Wilkes Bashford
375 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA
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In 1966, when Wilkes Bashford opened his eponymous store in San Francisco, companies like Ermenegildo Zegna and Giorgio Armani were found only in Italy. With frequent trips to Europe, a young Bashford established a connection between these designers and created a bridge between Italian suits and the American man. Today he still specializes in classic Italian suits like Kiton (his store is the suit maker's largest American account), but Mr. Bashford's store also dedicates a section to custom shoes like John Lobb and Stefano Bemer. Bashford's can offer a complete wardrobe, but don't expect to buy the flash-in-the-pan trends. "We don't sell something that is going to be hot for a moment," Bashford preaches. "Our customers trust that what they buy will be timeless."

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Photo courtesy Wilkes Bashford