Seeking the perfect gift for the hard to buy for man in your life? Start off strong at these boutiques …
THE GLOSS X Shopkeepers.com Best Shop Ireland 2022 list is here! THE GLOSS team, led by Sarah McDonnell, editor, Paula Flynn of TheShopkeepers.com, and Amanda Pratt, designer and former creative director and owner of Avoca, have been sifting through nominations for our Best Shops Ireland 2002. With your help, readers and followers, we have found a fabulously diverse and exciting bunch of independent retailers. Store owners, we salute you for your creativity, your hard work, your perseverance in tough times, and your inspiring ability to bring us joy: they don’t call it retail therapy for nothing. We will continue to support you because we want your shops to remain open and thriving, in our cities, towns and villages. Let’s start spreading the word …
Seeking the perfect gift for the hard to buy for man in your life? Start off strong at these menswear boutiques.
While every effort has been made to ensure the information reflected in the list below is accurate, up to date and correct, please email digital@thegloss.ie with any issues, corrections or queries.
FRESH CUTS, 13 Castle Market, Dublin 2
An ethical and sustainable multi-brand store, FRESH CUTS got its start in 2015 in Cow’s Lane Designer Market. Husband-and-wife team, Steven and Lorna Murphy are the creators of the brand. Lorna designs the Fresh Cut brand goods for men, women, and kids which are complemented by an assortment of sustainable European brands. www.freshcutsclothing.com Photography by Debs Bourke.
INDIGO & CLOTH, 9 Essex Street East, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
A multi-level lifestyle store and specialty café located in the heart of vibrant Temple Bar, Dublin. Established in 2007, Andy Collins became the new owner in 2018, expanding the menswear offering and introducing womenswear and homeware to the assortment. The ground floor is home to the café serving an ever-changing list of international coffee roasters. Also, on this floor there is a selection of magazines and apothecary items. www.indigoandcloth.com
KEVIN & HOWLIN, 31 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
Founded in 1936 by Jim Kevin and Michael Howlin to provide quality tailoring using tweed fabrics. Jim’s son, Noel, took over the business in 1974. Men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, in a colourful rainbow of tweed fabrics, line the walls. There are jackets, trousers, skirts, and stacks of hats in a variety of shapes. Bolts of fabric are stacked at the rear of store, and are sold by the metre or used for bespoke, made-to-measure orders.
KINDF_OLK, Unit 10 The Corn Store, Middle Street, Galway City
A modern and airy contemporary menswear store with a selection of books, home goods and apothecary items and a coffee bar. Established in 2021 by fashion industry veteran Declan McGowan, Kindf_olk’s Scandi aesthetic is the perfect backdrop for the mix of ethically-made goods with a focus on sustainability. www.kindfolkgalway.ie Photography by Madison O’Toole.
TRUTH, 8 High Street, Ennis, Co Clare
TRUTH’s neon green door signals that Conor Harkin’s approach to menswear is fresh and unique. With ten years’ experience, menswear veteran Conor Harkin opened Truth in 2021. There is a tightly edited assortment of athletic and contemporary casual wear merchandised in a modern way that is easy to shop. With frequent deliveries and items chosen to work together, Conor makes it easy for men to update their wardrobe. www.thisistruth.ie