by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Best Made Co. Might Have Perfected the Chambray Shirt – See For Yourself Here

Best Made Co. chambray shirt

How hard is it to improve upon a menswear classic like one of the best chambray shirts? Originally prized for its rough-and-rugged texture that made it an ideal workwear piece, the right chambray shirt can prove as versatile as dressier shirts in your closet (like the Oxford shirt) when done the right way.

And as we talked about just a few weeks back on this Brooklyn style blog, there are companies a cut above the rest, quite literally, when it comes to crafting refreshed takes on menswear staples like the chambray shirt — and that’s where Best Made Co. can help you see a style classic in a fresh, durable and stylish new light.

Find out more and shop now at Best Made Co.

As the company sagely notes, “in the annals of workwear, few pieces have been worn through the ranks like the chambray.” And for a newly resurgent brand that was restarted in the past few years by original founder Peter Buchanan-Smith, it makes perfect sense that Best Made Co. and the Best Made Okayama Selvedge Chambray Indigo Shirt would prove a dependable flagship piece.

The Best Made Okayama Selvedge Chambray Indigo Shirt hangs its hat on indigo rope-dyed chambray fabric hailing from — you guessed it — Okayama. The shirt and its highly authentic details like true selvedge edges on the inside cuffs and side seam (as seen above) round things out in authentic, durable and eye-catching form.

Cut and sewn in Portugal, Best Made Co. also notes that its “trademark “cuff-to-elbow-tuff” reinforcements” add another layer of rugged, workwear-approved performance.

Shop chambray shirting and more now at Best Made Co.

And fittingly enough given the fact that the details truly do make the difference, this handsome and utterly classic shirt is “a chambray built to outlast trends, seasons, and years of hard work,” the company rightfully notes. In my experience with Best Made Co., that sentiment assuredly holds true — from chambray shirts to the company’s trademark axes and more. This could very well be the best classic wardrobe addition you make for the season ahead.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Wills Sweater Chore Coat from Huckberry Elevates Any Casual #OOTD In Every Season

At the best of times, you’ve got every base covered, so to speak, in your #menswear wardrobe — from sweaters to chore coats to the hard-working blazer and the classic Oxford shirt, the building blocks are the building blocks for a reason. And when you find a piece that toes the line between two different categories, the ante is upped even further. Versatility is the name of the game, and when a style essential delivers a bit of both (in the case of the sweater chore coat above, both rugged appeal and casual ease), well, that’s the sweet spot, at least in my experience.

And of course, the good folks at Huckberry have you covered in this regard, especially when it comes to the new Wills Sweater Chore Coat, which could prove a crucial part of your next winter #OOTD.

Shop menswear essentials at Huckberry

Just introduced as part of an early look at spring menswear at Huckberry, the Wills Sweater Chore Coat carries on the sense of elevated ease and go-anywhere potential you’ll find across the rest of the Wills lineup, which also boasts luxe sweaters, casually cool sweater polos, crisp blazers and tailored trousers aplenty. The Wills Sweater Chore Coat, as we talked about before, rests somewhere between rugged and refined, which is never a bad thing to have more of in your rotation of winter style essentials.

And while some versions of the best chore coats for men indeed lean more rugged and are crafted from materials like tough cotton canvas, the Wills Sweater Chore Coat leans more refined and crisply tailored. That’s because of its sweater-like build, made from a soft cotton-nylon blend for durability and performance without losing its shape.

Finished with chore coat details like a chest patch pocket and two front hip patch pockets for your everyday carry, the Wills Sweater Chore Coat also features a lay-flat, shirt-esque collar that can be layered with ease atop your favorite denim shirt or a more rugged chambray shirt (or a henley, or a classic crewneck tee — you get the idea). With the Wills Sweater Chore Coat, the style world is your oyster, relatively speaking.

