by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Hiroshi Kato Is Making Some of the Finest, Best Blue Jeans for Men (And More!) on the Market Right Now

Does it ever seem like the market for men’s blue jeans is a bit crowded at times? Perhaps — from classic denim producers to department stores and high-fashion brands — but that makes it all the more special when a company cuts through the clutter and stands above the rest (head and shoulders, one might say!) when it comes to delivering the best selvedge jeans for men (and more!).

Find your new favorite blue jeans for men here

That’s the idea at the root of the Friday Find series, as we say – diving into brands that might fly under the radar from time to time, but are every bit as worthy of a coveted spot in your wardrobe as your tried-and-true favorites. And if you’re a denimhead, you very well likely know the stellar denim and menswear producers at Hiroshi Kato. If not? This Friday is as prime a time as any to dive into your new favorite pair of blue jeans.

Over the past few weeks or so, I’ve had the chance to step into a standout pair of Hiroshi Kato men’s denim, a cult favorite offering that I’d heard about frequently from in-the-know menswear fans and lovers of the best denim for men all across the board. So when the folks at Hiroshi Kato reached out about testing out a pair of finely crafted selvedge denim, I certainly had to take ’em up on that offer — how could you not, ehh?

Of course, I’ve written a Hiroshi Kato men’s denim review over at WERD.com, but this one was a chance every bit as special to trot out some of the coolest men’s blue jeans all around Brooklyn (as you might have seen on my Instagram!).

For my latest men’s denim review and another foray into the world of Hiroshi Kato selvedge denim, I selected a pair of the Scissors Slim Tapered, crafted from rich, durable yet supple 10.5 Ace selvedge. As the good folks at the USA-made denim producer say, these handsome and rugged yet versatile jeans rely on “vintage fade Indigo Japanese 10.5oz 4-way stretch selvedge,” finished off with eye-catching details like a custom back hip leather patch and the company’s custom-branded hardware.

Best blue jeans for men.

Denim from my friends at Hiroshi Kato is a sight to behold and even better to wear — utterly classic, remarkably well-designed, made to get better over time and offered in a wide variety of washes, fits and styles. There’s an almost stunning array of men’s blue jeans on offer at Hiroshi Kato, as I’ve found out over the years — and I’ve got plenty more to dive into from one of the best men’s blue jean producers on the market. Your next pair of hard-working selvedge awaits, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Billy Reid Seersucker Shirt will Keep You Cool In Breezy, Stylish Fashion This Season

Billy Reid menswear review.

It truly takes one to know one, and by that I mean, if you often struggle with the heat in the summer and want to figure out how to stay cool while looking stylish for guys, well, you very well might be in luck today.

While your fall and winter menswear essentials are all about burly, rugged layers aplenty, those spring style essentials you’re searching for are all about breezy, dependable comfort and keeping cool as things heat from up — from the office to a work conference to evening happy hours and summer weddings, I’d wager you’ll find the Billy Reid Seersucker Cedar Shirt a crisp, reliable companion from one of the best menswear designers in America.

Learn more and shop new spring menswear at Billy Reid

Of course, you very well know Billy Reid if you keep up with the pages of this blog — that’s because he crafts a bit of everything, from stylish long-sleeve polos to effortless chinos, the peacoat worn by James Bond (yes, it’s true!) and sturdy denim shirts with plenty of heritage.

The designer simply makes it look easy, and with the Billy Reid Seersucker Cedar Shirt, you might say he’s using style inspiration from the deep South (the company is based in Alabama, after all) blended with the need to stay cool in the sweltering heat itself.

And that leads us to the polished but breezy, easygoing but useful and refined Billy Reid Seersucker Cedar Shirt, which takes the brand’s Cedar Shirt silhouette (normally delivered in seasonally friendly corduroy) and turns it into textural, soft and lightweight seersucker.

The puckered fabric effect of seersucker helps air flow more properly around the garment, making it a prime choice for suiting fabrication in the warmer months. The same can surely be said of the Billy Reid Seersucker Cedar Shirt, which comes in a neutral, fashionable shade of Olive as well as a vibrant, summer-friendly Blue tone.

The spread collar offers a crisp finish that wears as well with chino shorts as with linen trousers and leather loafers for more formal seasonal occasions, while the famed menswear designer finished the shirt with mother-of-pearl buttons and the company’s signature ribbon stripe detailing at the bottom hem.

