Everything You Need to Know About Red Wing Heritage Shoes and Boots

Welcome to Brand Breakdown, a series of comprehensive yet easy-to-digest guides to your favorite companies, with insights and information you won’t find on the average About page.

Red Wing Shoe Company is named after the small Minnesota town where it manufactures a range of rugged boots and shoes. Founded in 1905 by Charles Beckman — and still privately held and family-operated today — the brand grew quickly, supplying doughboys with boots designed for the muddy trenches of WWI. After the war, Red Wing became a household name across the country thanks to its safe and hearty boots made for factory workers, farmers and outdoorsmen.

Sturdy, classic and well-loved by generations, the boots and shoes are still handmade in Red Wing’s Minnesota plant. While mainline Red Wing continues to supply construction workers and outdoorsmen, Red Wing Heritage, introduced in 2008, revives styles from the brand’s archive. Based on classic models, the styles prioritize work-ready function. “The foundation is built upon making quality footwear for people to wear on the job,” says Steve Spencer, Managing Director of Red Wing Heritage.

The brand’s boots are the gold standard for men’s footwear and are stocked at men’s clothing shops the world over. Made to the same exacting standards as their work boots, Red Wing Heritage styles have a wide appeal and are just as appropriate on the ranch or factory floor as they are in the office or at home. This guide will help you navigate classic styles from the Red Wing Heritage catalog, but before you dive in, take a minute to familiarize yourself with important boot terminology.

Terms to Know

Every shoe is made up of a variety of parts that all affect the comfort, style and durability. These terms aren’t specific to Red Wing Heritage but are important to understand before exploring specific boots.

Outsole: This is the part of the boot that touches the ground. The outsole can be made from all matter of materials. Your dress shoes probably have leather outsoles while most Red Wings will have a rubber outsole or a combination of rubber and leather.

Midsole: This section of the boot separates your feet from the outsole. The harder the midsole, the longer the break-in time, but the longer the lifespan.

Welt: The welt is one of the keys to a long shoe life. This is the piece of leather around the edge of the sole which the rest of the boot is attached to. Most Red Wings are made with Goodyear-welt construction. This patented process makes the boots weather resistant and allows them to be resoled again and again.

Last: This is the silhouette of a shoe or boot. In the manufacturing process, the shoe upper is pulled over the last to give it its shape. Red Wing uses at least eight different lasts dating back to the 1930s.

Cap Toe: A self-explanatory style in which an additional layer of leather forms a reinforcement “cap” over the toe (read: added durability).

Moc Toe: One of Red Wing’s most recognizable toe shapes. Named for the moccasin style and shape, this style is created when the leather seams meet on the top of the toe.

Vibram: One of the oldest and most storied rubber outsole brands, Vibram is renowned for its quality.

Lug Sole: A classic rubber sole construction common in Red Wings and most other heavy-duty work boots featuring thick rubber treads. Invented by Vibram, the lug sole provides great traction and weather protection.

Traction Tred: This non-marking outsole is most closely associated with Red Wing boots. The large white rubber wedge won’t mark factory floors and provides generous cushioning.

Irish Setter: Irish Setter is a traditional Red Wing brand geared towards hunters. While the modern styles feature insulation and cushioning, the vintage Irish Setter line is more akin to Red Wing Heritage styles. You can find many older pairs on eBay and Etsy — they’re easily identified by the Irish Setter logo on the inside of the tongue. Red Wing Heritage also reproduces a few of the best vintage styles, but to get your hands on those you will have to look in Japan.

Construction

Making one pair of Red Wings takes about 250 steps from start to finish. While we are not going to list them in detail, here is a short breakdown of how these legendary boots are made.

It all starts with the leather. All Red Wing Heritage boots are made from leather tanned at S.B. Foot Tanning Company. Owned by Red Wing since the 1980s, the tannery has been providing leather for Red Wing since they opened their doors in 1905. All the hides are tanned by hand with the company’s wooden tanning casks in a factory just down the road from Red Wing’s facilities.