In easily wearable colors like crisp Navy or a light tan brown that would pair well with olive chinos or dark blue or black jeans in equal measure, the Wills Sweater Chore Coat delivers the right mix of crisp, easy-to-layer ease. As Huckberry so aptly puts it, this handsome chore coat delivers “the comfort of your favorite sweater with chore coat utility,” and that’s a perfect balance for your menswear wardrobe, at least in my book. Would you expect anything less from Huckberry? I should think not, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Beckett Simonon Lopez Boots are the Perfect Balance of Rugged and Refined for Your Style Rotation

Just when you thought you had exhausted every avenue in terms of your rotation of the best boots for men, another pair enters the fray — at least, that’s the case if you’re a major fan of the best boots for men, as I am. Mixing the rugged and the refined is the name of the game, with a profile that can be reasonably dressed up or dressed down — depending on the weather, of course. Beckett Simonon, makers of direct-to-consumer boots and dress shoes significantly marked down from their retail prices, have nailed the formula, and they’ve even thrown some significant savings for you in the mix.

Find out more now at Beckett Simonon

And the Beckett Simonon Lopez Boots check plenty of boxes if you need another pair of rugged, durable footwear to carry you through winter and into spring (the groundhog did see his shadow, after all!). While the footwear maker does indeed produce streamlined dress boots with wingtip and captoe detailing, the hard-wearing yet versatile Beckett Simonon Lopez Boots fall somewhere in between — able to be paired with dark blue indigo jeans or wool trousers in equal measure. That’s certainly not all they’ve got going for ’em.

The Beckett Simonon Lopez Boots work so well for your versatile style rotation thanks to the use of rugged pull-up leather, complete with a more round toe box that’s apt for pairing with casual trouser styles. There’s a laundry list of features built into these dependable boots, including the use of a leather lining and leather insole for comfort, sweat absorption and a fit that molds to your feet over time.

A steel shank delivers structure and support, and heel caps add grip and durability. Throw in the fact that the Beckett Simonon Lopez Boots are crafted with resoleable Blake stitch construction and are also water-repellent — critical in any pair of handsome yet essential men’s bots for winter — and Beckett Simonon has certainly done a proper job at crafting another standout pair to add to your rotation.

Shop the best boots for men now at Beckett Simonon

These stylish men’s leather boots also come in colors like Walnut and a rich, deep Chocolate color, all the better to wear with everything from light wash jeans to olive chinos, while the pull-up leather construction will develop a wonderful patina over time. With their leather-lined construction, you can even wear the Beckett Simonon Lopez Boots well into spring, particularly when paired up with seasonally friendly, lightweight, light wash denim. How will you rock your new favorite pair of boots?

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: This Reliable Timex Watch is Now 40 Percent Off at Bespoke Post

There’s something to be said for the careful consideration that comes with adding a finely crafted, affordable watch into your style rotation. Perhaps you’re a budding watch enthusiast, perhaps you’ve worn one for years, and perhaps you land somewhere between the two: Curious about getting into watches, familiar with some top brands and ready to accessorize your #OOTD in fine fashion.

Consider yourself sorted out now with the latest and greatest from the Bespoke Post Sale section, long a retailer with its eye on the pulse when it comes to the coolest gear on the market, period.

Find out more and shop now at Bespoke Post

And right now, you can find perhaps your new favorite casual watch on sale via Bespoke Post, with the Timex Waterbury Dive Watch marked down now by 40 percent (it’ll set you back $198 these days).

It can seem confusing at first to get into the world of watches, with various movements and complications (and some very, very expensive models on the market) but long-running American watchmaker Timex sure does make it easy, and the Timex Waterbury Dive Watch is proof positive of that approach.

Over the years, the company’s designs have gotten more stylish and highly functional in equal measure, and this timepiece (billed by Timex as a “watch for in and out of the water”) delivers the goods in terms of form and function.

It’s water resistant to 100 meters, but you’ll assuredly want to swap out the brown leather strap for something better suited to, well, the water. The Timex Waterbury Dive Watch also boasts a crisp green dial and a nicely sized 40mm case size, which should suit most wrist sizes.

Its mechanical automatic movement is also a reliable option for a watch at that price point — highly reliable and useful, in fact The Timex Waterbury Dive Watch comes complete with a unidirectional rotating bezel to track your depth (should you chose to plunge into the ocean deep wearing this handsome timepiece). Toss in the fact that yes, it’s 40 percent off right now, and the blend of style and savings is set from a legendary retailer and watchmaker. Where will your Timex take you, is the question? See you out there, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Sweater is an Affordable Wardrobe Update

We’re still deep in the throes of winter, a detail you surely haven’t missed if you’ve stepped outside your front door any day in the past few weeks. Perhaps at this point, you’re searching for updates to your sweater rotation, and it might be high time for an affordable refresh with one of the best winter sweaters for men.

