The Gentleman's Guide to Looking Good in Taipei

A man’s relationship with his barber is a most special one. He’s your confidant, holiday destination guru, and relationship counselor, but most importantly, he’s the person you trust with your image because nothing is worse than a bad haircut.

Finding the right person to work their magic with a pair of scissors is no mean feat, but if there’s one place in Taipei where you can be assured of an excellent haircut, decent conversation, and even a tipple or two into the bargain, it’s Craftmanship Barber Shop. Run by an English barber who wanted to bring the old-style barbershop experience to Taiwan, this establishment is what you might call a gentleman’s sanctuary, where spoiling yourself is not only accepted but expected.

156 Keelung Road Section 2, Daan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, +886 2 2732 5299

Let’s not pretend that a gentleman requires anything less than the finest threads – what the stylish gent needs is a custom made suit and here in Taipei, tailor shops are plentiful.

One of the very best though is James Lee Tailor. The owner once worked for Brooks Brothers in Boston, and the staff takes pride in the fact that they are the only tailor shop in the city that completes all work in-house. A huge range of fabrics and years of expertise ensure that whether you want a classic three-piece or something a little more modern in the shape of a skinny-fit suit, you’ll leave this store looking far more dapper than you did on the way in.

5 Lane 65, Zhongshan North Road Section 2, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, +886 2 2567 3003

A suit is only as good as the shoes that go with it, so don’t destroy your new look with an old pair that you’ve been wearing to the office for the last five years. Once you pick up your finished suit, take it around the corner to Oringo shoemakers and let them help you decide the color and style that will best suit your look.

These guys will create the perfect pair of custom shoes that will fit you like the proverbial glove. And just as your visit to the barbershop was something of an experience, so too will be your visit to this shoemaker – in fact, you’ll never buy a pair of shoes off the shelf again after taking your first steps in a custom made pair.

18-1 Lane 72, Zhongshan North Road Section 2, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan, +886 2 2562 0991

Like your shoes, the finishing touches to your look make all the difference, and while some may prefer a minimal approach, everyone needs a pair of sunglasses at the very least.

Head to Taipei 101, where on the third floor you’ll find the Salvatore Ferragamo flagship store. Here you can find everything from high-end sunglasses to watches, and even a fragrance or two if that’s your thing. The store is a one-stop shop for everything, but prices are at the high end of the scale, so be prepared to splash the cash.

3F, 45 Shi Fu Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan, +886 2 8101 8327