Do you ever get the feeling like your menswear wardrobe could use a bit of a shot in the arm (aside from my standout style picks, that is)? If so, the launching point in today’s Friday Read is right up your alley. Back in May, I had the chance to connect with Brandon Snower, founder of upstart, classic-meets-modern New York outfitter Le Alfré.

Over beers at Brooklyn’s Wild East Brewing, we had the chance to chat menswear and to catch up about his one-man operation, a brand shaking up the world of men’s shirting and loafers right here in Manhattan. Perhaps you’ve seen the brand over at Gear Patrol or elsewhere on the World Wide Web — if not, read on, my friends.

The idea behind Le Alfré is simple: Take the classic buttondown shirt and mix it up a bit, using a cool contrasting collar — like an old-school banker’s shirt — but doing it in a fun way with fresh colors and the best material in the business. The result is Le Alfré, making some of the best men’s shirts on the market at a 66-year-old Portuguese shirtmaker meticulously researched by former Wall Street man Snower himself. His operation is also focused on sustainability through ethical production processes and it helps that these modern Oxford shirts are sharp yet easy to dress up or dress down.

I’d urge you to take a look today if you want a stylish men’s shirt that’s as ready for the office as it is for, well, a happy hour brewery hangout. We’ve got plenty more to cover in today’s Friday Read, and this won’t be the last time you hear about Snower’s brand, either. Here’s to the weekend ahead, folks!

• Looking for a refresh when it comes to both your activewear and loungewear rotation? You’re in luck, because as of yesterday, the fast-selling, highly versatile and extremely well-made Olivers Apparel All Over Shorts — a true fan favorite for guys on the go — are back in stock in a variety of colors and sizes. These durable, moisture-wicking, water-repellent stretch shorts can pull double-duty as some of the best workout shorts or heck, just a pair of the best lounge shorts, if you so choose. Consider them an easygoing alternative to the Olivers Apparel Compass Pants, which you can also wear, well, just about anywhere you please.

• Speaking of a summer wardrobe refresh, your luck just got even better if you want to stock up on versatile, durable gear that works for hot summer days, weekend getaways and even a work-from-home Zoom call or two. That’s because the Western Rise Warehouse Sale — running through the end of the month is giving you up to 50 percent off select styles. The brand, known for its performance shirting for men and dependable stretch pants, doesn’t often offer its gear on sale, so this is one to shop early and often.
• In the spirit of getting ready for early fall — as we’ve talked about time and time again here on the blog — you should never be caught off guard when the season hits. That’s where my latest guide for SPY.com comes into play, seeing as I’m talking about the best sweaters for the season ahead. Shop now, my friends.

I’ll leave you with one last early fall style recommendation, my friends: If you want to lace up in style in the weeks to come, you’d do well to check out my post on the best men’s boots from TAFT. The rugged-yet-refined TAFT Rome Boots are dressy and versatile, ready for the office or a visit to your favorite whiskey distillery in equal measure. That’ll do it for me today, folks. As ever, check out my Instagram to stay connected to the latest in my neck of the woods. Cheers!