Skip to main content

The Armoury is a Retail Haven for the Well-Dressed Man

Founded six years ago in Hong Kong by Mark Cho and Alan See and now with two stores in Hong Kong and one in lower Manhattan, The Armoury has emerged as a renowned international haberdashery. The shop, which also has its own online store, specializes in classic styling and promotes “quality craftsmanship, outstanding design, and timeless style” with a carefully curated arrangement of brands from all over the world.

Cho, who says he has been obsessed with tailoring since he was 16, recently spoke to me about this remarkable independent store (pictures show the New York shop), which is a definite must-visit for the well-dressed man.

What’s The Armoury’s specialty?

Recommended Videos

The store is primarily about tailored clothing, both as ready-to-wear and custom. We also cover other categories related to classic style, such as shoes, shirts, ties, etc. We call what we do “International Classic,” because rather than stick to the standard Italian and English choices, we get out there and find other craftsmen or manufacturers doing amazing things in the classic style, but not necessarily with a wide international audience.

armoury-3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What are your bestsellers?

Over the years, our bestsellers have become the products that we put a lot of time into developing. We have very good relationships with some of our suppliers and so we get to try things and produce things that other people might not have access to.

Our Ascot Chang x The Armoury polo shirts came from the idea of doing a polo shirt, but constructed with traditional dress shirt techniques rather than knitwear techniques. We wanted to have a polo shirt that could sit nicely underneath a jacket or be worn casually on its own.

Our Ring Jacket x The Armoury Model 3 is one of the best tailored jackets on the market at its price point. Made with Ring Jacket, our friends in Osaka, Japan, it’s a signature The Armoury piece that draws on all the best lessons we learned from our collaborating tailors. It’s so good, we actually have Japanese customers flying from Tokyo to Hong Kong to pick this piece up from us.

Who is your customer?

We have two types. We have people new to tailoring who want some guidance and are just starting to build a wardrobe. We try to provide as much education as possible and are always happy to show people our take on “the rules.” Then, we have the more mature customer who has seen a lot and knows we can offer something unique and special through our exclusive craftsmen and our own sourcing. Ultimately, our customers are guys who enjoy clothing.

The Armoury
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What sets the store apart?

For our ready-to-wear, almost everything we do is exclusive to us. We work with our suppliers to create really unique things in the market. We are not trend driven and we think a lot of tailoring has gone in the wrong direction in terms of fit and attitude (too tight and too flashy), so our taste sets our ready-to-wear apart.

We also work with a roster of great craftsmen from around the world doing amazing, custom products, and who are very small operations with very limited production.

What’s the breakdown of tailored versus casual and where do you see menswear going in the next few seasons?

For us, tailored is just indispensable. I like my casual gear maybe after work and on Sundays, but otherwise, there’s always some combination of tailored clothing that I prefer to wear for most of the week; suits some days, sport jackets other days. We are trying to encourage a mindset of not treating tailoring like its super precious. It’s better to be comfortable and feel natural in your clothes and part of it is not obsessing too much over what you’re wearing throughout the day.

I don’t really have a comment on where it’s going, it’s always been in the same place for me. Wear great clothes, stay comfortable, feel natural and look good.

armoury-8
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tell me about your bespoke services and other special services.

We are huge supporters of real craft. We work with a roster of about 12 different craftsmen from around the world dealing in very particular niches of product. For instance, we have bespoke Florentine suiting, bespoke Milanese suiting, bespoke Japanese glasses, bespoke Japanese briefcases, etc. We fly these craftspeople into our store on a regular basis to see our customers and take orders. What they offer is truly one-of-a-kind.

We also offer a great deal of custom products in-house, so there’s always something available for everybody. Custom stingray watchstraps, custom handmade Neapolitan shirts, and so on.

What makes for a great suit?

There are some basic things as a minimum: horsehair canvas for structure in the chest. At least the collars attached by hand if not more components. Good cloth, not super-soft and flimsy, but something with a bit of heft and body to it. Beyond that, tailored clothing should have a good, defined shape. All those internal layers that go into the making of a tailored garment have to cover a multitude of sins.

armoury-7
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What is the price range in the store?

We start at $1,500 for a two piece ready-to-wear suit from Ring Jacket and go up to $7,700 for a two piece bespoke suit from Liverano.

What pieces/brands are you most excited to carry?

Personally my favorites and the ones I wear the most are: Ring Jacket (because I worked so long on our collabs and special models with them), Liverano (because Antonio Liverano is one of my heroes), and Drake’s. I’m also really pleased with our knitwear range. We do our in-house knitwear in Scotland for the heavier stuff and we work with Caruso in Italy for the really beautiful, refined stuff.

armoury-6
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do you find the brands that you stock?

Every way possible. Recommendations, word-of-mouth, keeping my eyes peeled when I’m on the road and just asking people all the time.

What’s the “secret” of successful retailing today?

Love the product and love the customer. Don’t just try and shove things through the cash register, try to create a relationship with the customer, and really help them get something out of their clothes and their purchases.

