The best men's accessory shops in Sydney

The Strand Hatters is something of a Sydney institution, having opened in The Strand Arcade over 50 years ago. Head Milliner Robert J Carroll has been there for 30 of those years. The store stocks the finest in hand-crafted headwear in a range of classic styles: pith helmet, fez, boater, sombrero, French beret, Greek fisherman’s cap... the list goes on. In addition to hats, they stock bowties, braces, ties, cravats, colognes, wallets and scarves, as well as gorgeously crafted canes and umbrellas for the truly distinguished gentleman. Sydney.

Route 66 is another iconic Sydney store; the go-to for those looking for truly exciting one-off vintage men’s and women’s garments. Of particular note is their extensive accessories range, which, while ever changing, often includes Akubra hats, leather wallets, men’s jewellery such as rings (antique and new), bolo ties, sunglasses, footwear, buckles and belts, bandannas, cuff links, boot and collar tups, and pins. Known for their distinctly rockabilly style, Route 66 is a treasure trove of unique finds for the greaser in you. Darlinghurst.

A chicly cluttered store on Crown Street, The Collector Store is a fashion and home wears store stocking an eclectic array of items from around the world — fair trade wooden bowls, rubix cube ottomons, original artworks, and other curiosities fill the space and line the walls. Lesser known is their range of men’s accessories, which includes Herschel backpacks and rollbags, Vanishing Elephant and Superga shoes, Mr Simple belts, and various socks. Plus, they have an excellent range of men’s grooming products, including Prospector Co. aftershaves and old-fashioned wet shave cream, Herbivore Botanicals beard tonic and shave oil, Botot toothpastes and mouthwashes, and Binchotan charcoal shaving gels and facial masks and scrub towels. Surry Hills.

The buyers at Footage have impeccable taste. Their Darlinghurst boutique showcases a very chic range of men’s (and women’s) accessories, footwear and garments, with an emphasis on classic, wearable designs of superior quality.  Think Simon and Mary hats in earthy tones, Tanner leather belts and scented soaps, Grenson Archie Vs leather brogues, Dita eyewear, and even DS & Durga scents, perhaps the most notable of which is ‘Sir’, an old-fashioned homage to the perfumer’s own grandfather, smelling of patchouli, cognac, amber, and cigars. Darlinghurst.

Sterling Apothecary stock a huge variety of men’s grooming products and tools. They  offer pomades, brilliantines and other hair styling products, plus an in-house range of aftershave tonics; they’ve even partnered with LYNX on their 2015 LYNX Expression Series. More a tool man than a product man? They’ve got badger hair shaving brushes, razors and combs. They’re even going into apparel, including Sterling-branded T-shirts and soon a line of button-up shirts inspired by shirts from the 1930s. Of course, Sterling also offers all grooming services, including haircuts, hot towel cut throat razor shaves and beard trims. Chippendale.

Incu has long been the go-to destination for men’s (and women’s) wear and accessories, stocking a wide variety of wearable garments from local and international brands. For a taste of what’s in store, think A.P.C. belts and wallets, Saturdays NYC leather wallets, Bellroy iPhone pockets, Comme des Garcons wallets, Norse Projects caps, and accessories from menswear designer Felix Chan’s new label The New Albion. Sydney.