And perhaps, it might be time to take the plunge with a buzzed-about brand you haven’t yet tried: Meet Quince, makers of highly affordable cashmere sweaters and perhaps best known for its line of Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweaters, among others. Let’s say we take a look at what could be your new favorite sweater, shall we?

Learn more now at Quince

The brand has something for just about everyone (including a line of home goods and basics, right down to socks, plus pages of accessories aplenty to pore through). There are also more Quince men’s sweaters out there than you can shake a stick at, including a range of shawl cardigans, quarter-zip sweaters, polo sweaters, classic cardigans and of course, the famed line of Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweaters.

And as you can see here, the brand also does a standout job at visually interesting, modern takes on the classics, like the trusty cable-knit crewneck sweater. In recent weeks in fact, I’ve had the chance to try out the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew, a more elevated take on, say, the traditional fisherman sweater (and yes, Quince also makes fisherman-style sweaters). Right off the bat, the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew is a major winner in terms of affordability, especially concerning what traditional designers might dream up.

Of course, 100 percent Mongolian cashmere makes up its ultra-soft construction, billed by the do-it-all brand as “a lightweight yet exceptionally warm sweater that delivers natural breathability and a luxuriously soft hand-feel against the skin.” In frigid temperatures across NYC, that certainly holds true (when layered beneath a trusty peacoat, of course).

Shop menswear and more at Quince

The Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew also comes in highly stylish, easily wearable colors, including shades of beige, tan, grey and navy — and at their current price tag, you very well might want to pick up more than one iteration of the handsome Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew.

Whether paired up with crisp dark indigo blue jeans or elevated with wool trousers or corduroy pants, there’s a refined, appealing nature to the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Cable Crew in its many colors — you just might find yourself wanting to see what all the fuss is about, and that’s a highly recommended move in my book. Good luck out there, my friends, and stay stylish.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: It’s Your Last Day to Shop the Standout Huckberry Annual Winter Sale – Here’s What to Buy/

It’s high time to get with the program if you want to score the perfect mix of savings and style via the Huckberry Annual Winter Sale: Striking while the iron is hot has always been crucial, especially at this men’s style blog, and it’s your last day to shop these excellent and practically unheard-of discounts, my friends. Let’s get to it, shall we?

Huckberry gear represents some of the best of the best on the market, as you well know if you peruse these pages: Sturdy but soft winter sweaters, rugged flannel shirts, expertly faded blue jeans, waxed outerwear aplenty, dependable leather boots to tie it all together. Throw in some of the best everyday carry accessories on the market, to boot, and you could build the perfect #OOTD all without leaving the confines of the ever-well-stocked Huckberry Sale section.

Find out more and shop the best men’s gear at Huckberry

What do you have your eye on within the Huckberry Annual Winter Sale? There’s a full assortment of tried-and-true winter classics and all-season essentials from the famed retailer, be it the Flint and Tinder10-Year Hoodie (always a casual style essential and a wise decision) or Relwen outerwear, built with military heritage inspiration and modern, lightweight and ultra-warm materials you can put to great use the instant you unpack your latest Huckberry shipment.

The Huckberry Annual Winter Sale also boasts rugged and yet versatile Rhodes Chelsea Boots for hard-wearing outdoor style, plus cozy winter slippers from Greys for when you’ve stepped inside from the frigid winter weather out there. There’s also an array of tasteful Huckberry-branded gear for showing off your love for your favorite Americana and outdoor gear retailer (and yes, Huckberry just so happens to be one of the best online shops for men, no doubt about it).

And yet, the clock is ticking when it comes to shopping the Huckberry Annual Winter Sale — again, striking while the iron is hot is assuredly critical as you retool and revamp for the rest of winter. Go forth accordingly, my friends.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Terry Pocket Sweatshirt – An Everyday Essential from the Famed Menswear Designer

When a designer like Todd Snyder talks about the best men’s style essentials, pieces every guy should own, it’s a wise bet to listen closely. The award-winning menswear designer and veteran of J. Crew and Ralph Lauren has been shaping the way guys should dress for decades — especially with his namesake line, as you well know if you read this Brooklyn menswear blog. Yes, it’s lofty praise, but when a guy wants to look great in a luxe shirt, or find the perfect pair of selvedge jeans, or switch things up with relaxed tailoring or a Don Draper-approved sweater polo, Todd Snyder is the man to see.

