January 4, 2017December 26, 2016 by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Boots for Winter

Are you ready for cold weather? Like, really cold weather? Hopefully so — if not, that’s what we’ll take care of today with a full rundown of the best men’s boots for winter on your favorite #menswear blog (uhh, over here — that would be The Style Guide … right?). If you followed along throughout December, we’ve already got you covered with dressing for snowfall, and the below men’s boots selections follow a similar vein — so unlike leather chukka boots for fall, we’re going a bit more rough-and-tumble. Think stomping through feet of snow as opposed to stepping through slush — looks are still a consideration, but so are functionality and toughness. Hopefully, you’ve also got warm winter accessories on-hand; if not, this here site will be offering a full selection of stylish picks in the coming weeks. OK, ready to bundle up and get to work? Read on below, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram for a daily dose of men’s style.

#1. Woolrich Footwear Squatch Boots — $148.98

Sturdy, tough, well-built boots for winter. Oh, and they’re under $150 — crazy, right??

See, told you we were going for a bit more function instead of form — right? The tough-as-heck Squatch Boots are fully built for winter weather, starting with the waterproof suede and wool upper and rolling right on through to the comfort footbed and Goodyear welt construction. The Fully Wooly insulation — clever name, yes? — provides warmth down to -25 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, that low. Throw these on with flannel-lined chinos, a classic chambray shirt and a shawl-collar cardigan when you just don’t feel like stepping outside … but you totally have to get out there.

#2. G.H. Bass Buxton Boots — $425

A handsome, functional and tough pair of leather boots fit for anything.

Tough boots that look fantastic can be a bit tough to find sometimes — that’s not the case with the G.H. Bass Buxton Boots. In short… oh, my. These sturdy moc toe boots are made in Maine with a durable outsole, contrast stitching and the type of rugged construction you’d expect from a domestically made pair of boots. The Chestnut color is rich and should break in nicely, and the rawhide leather laces are a solid, vintage-inspired touch. These boots are fit for a rugged business casual Friday and of course, plenty of weekend coffee outings this winter.

#3. Red Wing Moc Boot in Rough & Tough Leather — $249

Classic Red Wing moc toe boots that are ready for just about anything this season.

If a boot features the words “Rough and Tough” in its title — and if said title refers to the leather used to make that boot — odds are, it’s pretty fit for battling winter weather. With a Goodyear welt and a Traction Tred surface that’s ready to take on slippery surfaces, these are handsome, durable boots that’ll sit just right under everything from slim wool trousers to winter denim (check out the link — winter denim exists!). And while everyone loves a rugged-refined pair of brown leather boots, there’s an argument to be made for black leather boots — especially a casual pair that offers a solid change of pace.

#4. Thursday Boots Commander Boot in Blarney Stone — $249

A combination of sporty hikers and rich Horween leather makes these guys a heck of a pair of winter boots.

In keeping with a blend of fashion and function, the Commander Boot is about as good as it gets for the price. We (and by we, I mean me) love Thursday Boots on the blog, and this particular boot is a fine addition to that list. It’s got the same sporty construction as the lauded Color No. 8 Diplomat Boots, starting with the Vibram Christy sole for a bit of a sneaker boot-inspired look. The hiker silhouette is classed up with beautiful Horween leather, and the full glove leather interior liner provides an easy transition for slipping into and out of these boots. Pair ’em with chinos, pair ’em with slim dark denim and try them out with a wool blazer at the office — seriously.

#5. Johnston and Murphy McHugh Shearling Boots — $169.99

With a shearling lining and waterproof construction, these boots could become a multi-day pair every week.

It seems with Johnston and Murphy, you really can get the best of both worlds. That is, waterproof functionality and seam-sealed construction, plus a combo sheepskin-and-mesh lining for performance and comfort. And it all comes wrapped in a classic brown leather plain toe boot that should stylishly complement tough denim or Donegal trousers with ease. The lugged rubber sole finishes these things off with a bit more durability, too.

Alright, did you add a few more boots to your style wish list? Perhaps? Or, did you pick up a pair right away? Dealing with tough winter weather is that much easier when you’ve got the right gear for it — whether you pick up something more functional like the Woolrich Squatch Boots via Huckberry, or you stick with rugged and refined boots like those G.H. Bass Buxton Boots, the right pair of footwear is going to make a huge difference in your commute and your winter adventures. Any additions to this list? Let me know on The Style Guide’s Facebook page — and stay tuned for more picks covering all things winter style in the coming weeks on the blog.