Shop new arrivals and more at Billy Reid

Yes, as with other things in the Billy Reid universe, the details have been taken care of fine fashion — to say the very least. With a standard fit and a cut designed to look as stylish untucked as when tucked in beneath a lightweight summer blazer, there are plenty of stylish seasonal takeaways from Billy Reid — and yes, that very much includes the Billy Reid Seersucker Cedar Shirt, my friends. Cheers to the season at hand, and cheers to warm-weather style made easy.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The New Halfday Double Decker Travel Bag is One of the Very Best Travel Bags for Men to Buy Now

When the time comes to hit the road in style, you’re going to want to be prepared — trust me.

Or rather, the last thing you’re going to want to worry about is the very bag you’re packing up — instead, focus on the next #OOTD and the ensembles within as you plot out a bit of anything and everything this spring and summer. That’s where one of the best weekender bags comes into play, of course, and where a bag like the newly introduced Halfday Double Decker Weekender Bag enters the fray, complete with designs on becoming your new favorite weekender bag for men.

Shop the very best new travel gear for men now at Halfday Travel

Perhaps you’re already familiar with the likes of the Halfday Double Decker Weekender Bag, or at least with the brand’s new and improved take on both the garment bag and the duffle bag. In fact, Halfday Travel delivers a true two-for-one deal with its exceptional, fan-favorite Garment Duffle in a variety of sizes, featuring a highly useful and ingenious, built-in garment bag design that zips right into a compact, TSA-approved men’s duffle bag.

The Halfday Double Decker Weekender Bag goes a step further, adding another level by way of a compartment that’s ready for, well, just about anything you can pack into it, especially shoes and an additional, highly stylish outfit for weekend adventures. And with 45 liters of carrying capacity, this durable, stylish men’s weekender bag checks the proper boxes in terms of utility, reliability and good old-fashioned looks, too.

Featuring a structured upright frame for easy access, this sleek weekender bag is also built with its own sleeve for adding it to your rolling suitcase, as Halfday Travel calls this streamlined men’s weekender bag a very fitting, incredibly useful “double stacked weekender made for easy packing.”

And as tends to be the custom with durable, dependable bags like the Halfday Double Decker Weekender Bag, the brand used water-resistant Taslan lining and an exterior developed from water-resistant 420D Oxford polyester. Then, your new favorite weekender bag was finished with matching hardware and compatible straps in monochromatic fashion.

If it seems like this travel company has thought of just about everything as far as the best travel bags for men are concerned, I’d wager that yes, yes indeed, the Halfday Double Decker Weekender Bag goes above and beyond what you might expect from one of the very best spring and summer men’s travel bags, my friends. We’ll see you out there on the road this season, indeed.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Huckberry’s Classic Flint and Tinder 365 Pants are On Sale Now in Time For Prime Spring Style

There are difficult decisions to make in the menswear world — the right shade or style of suit to wear to a wedding, the best way to style a denim shirt, how to find a proper-fitting pair of shorts, and so on — and there are decisions that should be relatively easy. Or at least, decisions that can be made easier by knowing where and when to turn, and as it just so happens, figuring out your favorite pair of everyday pants can be made even easier than one might think.

Yes, it’s true, and it’s all thanks to the slew of menswear classics being served up by Huckberry in modern fashion — the best men’s pants are closer to your grasp than ever before, and they’re on sale today, my friends.

Find out more and shop now at Huckberry

I’m talking, of course, about the famed Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, an icon of the famed Americana menswear and gear brand, with the ability to be worn just about any way you can dream up. They’re a staple of the fan-favorite, in-house Huckberry brand, notable for blending the cut of a pair of five-pocket pants or classic chinos with the easygoing wearability of denim — all in a custom-made fabric developed by Huckberry with durability, stretch, shape and style all at the forefront. Enticing stuff these days, ehh?

And what’s even better, naturally, is that the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, at least in a crisp and dressy Dark Navy, are marked down below $80 right now at Huckberry. And as you look to build out your everyday menswear wardrobe, the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants could prove the most versatile pair of pants you own.

Better still is the fact that the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants can be had for an additional 15 percent off if you buy two pairs at a time — something this Brooklyn menswear writer would certainly recommend. You’re also getting plenty of utility from this blend of a chino and a jean (truly made for 365 days of wear) — these stylish men’s pants come in five distinct fit options to suit every style and body type, while the midweight 8oz. brushed cotton twill fabric is offset by a touch of stretch for all day wearability.

And about that wearability and utility: The Flint and Tinder 365 Pants are as easy to wear with a soft-shouldered blazer and an Oxford shirt as they are with a henley and a light wash denim trucker jacket this season, while they’re also a more-than-suitable option alongside a cotton polo with leather loafers in the warmer months.

