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Summer is time for laid-back fun and menswear has taken the hint just in time. Many lines are catching up with the bright colors and patterns of women’s wear past. Our favorite stores carry crisp flat-front pants and fitted blazers for sleek shape—another retro stroke. Go on, pair cranberry pants and pale stripes. Knot a skinny vintage tie. Try on those paisley pants, if the notion strikes you. It’s summer. It’s okay!
J.S. Edwards Ltd.
This season, count on J.S. Edwards for imaginative selections that spin tradition—we love their bright Burberry ties and shirts, slimming flat-front khakis, striped lightweight blazers, and topsiders with an almost space-age vibe. Find Etro, Ibiza, Pucci and more. The shirt selection is extensive. Say vacation with a retro-inspired bowling shirt by Nat Nash ($175). Ted Baker button-downs with French cuffs ($125) dress up fresh. A sport coat by Canali with pink, blue and black stripes works for the office and the salsa lesson. BEST FOR: Date night duds. Festival at Woodholme, 1809 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, 410.653.2266.
George Howard Men’s Furnishings
George Howard’s mannequin wears pink and lime polo shirts layered beneath a slim gray blazer—grade A for awesome inventiveness. The store features a nice mix of casual and dressy. Find Paul and Shark, Luciano Barbera, Zanella, Borelli, Ferragamo shoes, more. Zegna button-down shirts come in pink, melon, lime, and pistachio. A fiery orange sweater by L. Barbera ($260) is not for the faint of heart. But paired with soft shades it’s slick. The selection of ties is also standout ($145 each). Tailoring available in house. BEST FOR: High-end Italian menswear. The Village of Cross Keys, 5100 Falls Road, Roland Park, 410. 532.3535.
Kuhlman
Kuhlman imports impressive designs. Snag lightweight cashmere sweaters for strolls on the beach ($58). Light linen shorts, orange chinos and khakis with funky stitching ($75) walk the walk. Shelves of dress shirts read like a Technicolor test strip—purples plural, sea blues, rusty orange, honeycomb yellow ($55). Handmade leather bags might be an impulse buy—but they’re lovely. An Italian shoe that’s half sneaker, half lace-up Oxford pushes the envelope ($195). Perfect for summer. BEST FOR: Out of the ordinary print shirts. Gallery at Harborplace, 200 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, 410.234.1014.
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
Jos. A. Bank has been a hometown favorite since it opened in Baltimore in 1905. We trust it for affordable quality. And though it lacks popular labels, there is still plenty of good looking, up-to-date menswear to be found. Grab striped polos ($79), light silk sweaters ($79.50), a madras plaid jacket ($250), and linen pants ($79.50) in yellow, gold, and cream. Choose from a crayon-box variety of linen shirts (two for $119.99). Suits are old-fashioned with pleats and plenty of room, but the Joseph line features narrower lapels. Stay-cool suits for summer are sewn with fabric designed by NASA. Best bargains: seersucker shorts ($49.50) and gingham shirts (two for $99)—should be used separately. BEST FOR: Everyday staples. 100 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, 410.547.1700. See Black Book for more locations.
Box of Rain
T-shirt junkies stop here to reinvent. The shop’s screen-printed tees add style to simple. Basic tees go for $35—art-infused tees climb to $175. Seersucker pants in cream and tan by Modern Amusement ($88) hang cute without too much flash. The store also stocks the area’s best selection of men’s jeans by Seven, Ben Sherman and Hugo Boss. Fashion forward metros will delight in lines like Theory, James Perse and Velvet—all for men. BEST FOR: Concert clothes. Hunt Valley Towne Centre, 118 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, 410.329.1505.
Cohen’s Clothiers
Cohen’s packs both quantity and quality. Belts, shoes, shirts, pants, suits—casual or dressy—are all under one roof in the most popular American lines. You’ll find the complete Tommy Bahama line—T.B. shirts range from solid pastels to playful stripes to clean linen oxfords. Find 2,000 pairs of shorts in the store at all times in linen, seersucker, more. Swimwear is whimsical and durable ($75). Shirts range in price from $62-110, shorts from $60-85. The large store carries Polo, Burberry, Lacoste, and Vineyard Vines… BEST FOR: Casual Friday wardrobe. Yorktowne Plaza Shopping Center, 64-66 Cranbrook Road, Timonium, 410. 666.8020.
Samuel Parker Clothier
If you’re doing the necktie giveaway for Father’s Day, you can’t go wrong with a Drake’s of London handmade tie ($150). This season the classic store favors oxfords in pinks and oranges, stripes and French cuffs. Pants philosophy: a pleated point of view. However, several flat-front options by Bills Khaki ($105-155) are available. Bills shorts come in yellow, pink, mint, green, and blue. They are made of 100% pleated beach cloth. BEST FOR: Classic American style. Mt. Washington Mill, The Wheel House, 1340 Smith Avenue, Mt. Washington, 410.464.6180.
South Moon Under
Popular South Moon Under is best known for young women’s clothes, but don’t overlook its duds for dudes. Ralph Lauren Polo shirts and jeans, Quicksilver shorts and swim trunks, Reef flip flops and more are perfect for stylish types who wear preppy, but not to excess. BEST FOR: Upper school and college dreamboats. Shops at Kenilworth, 822 Kenilworth Dr., Towson, 410.337-7484 and Harbor East, 815 Aliceanna St., Fells Point, 410.685.7820.
J. McLaughlin
Silk ties are a steal for $55—the fun prints, like lemon seahorse and lime crabby, say sunshine. Embroidered canvas shorts ($75) and festive swim trunks printed with lobsters, palm trees, sailboats, or cocktails ($75) hit mid-thigh and come in quick-dry nylon. Pink and white check and blue and white check shirts clean up any beach bum ($105). Seersucker pants are among the best made we’ve found ($145). BEST FOR: The “I-just- got-back-from-the-Hamptons” look. 7623 Bellona Avenue, Ruxton, 410.825.5485.
Fells Point Surf Company
If casual and comfy is your vibe, then check out the Fells Point Surf Co. The shop stocks board shorts, jeans, flip flops, shoes, T-shirts, casual button-downs and more by surf and skate lines like Element, Volcom and Globe. The accessories selection is especially inviting with sunglasses, watches, wallets and more in a range of prices that won’t harsh your mellow…BEST FOR: Surfer and skater dudes. 1635 Thames St., 21231, 410.276.7873.
Yoicks!
The boutique store specializes in riding and outdoor clothing from Barbour and other leading labels. Stop in to browse hunt and riding-themed paintings—just the Father’s Day gift for some dads. In a nod to splashy seasonal trends, the lightweight jackets come in navy, black and “apple.” Shirts, bags and pique sweaters, for him, are long lasting style. BEST FOR: The English Country look. 15007 Falls Road, Butler, 410.472.1000.