Month / May 2018

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The National Homecoming, Spring Style Essentials and Slim Light Wash Denim

Sipping an iced coffee and reflecting pensively on a great long weekend in Cincinnati. Wearing a cotton flannel shirt from Todd Snyder and a navy T-shirt from Mott and Bow. Photo by Laura Henschke.

Gather ’round the proverbial Style Guide fire for another weekly edition of The Friday Read. It’s been a whirlwind couple of days, as I roadtripped back from Cincinnati on Monday following a long weekend trip to Cincy. What took me to Ohio? Well, if you caught last week’s Friday Read, you know that the extraordinary first edition of The National Homecoming festival was more than enough reason to visit the seriously cool city of Cincy (This terrific piece by The Ringer sums up the weekend nicely!). Headlined by, yep, The National and featuring sets from luminaries like Future Islands, Lord Huron, Julien Baker and Alvvays, we had a great time sipping on cold beverages from Rhinegheist (check us out on their Instagram!) while enjoying lovely (if somewhat chilly) spring weather. If ever you get to Cincy, I know I loved the gourmet Mexican food and margaritas at Bakersfield OTR, plus the excellent brunch deal at Nation. We also enjoyed hearty cold brews from Coffee Emporium and checked out a National-themed photography exhibit at the city’s Contemporary Arts Center! Top it off with two stellar, unique sets from The National, and you’ve got the makings of an extraordinary weekend! To say the very least. In other happenings, well, we’re about to kick off another weekend, and this one will also find me traveling back to Michigan — and Grand Rapids — for Cinco de Mayo celebrations with close high school friends. Follow along with all the fun on Instagram, and be sure to get your weekend going with a few more-than-engaging reads below. Cheers!

  • Let’s get right down to it — if you missed this week’s post about spring style essentials to shop in the latest edition of The List, you need to catch up. We’ve got stylish spring sneakers, we’ve got everyday carry essentials, we’ve got a stylish weekender bag … and it’s all yours for perusing now.
  • If you haven’t yet heard, J. Crew Factory is running an extraordinary summer sale, and Esquire.com has all the picks you need to shop now, right this very instant. Get to it and stock up on summer style essentials just a bit early.
  • Speaking of music festivals, Pitchfork put together quite an interesting and insightful analysis of the gender balance — or rather, inbalance — at festivals via some revealing data-crunching and colorful graphs. The biggest takeaway? More representation is needed at festivals across the board! That’s all there is to it.
  • Lastly, I’ll leave you with one more #menswear essential to buy now — these slim light wash jeans from Raleigh Denim, as featured on the blog last week, could feasibly see a ton of use in the weeks and months ahead. Get to shopping!

That’s all I’ve got in today’s Friday Read, my friends. Cheers!

-Beau

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Here’s Why You Need the Outerknown Journey Jacket For Your Next Trip

Available in two colors, the Outerknown Journey Jacket is a winner when it comes to versatile, travel-friendly style.

Wait, hold on a second — don’t hang up or put away your collection of stylish men’s outerwear just because we’re rolling through May right now. No no, there’s still plenty of reason to keep a versatile transitional jacket handy — especially if you’re planing a spring or summer trip (or five). Chilly nights, cold plane A/C, unexpected rain … it all demands a jacket that can do it all. As luck would have it, the exceedingly versatile, casual-but-not-too-casual Outerknown Journey Jacket is the one you need for your next trip. In the evermore laidback times we live in, a transitional jacket like the Outerknown Journey Jacket is going to be your best friend when it comes to freeing up space in your bag. Think of this classic jacket, inspired by the old military M-65 coat, as a sort of blazer replacement, a do-it-all jacket that offers added storage space, lightweight protection from the elements, and sharp, sleek style. The Navy Outerknown Journey Jacket is the top pick here according to your neighborhood Style Guide editor, but you really can’t go wrong with either option. It’s also somewhat similar to the equally versatile and durable Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket — both are handy and nearly required for cool spring and summer nights.

