I did not want to bother the workers, annoying them if I could take a pictures of their entire store, so all I asked is if I could take a picture of the barber shop area and here it is:
Obviously, this is not Great Clips, and yes, you are going to pay more for a hair cut and a trim at a haberdashery, but permit me to convince you why you should AT LEAST ONCE in your life go to a haberdashery before you die.
The hair cut and trim are the best you will ever get. I got not one, not two, but three different hot towel treatments. The reasoning or mechanics behind treating my face with three different lathers, soaps and conditioners was beyond me, but they are professionals and know what they are doing. Additionally, they have to be as all beard grooming is done with a straight edge razor. It is that freaking old school. The end product was a "Tony Stark" beard and hair cut, laser precision definition and jib. I walked out, in all honesty, about an additional .8 points on a scale of 1-10. That is how practical and beneficial a high end hair cut at a haberdashery is.
Also when you walk in it screams "man." Women are of course allowed in, but let there be no mistake this is a place for men. Everything is for men, everything is about men. You can speak freely and be a man. Feminists would burn much like a vampire would in a church if they were to set foot in there. In short it is about the one of the few, pure bastions for men remaining and shows you what men can achieve in terms of fashion and class if left to their own devices and desires.
The music, at least at Heimie's was jazz. Old school jazz. It was perfect. No teenybopper, Top 40, Kate Perry, Rhianna crap. It was talented musicians from the olden days who actually had talent and skill. Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Artie Shaw, they got as recent as Miles Davis (unless I misheard the song). It was music for men. Not boys, not girls, not women, but men.
Finally, the staff was impeccably dressed. Not corny 1880's, barbershop quartet old school, but vests, suspenders, sharp shirts and tasteful hats that COULD be worn indoors. They were also quite dapper looking young gentlemen that would cause palpitations in the hearts of young ladies. I felt a little bit of shame coming in as I did (jeans and a sweatshirt) and believe next time I will wear a suit so as not to offend the staff or disrupt the aura of the haberdashery.
In short, whether it's Heimie's or another haberdashery in the large metro you live in, I don't recommend you go to one. I COMMAND you go to one. This is one of those things men NEED to treat themselves to before they die, and preferably once a year. The experience is like fine dining except when you eat your food you don't say, "Well, shoot, I could have grilled a better steak at home," you walk out and say, "Wow, that's nothing I could have done at home." It is such an experience, even women would love to just sit and watch the craftsmanship of the barber trim your beard. And ladies, if you're looking to get your man a gift, this is what you get him. It is a way for all to enjoy the decline.
13 comments:
Thanks Captain...I'll have to check it out.
Hmpffff.
Interesting. The decor is a little frooty for my taste but the idea is there...
I would give my left nut to sit down with Alec The Hack, One Eyed Jean or Black Sammy again. Best barbers in the world! They went the way of the buffalo back in the early 70's: candy stripe poles, straight razors, shittiest coffee in the world - but the conversation there was as grand as it is here on your blog. Everyone smoked, nudie mags on the coffee table if ya didn't want to talk, dogs were allowed but they weren't permitted in the chairs or up on the furniture.
YOU should start a barber shop Captain. Can I set a shoe shine up outside if you do?
I have yet to see one down here in Florida...we seen to be getting a new crop of hip urban barber shops.
It does sound like an interesting concept and probably a great gift.
I second this, Captain. For my 33rd Birthday I treated myself to a straight edge shave at an old school barbers and it was fricking awesome. A cigar and alcoholic beverage was included in the price of the shave. I sat outside on the balcony overlooking the street below with a cigar in one hand and a beer in the other with a face as smooth as a baby's. You do feel 0.8 better on the 1 - 10 scale.
Being in that sort of an environment is also an important part of the male experience that women will never experience, but will always envy. Because of this, I feel that feminists will try to ruin the barbershop, too.
If you should inform Jason Lewis of your find.
It's not nearly the same but shaving old school with a straight razor or a double edged safety razor can be a relaxing thing even at home. Especially if you have thick facial hair. Made the change 2 years ago and I'm never going back to modern razors.
i was looking for inspiration for things to place in my man cave, i'm missing the ship and the bore's head. i knew something was off.
Nothing like a straight razor on the back of your neck.
Treated myself last Christmas, and it was awesome. We have a great old-school barber in my hometown & I always stop in there when I return home.
Where is the "AFTER" photo? Gotta see the results.
Haven't found one of these in my area, but did find an old school hat shop where I bought a new Stetson fedora, down in Seattle. I will have to find a haberdashery so that I can wear my fedora there to get a shave. Might have to go Tony Stark even though I'd get home and shave it off, just to walk out looking that cool.
My god, that's awesome.
WOW I never knew that there are some haberdashery stores that also offers a haircut or beard trim.
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