Skip to main content

A chat with the guys at STAG

In 2009, Steve Shuck and Don Weir were pissed off. The scarcity of menswear stores in Austin was at an all time low, and the pair struggled to identify any single destination that provided all manner of man stuff – accessories, gadgets, grooming, etcetera. Fortunately, their disgruntlement led to the birth of STAG, a modern-day general store/haven for men stocking everything from John Derian prints to vintage Lee jackets and Hammerpress stationery.

The Manual caught up with them one windy Thursday evening to talk essential provisions for the modern gentleman and weekend plans.

Related Videos

When did you open the store?

The store opened in December 2009.

From where did the General Store for men concept originate?

When we were thinking about the store, we recognized that Austin was riddled with loads of shops and boutiques aimed at women, but very few catering to men. The few men’s stores that existed either sat side by side with a women’s boutique (and felt like an afterthought) or were very small with little selection. We really set out to create a space exclusively for men, with an assortment of goods that met many of his needs in one place – apparel, accessories, furniture, grooming, design, music, art, gifts, and more.

What is your definition of a modern gentleman?

For us, he’s a guy that cares about classic style over current fashion. He’s confident in himself and his taste, yet open minded to new thoughts and ideas. He values quality and tradition, but is not beholden to old ways. He’s intellectually curious, and thinks about the world outside of his immediate view.

What’s on your radar for summer? 

We’ve stocked the store with modern spins on classic menswear styles and fabrics for summer. You’ll find a strong selection of madras, seersucker, gingham, and other lightweight cotton favorites in everything from short sleeved camp shirts and Bermuda length shorts to more tailored suits and vests. There’s also a lot of nautical influence this summer, lots of indigos and stripes, that’s more merchant marine than Nantucket. And, as Austin temperatures will be in the triple digits soon, a great swimsuit from Saturdays or Katin and a beach towel from the Hudson Bay Company to hit Barton Springs (a natural spring-fed pool in town) along with a cooler of cold beer are a must.

You talk about selecting products with ‘authentic, red-blooded style’ what do you mean by this?

We mean classic items with an American point of view that can stand the test of time in both style and wear & tear. We want our guy to feel good about investing in quality workmanship and special details over trends and embellishments. We try to only select items for the shop that can be in his closet for years to come.

Thanks for the chat! Do you have any exciting plans this weekend?

There’s a big Grand Prix motorcycle race in town that several friends are going to, but we need to take down the 18′ Sioux tipi that’s in our back yard. It’s an amazing place to hang out with friends in the winter and spring, but absolutely brutal in the summer.

Editors' Recommendations

How Mark Wahlberg Designed Some of the Most Durable Workout Clothes for Men
mark wahlberg municipal feature dsc4959

For his entire career, people have been talking about what Mark Wahlberg was wearing. In the early Nineties as the fresh-faced Marky Mark, he and his Calvin Klein undies towered from billboards even as his music climbed Billboard. The Aughts, the leather and skin and Jennifer Aniston in Rock Star, and the 2010s, satin trunks in the instant classic (and Oscar-winning) The Fighter. After decades of microscopic attention to what Mark Wahlberg is wearing (and especially what he didn't wear), it makes sense that in July 2020, the 49-year-old did the obvious and launched his workout clothing brand, Municipal.

Wahlberg is no stranger to partnering with clothing brands for signature lines and one-offs; an Indian Motorcycles capsule with Fuelled Apparel and Jordan are just a few recent examples. But Municipal is distinct in that its genesis was not introduced by a company man or crafty agent but from an organic idea: What if men's everyday wear could get them through an entire day?

Read more
The Ultimate Holiday Style Guide
holiday style guide christmasweaterfeature

In Christmases past, this season would be jammed packed with holiday parties and events galore, offering opportunities to put on our finest suits for black-tie events or kitchsy Christmas sweaters for family gathering.
This year, holiday party traditions are looking a bit different. Fewer family gatherings and office parties and more zoom gatherings that are equally as chaotic. For most of the year, comfy loungewear has been a go-to for many of us (which we aren't complaining about) but dressing up -- even with nowhere to go, allows us to hold on to some kind of normalcy.
Whether it's for a zoom call or a social distance gathering, we put together some of the best Christmas fits from some of our favorite clothing brands below.

Home For The Holidays
When you're back home for the holidays you're more than likely opting for the most comfortable and relaxing styles. You don't want to go too comfortable or your parents might be concerned how you're doing out in the world on your old -- no matter how old you are.
Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Bear Intarsia Knit Wool-Blend Sweater

Read more
Nordstrom Cyber Monday Sale 2021: Last Chance to Shop Men’s Fashion Deals
nordstrom black friday sale 2020 handsome man downtown

If we've said it once before, we've probably said it a couple thousand times. It's your last chance to shop the best Cyber Monday deals. And where else to go but Nordstrom, one of our favorite retailers when it comes to offering up seasonal discounts aplenty on men's gear across the board?

Related Guides

Read more