Once tanned, stretched, rolled and finished the leather is cut into patterns. Because no two pieces of leather are the same, it takes a well-trained craftsman to best utilize an entire hide. Once the leather has been cut, the shoes and boots are sewn together using Puritan stitch machines which provide unique triple-stitch lines. No longer made, these vintage machines are maintained by a cadre of in-house repairmen to keep them humming (some of them have been in use in the Red Wing factory for over 50 years).

After being sewn, the shoe is lasted and the upper is attached to the midsole and outsole with the Goodyear welting process. “The Red Wing brand is built on quality, craftsmanship and premium materials,” explains Spencer. “There is no marketing story that can create that.”

Styles

Red Wing Heritage is constantly expanding, pulling from its archives as well as designing new styles that fit the brand’s mission. “We always reach back into our archives, whether is it something directly we would pull and bring forward to today or simply inspiration,” says Spencer. Here is a breakdown of designs that everyone should know.

Style Number 877: 8-Inch Classic Moc

Introduced in 1953, this is the iconic Red Wing style. Designed with a white wedge sole and moc toe, the tall eight-inch boot was designed for hunters and sportsmen, but also found a devoted following on the work site.

Style Number 8085: Iron Ranger

Hardwearing and reinforced with a cap-toe, the Iron Ranger can be dressed up or worn as a work boot. Designed for iron miners, it is made from oil resistant leather and features speed hooks for ease of lacing.

Style Number 875: Classic Moc

The Classic Moc is virtually identical to the 8-Inch Moc, but is two inches shorter. As such, it is a bit more practical for the city dweller. The style comes in eight different types of leathers.

Style Number 3137: Work Chukka

Designed as an indoor workboot, the Work Chukka features a white rubber wedge sole and rugged leather upper. It is an ideal option for an office workers or factory workers.

Style Number 9011: Blacksmith

The Blacksmith takes after boots that were worn by the metal-working tradespeople to protect their feet from scalding sparks and molten iron. It stands six inches tall with a mini-lug sole, cork filling and three-quarter Goodyear Welt.

Style Number 101: Postman Oxford

Designed for use by policemen and mail carriers, the Postman Oxford was introduced in 1954. A uniform shoe only available in Black Chaparral leather with a cushioned wedge crepe sole, these are incredibly sturdy and comfortable.

Style Number 3321: Weekender Chukka

Red Wing spends a lot of time outfitting feet for work, but it also designs styles for off-the-clock wear. The Weekender collection is lightweight, featuring stitchdown construcion and rubber wedge soles.

Style Number 2927: Sawmill

Drawing upon boots from the 1970s, the Sawmill is made with winter climes in mind with a water-resistant storm welt, a felt wool insole and slosh-ready Vibram lug soles.

Style Number 3330: Wacouta Camp Moc

The Wacouta Camp Moc resembles summer footwear staples like the preppy boat shoe, with a low profile and moccasin-style toe.

Style Number 8801: Classic Supersole

The Classic Supersole looks very much like Red Wing’s iconic 875 Moc Toe Boot, with a few key differences. The padded leather collar provides comfort at the ankle and the cement construction makes the boot watertight.

Style Number 3335: Wacouta 6″ Moc Toe Boot

The Wacouta 6″ combines Red Wing’s tough SB Foot Tannery leather with water-resistant waxed canvas and stitchdown construction for a hunting-inspired boot that’s lighter and more flexible than most.

Style Number 9438: Williston Chelsea

As part of Red Wing’s Williston line of shoes, the 9438 is one of the dressier and sleeker offerings in the line.

Style Number 8064: Merchant

The Merchant shares similarities with the Blacksmith, but takes a more formal approach by forgoing the speedhooks and French binding and opting for a sleeker toe and a more subtle rubber sole.

Style Number 2942: Roughneck

You can think of the Roughneck as a more aggressive Classic Moc with its substantial heavy lug sole. But, it’s also a bit easier to don and doff thanks to its handy speedhooks.

Style Number 3312: Weekender Chelsea

The Weekender Chelsea, as the name would suggest, is a casual shoe that’s not meant to straddle the line between dress and work like the Williston Chelsea.

Style Number 9435: Williston Six-Inch

This is the most premium (and dressiest) boot that Red Wing offers. It can take a beating like the rest of them, but is decidedly the most formal of the lot.

