The Friday Read: Buck Mason’s Rare Winter Sale, The Best Men’s Hair Spray & a New Shinola Watch

Buck Mason Early Access—The Gettin's Good Sale (Up to 60% off) :  r/frugalmalefashion

Folks, welcome to Friday and another edition of the Friday Read, which’ll have you outfitted and ready for the weekend in no time. Speaking of getting outfitted for the weekend, well, that photo above says it all. Buck Mason, one of my favorite brands and purveyors of some of the best winter menswear around, is holding a very, very rare sale, featuring up to 60 percent off some of the company’s essential gear via the recently launched Buck Mason Gettin’s Good Sale (get it while you can, my friends). It’s even better than the well-stocked Buck Mason Last Chance Section, since these are deep discounts on a wide array of menswear. If you’ve had your eye on, say, one of the best men’s cardigans via the lauded retailer, now’s the time to shop. The Buck Mason Gettin’s Good Sale is a must-shop for your weekend — I’ll leave you to it, but please do keep on scrolling to kick off your weekend the right way.

For those of you who aren’t quite dropping everything to shop Buck Mason just yet, well, I’m with you — at least in spirit. That’s because this weekend, I’m heading somewhere extra layers aren’t really needed: I’m trekking down to breezy, sunny Florida to kick off my 30th birthday week (weekend?) and spend some time at Disney World with my family! I couldn’t be more excited to safely trek down there, and if you’d like to keep up with all the fun (and get some style tips in the process), you can — and should go follow me on Instagram. For now, I’ve got a few more stories to tidy up before the weekend, so I’ll leave you with some more reading and shopping tips below. Cheers to Friday, folks!

  • If you’ve been keeping up with the blog as of late, then you’re well aware that I’m a big fan of Detroit-based Shinola and its full array of some of the best men’s watches. That includes the remarkable new Shinola Bronze Monster (as I wrote about here), as well as the stunning, recently launched Shinola Forged Carbon Monster Automatic. This watch is truly a sight to behold, featuring light yet tough construction. What’s more, you can head to Maxim to read my full dispatch on this stunning watch.
  • Looking for a way to revamp your hair this winter, all the while avoiding hat hair on cold days? Then you’re in luck — if you read my latest AskMen guide on the best men’s hair sprays. Yes, that’s right: Hair spray for men is very much available, with the quick and easy potential to revamp your ‘do the right way. Check out that guide and let me know what you think.
  • Here’s one in case you missed out on the fun on the blog this week. It’s always wise to shop the latest and greatest Billy Reid menswear, especially when those layers are both rugged and refined, like this Billy Reid shirt jacket I covered just yesterday. It’s time to layer up in style, my friends.

So, that’ll wrap things up in fine form as we head into the weekend. There’s lots to read and shop if you peruse the pages of this blog and my other bylines, but I’d urge you — more than anything — to shop the exceptional Buck Mason Gettin’s Good Sale for the best deals on the best winter menswear and much more. If you do end up picking anything up, let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading and cheers to the weekend! 

The Thursday Buy: This Billy Reid Shirt Jacket is the Rugged & Refined Winter Layer You Need

I always say that it pays to have brands you can trust in your rotation of the best men’s style essentials, brands that don’t miss a beat when moving from season to season. As it turns out, Billy Reid is one of those brands, a reliable company that delivers some of the coolest menswear as dreamed up by one of the country’s best menswear designers. And as luck would have it, the Billy Reid New Arrivals section is packed with some of the best winter gear for guys, including one of the best shirt jackets for men. Billy Reid already has you outfitted for those occasions when things turn more formal, including a selection of the best men’s shirts for all occasions.

And I’m more than willing to bet you also know Billy Reid from the frankly incredible, widely coveted and fast-selling Billy Reid Bond Peacoat, which just so happens to be the type of heirloom piece you’d do well to buy now and wear often. But let’s talk more about the Billy Reid Theo Shirt Jacket, one of the best men’s shirt jackets to wear when situations toe the line between rugged and refined.

