by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Crown Northampton Showcases Standout Sneaker Craftsmanship

Crown Northampton men's sneakers.

There are levels of quality to just about every category in the menswear world, a difference you can feel in each and every step when it comes to the best men’s sneakers, for instance. There are other plentiful ways in which quality shines through, of course, but it’s especially impressive when heritage craft meets modern style in a way that remains true to the past.

Indeed, when you know, you really know as far as standout worksmanship is concerned. And that brings us quite neatly to Crown Northampton, which makes exceptional footwear in its namesake town, which it calls “the heart of the world’s shoe trade.” That lends itself to plenty of shared knowledge and expertise, no doubt about it.

It’s quite the mantle to meet, but England’s Crown Northampton takes great pride in its hand-stitched and hand-welted sneakers, traditional boots and desert boots.

I’ve had the chance to try out Crown Northampton sneakers in the past (see my Crown Northampton review for a deeper dive into a standout pair of high-top sneakers), and the opportunity arose once more to put a distinctive pair to the test.

That pair would be the Crown Northampton Abbey Unlined Oxford, a handsome set of shoes so refined as to rival the quality found in some dress shoes — that word, “quality,” indeed comes up a lot as far as these stylish sneakers for men are concerned.

The Crown Northampton Abbey Unlined Oxford separates itself from the pack in a number of ways, including the use of remarkably supple yet sturdy Horween Dearborn Leather. Closed-toe Oxford lacing gives these shoes a sleek profile that I’ve successfully worn (at least in my opinion!) with stretch chinos and blue denim in equal measure.

Another selling point as far as these fashionable-yet-classic brown leather sneakers are concerned? A hand-filled cork footbed for springy comfort and rebound, plus a sustainable Lactae Hevea sole. French-bound edges offer a clean finish, whether you opt for a natural gum rubber outsole or a black sole.

Take heed: With made-to-order sneakers like the Crown Northampton Abbey Unlined Oxford, the wait time runs 9 to 12 weeks. And yet, I can quite confidently say these absurdly comfortable, incredibly well-crafted sneakers are more than worth that wiat.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Buck Mason Bruiser Jacket is a Heritage Throwback for Autumn

Best leather jackets for men.

To build your best style wardrobe in the modern era, you’ve got to look backwards on occasion. Not all the way back, but to the days when, for lack of a better term, men were men — when guys like James Dean or Steve McQueen solidified themselves in the style pantheon as purveyors of timeless cool.



That’s just one man’s take: Adding a dash of rugged, retro cool to your wardrobe can add a heck of a lot to your fall wardrobe, when the best layers and the best leather jackets for men reign supreme. There’s inspiration to be found wherever one looks, including — of course — Mr. James Dean, but where’s a guy to be a jacket that nearly mimics that sense of adventurous style?

If there’s one brand that knows this better than anyone, it might be Buck Mason, at least in my experience: The Los Angeles-based brand first looked to America’s Rust Belt when developing its soft yet supple tees and basics well over a decade ago, later moving on to felted chore coats, overshirts, expertly cut denim and leather goods to go along with it all.

The heavy hitters of the Buck Mason men’s style rotation are clearer and more present than ever — take the handsome Buck Mason Bruiser PCH Jacket showcased here to great effect (if I do say so myself).

Inspired by 1940s Hercules horsehide jackets and fashioned from full-grain cow leather with a hefty handfeel and autumn-ready thickness, there are classic details aplenty accounted for here, from the foldover collar to the back belt, single-welt slash zipper pockets and a zipper chest pocket.

And with a classic fit made for layering other Buck Mason menswear staples, there’s plentiful opportunity to incorporate timeless moves like a durable chambray shirt or a sturdy heavyweight pocket tee beneath this investment-quality leather jacket. There’s even vintage-inspired chain-stitch detailing finishing off this hard-hitting leather jacket, made all the better by the fact that it comes in tough-as-nails black, the kind of leather jacket you can easily pair up with faded black jeans or expertly faded blue denim.

