by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Donegal Crewneck Sweater – A Refreshed Take on a Seasonal Icon

Todd Snyder Donegal Crewneck Sweater.

What springs to mind when you think of the most classic, timeless pieces in your wardrobe? A vintage store find like a treasured waxed jacket? A favorite flannel shirt passed down through your family? Durable blue jeans with just the right amount of fading? Or perhaps, a burly, hard-wearing sweater like the one shown above from menswear legend and award-winning designer Todd Snyder.

The right classics in your style rotation remain that way for a reason, with durability, heritage — and in the case of the best men’s sweaters — warmth and performance top of mind.

And if you’ve read past Todd Snyder reviews on this very blog, you know that the designer can deliver, from breezy linen shirts in the summer to some of the most dependable, stylish outerwear (and more!) in fall and winter. This one carries on that lineage quite nicely, ehh?

Learn more and shop now at Todd Snyder

But whether through time or general wear and tear, sometimes, even the best fall style essentials, the pieces you trust the most, can use a new look — that’s where the Todd Snyder Donegal Crewneck Sweater is ready to step into your seasonal sweater rotation with throwback good looks and plenty of rugged warmth on brisk fall weekends (and beyond).

Much like a refined yet rugged Todd Snyder flannel shirt, modern, luxe fabrication makes all the difference — in this case, Donegal wool gains durability and strength from the use of nylon and viscose, which should also help soften the Todd Snyder Donegal Crewneck Sweater in general.

With flecked tweed texture and the use of thick yet supple lambswool, this sweater adds plenty of character to laidback fall cabin weekends, yet can also be dressed up beneath a tan herringbone blazer or worn with crisp corduroy trousers and a white Oxford shirt for dressier seasonal occasions.

Color options like Espresso Brown are perfect for the season at hand, and the company even notes the silhouette — which should also wear plenty well beneath a waxed field jacket –is a personal favorite style of the designer himself.

At least in my experience, the Todd Snyder Donegal Crewneck Sweater strikes the right balance between rugged, classic good looks, seasonal warmth and even a dash of refinement when styled the right way. To bolster your own rotation of fall sweaters, from the humble cardigan to the dashing V-neck sweater, consider the Todd Snyder Donegal Crewneck Sweater a wise, retro-inspired move made to last.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: FRET12 Makes Some of the Coolest Gear and Garb For Music Lovers (And More)

Fret12 Chicago review.

There are certain pairings in the universe — yes, the universe — that go together well without even a second thought. An icy cold beer at an indie rock show, the perfect pair of boots alongside classic blue jeans, a chambray shirt and, well, another cold beer at an indie rock show — at least, that’s my outlook on the world.

What about a brand bringing a dash of that same sentiment and forward-thinking outlook together in one community, both online and IRL? A lofty goal and moment to meet, but Chicago’s FRET12 talks the talk and walks the walk — an ideal brand to dive into ahead of the weekend, right?

Founded in 2008 by Dan Tremonti, the brother of Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti, the company takes an ingenious approach to live music and culture — spurred on by the inventive and utterly fun “String Thing,” a found-art type of object that takes old, broken guitar strings and transforms them into lively action figures of sorts.

Chicago’s FRET12 does oh-so-much-more than that (which you can read about in my latest CoolMaterial feature on the brand!), including crafting a seriously cool, rugged lineup of the best gear and menswear for guys out there like you and me. The company also specializes in all sorts of music gear and emphemera, and if ever you get the chance to trek to the Windy City, a visit to the FRET12 space at acclaimed Chicago music venue The Salt Shed is very much recommended.

But back to that lineup of rock n’roll-inspired menswear. Take the FRET12 Studio Shirt, the kind of handsome denim or chambray shirt that wouldn’t look out of place on the back of one of your favorite guitarists (Aaron Dessner, anyone?).

