and the business of retail. Join our community 📨 👇🏼

Click here for Sprezza’s Where to shop in London part 1.

Brands

Drake’s // tailored

Neighborhood: Savile Row (between Mayfair and Soho)
Price: $$$
NOTES: I love Drake’s because they’ve discovered how to exist (and thrive) in a world where it seems fewer and fewer are wearing suits anymore. They’ve managed to make wearing one cool, maintaining the craft of tailoring while reaching a modern customer. And their space is as beautiful as you’d imagine; more than worth a visit when you’re in town.

Universal Works // casual sportswear

Neighborhood: Kings Cross and Soho
Price: $$
NOTES:

-I found Universal Works to have a lovely collection of what I’ll call East End utility-wear. The space at Kings Cross was ripe with cosy knits, functional and thick overshirts, and a concoction of color tones that were on point. Please pay Uni Works a visit.

Folk Clothing // casual sportswear

Neighborhood: Shoreditch, Holborn, Soho
Price: $$$
NOTES:

-Out of all the shops I visited, Folk (and Uni Works) felt approachable without being basic. At all. There’s a clear aesthetic that feels like this young, cool British vibe. The shop had a lineup of fleeces, liner jackets, loose fit trousers, cozy overshirts, and a color palette that feels very “Folk.”

Unfussy, quality garments. Highly recommend.

Share

Honorary list

There are a handful of spots I simply didn’t have time to visit but are absolutely worth seeing depending on what you’re interested in.

End. // Streetwear, contemporary

Neighborhood: Soho
Featured brands: Acne Studios, Visvim, Fear of God, Neighborhood, Nike
Price: $$$
NOTES:

-End. also offers another nice curation of American, European, and Japanese brands. Where they differentiate from the other shops listed here is on the sneaker front. End’s sneaker lineup is vast, and you’ll find they’re more likely to carry exclusive pieces akin to what KITH’s offering in New York’s is.

Couverture & the Garbstore // Contemporary

Neighborhood: North Kensington
Price point: $$-$$$
Featured brands: Kapital, J.Press, YMC, Howlin’, Dime
NOTE: Not seeing The Garbstore was, perhaps, the disappointment of my trip. Everyone I spoke with recommended I visit, but I just didn’t have enough time in London on this go around. If you have the time, please make it happen for me!

Browns // Luxury

Neighborhood: Mayfair and Shoreditch
Price point: $$$$
Featured brands: Balenciaga, Gucci, Off-White, Saint Laurent
NOTE: This is a well-curated retailer focused on designer clothing and they’re carving their niche in the luxury market.

194 Local // Vintage

Neighborhood: Shoreditch
Price point: $-$$
Featured brands: Stone Island, Levi’s, Stüssy, and all kinds of vintage military wear
NOTE: A few folks recommended I give this space a look. It’s more focused on vintage and Grailed-worthy threads between the 80s - 00s and has a strong collection of pieces from the US, Europe, and Japan. There’s a lot of good vintage in London as is, but this place is worth a visit.

Labour & Wait

Neighborhood: Shoreditch, Marylebone, Dover Street Market
Carries: Kitchen, home goods, books, and some clothing

Earl of East

Neighborhood: Kings Cross and Hackney
Carries: Kitchen, home goods, candles & scents, books, coffee

Cassie Mercantile

Neighborhood: Notting Hill
Carries: Unbeatable, unique vintage-wear that you can’t find most places. By appointment only.