Style Number 9431: Williston Oxford

Where you would take the Postman shoe out on the mail route, you’d take the Williston Oxford out to a nice dinner. The sleek toe box and the blind eyelets make it a shoe you’ll want to keep polished.

Style Number 8188: Pecos Boot

Originally built as Red Wing’s response to the cowboy boot, the lauded Pecos boot features a roughout leather upper and a shorter block heel to separate itself a bit from the western competition.

Style Number 877: Todd Snyder x Red Wing Heritage Moc Toe Boot

In cahoots with venerated American designer Todd Snyder, the classic 8-inch Moc Toe Boot is trimmed down a couple inches while mixing smooth leather and suede.

Style Number 8884: Mossy Oak Camouflage

There’s hardly a more American boot than this camo rendition. It’s part of Red Wing Heritage’s limited edition range of boots and it’s as hard to find as it is difficult to see.

Style Number 8829: Billy Boot

The Billy Boot was first introduced in the 1930s as a children’s boot and originally came with a pocket knife to accompany its nifty knife sheath. Red Wing brought the EDC-friendly boot back for adults in 2019 and it’s all nearly sold out.

Style Number 5679: Fragment x Red Wing

Japan has been among the most fervent when it comes to Americana. So, it makes sense that lauded Japanese designer Hiroshi Fujiwara would take a crack at a Red Wing collaboration of his own. Using a Chromexcel leather for its sheen and pliability, as well as black tonal stitching, the streetwear take on the workwear classic is both brooding and burly.

Style Number 997: Red Wing x New Balance Sneakers

When two iconic American shoe manufacturers come together, it’s this. Equal parts Red Wing and New Balance, the collaborative sneaker features Red Wing’s iconic Hawthorne muleskinner leather and brick-red motif rendered in New Balance’s popular 997 silhouette.

Style Number 4327: Eat Dust x Red Wing Heritage

The fiery-red take on Red Wing’s pull-on boot is the hot idea from Belgian brand Eat Dust. It features a mashup of smooth leather with nappy rough-out leather worthy for motorcycle rides.

Vintage: Irish Setter

Though not part of the Red Wing Heritage label, the Irish Setter boot has a dedicated following of its own for its durability and the beautiful color of its leather, named after the rich coats of the Irish Setter dog. Red Wing Heritage did bring it back for a brief period in 2018, but only to limited quantities. The Irish Setter label today is still focused on boots for working and hunting, but at a slightly lower price point than its Red Wing Heritage label.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

How to Patch Jeans at Home

If you like your clothes, you’ll wear them a lot. Like them enough and they’ll get worn out. And, if you really like your clothes, you’ll repair them. Rips and tears happen with time — it’s only natural — and mending your clothes is a good thing.

The most obvious reason is that increases the longevity of your garments. Repairing rips, tears and holes will not only keep your garments in service for much longer, but it will also prevent further damage if caught soon enough.

Mending your garments also breaks the cycle of consumption, leading to less waste in landfills. By mending a garment instead of tossing it in the bin or donating it (damaged garments wouldn’t even qualify for donations and would just get tossed anyway), you prevent it from rotting in a city dump somewhere. The amount of time and resources that go into a single garment can be staggering, so if you can prevent your clothes from going to a landfill, you can also, over time, lessen the demand for new garments and ultimately the resources needed to make them.

Repairing your clothes is also be an essential life skill. It teaches coordination and spatial skills but also reminds you to appreciate your clothes and the people who make them. By getting your hands involved in the process, you’ll better understand what it takes to make and maintain a garment. Clothes are still made by human hands and knowing your way around a needle and thread, even if it’s in a very basic sense, can help you understand the skills needed to make your favorite garment.

And at the end of the day, there’s a certain aesthetic value that a garment gains with every repair — it will become more a reflection of you. It may not be box-fresh, nor will the repairs look perfect, but clothes are made to be worn. In Japanese culture, the concept of ‘wabi-sabi’ is a view and an aesthetic that appreciates the transient and the imperfect. The patina, the patches, the imperfect stitching are what give your clothes their character, and, by extension are an expression of you and your lifestyle. Lean into it.

