Month / May 2020

by Beau H.

#OOTD: This is (Maybe) The Coolest Way to Wear Your Spring T-Shirt

Picture it now: You’r’e dreaming of getting back out to your favorite brewery or rooftop bar, scheming all the while and planning to wear some of the best new men’s gear. But for now, things are ever-so-slightly different as you celebrate Cinco de Mayo at home — the ensemble remains the same, the style points are there, and yet you’re going to be hanging at home for a while more. What are you going to wear? To me, it’s simple — one of the best men’s T-shirts is the right way to get into the spirit of spring, worn in a way that’s cool, casual and ready for (almost) anything. And today’s T-shirt in question? As you’ll see, it’s coming at ya courtesy of Buck Mason, and it could assuredly be the perfect spring T-shirt. We’re going to wear it in a way that’s cool and casual enough to hang at home, with the assurance that this #OOTD will more than pull its weight when its time to finally visit your favorite brewery again. The difference makers here are all classic spring style at its finest, from a rugged chore coat as your top layer to the comfortable-yet-laidback chinos you can wear to work from home or to dash out as you pick up some ice-cold beer (you’ll see we’ve included a GrowlerWerks growler below, at that). Just because your routine is different is no excuse for letting your style slip, as we continue to say here on The Style Guide. If you tend to agree (and I hope you do!), then ideally, you’ll enjoy this mash-up of spring style essentials to be worn at home now … and on the road eventually. To let me know your thoughts on this look, head to my Twitter. Thanks for reading!

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What at first might seem simple on the surface — you’re just wearing a T-shirt, after all — actually gets a heck of a step up here thanks to what you’re pairing it with. In this case the excellent Buck Mason Slub Curved Hem Tee is a crucial first step. This tee then gets some spring-friendly layering with a tough chore coat for breezy spring evenings hanging at home (or days when you want to swap out your blazer when working from home). From there, we keep things casual and comfortable, starting with a breezy pair of the best men’s chinos for expert WFH style — keep in mind, this outfit can be worn to a casual office when the time comes to go back. And because we’re all about the right style picks for spring, I’d wager that you’re going to get plenty of use out of the best boots for spring, at that. Another necessary complement to those classic suede chukka boots? Why, a rugged leather belt for the ultimate in casual style.  And in keeping with the theme of this #OOTD, why not try out a rugged Timex watch as you go about your day? It seems Timex never fails (at least, that’s my take). To quite literally top off this look, reach for a casual ballcap from Howler Brothers. And the ultimate finishing touch? A pint of your favorite beer, served from your GrowlerWerks growler  and kept ice-cold & fresh until you can pay homage to your favorite brewery in person. How does this #OOTD look? To me, it looks like spring. Thanks again for reading, my friends, and stay safe!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The List: These Are All the Spring Style Essentials to Shop Right Now

The right way to kick off spring — with some of the best men’s shorts (courtesy of Huckberry).

We’re going to kick off the week (and a new month!) here in a big way at The Style Guide — welcome to another edition of The List, where today, we’ll cover the best men’s spring style essentials to help you  through these trying times. Just because your routine is different these days doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style to work from home or hold a virtual happy hour. That’s why I’m telling you all about the best men’s shorts, the best new sneakers for spring, an incredibly cool new dive watch, and heck, even some of the best leather goods. That’s just a start, though — there’s plenty more when it comes to your new favorite spring gear from brands like Buck Mason and GREATS. Let’s get right into the 16 best spring style picks to buy right now.

Flint and TInder 365 Shorts — $58

These are the best shorts for spring. That’s it.

Now, it’s quite high praise to label a  pair of men’s shorts as the best shorts for spring and summer … but for my money’s worth, the Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts, available in a range of versatile colors and featuring a tailored fit, are exactly that: The best shorts to buy now. Wear them with a classic slim polo. On that note …

Buck Mason Sueded Cotton Polo — $55

A breezy, slim polo made by the good folks at Buck Mason.

Is there anything more classic for spring and summer than wearing a retro-inspired polo alongside some of the best shorts for spring and summer? In my estimation, not quite. This Buck Mason polo is laidback and easygoing, yet stylish enough to wear on a work conference call.

GREATS Royale Ripstop — $159

Durable men’s sneakers that look great while staying casually cool.

