First Among Equals

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This venue is closed.

In a neighborhood where menswear boutiques tend to fall back on the same handful of catwalk-tested designers, this narrow Lower East Side nook seeks out unusual, international, and exclusive lines. The original tiny, brick-walled space was expanded in 2008 to include a spacious basement level, just down a skinny red staircase. The stock caters to the grunge-prep style of locals, with skinny jeans, long V-neck cardigans, dapper vests, and fitted tees. Several Japanese lines are exclusive to the store, like Cassaves's denim in black, heather gray, or (for the bold) prints and Kiryurik's thick alpaca vests. Slim-fitting knits from Pudel, Just Another Rich Kid graphic tees, and blazers from Junk de Luxe round out racks of well-edited basics. The basement offers a row of discounted apparel and a Freemans-esque assortment of decorative and functional items, like Artrance Church’s silver-plated mugs or grooming products from Baxter of California. But it's worth popping in just to check out the choice supply of footwear and accessories, like dress shoes with woven uppers from Crayons, suede ankle boots from 3:33, and Dunlin's oversize leather duffels. — Lauren Murrow