My friends at Huckberry perhaps said it best when it comes down to these easily wearable, everyday men’s pants: “The 65 Chino Pant is cut like a chino and stretches like a performance pant.” It sounds simple on the surface, but Huckberry has perfected that formula — try a pair of the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants while they’re on sale, and see that for yourself, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These Amberjack Suede Chukka Boots are Some of the Most Comfortable Chukka Boots You Can Wear This Spring

Most comfortable chukka boots for men.

For as much as spring is about stepping back into stylish sneakers and embracing the lighter climes of the season, there’s still a plethora of style essentials you should consider keeping handy — essentials that are as useful now as they are come fall, like a pair of the best suede chukka boots.

Spring is a transitional time, where it might still be brisk and breezy on some days, and a pair of reliable chukka boots could deliver the proper mix of style points, comfort and support. That idea of blending comfort and support with style points is at the core of the best chukka boots for men, like the ones on offer from New York City upstarts Amberjack.

Learn more now at Amberjack

You’re likely familiar with the brand from perusing the pages of this blog, as the company has long said it makes “the world’s most comfortable dress shoes,” and I’d tend to agree after wear-testing yet another pair of Amberjack men’s shoes via the Amberjack Chukka Boots in Grizzly Suede.

Of course, we last talked about how Amberjack has stepped into making some of the most comfortable sneakers on the market, but these boots should prove of particular interest if you want a pair of shoes that toe the line between dressy and casual, crisp shoes that can wear as easily with light wash denim as with olive chinos — that’s what the Amberjack Chukka Boots in Grizzly Suede offer up, at least in my experience wearing the famously comfortable brand.

The real key with the Amberjack Chukka Boots in Grizzly Suede is the athletic outsole built with dual functionality for rebound and support — yet, the overall look is more tailored and streamlined than that of a typical dress sneaker or hybrid dress-sneaker boot.

These also feature anti-slip traction across the outsole, with a durable TPU construction and a soft-impact heel — for hours on my feet at a recent late winter wedding, these stylish men’s chukka boots proved more than comfortable (and stylish!).

Amberjack chukka boots review.

The heat-activated insole on these Amberjack chukka boots and other chukka boots molds to your foot without proving too overbearing (I’ve found that some other removable insoles can run a bit too thick). In matters of style points, I appreciate the slightly taller shaft height and the crisp four-eyelet construction, lending them a dressier feel than desert boots or other types of chukka boots.

Of course, in matters of style points, you can find these Amberjack men’s boots in four other shades of leather, but the Amberjack Chukka Boots in Grizzly Suede are my pick of the moment for the best chukka boots for men. When you lace up your own pair, I think you’ll feel the difference almost immediately.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Add Filson’s Ultralight Jacket to Your Spring Layering Rotation — At A Discount This Season

There’s no shortage of opportunities to layer up in rugged style this season, right? That is, rugged, lightweight and reliable style geared to the season at hand is the name of the game. We’re talking about an embrace of breezy good looks and functional durability on and off the trail and out in the field, especially after a long, frigid winter — and pieces like the Filson Ultralight Jacket could help guide your way as you get back out there this spring.

Find out more and shop now at Filsom

Of course, the famed Pacific Northwest outfitter largely has you covered through the brutal fall and winter months in terms of the best flannel shirts, dependable overshirts and thick wool jackets aplenty, but there’s a lighter touch to the brand’s spring and summer offerings, as one might hope to see. In addition to other Filson spring menswear favorites like the Filson Rustic Canvas Collection — which we talked about on this blog just a few weeks back — spring-friendly selections like the Filson Ultralight Jacket blend a nylon shell with PrimaLoft Gold insulation for a less burly feel and finish.

Best spring jackets for men.

The Filson Ultralight Jacket could in fact be the perfect sort of jacket to wear at the start of a day hike, or on a cool evening back at camp or back in town — it’s designed to insulate whether wet or dry, and packs down to a more compact size without missing a beat.

As the iconic Seattle outfitter tells it, this fashionable yet compact and streamlined jacket ” delivers lightweight, breathable, and packable warmth for outdoor action,” and the Cypress Green colorway that’s on sale for about 40 percent off isn’t a half-bad style move, either.

This jacket, with a second layer of nylon and insulation over the shoulders, looks a touch different than other insulated puffer jackets, while elastic cuff and hem binding help you dial in your fit. As I tend to say, you can consider the Filson Ultralight Jacket a grab-and-go adventure jacket, with style points to layer over a henley and pair with light wash jeans, and with performance specs to play well with abrasion-resistant hiking shorts and hybrid hiking sneakers to hit the trail. Trust Filson to deliver the best of the best — and trust that you’re surely getting your money’s worth on sale, too.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Italian Plaid Linen Shirt – A Breezy, Refined Spring Weekend Style Move

Best linen shirts for men.