How to Patch Clothing

There are several ways to mend your garments, each one unique to the type of damage and fabric in question. One of the most common repairs is a patch that can be used to repair rips and holes. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to patch a hole in woven fabric explained by Matt Rho, an expert on sashiko and boro repairs.

In this example, he shows you how to patch a hole in a pair of denim jeans, but you can apply this method to other garments with woven fabric like an oxford or poplin shirt, chinos or other wardrobe-essentials.

Basic Supplies

Advanced Supplies

If you want to dive into the art of boro denim repair, the kind of repairs in which Rho specializes, you can pick up this list of supplies.

Step 1: Cut a patch of fabric and pin it over the hole

Cut out a piece of fabric that spans beyond the hole at least three inches in all directions. You want to cut a patch larger than you probably would think, Rho says. The idea here is to attach the scrap fabric to an area of the garment that still has integrity to it. “If you have a blowout at the knee of your jeans, for example, chances are the fabric around the knee is pretty weak too,” he says. “If you anchor the patch into that fabric, it’s just going to rip again and pretty quickly.” In the end, you can always trim the scrap fabric down to a more manageable size.

Wash and dry your patch to get rid of any shrinkage.

Once you’ve cut the fabric to size, flip the garment inside out and pin the scrap fabric into place. This will help hold the scrap as you sew it to the garment in the following steps.

Step 2: Trim the damaged area

To give yourself a cleaner repair, trim the hole or tear of its frayed yarns. This makes the next step easier to handle.

Step 3: Stitch up the damaged area

Thread your sewing thread through the needle and tie a knot at one end. The knot keeps the thread anchored into place as you sew.

From the inside of the fabric, insert the needle through both the scrap fabric and the garment, near the edge of the hole. To sew a stitch, insert the needle back down into both the garment and the patch — pull the thread through. Repeat this until you’ve stitched along the entire perimeter of the hole. As you stitch, make sure to fold the edge of the hole under as you go. This ensures that the hole has a clean edge that will not continue to unravel.

In Rho’s example, the stitches themselves are about a 1/32 of an inch in length and are spaced apart about 1/2 an inch. However, the size of the stitch and the distance between each stitch is a matter of preference and aesthetics. “You just have to experiment a little bit and see what looks right to you because you’re gonna be looking at it every day,” Rho says. “You want it to also be pleasing to your eye.”

Once you’ve stitched all the way around the hole, on the inside of the garment, tie a knot at the end of the sewing thread. Make sure to leave about a 1/4 of an inch of slack to account for the sewing thread shrinking in the wash.

Step 4: Stitch the scrap fabric to the garment

Now, you want to secure the remainder of the scrap fabric to the garment. Like step 3, sew the scrap fabric all the way around near its edges.

“Once you’ve done the repair of the hole, the places where you’ve safety pinned the edges, you’ll find that the fabric has moved around a bit,” Rho notes. So, make sure that the scrap fabric is flat and flush against the garment to avoid bunching.

Don’t forget to leave some slack before tying the knot at the end.

Step 5: Trim the excess scrap fabric.

To cut down on the extra bulk, trim the excess fabric from the patch. Here, pinking shears are useful as the zig-zag cutting pattern helps prevent the fabric from fraying, but you can still use regular scissors.

Step 6: Wear them!

Congratulations, you’ve just repaired your garment! Now you can wear, wash and repeat until another hole comes along. If you want to get even more into the art and the skill of mending your clothes, Mending Matters by Katrina Rodabaugh is a great resource, and you’ll even find more inspiring imagery and techniques used by Matt Rho in there, too.

23 of Our Favorite Do-Anything Drawstring Pants

So you want to keep things relaxed, but you’re not all the way convinced about sweatpants. Drawstring pants are your answer. They’re comfortable and adjustable but look more like your favorite pair of chinos or jeans — a perfect in-between. We’ve put together a handful (okay, maybe two handfuls) of drawstring pants to get you in the right vibe.

Mollusk Scout Pants

A favorite among the Gear Patrol staff.

Madewell Drawstring Pants

Sturdy canvas and flap pockets let you know this pant is ready for whatever you throw at it or in it. A handy drawstring lets you know it ain’t all that serious.

Alex Mill Slim-Fit Stretch-Cotton Twill Drawstring Trousers

A little bit of stretch goes a long way in the comfort category.