I mentioned above we’d be talking about some of the best new men’s sneakers, and the GREATS Royale Ripstop fits the bill quite nicely. Made with a ripstop upper featuring reflective accents, you can certainly rock these GREATS sneakers with the best shorts for spring and summer.

Billykirk No. 479 Carryall — $550

An exceptionally rugged travel bag for all your spring adventures.

Does it seem counterintuitive to buy one of the best travel bags for men right now? Perhaps. But I’m here to tell you that now is in fact the exact best time to buy a rugged duffel bag and start planning your next trip — for when the time comes, that is. And the Billykirk No. 479 Carryall just so happens to be one of the coolest bags I’ve seen in some time.

Martenereo Belgrano Stainless Steel Dive Watch — $299 (Pre-Funding)

An incredibly cool, classic dive watch to fund right now.

Now, we just talked about this incredibly stylish dive watch in my weekly roundup on Friday, but I’m here again to tell you this: The Martenero Belgrano (the first dive watch from the modern, craftsmanship-focused brand) is going to be your new favorite watch (period). Pre-order this rugged dive watch now for one of several great early bird deals on Kickstarter, then get ready to wear it day after day once it ships out in September. It’s also a highly affordable dive watch, and it’s worth your time — pun intended.

Corridor NYC Olive Beach Blanket Jacket — $215

A durable and cool-as-heck spring jacket from Corridor NYC.

Just because we’re all spending more time at home doesn’t mean you should forget to take care of your spring outewear — Corridor NYC makes it easy on that note. The Olive Beach Blanket Jacket is simply one of the coolest jackets to buy this spring. You  can (and should!) rock it atop a garment-dyed Oxford shirt.

Flint and Tinder Garment-Dyed Oxford Shirt — $118

An essential men’s shirt for spring and summer. 

OK, folks — here’s the garment-dyed Oxford shirt I mentioned above. It’s breezy, it’s easy to throw on as you get ready to work from home, and it’s a rare American-made shirt — Huckberry knows how to get the job done.

HELM Boots Hollis Burgundy Boots — $350

Tough leather boots that’ll get better with age.

Yes, my friends: I’m still out here recommending you buy some of the best men’s leather boots, even as we get into spring and summer. The HELM Boots Hollis Boots are a rugged pair of leather boots that’ll stand out with ease in your rotation — the beautiful burgundy leather and signature white midsole ensure that. As per usual, you  can get $50 off your first order and free shipping, too.

Raen Optics Bastien Sunglasses — $160

Some of the coolest sunglasses to throw on as you hang outside this spring.

OK, let’s get back to something you might more typically view as a spring style essential: Some of the best men’s sunglasses. Simply put, the Raen Optics Bastien Sunglasses are as good as it gets, made with high-quality materials in a classic silhouette.

Belstaff Instructor Jacket — $475Just because spring has sprung and we’ve moved into May doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet when it comes to inclement weather. In that regard, Belstaff is making one of the best men’s jackets for spring, a lightweight nylon field jacket you can wear on solitary hikes and global adventures (when the time comes).

Grayers Wainscott Blue Linen-Cotton Shirt — $98

The best chambray shirt to buy for spring, in my opinion.

OK, back to something a little bit breezier. This Grayers linen-cotton shirt is one of the more casual chambray shirts for spring you’re apt to find, made with a linen-cotton blend you can easily wear with some of the best men’s chinos. And the chinos in question? See below right here.

Proof Nomad Pants — $98

Simply excellent men’s pants from Huckberry and Proof.

Yes indeed, the Proof Nomad Pants are assuredly some of the best men’s pants to buy now. Featuring the comfort and stretch of sweatpants and yet the polished design of your favorite chinos, these are the best pants to wear to work from home (and they’ll look simply excellent with a Buck Mason polo).

Autodromo Monoposto Chronograph — $1,800

A sleek, sharp, seriously stylish watch — as sold via Huckberry.

Yes indeed, I’m recommending you drop some serious cash on this investment-level watch from Autodromo. The Autodromo Monoposto Chronograph is a precisely made, exquisite watch. It’s also the perfect watch to wear on a long drive (preferably with the Belstaff Instructor Jacket), seeing as it’s sleek and sporty, too.

Mott and Bow Driggs Long-Sleeve Henley — $47

The best men’s henley for the ultimate in spring style.

