The 11 Most Unique Retail Stores Around the World

You could shop online. It is convenient. And with all too many large stores’ shopping practices stuck in the 80s, with plain walls, racks and racks of women’s clothing, and a small corner dedicated to menswear somewhere in the back behind the footwear, we don’t blame you.

Still, even in today’s digitally dominant shopping environment, there are menswear stores that remain worth the visit, and we’ve rounded up a few of our favourites. Whether you plan on splurging on a new suit or just want to admire the architectural design, these shops won’t disappoint.

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Cuffs

Location: Hong Kong, China



Why Visit: This isn’t your traditional tailor shop. It sits a few floors above the busy streets of Hong Kong in a building you’d never think to look for a tailor in. Inside is a clean space painted white with dance music filling the air. Customers can order their shirts at ‘shirt bar’ and there’s a lot on the menu. You can choose the fabric, collar, cuff style, linings, details and buttons. If you aren’t sure what combo to get, there are fashion advisors all over the store to help you find the perfect shirt or suit.

APC

Location: Seoul, South Korea



Why Visit: Designed by architect, Laurent Deroo, the store compliments APC’s style with clean lines and brutalist concrete flooring. What brings it all together is most notably the wooden paneling that wraps the central staircase and walls on the upper floor where it connects into shelves and storage. This is the French label’s third standalone store in South Korea.

End Hunting Co.

Location: Newcastle, United Kingdom



Why Visit: End is Newcastle’s go-to store to find the best in streetwear, high-end sportswear, casual and outdoor wear. The relaxed shopping atmosphere, no attitude, no stress and split two floors shop is where you can find the best in contemporary menswear. End features brands from all over the globe, including APC, Thom Browne, Lanvin, Saint Laurent, and much more. Not to mention, it looks like the tailor shop from Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Alfred Dunhill

Location: Shanghai, China



Why Visit: Just a few streets down from the busy shopping centre of Shanghai, you’ll find an oasis filled with menswear from England. Taking up half of the Twin Villas, the first two floors of Dunhill have various rooms that represent different categories. From leather bags, suits, shoes, travel equipment to tailoring upstairs with a bar and sportswear rooms, this is the place to go to get away from the hustle of the city and so some quality shopping while you’re at it.

Gotstyle

Location: Toronto, Canada



Why Visit: Gotstyle has been helping the men of Toronto find their look for more than seven years and has become a leading figure in the Canadian menswear scene along the way. Located in the rustic Distillery District, the retail location offers collections that put together business, casual, formal and social looks. And when you’re done picking out a finely tailored suit, grab a drink around the distillery.

Imogene + Willie

Location: Nashville, Tennessee



Why Visit: If you’re visiting Nashville, pencil this into your schedule, because you can always use another pair of jeans, and this reclaimed 12South gas station is now the perfect place to find some. They’re sturdy and rough, and although plain, they give that raw country feel—not unlike the shop itself, which is as eclectic and cool as Music City itself. You’ll find clothes, home goods, and random miscellaneous things from vintage magazines to vintage motorcycle helmets.

Jimmy Au’s

Location: Beverly Hills, USA



Why Visit: This store made our list not because of the way it looks, but for the service they provide. Jimmy Au’s is the first and still the only designer clothing store exclusively for short men. They treat their clients with dignity and understanding. Tailoring suits and clothes for short men is their specialty, offering wardrobe consultations and an extensive clothing collection. No tall guys allowed.

Number 3

Location: Athens, Greece



Why Visit: Number 3 takes the concept of the COMME DES GARCONS Guerrilla Stores and gives it new life. The latest collaboration of Dimitris Papadopoulos and Yiannis Kondilis retains the Guerrilla hallmarks with a discreet location and rare merchandise, but the catch is the features of other brands including RAF SIMONS and GOSHA RUBCHINSKIY. It’s a place where new ideas have the time to develop.

Opening Ceremony

Location: Tokyo, Japan



Why Visit: Opening Ceremony is a four-storey, 13,000-square-foot architectural masterpiece that’s designed to enclose the full spectrum of the OC universe. Each floor has its own theme featuring Ben Day-inspired graphics and painted animal-shaped display cases. It’s like going through an art exhibit while shopping for the latest designs in streetwear. OC offers their own clothing collections alongside collaborations with Chloe Sevigny, Yoko Ono, adidas Originals, DKNY and G.V.G.V.

Ralph Lauren

Location: London, United Kingdom



Why Visit: Although this Ralph Lauren flagship isn’t as large as its Tokyo, New York, or Moscow stores, the London store has much to offer. The architecture was inspired by the luxurious ocean liners of the 1920s, and possesses lavish decor featuring a white marble fireplace, a drop beaded crystal chandelier, mahogany walls and a ship-style view of the floor. Marvel at the smooth design while shopping for the perfect polo.

SpaceNinety8

Wingtip

Location: San Francisco, USA



Why Visit: Wingtip is a one-stop shop for any gentleman. Taking up 22,000 square feet in San Francisco, the store features, quite literally, everything. Custom clothing department, professional and casual clothing, cufflinks, pens, leather goods, barware, cigar accessories, a barbershop and a shoe shine. And that’s only the store. There’s also a private club with a bar and lounge, private parlour rooms, a boardroom, golf simulator and a wine cave. This place is definitely worth more than one visit.

Style

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With our feeds full of throwbacks from 2016, we dug through the SHARP archives to find one of our favourite cover shoots: #HenryCavill gracing our April 2016 issue.

Head to the link in our bio to revisit a piece of SHARP history.

Words: Greg Hudson
Photography: Simon Emmett
Styling: Nathalie Riddle at Wib Limited
Grooming: Ciona Johnson-King at aartlondon using Lab series.
Stylist Assistant: Rosie Arkell-Palmer
Designer & Developer: Colin Rabyniuk
Shot on Location at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London
On Thursday, in Florence, @soshiotsuki, recent LVMH Prize winner presented their A/W 2026 Collection titled “In Florence” at @pittiuomo_official. Designer Otsuki who was a guest designer for Pitti Uomo hails inspiration from Giorgio Armani-style tailoring worn by Japanese salary men in the ‘90s and ‘00s, with soft, yet well-defined silhouettes, that exuded an innate, comfortable luxuriousness. At the link in bio, we break down what is making @soshiotsuki one of the most sought after up-and-coming brands.

Words and video: @shooting.people
Cover photo courtesy of @soshiotsuki