Palmer Trading Company

Beware the apathetic shop boy with asymmetrical… Suspect character who is far more concerned with checking his Facebook then selling stuff.

I travel to New York City about once a month and never fail to visit this wonderful little All American men’s store on a little side street in SOHO. I love the winter socks I’ve purchased this year and the great little wool blanket I got for my naps on the couch. They have a wonderful friendly staff and are even open until 8.

Ugh, all of SoHo is like «the mall» — generic eurowear in perpetual sale. Dejected, I sat down at a Americas Park and typed in something simple into Unilocal: American clothes. Up pops Palmer.
All I want is American clothing, sans obvious style. It’s nearly extinct in Lower Manhattan but Palmer had it. I wouldn’t have bought anything if it weren’t for the 60% off sale where I got pants for $ 78. That’s the bottom end, and an end I have no mind in.

I was really happy with my experience with shopping here, and whatever candle they burn throughout the day makes me not want to leave. Be happy it isn’t some crappy perfume they’re spraying.
There’s this guy who works there, and each time I’ve browsed the collection he has been extremity helpful and super easy to talk to. The quality of of what you buy here is also really good, and made in the USA.
If you’re around the neighborhood, you should stop in and see what they’ve got.

I used to work in the space now occupied by Palmer Trading Co, so when we left my standards for our replacements were pretty high. Luckily, PTC is the kind of store you want to move into because of all the thought that’s gone into their products and their space.
They have a beautifully curated collection of high quality, rugged but appealing menswear and accessories. You could recraft your whole wardrobe in timeless American-​made pieces, or just pick up a special pair of jeans or an unbelievably soft flannel. And although the store is definitely geared towards manly men (in a good way), women could definitely find something here as well.
One thing to consider is that, if you’re shopping for someone else who isn’t normally the outdoorsy sort, come with a plan. Otherwise you might get overwhelmed by the chambray suspenders and heavy sweaters, and decide that PTC’s look isn’t really «them.» If that happens, though, you can just ask the nice guys working there for advice. They’re very helpful and really know their stuff.

The reality with NYC is that only the kids that shop at Seven NY push it really far. I mean… most kids incorporate a nice pair of mocs, a canvas bag or a thick flannel shirt in their look, but ultimately there’s nothing special about them. They’re wearing nice stuff, but they all just look like they live around the Lorimer stop.
P.T.C. is for the kids that want to go kinda hardcore with the heritage, exclusively hand-​made (in the US) thing. Like a rougher Freeman Sporting Club, P.T.C. made me feel like Sullivan St. had been transported to Vermont (or New Hampshire, can’t really choose between the two states). There, I could stock up for that fantasy hike I’ll never take, or for that late-​fall weekend I’ll never spend with friends in my fantasy cabin in upstate New York… chopping wood, playing with my imaginary dog, watching my breath evaporate in the cold air…
They get four stars for being the first to carry Oak Street Bootmakers in NYC and for supporting a variety of other manufacturers that are so old and 4-​real that they fly over the bloggers’ heads. They are nice and chatty about the things we’re fanatic about and although the store is small, stopping by is always worth it.
Come here to regain the masculinity NY has stolen from you, support unknown American brands and visit a nice niche store.