Month / August 2021

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Filson Denim Work Shirt – The Most Rugged Fall Work Shirt

Early fall inches ever closer, and with it comes the promise of all the very best things in life: Crisp fall breezes, Oktoberfest beer, lilting folk songs, rugged denim overshirts… wait, denim overshirts? Of course, and this isn’t a game where one of these things isn’t like the others. A durable denim work shirt, kind of like the rough-and-tumble Filson Denim Work Shirt, is a stellar fall layer to buy right now, and then wear as often as you can. You’ll even get a pass if you break it out before Labor Day around a bonfire, trust me. That’s what I’d do, but then again, that seems to be the goal with most of the rugged menswear produced by Seattle’s Filson: These are pieces made to explore, to get work done, and to layer up time and time again.

And of course, if you’re like me and are merely looking for a sensible, stylish overshirt to wear on waterfront strolls and brewery visits, the classic Filson Denim Work Shirt is still a safe bet. It’s part of the always-epic and durable Filson New Arrivals section, which is a harbinger of things to come in the months ahead. What exactly lies ahead from Filson? More of the best early fall menswear, and that’s an understatement. But back to one of the best work shirts for men in the meantime.

SHOP: The Filson Denim Work Shirt

You know you can trust the specs on any Filson workwear piece (the brand has more than a century’s worth of experience making ’em, after all), and the Filson Denim Work Shirt lives up readily to that illustrious billing. It’s made from the brand’s heavy-duty cotton denim, the kind to develop a nice patina the more you wear it. At 14.5oz., it’s heavy and tough, most likely heavier than any selvedge denim you own. Filson, as it turns out, also makes some of the best men’s jeans, should you be in the market.

The point is, the Filson Denim Work Shirt with metal wreath buttons and tough rivets at the notched and slotted chest pockets, is tough as nails, but made to break in over time. Those two chest pockets are enough to hold crucial EDC items, which Filson also happens to do a bang-up job at crafting. The Filson Denim Work Shirt layers up atop a favorite fall henley on a cool morning, it wears easily over a classic pocket tee once the day’s work is done, and it’ll certainly work as hard as you do. Try it and see for yourself.

SHOP: The Filson Denim Work Shirt

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Stores Like Zara, New Menswear from Todd Snyder & Fall’s Best Boots

Todd Snyder Fall 2021: 15 Can't-Miss Buys From the Latest Drop | GQ

It’s hard to believe, seeing as I just talked about the best discounts on menswear at Todd Snyder last weekend, but it’s already time to start thinking about the best fall menswear from the lauded designer (and plenty others, of course). Labor Day is right around the corner, and you’d do well to outfit yourself in some of the coolest transitional outerwear, lightweight, easy-to-layer sweaters and expertly faded jeans, among the latest and greatest from the Todd Snyder Pre- Fall Collection. The choice is yours (and you can also find plenty of fall style staples at my Shop By The Style Guide), but Todd Snyder menswear is one heck of a place to start.

Stock up for fall with Todd Snyder menswear

Layer up with premium men’s style essentials

I’ve got new fall gear on my mind this week, even as I close out a family vacation in Michigan (I’ll cover my trip a bit more in my weekend newsletter) — I’ll be back in NYC in early September, and ready to ring in the season, as it were, with rugged henleys, waxed jackets and more. You can check out all my favorites for the season ahead, once again, at my Shop By The Style Guide , but you should also keep an eye on my writing at sites like AskMen, where I’m also covering plenty of seasonal style staples. But enough about fall. Right now, I’ve got some sun to catch in Michigan this weekend. And the rest of your Friday Read? You can find it all below, folks.

  • If you read the blog earlier this week, then you’re hopefully well-acquainted with the boots shown above. If not, well, it’s never too late (or too early) to start shopping for the best men’s boots. Head over to Bespoke Post — after reading my blog entry, that is — to shop the most rugged men’s boots for fall from Red Wing Heritage. It’s really that simple.

