The arrival of Tom Ford’s posh, dual-level Madison Avenue boutique anchors a condensed fourteen-block district for extremely expensive, neotraditional menswear like made-to-measure suits, handmade shoes, and mechanical wristwatches. As business-casual fades and runway fashion gets ever spookier, another generation of businessmen and stylish dressers is turning to tailored clothing, barbershop shaves, and hand-stitched monograms. Here, a map to the significant storefronts.
THE OLD-WORLD MENSWEAR NEXUS
1. Tom Ford
845 Madison Ave., 212-359-0300
For men content with off-the-rack clothing, the ground floor stocks three-piece suits (from $2,900), dressing gowns, twelve colognes, and dress shirts in 350 colors and three cuff styles. Upstairs (via an ebony staircase or velvet-lined elevator) are the made-to-measure services. In three private rooms, men can customize suits (from $5,000), ties, shirts, shoes, pajamas, tennis shorts, even knit socks. Call ahead to book a private shopping appointment.
2. Ralph Lauren
867 Madison Ave, 212-606-2100
The original mansion-as-retail-experience. Suits from the new made-to-measure service start at $3,800.
3. Jay Kos
986 Lexington Ave., 212-327-2382
A clubby clothing shop with an English-accented preppy point of view, and Edward Green shoes.
4. Penhaligon’s
870 Madison Ave., 212-249-1771
The crusty English men’s cologne and toiletries purveyor has been making subtle scents like Hammam Bouquet and Blenheim Bouquet for about 135 years.
5. Silvano Lattanzi
905 Madison Ave., 212-734-2962
Very expensive handmade Italian dress shoes. Its custom-footwear program (from $4,450) lets you choose various shapes, exotic skins, and elaborate sole stitching.
6. Breguet and Blancpain
779 Madison Ave., 212-288-4014; and 781 Madison Ave., 212-396-1735
What goes with a $5,000 made-to-measure suit? A $10,000 Swiss wristwatch from one of these side-by-side luxury-watch boutiques.