There are certain instances when building out your spring and summer menswear rotation where it’s advisable to hit things right down the fairway — opt for a breezy classic in matters of tailoring, your trousers or your seasonal shirting.

And there are other times where you can play with the formula ever so slightly and go out on a limb while remaining expertly well-dressed for the season — just with a dash more color or pattern than you might normally wear. And that’s where Todd Snyder, one of America’s foremost menswear designers, can certainly help.

Shop new seasonal style favorites at Todd Snyder

The brand was built on American classics with a modern sensibility, all the while using some of the finest fabrics in the world and more innovative silhouettes at times — like the Todd Snyder Italian Linen Plaid Shirt shown above. In fact, if you’ve been waiting until the thermostat climbs a touch higher to really lean into spring and summer dressing in leisurely, luxe fashion, this might be your best chance yet to embrace the new season at hand.

The Todd Snyder Italian Linen Plaid Shirt boasts the same breezy linen fabrication (more on that in a second) you’ve come to expect from a classic linen shirt, but the pattern is a bit more dashing and eye-catching, as is the point collar and the slightly more relaxed fit — breezy, adventurous in some ways, yet reliably stylish when worn with the rest of your spring and summer favorites.

If you ask me, that’s not a bad thing to have in your style toolbox from time to time, especially if your seasonal plans call for a breezy coastal vacation or perhaps even a long-awaited trip across the pond. The Todd Snyder Italian Linen Plaid Shirt brings a touch of attitude, but can still be worn in classically recognizable ways (try it with cuffed Todd Snyder light wash selvedge denim, for example).

The color and pattern is easygoing and fresh, perfect for wearing untucked with linen trousers in cream or light blue, while the collar gives off a retro, devil-may-care vibe. It’s a more eye-catching, distinctive style move from the designer, a worthwhile change of pace to consider adding to your wardrobe. Of course, tried-and-true staples like a pocket tee or a short-sleeve henley never fail, but when elegant refinement and a chic sense of style calls out to you, consider the Todd Snyder Italian Linen Plaid Shirt.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Rediscover USA-Made Menswear with this American Giant Premium Slub Tee

While there are certain brands that are a constant in my own rotation, there are others that sometimes catch me by surprise after a time away — and while there are plenty of brands that fly under the radar, it’s also difficult to fly under the radar making USA-made menswear. As so often is the case with our Friday Find series, the best USA-made menswear remains the focus again today — but on a more grand scale than in past entries in this series. Not that that’s a bad thing — a change of pace is advisable from time to time, no doubt about it.

Making the best menswear in the United States is a noble pursuit, with plenty of companies taking a small-batch (make that ultra-small-batch) approach. But when a brand like American Giant takes a big swing and offers up USA-made menswear in larger quantities than average, it’s worth a further look — or rather, a closer look after following the brand for years.

Let’s keep it simple and get back to basics, quite literally, as we dive into an American-made T-shirt worth its salt in your casual menswear rotation this spring and summer. If you’ve been searching for a refresh to your basics drawer, then the American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee might fit the bill quite nicely.

You very well might be plenty familiar with the American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee, or at least with the fan-favorite American Giant Classic Full-Zip Hoodie (dubbed “the greatest hoodie ever made” and still available in a range of seasonally friendly and classic colors).

The same can be said when it comes to the style points offered by the American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee — you can pick up one in either a Classic color or a Limited-Edition shade (can a guy ever have enough high-quality T-shirts?), but the real bonus when it comes to finding a USA-made men’s T-shirt is the quality fabrication and construction.

Custom-made premium slub fabric is fashioned into a fine assortment of stylish men’s T-shirts in Los Angeles, while an interior-taped neck provides structure and durability.

The American Giant Premium Slub Crew Tee also offers up a classic fit that’s flattering rather than too form-fitting, and most say it fits true to size (plus, more than 1, 200 five-star reviews lend some credibility to the idea that it’s a finely made T-shirt for the price). What say you about American Giant? These USA-made T-shirts could be worth your hard-earned cash this season.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Bob’s Watches Just Might Be the Ultimate Place to Buy a Pre-Owned Luxury Watch

Let’s kick off Thursday by doing things a bit differently today. While we talk often about scouring the market for the best accessories and the best affordable watches and gear to complement your next #OOTD, there are times when it’s nice to live a little, to dig a bit deeper into a passion or a hobby — like the nuanced art of watch collecting or rather, chasing down what you might call a “grail watch” of sorts.

