• Save Khaki

  327 Lafayette St., nr. Bleecker St.; 212-925-0134

  David Mullen, a former fit consultant for J.Crew and Banana Republic, started Save Khaki in 2006 with a mission to men’s clothes that were comfortable but not sloppy, at a mid-range price (below designer, above American Apparel). Save’s collection of combed cotton basics is manufactured for softness and durability. T-shirts are stonewashed and button-downs are micro-sanded for a silky, worn-in feel; pique polos are double-knit, inside and out. The classic $40 tee comes in twenty muted, garment-dyed shades and is prewashed at high temperatures for six hours to avoid shrinkage. Despite the meticulous production, the brand is unfussy—shirts are logo-free and piled on wooden tables for browsing.

From the 2009 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine