Retail Envy in Boston
I’m in Boston a bit unexpectedly today. Although I lived in Massachusetts as a young boy, I haven’t actually been to Boston to walk around and shop in far too many years. I spent last evening and most of the day today walking around the city exploring neighborhood shops, cafes and pubs. And it has been quite a lot of fun despite how bitter cold and wet it is here.
A quick shout-out to the staff at the Jack Spade store on Newbury Street yesterday. They were warm, welcoming, friendly (and cute!). I’m a bit jealous that Boston has a dedicated Jack Spade space before San Francisco. The shop is located in the bottom of an old brownstone and is everything you’d expect from Jack Spade: a beautifully merchandised space full of wit, whimsy and charm. Oh, and all of the gorgeous Jack Spade product you could ever want. I restrained myself from adding yet another bag to my large collection, but they are having an awesome sale right now and have the bright orange mill leather Davis duffel on sale (plus 25% off!). I may have to pop back in… (And to the Jack Spade ppl, drop me a note when you settle on a space in San Francisco!)
And Levi’s continues to impress me with their Newbury Street shop just a few doors down from Jack Spade. I really admire what Levi’s has been doing with their smaller format urban stores featuring the Made Here collection. Levi’s Made Here curate’s their spaces with local, vintage and iconic pieces and is a bit of retail brilliance where so many mass retailers have been stuck in cookie-cutter retail formats. This long and narrow location had an incredible Junkyard Denim vintage jacket with a very cool, very large anchor patch on the back. Definitely worth a pop in on your next trip to Boston.
Lastly, I ventured through the Beacon Hill neighborhood this afternoon. Beacon Hill reminds me a lot of small London neighborhoods and is full of adorable boutique shops, including Black Ink which has an impressive selection of letter-press cards, stationary, and fun gifting items. The girl behind the counter was super sweet and helpful today when I dropped in. And you should also pop into Twig, a gorgeous high-end floral shop with unique gifts, incredible candles, artisan chocolates, and an incredible assortment of vases. I love a good flower shop, and Twig didn’t disappoint.
More MD Coverage on Jack Spade and Levi’s.
Loading ...Daily Lust: Alexander McQueen Skull Bracelet
I definitely think that the world needs more McQueen. At least I do. Loving this Alexander McQueen gold skull bracelet. This piece is incredibly cool and chic featuring the iconic McQueen skull; which is sure to draw some attention. I think this is a total must have. But then again, I do have a thing for skull bracelets…
Daily Inspiration and Lust: Unionmade Winter Marine
Well, I’m a big sucker for anything nautical. And no one has been curating the nautical trend as well as Unionmade has since its opening a few years back. Unionmade’s post holiday assortment includes some “Winter Marine” gems from St. James (of course), Gloverall, Corgi, The Hill-Side and Levis Vintage Clothing among others. I’m particularly loving the SNS Herning Ratio sweater and the Golden Bear Bodega pea coat. And of course, I’m still a bit obsessed with the Boston Birkenstocks in navy suede.
Check out the full Unionmade assortment.
[Photos via Unionmade]
Daily Lust: Grenson The “Archie V” Wingtip Brogues
I’m sensing a trend emerging in my shoe desires for Spring. Loving these Grenson brogues with the bold white wedge sole and fab broguing. Imagining these paired with a great pair of J.Crew Bowery chinos, a crisp white shirt, a gingham bow tie, and Persols… Available at Park & Bond (of course!); $375.
Daily Lust: A.P.C. x Incase MacBook Pro Protective Sleeve
Legendary French label A.P.C. is perhaps known best for its denim and collection of fashion basics. Their collections are always incredibly hip and chic, so it is no surprise that when the company partnered with Incase on a series of products for the Apple MacBook and iPad 2 that the results was gorgeous.
Incase and A.P.C. have partnered to create a capsule collection that combines the nuanced look and feel of the finest selvage denim from Japan with superb device-driven design. These accessories have been designed especially for Apple users who appreciate refined fashion and relish the latest technology. The clean, minimalist design of the A.P.C. Book Jacket and A.P.C. Sleeve evoke the essence of simplicity, while premium denim and leather trim offer an exceptional look and feel.
Available at Incase for $124.95 or at A.P.C. for $125.
Daily Lust: J.Crew Shearling-lined MacAlister Boots
I’m thinking that the shearling-lined MacAlister boots from J.Crew may be the best winter shoe of all. A classic suede boot with the coziness of shearling inside for warmth and comfort. Great for play or the office. They’ll look awesome with a slim, well-tailored suit, your favorite selvedge denim, or well-worn classic chinos with a rolled cuff. I love them in the Anchor Grey (above) but they also come in classic stone (below).
In Search of A Better Mass Retail Experience
I’ve loved the experience of being in a great shop for as long as I can remember. It’s really a passion for me. There is nothing I enjoy more on the weekends than hitting a mall or two and checking out fun neighborhoods full of great boutique shops. Even as a very young child I recognized the emotional difference that a great retail experience can evoke versus a just ho-hum everyday shop, and the impact that such an experience can make to a brands identity, and more importantly their bottom line and longevity. There is a soul and a spirit to a fantastic retail experience.
I spent a lot of time over the holidays, as most people did, out in stores. And while most people who shop are looking for a certain product or gift, I tend to spend most of my time looking at the store environment; noticing how I feel in the store, and analyzing what I liked and loved, what inspired me, or conversely why I was disappointed or sent running from the shop. Some of it boils down to personal taste, but usually its about how much attention is paid to the actual store environment, and more importantly, how is it differentiated from every other store around it.
And then on our drive home from Los Angeles after the holiday I heard that Sears Holdings Corp. was shuttering upwards of 120 stores. While this was not shocking news as the writing has been all over the proverbial wall for Sears for quite some time, it got me thinking more on the current dearth of great mass retail experiences.
Let’s face it, we can buy that sweater, coat and dress just about anywhere. But what compels us to shop in any specific store over another? Price is obvious, and sure trend plays a large role, but I believe that the image of the brand and how it manifests itself physically is more critical than most retailers recognize and what is most often overlooked and invested in last.
Daily Lust: Apolis Indigo Wool Chore Jacket
David and I are in L.A. for the weekend, and we took the opportunity to hit a few shops yesterday that we hadn’t yet been to here. I’ve been a pretty big fan of Apolis for a few years, so when I heard that they had opened the Common Gallery downtown I told David that we had to pop in. Set discretely in an industrial neighborhood among some gorgeous architecture and new loft spaces, you’d almost miss the Apolis space unless you were specifically looking for it. Which in Apolis’s case I actually appreciate.
There isn’t much in the collection that I don’t absolutely love. The boys (and girls) at Apolis simply do great work and put out fantastic product. But this jacket in particular definitely caught my eye. 100% indigo dyed and made here in California, it is smart and luxurious, and workwear inspired product at its best.
[Photos via Apolis]
Daily Lust: Mark McNairy F.O. Black Sterling Silver Pinky Ring
Continuing the love for Mr. McNairy this week, today I’m all about this “Fuck Off” pinky ring. What can I say, the ring speaks for itself… Available at Mark McNairy; $230.
Daily Lust: Mark McNairy Suede Country Brogue
We are huge fans of Mr. McNairy here at MD. They are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. These suede brogues with an incredible and distinctive white sole are going to be fabulous for Spring! Available at Park & Bond; $375.
See all Mark McNairy on Modern Destiny.