Christopher Blomquist
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Christopher is a native New Yorker who lives and works (mostly) in Manhattan. A longtime fashion journalist, he served as…
Omega brings back railmaster with improved properties
From railway to wrist: omega's anti-magnetic icon makes a gradient-dial comeback
Omega railmaster

Omega has brought back its Railmaster collection. The new models combine a design that evokes earlier times with up-to-date watchmaking technology. The latest versions feature color gradient dials. The clean, functional appearance that defined the Railmaster since its 1957 debut continues.
As part of Omega's "professional line," the Railmaster was first introduced alongside the Speedmaster and Seamaster 300. These three timepieces were created for specialists in different fields: the Speedmaster for racing drivers, the Seamaster for divers, and the Railmaster specifically for railway workers, engineers, and scientists-people who worked in environments with strong magnetic fields.
The original Railmaster stood out for its anti-magnetic capabilities. A specialized inner case provided protection against magnetic fields up to 1,000 gauss, far exceeding the typical 60 gauss resistance from competitors at the time. Because of this, it served as an important tool for professionals working around railways and industrial equipment.
The 2025 Railmaster revival continues this tradition while significantly improving anti-magnetic performance. The new models use Omega's co-axial Master Chronometer calibres (8806 and 8804 for the small seconds version), which can withstand magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss-fifteen times more than the original models. These movements are certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), representing the industry's highest standard.
The revived collection includes two 38mm stainless steel models. One features a grey dial with a black gradient and a minimalist look. Only the Omega logo and Railmaster name appear on the clean dial. Large indexes and numerals in white Super-LumiNova ensure excellent readability.
The second variant offers a beige dial with a black gradient and a small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock, a feature that appeared on the 2004 Railmaster. Vintage-colored Super-LumiNova is used for its markers and numerals, giving it a retro character.
The watches are available with either leather straps (black for the grey dial, golden brown Novonappa for the beige dial) or stainless steel bracelets. The bracelets have redesigned links, improved integration with the case, and an easy comfort adjustment system.
In terms of appearance, the new Railmaster models align with Omega's Seamaster Aqua Terra collection. Since 2003, this design approach has connected the collections. The cases and bracelets combine polished and brushed surfaces, creating an interplay of finishes that catches the eye.
With this revival, Omega maintains the Railmaster's working-class heritage while enhancing its performance and appeal for today’s watch enthusiasts.

Read more
Piaget introduces obsidian-dialed polo perpetual calendar watches
Stone and steel: piaget crafts obsidian-dialed polo perpetual calendars
Piaget polo perpetual

Piaget added two new models to its Polo perpetual calendar collection. Both display natural obsidian stone dials in striking blue and green shades.
The latest models of the well-known Polo line, which began in 1979, continue the company’s tradition of combining ultra-thin mechanical expertise with special material craftsmanship. The volcanic stone dials give each watch a unique character, as the natural shine produced when mineral-heavy sulfides are trapped in fast-cooling lava ensures that no two watches are the same.
Both models come in 42mm stainless steel cases that showcase the Polo's signature shape-in-shape design-a round bezel set on a cushion-shaped case. The watches offer 30 meters of water resistance, despite their luxurious appearance.
Inside each watch is the ultra-thin caliber 1255P automatic movement, only 4mm thick, which provides full perpetual calendar functionality. The movement displays day, date, month, and moon phase. The moon phase is positioned at 6 o'clock and will remain accurate for over a century without adjustment.
The obsidian blue version has a more understated look, with its deep blue stone dial and a matching rubber strap. The case features both polished and satin-brushed surfaces for added visual contrast.
For extra distinction, the obsidian green model is limited to just 18 pieces. This version elevates the luxury factor, with a bezel set with 56 brilliant-cut emeralds surrounding the natural green obsidian dial.
These stone-dialed models follow Piaget's 2023 limited edition, which reportedly sold out quickly. This continues the company's focus on expanding its technical prowess while maintaining its unique design language, as seen in recent releases like the Polo Tourbillon Moonphase.
The price for the obsidian blue model is €108,000. The gem-set, limited-edition obsidian green model is priced at €149,000-placing these watches firmly in the high-end segment of the sport-luxury category, where Piaget continues to showcase its expertise and creativity with materials.

Read more
AURALEE x New Balance is finally here – this is what it looks like
New Balance, AURALEE release their newest sneakers
pile of auralee and new balance sneakers

When AURALEE and New Balance first teased their 475 campaign around 11 months ago, fans were flocking for an official release date. While it’s taken some time to get there, the duo is finally ready to unveil the design to the world. During the brand’s Paris Fashion Week, AURALEE gave a glimpse into the new vintage-inspired sneaker that takes retro fashion to another level. Donning a pre-worn appearance, these new designs are on-trend and come with New Balance’s renowned performance features. Arriving in two colorways, this versatile sneaker can easily serve beyond the upcoming summer season. 

Finally introducing the AURALEE x New Balance 475

Read more