Article by Tamia Walters

Men’s fashion in Jamaica is often underrepresented in the apparel industry, though accessibility for women is constantly growing. 

A walk through any major shopping plaza or a scroll through social media reveals a common trend: Stores overwhelmingly cater to women. This leaves fashion-conscious men struggling to find stylish, affordable, and quality pieces, making the shopping experience more of a hunt than a convenience. 

876 South aims to bridge that gap in men’s fashion by providing a space that caters specifically to male shoppers, a rarity in many Jamaican retail settings. Located in Mandeville, Manchester, the boutique creates an atmosphere where men can explore their personal style comfortably. By offering original shoe brands, like Clarks, and versatile clothing for different occasions, the store offers options that are stylish yet accessible, appealing to men from various socio-economic backgrounds. 

The boutique’s owner, Nicolla Dennis, had that exact reasoning behind the idea for the store, citing the obvious gaps in the industry. 

“It always annoys me if I go somewhere with my partner, especially in Jamaica, and I cannot find a store that is just dedicated to them,” said Dennis.

This moved Nicolla to open her first men’s boutique, ‘All American,’ in May Pen, Clarendon. For 13 years at this location, she met the demand for men’s clothing and built strong relationships with customers. The love of this concept from the target audience moved her to expand her idea to a second location in May Pen, and then finally, another in Manchester in the form of ‘876 South.’ Nestled in the new Sovereign Centre, the store welcomes customers from Monday to Saturday, and meets them with a welcoming environment.

What sets 876 South apart is its commitment to variety, authenticity, affordability and accessibility. Inside the store, shoppers are greeted with a wide selection of original brands and styles in both clothing and footwear–options that reflect the different tastes and needs of Jamaican men. 

One of the store’s key messages, “Only Originals,’ is more than a tagline for Nicolla Dennis; it reflects a commitment to offering genuine products that customers can trust.   

“We have contracts with Hush Puppies, Clarks…We stay being original, we pride ourselves on quality,” said Dennis. 

Now more than ever, there is a need from consumers for quality products that can stand the test of time, and 876 South has taken note. But regardless of this, 876 South understands that everyone deserves authentic brands to look and feel good. This is why Nicolla has implemented layaway options, because she thinks good fashion does not have to be expensive. 

“We sell original products, and we like to come up with different ways for people to afford our products,” said Dennis. 

For customers like Horatio Scott, the layaway option is more than just convenience, it is empowering.

“Well, let’s just say ambitious…that’s how you feel like a real man getting the opportunity to have things because having J$10,000 and can only buy a shoe and also need a pants and shirt…the layaway give you that opportunity to make it happen and be responsible at the same time…and the good thing is you pay no interest.” 

But that’s not the only thing customers love about their 876 South experience. 

Since this is an exclusive men’s boutique, it is important that men feel comfortable shopping there. With a well-organised layout, it’s easy to find exactly what you need without feeling too overwhelmed by the variety. Beyond this, the staff ensures to give you a personalised experience so you can feel empowered to build your ideal wardrobe. You are encouraged to tell them exactly what you need, from event, colours, style, and they will ensure to direct you to items of the best quality to match your style. 

“No one ever looks out for the men… how they should dress, how they should feel, how they should look… That’s how we come in. If they are unsure about something, we can guide them in how to style it and how to put it together,” said Dennis.

Another fascinating element of 876 South is its goal to break the stigma of men in fashion in Jamaica. There is no doubt that this is predominantly a female space, or some would say a “woman’s thing.” It is even a common consensus among some Jamaican men that they should not care about clothing or take too much time in ensuring everything is just right. But 876 South is helping to change that mindset by making fashion a bit more approachable for men. 

In deciding to start her business in this industry, Nicolla observed that men do, in fact, want to dress well but often feel underserved and underrepresented.

“I think no one actually thinks men need help or want to look nice or stand out…,” said Dennis. 

Furthermore, she is of the belief that giving men a space where they do not feel out of place is the key to breaking down the stigma while helping them to step up their style: “We want men to feel comfortable, come in and be like ‘Yes! We look masculine in this store.’ They can find everything that they need.”

So what’s next for 876 South? There is no doubt that we are living in the age of convenience; people now, more than ever before, prefer to purchase their outfits online rather than visiting a brick-and-mortar location. Recognising this shift in consumer habits, Nicolla has her eyes set on launching a website that will allow customers across the island to access the store’s offerings without needing to visit Mandeville.