Month / May 2016

by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The 5 Best Short-Sleeve Shirts for Spring and Summer

Editor’s note: For a host of online shopping picks that’ll have you ready for every occasion, head this way.

A short-sleeve shirt can be worn all kinds of ways, but particularly with classics like dark denim and navy sneakers. Vintage 'drinks' shirt. Dark denim by Mott & Bow. Navy Rosen Runners by GREATS Brand. Glasses by Warby Parker.

A short-sleeve shirt can be worn all kinds of ways, but particularly with classics like dark denim and navy sneakers. Vintage ‘drinks’ shirt. Dark denim by Mott & Bow. Navy Rosen Runners by GREATS Brand. Glasses by Warby Parker.

Here we are, practically on the verge of summer travel season really heating up. Memorial Day is barreling toward us and it’s time to reach for spring style essentials like a casual watch or a nice pair of spring and summer shorts. Yet, how to finish off those ensembles? A polo is a foolproof go-to underneath a blazer (or on its own) at the office, and a popover offers a change of pace visually from a standard T-shirt in casual situations. Let’s say you’re feeling a tad more daring, or the occasion calls for something a bit more … eye-catching. It’s always fun to inject pattern and color into your wardrobe, and it’s all the better to be able to do it comfortably — that is, you’ll ideally only be needing a short-sleeve shirt, not a ton of winter layers (or even a spring jacket). That brings us to the below picks — feast your eyes on the best short-sleeve shirts for spring and summer. Take ’em to the beach, take ’em on a stylish spring bar crawl, and rock them everywhere in between (yes, even at the office). Any brand you see missing? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

#1. JackThreads The Chambray Short-Sleeve Shirt — $39

A slight deviation from the standard chambray shirt in terms of pattern (and the lack of, y'know, sleeves).

A slight deviation from the standard chambray shirt in terms of pattern (and the lack of, y’know, sleeves).

Interested in taking the plunge into short-sleeve territory but don’t want to spend a ton of money doing it? Having a tough time putting away that essential chambray shirt after rocking it all winter? We’re in the same boat. And given both those things, it’s a really solid bet to reach for a JackThreads chambray short-sleeve shirt that doesn’t overdo it on the pattern, keeps the price nice and low, and comes in that oh-so-familiar chambray material (with a color that’s easy to pair with, as well). For more on what makes JackThreads so great, check out this feature.

#2. Saturdays Surf NYC Esquina Gingham Shirt in White/Indigo — $115

No zany patterns here -- just an effectively stylish gingham print and a modern fit.

No zany patterns here — just an effectively stylish gingham print and a modern fit.

If, on the other hand, you’re more than ready to hop into the short-sleeve shirt pool, give this nice number from Saturdays Surf NYC a try. The brand does lots of things well when it comes to warm-weather gear, from its selection of neutral yet well-crafted knitwear to surfboards actually made for catching waves. While there are more eye-catching patterns from the brand on the site, this gingham pattern pairs easily with more standard style staples, like slim tan chinos and classic white sneakers. Be prepared to pay more for this piece, but know that (at least in this writer’s experience), you’ll be able to wear a shirt like this one for months on end.

#3. Bridge & Burn Thomas Pacific Latitude Shirt — $108

A major pop of pattern that manages to stay grounded thanks to the deep indigo color.

A major pop of pattern that manages to stay grounded thanks to the deep indigo color.

For times that you want something more than gingham or a lighter floral print, grab the truly excellent Bridge & Burn Pacific Latitude Shirt. The cotton-linen blend (50 percent either way, as it were) will keep you cool when temperatures heat up, and the fit is flattering but not too trim. The best part about this shirt? The rich leaf pattern indigo print, which works surprisingly well even atop the striped fabric. It’s nothing short of the ideal shirt to wear on vacation or to the beach — it’s a style upgrade from the standard Hawaiian shirt in every way.

#4. Old Navy Classic Slim-Fit Shirt in White — $21

Dirt-cheap and classic. Not bad at all!

Dirt-cheap and classic. Not bad at all!

