The Friday Read: The Best New Huckberry Menswear & A Summer Upstate Trip

It seems it was scarcely a day ago I was talking about a Brooklyn weekend and my experience making one of the best custom hats on the market. And yet, time marches ever forward and we find ourselves on the brink of another sweltering summer weekend.

Best vintage menswear.

In addition to talking about cool vintage menswear curated by the likes of Buck Mason (like the picks above), I’ve stayed plenty busy this week writing about the best necklaces for men over at AskMen, and I’ve also been thinking about how to beat the heat in style. Luckily, it seems easier than ever to do that (or at least, relatively easy) thanks to the likes of Relwen. Let’s take a quick look at the brand on this fine summer Friday, shall we?

Hopefully, you’re acquainted with Relwen from this blog, or from shopping the Columbus, Ohio brand’s particular strain of all-American menswear. The Huckberry-approved brand is a favorite of mine, with an emphasis on rugged, classic gear often inspired by throwback designs (particularly military staples like field shirts, jackets and streamlined cargo pants and chinos).

And they’re certainly worth a look this summer, especially if you want a durable hybrid blazer like the Relwen Linen Trap Blazer as seen at the top of the page — it’s fit for travel, a short Friday at the office or a summer wedding.

Hotel Kinsley, Kingston.

That’s one brief summer menswear recommendation for you, and that Relwen jacket in particular is the sort of summer travel style essential I can’t go without. To be more specific, I brought some Huckberry gear (including my Forty Five T-shirt and Proof Rover Pants) on a quick upstate jaunt to the lovely town of Hudson, where I sipped on delicious local beer at Kingston Standard, dined at the Hotel Kinsley (as seen above!) and of course, capped it all off with a stellar rock show by beloved indie folk band Big Thief.

Consider each of those menswear picks and destination stops as just a few of my recommendations for your next online shopping spree or New York State visit. For now, I’m signing off and enjoying a bit of downtime (and a bit of time in front of my A/C unit). Thanks so much for reading, and here’s to a summer Friday!

The Thursday Buy: The Billy Reid Indigo Western Shirt is a Rugged, Refined Summer Classic

Billy Reid Western Shirt.

One of the things I love the most about the menswear world is seeing how brands put a new spin on their own time-honored favorites. And for my money’s worth (and in my own experience wearing the brand!), American menswear stalwart Billy Reid‘s namesake brand does as stellar a job at this as anyone.

This holds especially true for subtle, straightforward picks like one of the best men’s T-shirts, and it holds true for styles that are a bit trickier to perfect, like a stylish buttondown shirt. Make no mistake, it’s hard to improve upon a modern classic like the Billy Reid Western Shirt, which has been in the company’s rotation (and Billy’s personal wardrobe) for more than two decades.

And yet, one glance at the Billy Reid Indigo Western Shirt tells you all you need to know: The award-winning brand has indeed managed to improve upon a classic, and that’s just terrific news for your summer wardrobe.

Best denim shirt for men.

This exceedingly handsome shirt is part of the new Billy Reid Indigo Capsule, which harnesses the magic of indigo dye and turns it into a stylish offering of T-shirts, ultra-soft sweaters, buttondown shirting and more. The Billy Reid Indigo Western Shirt is a standout of the entire capsule, with a deep indigo color, contrast plaid stitching and genuine dark horn buttons.

Best indigo denim shirt for men.

It should come as no surprise that Billy gets all of these details correct, and throws in a few more for good measure. The flap chest pockets boast a unique spade shape, and heirloom ribbon detailing is a subtle touch beneath the bottom shirt placket. Of course, the Billy Reid Indigo Western Shirt is a winner every single step of the way.

Part tailored jacket, part sweater, all versatility.

Take heed, though. All of this ultra-premium construction comes at a price, and Billy Reid is offering up this long-lasting shirt for $228 right now online. If you ask me though, most anything from Billy Reid is worth investing in, so shop accordingly this week. Thanks for reading, my friends!

See Now, Buy Now: Scour the Market for the Coolest Finds in the Buck Mason Vintage Collection

Buck Mason vintage menswear

In my opinion, you should be able to turn towards your favorite menswear brands for just about everything you need in your wardrobe. That can even be the case with the best vintage menswear — bear with me on this one, folks, because the juice is worth the squeeze.