Industry of All Nations Ponja Drawstring Pants

One of the most holistic options out there, the Ponja Drawstring Pants from Industry of All Nations uses organic cotton, recycled polyester for the waistband and natural indigo to dye it all.

Save Khaki Twill Easy Chino

Save Khaki’s Twill Easy Chino is one of the softest and most comfortable chinos on the market, you just might want to get them in a few colors.

NN07 Drawstring Pant

You can be secretive about the drawstring waist and just leave your shirt untucked. But there’s no shame in the drawstring game.

General Admission Rat Rock Corduroy Pant

Didn’t think you could put a drawstring on some corduroy pants, did you?

Onia Collin Slub Linen Drawstring Trousers

Like Hartford’s version, Onia’s is all linen but leans into the sweatpant design more.

18east Tapiro Easy Pant

These Easy Pants are a cinch.

Satta Kai Pants

These midweight pants come with an all-cotton poplin fabric that’s been peached for a slightly brushed effect that makes them cozier than they appear. On-seam side pockets keep things discreet.

Outerknown Beach Jeans

Beach Jeans might not be an actual category of jeans, but we’re very into them, regardless.

Adsum Bank Drawstring Pant

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Adsum’s Bank Pant combines drawstring and elastic at the waist and features tough cotton twill with equally durable herringbone pockets.

Saturdays Chad Jogger Pant

You’ll find not one, but three drawstrings and plenty of storage on this fatigue-style pant from Saturdays.

Engineered Garments Painter Pant

Lauded designer Daiki Suzuki is sly, hiding the drawstring inside the waistband.

Battenwear Active Lazy Pants

Active lazy or just actively lazy?

Jungmaven Pacific Coast Pant

From champions of hemp, Jungmaven’s Pacific Coast Pant is 55/45 hemp/cotton and 100 percent what we want to wear all the time.

Nanushka Nova Workwear Twill Trouser

Workwear trouser? More like work from home trousers.

Hartford Troy Slim-Fit Linen-Chambray Drawstring Trousers

Drawing on chino designs, Hartford’s option combines details from your favorite pair of khakis like the Hollywood wood waistband, belt loops and slanted pockets, and infuses it with linen and a comfy drawstring.

RTH Drawstring Pants

RTH treats the drawstring more like a ribbon and its Drawstring Pants are a gift.

Dr. Collectors P23 Corduroy Pant

The P23 Pants from Dr. Collectors are even cozier with plush corduroy and a garment dye for a lived-in feel.

Needles H.D. Pant

Cargo pants can be comfy, too, and this big baggy pant from cult Japanese brand Needles is proof.

Rick Owens Drawstring Pants

From the Dark Lord himself, these military-inspired pants are what I imagine off-duty secret agents lounge in.

Maison Margiela Mohair Cropped Pants

Margiela’s Mohair Cropped Pants blur the line between dress and relaxation with a more formal take on the drawstring trouser.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 57 Best Online Menswear Shops

Brick-and-mortar retail has taken a big hit in recent years. As brick and mortar stores have been forced to close their physical doors, they’ve pivoted all of their attention to digital channels. The shift hasn’t been easy for any one store, but there are many now thriving in the digital realm. Whether you’re looking for quality basics, niche designers or luxury labels, these are the best places to shop online right now.

The Standards

If you’re looking for a wide style selection with a deep inventory, there are a handful of retailers to choose from. These have a strong online presence with brands and designers that span the fashion spectrum. Whether you’re up-to-date on the latest designers or just need to re-up on the basics, these are the ones to know.

Mr Porter

About: Mr. Porter’s range of goods stretches from the street to the sartorial and everything in-between. In addition to its far-reaching selection of luxury goods, it also produces top-notch editorial content.
Brands: Lemaire, Kapital, Noah, Kiton, Off-White

End.