Unlike some of the other picks on this list, the Old Navy Classic Slim-Fit Shirt  is downright cheap. That doesn’t lessen its quality though, for the most part — Old Navy reliably delivers on classic pieces for not a lot of money. Again, if you want to test out something more standard before grabbing a printed shirt (like the pick right below this one), this shirt is the one for you. Lest you avoid comparisons to Dwight Schrute, it’d be wise to pair this shirt with, say, some navy shorts and a quilted jacket on the weekends (like this Style Guide #OOTD feature).

#5. J. Crew Factory Slim Short-Sleeve Linen Printed Shirt — $38.50

Linen is the way to go in terms of keeping cool this summer -- short sleeves make it all the easier.

Linen is the way to go in terms of keeping cool this summer — short sleeves make it all the easier.

It truly wouldn’t be an Online Shopping Picks feature without a pick from J. Crew or J. Crew Factory, right? Aside from a store like Old Navy, they continue to get things right in terms of quality, price point and selection. Given that there’ve been so many blue or white shirts on this here list, this red linen short-sleeve shirt was an easy pick. They’ve given this shirt the full linen treatment here, so it should be extra breezy and cool — as a summer style hack, you could definitely rock this short-sleeve shirt underneath a slim khaki blazer at a summer wedding (preferably sans tie). Wait for a sale, and the price could drop even lower.

As more and more brands truly try to become four-season brands, there are certainly some other options you should consider. For a premium feel and distinctive patterns, check out Bonobos short-sleeve shirts . If you still find yourself searching for a lower price point, swing through Uniqlo for a mixture of plaid and neutral options that are definitely affordable. And a perennial favorite of this site, Grayers, is also stocked up on short-sleeve shirts for the season. No matter where you buy, keep in mind that fit trumps all, even when trying out something a bit different stylistically. So that means a slim body, sleeves that hit about mid-bicep and a length that can definitely be worn untucked. Got all that down? Go to it!

Stay stylish,

-Beau

Shop the latest in Men's styles Under $50 + get FREE Shipping on orders over $100 at Frank & Oak!

Florsheim

by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Wear a Suit This Spring

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD series will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

For every situation that calls for more casual, rugged wear — like how to dress for a spring bar crawl, for instance — there are situations that call for a bit something more: Say, a big presentation at the office, or a (very) fancy dinner date. That’s what we’re tackling today on The Style Guide, with an eye specifically toward how to do it right — after all, rocking a shirt and tie sans jacket just isn’t something that’s going to leave most of us looking our best. The thing with investing in a suit — even a budget-friendly option like the below — is that you can get a lot of wear out of it (yes, even casually).  But today’s post goes for a full-on, suited look. Shop away! And if you have suggestions for an #OOTD scenario you’d like covered, let me know on Facebook!
Shop the latest in Men's styles Under $50 + get FREE Shipping on orders over $100 at Frank & Oak!

Taking a few classics -- like the worsted wool suit -- and flipping them by incorporating unique texture and color.

Taking a few classics — like the worsted wool suit — and flipping them by incorporating unique texture and color.

The Suit: J. Crew Ludlow Harbor Blue Suit Jacket in Italian Worsted Wool, $425 — J. Crew just absolutely knows what works in terms of classic, affordable suiting — and the Harbor Blue color of this jacket is a terrific change of pace if you’ve already got a navy suit in your closet. As always, don’t forget the Ludlow suit pants (which should fit relatively slim and modern).

The Shirt: Taylor Stitch White Royal Oxford, $98 — Who knew that Taylor Stitch made dress shirts? This guy sure didn’t. You’re getting exceptional quality for an exceptionally classic piece that can go anywhere. If you want something more price-conscious, head this way.

The Pocket Square: SprezzaBox White & Tan Pocket Square, $16 — In addition to a neat monthly subscription service, SprezzaBox also makes its own line of essential ties & accessories — slightly more expensive than The Tie Bar, but with great styling potential.

The Tie: SprezzaBox Knit Charcoal Shifting Tie, $25 — A charcoal knit tie is virtually foolproof when it comes to rocking with all manner of suits across all seasons — that holds true for spring, as well.

