Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.
A medium-blue color and natural chambray make this shirt comfortable and versatile.
With just enough time to spare before Christmas, Santa is here with a helpful — and highly versatile — Style Pick of the Week. I’ve written often on the power of having items you can dress up or down, and wear in just about any situation. Essential items like a well-tailored blazer or a great pair of dark denim can certainly carry you far in most circumstances, and you can add to that mix a trim chambray shirt — like the Todd Shelton chambray shirt you see up top. This blog covered off on a great chambray shirt from GAP earlier this year, but the style is so versatile that it’s never a bad thing to consider having another one in your rotation (this is coming from a guy with bunches of henleys in his closet, though). Make no mistaken, it’s unlike a standard blue Oxford cloth buttondown. Chambray finds its roots in workwear — rough, rugged styles worn by those actually out in the field. The style has seen a resurgence in the past five years or so as those silhouettes have come back, but as far as this #menswear blogger is concerned, it’s here to stay — a chambray shirt is nearly as firmly entrenched in the style lexicon as slim denim or a great pair of chukka boots.
Todd Shelton’s chambray shirt pairs well with other style staples. Charcoal wool blazer by UNIQLO. Raw dark denim by Mott & Bow. Navy suede 1000 Mile boots by Wolverine. Knit tie by 15ties. Striped socks by American Trench. Belt & floral pocket square by J. Crew.
That’s why it pays to invest in one up front — especially when it can work seamlessly with other wardrobe staples you might already have (like those pieces in the above photo). If you’re familiar at all with Todd Shelton, you’ll know the New Jersey-based brand has a penchant for producing everything from its denim to knitwear with great care here in America. So the price you see on the site certainly pays off. You could definitely walk into J. Crew and pick up a chambray shirt for about $50 less — but I can guarantee the fit won’t be as spot-on as a Todd Shelton shirt, for starters.Todd Shelton offers standard Small through XXL sizes, but its Advanced Fit options dial down everything from Sleeve Width to Stomach Width. Crucially for all those in between sizes, it even offers Small/Medium hybrid options. The brand was kind enough to work with me on my own measurements, so you can expect a full product review in the coming weeks. What you should know in the meantime is that as an investment, a Todd Shelton chambray shirt delivers great value — as any chambray should. Wear it with dark denim, boots and a blazer right now, or rock it with a leather bomber in the weeks to come. You can’t go wrong with a crisp color and trim fit in a style essential like this.
What’s your go-to chambray shirt? Would you pick up this piece from Todd Shelton?
The Style Guide 
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[…] The day was an excellent one, and my style combo worked nicely to transition from the day into the evening. It’s always a treat to see an artist like Wild Nothing capture a crowd — particularly at a free show (as you can see above!). Jack Tatum and co.’s shimmery, breezy rock played well off the waterfront atmosphere, and tunes from the group’s new album, “Life of Pause,” were definite crowd-pleasers, including the record’s lead single, “TV Queen,” a wavy, low-key rock track characteristic of the band’s style (as seen above). The group is jetsetting off to South America for a run of dates, but their new album is one of the better releases of the year to date, and they’re worth a listen in the meantime. Seeing them for free was a great way to cap off two of the weekend’s three days, but there’s more Brooklyn exploration — and fireworks — to come today. I’ll be taking on the day in my slim Mott & Bow denim, and accenting that with a pair of patriotic socks from DivvyUp, plus classic white Seavees sneakers and a reliable blue chambray shirt. […]
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