The Store: My Top Five for 2009

When it comes to shopping, I'd like to think that I'm a committed man. When I find a store I love which has the fit, quality, and designs I like, I'm going to back to that store again and again. Yeah, I'll still try some new brands, but my favorites will always have my attention above all. That said, I'd like to share my favorite stores of 2009. I may not have shopped extensively in some, but on those countless window shopping sessions, they were certainly at the top of my list.

Theodore's: The now-closed-but-soon-to-open-in-an-undisclosed-location store had sweet brands like Opening Ceremony, Swear, and Common Projects. Need I say more? It was a mecca to those who longed for great international offerings and a haven for those who couldn't normally afford them during their massive giveaway sales. Can't wait for the re-opening!


5cm: Uniformity be damned. This store, if anything, presents pieces that are fresh and unlike anything we've seen before in the local men's retail industry. Cropped jackets, fusion kicks, great tees: now this is how you do innovative without looking tacky. With another store recently opening in Mall of Asia, I only see great things to come for this Hong Kong bred label.


Trilogy: You gotta know we were getting something awesome when the Herreras and Steve Aoki tied up. And that we did, with the opening of a dope concept store that offered favorites like Generic Surplus, Adidas Originals by Originals, and inCase laptop regalia. More than a retail space which had clothes, books, and music, though, it was also a fine restaurant where you could stay on end, enjoying that heavenly chocnut ice cream as well as other culinary concoctions.


Gap: Whould've thunk it? There was a point in my life where I said I will never buy Gap, but look at me now, visiting their store in irritating regularity. Undoubtedly, Creative Director Patrick Robinson had a lot to do with it. He's turned Gap into something baduy and made it the go-to for everything basic from khakis to oxfords to plain shirts. Truly a 180 that has me pleasantly amazed to this very day.


Fred Perry Laurel Shop: Well, well, well. What a surprise. If you've been reading my blog regularly, you'll notice that I mention the Laurel brand quite a lot. Why is that? Well, apart from their classic pieces like the unbeatable twin-tipped shirt and their plimsolls and Coxsons that come in so many variations, Fred Perry is a brand that I feel has struck the balance of tradition and innovation (with all their designer collaborations). Every visit, I find something new that I like, and I go there so much that the staff probably knows me already. As if you already didn't know, my favorite store of 2009, hands down.