Sunday, June 15, 2008
Life, Style
Boy-tiques
A metro guy’s paradise
By Carly Felton
In the old days, when it came to fashion, guys had it easy. They threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and were out the door in five minutes flat. Not anymore. With the rise of the metrosexual, guys are being forced to go beyond the department stores to avoid looking like their mother dresses them (no offense, Mom). SP accompanied 23-year-old Jeff Peterson, a self-described wannabe Metro Man, to four local boy-tiques. Here’s what we discovered:
BOY NEXT DOOR
1447 Piedmont Ave. 404-873-2664.
Open for 28 years, Boy Next Door is one of the only men’s stores to carry swimsuits year-round, and 20 name brands to boot, including many a Speedo! The store’s loyal clientele of gay and metrosexual men (and a few women) visits frequently, as new merchandise arrives five days a week.
The store is cramped, with an older vibe, but the clothes (sleeveless shirts, leather jackets, trendy jeans) and accessories (funky sunglasses, leather belts, various CDs) run the gamut from retro to new age. Popular brands include Levi, Division E, Kenneth Cole, Lucky, English Laundry, Seven Diamonds and Andrew Christian; and prices range from $6 to $168, with a large clearance section in the back of the store.
Metro Man’s take: “It’s got a nice, neighborhood feel, and the clearly labeled sale area is good for thrifty shoppers. … You certainly can’t be shy if you shop here.” [The dressing room curtains are sheer from the chest up.]
UNIVERSAL GEAR
933 Peachtree St. 404-872-5700. www.universalgear.com.
Bright and spacious, Universal Gear could almost be mistaken for a generic male store … until you see the large underwear display full of practically every design, color and brand available. Located in the Metropolis building in Midtown, the casual store caters to fashion-conscious guys ages 16 to fiftysomething.
Featuring tailored brands like Ben Sherman, Seven Diamond and Hugo Boss, along with Eurofit jeans from Diesel and some wider-cut styles from Triple Five Soul, Universal Gear is a one-stop shop for weekend apparel—think khaki Capri pants, comfortable jeans, screen-printed T-shirts, plaid and army shorts, as well as sneakers, socks, messenger bags and skincare kits—all in the $10 to $350-price range.
Metro Man’s take: “There’s a helpful staff and lots of plaid—plaid is good! Plus, free parking [for the first hour] around the corner.”
BILL HALLMAN MEN
792 N. Highland Ave. 404-876-6055. www.billhallman.com.
One of four Bill Hallman stores, this one sports a trendy atmosphere with somewhat mainstream clothing. The boutique’s aluminum ceilings and white, hot pink and yellow brick walls combine with lime green carpet to create a friendly place to shop.
The merchandise includes everything from Nudie Jeans and Lacoste shoes to suspenders and parachute jackets, but a typical outfit consists of slim-fit jeans with a detailed, but clean-looking shirt—perhaps conveying the appearance of a modern-day rock star. Look for brands like Steelo, Goovin Bros., Paul Smith, B. Son and Idol Relic, with new ones being added to the store’s ever-revolving list of designs each season.
Metro Man’s take: “It has a big selection, but a limited number of sizes for each piece. … It’s got a unique style.”
MARKET
2770 Lenox Road. 404-814-0977. marketatl.com.
With both men’s and women’s clothing, Market’s offerings are limited, but the selection is constantly changing. The men’s attire seems to focus on the semi-conservative yet trendy guy, with lines from Scotch & Soda, Affliction, Monarchy, Rock & Republic and Triple Five Soul. These predominately consist of screen-printed tees and simple jeans and shorts.
Open since 2002, the store hosts parties about three times a year and discounts its merchandise in end-of-season warehouse sales. The best way to find out about last-minute sales, such as 20-percent-off weekends, is to sign up for the e-mail list serve in the store.
Metro Man’s take: “They really didn’t have that much dudes’ clothing, but they’re very attentive and seem to genuinely care about you.” SP