“This is a really crazy time to be opening up a store,” admits 3sixteen co-founder Andrew Chen via email. But the thing about real estate and the clothing industry is that most things are usually planned far ahead in advance of let's say — a world-changing pandemic. That hasn't stopped 3sixteen, which quietly opened a flagship store in NYC's Nolita neighborhood this week, albeit on an appointment-only basis, with precautionary social-distancing measures (and other post Covid-19 mouthfuls) fully in place.
Three years after opening its first flagship in LA's Arts District, the shop pays homage to 3sixteen's roots in New York. In fact, it's probably the most New York thing they've done since that jazzy Fall 2009 lookbook. Designed by Brooklyn-based Studio Meadow, reclaimed wood, century-old brick, and textured hand-troweled walls speak to the brand's artisan ethos and products that only get better with age. The most noticeable detail is the arched passage at the shop's center, a nod to the Verrazano Bridge.
Equal parts meditative shopping experience and visual respite from the real world, 3sixteen offers the brand's signature denim in its full array of fits, including the recently resurrected “Classic Straight” fit, which fans of straight-leg dad jeans will certainly appreciate, especially in a soft one-wash fabric ideal for late summer and early fall.
In addition to other bottoms like fatigue pants and selvedge chinos, 3sixteen's slubby cotton work shirts, striped vacation shirts, and patterned popovers still hit for the season. If you're feeling extra spendy, definitely check out their collection of exclusive Viberg footwear (no surprise — we're all about the slip-on mules). There are also a couple of souvenir tees that can be purchased in-store only.
The 3sixteen NYC flagship store is located at 190 Elizabeth Street in Nolita and is open five days a week, but you have to schedule an appointment first at 3sixteen.com.