It’s designed, cut and hand-sewn in Chicago from 100 percent cotton, and serves as the perfect complementary piece alongside, say, your favorite pair of black jeans and some trusty tan leather boots (feel free to mix and match, people!). I’ve gotten plentyof mileage wearing it alongside dark blue jeans at a music festival as well as alongside chino shorts in hotter temperatures.

Shop menswear and more at FRET12

Yessir, it’s a new staple in my rotation, but beyond that, Chicago’s FRET12 is an inspiring brand taking on a bit of everything at the intersection of rock music, craftsmanship, menswear and more (keep an eye out for collaborations with the likes of Huckberry, for good measure). This certainly isn’t the last time you’ll be hearing about FRET12 — plug in, score a new shirt in the meantime, and embrace the power of great gear and great rock n’roll, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: The Pladra Every Day Flannel Shirt is One of the Best Flannel Shirts on the Market This Fall

Pladra men's flannel shirts review.

There are plentiful flannel shirts for men on the market, right? And in plentiful varieties, from thick flannel workshirts to heathered flannel dress shirts and classic red-and-black plaid flannel shirts in spades. Many of these flannel shirts for men are assuredly worth their weight, and then some, but what if I told you there was a company out there dedicated only (or at least, for the most part) to making the best men’s flannel shirts on the market?

Too good to be true though it might sound, that’s the aim of Pladra, which focuses on a thoughtfully curated array of men’s flannel shirts with unexpected touches — like printed nature scenes beneath the collar and at the shirt cuff — alongside unexpected color combinations and handsome patterns.

Shop men’s flannel shirts and learn more now at Pladra

Think of Pladra men’s shirts like a flannel shirt for the modern age — a relatively tailored fit, a vast array of solid colors as as well as plaid patterns, and a few easy-to-shop options broken down by weight and by usage.

For instance, the Every Day Flannel Shirt shown here is a personal favorite, the kind of shirt that’s crisp enough for an afternoon coffee meeting and just plain cool enough to wear underneath a trucker jacket at an indie rock show.

In colors like Portsmouth Blue or the aptly named Autumn Red, Pladra offers a lifetime guarantee alongside its shirts, and the soft, supple yet durable nature of the fabric speaks to that — seriously, Pladra flannel shirts are uncommonly soft while boasting a fit that looks positively great untucked or worn tucked in beneath a handsome cardigan.

For my own daily wear on the road through a Michigan fall or trekking elsewhere in my #FreelanceLife pursuits, I value the brushed midweight cotton flannel build of the Every Day Flannel Shirt — not too restrictive or heavy to wear atop a henley, nor too lightweight to buckle under crisp autumn air. Pladra bills the Every Day Flannel Shirt as one made for three-season layering, and there are options aplenty when it comes to Pladra heavyweight flannel shirts for brisk temperatures and a workwear-like nature.

A word to the wise: The Workhorse Elite Flannel bridges the gap between heavyweight and an everyday weight, but we’ll have more on some of my new favorite flannel shirts in the weeks ahead.

‘Tis the season for finding your new favorite flannel shirt and layering it on up, is it not, my friends? For now, I can’t recommend highly enough that you start off your fall shirt quest by scoring the Every Day Flannel Shirt from Pladra in a rich pattern of your choice — remarkable autumnal layering awaits, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Amp Up Your Outerwear With the Stellar Flint and Tinder Dry Wax Field Jacket from Huckberry

It feels like there’s always room for improvement — or at least, room to scour the market itself — when it comes to the most rugged, functional and dare I say, simply the coolest outerwear on the market. Shoulder season presents an optimal time to wholeheartedly revamp your jacket rotation, shoring things up for the brisk weather at hand.

Shop must-have men’s jackets for the season

While a peacoat or topcoat cover more formal matters, and a trucker jacket covers casually rugged style situations, a touch more coverage is needed at times — the coverage only of the best men’s field jackets can bring, an aim met quite handily by the new Flint and Tinder Dry Wax Field Jacket. It starts off in fine fashion with the use of durable British Millerain Ranger wax canvas, a modern innovation building off the English company’s penchant for durable, water-resistant and abrasion-resistant fabrics.

