If you find yourself lost in Central London, you have two choices. The first is to walk robotically along a row of tourist traps, buying nothing but 'LONDON, BABY!' T-shirts and bubblegum-flavoured vape juice.
The second is that you can do your research. Just around the corner is the prestigious yet contemporary retail district of St James's and Regent Street, home to classic British names such as Church's, John Smedley and Aquascutum.
To help you conquer these premium menswear destinations we've recruited some of Esquire's most stylish writers to reveal their favourite stores and their top current pieces.
Sam Parker, Digital Editor - Grenson
"Few brands epitomise British craftsmanship like Grenson, which has been making beautiful shoes by hand in its Northamptonshire factory since 1866.
"There's nothing old-fashioned about its recent collections, however: sleek, minimalist sneakers now sit alongside classic brogues, derbies and monkstraps, while collaborations with the likes of Craig Green and rag & bone have seen the heritage brand discover a more experimental side. Whatever you opt for, a pair of Grenson shoes remains among the finest things a man can put on his feet."
37 Jermyn Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6DT
Nick Pope, Digital Deputy Editor - Sunspel
"The ever-growing popularity of camp collar shirts has sparked a (severely sunburnt) arms race amongst British men, as they all attempt to one-up each other with increasingly zany patterns and multi-coloured stripes. But in a world where everyone dresses like a Rowntree ice lolly on the Riviera, the best way to truly stand out is by keeping things simple – and no one's better at that than Sunspel.
"The British brand has been synonymous with well-crafted summer staples for over a century, and its range of short-sleeve camp collar shirts is just as handsomely understated and well-tailored as you’d expect. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of the prints on offer too – from the Shibori-inspired gridwork to the ace holiday doodles – but the organic cotton towelling on this navy classic is enough to subtly set it apart from the competition."
21A Jermyn Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6HP
Charlie Teasdale, Style Director - John Lobb
"Over the past few years, under the stewardship of artistic director Paula Gerbase, John Lobb has kept the iconic Northampton build quality, but gently moved the house style to the more avant-garde end of the spectrum. Shoes are sleek, elongated and delicate, but still cut in the finest leathers and equipped with Goodyear welts, allowing them to be worn and repaired for decades to come.
"My pick from the SS19 collection would be the update of the Lopez loafer, a shoe first made by Lobb in 1950. A classic penny with a hand-stitched 'apron', half-lined for maximum comfort. Easy enough for mooching and refined enough for work. Magic."
88 Jermyn Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6JD
Jamie Carson, Commercial Editor - Penhaligon’s
"Every man needs a signature scent. Something different; something no one would recognise in a meeting. Because nothing puts you off your own fragrance like a colleague you detest saying, 'I've got that one too... twinsies!'
"So if you're in the market for an experimental yet versatile fragrance, head to Penhaligon's on Regent Street for a sensory shopping experience with a brand that holds two Royal Warrants. I'm currently wearing its latest release Cairo, which has base notes of sandalwood and cedarwood, juxtaposed with refreshing head notes of rose and saffron for an earthly homage to the ancient city for which it's named."
125 Regent Street, London W1B 4HT
Murray Clark, Digital Fashion Editor - Aspinal Of London
"Quality leather is a sign of proper adulthood. You're a man now: you've got the monogrammed cardholder to prove it. And so, as I bid goodbye to all things immature and vaguely scholastic in my late twenties, I've embraced Aspinal of London with open arms. It's informed. It's well-crafted. It skirts the line between classic and genuinely contemporary – the cool, grown-up, best kind."
16 Regent Street St James's, London SW1Y 4PH
Finlay Renwick, Deputy Style Editor - Dunhill
"A brand that built a fashion empire out of making and selling really nice lighters, Dunhill now has a fixture runway show in Paris and beautiful collections that feel expensive and daring but also relaxed; nothing try-hard. The kind of brand that you'd fill your wardrobe with if you could. Maybe you can? Congratulations.
"While I love Dunhill's tailoring and dream of a rotation of charcoal, navy and pinstripes, a more summer-appropriate piece that I have my eye on is this printed short sleeve shirt from its 'Aquarium' capsule collection. Based on the company's Aquarium lighters from the Forties, which featured hand-painted prints of hummingbirds and tropical fish, this pure silk (of course) open collar shirt comes in sea green (very on trend) and is light, luxurious and retro without being kitsch. I imagine wearing it during days by the pool in St Lucia, or at lunch on a terrace in Portofino, possibly matched with white trousers. The perfect shirt to live out your tobacco magnate summer fantasies."
48 Jermyn Street, St James's, London SW1Y 6LX
Immerse yourself in London's most stylish shopping area, St James's, by visiting the St James’s Edit by Esquire (opens 7th June) to celebrate London Fashion Week Men's
