The best men’s clothing boutiques in New York

This two-month-old shop is making waves for its affordable country-road-meets-downtown-cool (and totally Brooklyn) collection. Exposed brick and taxidermy contribute to the masculine vibe, where you’ll find seasonal goods that transition from a relaxing day at the beach to a sticky summer rooftop party. FYI: The best time to snag button-downs ($55) and five-panel hats ($32) is during Rosé Saturdays, when you can sip beer and wine while you shop.

This East Village shop sells scented balm for beards ($28) and “Get Lucky” tobacco-scented candles ($30), which makes the Lodge a must-stop shop for dudes. This Americana spot—all the products are made in the U.S.A.—is all about quirky grooming products and handsome accessories. Highlights include Ebbets Field New York baseball hats ($99), Faribault merino wool scarves ($60) and even bourbon-flavored toothpicks ($9), because all men love whiskey, right?

At this breezy, laid-back store (the first retail location from the Harlem-based line) the small but well-curated selection means nothing feels inessential—unless, of course, you count the vintage fabric fanny pack ($38). The offerings, all from the Only NY brand, blend a streetwear sensibility with outdoorsy references for an idiosyncratic style. Skateboards ($50–$55) hang alongside an annotated, vintage bird poster, while T-shirts ($32) and sweaters ($56) bear graffiti patterns or renderings of ducks in marshes. The resulting look manages to combine modernity with your dad’s closet.

This popular British import offers runway-fresh clothes at reasonable prices in the basement of its U.S. flagship. While some of the items give us costume-vibes (we’re looking at you, denim short sleeve shirts with metal-studded collars ($68), you’ll be hard-pressed to find a slim black suit for $300 elsewhere in the city (upgrade to tweed for $500). Stop in to buy top-drawer essentials on the cheap—boxers ($15) range from classic navy with white dots to tongue-in-cheek selections such as an ice-cream-cone print with a waistband reading “Lick me” in cursive. Beat the hot weather with tanks ($14), tees ($36) and shorts ($60) or warm up if there’s a chill with tapered sweatpants ($62).

A reliable destination for wardrobe staples since 1998, this Gotham-based urban-apparel retailer now has loads of locations throughout the city. At the spacious Union Square flagship, descend to the whitewashed brick basement to find the brand’s specialty—sleek nylon messenger bags ($84)—along with a host of graphic tees ($28–$78), shirts ($40–$80), jackets ($60–$118) and sweaters ($50–$78). The focus may be on neutral basics, but a little digging will turn up items with a bit more panache.

Presaging the craze for all things heritage, this family-owned store has showcased brands like Carhartt since 1963. The store’s focus on everyman-priced classic brands (Schott, Levi’s) attracts faux frontiersmen, in addition to a construction-crew clientele. Pick up a pair of Red Wing boots ($139–$289) near the entrance, before grabbing a classic Wrangler Western shirt ($30) or a slick navy-blue flight jacket ($95) from the Army-approved Alpha Industries line.

The cult streetwear brand—equally beloved by skate rats and rap stars—channels a stream of punkish pop culture through both its threads and flagship digs. A big-screen TV in the front window plays selections such as Bruce Lee videos, while inside, funk music bumps on the speakers and comic-book-style art adorns the walls. Supreme’s famed baseball caps are a steal at $44 each and come in a variety of crayon colors. Once your head is spoken for, slip your feet into a pair of Converse All-Stars ($60) or Vans lace-ups ($66). Playful graphic T-shirts plastered with swear words also run as cheap as $32 each and mirror the collection of rainbow-bright skateboards ($140–$160) on an adjacent wall.

Created by former Club Monaco fit specialist Raul Arevalo and his partner Brad Schmidt, this military-inspired brand’s foxhole-size East Village location (the original’s in Williamsburg) is decorated with scattered war paraphernalia (uniform hats, eagle statues, a West Point atlas). The store’s line of casual threads includes soft cotton T-shirts ($44) with designs both simple (striped) and unique (a star-encircled portrait of General Adelbert Ames). A hoodie with a notched button collar ($98) and the clean, simple lines of a white oxford shirt ($128) evince Cadet’s close attention to detail.

Natural materials—raw-wood shelves, paper globe lanterns—dominate this open, airy store, the New York brand’s original location. The beach-ready, preppy clothes evoke Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, minus the aristocratic pricing. Shorts ($58–$78)—ever the scourge of male shoppers—are well-cut here, neither too short nor too long. Muted colors abound, from faded sweatshirts ($98) to striped T-shirts ($48). This is also the place to get affordable accessories, including a classic belt ($50) or a fringed linen scarf ($58). Don’t be surprised if a salesperson asks if you want a drink—there’s a small café in the back of the store.

A timeless, masculine style holds court at this store, with threads dapper and traditional enough to suit a modern-day Paul Newman. Independent brands are the shop’s bread and butter—a single rack near the front holds button-downs, patterned tees and trousers, while shoes such as oxfords and loafers line the shelves. Punch up a straitlaced look with one-of-a-kind accessories: Alter’s in-house, Skittles-colored belts in solid reds, purples and greens ($38); fashionably rounded Spitfire sunglasses ($45); and Rothco black biker gloves ($26).