If you want the best of the best, I’d wager you’ll want the Buck Mason Bruiser PCH Jacket on your back this shoulder season.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The AETHER Apparel Coastal Waffle Sweater is Adventure-Ready

It seems that every time fall rolls around, there’s a certain itch, a certain desire to go far afield and into the wilds — or at least, onto the nearest hiking trail or out near your favorite likely for a timely autumnal stroll. The right gear and layers for the job are critical in that regard, make no mistake about it, and companies like AETHER Apparel know this intuitively. In fact, they’ve taken classic styles like the trench coat or the bomber jacket, and given them a dash of 21st-century technicality.

The company was founded in southern California to make gear that’s as stylish for the city as it is functional for the trail, and the new AETHER Apparel Fall Collection carries on that lineage with a focus on modern performance and effortless, rugged style. Sounds mighty enticing, does it not?

Learn more at AETHER Apparel now

That brings us neatly to our featured seasonal style pick of the day, the AETHER Apparel Coastal Waffle Sweater, which calls to mind the sort of old-school sweater Hemingway might have worn, in looks if not in its modern function (vastly different from Hemingway’s days, but the need for insulation still stands, does it not?).

This handsome twist on the fisherman sweater is a prime example of what AETHER Apparel does best, using a technical cashmere blend for insulation, further accented by what the company calls “a distinctive waffle stitch.” A ribbed collar and cuffs offer a secure fit as you layer this sweater over a thermal base layer for the field or a chambray shirt for a touch of dashing good looks.

Available in two highly versatile colors — both of which you can wear with anything — there’s both a sense of rugged good looks and easygoing style at play here in either Heather Grey or Onyx Black when it comes to the AETHER Apparel Coastal Waffle Sweater.

Like other AETHER Apparel menswear essentials, this sweater should offer just enough room to layer without proving too relaxed — or too snug, on the other hand. And as fall rolls into town, it’s crisp enough to wear alongside dark blue jeans or else pair with olive green corduroy trousers, not to mention a favorite of mine — the reliable British Khaki-hued chino.

Make no mistake though, this sweater doesn’t come cheap, thanks to the cashmere blend – this stylish fisherman sweater for men will set you back $550, making it all the more critical that you get as much wear as possible out of it. Sounds ideal to me for the fall season, my friends. Shop the AETHER Apparel Coastal Waffle Sweater as the temperatures drop, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: This Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt Delivers Rugged Style at a Discount

We often talk about finding the sweet spot when it comes to scoring rugged style and savings, as the headline so implies – and today’s your lucky day, as an expert pick from one of your favorite retailers gets a markdown ahead of a prime time for fall layering and a reliable seasonal discount.

If your wardrobe looks anything like mine at the moment, it’s a mix of transitional style staples like denim shirts — the kind that remained largely in the closet during the summer — plus pieces just itching to get a proper introduction to fall, like the mid-weight cotton waffle henley.

Shop the best new gear for fall now

The great news is, of course, that Huckberry, your favorite rugged Americana gear retailer, sells each of those trusty menswear pieces and more, with the Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt getting a solid markdown below $130.

It’s the sort of just-right shot towards the proverbial menswear green that can prove wearable now and in the months ahead when layered properly underneath a cardigan, a fisherman sweater, a waxed trucker jacket — hello again, Huckberry — and atop that trusty henley you’ve been waiting to wear for weeks.

Yes, my good man, whether paired with tobacco-hued chinos or mid-wash blue jeans for a shot of Western-wear contrast, the Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt comes through when you need it the most (the dive bar, the rock concert, the waterfront or somewhere in between).

In fact, with its on-trend yet classic Western design, it also meets a trend of the moment without going too overboard — and that’s another sweet spot that’s tough to pass up when on sale.

Best of all is the fact that the denim shirt is a style classic no matter the era, the kind that Steve McQueen and James Dean wore from time to time with great aplomb and dashing good looks. Never overwrought or overstudied, just right — Huckberry carries on that tradition in fine fashion this season and beyond, at least in my experience.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Todd Snyder’s Suede Dylan Jacket is a Luxe Outerwear Move for Autumn (And Beyond)

Todd Snyder Dylan Jacket review.

