Fashion is probably my longest passion and is something I have yet to share with you. Since I can remember I have been interested in clothes and sneakers (trainers for my U.K. people). I can remember spending every cent I made on my paper rounds on some new item of clothing or new pair of shoes. I couldn’t tell you why it has taken me so long to start sharing this passion with you, but I am now filled with a great desire to do so.
I want to start local and share with you five places in the Queen City, outside the malls, that you should be giving a visit. Not only are these places less crowded than your mega malls, but they all have unique pieces you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.
Buffalo Exchange
For any college student, Buffalo Exchange should be at the top of your list. Firstly, you can sell your own clothes for cash or trade. They also do a great job in staying close to the pulse of current trends with the selections of recycled fashion they take. Meaning unlike your regular thrift store where you have to break your shoulder to find a good item, you are actually able to find good quality clothes a majority of the time, with prices that really can’t be matched. During college, this was my go to and quite frankly still is. Wanting to update my wardrobe fairly frequently, the beauty of walking in a store with $30 and walking out with three items that aren’t cheaply made and that don’t leave you feeling guilty, is hard to find. If cash isn’t your friend and clothes keep calling your name, Buffalo Exchange is the place for you.
Social Status
Next door to Buffalo Exchange, on the other end of the spectrum in terms of pricing, sits Social Status (Hypebeast heaven). With a relatively small street wear/hypebeast culture in Charlotte, Social Status serves as your one stop shop for all your hypebeasting needs, carrying brands from Bape to Off-White and my current favorite Aime Leon Dore. With your regular T-shirt selling for upward of a $100, you’ve really got to be about the culture to be shopping there. That being said, they do a great job in the pieces that they select and for your regular consumer, I would consider Social Status as your first visit when sneaker shopping as they quite simply have the best selection in town. If you’re about the culture or are simply looking for unique pieces to add to your wardrobe, Social Status should be your next visit.
Tabor
Staying with high-end, my next pick is Tabor. Tabor is a menswear store located off Providence Road in Myers Park. Tabor is undoubtedly New York/Manhattan inspired, from the layout out and selection of clothing to the businesses it shares it space with. Under the same roof you will find a ‘Not Just Coffee’ coffee shop and the Soco Gallery. The space is clean and fresh and really plays well with the menswear lifestyle. Tabor carries brands from Thom Browne to A.P.C to Common Projects, along with many other carefully selected brands. Tabor, like Social Status, really is the only one of its kind in the Queen City, and for the responsibility it has in carrying menswear in Charlotte, I think they’re doing a great job. I feel the introduction of more menswear stores like Tabor in Charlotte would go a long way in boosting the cities aesthetics, and for anyone who’s looking to build the foundation of their wardrobe Tabor, is a must.
Score
Located off the French Quarter in Uptown, you can find Score. Score is similar to Tabor in that it provides that communal marketplace feel combining menswear and coffee. However, unlike Tabor, I think it is in the infancy of its identity. While the space is open and clean, the selection of clothing and accessories leaves you confused with its direction. Carrying styles from menswear to skate culture, the quality and style of clothes are on the lower-end, which is disappointing for a space that holds so much potential. That being said, the space alone is attractive and there are a few unique pieces to be found. If you are a Charlottean and you like to support local business, you should definitely check them out. I believe the store is only going to get better and better.
Life Support NC
Located in the heart of NoDa, you will find Life Support NC. Now, I’m putting them on this list for one reason only…their FiLA collection. Life support is a street wear/skate shop that I don’t think to many Charlotteans will know about. It sits quietly in the middle of NoDa, off North Davidson Street, not bragging to anyone. While the majority of their clothes are easy to overlook, you can’t pass their FiLA collection without doing a double-take. FiLA, being a brand that has been on the comeback in recent years, is still struggling to place itself in the main stream stores and while we have seen its reintroduction in stores like Urban Outfitters, a true representation of what the brand is isn’t represent. However, Life Support NC is its life line. The owner originally being from New York told me its a brand that represented their culture back in the day. From the velvet tracksuits, to the bucket hats and sneakers, it’s truly unique in the Charlotte marketplace and well worth a visit.
All of the above are great stores and ones that you should give a visit before heading to the mall.
I would love to hear what stores you shop at in Charlotte and places that you think are cool and unique that I may be missing out on.
Thanks for reading.
- Ryan Ejezie