This is a review of the former venue – O'Dell's has moved to a (chap-swingingly) larger premises in Soho.
It might be too small to swing a chap in, but if you devised a checklist of shopping lusts for a London man about town, you could tick most boxes in O'Dells. Smart Northampton-made shoes? Yes. Chairman Mao-ish jacket? Yes. Old-fangled wallet? Filament light bulbs? Cold-pressed coffee? Beard oil? Full house. Its owner is Tom O’Dell – who, being rangy and hairy, bears no resemblance to his near-namesake. He worked at menswear label Nigel Hall before opening this corner shop of manly pleasures, and has populated it with finds from London and, predictably, Brooklyn: the hipster twin-town to Hackney.
Every product has a pleasing provenance – like the rugs, woven by an arty lady whose fancy Pimlico home has a loom in the lounge. Why, doesn’t yours? Knitted ties, the only kind to be seen in at the moment, are hand-crafted in Italy. Rucksacks are made to order in London with a two-week turnaround. Current bestsellers are sunglasses by a Danish label called Han Kjøbenhavn (£100) and a £20 scented candle by a cult brand previously unavailable in the UK. Yes, even candles have cult followings these days.
If you have a fellow to buy for, and you’re feeling a bit clueless, come to O'Dell's – stick a pin in anywhere and you’ll pick a winner.