The “best vintage menswear,” in fact, is precisely where Buck Mason, one of my favorite online menswear brands, enters the equation. The brand excels at crafting rugged men’s style essentials — and more refined pieces, like one of the best summer suits — all with its vision focused squarely on both the past and present. That’s why it’s so fun (in my humble opinion!) to see what Buck Mason is up to right now.

They just dropped the Buck Mason Vintage Collection, an expertly sourced and curated offering of tried-and-true menswear classics, from denim shirting to retro frames, a rare Rolex vintage watch, books, home goods and more.

It’s like a peek into the entire world of Buck Mason, a close look at what makes the brand tick — oh, and you can actually buy covetable pieces from the Buck Mason Vintage Collection, too. How sweet is that, right?

Best vintage chambray shirt for men.

These pieces are seriously cool and one-of-a-kind, like an impossibly neat 1940s US Navy Chambray Shirt (available for the lofty price of $495, but in excellent shape all the same). The offering only gets better from there, and it’s quite hard to believe.

1978 Rolex GMT-Master "Pepsi"

This vintage capsule from Buck Mason improbably contains a 1978 Rolex GMT-Master “Pepsi” timepiece, with a two-tone bezel. It’s a true rarity, and it’s astonishing to see it up for grabs at Buck Mason. But, that’s what the Buck Mason Vintage Collection delivers. See anything you like?

Be sure to hop on this watch while it’s still around, because like any piece of the best vintage menswear, it won’t stick around forever. Pick up one of Buck Mason’s best-selling T-shirts while you’re at it, and you’ve got a match made in #menswear heaven. Happy shopping, my friends.

The Tuesday Steal: Save As Much as 60 Percent At the Outerknown Summer Sale

Outerknown Blanket Shirt review.

A great deal — no, one of the best menswear deals — can be hard to find, unless you know where to look. That’s where I come into play with The Style Guide and with our weekly Tuesday Steal, of course. Now, there’s really never a bad day to shop a brand like Outerknown, of course.

For starters, the brand produces some of the most sustainable menswear on the market while also hitting the nail on the head in terms of style and functionality.

Things are about to get even better if you’re a fan of, say, the Outerknown Blanket Shirt or one of the brand’s stylish men’s polos. That’s because the Outerknown Summer Sale just kicked into high gear, and it’s got plenty of savings worthy of your hard-earned time and money right now.

Best men's sustainable pocket T-shirt.

In fact, the sale started yesterday, and it’s already giving you the chance to save as much as 60 percent on past-season essentials from surfing legend Kelly Slater’s famed brand. There’s a host of winners up for grabs at the Outerknown Summer Sale, from the classic Outerknown Plaid Blanket Shirt — supple enough to wear on its own, rugged enough to wear as a shirt jacket — to the Outerknown Groovy Pocket Tee.

Now if I had to guess, I’d say that inventory from the Outerknown Summer Sale won’t stick around for very long, especially with discounts as much as 60 percent off. Do yourself a favor, get right to it and shop in sustainable fashion right now, my friends.

See Now, Buy Now: These AETHER Apparel Sunglasses are The Coolest Men’s Sunglasses to Buy Now

Best sunglasses for men to buy now.

Sometimes, getting ultra-specific is the right way to upgrade your wardrobe of menswear essentials. Some brands specialize in just a few things, and they do those things extremely well. Take AETHER Apparel.

The LA-based brand was founded in 2009 with a focus on creating highly technical outerwear that was rugged enough for the trail and refined enough to wear around town, and they’ve developed something of a cult following.

I personally appreciate the brand’s elevated, stylish approach to the best technical menswear, and they’ve upped the ante even further as of late. You see, AETHER Apparel (arguably one of the best online menswear shops out there) recently designed and launched a fresh new set of some of the best sunglasses for men — pretty cool, right?

Best new sunglasses for men.

Luckily, the results are everything you’d expect from a brand obsessed with quality and precision, and in my personal experience with these sunglasses, they more than live up to the hype. You see, the AETHER Apparel Sequoia Sunglasses fall right in line with the rest of AETHER Apparel’s rugged menswear.

That means they’re ready to perform in the heat of the day or on your daily commute, out on the open road or back in town at a rooftop bar. In my experience, I’ve found these sunglasses are also easy to transport — thanks to the custom, hard-wearing nylon carrying case — and are sleek enough to tuck easily into a blazer or T-shirt pocket when not in use.