The Shoes: Thursday Boots Brown Scout Boot, $149 –A pair of leather chukka boots with a suit? Heck yes. The heightened blue color of this suit, along with the more textured charcoal knit tie, pushes this look into more casual territory, so the boots just work.

The Belt: J. Crew Factory Reversible Brown Leather Belt, $27.50 — A tried-and-true leather belt that serves a double function is the way to go here — you get J. Crew quality for less, too.

The Socks: Mack Weldon Total Eclipse Blue Socks, $12.50 — For a brand that does basics like its slim merino long-sleeve tee so well, they sure do know how to make comfortable socks that are still slightly cheaper than what you’d find  at other retailers.

The Watch: Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol Silver Watch, $229 — A timeless watch from a brand that just gets how to do things right; it’s slim, minimal and tremendously stylish!

That brings us, once again, to the end of another #OOTD — taking pieces that you should probably already have in your wardrobe (the classic, four-season worsted wool suit, for one) and injecting some new color and texture helps shake things up nicely. The color combination of the tan tipped pocket square and the charcoal knit tie is another variation on the traditional silk tie, and the brown leather chukka boots are a heck of a deal for the quality. Other hardworking pieces, like breathable socks and a slim dress watch, just work regardless of the season. This ensemble will hopefully work for all kinds of dressy scenarios — be it a dressy summer wedding or a dressy day at the office. And on a more casual front: Coming up tomorrow, we’ll be tackling the best short-sleeve shirts to rock this summer.

Thanks for reading, and stay stylish!

Florsheim

by Beau H.

Style Suggestion: What to Wear for Cinco de Mayo

Editor’s note: For all manner of style suggestions covering everything from brunch to the holidays, head here.

As I sit here to write this post, it’s pretty wild that it’s already time to think about Cinco de Mayo — where has the time gone? And how are your 2016 style resolutions holding up so far? I’m still struggling to wear less blue, namely — the below outfit doesn’t necessarily move away from that color, either! With that being said, it’s important to recognize that Cinco de Mayo really does have historical significance — and yet, it’s a time a lot of us use to spend with friends at say, a patio bar crawl or the like. And if you’ve been cooped up inside all winter, it seems people need any excuse to get outside (heck, who doesn’t love a great brew regardless — am I right, or am I right?). At any rate, we’re combining style that’s part casual, part rugged and a little refined to combat warm breezes during the day, and possibly cool temps at night. Like what you see, or have other suggestions in mind? Give The Style Guide a shout over here. Onto the outfit!

The Jacket: JackThreads Trucker Jacket — $79

Unique design details and a classic indigo color make this the ideal piece of spring outerwear.

Unique design details and a classic indigo color make this the ideal piece of spring outerwear.

Just as we kicked off our suggestion covering what to wear to Sunday brunch with a JackThreads, so we begin this style suggestion with a tough trucker jacket that’s a positively stunning value — and it should come in handy if it gets breezy, too. The silhouette is a bit different than your standard denim jacket (note the covered placket and the front ridges on either side of it). Lest you think a denim jacket can’t work for you, note that it can be worn plenty of ways. It’s also worth noting that JackThreads’ creative director, Tony Kretten, was the man behind the relaunch of the GAP 1969 denim line — so he knows a thing or two about great denim.

The Shirt: Saturdays Surf NYC Esquina Denim Shirt in Light Washed Indigo — $115

The spring and summer answer to winter's dark denim shirt.

The spring and summer answer to winter’s dark denim shirt.

We’re going full-on denim on denim on the top half — but it’s no Canadian tuxedo. Lest you’re wary of pairing two shades of blue, note that this Saturdays Surf NYC oxford has nice texture and a color that’s significantly lighter than the jacket. It’s a simple, minimal shirt that could quickly turn into a workhorse spring styling piece — it would work well with slim tan chinos or even dark  blue jeans throughout the summer (don’t rule out a pair of tailored shorts, either). From personal experience, Saturdays Surf NYC shirts fit slim and hold up very well through repeated wear — a good thing considering the price tag.