About: Based in the UK, End. offers a wide range of brands in an equally wide array of styles from streetwear to workwear to avant-garde and minimalist.
Brands: Acne Studios, Carhartt WIP, Nike, Thom Browne, Visvim

Huckberry

About: Huckberry has you covered from your closet to your EDC to your home. You’ll find an array of classic Americana styles next to performance athletic gear and top-notch grooming products and much more.
Brands: Flint & Tinder, Taylor Stitch, Relwen, Rhodes, Mystery Ranch, Billykirk

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Avante-Garde and Streetwear

Maybe you’re into Fashion with a capital ‘F’. These stores have a penchant for the cutting edge and the next-up. From punk labels, upcoming streetwear names and cult Japanese brands, these retailers have got you covered from head to toe.

Haven

About: A stalwart of hard-to-find Japanese labels and techwear, Canada’s Haven is a mecca for those who love the Japanese side of streetwear.
Brands: A Bathing Ape, Hobo, Junya Watanabe, Sacai, Sasquatch Fabrics, Wacko Mario, Undercover

Dover Street Market

About: Dover Street Market is a place to discover new brands and does the high-low juggle better than almost every other store out there. As the brainchild of Rei Kawakubo, you’ll find all of Comme Des Garçon’s sublabels, but you’ll also them next to skate brands and up-and-coming designers.
Brands: Supreme, Noah, Comme Des Garçons, Affix, Brain Dead, Palace, Random Identities, Doublet

Union

About: For decades Union has been servicing the streetwear world but has since expanded its offering to include next-level designers, often being among the first to introduce the world to the next hot item.
Brands: Martine Rose, Thom Browne, Bianca Chandon, Camp High, Eden Power Corp., Jacques Marie Mage, Toga Virilis

SSENSE

About: Another site worth reading and shopping, SSENSE is a go-to for those who love designer labels (and their dogs, too).
Brands: Eckhaus Latta, Gucci, Rick Owens, S.R. STUDIO, L.A. C.A., The Elder Statesman, Ziggy Chen, Marsell

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Japanese and Workwear

More into the Japanese/Americana vibe? There’s no shortage of retailers that serve up eastern takes on western classics from lauded brands like Engineered Garments, Visvim and Kapital. Some of these stores lean more heavily into the denim and workwear worlds while others occupy the more wabi-sabi. Either way you go, you’ll likely get your fix at any one of these stores.

Nepenthes

About: As the umbrella for many of today’s trendsetting brands, Nepenthes is a must for those who like to experiment with their style.
Brands: Needles, South2 West8, Engineered Garments, Suicoke, Tricker’s

About: Standard & Strange’s stock list is seriously impressive and the Oakland-based shop continues to secure labels that no other store manages to obtain. Fans of denim, workwear and repro should have this shop at the top of their list.
Brands: Kapital, The Real McCoy’s, John Lofgren, Wesco, Viberg, Indigofera, Peanuts, Ooe Yofukuten

Self Edge

About: Self Edge is credited with introducing a number of Japanese labels to the States and if you’ve heard of a hardcore denim brand, it’s likely because of them.
Brands: Roy, Merz B. Schwanen, The Flat Head, Iron Heart, Nine Lives, Masahiro Murayama, Human Made, Studio d’Artisan, Good Art, Fine Creek Leathers

Mannahatta

About: Mannahatta has caught the eyes of fashion obsessives, high-profile celebs and big-time rappers thanks to its deep stock of hard-to-get brands like Kapital and Rude Gallery.
Brands: Kapital, Rude Gallery, TS(s), Left Field NYC, Groover Spectacles, Mountain Research, W’menswear

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Sartorial and Suiting

Some guys like to get dressed and like to enjoy their Sundays shining shoes when they’re not buttoning up a bespoke sport coat. Retailers in this category focus their attention on fine tailoring, mixing hand-stitched shirts with custom suiting and artisanally-crafted accessories.