AETHER Apparel men's sunglasses.

The AETHER Apparel Sequoia Sunglasses are made from some of the finest materials on the planet (in this case, natural Japanese acetate derived from wood pulp and cotton). They boast a rich amber color not unlike tortoiseshell glasses, and in my experience, the frames are remarkably durable and yet lightweight.

They also feature oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings to repel oil, spills and water, while the lenses themselves on these stylish men’s sunglasses deliver crucial UV protection (of course).

The AETHER Apparel Sequoia Sunglasses (which are also available in sleek Matte Black, Grey and a cool Blue Tortoise design) update the classic aviator shape in sleek-yet-rugged fashion — these shades are versatile enough to wear with your favorite henley and stretch chino shorts, or else with your best summer suit. And given the price tag of the AETHER Apparel Sequoia Sunglasses (a splurge-worthy $425), I’d wager you’re going to want to wear ’em as much as possible. Get out there and get after it, my friends.

The Sunday Sale: Save 30 Percent on the Perfect Light Wash Jeans for Summer from Mott and Bow

There are some deals that are too good to pass up, especially when it comes to basics you can wear nearly every day. In this case, I’m talking about a pair of the best light wash jeans, with the sort of color and lightweight fabric that makes it possible to, well, wear jeans in the summer comfortably.

And if you read the blog on the regular, there’s one brand in particular that manages to deliver comfortable stretch fabric, reliable fits, agreeable prices and a summer-friendly light wash: That brand is a personal favorite, Mott and Bow, and they’ve never let me down when I want affordable, stylish men’s jeans.

Here’s the even better news: The Mott and Bow Spring Sale still has plenty of deals up for grabs, including the chance to save 30 percent on some of the best men’s light wash jeans.

The NYC brand boasts nearly four decades of family experience working in the denim industry, and sources soft cotton denim from premium markets like Italy. And that all comes together quite nicely with the Mott and Bow Hubert Jeans, which feature a blend of cotton, polyester and elastane for stretch.

Meet the Classic Full Zip Hoodie: pictured in both men's and women's. Available in an array of colors.

The light wash is ideal for summer, particularly if you’re the sort of person who can’t stop wearing denim — even in the heat. There’s still a time and place for some of the best jeans for men in the warmer months, Mott and Bow very much included.

Best men's light wash jeans.

And lest we forget, these stylish light wash jeans are designed with plenty of subtle, handsome details in mind, from contrast stitching to a custom back leather logo patch. And with the Mott and Bow Hubert Jeans, you can also take your pick from slim, straight or skinny fits, with quite a few size options still available.

But the most important part right now: These classic light wash jeans for summer are yours for the taking for under $100 (or 30 percent off). That’s a deal worth jumping on right now.

Style Pick of the Week: SeaVees x Huckberry Ballard Sneaker Boots – Summer’s Best Hybrid Sneakers

Best sneaker boots for men to buy now.

When not one, but two brands come together to get it exactly right in terms of a bona fide summer style essential like a pair of the best sneaker boots for men, well, that’s a beautiful thing in my book. And that’s what you’re getting via today’s Style Pick of the Week, courtesy of Huckberry. That’s not all, my friends.

Lest we forget, today’s Style Pick also comes courtesy of Huckberry pals and collaborators SeaVees, the California-cool sneaker brand with a knack for harnessing retro appeal and modern style. We’ve talked plenty on the blog about SeaVees and the company’s focus on taking old-school styles and breathing new life into them.

Best SeaVees sneaker boots for men.

Here, they also get quite the nice assist from San Fran style favorite Huckberry with the new SeaVees x Huckberry Ballard Sneaker Boots. They’re here not a moment too soon as you plot your next summer getaway, and they’ve got the build to last into early fall, too. Plus, these kicks are exclusive to Huckberry, and the hits keep rolling in from there.

Best SeaVees sneakers for men.

You’ll note, of course, SeaVees’ signature heel logo, which pairs nicely with a custom branded Huckberry pull tab — that makes these sneaker boots an easy-on, easy-off pair of kicks to wear from town to trail.

And the SeaVees x Huckberry Ballard Sneaker Boots ramp things up a notch from typical sneakers, using a rugged outsole with deep groves for traction and toughness, not to mention wraparound rubber foxing — it’s another layer of material for plenty of added durability.

