Top 10 Mens Stores in Wellington

Finally Wellington is starting to cater for the fashionable men in Wellington, although I noticed recently that Ezi-Buy have decided to disestablish their mens range due to the current economic climate. Shame on you Ezi-Buy. Although not really a favourite of mine. In light of noticing more mens stores popping up throughout Wellington, I thought it timely to give you my top 10 list for Mens stores in Wellington.



10. Nicholas Jermyn

Located on the "Golden Mile", Lambton Quay, Northern End just past Lambton Square. this store offers an array of business shirts, ties and cufflinks. The store is actually a unisex store but worth a mention all the same. Prices range from $70 - $300. http://www.nicholasjermyn.co.nz/



9. Meccano

This store is teetering on a mass produced chain store, which is not always a bad thing. Unfortunately Meccano is only located in Porirua and Lower Hutt, but during sale time, can be worth the travel. The store provides a variety of looks and styles from Business suits, shirts and ties to casual clothing such as hoodies, t shirts and casual shirts. Prices range from $20 - $300. You will find the stores in North City Plaza Porirua or Westfield in Lower Hutt. http://www.meccano.co.nz/products/meccano_listing



8. 3 Wise Men

Another unisex store, this store although on the pricey side, offers fantastically bright coloured business and casual dress shirts, cufflinks, ties and satchels. It is located on the corner of Panama St and Lambton Quay. There are only 4 stores in New Zealand (Akl, Wgtn & Chch). Prices range from $100 - $400. http://www.3wisemen.co.nz/default1.asp



7. TaroCash

An imported store all the way from Australia, this was once one of my favourite stores when it was only available in Australia. Located on Willis St, the store offers a wide range of mens casual and dress clothing including Shoes. Latest styles, brands and colours are all available instore. Prices range from $69 for a great shirt to $300 for a jacket. They often have good sales on as well.

http://www.tarocash.com.au/online/PS2/stock_store.asp?Caffiliate=22&Ccategory=40&Csubheading=NZ



6. YD

A store that is very similar to TaroCash and also recently imported from Australia, YD again provide latest styles, brands and colours from shirts, belts, beanies, jackets, suits and shoes. Definately worth a look. The store is located on Lambton Quay not far from Capital on the Quay. Prices instore range from $69 to $300/$400

http://www.yd.com.au/



5. Working Style

Definately on the pricey side but offering a unique tailoring style. Working Style is where you will find a variety of suits, shirts and ties. Working Style has been in business for over 20 years and have been able to perfect their hand-finished suits, tailor-made business shirts, casual wear and urban accessories The store is located in Woodward St, just off Lambton Quay before Lambton Square. Prices range from $200 - over $1000. http://www.workingstyle.co.nz/



4. Mandatory

Mandatory is a mens boutique located exclusively in Cuba Street. It is a highly regarded New Zealand Brand. They provide a variety of great suiting, workwear and fashion pieces. The store also operates as a classic men’s outfitter with tailoring services and wardrobe planning assistance where needed. The unique style instore will draw you in everytime. Prices range from $50 - $400. http://www.mandatory.co.nz/



3.Farrys

Always a favourite of mine, Farrys offers a variety of clothing styles specifically for men. The sales are always excellent and I always find the staff quite pleasant. The store is located in Willis St, just past Chews Lane, after recently moving from Lambton Quay. Prices range from $50 - $400. http://www.streetsite.biz/index.cfm?fuseaction=guest.home&hp=10050



2. Witchery Man

The newest of the Australian imports, Witchery Man, a spin off of the original Witchery (womens store), Witchery Man offers casual and dress clothing for men, including jeans, jackets, shirts and T Shirts. I noticed they currently have a sale on as well. I was very excited when I noticed the store which recently opened on Featherston St, after discovering it in Australia in May. Prices range from $50 - $400.

http://www.witchery.com.au/



1. Marcs

Finally, my current favourite of stores is Marcs. Again an import from Australia, this store recently had a great sale on of up to 70%. Hence why it's currently my fave. The store includes both a womens and mens range with latest styles and colours of a European influence. The store itself, located on Lambton Quay, next to Star Bucks in the Old Bank Arcade, is airy and light with pleasant staff. Prices range from $50 - $500

http://www.marcs.com.au/spring-summer-08-mens.html

And not to forget those stores that didn't quite make my top list but deserve a mention anyway - such as Espirit men, Lorenzo Uomo and Amazon. Let's hear it for mens store domination!!

D.

Fashion at its worst

It's true that sometimes fashion trends can be somewhat warped. Just when mens fashion and in particular, the "metrosexual" male domination was starting to take hold, where men were just starting to feel comfortable with their inner femininity and take care of the way they look (skincare, clothes, and hair), new mens fashion trends have decided to push the limits and scare the "metrosexual" back into the hidden depths of Narnia.

Two recent articles have caused me to raise the question "what is the fashion world coming to"?

The first article on stuff showed off the latest mens spring - summer 2010 fashion collection at Paris fashion week by well known and quite reputable fashion designer, Jean Paul Gaultier. http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/2543113/Gaultier-delivers-gender-bending-menswear judge for yourself and consider whether you would like to be walking down the street in a denim bustier!! One thinks not.

The second article at http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/2558804/Men-in-tights provides an opinion on men wearing leggings. NO NO NO NO!! This idea is as bad as the idea that men can wear skinny jeans, in which the article agrees with my thinking. To be honest, I blame the Emos.

Let's hope that these wannabe trends fall flat on their skinny little derriers like that of the oh so tragic mullet.

D.

Style or Comfort

Winter certainly has set in and I find myself spending longer in the hot shower trying to work out firstly how cold the day is going to be and secondly what I should wear to work that day. Winter makes this decision quite hard. Layers help, but there is only so many layers a male can wear before he starts looking like an eskimo. (Can I use that term or is it racist?).

Anyway, this morning was a typical crispy morning where Corporate Wellington were all on a mission to get to their warm buildings before their fingers and toes fell off. All rugged up in beanies, scarves, gloves and coats.

As I sat outside Mojo Old Bank Arcade, I happen to notice the most odd/interesting ensemble a man was wearing. This guy was wearing the usual winter woolies of a beanie, a scarf and a coat, however................I look down at his feet and he was wearing a brown pair of leather Hush Puppy Carmac dress sandals. Now don't get me wrong, the look was great...................IF IT WASN'T MINUS ONE MILLION DEGREES!! HELLLOOO!! I almost got frost bite just looking at them.

The point of my post is...........Is style really that more important than comfort??

D.