Sid Mashburn

About: A champion of tailored casual, Atlanta-based Sid Mashburn is just one of the many successful Ralph Lauren alumni. The brand hits a sweet spot between sartorial and laidback, so if you like a mix of Italian tailoring and perfectly-fitting washed out five-pocket jeans, Sid Mashburn is one to bookmark.
Brands: Sid Mashburn, Levi’s, Aspesi, Allen Scura, Drake’s

The Armoury

About: First started in Hong Kong, The Armoury has garnered attention for its high-level of taste when it comes to tailored goods. It stocks some of the world’s foremost artisanal brands, many of which do bespoke work.
Brands: The Armoury, Ring Jacket, Carmina, Bresciani, Ambrosi, Nigel Cabourn, Koji Suzuki

No Man Walks Alone

About: Born online from fashion forums, No Man Walks Alone has a wider range of styles beyond its strong sartorial set, making it a one-stop shop for many a style enthusiast.
Brands: Sortoria Formosa, G. Inglese, Abasi Rosborough, Kuon, Inis Meain, James Grose, De Bonne Facture, Fujito

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Small and Curated

In person, these stores are somewhat hidden gems. The shops may not have a large physical footprint, but they make up for that with a stellar brand list, often stocking labels you’ve never heard before. It may not be the flashiest of getups, but these brands display an uber discerning eye as few others can.

Neighbour

About: Neighbour’s clean aesthetic and discerning brand list is in rarified air, often upping the appeal of its already-lauded labels.
Brands: Tender, Camiel Fortgens, Our Legacy, Auralee, Bode, Casey Casey

County Ltd.

About: County Ltd.’s mix of rare vintage furniture and scrupulous brand list make it one of the most unique stores online and in-person.
Brands: Mfpen, Evan Kinori, Lady White Co., Phigvel

C’H’C’M’

About: New York-based C’H’C’M’ is one of the most focused stores out there. The labels it stocks are meticulously chosen and make for a tight list that all go together effortlessly. You’ll also find a selection of home goods in partnership with Bay Area-based Book/Shop, just in case you weren’t fully-settle on its taste level.
Brands: Margaret Howell, Paa, Sunspel, Arpenteur, orSlow, MAN-TLE, Niuhans, Wild Bunch

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Iconic Department Stores

And of course, there is the old guard — department stores you and your parents grew up shopping. The time-tested big box stores are still kicking and they’ve probably got what you’re looking for, whether it’s a gift for a loved one or for yourself. You’ll find a bevy of designer fragrances, standby suiting, classic high-end names and much more.

Nordstrom

About: Nordstrom has been around since 1901, steadily growing from a mom and pop Seattle shop to one of the biggest retail chains on the planet thanks to its over-the-top customer service and wide selection. It’s an old standby when it comes to suiting but has, in recent years, also become a go-to for niche labels.
Brands: Paul Smith, Gucci, Noon Goons, Adidas, Clarks, Top Shop

Neiman Marcus

About: A few years younger than Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus has been counted on for its range of designer goods since its founding in Dalls, Texas in 1907.
Brands: Alexander McQueen, Ermengildo Zegna, Saint Laurent, Versace, Vince

Bergdorf Goodman

About: A New York institution, Bergdorf Goodman was got its start as a tailor shop in 1899. Shortly after, it became the first store to introduce ready-to-wear clothes. Today, you can look to it for top-shelf designers as well as hot streetwear labels.
Brands: Brunello Cucinelli, Tom Ford, Prada, Valentino, Burberry

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Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

7 Ways to Keep Your Grooming Regimen Hygienic

In tandem with spring cleaning, now is as good a time as any to do an audit of your grooming regimen hygiene. Are the products you’re using far past their “Best Used By”? Is your bathroom a cesspool that could wreak havoc on your complexion — in more ways than one? And do you obey proper toothbrush and razor blade replenishment orders? There’s a lot to consider when it comes to having a hygienic regimen, but it’s certainly worth the assessment, especially in current times. Having a clean regimen promises clean and smooth shaves, clear complexion, terrific oral health and more.

So, here are seven of the most important things to do if you want to minimize any bacterial risks and breakouts.

1. Replace expired products

Every product you own has an expiration date, and there’s an industry standard for how brands display each product’s shelf life. Look on the product (typically on the rear) for a little uncapped canister (like a hair product tin that has been opened). Inside that canister it will say something like 6M or 12M, noting how long that product is guaranteed “good and effective” from its open date. So, there’s some extra lifting on your end to recall when you first started using the product — you could also scribble the date with a permanent marker onto the side.

There’s likely some wiggle room on these dates; it’s not like your moisturizer will suddenly separate 6 months after you opened it, and cease providing you with nourishment and sun protection. But if you’ve owned a product for two or three years and it’s still sitting on your shelf—toss it. Get a new one and a smaller one at that. Chances are some of its powers have been neutralized, some of its ingredients have separated, and its efficacy is far from desirable. Don’t even try it, in fact.

