The Choosy Beggar

New York Magazine just named this Lower East Side gem the city’s best resource for tailored suits ($1,800 and up). This ain’t Daddy’s bespoke, however — unless Pops was the frontman for a British rock band in the ‘60s, and had a serious gothic streak. The shop is actually a collaborative efforts between four designers — Amber Doyle, Jake Mueser, Simon P. Jacobs, and Ryan Matthew — each of whom bring their own area of technical expertise, from handmade leather goods and silver and brass jewelry to those custom suits and jeans.

Adriano Goldschmied’s denim is pricey, but not outlandishly so. It’s neither as minimalist as a pair A.P.C.’s, nor as busy as, say, 7 For All Mankind. It’s for — dare we say — “regular” guys. This downtown locale is well lit, and thoroughly hospitable. While an in-house seamstress perfects the fit of your jeans, help yourself to complimentary shots of espresso, along with the store’s “regular guy” leather, understated shirts, and colorful cashmere sweaters.

Think high-end basics. Think pima cotton henleys, polos, and crew necks, striped cardigans and cashmere hoodies with thermal linings — always in muted earth tones like gray, navy, and olive. If perhaps more L.A. than N.Y.C., designer Adam Lippes definitely keeps his offerings cool and consistent.

With just a hint of the minimalist avant-garde aesthetic that informs its art collective endeavors, Acne Studio specializes in functional sportswear for casual work-settings and downtown dinners. Along with its signature denim ($250), you’ll always find tapered chinos, creatively cuts suits, pattern-free cotton cardigans, shirts, Tees, and a selection of simple dress shoes.

A.P.C. is synonymous with raw denim. Its understated, super-stiff indigo New Standard’s ($160) are standard indeed in stylish circles from Paris to New York; its loft-like Mercer St. stronghold hallowed ground for denim lovers everywhere. Yet, from fine corduroy blazers and military parkas to knits and cotton shirts in seductively muted tones, the French label always has something more to offer than just jeans.