Where does the magic come from with the Billy Reid Theo Shirt Jacket? It starts with the warm and winter-friendly wool-blend exterior, reinforced with nylon and polyester for durability and stretch. It’s then filled with an insulating poly fill made with recycled polyester for an extra shot of sustainability. So, the Billy Reid Theo Shirt Jacket delivers when it comes to comfort and performance. But it’s the small details where Billy Reid elevates things even further. Whereas more technical shirt jackets might use a cheaper style of button, here, the Billy Reid Theo Shirt Jacket uses antique brass hardware and a handsome leather locker loop, the sort of touch you can use to display this handsome and functional shirt jacket on a coat rack rather than tossed in the laundry room.

These touches make the Billy Reid Theo Shirt Jacket more of a style piece than a performance move. I’d shy away from wearing this on long, grueling hikes and reserve this rugged-yet-refined shirt jacket for park strolls and brewery beers. The rich dark navy plaid pattern makes the Billy Reid Theo Shirt Jacket a superb style move when worn atop one of your favorite henleys and some slim blue jeans, and you can even wear the Billy Reid Theo Shirt Jacket atop one of Billy Reid’s denim shirts for the ultimate blend of durability and style points. To shake up your winter layering, get the handsome and ever-versatile Billy Reid Theo Shirt Jacket — you won’t regret it.

See Now, Buy Now: The Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag is the Best Men’s Everyday Carry Bag

When it comes time to hit the road this season, you’re going to want to be prepared accordingly with the best everyday carry essentials for men, are you not? That’s probably an understatement, because if you pack up to hit the road for a winter weekend trip or even your daily commute without the right gear to carry your favorite men’s style essentials, then you could be in a world of hurt (figuratively speaking), faced with a disorganized bag and no easy access to the gear you need the most. Relief is in sight as you pack up for winter, namely in the form of the Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag, one of the very best everyday carry bags for men to shop right now. It couldn’t have hit the brand’s digital shelves at a better time, as so many of us continue to travel more frequently, and yet safely via bus and car.

In short: The next time you need to get out of town, bring along the Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag, since it’s one of the best road trip bags for men. Perhaps you’re already familiar with Texas-based, heirloom-quality Satchel & Page, seeing as the brand makes some of the best leather goods and gear on the market. If not, well, there’s no time like the present to get acquainted with a handsome and durable bag that you’ll have for years to come.

Now, the incredible thing about Satchel & Page (founded via Kickstarter less than a decade ago on the strength of one leather bag) is that they make a wide variety of the best daily bags for men, including options like a handsome and “personal item”-sized waxed canvas brief. But the Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag steps things up a notch when you need a bag that’s durable, reliable and all-out-stylish for weekend adventures. It’s made with remarkable vegetable-tanned Italian leather with a beautiful and rich finish, all the better to age over time gracefully. The Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag is then finished off with hard-wearing solid copper rivets and antique brass hardware. It’s simply one of the best everyday carry bags for men, especially to haul your gear to the office and then hit the road thereafter.

Best of all, the Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag features plenty of space for your gear, from two internal pouch pockets to a zipper interior pocket for your small EDC essentials. Yes indeed, it’s as if the brand thought of everything when designing the Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag, right down to the padded shoulder strap and airline carry-on-friendly size requirements. The beautifully designed and rugged Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag comes with a lifetime warranty, something that’s more than agreeable for the accessible $625 price tag. The next time you need a reliable bag to haul your valuables and your favorite style essentials, get the Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag.

The Tuesday Steal: These Tecovas Chelsea Boots are the Best Leather Dress Boots for Men

Chestnut Calf

There are some menswear essentials, like the best leather dress boots for men, that really just jump off the page, and that’s precisely what’s so great about the Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots. As you can see above, these boots really are something else in terms of style and construction, and you should expect nothing less from a famed Western brand like Tecovas. Based in Texas and known for its selection of rugged leather cowboy boots (both a big trend in the market and a classic option for ranchers), the brand doesn’t cut corners when it comes to quality craftsmanship.

Perhaps you’re newly familiar with the brand from this very blog, where I’ve written Tecovas reviews about the brand’s classic denim trucker jacket and one of the best men’s henleys under $60 (yes, it really is that affordable). Now, the rugged and durable Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots aren’t quite a pair of boots you can snag for under $100 (they retail for $225 at Tecovas), but that still makes them a mighty fine option as far as one of the most stylish pairs of leather dress boots is concerned.

Chestnut Calf-pair

There’s plenty of feedback out there that makes the Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots a worthwhile purchase if you want a pair of the best leather dress boots for men, too. They’ve received more than 40 Tecovas reviews at an average score of 4.8 out of 5 — if you like to do your research and shop carefully when on the hunt for the best men’s boots, the Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots have more than enough data to back them up. They’ve also got the proper specs to back them up, too. The Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots are crafted from rich Chestnut Calfksin Leather, the kind that’ll only get better with age. And these refined Chelsea boots are also built the right way for maximum durability, featuring a hybrid Western heel for a dressy yet tough look and feel.

That means you can rock the Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots with style staples like slim blue jeans and your favorite Oxford shirt at the office, or you can team the Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots with black jeans and a classic denim trucker jacket for a more casual, rugged look. These handsome Chelsea boots also come in a hard-working Rust Roughout Leather, a waterproof leather that ensures the Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots are ready for just about anything. When you want a pair of the best leather dress boots, the kind you can wear with classic blue jeans or a winter wool suit, it’s the Tecovas Chance Chelsea Boots you want on your feet right now. Step out in style, folks.

See Now, Buy Now: This Buck Mason Shawl Cardigan is One of the Best Men’s Winter Sweaters

Perhaps you’ve experienced this phenomenon recently: Dealing with a frigid day without one of the best men’s winter sweaters as part of your style rotation. It’s not all that fun, is it? And if you’re caught off-guard without a cozy, well-made sweater — say, the exceptional Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan — then the going only gets tougher from there. That’s why we’re here today, though: To get you outfitted properly for cold temperatures in style, and we’re going to do it with one of the best cardigans for men from a lauded retailer that knows plenty about rugged, essential and classic men’s style. Perhaps you know Buck Mason for the brand’s well-stocked Last Chance Sale section, featuring stellar deals on durable, great-looking menswear, or perhaps from the brand’s prowess at producing one of the best winter jackets for men.

Either way, you can be sure you’re in for a treat when it comes to the search for one of the best men’s winter sweaters, no doubt about it. Naturally, it’s the specs on the Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan that help separate it from the pack, including the fabric that makes up this very cozy winter sweater. Using merino and cashmere wool for softness and warmth, Buck Mason has nailed the perfect formula when it comes to rugged appeal and comfort.

Zoomed product image

The Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan is a sweater that doesn’t cut any corners in terms of delivering standout style and a thick, warming knit. It’s an ideal sweater to throw on at a moment’s notice for blustery winter days, especially if you happen to be hitting the road to an upstate cabin or a winter weekend. Think of the Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan like a casual-yet-necessary upgrade ‘over your favorite zip hoodie — it’ll prove just as warm and comfortable, but with plenty of stylish appeal to wear with other menswear staples like a Buck Mason Oxford shirt and expertly faded Buck Mason jeans.

Plus, the Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan is certainly going to give you some bang for your buck, with durable utility to wear in the great outdoors alongside a waxed trucker jacket, yet style points that work back at the office with a pair of the best chinos for men. Of course, the Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan retails for $225, but you’re getting exceptional warmth, timeless style and comfort on the road and at home. Take your pick between two colorways when it comes to the Buck Mason Herdsman Shawl Cardigan, and rest easy knowing the Charcoal Grey shade in particular (my personal favorite) just gets the job done any way you wear it. Consider your search for one of the best men’s sweaters over (for now, at least). Job well-done, Buck Mason.

The Sunday Sale: Head to UNCRATE for 50 Percent Off this Rugged Taylor Stitch Jacket

It’s pretty rare — no, exceptionally rare — to find one of the best jackets for men on sale for 50 percent off, and it’s even more rare when that jacket just so happens to be the Taylor Stitch Dispatch Jacket. Now, the key here is that you’re not finding this jacket in the brand’s Taylor Stitch Workshop. No sir, you need to scour the pages of the UNCRATE Supply Surplus Shop to get one of the best menswear discounts this Brooklyn style writer has seen in quite some time. If you’ve checked out the blog in the past, you know that the UNCRATE Surplus Section is a highly reliable spot for the best discount gear and goods for men, across the board in several categories. In fact, if you’ve read any of my UNCRATE reviews or had the chance to shop the UNCRATE Surplus Sale, you know for a fact the deals aren’t to be missed, and that’s certainly true when it comes to the Taylor Stitch Dispatch Jacket. The best part, of course, is that this rugged jacket retails for $99, marked down from $188. How’s that for a deal on one of the best jackets for men

The specs on the Taylor Stitch Dispatch Jacket are precisely what you’d expect from the lauded retailer, starting with the fact that the San Fran brand has updated the vintage trucker jacket silhouette with a more modern fit for modern times. The Taylor Stitch Dispatch Jacket features cool, distinctive front pleats and removes the chest pockets for a streamlined look. It’s made from organic cotton corduroy, all the better to wear now atop a classic crewneck sweatshirt with slim blue jeans. You can then rock the Taylor Stitch Dispatch Jacket over your favorite T-shirt for lightweight layering come spring and summer. Act now to score 50 percent off your new favorite jacket, then reap the rewards when it comes to the style and versatility of the Taylor Stitch Dispatch Jacket.

Style Pick of the Week: Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic Watch – The Best Investment-Level Watch to Shop Now

I’d wager that if you’re reading this blog, you’re willing to do your research when it comes to investing in, for example, one of the best men’s watches from a brand like Shinola, right? In fact, I’d bet you’re willing to dig in and do the work when it comes to tracking plenty of the best gear for men, be it finding the best leather boots for men or layering up with a best-selling men’s shirt jacket. This approach will certainly serve you well when it comes to finding and selecting the perfect watch to wear on your wrist every day, with just about every single ensemble you can dream up. Allow me, then, in that case, to introduce you to the iconic, expertly crafted, dressy-yet-rugged Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic, an exceptional watch with a price tag to match (it retails for $1,650 at Shinola, as it were).

Now, if you’ve read the blog, you know that I’ve shared a Shinola review or two singing the praises of the Detroit-based brand. That trend isn’t going to let up any time soon. The Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic, like all Shinola men’s watches, is made with exacting attention to detail and incredible materials befitting of the higher price tag (most Shinola watches for men retail for under $1,000).

While with some luxury watches, you’re really paying for the designer name as much as the watch itself, the Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic defies convention and packs in a whole lot of excellent technical specs to go along with the now-iconic Shinola name. Designed as an homage to the 1920s and Michigan rumrunners during Prohibition, it’s an elegant yet hard-wearing watch that looks incredible and performs just as nicely. The Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic features an intricate 26-jewel automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. This is a very good thing: The power reserve allows the watch to keep running accurately even when you’re not wearing it, because an automatic watch like this one winds according to the wearer’s wrist movement. In short. the Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic, without getting overly technical, is carefully designed, hard-working and supremely stylish.

About those style points, though. The Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic features a handsome brushed bronze case and a visually striking, slightly larger 43mm case diameter. That means it stands out more on your wrist and is less of a dress watch, and more of a watch to wear with rugged menswear like one of the best men’s chambray shirts, dark blue denim and brown leather boots. Of course, the Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic looks great with just about anything you pair it up with (even a worsted wool suit!, That’s true whether you rock it with the additional leather strap (shown here) or the khaki nylon field watch strap. In either iteration, the Shinola Bronze Monster Automatic is a wearable work of art befitting of the heftier price tag. It’s one of the best watches for men and one of the best investment-level timepieces to consider adding to your collection.

The Friday Read: The Tie Bar Semi-Annual Sale, The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts & Home Goods at UNCRATE

The Tie Bar Annual Sale - Shop The Tie Bar's 50% Off Sale 24 Hours Early

The end of another work week looms, and perhaps, a return to the office has you thinking: You need to upgrade your office wardrobe in 2022. How to do that, when you might very well be rusty at dressing up properly? I can’t give you all the tips, but I can direct you towards The Tie Bar Semi-Annual Sale, a whopping final sale offering with discounts on the best office menswear, from shirts to ties to pocket squares. Now through January 18th, get an extra 25 percent off thousands of sale items, including items already marked down 30-50 percent. So, you’re essentially looking at as much as 75 percent off at The Tie Bar this weekend into next week. Sounds too good to be true, right? Not once you start shopping, that is. It’s time to suit up again, my friends.

Of course, if you’re first looking to take on more athleisure-minded pursuits while refreshing your wardrobe, that’s perfectly acceptable, too (might I point you toward these sustainable quilted sweatpants for weekend errands and even day hikes?). There’s lots to consider when refreshing your wardrobe (and home goods!) for a new year, which I myself have been thinking about through frosty Brooklyn days. I’ll have some laidback time in the borough to consider it all across these next few days, with writing on tap for the Huckberry Journal and an exciting project in the works soon for Bespoke Post. I’m making sure to shake things up from sweats with a pair of the best men’s jeans, too. It’s all happening, and I’d invite you to check out the rest of today’s Friday Read to sort your weekend shopping and style. Cheers!

  • There’s no shortage of occasions to prepare yourself for this winter, right? That goes for office-minded dressing (don’t forget about the The Tie Bar Semi-Annual Sale), but it’s also important to ensure your space at home is in good order, too. Particularly if you want a retreat when you return home, and especially if you’re still working for home, I love the well-curated, thoughtful and rugged-yet-refined offering of home goods at UNCRATE right now, including the handsome D.S. & Durga Portable Fireplace Candle shown above. It’s the little touches that make the difference, and that could be one of the best candles for your home right now.
  • As with outfitting yourself for the office or outfitting your home, I’m all about carefully considered details. If you’ve read the blog, you know that extends to the wristwatch you wear, too. Perhaps you’re familiar with VAER Watches, an acclaimed and fast-growing maker of the best men’s watches specializing in both quartz (battery-powered) watches and a full section of the best automatic watches for men. They focus on casual, rugged field watches and classically elegant, yet hard-wearing, dive watches, all of which are reasonably priced and very well-made. Give them a look the next time your watch collection needs a refresh.
  • It’s just about the right time to start plotting out your Valentine’s Day, right? Or perhaps you’re in search of some *ahem* recommendations to forward on to your partner, yes? You’re in luck, because I wrote all about the coolest, best non-cheesy Valentine’s Day gifts for him over at SPY.com. These picks are anything but ordinary, if I do say so myself. Let me know what you think in the comments.
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That’ll wrap up today’s edition of the Friday Read, hopefully, leaving you with enough time to check out The Tie Bar’s Semi-Annual Sale or shop for home goods at UNCRATE — what say you about that, ehh? Speaking of UNCRATE and other outstanding menswear, I’ve got quite the roundup to send you into your weekend. Check out my Monday blog post, if you please, to read all about the best new menswear at UNCRATE. Serious wardrobe upgrades await, my friends. Cheers again and thanks for reading!