After all, Huckberry calls the company “a pioneer of waxed cotton fabric since 1880,” and this particular fabric should feel crisp yet lightweight. It’s in keeping with the already impressive lineup of Huckberry waxed jackets, including its famed flannel-lined trucker jacket and a rather more recent take on the Harrington jacket in waxed cotton.

The dry wax on the aptly named Flint and Tinder Dry Wax Field Jacket represents a different treatment than Huckberry’s other waxed jackets while still developing a patina and proving plenty easy to wear, thanks to its nylon sleeve lining for an easy-on, easy-off approach.

And helpfully, added coverage is the name of the game with the longer cut of the Flint and Tinder Dry Wax Field Jacket, which comes in a handsome trio of color options like Olive, Reddish Brown and of course, British Khaki. Each gets a contrasting moleskin brown collar, while flannel lining delivers warmth that shouldn’t cause any overheating, even when worn atop a flannel shirt.

Huckberry has certainly thought of just about everything when it comes to the best field jackets for men, including a highly useful set of six external pockets, an added touch for your everyday carry anytime you step out into the field. And as it were, you’re going to want to step out into the field just about as often as possible this season wearing one of the best men’s jackets for fall — Huckberry delivers an ace in the hole once more, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Add Olive to Your Style Rotation with these Easygoing Todd Snyder Jeans

There’s an array of potential ways to upgrade both your off-duty and your business casual uniform, starting from the ground up. Of course, if you keep up with this Brooklyn style blog, you know that all too well, from your selection of stylish chukka boots to expertly crafted socks, but can you find a pair of jeans fit for both the office and hours off-duty? Once again, the answer is easy, my friends, and that’s: Yes, of course you can — if you know where to look.

And the place we happen to be looking today is menswear extraordinaire and award-winning designer Todd Snyder, with a fresh outlook on timeless Americana that includes a crisp new spin on classic jeans — beyond just the timeless blue jean, at that.

Learn more now at Todd Snyder

The Todd Snyder Garment-Dyed Jeans shown here are a departure from the GQ-approved designer’s normal array of expertly faded denim and inky blue selvedge, yet not in a bad way. In fact, the Olive colorway adds plenty to your style rotation, whether paired with a simple heather grey tee and a blue denim trucker jacket or styled with a dark blue chambray shirt and an unlined navy wool stretch blazer at the office (take heed as you plan your next fall #OOTD, my friends).

With their more relaxed, classic straight-leg fit, these Todd Snyder Garment-Dyed Jeans are also designed to stand up heartily to fall — try ’em on for size with sturdy work boots or Chelsea boots with a slightly more workwear-inclined silhouette, and then pay close attention to what Todd Snyder calls “quality, vintage-inspired details” like oxidized rivets.

With a mid rise and a straight cut through the leg, these jeans are polished without proving too slim or too baggy — a just-right fit akin to Goldilocks, as it were.

And despite that garment-dyed finish, these are in fact crafted from cotton twill selvedge making ’em a downright steal for your wardrobe at under $100. Add a dash of earthy color to your denim rotation, and your wardrobe will prove all the better for it this season, folks. Sizes are moving quickly as part of plentiful Todd Snyder menswear deals right now, so act accordingly to score a versatile set of denim for your seasonal roster.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Taylor Stitch Moto Jacket is An Undeniably Cool Fall Jacket for Men

Taylor Stitch Moto Jacket review.

Ever come across a piece of menswear that’s so jaw-dropping, so instantly memorable, you immediately need to have it — or at least, you immediately need to add it to your wish list? That’s what this writer first thought upon seeing the remarkable, investment-level, seriously cool Taylor Stitch Moto Jacket — a long-running fan-favorite that arrives every autumn like a welcome, brisk breeze amongst the rustle of the changing leaves.

