It’s no mystery that Europe is home to multiple strongholds of men’s apparel.
London’s Jermyn Street is the birthplace of fine English tailoring. The rivaling Milanese are masters of loose-structured suiting made of breathable fabrics to keep up with the warm Italian climate. Need I mention Paris’ place in all of this?
It doesn’t sit right with me that Madrid is often left out of the conversation. I understand that only Loewe and Zara represent Spain on the global stage, but I’ve never been to country with such a consistently well-dressed male population—the Madrileños especially.
So where do they get all of their clothes?
My passport bears more Barajas Airport stamps than any other. I can’t get enough of the place. After my most recent trip to the cultural, political, and geographic center of Spain, it’s time to show where my shopping budget tapas out each time I visit.
Meermin
C. de Claudio Coello, 20
Since 2001, the family-owned brand from Mallorca has mastered the art of crafting Goodyear welted shoes that rival high-end options.
The Meermin store on Calle de Claudio Coello isn’t the most avant-garde space. Instead, it follows the ethos of their footwear designs—classic, elegant, with a heavy dose of all-natural materials. Nothing screams hand-made shoes like a wall of wooden shoe lasts.
Meermin’s Madrid store is a must-visit for the lad who appreciates quality dress shoes without a steep brand tax. Furthermore, it’s one of the only places you can try on Meermin shoes in person as they’re primarily a direct-to-consumer brand.
El Ganso
Multiple locations
In the interest of full transparency, El Ganso is my favorite Spanish brand. Somehow we haven’t caught onto it here in the States, but with over 150+ points of sale globally, swaths of gentlemen elsewhere are hip to Iberian prep.
I visit Madrid every year, and I always make sure to grab a few of their OCBDs. They’re made in Portugal and cost much less than what you’d pay for the same quality in the USA. El Ganso is also a honeypot for anyone who loves to dress in bold colors—they channel Dalí with the palette.
And unlike some of the single-location spots on this list, El Ganso is the 7-Eleven of Tokyo. You’ll likely pass several without even knowing it.
Massimo Dutti
Multiple locations
Massimo Dutti isn’t exclusive to Madrid, but they are siblings with Zara under the Inditex umbrella—Spain’s 8th largest company as of 2023. However, I’ve been to a few around Europe and the Madrid locations always had more breadth and depth to their assortment, kind of like how the best McDonald’s are sprinkled around Golden Arch HQ in the Chicagoland area.
Unlike Zara’s trend-oriented stance, Massimo Dutti oozes European sophistication. Their menswear is timeless, the quality is better, and their prices are only a touch higher. If you happen to be in Madrid during the winter, cashmere and wool is their specialty, and I highly recommend them for an extra layer before strolling Retiro Park.
Neutrale
C. de Belén, 4
A lot of the locations on this list deliver a theatrical shopping experience with seasonal pop-ups, marvelous architecture, and in-store dining. Neutrale, on the other hand, is a peaceful sanctuary where I’ve purchased my most-worn basics.
I dig Neutrale because they’re never doing too much. Everything has a relaxed or loose fit, unlike the countless American brands who insist on slim-fit everything season after season. Most of their apparel is made from 100% cotton in Spain. Even their bathing suits are made from cotton. If you’re iffy about synthetic fabrics, you know how major that is.
MAN 1924
C. Claudio Coello, 23
MAN 1924 might seem ordinary from afar, but up close, you’ll quickly realize that the Bilbao-based menswear house is a cut above anything else on the market.
Pictured above is Carlos Castillo, grandson of the founder who currently runs the brand. He’s got such an ethereal command of personal style, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t shop from MAN 1924 in an attempt to emulate him.
The brand employs two things that made Spain a global authority in its textile production heyday: quality and classic tailoring practices. MAN 1924 makes this list because it’s the kind of clothing you need to touch, feel, and try on in person. Believe me, ordering online won’t leave you disappointed, but you’ll be hooked once you try on any of their sweaters, blazers, or trousers.
While cities like Paris and Milan may steal the spotlight, Madrid is home to some real menswear delights that punch above their weight class. Between the rich squid-ink paella and the red wine that could easily find its way onto your shirt, there couldn’t be a better place to hunt for replacements.
