New Orleans Men’s Style for Fall

Shopping locally is the key to looking good this fall.

“Back to School” translates to “Time to Shop” in my vocabulary, and us women are fortunate to have a million local options when it comes to dressing ourselves. Magazine, Maple, and even Oak are full of flirty feminine boutiques, but what about the guys in our lives? Are they stuck among the masses at the mall? Owning the same Gap shirt in 6 different colors? Why can’t men look good while boosting the local economy too? Well, fortunately things are starting to change and a few menswear shops are popping up here and there. Here’s a good start to get you guys looking good:

FriendFriend

I am pretty sure that Friend was founded by a retired member of Vampire Weekend. It’s got that New England hipster/prepster vibe down pat. If you’re the kind of guy whose style screams “It’s 1983, and I hang out with lobsters at the yacht club,” then this shop is all you. Friend offers playful pieces for climbing trees or playing lawn games, but they also offer transitional clothing suitable for your first ‘business casual’ working environment, such as button downs, chinos, sweaters and some nice modern bags. Friend also has a ton of stuff on sale right now, so be sure to stop by or shop online to update your dresser. The sweater pictured here is a steal, and would look great paired with a pair of dark khaki pants, this shirt underneath, and some moccasin style loafers.

Friend also throws some pretty cool customer shindigs from time to time, all including Miller High Life, so be sure to keep up with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Jaque’sJaque's

Jacque’s prides itself on being versatile, and it really is a funky little one stop shop for manly wardrobe staples. They offer a few local brands, such as Sarah Ott and Krewe du Optic. Jaque’s is definitely for the man who has a unique sense of style and knows what he likes. There’s a lot of SoCal floral and surfer inspired threads, and I’m kind of loving the Duvin Sex Leopard shirt right now. It’s an amber-y orange which is right on point for fall, but the short sleeves make it Nola appropriate. This shirt would be perfect with black jeans for a night scoping out music on Frenchman. Also, if you’re planning a wintertime cruise escape Jaque’s has a good looking selection of swim trunks.

Jaque’s Freret Street location makes it a fun place to shop, both for parking and Dat Dog reasons.

Fraques

FraquesFraques is a Euro-tastic import that might as well be found on the streets of Munich or Amsterdam. It oozes ultra cool style and attitude. Fraques is for guys who think in terms of outfits rather than pieces. All of the shop’s offerings mix and match well, and the owners/stylists are happy to offer tips and advice to novices. In addition to tops and bottoms Fraques has an enviable selection of accessories including bowties and underwear, so it’s the perfect place for finishing an outfit as well as getting one started.

The Create You blog on Fraques’ site is a local man’s style bible. Check it out for tips on dressing and announcements of the shop’s upcoming style seminars.

Vegas

VegasThis shop on lower Magazine was built for the Weekend Warriors of the style world who take major pride in casual dressing. Vegas puts together solid looks with a throwback feel. Any guy could find something here, and the shop has some great ideas for brunching, bowling, and festival going, and for general hanging out. At Vegas, comfort is the driver of unique yet timeless american style.

There’s also a killer shoe selection, meaning it’s a ‘one and done’ kind of place.

Tux in a Box

tux in a boxEvery once in a while you want to look really good, like movie star good, but you don’t really have the bucks to call up Mr. Armani. Fortunately, there’s a way to dress up for less while supporting locals. Tux in a Box was recently launched by a group of entrepreneurs in Nola who are making sure that the entire nation can look as good as they do. Tux in a Box offers three simple tuxedo styles and all the pinnings that go along with. These tuxes look really, really good for the price, and eliminate the pains of renting. Plus, if you have your own tux you can do whatever you want to in it…the possibilities are endless!

Tux in a Box has a fun, tongue in cheek site that may even give you some pointers on how to be as slick as you look.

There are plenty of New Orleans men who care about having a unique sense of style. Luckily, New Orleans has some solid shops to get you well-dressed and out the door. So, guys, this fall spend a little more time on getting your closet in shape, and check out some local spots that will have you looking and feeling great.

About Lauren

Lauren is an uptown girl that enjoys long strolls in Audubon Park with her lab mix Pongo. Her philosophy on Nola life is that you don't ever really get used to the heat, you just get used to glistening.