The Twin Cities area is seeing an uptick in specialty boutiques for men, both newcomers arriving on the scene and established retailers trying something new. We rounded up some of the most exciting options to help you find a perfect gift for that stylish someone in your life.
Billy Reid
3923 Market St., Edina, billyreid.com
Alabama-based designer Billy Reid has a branch store at Edina's Nolan Mains, offering designer men's fashion drawing from Southern influences. Reid recently collaborated with instrument manufacturer Gibson on a line inspired by the Hummingbird acoustic guitar. "I'm a big Gibson Hummingbird fan and the picture of the iconic pickguard has been on our inspiration board for many years," Reid says. "Collaborations like this are some are of the coolest things we get to do."
The men's Gibson collection (there's also a collection for women) includes a number of tops and outerwear, from T-shirts to button-ups, using the dark, warm hues of the Hummingbird guitar and a twinned "Kissing Hummingbirds" motif throughout. The collection is perfect for music aficionados or men looking to add a bit of Southern style to their wardrobe.
Price range: Most items $70-$300
Hammer Made
Galleria in Edina, Ridgedale Mall in Minnetonka and the Mall of America; hammermade.com
With a focus primarily on men's shirts, Hammer Made prides itself on sourcing its materials directly from European fabric mills to make their quality affordable for more people. The shirts look more tailored than most off-the-rack menswear, and lean toward evergreen staples rather than trends. Of special note are the limited edition shirts — unique patterns that come with a number on the lapel to signify membership of an exclusive and fashionable "club."