Get the Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots now

Lace ’em up for fall this instant
  • Let’s shift gears quickly to your home, and the goods within that home. It’s about time you invested in the best, is it not? That’s where Shinola’s partnership with Crate & Barrel comes into play. It’s part of the just-launched effort from the Detroit watchmaker to open its own home goods store and expand upon its current line of stylish desk accessories, record players and more — naturally, I wrote about my favorite Shinola For Crate & Barrel pieces over at Maxim this week. Happy shopping!
  • The headline mentions that I’ll be talking about the best stores like Zara, and that’s precisely what I’m doing here by way of my latest Effortless Gent feature covering the top alternatives to Zara. It’s long been an affordable bastion of high-fashion style, and it’s an ideal place to go if you want everything from a camel topcoat to slim denim in your rotation for the season ahead. Head to Effortless Gent — a site for which I’ve been writing for eight years! — to check it out.

Hopefully, a few of those picks have you thinking about how best to dress and accessorize for fall. I’m getting ready slowly but surely for the season ahead, and it’s with that approach in mind that I’m recommending you stock up on the best transitional outerwear, like this Flint and Tinder indigo trucker jacket that I covered here on the blog earlier this week. Again, it’s never too early to get ready for what lies ahead. Stay stylish and thanks for reading!

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: The Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots are the Perfect Boots for Fall

We’ve talked a bit lately about how to dress in style for early fall, but the biggest key before you can actually get dressed is, well, stocking your wardrobe with the right pieces. Take, for instance, some of the best men’s boots for fall, the iconic, instantly recognizable and seriously rugged Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots. Since you’re shopping for the season just a bit early, you’re in luck: You can get your new favorite leather boots right now from Bespoke Post, with a solid selection of sizes and colors available. For me this year, it’s all about the durable and eye-catching Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots in Charcoal, a slight change of pace from other Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Boots (take, for instance, the Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots in Amber). Of course, I’ve certainly sung the praises of the Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Boots here on the blog over the years, but it’s always worth getting a refresher on a classic.

The rich Charcoal color is every bit as versatile and attention-grabbing as other men’s boots up for grabs right now, but it’s got a little something extra going for it. It’s the kind of pair of boots you can wear with a suit (preferably, in a fall fabric like herringbone or wool), but they’ll also be able to put in double-time when teamed with your favorite pair of blue jeans. And because these are Red Wing boots we’re talking about here, the appeal only builds from there.

SHOP: The Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots

Straightforward, dependable and hard-wearing has always been the name of the game with the Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots, which remain classic and stylish almost without fail. The original version, after all, was designed for iron miners in the 1930s, and Red Wing has stayed true to that commitment to quality and integrity. When it comes down to it, you likely won’t find a tougher pair of work boots (or boots for casually rugged style) than a pair of Red Wing boots. They’re also water and stain-resistant and of course, they’re made in the U.S.A.

Wear them with tan chinos and a white Oxford shirt for classic high-low style, or break them out with slim blue jeans and a pocket tee. When it gets colder, I’d wager you already know how to wear your Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots: Start with, say, a long-sleeve thermal henley and an indigo denim jacket, then consider adding a classic crewneck sweatshirt to the mix as it gets chilly. No matter how you choose to wear ’em, the Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots will come through in the clutch, every time you need an expert blend of style and durability.

SHOP: The Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Flint and Tinder Indigo Waffle Trucker is the Best Transitional Jacket to Buy Now

You’re not alone if you feel like it’s a touch too early to be talking about early fall style essentials — aren’t we still smack-dab in the middle of August and the dog days of summer, after all? We sure are, but before you know it (certainly within a month), you might start to feel a slight chill in the air, and that’s why you need to stock up early on one of the best men’s transitional jackets. Who better to answer the call than Huckberry, makers of the famous, much-loved and fast-selling Flint and Tinder Trucker Jacket? They’ve got a few tricks up their sleeves though, via a new take on the rugged Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker: The change-up in question comes courtesy of the Flint and Tinder Indigo Waffle Trucker, a new variation that toes the line between late summer breezes and heavy-duty fall and winter layering.

