For the men, by the men, of the men

By Yun Suh-young, Kim Bo-eun

There are not many places for men to visit when it comes to shopping or grooming. Here are some perfect grooming places W recommends to male readers. Get ready for a “gentle manly” transformation!

LOUIS CLUB

For men looking for a place to shop for several things at once, visiting Louis Club in Sinsa-dong may be a one-stop option.

Global fashion brand Louis Quatorze opened its first men’s lifestyle shop in the fashion district in June, offering a variety of styling options for men to pick and choose from.

The thee-story shop, targeting men in their 20s to 30s, offers Louis Quatorze products as well as European designer brands ranging from clothing to accessories.

On the underground level, bags, shoes and accessories are displayed while the first floor offers various collaboration products.

Grooming products for men such as skincare, hair products and colognes are available on the second floor.

After shopping, customers can sip a cup of coffee or beer at the first floor bar.

Address : Apgujeongro 8-gil 20, Gangnamgu, Seoul

Phone number : (02) 512-7522~3

Opening hours : 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.

BLACKBROWN

Blackbrown, a single-story men’s fashion store also in Sinsa-song, offers an array of shirts, pants, ties and shoes in its classic interior.

As the store is located across the street from Louis Club – less than a minute away – customers can hit two birds with one stone.

If Louis Club has more casual and modern attire, Blackbrown offers a more classic and formal style. Blackbrown targets men in their early 30s up to those in their 50s.

Seventy percent of products at Blackbrown are made by the local brand while 30 percent are foreign brands.

The store also offers bespoke services where customers can be measured for tailored clothes with designs and in fabrics they choose.

It takes a week or two to get the finished product.

Address : 1F, Namyoung Bldg, Apgujeongro 10-gil 14, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Phone number : (070) 7720-6768

Opening hours : 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

(Mon-Sat) / 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Sun)

SUARTE

Sinsa-dong is truly a place for “sinsa” (Korean for gentleman) as various fashion stores for men are clustered in the district. SUARTE, a shop for tailor-made shoes, is the newest addition. The shoe franchise which also has stores in Hapjeong, Yeoksam and Cheongdam opened its Sinsa branch in August. The shop may be a little difficult to find, however, as it is a little off the main street of Garosu-gil.

The store is compact with rows of shoes displayed on shelved walls. Visitors can choose a design, get their sizes measured and order them at the store. It will take two weeks to receive the custom product. Celebrities such as Park Jin-young, CEO of JYP Entertainment, and actor Kim Ju-hyeok are noted customers.

Address : Gangnamdaero 160-gil 19, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Phone number : (02) 511-3999

Opening hours : 12 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Mon- Sat). Closed on Sundays

WELL DRESSED

Tailored suits are not just for people without the average figure. If you are tired of the sameold off-the-rack suits and are seeking a unique fit and some “personification,” you might want to try visiting a tailor shop.

Unlike the majority of tailor shops in Itaewon run by older shop owners, Well Dressed in Seochodong has an impeccably dressed American co-owner who will help you choose from the variety of imported fabrics and styles to get the suit of your choice.

Address : 1F, 1554-1, Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Phone number : (02) 523-8373

Opening hours : 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

HERR

Mr. or Sir in German, barbershop “Herr” in the upscale Hannam-dong neighborhood will make the customer feel like a true gentleman.

At the tastefully furnished two-story shop, customers will get a glass of single malt whisky, a shoeshine and a haircut for 70,000 won.

Everything about the shop shouts luxury. Herr runs on a reservation-only basis and takes only one reservation per hour. The salon displays imported hair products as well as foreign brand accessories such as ties and cufflinks on the second floor which are available for purchase.

Address : 32-51, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Phone number : (02) 511-9464

EXHEAD

EXHEAD, a men’s hair salon located in Hongdae, captures the youthful spirit of the student enclave. A thumping beat blares from the speakers as you step into the dark, black-and-red-themed salon.

There is a mini-bar, a pool table and tables sprawled with men’s magazines in between black leather couches.

The majority of hairstylists are tattooed, heavily made-up young ladies clad in the hippest clothes you can imagine. Naturally, EXHEAD’s customers are mostly men in their 20s and 30s. EXHEAD also hosts parties for customers on holidays such as Halloween and Christmas.

Address : 2F, 364-3, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Phone number : (02) 312-7273

Opening hours : 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Closed on Tuesdays