Yes, that’s right — the good folks at Mott and Bow, makers of some of my favorite denim (and yours!) are now making a rugged men’s henley to wear on breezy, chilly spring days aplenty. It’s one of the best men’s henleys, and it’s ultra-affordable, too.

Billykirk No. 134 Sketchbook Holder — $165

A handsome leather journal for writing down all your best ideas.

Alright, we’re back to Billykirk, longtime makers of some of the best leather goods on the market right now. For sketching out ideas, writing down your to-do list and keeping track of future plans, this stylish leather journal is a true everyday carry essential (and a home office essential, at that).

Cuts Clothing Crewneck Curved Hem Tee — $48

A classic, buttery-soft tee in a modern cut.

If you, like me, are constantly on the hunt for one of the best men’s T-shirts, the kind that’s casual enough to wear on its own and cool enough to wear underneath an unstructured navyblazer. That’s what you’re getting with the exceptional lineup of tees from Cuts Clothing.

OK, my friends. That’s going to do it for today’s edition of The List. Of the above spring style essentials, do you have any favorites? Maybe the exceptional Billykirk No. 479 Carryall  has you hankering to hit the road, preferably with a stylish travel jacket like the Olive Beach Blanket Jacket  or a rugged Belstaff  jacket? Perhaps the GREATS Royale Ripstop are more your style, ideally worn with the excellent Flint and Tinder 365 Shorts and a Buck Mason polo. The choice is yours, but any of these gear picks are going to take your spring wardrobe from good to great. There’s no time to waste. To connect with me on all things #menswear, follow me on Twitter. 

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Buck Mason Slub Curved Hem Tee

One of the best T-shirts of the moment.

There are certainly a plethora of options out there when it comes to shopping for one of the best men’s T-shirts, right? Casual picks abound, as do picks made with durable, heavyweight fabric  and there are definitely more lightweight T-shirts available, too. Well, folks, there’s one brand that can seemingly do no wrong when it comes to crafting and selling the best T-shirts for men, and that brand would be the all-American folks at Buck Mason. Specifically, the Buck Mason Slub Curved Hem Tee is the rare American-made T-shirt that wears well with practically anything (more on that in a second) and simply looks plain great the longer you consider it. It’s one of the coolest tees you can buy for spring, and having tested out tees from Buck Mason in the past, I’d say that claim is pretty darn accurate (although you’re welcome to shoot me a note on Twitter if you feel otherwise). The best men’s tees blend the best fabric with the best fit, and again, that’s what the Buck Mason Slub Curved Hem Tee does here. This curved hem T-shirt stands apart right from the get-go thanks to that unique design — the curved hem is flattering to a variety of body types, and it gives this tee an air of visual interest that makes it plenty suitable to wear in its own (especially with Buck Mason jeans, I might add).

SHOP: The Buck Mason Slub Curved Hem Tee 

A classic tee in just one of many standout colorways from Buck Mason.

This stylish spring T-shirt certainly has plenty going for it beyond just an eyecatching design (although that design makes it a perfect T-shirt to wear to the bar — when appropriate — for that feeling of old-school cool). This is a made-in-America T-shirt that certainly passes muster, using lightweight 100 percent slub cotton treated with a pre-shrunk wash for a perfect look and feel. It’s the kind of classic T-shirt that’s going to feel like you’ve had it for years … right out of the box. Wear it with slim tan chinos and a rugged denim jacket for breezy spring style, or else team it with a classic navy cotton blazer and slim light wash Buck Mason jeans for expert casual office style (when you can get back to your office, that is). The real kicker with the Buck Mason Slub Curved Hem Tee  might be the wide range of colors it comes in, from earthy Barley to rich Resin and an expertly washed Navy slub colorway. Again, I told you this could just be the coolest T-shirt to wear now — and at this rate and price ($35 via Buck Mason), you’re going to want to pick up way more than just one color. You’ve just found your new favorite T-shirt, my friends. 

SHOP: The Buck Mason Slub Curved Hem Tee 

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: New Jeans from Mott and Bow, Work-From-Home Footwear & Grayers Face Masks

Get a tee, give a tee — a perfect way to give back to charity relief efforts.

