by Katie Thompson
Norwich is a city humming with creative spirit. Our cobbled streets are lined with indies aplenty– from vintage fashion to local makers to stores where craftsmanship is king. And that means they’re home to an amazing selection of menswear, too.
From stylish streetwear to quality classics to carefully curated second-hand. Fashion-forward thinking is woven into our history. Whether you honour slow fashion and traditional processes, love your favourite brands all in one place, or prefer perusing the rails of an up-and-coming concept store. We’re full of modern flair taking bold new steps (quite literally when it comes to footwear!).
This is our guide to the best menswear in Norwich!
Jarrolds is home to an array of menswear brands- and some brilliant local labels too!
With a wonderful selection of high street heroes all in one place, Norwich’s menswear doesn’t stop at our department stores and must-visit shopping malls.
Our flagship independent department store Jarrolds (Exchange Street, Monday – Sunday) boasts 5 floors of over 50 departments, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there’s a wonderful selection of menswear brands to browse on the ground floor. Alongside well-known names like AllSaints and Selected Homme, you can discover local labels Nor Folk and Vintage Apparel.
Speaking of vintage, if second-hand is more your thing, check out Norwich Market! Taxi Vintage and Lovering & Co. are great for denim (and the odd Hermès tie), while long-established Anderson’s specialises in men’s workwear from brands like Dr. Martens and Wrangler (all Monday – Saturday).
For a mix of streetwear and luxury, head to Chantry Place (St Stephens Street, Monday – Sunday). Here you’ll find Flannels with its curated edit of ready to wear trend-led fashion. Think a mix of handpicked modern and longstanding menswear from the likes of Commes Des Garcons, Jil Sander and Jacquemus. Then head across Level 1 to peruse the selections of BOSS, Levi’s, JD and Breitling.
Meanwhile, Castle Quarter (Castle Meadow, Monday – Sunday) is home to contemporary clothing at House of Cavani and John Lewis (All Saints Green, Monday – Sunday) offers an array of styles from their own label as well as high street and premium brands like Lacoste, Lee, The Kooples and Timberland.
In Sevenwolves, find recognised quality menswear alongside emerging brands
Here in Norwich, we’re lucky to have such a unique selection of independent menswear stores right at the heart of our city centre.
One of the most popular is Sevenwolves (Exchange Street, Monday – Sunday). This is a store that celebrates high quality and emerging men’s fashion brands, with names like Universal Works and Folk alongside hardwearing well-made accessories by the likes of Brooks, Sandqvist and Patagonia.
Dogfish (Bedford Street, Monday – Sunday) is also part of the Sevenwolves family. Serving Norwich’s fashion-forward shoppers for over 30 years, this cool concept store blends streetwear and workwear across three floors. Here, you’ll find Dickies, Fred Perry, Carhartt and more. Plus, Dogfish is home to Gokotta Handcraft– a tailor where you can champion the pieces you already own through alterations, repairs and customisation with darning, embroidery and the Japanese technique of sashiko.
Norwich has a long-standing history of stocking popular streetwear brands since the 1980s
Elsewhere, Elements (Lower Goat Lane, Monday – Sunday) places emphasis on staples. Since the ‘80s, this store has housed only the best long-standing British and European brands that epitomise ‘80s and ‘90s youth culture, including Lyle & Scott, Gabicci, and sportswear by Sergio Tacchini and Ellesse. In a space that’s effortlessly cool, knowledgeable staff are on hand to help 7 days a week.
As the newest kid on the block, The Shopkeeper Store (Upper St Giles, Tuesday – Sunday) has firmly established itself in Norwich’s menswear scene. Housed in an old Victorian apothecary, their ethos- craftmanship and quality- suits Norwich’s characterful surrounds. With small collections of well-made pieces- be it a French workwear jacket or block print shirts, The Shopkeeper Store’s clothes get better with wear.
The Shopkeeper is store is one of Norwich’s many thoughtfully curated menswear independents
Similarly, Doe & Dog (St Georges Street, Tuesday – Saturday) is all about utility and heritage. Their focus is on versatility, bringing the finest worldwide menswear brands to not just Norwich, but the UK too, and celebrating quality. This store is a go-to for selvedge denim and under-the-radar Asian brands.
And we couldn’t forget Jonathan Trumbull (St Stephens Street, Monday – Sunday), Hatters (White Lion Street, Monday – Sunday) and Chadds (Bedford Street, Monday – Saturday)! For over 50 years, these menswear stores have brought premium fashion to the City of Stories. Chadds is a traditional gentleman’s outfitters, their shelves lined with dapper formal and casual wear, while Jonathan Trumbull and Hatters are where cool and contemporary labels like Burberry, Diesel, Kenzo, Paul Smith and more line the rails- proof that small independents are a mainstay in Norwich’s menswear scene.
Country and Eastern is a hidden gem- one that stocks beautifully made shirts, waistcoats and accessories
Why not shop like a local in one of Norwich’s hidden gems? The South Asia Collection’s Country and Eastern shop (Bethel Street, Monday – Saturday) sells expertly crafted pieces that equal the beauty of their surroundings. Think herringbone (and reversible) waistcoats handwoven in the Himalayas, effortlessly smart lightweight cotton shirts and beautifully detailed woollen scarves from India. These natural fibre pieces are chic, seasonless and support South Asian craftsmanship.
For everyday wear, take note of Blakely (online only). This local lifestyle fashion brand is instantly recognisable from its logo-emblazoned hoodies and t-shirts. With clean lines, a neutral colour palette and comfortable finish, you can wear each piece with ease.
And for the finishing touch? We recommend a visit to Dipples (Swan Lane, Monday – Saturday). This jeweller is one of the oldest family-run businesses in the city and is known for its wonderful watch selection! From luxury labels to classic designs, a Dipples watch is an investment that stands the test of time (sorry!) and trends.
Bowhill & Elliott’s velvet slippers are an homage to Norwich’s shoemaking heritage
Never mind the City of Stories- how about the City of Shoemaking? Between the late 18th and 20th centuries, Norwich was renowned for its high-quality footwear. Today this heritage endures through Bowhill & Elliott (London Street, Monday – Saturday), specialising in handmade velvet house slippers and loafers on the same site for over 150 years.
Bowhill & Elliot honour traditional processes and a slow fashion ethos- they’re the only slipper maker in the UK to make out the back and sell out the front. You can even elevate your shoes with bespoke embroidery, monograms or family crests. And in this a beautiful store, their friendly team complete the luxury experience, one that invests in heritage footwear as well as the heritage of our fine city.
Another brand with a rich shoemaking history is Loake (White Lion Street, Monday – Sunday). This footwear brand has established a loyal customer base thanks to their attention to detail, quality leather and dedication to British craftsmanship. And once you’ve invested in a pair of Loake shoes, you can prolong their lifespan with their full repair service!