The Thursday Buy: Bundle Up for Winter with This Rugged Belstaff Jacket from UNCRATE

I’ve talked a lot lately about the search for one of the best men’s jackets for winter. ‘Tis the season, right? If that sentiment rings particularly true with you today, then I can assure you that you’ll love the jacket in question we’re talking about from UNCRATE Supply and Belstaff. You see, the rugged and hard-wearing Belstaff Patrol Jacket goes above and beyond what you might have in your closet currently, and it does so in a big, big way. It’s one of the best men’s winter jackets for good reason, made with all the heritage and history you know and love from the famed British brand — this is very good news for your current collection of jackets, because it’s going to amp things up in a hurry.

It also makes sense that you’re able to score this luxurious yet hard-wearing jacket from UNCRATE, which has already proven a reliable source for the best boots for men and the best winter menswear, to name but a few standout offerings. Yes indeed, you’d do well to ensure the Belstaff Patrol Jacket graces your shoulders the next time you step out the door this season. But why, precisely? I’m glad you asked, my friends.

The remarkable Belstaff Patrol Jacket is, first and foremost, a remarkably rugged and exceptionally well-made jacket, and one that’s inspired by the open road. The waxed cotton build is tough as nails and resists water and wind, crucial as you hit the road and hit the trail this season. And the Belstaff Patrol Jacket also gets the details right, down to the quilted lining for extra warmth and the iconic corduroy collar. Black hardware gives this jacket a sleek and versatile look, the kind you can pair with some of the best blue jeans for men and some comfortable yet durable leather boots.

Now, you don’t get all this versatility and dependable style without a bit of an investment, and the Belstaff Patrol Jacket clocks in at a higher price tag than other jackets in your rotation. It retails for $850 at UNCRATE, but when you consider the fact that this jacket is finished off with a quilted winter lining for all-day warmth, it’s certainly worth investing in the Belstaff Patrol Jacket. Belstaff, most importantly, doesn’t cut corners when it comes to next-level quality and design, and that’s part of what makes the Belstaff Patrol Jacket such an essential piece of winter outerwear. Layer up accordingly, folks.

See Now, Buy Now: These R.M. Williams Chelsea Boots from Huckberry are the Best Winter Dress Boots

Navigating the treacherous terrain that comes with winter weather is a pretty daunting task if you’re not equipped with some of the best men’s boots, but how to best get through these slippery, snowy times in style? It’s simple, yet somewhat complicated: For those times when you need to look your best, be it date night, happy hour or a jam-packed day back at the office, step into some of the best dress boots for men to stay on your feet in style. See? Easy as that. OK, not quite, but the R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots are an ideal solution to blending comfort and style, plus some winter-friendly traction in spades. For the uninitiated, R.M. Williams have been making incredibly hard-wearing, high-quality footwear in Australia since 1932 — to say they know what they’re doing is an understatement.

Sure, the R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots aren’t quite a super-thick pair of snow boots or a pair of the best moc toe boots for men, so you might want to save them if the occasion is particularly snowy (or better still, pack them in your favorite everyday carry essential so you can change later). But for demanding winter days where sharp style is of the utmost importance, the R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots get the job done reliably, and then some.

It’s also a mark of good quality — to say the least — that these rugged-yet-dressy boots are sold by Huckberry, one of the best online retailers for men. The R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots get the Huckberry seal of approval for plenty of reasons, including what Huckberry calls a “supple and durable” leather upper, not to mention the specially designed non-slip rubber welt sole. The sole itself can also be swapped out after excessive wear, although it’ll likely be sometime before you end up having any issues with the R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots.

You can also take your pick between two handsome and elegant shades of leather (Dark Tan or Black) — either pair of the R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots will prove highly versatile whether paired up with a slim pair of blue jeans, the best pair of corduroy pants or even your finest wool suit for winter. These boots are also carefully crafted from just one piece of leather, an added touch that elevates the R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots into a wearable piece of luxury. Remember: The no-slip rubber sole is really what makes them some of the best winter dress boots for men. When you need to keep moving through city streets with style and utility in mind, step into the R.M. Williams Comfort Craftsman Boots — your feet will thank you.