The 4oz. twill fabric used to craft the durable Outerknown Journey Jacket is made from organic cotton and hemp, a bonus if you’re into responsible sourcing and production (which you certainly should be). A handy hood even packs into a collar zipper, offering crucial protection from the elements — again, an underrated design feature that’ll prove quite useful if your next trek takes you somewhere particularly rainy.  The Outerknown Journey Jacket really nails that essential blend of functionality and style — the snap closure hip pockets offer space for everyday carry essentials, like a streamlined wallet or a stylish leather passport holder. And the overall aesthetic is one that just screams 2018. A stylish field jacket  is the functional, dressed-down blazer replacement you’ve been looking for. The Outerknown Journey Jacket works with a crisp white tee, faded blue denim and classic suede boots as well as it does with olive chinos, a white Oxford and leather brogue dress shoes. Taken all together, the Outerknown Journey Jacket belongs on your packing list for your next trip, certainly.

Who’s going to go right out and buy the Outerknown Journey Jacket? Let me know via The Style Guide Facebook page. 

by Beau H.

The List: Kick Off May in Style with These Essential Men’s Gear Picks

The best way to ring in a new month is with a little essential #menswear shopping, right? The sort of shopping that checks a whole lot of gear off your list of spring style essentials, right? Yep, that’s exactly it. That’s what we’re here to do in today’s edition of The List, which I think you’ll be pleased to find features everything from an essential long-sleeve T-shirt to  quite possibly your new favorite pair of sneakers. Check out the full rundown below.

SeaVees Huntington Middie in Elmwood — $108

The cut of a chukka and the comfort of a sneaker.

The SeaVees Huntington Middie is an indispensable spring and summer sneaker, packed with the sort of grab-and-go style you’re going to need weekend after weekend.

Fisher Space Pen Astronaut Pen — $34.98

An easy-to-carry, easy-to-use essential for all your daily writing needs — pick up a pen the next time you brainstorm.

Should a pen be included in a list of menswear essentials? The answer to that question is yes, yes it should be. A neat, well-made pen is practically an everyday carry essential, and the Fisher Space Pen Astronaut Pen is among the best.

Taylor Stitch Triblend Long-Sleeve Shirt — $68

Taylor Stitch can make one heck of a long-sleeve tee, that much is true.

The great team at Taylor Stitch continues to focus on plenty of new and essential menswear by the month — this stylish long-sleeve tee features cool, different-than-average stripes and handsome raglan construction.

Little River Sock Mill Textured Herringbone Crew Socks — $20

Don’t think herringbone can work in the spring? Think again.

Peeking out from some classic high-top sneakers beneath a pair of rolled light wash denim, these Little River Sock Mill socks are cool and spring-friendly.

WP Standard The Weekender Bag — $350

A beautiful weekender bag that embodies the craftsmanship behind this standout brand.

I love the gear put out by WP Standard, which you know if you follow me on Instagram. In that case, the new WP Standard Weekender Bag is the latest release that’s on my wish list.
Danner Tramline 917 Boots — $200

A hiking boot that’s more streamlined than throwback options.

What do you get when you put a Horween leather upper atop a sporty Vibram outsole, then add in a dash of classic craftsmanship? You get the spring-ready Danner 917 Tramline Boots, perfect for seasonal adventures.
WP Standard The Dopp Kit — $85

The perfect companion to your WP Standard Weekender, folks.

What else do you need in your life besides the WP Standard Weekender Bag? Why, the equally well-made and just-as-durable WP Standard Dopp Kit.
Howler Brothers H Bar B Snapshirt — $69

A uniquely bright and warm weather-ready short-sleeve shirt.

Looking for a shirt to wear to your first spring or summer barbeque? Something that toes the line between too loud and too quiet? The cool Howler Brothers H Bar B Snapshirt is the one to buy right now.
Ready to start shopping? What’s your favorite pick on the latest edition of The List? Chime in via The Style Guide Facebook page for more men’s style insights on the daily. 
 

