Five Men’s Brands To Watch

3.1 Phillip Lim

New York designer Phillip Lim already has a fledgling women’s line, stocked in virtually every upscale boutique and department store from Mercer to Mario’s. Now, men can get in on his modern design sensibility and upscale construction for prices that are a relatively good value for what you get. It’s the Marni man look for around half the price. From $145 for shirts to $875 for trenches, all prices approximate.

Available online at barneys.com and shopjake.com.

Band of Outsiders

Named after Jean-Luc Godard’s 1964 classic French Nouvelle Vague film, Band of Outsiders has been seen everywhere lately, from James Franco on the red carpet to Justin Long in the “Get a Mac” ads. Smart shirts and slick skinny ties give off a less severe version of the Dior Homme look, all at a more affordable price. From $170 to $300 for shirts, about $125 to $145 for ties, all prices approximate.

Available in Seattle at Blackbird and online at barneys.com, shopjake.com and others.

A.P.C.

A.P.C. (which stands for Ateliers de production et de Creation) has quietly gained a cult following among guys who love clean looks, free of labels and infused with just the right amount of French preppy cool. Their well-made, straight-leg dark denim has been extremely popular, often seen in GQ and Details, and their entire summer line is selling out online. Jeans from $140, t-shirts from $50, collection from about $125 to $450, all prices approximate.

Available in Seattle at Blackbird and online at apc.fr.

Helmut Lang

While Mr. Lang himself parted ways with the label that bears his name in 2005, the brand has recently relaunched under the helm of Michael and Nicole Colovos, the duo behind denim label Habitual. They’ve recreated Lang’s downtown cool, sleek and monochromatic aesthetic, now within the bridge price range (a step above contemporary, a step below designer). Expect modern, texturally intriguing fabrics and cuts, including filmy, bias-cut tees, gauzy, twisted seam sweaters, and well-made city parkas. Collection from $105 to $680, all prices approximate.

Available in Seattle at Barneys New York and online at barneys.com.

Theory

Recently acquired by Japanese investors, Theory has long been synonymous with subtle, understated cool. They made their name on their precision-cut trousers in modern fabrics, such as cotton-polyamide-lycra weaves. They’ve expanded their collection to include a variety of shirts, sweaters, and jackets appropriate for any occasion both uptown and downtown, on a business trip or in Easthampton. Trousers about $225, collection from $65 for t-shirts to $875 for leather jackets, all prices approximate.

Available in Seattle at Barneys New York and Nordstrom Downtown and online.

Directory

Barneys New York
Downtown Seattle on 5^th Avenue in City Centre
New location in Pacific Place opening June 29
barneys.com
206.622.6300

Blackbird
Ballard
helloblackbird.blogspot.com
206.547.2524

Jake
Chicago
shopjake.com
773.271.5253

Nordstrom
Downtown Seattle
nordstrom.com
206.628.2111