(SPOT.ph) If there’s anything men these days can no longer claim about dressing up for work, it’s that they are strapped for options or stuck with their old man’s sastre. More than ever, buying officewear off the rack is becoming this fun, convenient, and brimming with options. Below, our picks for the 10 best shopping haunts for the modern working man. No matter what your job, office dress code or personal style, they have your work wardrobe concerns covered. Â
Here are the 10 best stores for men’s officewear in Manila:
Uniqlo
The store that has plenty for everybody has most, if not all workwear woes accounted for. Working on the field or hopping from one presentation to another? The pieces from their AIRism line allow you and your clothes to breathe. Nestled indoors in subzero air conditioning? You can either pile on a pullover or keep it minimal with a Heattech undershirt. Following a code of oxford shirts and slacks? Their wrinkle-free line is a godsend. And their T-shirt collaborations? They’re perfect for casual Fridays or your office’s relaxed dress code. Uniqlo's got answers to all your officewear problems.
See a list of Uniqlo branches.
Zara
It’s a hack every savvy shopper knows: Read fashion news and observe Instagram for inspiration; buy from Zara for a fraction. The Spanish retailer is one of the city’s favorite places for trendy, of-the-moment pieces at friendly prices. If you feel like channeling your inner Nick Young (slim-cut shirting and tropics-friendly suiting) or looking like off-duty Jared Leto on any given workday (pastels, prints, or a crazy combination of both), a trip to the nearest Zara is in order.
See a list of Zara branches.
Burton Menswear
The looks from Burton Menswear seem like everything we know from childhood to be what men wear to the office. And with bankers, lawyers, and other executives required to adhere to a certain dress code from Monday down to casual Friday, getting a week’s worth of work clothes from them seems an easy deal. The best part? Their pieces look stately sans the stuffiness.
See a list of Burton Menswear branches.
Memo
Penshoppe’s sister store for the stylish professional has long been a reliable source of threads that can be worn from the conference room to cocktails. Memo's updated take on classic pieces such as bomber jackets, button-down shirts, and even the humble T-shirt is gamely inspired by trends but not enslaved by them. Try on their athleisure co-ords with a crisp white dress shirt and penny loafers if you haven’t yet; you may have just found your new office look.
See a list of Memo stores.
Onesimus
It is best to leave one’s formal wear conundrums to the experts. After all, a Barong Tagalog or suit in an unflattering cut or incorrect fabric can make you look less professional or dated. Fortunately, dapper tailoring is one of Onesimus’ strongest suits (pun totally unintended). Feel free to drop by any of their shops for a quick consultation to know what cut or material works best for the kind of work you do.
See a list of Onesimus branches.
The Gap
There is something irresistible about The Gap’s arsenal of hits that makes people come back even as emerging trends take up so much Instagram estate or alternative brands have invaded the market. It is as if nothing can measure up to the standards that The Gap have set as far as white oxfords, wrinkle-free polos, neutral crew neck shirts, flat front khakis, and logo hoodies are concerned. They feel like the building blocks to a grown-up, classic wardrobe whether for work or the weekend.
See a list of The Gap branches.
Ricardo Preto Exclusive for Rustan’s
It feels luxurious to know that the clothes on your back were created by and named after an actual person. Portuguese designer and Rustan’s creative director Ricardo Preto lends this feeling to the jackets, blazers, and suits at his eponymous corner in the premiere department store. Cut for comfort and designed for ease, any of his elegant, tailored designs can take you from day to night effortlessly.
Available at Rustan’s.
Bench
Sift through racks of summer prints or streetwear and you’ll find that Bench is a treasure trove of sensible office wear (i.e., pullovers, button-down shirts, and chinos) that you can wear long after botanicals or racer stripes have become stale. Visit their Glorietta, Rockwell, and SM Aura branches or their Bonifacio High Street flagship where the merchandise is a tight edit. Score threads from designer capsule collections such as striped tops by Rafe Totengco and layer each one with pieces from your closet for a much-needed refresh.
See a list of Bench branches.
Topman
Before every fast-fashion brand imaginable arrived in the city, Topman has long been serving a spectrum of high street looks—think preppy cardigan-T-shirt combos and rockstar-like slim tailoring—for Manila’s stylish set. The brand remains relevant today not just by showing fashionable pieces on its storefront; it continually offers what customers have loved through the years. Among them, tailored shirts, well-cut denim, and polished suiting that you can wear on the job.Â
See a list of Topman branches.
Signet
The merchandise at Signet looks and feels like it was picked and put together for a man of refined, well-informed style. Their selection of cult brands, trunk shows that cater to a rarefied few, and staff who walk the talk all speak of the lifestyle that the store espouses. We imagine their suits, casual wear, and accessories to form the wardrobe of an esteemed boss or genteel colleague, and maybe even our future selves.
Signet is at Shangri-La at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City and Power Plant Mall, Makati City.