 

by Beau H.

#OOTD: The Best Way to Wear Your New Favorite Shorts for Warm Weather

Is there a topic more fitting to discuss right now on The Style Guide than how to wear shorts this spring? I’d wager that no, there’s not. Now that we’re flipping our calendars into May, it’s time to think about how exactly you’re going to dress for warm weather — and we’re going all in. By that, I mean considering how you’re going to swap out your denim or chinos — at least on occasion. And that’s where today’s #OOTD comes into play. We’re giving you the scoop on the best way to wear your new favorite shorts for warm weather. You know, the kind of warm weather that calls for park strolls, rooftop beers and long days doing … well, nothing at all. It’s tough to misstep with a classic pair of shorts and complementary essentials, from a vintage-inspired short-sleeve shirt to a durable jacket for breezy spring (and summer) nights. Hopefully, you won’t have to break out said jacket that often, though. Before we give you the rest of the basics, remember this: In an ideal world, your stylish shorts are cut above the knee and ditch the cargo pockets in favor of a slim, streamlined fit. With that in mind, today’s #OOTD has darn near everything you need to rule spring and summer. Music festivals, barbeques, bar crawls … they’re all no match for your new favorite shorts.

Team your shorts with a camp collar shirt, classic spring sneakers and a durable jacket … that’s about how it goes.

  • The Shorts: Katin Cove Shorts, $53 — Featuring a rich Light Walnut color and an agreeable cut, these Katin Cove Shorts are indispensable if you want sleek-yet-casual style.
  • The Shirt: Penfield Mahoney Shirt, $69.98 — A stylish camp collar shirt, with its throwback design roots and easygoing style, belongs in your wardrobe this spring. The Penfield Mahoney Shirt is the one to buy.
  • The Jacket: Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket, $188 — Will you absolutely need the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket? If the weather holds, then … no. But if it turns breezy or rain, you’ll be glad you’re wearing this stylish spring jacket.
  • The Sneakers: SeaVees Hermosa Plimsoll Sneakers, $62.98 — Classic white canvas sneakers like the SeaVees Hermosa Plimsoll are going to go with many a warm-weather outfit … including this one.
  • The Watch: About Vintage 1815 Chronograph, $349 — Although this outfit leans casual, a timeless leather watch with a slightly dressy design is going to add a crisp finishing touch to this ensemble.
  • The Belt:  Beltology Radius Woven Belt, $60 — A textured navy belt from Beltology lends some laidback, off-duty appeal to this outfit.
  • The Cap: Corridor NYC Washed Canvas Cap, $55 —  You can throw on this stylish, well-made Corridor NYC Washed Canvas Cap as you head out the door … or just leave it at home. Your call. It’ll look great, though — trust me.
  • The Sunglasses: Sunski Yubas Sunglasses, $55 — More unique than aviators and with a dash of bohemian style thrown in, the Sunski Yubas Sunglasses are bound to be a spring & summer go-to.

 

When you’re searching for the perfect pair of shorts to wear for spring and summer, the Katin Cove Shorts should likely top your list. With a tailored cut, a unique color and easily breathable fabric, the Katin Cove Shorts are an ideal match when teamed up with a few new favorites, like the casually cool Sunski Yubas Sunglasses and the barbeque-ready Penfield Mahoney Shirt. When you add in a timeless leather watch from About Vintage to the mix, you’re set for situations that lean more laidback or more formal. And accessories like the extremely well-made Corridor NYC Washed Canvas Cap lend some “classic spring and summer weekend” appeal to this ensemble, too. It also goes without saying that the SeaVees Hermosa Plimsoll are a great bet on the sneaker front, what with their crisp-yet-casual design. Top it off with the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket for unbeatable style that works on breezy nights or warm days quite easily. Wearing shorts doesn’t have to be a chore, and it doesn’t have to look silly — are you on board now? Start with the Katin Cove Shorts and you’re more than primed for shorts-wearing season.

Thanks for reading!

-Beau