It's true. We thought the boutique outlets to the East of Carnaby were for loud fashionistas and people with more money than us. We were wrong. The shops in question are an independent joy and well worth a look for men who don't read GQ but still want to look good down the boozer on a Friday night. In an internet-driven world where any fool with a credit card can buy what used to be rare goods, Carnaby Street's Eastern bloc appeals to those who demand something different with the essential personal touch.
It's the antithesis of the high street but, and this is important to us, it's not wedged up its own posterior. The boutique owners are straight talking, non-pushy creatives who really want to help you find the right piece for you.
The Newburgh Quarter is divided into streets - Newburgh Street, Marshall Street, Lowndes Court, Marlborough Court, Foubert’s Place East and Ganton Street East. Let's start with Peckham Rye.
The chaps who run this store are great. Happily regaled with tales of customers past (who include such luminaries as Busta Rhymes, David Beckham, Mark Ronson, and "that ginger chap from Harry Potter") there is nothing about ties and scarves that these men do not know. They're reasonably priced (much more so than places like Louis Vuitton), they're considered and they tell you things like "Did you know Winston Churchill had his own size polka dot?" What price do you put on that sort of service?
Next up is our favourtie new place in London – the Barbour Heritage store.
Just the kind of place every savvy man should walk into. And then walk out of half-hour later about £200 lighter. And for good reason.
The selection and range of Barbourwear in this shop is just awesome. It has everything you see on the usual men's websites (Oi Polloi, My Wardrobe etc) and, this is important, special pieces stocked only in-store. There's some very fine collaborative pieces and myriad jackets that'll make you look like you're in a band or own a gold Range Rover in no time. It's awesome.
The intelligent man looking for something different and unique will head to Social Suicide, the cutting edge London tailoring brand offering beautiful suits and jackets individually made in from the finest fabrics to the highest standards. Bit more niche, sure, but if this place is your bag you will have a designer for life.
Last up was the neo-noir edge of Chateau Roux – experts in streetwear with a contemporary feel. The range includes a T-shirt collection, with a comprehensive range of sweaters and jackets featuring bold prints and a rich colour palette to boot.
So that's The Newburgh Quarter. You should pay it a visit.
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