Here’s my list of fave menswear shops. I’ve listed them as either new or vintage, and a few store pros and cons for each. Price ranges are from one to four [$] symbols. Photos of the boutiques are included on a ‘could find’ basis.
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Roden Gray [$$$]
What they carry: Clothing, footwear and accessories.
This store is great for: Finding quality menswear pieces that are versatile and fashionable. Employees are courteous and knowledgeable regarding how to put together a statement outfit, or pull what you already have together with the right accessories.
What isn’t so awesome: To get a main piece, you must be willing to pay. This store carries the highest quality labels and has prices to match.
District: Gastown [Googlemap]
Photo by Stephanie Vacher
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Dutil [$-$$$]
What they carry: Denim, denim, denim!
This store is great for: Finding your perfect pair of jeans. There is one entire side of the store dedicated to men’s cuts; so the selection is there. Beyond that, pricing truly ranges from $80 (for Cheap Mondays)-$300 (Chimala, etc)+ so everyone can afford a pair of pants from this denim salon. The staff don’t have an ‘exclusive’ attitude either; no matter what you’re looking for and what budget you’re working within, you will likely walk out with more pants and a smile on your face.
What isn’t so awesome: Be careful with your brands. Everyone and their dog in Yaletown has a pair of Rock & Republic jeans, and every hipster has 15 pairs of Nudies. Mind your brands, branch out into unknown territory and you’ll walk out with a smile on your face.
District: Gastown [Googlemap]
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Obakki [$$$]
What they carry: Main pieces to dominate your look.
This store is great for: Obakki is dependable for well made pieces that can be worked with nearly any look. These pieces are not over designed; they rarely have embellishments and work instead with creative shapes and cuts.
What isn’t so awesome: Having too many of these pieces may dull down your wardrobe because of their visual simplicity. If you’re looking for a loud, detailed look you will want to pass Obakki by.
District: Gastown [Googlemap]
Photo by Gaile on Flickr
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Two Of A Few [$$]
What they carry: Pieces from lesser known ‘indie’ labels.
This store is great for: You will find the perfect shirt or jacket at Two Of A Few, but be prepared to pay for the pleasure. These labels likely won’t be found at other boutiques in town, though their rarity drives up their pricing.
What isn’t so awesome: The store is fairly small (the men’s section is 1/3 of the boutique space), and to find decent pieces here, you need a deeper wallet.
District: Gastown [Googlemap]
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The Block [$$-$$$]
What they carry: Great formal-caual hybrids; brands including Rogue’s Gallery, Fred Perry, Loomstate, Nudie and Filson (bags).
This store is great for: For the casual near-hipster with a disposable income, this shop is always a win. You can practically drown in stripes, vests, pressed slacks (they are still very non-grandpa) and modern footwear.
What isn’t so awesome: Like most trendy boutiques, you’ll be paying out the nose for a label you may never have heard of. The pieces are beautiful and will wear well, but it takes a bit of an investment to look good coming out of The Block.
District: Gastown [Googlemap]
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Komakino [$$$$]
What they carry: The cream of the elite designer crop; best pieces from designers including Rick Owens, Number (N)ine, Raf Simons (the list goes on).
This store is great for: Finding an epic piece which makes your visual that nobody else will be wearing.
What isn’t so awesome: This store is freaking expensive and kind of hard to find as it’s tucked away in Chinatown.
District: Chinatown [Googlemap]
Photo by Kris Krug
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French Connection [$$]
What they carry: Scoff all you want, but French Connection can actually have some decent pieces that can be styled well within many different looks as long as you avoid anything with “FCUK” scrawled over it. French Connection ranges from check shirts to tuxedo jackets and everything in between; think of it as a less extensive and innovative cousin of Topman.
This store is great for: Finding something at the last minute (I can attest to that) and they are usually having some sort of decent sale online or in store.
What isn’t so awesome: The pieces aren’t the finest specimens of design quality and everyone and their dog will probably own what you’re wearing; but it’s still loads better than that t-shirt you got at that conference you went to last year.
District: Robson Street [Googlemap]
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Eugene Choo [$$-$$$]
What they carry: Find brands from A.P.C. to Steven Alan in a neighborhood that allows you to escape downtown.
This store is great for: Finding simply designed pieces that are versatile and wearable throughout varying seasons and events.
What isn’t so awesome: While A.P.C. is delectable, it is expensive. Eugene Choo isn’t known for it’s door busting deals, but the clothing you’re getting is of a higher quality.
District: Mt. Pleasant [Main] [Googlemap]
Photo by Emmanuel Buenviaje
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Gravity Pope [$-$$$]
What they carry: Clothing and footwear.
This store is great for: Finding a lesser known labels (such as Common Projects, Wings + Horns and Swear) that creates the perfect brogue, boot or casual sneaker. Sales are fairly decent and they offer online shopping. Staff are also friendly and actually helpful and there is a large selection of men’s shoes.
What isn’t so awesome: Most of the better shoes are priced at $300-400 per pair; which is quite a chunk of change.
District: Kitsilano [Googlemap]
Photo by Jennie R.F.
7 Comments so far
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I look forward to the $-$$ follow-up post 
You pretty much should set up camp at Winners and hope for the best =)
Sadly, Vancouver lacks in affordable [and stylish] menswear choices.
thanks for this, Victoria! I am taking a friend out shopping on Saturday morning, and this list will most definitely come in handy.
01.12.09 @ 4:32 pmrad post. good shops. include some vintage tho too…
01.12.09 @ 8:42 pm[...] socks. I still needed clothes, so I asked local fashion blogger Victoria for some recommendations. She wrote a great post describing nine stores, most of which I’ve never visited. It’ll be very handy the next [...]
01.15.09 @ 10:01 amKnow it’s a bit old, but motherland clothing to an extent is in my opinion totally worth mentioning. Although if they’re headed to Eugene Choo they’ll find it regardless. Best not to pass it by though.
02.15.09 @ 2:29 pmThis post should have been called “Menswear for the effeminate skinny little urban hipster dudes”. There are tons of choices outside of Main & Gastown for guys who don’t wear girls jeans.
08.29.09 @ 7:27 pmLeave a comment
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