Messenger Bags and Backpacks at Makr (Photo: Rafael Tongol)
Orlando isn’t all cargo shorts, tropical shirts and flip flops, and the city has just as much to offer for men with discerning tastes as it does for women. Whether you hit up trendy Park Avenue or store-hop at the Mall at Millenia, the city makes it pretty easy to construct a killer personalized wardrobe.
Give Your Suit Some Swagger
Suits at John Craig Clothier(Photo: Rafael Tongol)
There’s nothing like a man in a good suit, and John Craig Clothier has them in spades. Located on tony Park Avenue in Winter Park, a trendy suburb that borders Orlando, John Craig Clothier offers modern menswear for guys who understand the beauty of an Italian-made Canali, have the confidence to rock a plaid suit by Samuelsohn or to toss on a pair of Happy Socks for a little extra flair.
The store, which Esquire named one of the top 100 men’s stores in 2005, has clothing from dozens of well-known brands, including Cole Haan, Robert Graham, Hickey Freeman, St. Croix and Peter Millar. If you’re visiting the area, make an appointment with one of John Craig’s sales associates, who will pre-select outfits that match your personal style. And if you’re still looking for that perfect item, the store has a made-to-measure service where you can select the fit and fabric for sports coats, shirts and jackets, with items delivered in three-to-five weeks. It’s all part of an experience designed to make your clothes fit as if you were born to wear them.
“It’s all about service first and then it’s about presentation and merchandise,” says owner Craig Delongy.
Make Your Hair More Edgy
Floyd’s Barbershop (Photo: Rafael Tongol)
Yearning for some of that old time rock ‘n’ roll? Then Floyd’s 99 Barbershop on North Mills Ave. has the ambience you’re looking for.
Dubbed “The Original Rock ‘n’ Roll Barbershop,” patrons who sit in the barber’s chair only need to look up to see posters of AC/DC, John Lennon, Blondie and Elvis. Throw in the Beastie Boys, Bob Marley and the Red Hot Chili Peppers for good measure, and you have an establishment that’s unabashedly old and new school.
And the cuts are the same. If you’re on the straight and narrow, get a buzz cut. But if your hair is as much of an accessory as an Italian leather belt, opt for one of Floyd’s signature cuts. You can get a perfectly-coiffed ‘do reminiscent of the king himself, a fade with a shaved part or even some design work (who’s game for some hair graffiti?). Individuality is a guiding principle at Floyd’s, and so is affordability. Hair cuts start at just $16.
Step Up Your Shoe Game
Allen Edmonds (Photo: Rafael Tongol)
We know what you’re thinking. What’s so special about a store with more than 50 locations across the country? Fair point, but Orlando’s Mall at Millenia is the only place in the city where you’ll find a standalone Allen Edmonds. And if you’re staying close to the city’s main tourist attractions and don’t feel like battling I-4 traffic to venture east to Park Avenue, this is one of your best bets on the city’s west side. Plus, where else can you get a pair of wing-tipped Oxford’s or Kirkwood boat shoes?
Rock Unique Handcrafted Accessories
Handmade Leather Goods at Makr (Photo: Rafael Tongol)
Take one look at its Instagram page and you’ll see the deliberateness in Makr Carry Good’s designs. The company has a studio on New England Avenue in Winter Park where lead designer Jason Gregory and his staff spend hours crafting handmade leather goods, including Makr’s line of sacks, messenger bags and a Macbook computer case made out of vegged tan leather with a hand painted edge. Makr also carries belts, wallets and cardholders, key chains and other device cases, like a $120 iPhone 6 leather carrier.
Though the company has a studio in Winter Park, it’s only for making and not shopping. If you happen to walk by its studio and see something you like, just whip out your smartphone and purchase it on Makr’s website.
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