January 3, 2017December 23, 2016 by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Wear a Classic Oxford This Winter

Perhaps like your Style Guide author, you’re starting to get into the swing of things when it comes to revamping your style this year. New Year’s resolutions, particularly men’s style resolutions, can be tough to start and even tougher to keep — but if one of your resolutions involves working more classic pieces into your wardrobe, the first #OOTD of 2017 should help you do just that. It’s all about picking a classic piece — the Oxford shirt — and finding a winter weather-friendly way to wear it (if you’re in a warmer climate, you can certainly keep this look while ditching a few layers). Now, we talked about how to wear an Oxford last winter, but this particular look refreshes things a bit. In this case, that involves taking some rugged pieces (like the Taylor Stitch Rover Jacket) and pairing them up with tried-and-true, essential layers (like a henley sweater that you might recognize from my winter trip to Baltimore). And although you might not see ’em in the below grid, remember to layer up with stylish winter accessories. OK, ready to get started with how to wear an Oxford this winter? Of course you are. Let’s connect on Twitter to talk more menswear, and I hope you enjoy this week’s #OOTD!

Starting with a classic Oxford and adding a tough jacket, warm layers and classic accessories.

The Jacket: Taylor Stitch Rover Jacket, $298 — So, as mentioned earlier, here’s the starting layer — the tough, durable, handsome and versatile Rover Jacket from Taylor Stitch. Yes, it’s all of those things at once. Lined in moleskin, it features a tightly spun cotton canvas exterior for warmth and functionality on cold days.

The Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch Wool-Blend Henley Sweater, $44 — Part henley, part sweater and all comfort and throwback style. It’s the perfect middle layer beneath a rugged jacket, and the three-button placket provides some visual interest against the Oxford shirt. Speaking of…

The Shirt: Abercrombie & Fitch Oxford Shirt, $28.80 — Consider this another “new classic” from the majorly revamped Abercrombie & Fitch brand. It’s modern, it’s versatile and it’s very affordable — plus, the “Mint” color is a nice change of pace and really leans more blue than green.

The Chinos: J. Crew Factory Driggs Broken-in Chino, $29.50 — When it comes to affordable staples that get the job done, the Driggs Chino — in slim fit, no less — performs well in winter… and spring… and summer, come to think of it.

The Boots: G.H. Bass Buxton Boots, $425 — While people tend to think of Bass for its classic leather loafers, the brand also makes one heck of a pair of USA-produced boots. These are handsome and remarkably tough, preppy yet rugged.

The Belt: J. Crew Factory Washed Leather Belt, $19.50 — Just as with the Driggs Chinos above, J. Crew Factory gets it right when it comes to versatile, affordable accessories — particularly this casual washed leather belt.

The Socks: American Trench Fair Isle Sock in Merino & Cashmere, $28.98 — Is it worth it to spend nearly $30 on socks? When they’re made in America by the great purveyors at American Trench, then the answer is YES.

The Watch: Jack Mason Racing Chronograph, $305 — When you mix in so many heavy textures — like the henley sweater and the tough Taylor Stitch Rover Jacket — you can counter that with a rather sleek, fast and sporty watch like this Jack Mason timepiece.

When it comes to a timeless piece like the Oxford, the best thing you can do is shake things up — sometimes. Of course, the shirt will always have its place in classic business casual offerings — and this outfit could work in much the same way — but adding rugged outerwear piece like the Rover Jacket mixes things up. Plus, if the new Abercrombie & Fitch keeps churning out stellar pieces, you’ll want to wear that wool-blend henley sweater as often as possible. And complementing classic and rugged pieces with slim chinos and tough-as-heck G.H. Bass boots is a foolproof way to look great no matter the weather — yes, even when dressing for the polar vortex. If you have any suggestions for how to finish off this #OOTD , let me know in the comments below.

Stay warm, stay stylish and thanks for kicking off the new year in style!

-Beau

January 2, 2017January 9, 2017 by Beau H.

Ringing in the new year: 2017 Men’s Style Resolutions

Looking ahead to the new year in style. Suit by Alan David Custom. Shirt by Twillory. Tie and pocket square by Ties.com. Glasses by Frameri.

Looking ahead to another year in the concrete jungle — in style, of course. Suit by Alan David Custom. Shirt by Twillory. Tie and pocket square by Ties.com. Glasses by Frameri.

Here we sit, just two days into 2017 — are you ready to talk men’s style resolutions for this year, yet? I sure hope so, because it’s topic number one today on the blog. Talking style resolutions definitely plays into a larger approach when it comes to ways to better yourself personally in the new year — be it picking up a new workout plan, saving more money or setting a resolution to get out and travel in style, there are lots of things to focus on in these early days of January. While I very likely can’t help you save money all that well — just look at my menswear wish list — we can work together to set some neat and achievable style resolutions. You dig? Good. So, I’d love to hear from y’all — what are your menswear resolutions this coming year? I set some rather lofty ones last year, including a goal to wear less blue and suit up more.