Yes, that’s lofty praise, but this stylish men’s leather jacket is an utter classic for a reason, at least among the modern parlance of men’s leather jackets. And yes, it’s back this fall and simply better than ever.

Shop new autumn gear and more at Taylor Stitch

We’ve talked about an array of the best leather jackets for men on this site in recent weeks, but few can match the construction and quality of this West Coast style staple. And while the price is assuredly investment-worthy and perhaps quite the splurge, I’d say you’re getting your money’s worth with the Taylor Stitch Moto Jacket, and then some. Taylor Stitch worked with its partners at Golden Bear to craft this jacket, one that was inspired by a vintage leather jacket built for the long haul, as the San Francisco brand says.

Crafted in the United States of America – no easy feat these days, my friends, each of the three variations of this handsome jacket are fashioned from hard-wearing, full-grain, drum-dyed 3.5-oz steerhide that should become more supple with each wear.

It’s fully lined and features flannel-lined pockets for added warmth — while it’s not quite a beefy puffer jacket or winter parka, you should be able to wear this jacket atop a flannel shirt and henley on especially brisk autumn days.

The specs on the Taylor Stitch Moto Jacket only get better from there — it also features Thinsulate insulation for substantial depth and warmth on the open road, with articulated back construction and a cropped fit for added mobility. Antique brass hardware, including a two-way YKK zipper and antique brass snaps, lends a further air of rugged durability to a jacket that’s bound to become your new favorite.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this standout leather jacket, one of the coolest fall jackets for men, is moving quickly in leather shades like Espresso Steerhide. No matter which of the trio you select, this jacket is just about as ruggedly stylish as it gets when paired with classic dark blue jeans and a thermal henley, or else a plaid flannel shirt jacket and trusty Taylor Stitch moto boots (another personal favorite of mine).

For remarkable quality and durability, for almost limitless style potential and with longevity in mind, I’d wager it’s tough to beat the wearability and utility — plus fashion points aplenty — of the Taylor Stitch Moto Jacket. Inquiring minds, head to Taylor Stitch to learn more.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: These Rhodes Footwear Vibram Wedge Boots from Huckberry a Dependable Fall Footwear Move

Huckberry men's boots review.

Are you sick of talking about the best boots for men yet? I’d surely hope not, as fall presents prime opportunuties aplenty for lacing up and stepping into downright rugged, essential men’s footwear, as useful in the garage or the shop as they are in the yard or out far afield.

Perhaps the best boots for men are merely a pair you need as you strive to build the perfect bonfire and then admire your handiwork — either way, they can stand up to wind, rain, fall leaves and debris while also wearing stylishly with your favorite pair of blue jeans off the clock.

Shop your new favorite gear for the season and more at Huckberry

Let’s get even more specific: The selection of men’s boots at Huckberry has long been positively outstanding, running the gamut from sleek suede chukka boots to durable moc toe boots and the handsome Rhodes Footwear Vibram Wedge Boots shown above.

It gets even better once you know your new favorite boots are on sale at Huckberry right now for a rather impressive 40 percent off — that adage we always talk about on this menswear blog about striking while the iron is hot certainly comes into play here.

The goods are certainly delivered and then some, as Huckberry’s own Rhodes Footwear takes classic silhouettes, like the lace-up work boot, the chukka boot or the plain-toe dress boot, and livens them up with premium footwear construction hailing from Leon, Mexico, arguably a hotbed for crafting some of the finest footwear for men on the plane.

The hard-wearing Rhodes Footwear Vibram Wedge Boots feature chestnut suede (be sure to treat them with waterproof suede protector), but the real winner here in matters of constructing some of the best boots for men is the use of that anti-slip, deep-lug Vibram 2060 outsole for sturdy performance, from cobblestone streets to the yard and back.

With a profile that can be dressed up slightly with olive chinos or worn in more rugged fashion with canvas work pants, the Rhodes Footwear Vibram Wedge Boots are also built out with features like bovine and suede leather lining for breathability and comfort that molds to your foot over time, right out of the box.