There are certain fall style essentials you can set your watch by, so to speak, in terms of their much-welcomed, stylish arrival. The trucker jacket silhouette certainly fits the bill in my book, and the arrival of a host of new seasonal colorways and fabrications is also always welcome for the modern man, is it not?

I certainly think so, whether it’s the rugged design of the Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket or the more refined, elegant and effortlessly cool Todd Snyder Suede Dylan Jacket shown above. Options aplenty abound when it comes to the best fall jackets for men, the one shown above very much included — let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Year after year, this refined take on the iconic trucker jacket is a fan favorite, or so it seems, an investment-level purchase that’s almost as easy to dress up as a traditional fall blazer.

In fact, for the price tag, I’d wager you’ll want to get as much wear as possible out of your new favorite trucker jacket — if waxed cotton trucker jackets are fit for the yard and the garage, this jacket is fit for speakeasy cocktails and twilight strolls on cobblestone streets during a seasonal getaway.

And this time around, the Todd Snyder Suede Dylan Jacket is billed by the famed American menswear designer as a “luxurious update on a time-honored classic,” with the specs and style points to match (to say the very least). The Todd Snyder Suede Dylan Jacket takes its ultra-premium cues from the use of  Italian calf suede, accented with a leather collar for an eye-catching finish.

And when it really comes down to it, sleek details like shank buttons and adjustable side tabs deliver the proper details for the well-dressed modern man , with a fit that should hit nicely at the hip while wearing alongside everything from a fall-ready waffle henley to a durable chambray shirt.

The classics, as we often say, are classic for a reason, and Todd Snyder certainly delivers the goods on a consistent seasonal basis — the Midwest meets New York City downtown cool, at least in my experience wearing the designer’s garb over the years. If that sounds to you like an investment worth making, I’d wager you’ve come to the right place ahead of — yes, you guessed it — the very best season for men’s fashion.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: These Rhodes Vibram Chelsea Boots Blend the Rugged and the Refined With Ease

Best Chelsea boots for men.

If you haven’t come around to it yet, the time is upon us to step up your boot game and step into fall — the best season for the best menswear, from durable henleys to hearty flannel shirts, rugged waxed jackets, expertly cut jeans, field coats and yes, boots upon boots. If you know where to look, sorting out your fall footwear rotation — at a discount, of course — is easier than it look.

And of course, the good folks at Huckberry come through with a thoughtfully curated and well-designed selection of handsome men’s boots, which have been a key topic of discussion here on this Brooklyn style blog, of course. Right at the intersection of durable work boots and stylish everyday Chelsea boots rests the durability of these Vibram outsole mini-lug boots — perhaps better suited for a rock concert or an autumnal distillery tour, but durable and rugged all the same.

Delivered in eye-catching Hickory leather, Huckberry notes these dependable boots (which are now marked down to $211 in a wide range of sizes) are ” a modern staple that strikes the balance between sharp looks and everyday utility.” Sounds like a good deal to me, ehh?

The Rhodes Footwear Vibram 430 Mini Lug Sole Boots are but the latest addition to the Huckerry-designed Rhodes Footwear line, which also features refined suede chukka boots, moc toe boots, lace-up dress boots and naturally, stylish Chelsea boots aplenty.

Crafted in Leon, Mexico, one of the premier footwear craftsmanship destinations in the country, your new favorite Chelsea boots are built with resoleable Goodyear welt construction, while the outsole itself should prove lightweight — and in fact, the good folks at Huckberry note sagely that the design “tracks less dirt but still provides trusted durability.”

Again, not a bad deal for discounted, hard-wearing Chelsea boots from a retailer you can trust, right? Here’s to the season at hand and yet another standout pair of reliable boots from your favorite online menswear shop.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: These Viberg Service Boots are as Classic As It Gets For Your Fall Boot Game

Viberg men's boots review.

