Being a fashion-forward guy is frequently much more difficult than your girlfriend gives you credit for. We know you want to look your best—for us, for your boss, for yourself—but striking that balance between standing out and being classically handsome is oftentimes seriously stress-inducing. When the time comes to refresh your wardrobe, shopping in a female-centric store can  only add more stress—we all know the classic cliché that guys hate shopping, but we at Joonbug believe that what guys really hate is shopping like we do. You deserve your own place—a place with a cool, laid back vibe where you can get in, browse with ease, get help when you need it, and get back out again. Welcome Stranger, in Hayes Valley, is exactly that sort of place.

Welcome Stranger reminds us of a classic men’s tailor updated for the 21^st century. The atmosphere is rustic and masculine, reminiscent of the gold rush era (perhaps-not-coincidentally, the largest gold nugget ever found was nicknamed “Welcome Stranger”). With brands like Band of Outsiders, Billy Reid, In God We Trust, and Topman you’ll have plenty of cutting-edge pieces to build your own look from. Be prepared to fall in love with something you find inside their doors—we know your girlfriend will, too. The employees are absolutely top-notch and understand how to actually help a guy shop; they’ll be there if you need them, but will never hover.

If you’ve never been in before, Welcome Stranger is a cool enough place to visit on its own merit—but even if you and the Stranger have become old friends, now is the perfect time to check back in. Welcome stranger has just debuted their namesake denim label (when we say just debuted, we mean it: the first batch of jeans hit the shelves last Thursday) and you’re absolutely going to want to be one of the first in town to get your grubby little mitts on legs in a pair. The line is made from 12oz White Oak Cone Original selvedge denim (heavy enough to last, but light enough to give that sharp, tailored look) and designed and produced right in San Fran (buy local!). The jeans are actually manufactured in a cone mill that still houses the original process set of “1909 Mill Tour” stereographs, allowing Welcome Stranger to use the same rugged and proven production methods as the very first jean manufacturers did. The new line offers two styles of fitment: Slim/Straight is sleek through the thighs and knee with a 16” leg opening and a 9” rise; Straight fit is more relaxed through the thigh and knee, with a quarter-inch of extra room in both the leg opening and the rise. Both fits come in a classic indigo wash and feature sweet twill-lined waistbands for extra comfort and a touch of class.

We don’t have room to adequately explain how much we approve of Welcome Stranger’s style, selection, staff, and support of local industry (we’ve also been longtime fans of sister boutique Azalea, conveniently located next door); you’re going to have to stop by yourself and try on a few fresh looks to really understand why this place absolutely deserves your support. Why are you still reading this? Go, already!

460 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 (between Hayes and Grove); 415-864-2079