That it does so in perfectly handsome, rugged fashion is a huge bonus, and it only gets better from there. It’s one of the best men’s trucker jackets for that very reason: You can wear it just about anywhere, from one last summer getaway to the mountains or downtown to get coffee on a dewy morning. The 100 percent cotton waffle fabric is a textured, breathable weave, moreso than the burlier, heavier Flint and Tinder Trucker Jacket (which is also lined in cotton flannel). To get right to the point, the Flint and Tinder Indigo Waffle Trucker bridges the gap quite nicely between the two

SHOP: The Flint and Tinder Indigo Waffle Trucker

And because it’s indigo dyed, as the name so aptly calls out, it’s going to break in over time like your favorite pair of indigo jeans (coincidentally, another style staple you could also pick up at Huckberry). Let’s talk details, too – the Flint and Tinder Indigo Waffle Trucker has proper details to go along with the best of ’em. Those details include chambray-lined pockets and a chambray-lined back yoke. And as ever, custom F&T buttons separate the rugged and dependable Flint and Tinder Indigo Waffle Trucker from other jackets in your closet. Come early fall, you’ll be glad you picked this jacket up. But once it shows up at your door, you’ll want to break it in right away.

SHOP: The Flint and Tinder Indigo Waffle Trucker

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: These Astorflex Chukka Boots are the Perfect Fall Chukka Boots Right Now

Welcome to another quick-hitting edition of The Tuesday Steal, where today, we’re all about the best chukka boots for men to lace up as we head into early fall. Heck, this won’t be the last post on the blog this week about the best men’s boots in general (or on the best new menswear for fall), so you’d better get used to it. And yet, I’d wager the well-crafted, sustainable Astorflex Ettoflex Boots are going to be a mighty easy pair of boots to get used to wearing as we draw ever closer to Labor Day and early fall. As sold by Huckberry, they’re about everything you could ask for in a pair of the best transitional boots: Neither too lightweight nor too bulky, neither too flashy or too boring. That qualifies them handily as some of my new favorite chukka boots, and you very well might feel the same way.

If you’ve had the chance to try any Astorflex chukka boots, you’re in luck as far as that same quality and attention to detail is concerned. For starters, any and all Astorflex chukka boots are made sustainably, a huge bonus as far as fashion and function is concerned. The use of European leather only gets more impressive when you consider that it’s aged naturally for 30 days in a combination of water, bark, oak and powdered mimosa. The result is a supple and stylish leather that really lends itself quite well to a pair of the best chukka boots for men.

SHOP: The Astorflex Ettoflex Boots

The Astorflex Ettoflex Boots are also a bit more sporty than a classic pair of Astorflex chukka boots, although there’s nothing wrong with having more than one pair in your rotation. It’s the crepe wedge outsole that gives this pair of chukka boots a blend of durability, style and rugged appeal (never a bad thing to have in your footwear rotation). The roughout leather used on the Astorflex Ettoflex Boots is also tough and uniquely textured, a fitting fall style move when worn alongside, say, some Flint and Tinder jeans for a breezy late summer or early fall day.

The memory foam insole is also lined in calfskin for plenty of comfort through long fall days strolling through the park or visiting a favorite brewery. The Astorflex Ettoflex Boots are also polished enough to wear to the office in business casual situations, though. A rugged shawl cardigan and the expertly cut Flint and Tinder 365 Pants are a fine match for the well-made, versatile and exceedingly comfortable Astorflex Ettoflex Boots. What are you waiting for? If you do end up trying them out, be sure to let me know on Twitter. Here’s to the start of fall, folks!

SHOP: The Astorflex Ettoflex Boots

by Beau H.

The List: Pack Up and Hit the Road with the Best Everyday Carry Gear From Satchel & Page

I’m willing to bet you’re more than ready to pack up and hit the road again, right? Perhaps you think you’ve got your men’s style essentials all figured out, but let me be the first to tell you that your packing list isn’t complete without the right gear in which to haul, well, the rest of your gear. That’s where Satchel & Page enters the equation, makers of some of the best everyday carry gear and accessories on the market. The brand itself was inspired by founder Daniel Ralsky’s grandfather and the map case he carried through World War II (head here for a full Satchel & Page review). It’s a remarkable origin story that leads to finely crafted, durable and rugged leather goods with purpose. These are pieces to be invested in and used for years, no doubt about it. To get you started before you hit the road, check out my top picks below from Satchel & Page.

Shop Satchel & Page leather goods now

Your summer packing list is now complete

Satchel & Page Gladstone Leather Weekender — $635

Invest in the very best with this durable, handsome leather weekender bag, the kind that gets better with age. Lined with soft tobacco suede, it’s got plenty of carrying capacity thanks to three internal pockets (one zippered). Satchel & Page calls this a “workhorse of a weekend bag,” and it’s certainly tough to argue that.

Satchel & Page 4-Way Briefcase — $435

To complement your Satchel & Page weekender, consider this multi-faceted briefcase that’s got plenty of different uses going for it. Carry it on your shoulder with the handy strap, haul it by the handles, team it with a rolling suitcase or wear it as a backpack. Note that it’s even got a laptop compartment. It’s your new go-to carry-on bag.

Satchel & Page Carryall — $625

You see, Satchel & Page really does it all, and the same approach to care and craftsmanship extends to this hard-wearing, handsome carryall bag. It features a handy quick-grab pocket and a laptop compartment, plus a durable finish thanks to antique brass hardware.

Satchel & Page Padfolio — $200

No packing list is complete without the right, well-designed and well-made everyday carry gear, and yet again, Satchel & Page excels with its lineup of small carry goods. Made to hold a letter pad and an iPad Pro, and featuring business card slots and a pen slot, it’s an effective and handy way to haul only the essentials to your next meeting.

Satchel & Page Bomber Jacket — $675

Is this technically an everyday carry essential? Not quite, but it’s worth noting that this heirloom brand makes a handsome, heritage-worthy leather jacket, one of the coolest leather jackets for men on the market. Wear it with pride, and note that you can also remove the classic shearling wool collar.

Hopefully, these stylish and extremely well-crafted everyday carry picks are enough to inspire you to pack up in style and hit the road. It’s a credit to Satchel & Page that you can get everything from a stylish leather portfolio to one of the coolest leather jackets for men, and it’s also a credit to the brand that each of these gear picks are going to last a long, long time. If you end up checking out any of these picks, be sure to let me know on Twitter. Safe travels, folks! 

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Score Stellar Discounts on Menswear in the Todd Snyder Sale Section

Shop the Issue - Todd Snyder

When you need to stock up on the best men’s style essentials, where do you go? Perhaps you’ve got your own set of preferred brands, like Taylor Stitch or Bonobos. As for me, I keep a weather eye out for the best menswear deals, and in the case of today’s Sunday Sale, that means Todd Snyder, long one of the country’s best menswear designers, is a perfectly reliable place to shop, no matter what you need. Snyder’s namesake brand specializes in a little bit of everything, be it the best summer crewneck sweatshirt or, well, the best summer menswear in general. And right now, the Todd Snyder Sale section is packed with the best of the best, from Todd Snyder x Timex watches to Todd Snyder x Champion gear that’s perfectly for laidback lounging.

Many of these picks are at least 20 percent off, and some climb well above 30 percent off. Whether you want a stylish new camp collar shirt or comfortable-as-can-be Todd Snyder x Champion sweat shorts, Snyder has it all, and at standout prices, too. Consider this a ringing endorsement from yours truly, and use the extra time with today’s shortened post to really dive into this incredible, and incredibly well-stocked, sale section. Your wallet and your wardrobe will thank you.

