Chart a more leisurely course in and around the Quarter, where you’ll discover world-class menswear shops unique to New Orleans, along with trendy hotspots for t-shirts and sneakers. The best part? There are plenty of watering holes along the way.
Rubensteins
Canal Street, corner of St. Charles Avenue
Founded in 1924, this classic old-school haberdashery was the first retail store on Canal Street to open after Katrina, less than two months later. Talk about staying power! Repeatedly cited as a gold standard store by Esquire magazine, Rubensteins is known for its outstanding made-to-measure service, which tailors suits and shirts to your exact build. It also stocks a fine selection of off-the-rack designer suits, sportcoats, shirts, sportswear, shoes, and accessories. Pro tip: Keep an eye out for sales events, when they serve up cocktails on the house.
Meyer the Hatter
120 St. Charles Avenue, just off Canal Street
Nothing puts a spring in a man’s step like a snappy Panama or fedora. Just down the block from Rubensteins is the largest and most renowned hat store in the South. Family-owned since 1894, Meyer the Hatter stocks everything from bowlers, top hats and safari hats to newsboy caps, and boasts an extensive collection of fine Panama straws. A splurge here won’t break the bank, either. Frequent sales abound, and everyday prices range from $20 to $100 for most styles, while top-tier toppers like the Stetson Aficionado Panama ($145) are under $200.
George Bass
201 St. Charles Avenue
Known for its carefully curated collection of fine menswear, George Bass is a relative newcomer to the Canal Street/St. Charles Avenue corridor. First opened in 1985, it caters to guys who dress with continental flair but like to relax on the weekends. You’ll also find a small but choice selection of luggage, accessories, and personal grooming products, including Aesop hydrating skin toners and Art of Shaving straight and safety razors.
Sneaker Politics
216 Chartres Street and 226 Decatur Street
The streetwise sneaks at Sneaker Politics are the coolest kicks in town. When the Lafayette, LA-based store opened its first French Quarter outpost across from House of Blues, a long line of fans waited in the rain to get first dibs on the latest releases from Nike, Converse, and Vans. Their patience was rewarded when New Orleans-born rapper Curren$y showed up and started pouring free champagne. How cool is that?
Remember, you can walk to all these stores from your hotel! Take advantage of the Hotel St. Marie specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous French Quarter cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!