The Internet has become essential to the basic necessities of modern life. More and more of our daily activities are entrenched in the binary ones and zeroes beyond all but the most technologically adept.
Society has grown accustomed to the convenience of online banking, e-books and apps that spare us the banal tortures of grocery shopping. Yet for most men, the prospect of expanding our wardrobe over the Internet remains a daunting task. We’re far more comfortable with traditional brick-and-mortar retail, where there’s always an opinion to be asked or a series of well-placed mirrors for personal reflection.
Not so for online commerce, where every sartorial decision has the potential to go disastrously, comically wrong. But if you’re willing to run the gambit, e-tail can be an invaluable fashion resource. International labels delivered express post, items unique to the savviest of shoppers, with savings that out your local outlet to shame… all from the comfort and convenience of a sturdy wi-fi signal.
That’s why we here at Fashion Industry Broadcast have dedicated ourselves to bringing you not only a list of the finest and most distinct retailers the Internet has to offer. Everything you need to know about e-tailing can be found within these hallowed stores.
Fashion is a fluid, ever-changing game. Luckily, ASOS has you covered. With a deep roster of indispensable brands covering everything from low-key streetwear to high-end style, odds are you can find something to suit your personal flavour.
Navigating ASOS is like playing inside a never-ending outlet: discounts are plentiful, labels are varied and best of all, shipping is free. There’s even a style feed to keep you up-to-date on the latest trends in male fashion.
Plus, did we mention that shipping is free?
The pinnacle of luxury online retail. Mr Porter stocks the crème de la crème of the fashion world: Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Yves Saint Laurent alongside lesser known but no-less-respected labels Brioni and Loro Piana.
It’s not as affordable as some of the others sites on this list: but be honest, high-end fashion rarely comes at low-end cost. This is the website for those with time, not money, as their greatest expense.
But even if you can’t find yourself forking out a few thousand for the latest Alexander McQueen silk-blend blazer, Mr Porter is more than worth a browse. It’s elegant, detailed layout makes selective shopping a breeze, and the highly-detailed style guide ensures every man has the knowledge to dress like a gentleman prince… if not the budget.
All in all, an essential site for those living or hoping to live to our fullest potential.
Minimalism meets casual menswear. The Swedish retailer have created a beautifully simple website to peruse, completely stocked with the kind of dressed-down cool that encapsulates Scandinavian style.
With recognisable street/sport brands like Nike and Reebok, a wealth of lesser-known collections from around the world and a healthy splash of their own designs, Très Bien have cornered the online market when it comes to fashion-through-simplicity.
Hoodies, sweatshirts, long sleeve tees and sporty kicks are the order of business here. For fashionable, high-quality streetwear with a Euro twist, you won’t do much better than Très Bien.
One of the breakthrough names in online retail remains at the top of the back because it’s so damn good. With a clean, easy-to-access website, brands to suit every personality and a reputation for fast-and-reliable service, Gilt continues to impress some seven years after inception.
Perhaps the most enjoyable facet on this long-standing site are the time-sensitive sales that shift every day or so. Today? Huge discounts on Paul Smith Eyewear. Tomorrow? Who knows! It’s an endless game of Whack-a-Mole to be played with your wardrobe and wallet.
There’s the first come, first served experience, a handy guide to the subtleties of male fashion and for members, an advance preview of collections to come. If you enjoy the hunter/gatherer appeal of shopping for bargains in the real world, Gilt is the site for you.
For the longest time, if you didn’t live in Japan or an international fashion capital, Uniqlo was out of reach. Not anymore. The reigning champ of the simple, affordable wardrobe have opened their gates to the masses: and we could not be happier about it.
Uniqlo are all about the staples: basic tees, sweaters, jeans and jackets are what you’ll find here, all in a quality that seemingly defies their obscenely low cost.
They may not comprise the most treasured items in your wardrobe, but for the man with an eye for price and classic, understated style, Uniqlo is sure to be your number one shopping destination.
And lest we forget, Uniqlo is all the rage with the coolest of kids. You do want to be cool, right?
Oki-Ni have been in the business of online fashion since you were working your mama’s dial-up. Founded in 2001, this former gallery space opened itself to the global marketplace with an emphasis on attracting the most fashion-conscious males around.
With an eclectic mix of established brands Valentino, Marc Jacobs and Paul Smith along with underground labels like Raf Simons and Jill Simmons, Oki-Ni are the primary source for trendsetters and fashion aficionados with a desire to stand out from the crowd.
The site is aesthetically pleasing and an ease to navigate, and their limited-edition collaborations with Adidas, Porter and Paul Smith mean you’re sure to find that exclusive item sure to send your trendy friends into a fit of jealous rage.
For the man with the cutting-edge palette, look no further than Oki-Ni.
If you like your style to last longer than a single season, you need to check out Unionmade. This San Franciscan retailer is unabashedly American in the best possible way, with a rugged sensibility that draws heavily on workwear aesthetic and the masculinity of days gone by.
Levi’s Vintage, Golden Bear and Ralph Lauren’s RRL are the order of the day here: stylish clothing with timeless appeal, durable enough to endure the elements and the fickle realities of fashion. The individualised departments cover everything you need for your wardrobe: blazers, scarves, gloves, underwear.
In fact, Unionmade may boast the deepest online catalogue of all. Over a hundred different and distinct brands have been collected for your perusal. You could get lost for hours finding the perfect pair of boot cut jeans, or just the right pea cost to rug up with this winter.
There’s even a department for dog accessories. Because every working man needs a dog.
What was once a humble vintage retailer in Richmond, Virginia, has graduated to become one of the world’s trendiest online stores. Since opening themselves to the Internet in 2008, Need Supply has become the hotspot for effortless hipsters.
Favouring independence and an appreciation for style slightly askew, Need Supply succeeds because of the passion it holds for their selected designers. Established names like Vans and Cheap Mondays can be found, but take a backseat to the under-appreciated labels: Gitman Brothers Vintage, Native Youth and Shades of Grey, to name a few.
Like all good online stores, the site is cleanly displayed and an ease to browse. Plus, it happens to boast one of the most well-respected fashion blogs in the industry. Check it out.
Ever head of online women’s retailer Shopbop? This is her bouncing baby brother. An Amazon subsidiary founded in 2013, East Dane is a must for those who prioritise well-styled confidence over zeitgeist trends.
Big names brands like Adidas and Alexander Wang are nestled amongst more reclusive Public School and Quoddy collections, giving this upstart startup the diversity of labels it needs to compete with established online retailers. Products range from classically refined to the mildly eccentric (hello, MELINDAGLOSS) but the quality of each designer can’t be denied: rather impressive, considering there’s over 125 in total.
The site includes a handy style guide for those searching for a new look, and a dedicated sales page with discounts of up to 70% off. And, like everything Amazon does, the site is highly accessible and reliable as one would expect from the online juggernaut.
Their bio page says it all: “keepin’ you fly since 1989.”
They ain’t kidding. There’s a relaxed aesthetic to Union LA that makes them impossible to resist. The California company’s mission statement is simple: buy brands they would wear themselves, and walk the fine line between fashion and function.
And boy, do they know how to walk that line with flair. A well-curated collection of up-and-coming designers (Ganryu) along with established left-of-centre brands (Comme des Garçons) gives Union LA a unique flavour not easily replicated by other online stores.
The site is eye-catching and stacked with product that highlights the American streetwear ethos: baggy, bombastic and brilliantly designed. Union LA may have gone digital mainstream, but the counter-culture vibe that birthed them is still alive and thriving online.
For those who like their streetwear with a little West Coast flair, be sure to check out Union LA.
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