When you come across a true style classic worthy of investment, you sense the difference right away. That goes for some of the best menswear must-haves around, like the perfect pair of selvedge denim, the best chambray shirt, an expertly tailored jacket or of course, the stylish and utterly jaw-dropping Viberg men’s boots shown above.

Learn more now at Viberg

The Canadian company boasts decades of exceptional heritage and quality in every stitch, every outsole, every luxurious leather upper, and the Viberg Service Boots might just be the flagship style for your fall boot game, with the specs to match. Uncovering hidden gems and even gems that are hidden in plain sight is the name of the game with our Friday series, after all, and there’s never been a better time to start breaking in some legendary leather boots ahead of fall, ehh?

With the lace-up design of the work boot or trench boot-style looks of the Viberg Service Boots, the company seems to have outdone itself again, using benchmade construction that certainly justifies the steep price tag, at least in my experience wearing Viberg men’s boots over the years.

The Viberg Service Boots boast Chromexcel combination-tanned leather infused with oils and waxes in several handsome variations of leather tone, each sure to get better with age while developing a distinctive patina.

The heritage bootmaker says these eye-catching boots — as wearable with dark blue denim as with stretch chinos and an Oxford shirt, are a hallmark of the company, “measured in its build, consistent in execution.” That sounds ideal for your boot rotation this season and in the years beyond, does it not?

Complete with the company’s signature Stitchdown construction and set on its own 2030 last, these stylish men’s boots are absurdly built to last – to say the very least, my friends. The question is, will you make ’em part of your own style rotation this season? Happy shopping, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Filson Canvas Outfitter Jacket is a Classic Upgrade for Your Autumnal Gear Lineup

For as easy as it might be to say that they don’t make ’em like they used to in matters of the best gear for fall — and the best outerwear, and the best base layers, right on down the list — it’s all the more notable when a heritage brand steps up to the plate time and again.

And while they no longer make all their gear right here in the United States, in my experience, the heritage outfitters at Filson deliver the goods in rugged, reliable and yes, stylish fashion — especially the brand’s lineup of Filson men’s jackets, including the handsome and hard-wearing Filson Canvas Outfitter Jacket shown above.

Shop new goods and gear for fall now at Filson

The brand also has a knack for making finely crafted waxed jackets, field jackets, flannel shirts and beastly, thick wool jackets — the list goes on, of course, but it’s all yours for the taking as you peruse a steady stream of Filson New Arrivals ahead of the best season in menswear. And it can all start with a durable work jacket, one as ready for dive bar beers as for day hikes or evening bonfires (to name but a few of my favorite fall pursuits).

The Filson Canvas Outfitter Jacket takes its toughness and easygoing-yet-rugged style points from barn coats and from classic cotton canvas construction, not unlike outerwear from other famed workwear brands like Carhartt. Built to resist abrasions and tears from dust and debris, as well as windy conditions out there in the field, you’ll also notice this handsome work jacket for men features patch hand pockets for additional cargo, along with a chest pocket and chip-resistant buttons.

As I tend to say, if it seems like Filson has taken care of every last detail in one of the best fall jackets, for men, I’d say that, well, it’s because they certainly have. Take special note of the cozy corduroy collar and the rugged Kangaroo shade of the jacket shown here, giving off a pleasing fall look that wears as well with grey canvas work pants as with black jeans or your favorite pair of perfectly faded blue jeans — on or off the clock, for that matter.

Reinforced shoulders with raglan-style stitching are ideal for mobility, while the fit should prove agreeable enough to layer with flannel shirting, your favorite henley or a thick and burly fisherman sweater.

And with a price that clocks in just below $200, it seems to me this is as solid a deal for a work jacket as for a dependable style move as you belly up to the bar and grab a cold PBR. At least, that’s just one way I can see myself wearing a newfound favorite in this hard-working Filson men’s jacket. Embrace the season at large, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Get these Handsome Beckett Simonon Chelsea Boots for 20 Percent Off Retail Prices

Is there ever any time quite like the present to step into a new season wholeheartedly and with classic-yet-modern style in mind? Of course, if you read this style blog, the adage might be that it’s a “good day to have a good day” — to think about the style essentials and the footwear that will lift you from one season to the next.