2. Get a washable Dopp kit

Dopp kits really run the spectrum in terms of quality and price. You can spend a few bucks for a dorm-friendly shower Dopp, or get a beautiful leather engraved Dopp for your first-class travels. Somewhere down the middle, though, is the practical Dopp. It’s durable, won’t rip, and is also entirely machine washable without pilling around the perimeter.

Considering all the things that go in this Dopp kit — your razor, toothbrush, and any products that have been sitting in tiny pools of water on the hotel sink — it is something you should wash frequently (Plus they often take it out of your bag at TSA, and set it in a bin for scanning. Everyone knows those bins are filthy). So, get a practical Dopp kit, and a washable one at that.

Nylon Dopp Kit by Baggu $30

3. Replace your toothbrush at proper intervals

You need to replace your toothbrush every three months, says the American Dental Association. That’s four times a year. Doing so will ensure your brush head remains durable enough to clean the teeth properly, and it’s also just good hygiene to not keep a toothbrush more than that amount of time. You can sign up for a replenishment program, like Goby, if you want someone else to keep tabs on the replacement heads — it is easy to forget, after all. After you buy their excellent electric/chargeable brush for $60 (including a starter kit), you can get new heads sent every 1, 2 or 3 months for just $6 a pop.

Toothbrush Starter Kit by Goby $60

4. Practice good razor hygiene

We’ve waxed poetic on how to have a safe, hygienic shave. And within those many shave tips are two major notes on razor hygiene: First, store the razor upright in a cool, dry place after the shave, so it can dry without inviting bacterial growth. Then, get a blade cover to shield the blades once they’re dry.

Next, be sure to replace your razors at proper intervals too—every two weeks or after 6-8 shaves, whichever comes first. After this, it’s likely the blade has become dull or has accumulated bacteria and should be replaced to ensure safety for your skin. This is why razor replenishment companies are so popular since you can rely on them to change your razor at proper intervals. Harry’s, in particular, is a one-stop-shop for all of the above.

Blades by Harry’s $16

Travel Cover by Harry’s $1

Razor Stand by Harry’s $15

5. Wash your beard trimmer

In tandem with shaving hygiene is trimming hygiene — and those hair clippings don’t exactly repel bacteria. So, it’s important to rinse your beard trimmer after each use (and for that reason, to buy one that allows both wet and dry usage). Most trimmers come with a tiny brush, too, that a lot of guys just discard immediately. Don’t do this, because that little brush can help extract excess hairs from the blades. Don’t hesitate to drop some liquid soap over the blades either, and then rinse it under hot water.

Oh, and as a side note — oil it up! Your trimmer likely came with a little vial of oil, which you should apply to the trimmer once it’s clean and dry. This will help keep those blades strong, and can even thwart bacterial buildup.

Wet/Dry Beard and Body Trimmer Kit by Wahl $100

6. Rinse each product—and clean the shelf

If you have any dust accumulation in your bathroom, then keep in mind to regularly rinse each product, wash the shelf that they rest on, and wipe down/vacuum/Swiffer any excess dust in the room. That’s because your entire skincare regimen is built around you touching your own face. And one of the best ways to prevent clogging pores is to not apply dust and dirt particles onto the skin. By keeping the products and entire bathroom dust-free, you minimize these odds.

Oh, and by washing your hands before you apply any product, you also minimize transferring bacteria to your pores, which is another recipe for a breakout.

7. Go crazy with a hot-water rinse

Combs, nail clippers, tweezers, toothbrushes, razors — these are just some of the products that sit around in the bathroom and collect dust, germs and more. So, in addition to the routine cleaning you do in the bathroom, give them a weekly hot-water rinse, too, just to kill any bacterial accumulation.

This won’t shorten the intervals of replacing razors or toothbrushes, but it will neutralize the products that you put in, near, and around your eyes, mouth, and nose, as well as the precious scalp and hair follicles. Be sure to dry them quickly — in a cool, dry room—especially to prevent rusting of the nail clippers, razors blades and tweezers.

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