Learn more and shop your new favorites at Todd Snyder

That also holds true with more casual and casually rugged style essentials, like the effortless Todd Snyder x New Balance 574 Sneakers or the just-right Oxford shirt, or an ultra-soft T-shirt, or the just-right fade of Japanese selvedge light wash jeans… the list goes on and on, as you can see.

And now, as part of his new line of Todd Snyder Essentials, the designer is recommending ten must-shop picks every guy should own — starting with a winter-friendly, layering-approved Todd Snyder Pocket Sweatshirt. The designer previously put his own twist on athletic sportswear for years with the Todd Snyder x Champion lineup of luxe yet gym-inspired basics, including the must-buy pocket sweatshirt. It begins anew with one of the best sweatshirts for men, in the best way possible.

The Todd Snyder Pocket Sweatshirt takes the classic pocket sweatshirt and gives it a luxe finish in Portuguese French Terry cotton, light enough to layer comfortably over an Oxford shirt or a thermal henley, and substantial enough to give it some heft underneath a sturdy waxed cotton trucker jacket.

In fact, your new favorite pocket sweatshirt should be well-suited for layering indeed, as the famed retailer (now with more than 20 locations nationwide!) notes this sweatshirt is in fact “roomy through the chest, tapered at the waist” for a more classic look in a nod to old-school athletic sweatshirts.

Split needle construction offers a clean and crisp finish to this sweatshirt whether you score the Todd Snyder Pocket Sweatshirt in a timeless color like Light Grey, or the indigo-inspired Deep Springs. Any option should add depth and a sense of sporty, heritage style to your favorite pieces, be they tobacco-hued stretch chinos, faded blue jeans or perhaps corduroy pants and a chambray shirt for a luxe, high-meets-low look. This certainly won’t be the last time we talk about his new line of Todd Snyder Essentials, so it’s best to start with a fresh take on a throwback classic.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Bolster Your Jacket Roster with this Stylish Plaid Number from Patrick James

We like to keep things moving and grooving at this Brooklyn style blog — that is to say, the name of the game today is still winter outerwear and one of the best winter jackets for men, but viewed in a bit of a different light from a brand that knows a thing or two about refined menswear and comfort.

So while it can be essential to keep a thick puffer jacket or a tried-and-true peacoat at the ready, some casually rugged options (yet fashioned with durable, ultra-soft fabric) are also a prime addition to your wardrobe. Take Patrick James, the long-running California menswear purveyor (since 1962, in fact) and the Patrick James Dolomine Plaid Cord Jacket. It’s a bit of a different take on a rugged winter jacket, with the same classic plaid build as you’ll find on the best shirt jackets and flannel shirts for men, for instance.

Find out more now and shop the best menswear at Patrick James

But a closer look reveals points of distinction and comfort any guy you should be glad to have close at hand — especially as winter’s chill keeps sticking around. The Patrick James Dolomine Plaid Cord Jacket (which just so happens to be 30 percent off right now) is the perfect sort of pick for our Friday Find series — just different enough, but familiar in all the right ways. In fact, the Patrick James Dolomine Plaid Cord Jacket boasts a rich Italian-made wool blend structure to go along with that utterly timeless plaid pattern.

Here’s where it gets a bit different with the Patrick James Dolomine Plaid Cord Jacket: Note the corduroy collar and cuffs, touches typically found on waxed barn coats or field coats from iconic brands like Barbour (for instance).

Two button flap chest pockets and eye-catching angled hip pockets deliver warmth for your digits and space for your everyday carry, to round this jacket out in fine form indeed. Feel free to layer the Patrick James Dolomine Plaid Cord Jacket atop a chambray shirt or even an Oxford shirt in place of a blazer based on the weather at hand — winter style classics with just a touch different about ’em have never been more within your reach.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed Jacket Is Your Next Go-Anywhere Casual Layer

Flint and Tinder waxed jacket review.