The Pants: JackThreads Slim Chino in Stone — $49

A pair of pants to go along with the JackThreads jacket -- slim, stylish and affordable.

A pair of pants to go along with the JackThreads jacket — slim, stylish and affordable.

In this case, the darker blue jacket and lighter blue shirt are just fit for the cool tones of these JackThreads stone chinos. The brand crafts these with a slim fit and nice fabric, plus the price is (as always with JackThreads) exceptionally solid. Some slim khaki chinos would also work with the rest of this ensemble, as might some natural denim — and if you were lucky enough to pre-order the incredible Taylor Stitch Slim Chino in Stone, that’s a worthy pair of pants to keep in mind when matching up multiple shades of blue (although it doesn’t look like they’ll ship in time for this particular holiday).

The Sneakers: SeaVees Legend Sneaker Standard in Bleach — $78

Just as stylish now as it was decades ago.

Just as stylish now as it was decades ago.

SeaVees was among the first brands to really pioneer the classic plimsoll sneaker, and the silhouette has stood up to the years — the Legend Sneaker Standard is no different. These kicks are crisp, casual and timeless — they’ll pop nicely with the light grey chinos and the darker blue jacket, and the great thing about these kicks is that they’ll probably look even better a bit beat up. Plus, they’re comfortable and lightweight — perfect for hanging out on a patio as the sun sets. If those aren’t your speed, check out other stylish spring sneakers here.

The Belt: J. Crew Factory Braided Leather Belt — $18.50

A welcome and appropriate departure from a thin dress belt.

A welcome and appropriate departure from a thin dress belt.

Casual situations call for a change of pace from a slim, minimal dress belt — this is definitely one of those times. This J. Crew Factory braided leather belt works well in terms of adding some texture and visual interest to this outfit, and it works for spring (and summer, and fall … and winter). A striped webbing belt would also add a spring-friendly vibe to the look, yet the leather belt is going to be a bit more versatile across the seasons. If you happen to have the rugged vintage leather belt from this style suggestion, throw that on instead.

The Watch: AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II — $165

A sufficiently rugged watch ready for the rigors of a bar crawl.

A sufficiently rugged watch ready for the rigors of a bar crawl.

Are you familiar with AVI-8 Watches? The brand takes pride in producing authentic, tough and durable watches inspired by classic pilot timepieces. The story is an admirable one, and the product looks great — and backs it up with quality for a very solid price, too. The version of the Hawker Harrier II seen here is a bit less technically complicated than some of the other models from the same line (including this chronograph number), but it’s fitting for this particular occasion — it’s not too dressy, and it gives off a nice, rugged vibe. The combination of black and tan between the dial and the case is solid, and the 45mm diameter means it’s pretty beastly. If a smaller-sized watch might be more your thing, head to last week’s post on the best casual watches to buy now.

The Socks: American Trench Summer Footies — $13.50

An underrated finishing touch that could be crucial in keeping your white kicks pristine.

An underrated finishing touch that could be crucial in keeping your white kicks pristine.

Don’t underestimate the power of taking care of your feet this summer — and by extension, your shoes. A nice pair of no-show socks can help contain foot odor, make sneakers last longer and ultimately, prove much more comfortable for your feet. American Trench does standard fall and winter socks well, and they’ve even introduced some nice, spring-ready colors (in addition to the no-show socks you see here). Even if they’re only socks, the fact that they’re made in the USA at a family mill is another big bonus. They’ll definitely finish off this outfit the right way.

When approaching a situation like Cinco de Mayo, where you might be headed to a party to a bar and back, or multiple indoor or outdoor stops along the way, layering up appropriately is going to be key. The denim trucker jacket adds a rugged, bar-ready look to those modern, slim chinos — and classic white sneakers are a great piece of finishing footwear.   A tough, military-inspired watch serves a dual function — that of a neat conversation starter and a really solid watch. Plus, each of these pieces can work across the rest of the season in various outfits. That’s worth a toast in my book.

How are you dressing for Cinco de Mayo? Any pieces you would change or add?

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Florsheim