★ Style maketh the man

If style maketh the man, then Melbourne is the place for men to be made(over). The city is brimming with options for men to hone their grooming – from boutiques to barbers and everything in between. With the Spring Racing Carnival just around the corner (19 September – 22 November), there is no better time of year for a guy to refresh his look. Here are some of the best bets for men looking to get savvy with their style:

Dress up

HarroldsSince launching in 1985, Harrolds has become an institution among Melbourne’s most fashion conscious. Perched at the top end of Collins Street, Harrolds stocks a combination of Australian designers and international labels, spanning more than 70 of the world’s finest design houses. A made-to-measure service is also available. 101 Collins Street, Melbourne, +61 3 8660 7888

P Johnson TailorsOpen Tuesday to Saturday, P. Johnson fits guys to suits so they can feel as comfortable as they would in a pair of pyjamas. Operating more as a show room than a shop per se, visitors can make an appointment, get to know the cuts and fabrics and then have a suit made to measure. The process takes a total of about six weeks and requires three fittings, so it is best suited to travellers visiting Melbourne frequently or staying for an extended period. 29 Thomas St, Windsor, +61 488 207 240

MaraisA must visit for anyone who covets high fashion, Marais Melbourne launched its second store last year, leaving its original space in the Royal Arcade to house (almost) solely menswear. Givenchy, Kenzo, Christopher Kane, Carvin and Balmain are among the global brands represented here. Named after Paris’ fashion district, the store fitout, service and collection ensures it lives up to expectations. 1st Floor Royal Arcade, 314 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9639 0314

Godwin CharliA quintessential Melbourne brand, Godwin Charli specialises in tailored fashion. Its ready-to-wear collection can be found at each of its four shops around Melbourne, and a made-to-measure service is also available. 194 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9662 4435 and others.

Arthur Galan AGA Melbourne-based brand specialising in sophisticated mens and womenswear, Arthur Galan AG is a go-to for fine attire. The brand is known for its style, cut and quality and offers bespoke fittings and made-to-order garments alongside its ready-to-wear collections. With five standalone stores at Melbourne’s major shopping hubs including: 568 Chapel Street, South Yarra, +61 3 9827 7222 and others

MISTER HEWITTFrom the man behind the much-loved Madam Virtue & Co, comes a destination for the avant-garde guy, MISTER HEWITT. Here, a range of hand-picked contemporary, vintage and limited edition menswear and accessories are on offer, and some of the world’s biggest luxury fashion labels are represented. 5 Crossley Street Melbourne, +61 3 9663 8669

Dress down

SomewhereTucked away on level two of Melbourne’s Royal Arcade, Somewhere brings together local designers with the best emerging and established labels from around the world. With a penchant for all things Nordic, the team behind the boutique have an eye for casual chic style and present it in a minimalistic and fresh space. Level 2, Royal Arcade, 314 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, +61 3 9663 3003

HANDSOMMelbourne-based label HANDSOM combines contemporary design with functionality, to create everyday clothing for men (and women). The independent brand is based on Gertrude Street, Fitzory with a stand alone store at street level and its headquarters and design studio upstairs. 163 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, +61 3 9078 7306

IncuIncu presents a collection of smart-casual menswear from Australian and international brands including Rag and Bone, Comme des Garcon, Acne Studios and Vanishing Elephant. It has two dedicated menswear stores in Melbourne: the Flinders Lane store is inspired partly by the maze of laneways that surround it and the store at QV is based in part on the television series Mad Men. Shop 6A, 274 Melbourne, +61 3 9663 9933 and Shop ACL9 QV, Albert Coates Lane +61 3 9662 3730

NeuwA contemporary shopping experience for the modern man, Neuw is a Melbourne based brand with denim at its core. Its collections of casual wear make its standalone stores in Fitzroy, (on Brunswick Street and Smith Street) prime destinations for a wardrobe update. 397 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, +61 3 9416 4307 and 169 Smith Street, Fitzroy, +61 3 9419 2882

One stop shops

Captains of IndustryA go-to for male grooming in Melbourne, Captains of Industry is tucked away on Level One of a discreet building on Somerset Place. After finding the doorway and climbing the stairs, visitors are welcomed into an industrial-style space featuring a cafe, barbershop, jeweller and shoemaker. Whether its a coffee overlooking the city laneway, a straight shave or a pair of bespoke shoes, Captains of Industry caters to the needs of the discerning gentleman. Level 1, 2 Somerset Place, Melbourne, +61 3 9670 4405

Pickings & ParryWith a nod to days gone by, Pickings & Parry presents a selection of clothing and accessories for the working man. The focus is on products that are traditionally crafted from leather, denim and other hard-wearing fabrics, from brands including Aero Leather Clothing, JS. Sloane, North Sea Clothing, Stevenson Overall Co. and Tanner Goods. The in-store barber ensures visitors leave looking sharp from head to toe. 126 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, +61 3 9417 3390

Finishing touches

Smart Alec HattersAs the name suggestions, it is hats galore at Smart Alec Hatters, where the friendly staff assist in the selection of the perfect head piece. From fedoras to top hats, boaters to berets and everything in between, Smart Alec Hatters is a destination hat store. Additional accessories are also available, including cufflinks, scarves and gloves. 235 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, +61 3 9416 4664

Lord CoconutLord Coconut is the place to go for men looking to complete their look with a one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery. The retail showroom and gallery on Flinders Lane, specialises in contemporary handcrafted rings, necklaces and bracelets for men; it is the only retailer in Australia dedicated to handcrafted contemporary men’s jewellery. 4/289 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, +61 450 015 263

Double MonkA haven for fiends of quality men’s accessories, Double Monk on Smith Street, Fitzroy is stocks an admirable selection of high-end British shoes is peppered with other accessories such as ties, socks and umbrellas. The bar at the back of the shop (and the taxidermied wall adornments) creates an ambiance fit for old-fashioned tastes and the gentlemen of today. A custom-made service is also available. 53 Smith Street, Fitzroy, +61 3 9417 3335

124 Shoes124 Shoes stocks a hand selected collection of quality original footwear in limited quantities. Filling a niche between luxury brands and mass-market retailers, the collection is sourced from Italy’s finest footwear manufacturing regions. Shoes here are produced using traditional artisan techniques and the service offered is well-grounded in knowledge and experience. 16-30 Russell Place, Melbourne, +61 3 9662 2941

Grooming

Kings DomainOwned by renowned hairdresser, Joey Scandizo and his former apprentice, Aaron Chan, Kings Domain combines the best of old-school barber-cuts with the modern day salon experience. With a salon recently opened in the city of Melbourne, Kings Domain now has two locations – the other is south of the river, in Toorak. Services include hair cut, hot towel shave, beard trim and the ‘Royal Treatment’ combining a haircut and shave. 1/12 Collins Street, Melbourne +61 3 9939 5117 and 1/177 Toorak Road, Toorak, +61 3 9939 3100

Morris MotleyNot every hair cutting studio has more than 40k followers on Instagram. Morris Motley does. Founder Rob Mason prides himself on the ability to map the anatomy of every face to create a hair cut to suit it. His focus is on clean, masculine styles, achieved through the greatest attention to detail. Rob has also developed a range of hair products for men – the Morris Motley Men’s Hair Care line – to help men style their hair post-salon experience. 23 Balmain St, Cremorne