As we kick off another Friday Read here on The Style Guide, we’re going to dive right in the best way possible: By highlighting a great way to give back to front-line first responders. Those relief efforts come courtesy of Huckberry, who just launched its For the Frontlines program. The scoop is this: Put your hard-earned dollars toward both style and a good cause through buying the Proof 72-Hour Frontlines Donation Bundle. You get a stylish merino tee for yourself, and another shirt is being sent to a frontline worker — how cool is that? You can also request a T-shirt of your own if you happen to be a frontline worker. If that’s the case, thank you on behalf of this small Brooklyn style blog for your extraordinary service. The cause is a noble (and stylish) one, so kudos to Huckberry for launching this program.

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In the meantime, there are other ways you can give back to COVID-19 relief efforts. For instance: Head to HELM Boots to pick up your new favorite leather boots, then use the code “donate20” to get 20% off your purchase — while $20 goes to relief efforts. It’s a great inititiave with some excellent benefits from one of the most stylish boot brands I’ve come across. There’s also plenty more covered in today’s Friday Read when it comes to new gear, including the best new dive watch on the market (available for pre-order right now from Martenero — more on that below). Now that we’ve covered those items of business, what else is on your weekend to-do list? I’m looking forward as always to tucking into some strong coffee (this time via the Brooklyn outpost of Ninth Street Espresso) and playing a new vinyl record I just got in, the terrific 2017 album “Antisocialites” from Canadian indie rockers Alvvays! Are you a fan? And how are you using your added time at home this weekend? Give me a shout on Twitter, and enjoy the Friday Read below.

Now’s your chance to get an early deal on one of the best new dive watches around.

  • OK, let’s talk watches for a second — like the stylish dive watch shown above. If you’ve been lucky enough to get your hands on a coveted Martenero timepiece (as seen here on the blog), you know they’re the real deal. This stylish watch brand is back in a big way with yet another opportunity to crowdfund a new timepiece — the  Martenero Belgrano is one of the coolest watches to buy now (well, pre-order, at least). Here’s the deal: It’s Martenero’s first dive watch, paying homage to classic models while delivering style all its own. 200 meters of water resistance and a crisp, sharp design help blend fashion and function, and the 316L stainless steel construction ensures plenty of durability. Right now, you can pre-order the Martenero Belgrano for an early bird special of $299 (it’ll ship this September), with prices increasing from there if you don’t snag the deal in time. Act quickly, because that’s a great deal compared to the full retail price of $790. If looks and design are any indication, Martenero has just come out with your new favorite watch — maybe pick up one in every color if you feel so inclined. 

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  • Here’s your reminder that that yes, yes indeed … you can still shop for and try on some of the best men’s jeans to wear at home. Crucially, stylish jeans with stretch are the kind you should be searching for, and that’s where NYC’s Mott and Bow (a longtime favorite of mine) comes into play. Right now, you can use the code beau10 to get 10 percent off your first purchase at Mott and Bow! Keep in mind, the brand also makes stylish henleys and some of the softest, coolest T-shirts known to man. There’s never been a better time to upgrade your spring at-home style.
  • It’s heartening to see how so many brands are pivoting their operations and looking for ways to give back to COVID-19 relief efforts, is it not? Found under the New Arrivals section, you’ll come across a unique-but-crucial addition to the Grayers brand and its lineup of summer style essentials. That’s right, Grayers is now selling (non-medical) face masks in an array of cool-looking and high-quality fabrics. It’s a sign of the times, to be sure, but it’s a welcome way that the brand is giving back. Pick up a four-pack (or two-pack!) now.
  • NYC-based men’s shoes brand Ankari Floruss (started by prominent menswear aficionados Moti Ankari and Marcel Floruss), recently debuted its first-ever pair of slides for cool, refined at-home style. They’re handmade from 100 percent leather and retail for $117, with a portion of sales going to helping frontline workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. I can’t think of a more stylish way to give back.

Is it really the weekend if you aren’t kicked back, cup of coffee (or cold beer) in hand, perusing some of the best menswear deals of the moment? Not quite. If you’re new here, I’m going to direct you toward another edition of The List — it’s  my weekly roundup of the best men’s gear for plenty of different style situations. Rest assured, although we’re all at home, it’s crucial that you stay dressing in style. Correct? Indeed. OK, that’s all for today. Thanks for reading — stay safe, stay healthy.

-Beau