Huckberry notes the utterly stylish, classic Rhodes Footwear Vibram Wedge Boots also feature an anti-shock EVA foam midsole for added rebound and support. And at a price like that — under $170, marked down from $268 — you’re adding an ideal blend of style, savings and performance to your wardrobe. You can’t beat that from Huckberry now, can ya, my friends?

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Thursday Boots Captain Boots – Fresh Fall Footwear, Guaranteed

Don’t underestimate the long-running classics (or rather, modern classics) in your menswear rotation, particularly as you build your next #OOTD from the ground up by leaning on a pair of the best boots for men. And in the way of modern classics, you might say that there’s not a men’s footwear brand out there that’s made more waves — at least on a large scale — than New York City-founded, New York City-based Thursday Boots.

Thursday Boots

Founded more than a decade ago by friends who first conducted IRL boot fittings, long before they had their own shop or warehouse, the company is now certainly impressive in its range, from chukka boots to Chelsea boots to lace-up dress boots, not to mention handsome leather sneakers and a gorgeous lineup of leather jackets.

Yessir, Thursday Boots has come a long way since I first wore the brand back in Brooklyn about 11 years ago, and I’ve certainly put one of the best men’s boot brands to the test in plentiful style situations, from rock concerts to distillery visits to global travels.

Add Thursday Boots to your boot roster ASAP

It all tends to come back around, and a pair like the OG Thursday Boots Captain Boots can speak to both modern style and the company’s evolution — lofty praise though that might be, there might not be a better combination of high-quality construction, durable materials and fair pricing than what the team dreams up to this day.

Thursday Boots men's boots.

And what the team has dreamed up is certainly dynamic, formidable, fashionable and functional across a wide range of silhouettes, an expansion from years past. There’s the captoe design of the Captain Boots, the crisp plain-toe lace-up construction of the Thursday Boots President Boots, the combat boot-esque appeal of the Captain StormKing Boots, the hard-wearing moc toe design of the Diplomat Boots and even dressy wingtip boots.

Toss in the handsome and ultra-premium Black Label Challenger lineup, and there’s assuredly a pair of Thursday Boots men’s boots out there for every sense of taste and style — and that only covers lace-up varieties.

With your new favorite boot brand (or perhaps, old favorite boot brand!), the fun certainly keeps going, and that extends to warm-weather-friendly sneakers, traditional loafers and boat shoes, and a wide array of outerwear, from the classic denim jacket to the edgy moto jacket.

The Thursday Boots Captain Boots are as straightforward and stylish as it gets, featuring Rugged and Resilient leather — among a dizzying array of leather construction options — plus Goodyear welted construction. The glove leather interior is supple and easy to break in right out of the box, and the shock-absorbing insole design acts as intended.

Learn more now at Thursday Boots

The studded rubber outsole is a durable design feature that’s proven a favorite of mine, while the use of Kevlar blend laces takes durability to another level. Better still is the fact that your selection of most any pair of Thursday Boots for men will lend itself to an eye-catching, personable patina over time.

Yes indeed, if you’ve yet to try the utterly impressive Thursday Boots Captain Boots — or any other pair on offer from the fan-favorite brand — now’s an ideal time to retool your foowear lineup for fall. Expect much more to come on Thursday Boots in the season ahead.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Manready Mercantile Is One of the Coolest Stores for Guys Anywhere, Period

It sometimes takes just one glance, or setting one foot inside an esteemed menswear store, to know you’re someplace special, to know you’re in a place crafted and curated to tackle every possible need and want when it comes to the best gear and garb for men on the market. I’ve felt that way with similar shops in my own past (like Brooklyn’s dearly departed Modern Anthology), and I also tend to feel the same way about Manready Mercantile, one of the absolute coolest shops for men on the market.