Get up to 60 percent off at Todd Snyder

Shop the Todd Snyder Sale Section now

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Bonobos Stretch Oxford Shirt – Your New Office Shirt

Everyone’s out there looking for something fresh in the menswear world these days, right? Take the best shirt to wear back to the office, for instance. Consider your search a sort of “open-and-shut” case in quick succession, because your new go-to office shirt is the Bonobos Stretch Oxford Shirt. Returning to working life, away from the vestiges of your work-from-home uniform (perhaps featuring the Bonobos WFHQ Pants) is fraught enough as it is, so you’d do well to make getting dressed easy with one of the best shirts for men, period.

It’s got everything you need in a shirt that’s polished enough for the office, yet made to mimic the more comfortable work-from-home wardrobe to which you got accustomed during the past year and change. The Bonobos Stretch Oxford Shirt is also a fine companion to, say, some nicely tailored Bonobos men’s chinos (or again, the stretchy and easygoing Bonobos WFHQ Pants), but that’s just one of its many fine, perfectly comfortable attributes. It’s built from 100 percent cotton, but the kind that’s got a 2-way (or mechanical) stretch. There’s the comfort you need when heading back to the office. And the classic Oxford shirt design? Essential for days when you need to roll up your sleeves.

SHOP: The Bonobos Stretch Oxford Shirt

It’s also one of the best Oxford shirts for men because of all the versatility offered up by this seemingly simple and classic silhouette. The fit is designed to be worn untucked or tucked in, with slim blue Bonobos jeans or Bonobos chinos (a personal recommendation). It’s also available in timeless colors, like a nice pale blue or a crisp white, but our NYC-based pals at Bonobos throw in some fun patterns, too. If you want a modern take on the Oxford shirt, here’s your next purchase. To put it simply, the Bonobos Stretch Oxford Shirt isn’t skimping on any of the details, right down to the classic chest pocket.

And as with most Bonobos menswear, you’re not paying an egregious price for this shirt (it retails for $89 at Bonobos). That value only increases when you consider the fact that you can wear it with jeans to the office, with your favorite chino shorts on the weekend, or with chinos underneath one of the best summer blazers. Do yourself a favor and make at least one thing easier on yourself as you head back out there: Pick up the Bonobos Stretch Oxford Shirt and get dressed for work in a snap.

SHOP: The Bonobos Stretch Oxford Shirt

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Filson New Arrivals, Aether Apparel’s Sale & A Michigan Getaway

My friends, welcome back to another edition of The Friday Read, your guide to the latest and greatest menswear and gear for your weekend. I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly got rugged menswear top of mind this weekend, and for a couple reasons. In dealing with the heat in NYC and Michigan (as part of a family vacation I’m taking Up North!), I’ve been adding some items from the Filson New Arrivals section to my wish list — I’m not sure about you, but I’m definitely coveting some of the best fall menswear right about now. Do you have any favorites from the venerable Pacific Northwest retailer?

Shop Filson’s New Arrivals

Rugged fall gear awaits you

That brings me to another point, and one that’s especially fitting given the Filson heritage of making durable outdoor gear. I’ve got some essentials packed with me this weekend to head “Up North,” as we call the northern Lower Peninsula of my home state of Michigan. It’s my first time back in a year, and quite a bit has changed since on, well, all fronts. I can’t wait to see family (and some college friends prior to that!), and I’ll be outfitted the right way all the while (head to Filson to outfit yourself for the season ahead, while we’re here). Beyond that, I’ll highlight a few of my favorite seasonal picks below. And one last word to the wise: If you prefer your menswear shopping with a side of music and craft beer, as I do, then I’d head over to my music-menswear-craft beer newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief, which features a bit of all three (and Saturday’s will take a look at the new album from The Killers. one of my favorite bands, in particular). The choice is all yours, but I don’t think you can go wrong. In the meantime, here’s the rest of your Friday Read. Cheers!

