A menswear expert has named the five best shops in London for men's fashion, highlighting both iconic and lesser-known spots across the city. The selection includes Wax London, Uniqlo, YMC, Percival and Toast, each chosen for its distinctive style and quality.
Wax London: Colourful and Expressive
Wax London is described as a personal favourite, offering menswear with colour, character and more than just navy. The brand is called the worst-kept secret of London's most stylish men.
Stores are located on Berwick Street, in Canary Wharf, Covent Garden, Fenwick Kingston and Spitalfields. The vibe is colourful, expressive, sleek and elevated minimalism. The hero piece is the Whiting overshirt.
Uniqlo and YMC: From Basics to Utilitarian
Uniqlo, which began in Japan, offers elevated basics made to last. Its London stores are in Angel, Battersea, Covent Garden, Coal Drops Yard, Kingston, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Spitalfields, Stratford, Wandsworth, White City and Wimbledon. The hero piece is the perfect white T-shirt, specifically the AIRism T-shirt.
YMC (You Must Create) is inspired by traditional utilitarian uniforms and old-school workwear, merging the militaristic with the artistic. The brand has a post-punk spirit, encyclopaedic knowledge of subcultures and a DIY attitude. Stores are in Shoreditch and Soho, with the Deadbeat trousers named as the hero piece.
Percival and Toast: Modern Twists and Timeless Pieces
Percival, first encountered by the expert in 2022, went from full-blown liquidation to dressing Hollywood A-listers such as Tom Holland, The Rock and Idris Elba. The brand focuses on approachability, good humour and modernised twists on menswear classics. Stores are in Covent Garden, Spitalfields and Soho, and the hero piece is the 'Sherlock' short trench coat.
Toast, created in the late 1990s in Wales, is inspired by the landscape of its home and its slower pace of life. The brand has been creating simple, modern and functional pieces designed for longevity since 1997. Stores are in Bloomsbury, Chelsea, Hampstead, Islington, Marylebone, Mayfair, Notting Hill and Shoreditch. The hero piece is the Fine Stripe Crinkle Cotton Pleated Trousers.
