Pictured: .Photo courtesy of Matthew Peterson

If you’re looking for a destination dedicated to men’s fashion, or if finding the perfect gift for the guys in your life is a struggle you dread every time the holiday season rolls around, search no further than Stoked Flamingo in Bradenton. The store offers a vast assortment of menswear, everything from sets to socks, making it easy to find stylish and on-trend clothes locally.

Opened in May of last year by native Midwesterner Matthew Peterson, Stoked Flamingo is located in the heart of downtown Bradenton on 12th Street. Peterson opened the shop hoping to bring the Bradenton and Sarasota area a store that is specifically dedicated to quality menswear that fits the Florida lifestyle. “I decided to take it in a different direction and do only menswear. That was definitely missing in Bradenton/Sarasota, just for a guy to have a shop dedicated to him and the coastal lifestyle.”

Catering a store to men specifically has its own set of challenges, Peterson says. “Sometimes women shop with more impulse, maybe they don’t feel like they need to try it on or ask someone else’s opinion, they just get it.” he says. “While with men, it’s a whole different process. Sometimes it takes a little more work or even a couple trips in before they actually buy.” In this digital age, a social media presence is crucial to any up-and-coming business and, interestingly, Peterson adds that even marketing a store for men online is different than marketing it to women. “It’s a little bit harder. You get more reaction on social media from females, so with menswear, it’s trickier. You have to figure out what is the correct way to post, even the correct time to post, then you have to follow those guidelines a whole lot more.”

Since every piece of clothing at Stoked Flamingo has been curated to fit the Florida lifestyle by Peterson himself, finding the perfect outfit for yourself, or gift, is a breeze. Shoppers will find staples for locals and tourists alike, such as graphic tees and tropical printed button-ups, alongside more laid-back, surfer style pieces. Some of Stoked Flamingo’s notable best-sellers are cabana sets, which include matching shorts and button-ups with botanical, poppy prints reminiscent of classic Florida styles, but also adhering to the matching set trend that has been dominating men and women’s style this year.

“What I like to do is be unique and stand out and have a mix where it draws people in, but I also have those items you haven’t seen before. The brands aren’t exclusive to my store, but there are pieces that I pick that other stores who might carry that brand won’t carry that style or color. That’s keeping it fresh and unique every season.”

Stoked Flamingo, 263 12th St W, Bradenton, @stokedflamingo

Pictured: .Photo courtesy of Matthew Peterson

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