Spotted this at Eglinton station yesterday.  Though the camera phone shot is a little blurry (click for larger image), what we have here on the left is an ad for Moore’s menswear featuring some hipster-looking dude with visible arm and neck tattoos.  Buddy also appears on their website–although once you click on, say, Suits or Outerwear, we’re met with pictures of either the typical fashion-model or distinguished older gentleman types.  I guess the tattooed dude just doesn’t look as good in a sportscoat…

That said, his inclusion in their ad campaign is a bit of a bold step for what is considered more of a conservative men’s store–even if the posters in question were specifically advertising their Yonge & Eg–y’know, Young and Eligibile–location.  If they’re casting their net a bit wider, it might be because their parent company, The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc, took a net income loss in the first quarter of the year and its stock recently took a dive on the NYSE after missing analyst estimates for the second quarter.  And hey, hipsters supposedly have money–even if it’s on (non-paybackable) loan from their parents.

That said, I don’t think the vest-and-sunglasses crowd can afford to buy tailored suits or shop at Ermenegildo Zegna.  Perhaps they’ll provide a revenue boost for the cash-depleted chain–but I won’t be surprised if Tip Top Tailors doesn’t follow, erm, suit.

(And yes, while I do have tattoos, they’re not on my neck.  Nor do I shop at Moores–not that I have anything wrong with them, unless hand-tattoo man also works in their sales department…)