That holds true if the object of your obsession is a legendary watch — that watch could be a long-overdue goal of yours, a gift for a special occasion or perhaps a source of motivation after hitting a major milestone. If you can dream it up, I’d wager the good folks at Bob’s Watches have it in stock for you this spring (and well beyond).

Since 1999, the company has been giving watch lovers the chance to buy and sell some of the coolest watches on the market — that’s no joke when you take a quick glance at the inventory on a given day.

Find out more now at Bob’s Watches

Ss there a catch? With Bob’s Watches, I’d certainly say that, well, there’s no catch. Other than the drain on your pocket book that accompanies investing in a pre-owned luxury watch, of course, but hey, what are tax refunds for if not lending themselves to the occasional splurge? Perhaps that’s over the top, but a guy can dream — and I’m willing to bet visions of a luxury watch will dance through your head tonight (at least, that’s how I feel when I visit the Bob’s Watches site).

And again: This isn’t a sponsored post, merely an ode to one of the most fun places to shop for a vintage watch online — there’s a crowded market in that regard, and many watches from Bob’s Watches tend to fall more into the “wish list” category compared to affordable watch brands like Timex (which I also love!).

But again, as with the theme of this post … a guy can dream, right? The selection is positively staggering, with a special emphasis on iconic Rolex watches in plentiful variations, complete with the ability to shop with plenty of confidence — these watches are authenticated and certified, and if you delve deep into the current rotation of timepieces at Bob’s Watches, you’ll find numerous heavy hitters from famed watchmakers the world over.

Yessir, at Bob’s Watches, you can find precise information on watch specs, the possibility of picking up a watch with its original box and papers, and in-depth details watch enthusiasts and collectors could pore over for hours (that’s what makes it so fun to shop at Bob’s Watches, at least in my window-shopping experience).

The selection, need I remind you, is vast and utterly impressive, the stuff watch collectors and Rolex fans tend to dream about. If you haven’t yet heard of Bob’s Watches, consider this your introduction to one of the best luxury watch resale sites on the market – and get ready to hear plenty more about them in the future.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Lightweight Wills Chore Coat from Huckberry is a Reliable Layer on Cool Spring and Summer Nights

Best chore coats for men to wear this spring.

Don’t let the warmer temperatures fool you this season: There are certainly going to be days and nights where cooler weather rolls back into town, and you’re going to want to be prepared.

While I’m willing to bet you’ve safely stowed away your hefty winter parka or shearling leather jacket, there’s something to be said for keeping one of the best men’s chore coats close at hand, with its tightly woven, durable yet lightweight build and rugged appeal.

And since those are the boxes we’re looking to check today, there’s one place you’re going to want to go, and that’s Huckberry — how could it be any other brand, ehh?

Find out more and shop new gear now at Huckberry

And although the site just got a truly excellent-looking makeover by way of a refreshed design, the quality and consistency of its slate of in-house brands should remain steadfast and highly appealing, and it’s with that longevity in mind that we dive into the versatility of the Wills Cotton Linen Chore Jacket for your rotation of the best spring menswear, my friends.

There’s an elevated, modern-meets-classic appeal to the Wills lineup of menswear at Huckberry, be it the brand’s super-soft cashmere sweaters, breezy tailoring or slightly more rugged selections like the c.

To hear Huckberry tell it, this classically inspired jacket “blends classic workwear utility with breathable comfort,” and in this instance, that means your new favorite chore jacket boasts a 70 percent cotton, 30 percent linen build for added structure and texture (that holds true whether you pick it up in Dark Olive or a dressier, blazer replacement-friendly Dark Navy).

The utilitarian nature of the Wills Cotton Linen Chore Jacket takes its cues from timeless French workwear jackets, with a button front, a foldover collar, button cuffs and two hip patch pockets. While it’s polished enough to wear over a white Oxford shirt alongside light khaki-hued chinos, you can also embrace full-on workwear with selvedge denim and an off-white henley, plus broken-in leather boots, this season.

The Wills Cotton Linen Chore Jacket should prove serviceable when worn over a breezy slub pocket tee or a contrasting chambray shirt in cooler climes, with a fit that leans classic yet tailored without veering too far into ultra-slim or ultra-relaxed territory. Think of it like a grab-and-go jacket that can do everything from replace a blazer (based on your office dress code, that is) or serve as a handsome, functional travel jacket.

One of the best chore coats for men brings a heck of a lot to your wardrobe, at least in my humble opinion — give it a shot this spring from the revamped Huckberry site and see for yourself.