Learn more about Manready Mercantile now

The Houston, Tx. shop, launched in 2012 by Travis S. Weaver, bills itself as a “premium general store,” and that holds true well over a decade on: The rugged haven stocks all manner of finely crafted, hard-wearing and hard-working goods from Turtlebox speakers to Yeti coolers to whiskey-soaked beef jerky, a range of durable flannel shirts and workwear, and handsome accessories aplenty.

Manready Mercantile review.

Pay close attention to special home good finds like Manready Mercantile candles, or else upgrade your everyday carry with cord carriers or leather keychains from the Americana atelier.

Leather coasters add class to your bar cart, vintage trucker hats and field jackets deliver outdoor-ready performance, and a thoughtfully curated selection of daily essentials like Shinola watches and distinctive jewelry also provide plenty of character and personal style.

Yessir, it’s as if the adage holds true: If you can dream it up, Manready Mercantile (probably) has it in stock. It’s an utter delight to prowl the wares within the utterly classic shop, and it’s almost just as cool — yes, just plain cool — to shop more than 2,000 items online at the famed Texas store.

In fact, Manready Mercantile‘s own “Manready Made” selection features everything for the home and beyond, from beard oils to hand salves, hats, leather goods, soaps, its own line of T-shirts and even whiskey glasses up for grabs.

It’s almost jaw-dropping the array of thoughtfully selected and designed products being served up by the outfitter and general store — if you can’t get yourself down to Houston soon, then shopping Manready Mercantile online is the next best thing.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Layer Up for Autumn With Mott and Bow’s Newest Henley in a Fresh Colorway

Best henley for men to wear this fall.

Putting together your favorite fall #OOTD, or at least one that’s functional, rugged and dare I say, it just a dash classic and cool, shouldn’t feel like too much work — it shouldn’t feel like closing your eyes and fumbling around your closet either, ya dig?

No sir, preparation always makes perfect in matters of seasonal style, like having a selection of base layers and standalone basics that can elevate a look, offer added warmth or serve as a complementay layer.

It’s a simple formula when you build from the ground up, or in this case, from your top half outwards with one of the best men’s henleys. This classic men’s fall style move deserves another look especially now that Mott and Bow is reintroducing the Mott and Bow Cotton Waffle Curved Hem Henley. Don’t go without the classic henley close at hand this season — if you know, you know. And if you need a refresher? That’s what brings us here today.

Shop menswear at Mott and Bow now

As we speak, I’m wearing this mid-weight 220 gm2 cotton waffle knit henley on a cool fall day in Michigan — it doesn’t hurt that it expertly complements a pair of men’s blue jeans from a company known for making some of the best men’s denim on the market, all at relatively affordable prices.

I’ve worn Mott and Bow denim for a number of years to great effect — the company prioritizes stretch denim in three reliable fits and a range of washes and colors, from shades of tan and rust to light grey, classic black and perfectly faded blue. And again, what wears well with styles like Mott and Bow straight leg denim? Especially in the brisk months, that’d be your new favorite henley, my friends.

Best henley for men to buy now.

It could be valuable to step into a pair of Mott and Bow men’s jeans this season, but first up might be upgrading your layering game with the Mott and Bow Cotton Waffle Curved Hem Henley, which features flattering tailored long sleeves and a curved hem that elongates your torso (helpful for those of us with larger frames, ehh?).

Plus, you can find it in nine classic and seasonal colors, like Cocoa and Taupe — two personal favorites and two highly versatile selections when worn with charcoal denim or olive chinos. Plus, your new favorite henley has limitless layering potential — beneath a waxed trucker jacket, underneath a flannel overshirt, styled alongside a rugged chambray workshirt.

Or heck, just wear this stylish men’s henley alongside tapered joggers as you make a weekend coffee run or relax on your front porch. With versatility in spades, durable comfort and a seasonally friendly cotton waffle knit, the Mott and Bow Cotton Waffle Curved Hem Henley might just prove downright essential this autumn and beyond — in fact, I’d bet on it, my friends.