If there’s one thing on my mind every time I step out into the snowy streets of Brooklyn, it’s the need — a deep need — for a darn good, tough-as-nails, hard-wearing winter coat these days. Not just any coat meets that mantle — the best winter jackets for men need to layer with ease, fight off wind and sleet, and look good while doing it — in casually rugged fashion, of course.

And while your rotation of the best winter menswear probably has a durable parka or a puffer jacket at the very minimum, rugged versatility and variety is never a bad thing. In fact, every guy can use a stable of options as far the best men’s winter jackets are concerned — and as I always say, if you can find one up for grabs at a discount within the confines of, say, the Huckberry Annual Winter Sale, you should certainly make haste.

Shop the best winter gear now at Huckberry

That brings us to a seasonal layering staple, one you can wear well into spring when the snow finally tapers off: That’d be the hard-working, sleek Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed York Jacket, just the latest foray into the best waxed jackets for men from the good folks at Huckberry and Flint and Tinder. It’s the best of all worlds, I say, as you shop the Huckberry Annual Winter Sale, between the combination of rugged, durable staples, winter style points, functionality and savings — and this dependable, casual sits nicely at the cross-section of those categories, does it not?

The Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed York Jacket looks like the kind of grab-and-go jacket every guy can use, more capable at repelling wind and rain than a nylon puffer jacket, and every bit as streamlined for casually rugged fashion (Think: Atop blue jeans and a chambray shirt or thermal henley on “balmy” days, and atop a fisherman sweater as temperatures plummet).

Billed by Huckberry itself as a “waxed canvas puffer that’s a city slicker by day and cabin dweller by the weekend,” it’s also finished off internally with recycled Primaloft insulation and useful details like a stand-up collar and welt-snap hip pockets (plus an interior chest pocket) for your ever-critical daily carry.

And while sizes of the Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed York Jacket are going fast in certain colors, there are more than enough options in highly neutral, easily wearable colors like Grey or Olive. And for the perfect fit, the Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed York Jacket even features snap wrist cuffs and adjustable side tabs based on how much mobility your next winter adventure calls for. At a prime savings of 40 percent off (marked down to $178 from $298), this handsome waxed jacket is an effortless winter layer packed with performance — trust me on that, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Line of Trade Summit Flannel Shirt is as Classic As It Gets For Proper Winter Style

When winter weather does its absolute worst, when it seems like there’s no relief in sight, it’s like we’ve talked about here on this menswear blog: The best defense is a good offense, or in this case, the best winter style essentials from brands you can count on should help you deftly fight the cold in proper style.

And when it comes to the rugged, Americana-inspired style purveyors at Line of Trade, the Bespoke Post-owned and inspired brand assuredly delivers in every stitch (at least, in my experience!). Let me put it this way: If you want the right mix of rugged appeal, winter performance, style points and good looks in spades, this is one brand to shop — over and over again, at that.

Learn more now and shop at Line of Trade

In fact, there are certain winter style essentials from the brand that are a cut above the rest, even in a crowded market where the quality of winter gear from heritage-minded brands seems to get better with each passing season. And on that note, meet – or re-meet – the Line of Trade Summit Flannel Shirt, a durable and rugged style staple with old-school appeal in every thread.

The Line of Trade Summit Flannel Shirt is quite simply a do-it-all, goes-with-almost-anything casual shirt with style points aplenty to spare. Crafted from a ultra-soft yet sturdy 100 percent cotton flannel fabric, the company itself says “Line of Trade custom-designed the Summit Plaid Flannel Shirt’s exclusive patterns for a lineup of flannels that’s a touch above ordinary – and unlike none other.” Of course, that’s high praise, but in my experience wearing the handsome Line of Trade Summit Flannel Shirt, the brand lives up to its billing — and then some.

Featuring an array of rich plaid patterns and retro-minded colors, the Line of Trade Summit Flannel Shirt truly feels timeless, whether worn with stretch cotton chinos, corduroy trousers or classic dark blue jeans.

Complete with crisp finishing touches like a left chest patch pocket and mitered double-button cuffs, this hard-working yet stylish flannel shirt deserves its place in your rotation — in at least one color, if not multiple given the highly affordable $75 price tag. Winter has indeed met its match, at least as far as the best men’s flannel shirts are concerned, my friends.