Trends be damned, the best Chelsea boots for men still have staying power, with sleek good looks and sharp style aplenty — both made all the better by expert construction and a standout price from the likes of direct-to-consumer footwear giants Beckett Simonon.

Find out more now at Beckett Simonon

Plentiful pairs of lace-up boots, chukka boots, sneakers and even sneaker-boots are made by the DTC retailer, each pair made to order at prices that would put a larger retailer to shame. You’ve assuredly read about Beckett Simonon men’s boots on this very blog, and I’ve worn pairs of Beckett Simonon boots for about a decade, myself. That includes moc toe boots as well as Chelsea boots and chic men’s leather sneakers, each as wearable with blue jeans or stretch chinos as the next pair, at least in my book.

That makes the Beckett Simonon Bolton Chelsea Boots all that much more special, blending savings of about 20 percent off — compared to other designer Chelsea boots for men — with streamlined, stylish construction and supple design details you can really feel (and see). Try that all on for size, and you might realize these boots are a dressy-yet-versatile style essential deserving of your footwear rotation.

Crafted from water-repellent suede and featuring soft fully lined leather interior construction, these boots are about as timeless as it gets, provided you style them with slim-straight jeans or else olive chinos, for instance – let the boots, not the denim, do the talking this season, my friends.

Gold tannery-rated Italian suede gives them a serious edge, while the dressy profile lends itself to a crisp, cool finish beneath the hem of light grey flannel wool trousers, navy chinos or a charcoal suit — yes, these stylish men’s Chelsea boots can do it all, and it’s your turn to snag the Beckett Simonon Bolton Chelsea Boots online now at a discount.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Flint and Tinder’s American Heavyweight Pocket Tee is An Easygoing Fall Style Move

Best long-sleeve tees for men.

When breezy, brisk fall weather starts to hit, particularly on an autumnal weekend (we’ll get there soon enough!), the best menswear essentials are about keeping things simple at times.

The apple orchard, the pumpkin patch, the tailgate and the backyard bonfire — all seasonal staples, and all situations where a base layer or mid-layer like the properly crafted, rugged long-sleeve tee can work wonders when you don’t want to overthink your fall style essentials.

In fact, not overthinking things is precisely what the good folks at Huckberry tend to do every season, autumn very much included (and yes, the brand makes just the right gear to get out there in the weeks and months ahead).

Find out more now at Huckberry

Whether worn beneath a waxed trucker jacket, styled underneath a flannel shirt jacket or merely worn on its own as you take in the foliage with coffee on the front porch, it’s a wonder what a well-made long-sleeve tee can do — and that certainly holds true with the Flint and Tinder American Heavyweight Long-Sleeve Tee, with vintage style inspiration and proper construction in spades.

With inspiration tracing its way out to the American West, there’s a spirit of adventure that’s behind even the basics from the famed Huckberry brand-within-a-brand, which you very well might know from the iconic Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket (also as worthy a seasonal pickup as any).

In fact, the long-sleeve shirt in question might be the perfect base layer alongside such a tough, durable jacket, with colors like Gold providing an eye-catching seasonal pop, at least in my experience. Huckberry notes this shirt, with its vintage inspiration, takes its cues from old-school tees and is “made from a robust, heavyweight cotton,” which is garment-dyed and washed for a lived-in look that’s also going to feel mighty comfortable out of the box.

Shop the latest from Flint and Tinder here

Whether worn with easygoing tapered joggers or classically washed blue jeans, this very well might prove to be your go-to casual layer across the board this season. And with most colors available in sizes up to XXL, you can count on the good folks at Huckberry to deliver the right fit and fabrication. When casually rugged style fits the mood this season, opt for the Flint and Tinder American Heavyweight Long-Sleeve Tee, my friends.