The Brick Shirt House

How do I put this?
Brick Shirt House /​is/​Alan Goouch. Classy, cordial, and almost incorrigibly stylish, proprietor Goouch delivers a level of customer service and comraderie that’s unparalleled in my experiences in this city. Look, we all know how store owners in Yorkville can be, and shopping for menswear at any of the big chain stores can leave you feeling judged-​down-​the-​nose or as if you’re being circled by sharks. There’s none of that here: within seconds of meeting Alan you know exactly what kind of person he is. Natural rapport develops in moments, and he’s one of the single most genuine people I’ve ever met in my life, let alone in retail.
Alan’s easygoing style and fearless flair for color translate right into everything he stocks. While Brick Shirt House carries a range of looks, their standout offerings are colorful, fun, bold and just far enough ahead of the curve to make shopping feel like a breath of fresh air. Alan’s specialty is clothing as self-​expression; fashion embraced without pretense. The result is a small boutique experiences that offers big possibilities and a ton of personality without prissiness or condescension. I shop there chiefly for their stunning range of Robert Graham, but there’s a wealth of Signum, Bugatchi, and even local Toronto labels like Seven Downie Street (fast becoming a guilty pleasure of mine). The range of accessories is broad as well, and since everything’s handpicked by Alan and partner Deborah there’s a sense of synergy that runs through everything.
Don’t recognize the labels I’m namedropping? Not used to being stopped on the streets by people who want to tell you how great your shirt looks? Go. Go now, and walk out looking better than the rest of the Yorkvillians you’ll pass on the street. Brick Shirt House makes it so freaking easy. Ladies, send your schlubby men here and watch them emerge like colorful butterflies from a cocoon.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that there’s nothing lame at this place. Too often you go shopping for clothes and have to wade through a ton of boring blah just to get to the cool, unique, and truly timeless pieces — the stuff that transcends the trends to harness a sense of real character. Combine that with approachable pricing and stellar service (shirts range from about $ 100 to just below $ 300 on the highest end), and Brick Shirt House is an absolute treasure.
If there’s a comparable establishment in the downtown area I’ve yet to find it. Drop in, have a look around and see what I mean — it’s awesome.