Best men's clothing stores for low, medium, and high budgets
You don't need to break the bank to revamp your wardrobe. Especially in today’s work-from-home-office-anywhere world, an office wardrobe is not as stuffy as it used to be. You can find business casual items whether you're on a tight budget, have a little more to spend, or can splurge on high-end pieces. For wardrobe updates, my clients usually want to come out with about five new outfits. So, with that in mind, here’s where I shop for men’s clothes on low, medium, and high budgets.
Low Budget
~$600 CAD
Brands: The Gap, H&M, Uniqlo
Ok, so I know Ryan Gosling tells us to “be better than The Gap” in (one of my fave’s) Crazy Stupid Love, but since we’re not all rolling in trust-fund money, let’s accept The Gap for what it is: good, cheaper basics. As the middle child of Old Navy and Banana Republic, The Gap offers fewer trendy styles, lots of neutral tones, and a good pant selection.
H&M is your fast-fashion, inexpensive go-to. If you want to keep up with trends but know that trends (and your H&M t-shirt) will fade, H&M has great options.
I love a Uniqlo t-shirt. No droopy collars here. The wide selection at the store can be intimidating, but once you figure out which shirt style fits you best, buy a whole bunch in different colours.
Medium Budget
~$1,200 CAD
Brands: ZARA, Club Monaco, Banana Republic
ZARA is my favourite for trendy items that don’t get ruined in the wash as quickly as some other fast-fashion brands. It’s best for casual pieces you’d wear on casual Friday or summer drinks on a patio. I also love that Zara takes risks, as in, the stuff you see celebs and athletes wearing, you’ll likely find at Zara, even if it’s bolder.
Club Monaco doesn’t offer a huge selection, but the pieces they do have are good quality and usually a step elevated from what’s trending. For example, a t-shirt at Club Monaco will have an embellished collar and sleeves. The in-store shopping experience is great, too, but their size inclusivity needs a lot of work.
Shop at Banana Republic if you want Club Monaco pieces at a slightly lower price. I prefer styles at Club Monaco, but Banana Republic offers more variety; a great place to shop for business casual outfits. Their cashmere sweaters are so, so, so good.
High Budget
~$3,000 CAD
Brands: Harry Rosen, Ted Baker, Reiss
If you’ve never been, Harry Rosen is like a very high-end department store for men. The shopping experience is very stuffy, but their brands are top-notch. If you have the budget, you can probably get your entire wardrobe completed here.
Ted Baker gives me rich golf dad, in a good way. They have crisp suits and nice bags. I’d shop here for a high-end client looking for formal wear.
Reiss is my new favourite spot for men’s clothes. It’s definitely on the higher-priced end but honestly worth the money. I bought a corduroy shacket from Reiss for a client and it was his favourite piece from our shop together. They often have good sales, too, so definitely worth a browse.
Rebuilding your wardrobe is possible at any budget, whether you're looking to save, willing to spend moderately, or ready to splurge. Remember that the key to a successful wardrobe is versatility, fit, and attention to detail. Have fun!
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