The List: Shop for the Best New Spring Style Essentials from Aether Apparel | The Style Guide
  • Now, it’s not every day that one of the best menswear sales comes around. And it’s not every single day that Aether Apparel, makers of some of the best rugged performance menswear out there, drops a sale that’ll make you sit up and take notice. The brand, which I talked about here in a piece on the best men’s gear for spring, is offering up to 60 percent off jackets, sweaters, vests, tees, pants, bags, and more for men (and women), now through August 15th. It’s a sale packed with quality essentials that’s truly not to be missed. Start shopping!

Shop the Aether Apparel End-of-Season Sale

Score great deals on the best menswear
  • Speaking of great deals on great gear, how’s this for one of the best new menswear collections around? Just as we talked about earlier with Filson, it’s high time to start planning, slowly but surely, for early fall. Head over to Grayers, makers of classic chinos, tailored Oxford shirts and super-soft flannel shirts, to get some of the best early fall gear right now. It’s hard to pass up rugged henleys, easy-to-layer shirting and timeless chinos, right? There’s no wrong way to go with Grayers New Arrivals, in my opinion.
  • Speaking of rugged henleys, here’s yet another way to outfit yourself in style this season. Over at Fatherly, a really great parenting and lifestyle site for new dads and guys of any age, I wrote all about the best henleys for early fall from some of my favorite brands, including Buck Mason and seven other standout favorites. Shop accordingly, my friends.

Get yourself a Buck Mason henley now

Add a prime fall layer to your closet

So, that’s where we’ll leave things in today’s Friday Read — that gives you more than enough time to shop for the weekend, does it not? I’ll give you one last recommendation before Friday kicks off in earnest. You’re going to want to keep your grooming on-point from summer into fall, and you should do that by checking out my guide to the best natural deodorant from American Provenance over in this blog post. Keep it classy and sharp, folks. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week!

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Try American Provenance Natural Deodorant for a Refreshed Grooming Routine

There are crucial decisions a guy has to make every day, like the kind of deodorant you’re wearing (and yes, let’s be honest, you’ve got to be wearing deodorant as we re-enter the world). In that case, go with one of the best natural deodorants from American-made, aptly named American Provenance. We talked about the brand last week in our Style Pick of the Week series, and it’s always worth revisiting a brand that makes some of the best men’s grooming essentials, especially Stateside. Think of American Provenance like you might think of the brand that makes your favorite USA-made boots, for instance. Extra care and attention to detail, plus ethical working conditions, lend themselves to some pretty stylish results (and in this case, effective) results, particularly if you want to upgrade your grooming essentials. That’s where American Provenance Natural Deodorant enters the fray (and of course, your medicine cabinet). Any American Provenance review has lots to praise, and I say this as someone who’s been testing the brand consistently (thanks to AP for providing a full lineup of products for testing!).

Take your pick from 13 scents, including personal favorites like Wintergreen and Cedar Natural Deodorant, and rest assured knowing that American Provenance is doing more than just coming up with a range of clean, crisp, masculine and yet versatile scents. The best part is, you can either try out one stick for just $10 or get a three-pack of natural deodorant for $25.

SHOP: The American Provenance Natural Deodorant

As luck would have it, American Provenance Natural Deodorant‘s real power lies in its unique formulation (made in America, of course). It’s made without harmful parabens or sulfates, and it also forgoes aluminum and preservatives. Your typical drugstore deodorants are packed with all sorts of these ingredients, but again, the American Provenance Natural Deodorant is just built different, no matter which of the 13 scents you pick up. The jury is still out on the effectiveness of natural deodorants, according to some reviewers, but overall, most customers seem mighty pleased with this handy, useful and USA-made American Provenance Natural Deodorant (consider this an endorsement from me, and a positive American Provenance review). Try it out, let me know in the comments if you dig it, and be prepared to shed light on a new addition to your grooming routine.

SHOP: The American Provenance Natural Deodorant