FASHION : With a Little Musk Scent, These Stores Would Be Perfect : Two local establishments offer men the personalized service that women have come to expect in clothing boutiques.

Here’s an intriguing fashion question--which none of our readers has seen fit toask, so we made it up:

Is there such a thing as a male boutique in Ventura County? Where exactly can a man go to indulge in an intimate, gender-specific shopping experience?

Think of the scores of chic, uniquely feminine shops where women browse among gilt-framed mirrors and drapes of chiffon, and stop to rest on small Victorian chairs to recover from the reek of potpourri that hangs in the air like sulfur in a swamp.

Shouldn’t there be a counterpart--a place of dark paneling and brass lamps--where a man’s man can choose his wardrobe in comfort and leisure? Maybe with hunting decoys strewn about and an aroma of musk? The sort of place where Al Pacino might buy his suits.

We looked for such a place.

We wanted one where jeans and sweat shirts take a back seat, and dress-wear shines (figuratively, of course). Where there is a true male aura, as well as room to sit down and something to sit on. Where salesmen long experienced in outfitting males are prepared to talk about, well, lapels or cuffs or whatever men discuss among themselves.

We found that, yes, there are such shops in Ventura County. The atmosphere is virile and subdued; the mood is confidential. The decor, however, is hard to pin down.

The Suit Broker in Ventura portrays one type of ambience. Its owner calls it the “factory outlet” look.

Here are hundreds of suits, stretching down seemingly endless racks; a few token shirts and ties, one mirror and three plastic plants.

That’s it. No mannequins, no brass, no paneling--not a decoy anywhere. There is indeed a place to sit: a couple of stools where a guy can nestle down with the tuxedo catalogues. This place is stark.

Owner Mark Adams wants it that way.

“You don’t really want (decor),” he said. “It looks too expensive.”

The ‘90s shopper is into value, he says. Adams gives value. His store has low overhead; he buys in quantity. He wants the place to show that.

Along with the right atmosphere, he offers counseling.

“Men have a hard time making a decision if their wives aren’t there. It’s very difficult for them to make up their minds. Guys need somebody to say, ‘That’s the right suit’ or ‘That’s the wrong suit,’ ” he said. “I have taken all the guesswork out of it for a guy. I know how a guy wants to look.

“Men want to get it done,” he said. “They hate shopping. They want to go watch the ballgame.”

Starting with the same premise, Bob Carriere of Carriere Mens Wear in Newbury Park arrived at the other end of the decor bell curve.

“We try to make (customers) as comfortable as possible to make that purchase they would rather not make,” he said.

Carriere has decorated his store with French doors, birch paneling, black silk lounge chairs and a regulation pool table to strew ties on. A whole pool table. With lots of room to walk around in trying on the ties (the median price of which is $60) in a choice of mirrors.

“They like the open feeling,” he said of his customers.

While browsing among Italian suits and inlaid leather jackets, shoppers can check out the Remington bronze replicas, which are for sale, and pick up a few shirts off a distressed pine table.

When they try to match shirt to suit, Carriere is ready to help. Trouble with this skill seems to be endemic among males, he says. Some of his customers need so much help that he coordinates suits, shirts and ties for them, codes them with a laundry marker, and provides a chart of combinations so they can get it together alone at home.

It’s all a matter of dedication.

So, yes, it’s true that men can find those uniquely male domains where their needs count and there is someone on hand who speaks their language, where the color-impaired can rest assured that their issues will be addressed.

We are not here to make a final analysis. But, frankly, we think that in either case, a hint of musk would add a certain flair.

Kathleen Williams writes the weekly fashion column for Ventura County Life. Write to her at 5200 Valentine Road, Suite 140, Ventura 93003 or send faxes to 658-5576.