Above the Clouds

Those in the loop will know exactly where to find Above the Clouds. Tucked away in a light-filled space behind the Oxford Art Factory building, you enter via Oxford Street and then walk down a hallway (the same one that leads you to Phoenix Bar in the evenings). Still unsure where to go? Follow the beats. When you can see a whole set of shelves filled with snapbacks by Sly Guild or Undefeated then you’ll know you’re in the right place.

Graffiti adorns the change rooms and the space is marked by a mismatched fit-out of old wardrobes, shelving and tables, which mimic the casual, piecemeal air of your average bachelor pad.

You’ll find womenswear lining one side of the store, with leather pinafores and babydoll dresses by Sydney-based design collective Unif.m and slogan sweaters by Handsom. Menswear and unisex items fill the rest of the space, with high-quality streetwear offerings from cult-favourites including Brooklyn We Go Hard, Zoologie, A.T.G., sunglasses from Moscot, backpacks by JanSport and Eastpak and, of course, a smorgasbord of sneakers including Gourmet, Le Coq Sportif and Saucony.

Stores like Above the Clouds are always more about the lifestyle than they are about the trends. That’s why you’ll also find a selection of street press and indie magazines, one-off jewellery and friendly and personable staff happy to share a joke or recommend some new music. The fact that they look great while doing so is really just the icing on the cake.