At the end of the year, I have to say … I flubbed those goals a tad. Truth be told, I realized the color blue was an essential piece in my wardrobe, from layering up with a slim henley all the way through to wearing classic suiting with a denim shirt. So, I’m going to aim to work more color into more wardrobe, for one. And, partially thanks to my recent membership in the very cool Ties.com StyleGuruSociety, I’m going to aim to suit up more this coming year — once again, the bar is set high. And with my a lovely new, custom-made suit done beautifully by the team at Alan David Custom, it should be that much easier. Seriously, I can’t recommend the quality of their work enough — it’s classic, customized tailoring just as you prefer it. But, back to those resolutions. Whether your resolutions involve developing a classic menswear wardrobe filled with versatile staples or simply saving up to buy the coveted Bond Peacoat, I’m here to help. From this site’s ongoing #OOTD series to menswear style suggestions galore, we’ll keep the fun going all year long.

So, here are my 2017 style resolutions — What are yours?? Let’s here ’em in the comments or via The Style Guide Facebook page.

#1. Mix-and-match tailoring & patterns more.

A fine example of how to mix patterns in tailoring — a pindot tie and two sizes of stripes.

Pattern-mixing in the menswear world, particularly when it comes to refined tailoring. is a bit of a tricky art to master, but it’s a style skill that plenty of guys out there have honed. Exhibit A above comes to you as styled in the pages of Esquire — seriously, check out some standout shots of Michael Fassbender for a great example of how it’s done. It’s simple enough in practice — mixing, say, a large plaid poplin shirt with a smaller plaid wool tie, for example, or a striped tie with a patterned shirt. These are the sorts of combinations I’m aiming to try soon — follow along on Instagram to see how it works out.

#2. Ditch those boots …. some of the time.

An argument to be made for ditching the boots? Perhaps. Cove Shirt by Life/After/Denim. Flat Black Selvedge by Todd Shelton. miUSA 585 Sneakers by Danner x New Balance. Waterbury Chrono by Timex x Red Wing Heritage. Glasses by Frameri.

An argument to be made for ditching the boots? Perhaps. Cole Bomber Jacket by Beckett Simonon. Cove Shirt by Life/After/Denim. Flat Black Selvedge by Todd Shelton. miUSA 585 Sneakers by Danner x New Balance. Waterbury Chrono by Timex x Red Wing Heritage. Glasses by Frameri.

If you follow along with The Style Guide on a regular basis — as you well should — you’ll see that your SG team (of one) frequently wears and posts about stylish leather boots. Be it a tough workboot like the Original Chippewa Service Boot or something a tad more refined like the Astorflex Chelsea Boot, there’s no question that a great pair can be a year-round workhorse if you style ’em the right way. However, as much as I love my suede chukka boots, and a plethora of other styles, I’m feeling the need to break out classic staples like white leather sneakers far more often — and maybe with combinations like a blazer and a slim blue chambray shirt, at that. Are you with me?

#3. Switch those jeans for chinos … every so often.

Just counting down the days ’til I can start wearing jeans again — I suppose? Button Denim Jacket c/o Forever21Men. Bowie Fit Chinos by JACHS NY. Sweater by Dockers. Classic White Oxford by Todd Shelton. Grounder Hi-Tops by Todd Snyder + P.F. Flyers. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Glasses by Frameri.

My third and final major style resolution is something I took on last year — namely, wearing classic dark denim a bit less, and wearing versatile pieces like slim cotton chinos more. The slim cotton chino really is a four-season staple, and brands like Taylor Stitch know how to make them with the best brands around — so my affinity for the classic staple certainly provides a strong starting point. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly love the chinos I’ve got in my rotation, but I find myself reaching for inky blue denim more than, say, equally versatile olive chinos. With that in mind, I’m looking to participate in the #NoJeansJanuary challenge from the fantastic team at Style Girlfriend — will you be joining me? And I’ll be making more of an effort to swap chinos into my #OOTD this winter, too.

Of course, the above items are but three resolutions I’ve got on my list — I’m also setting small workout goals, like knocking out sets of push-ups every day, and aiming to do other little things, like upgrade my apartment décor (if that’s a goal for you as well, check out what the folks at Friday & River have to say). What do you think of the above resolutions? Do they jive with any of yours? Let’s chat menswear on Twitter, and let’s kick off this year in style!

Good luck out there and stay stylish,

-Beau

The Style Guide

All the best men's style essentials you need, every day.

Month / January 2017

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Boots for Winter

#OOTD: How to Wear a Classic Oxford This Winter

Ringing in the new year: 2017 Men’s Style Resolutions