Since Sefton was founded by Ben Elsdale in 1999 the store has been continually mentioned in ‘top-pick’ lists for the best menswear boutiques in London. And for good reason too...

This oasis of stylishness set in amongst the gastronomic overload of Upper St in Islington, offers up a carefully considered window display that oozes the kind of laid back New-Yorker style that every sartorially-savvy man should condone. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that if I was to design the perfect metropolitan man (One day! Science be mad), I’d head straight to Sefton to get him suitably clobbered up with the help of store manager, Ben Tidd-Cooper, a master in shop floor curation. Alas until such a day, we’ll have to suffer the swathes of ill-fitting suits and ill-judged combos of jeans-blazer-tanned-leather-shoe monstrosities.

This oasis of stylishness set in amongst the gastronomic overload of Upper St in Islington, offers up a carefully considered window display that oozes the kind of laid back New-Yorker style that every sartorially-savvy man should condone. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that if I was to design the perfect metropolitan man (One day! Science be mad), I’d head straight to Sefton to get him suitably clobbered up with the help of store manager, Ben Tidd-Cooper, a master in shop floor curation. Alas until such a day, we’ll have to suffer the swathes of ill-fitting suits and ill-judged combos of jeans-blazer-tanned-leather-shoe monstrosities.

Here at Sefton quintessentially British labels are showcased alongside top International fashion brands, ranging from the affordable favourites, like Adidas, Clarks, Eastpak and Nike, to more niche, high-end names, such as A.P.C., Comme des Garcons, Genson, Jason Markk, Monclear and Vetra. The window display is always on-point for new season trends. If you’re even remotely interested in fashion, it’s hard not to stop for a good gawp in the window when passing this masterpiece of urban chic. It demonstrates what fashionable Londoners do best; mixing established labels with younger, more underground brands, while retaining a slick finish without the pretentiousness of luxury brand peacocking.

“Well-made and affordable urban living wear with a chic twist” is how one shopper aptly describes Sefton. From Selvedge jeans to slick peacoats and quirky pieces by neoteric names such as Our Legacy. It’s an honest treasure trove for contemporary menswear with a strong selection of denim and seasonal pieces all packed into the relatively small yet simple space. Nonetheless light and airy, it is a nice physical space for shopping with friendly, knowledgeable staff who themselves strike an appropriately London aloof vibe.

Though there is little in Sefton that can feasibly be described as cheap, it is good quality clothing and hence good value for your buck. Let’s be honest, those £3 combustible t-shirts sold in high street megastores that wither on their first encounter with a washing machine, seem like an embarrassing waste of space next to C des G’s fine cotton threads. It would be a victory if even half of us adopted that Japanese mantra of dressing, with a clean, minimalistic wardrobe limited to three of each item. Do we really need so much stuff? A campaign to buy fewer, better clothes would surely lead to a more ethically minded capital and more stylish at that. Bring on a Sefton-led revolution against the horrors of sweat-shop production. They pride themselves on the quality of their stock and a honed idiosyncratic style that is typically London in look. Listening to the stories behind the team who made it happen, it’s clear that is it their collective passion that has gone into making it such an enjoyable shopping experience. A unique take on men’s fashion suffused with humour with items such as Comme des Garçons KAWS wallets, ‘Life’s a Beach’ jumpers and cute polka-dot boxers. Alexander McQueen, Marni and Edwin, and Acne Jeans swing from the rails and they even have their own label, called Sefton, oddly, which focuses around a great selection of utility knitwear, soft t-shirts and a range of beautifully made leather wallets. Oh, and not forgetting the colourful socks. After all, “socks maketh an outfit”, a Wiseman once said.

Sefton stands as a sartorial sanctuary on an ever gourmandising thoroughfare. Worth a visit…if only to escape the glut of restaurateur capitalism that is inundating the northern ends of Upper Street.

Sefton, 196 Upper Street, N1 (020 7226 7076/www.seftonfashion.com) Highbury & Islington tube/rail.