Yes indeed, the SeaVees x Huckberry Ballard Sneaker Boots are some of the most durable, best men’s sneakerboots on the market, and the rich Elmwood color is also exclusive to Huckberry. Plus, these hard-wearing sneaker boots are made of a textured goat leather for some added appeal and visual interest.

If I were you, I’d slide into the SeaVees x Huckberry Ballard Sneaker Boots for summer adventures aplenty, whether styled with stretch chino shorts or rolled light wash denim. The best of both worlds is well within reach, all thanks to Huckberry and SeaVees.

The Friday Read: Heads of State Custom Hats, The Best Summer Suits & A Huckberry Sale

Best custom hat for men.

If you’re a regular reader of the blog (and I certainly hope you are!), then you’re well aware that I believe in the power of stylish accessories to really elevate an #OOTD. And as much as I love my casually rugged rotation of ballcaps, there’s something about an ultra-sharp hat — one that’s made just to your liking — that really goes a long way.

I’m talking about the sort of custom men’s hat you might find at Brooklyn’s Heads of State, a chic-rustic spot in the fast-rising neighborhood of Greenpoint. I visited the shop and met with founder Gwen Rahn earlier this spring, and I was ever so impressed by the company’s approach (both online and at its recently opened retail location).

If you’ve been on the fence about adding a more luxe, premium hat to your rotation — perhaps to wear with a summer suit, or perhaps to style with hybrid pieces like a field jacket or shacket in the colder months — fear not, because Heads of State makes it easier than ever to find your perfect fit (as I found out, of course).

Best custom hat for men.

Online, you’ll find a very helpful Hats 101 section, but the experience is even more personalized in store, as Gwen walks you through every step of the process, from which hat shape is right for your noggin to which fabrics and colors might pair well with your wardrobe. There are also customization options aplenty, including various richly crafted trims for your hat, and you can start the process off by selecting from one of four very sharp, Oppenheimer-esque hat silhouettes.

From there, the hats are crafted and finished in-studio in Greenpoint, and then shipped out in well under a month — just in time for your next summer wedding, right?

The process is fun and engaging, and the possibilities are seemingly endless. In fact, if you follow me on Instagram, you’re going to see more of my own customized, highly stylish hat very soon. For now, consider making Heads of State your go-to spot for your next (or first!) hat purchase.

In the meantime, here are a few other choice menswear picks I recommend you check out as you roll into your summer weekend. Cheers!

Huckberry Summer Steals 2023
  • Here’s the right way to roll into your weekend: With a little shopping from one of the best online menswear stores out there, Huckberry. Now, I’ve talked about Huckberry’s Summer Steals on the blog recently, but a reminder is always in order when it comes to the best menswear deals. So, right now, you can get up to 35 percent off some of Huckberry’s Bestsellers, and those savings are seriously stylish. Go to it, my friends.
  • Speaking of your next look for a summer wedding, start with an essential — seriously, an essential you can’t go anywhere without. That’d be one of the best summer suits, something I covered over at AskMen. Shop accordingly and stay cool (in style!) out there, folks.
  • Beyond just the joy of crafting a custom hat, I also love the flair that a stylish timepiece can add to any ensemble. And to find a timepiece that’s inspired by the world of vinyl? Well, that’s a joy in and of itself, too. That’s why I was thrilled to learn more and write about VIEREN, a Canadian watch microbrand that just debuted a stunning gold, vinyl-inspired timepiece. Head over to Maxim.com to read more about it.

That’s going to drawn down the curtain on today’s Friday Read. Are any gears turning on your end about picking up a new custom hat from Heads of State, or trying out a new luxury watch or a stylish summer suit? If so, be sure to let me know on Twitter (or Threads), and in the meantime, have a great weekend and check back here for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week. See you out there, my friends!

The Thursday Buy: These Taylor Stitch Loafers are a Refined Summer Classic for Tailored Style

Best loafers for men to buy now.

My friends, one glance at your calendar (and thermostat) tells you all you need to know: We’ve still got plenty of summer left, and you’ve likely got plenty of tailored summer stops on your to-do list. How to beat the heat in style? With the best menswear essentials from one of your favorite men’s style brands, like Taylor Stitch. Sounds like a wise move to me, and I hope you agree.

I’m more than willing to bet that you know the brand quite well from reading the pages of this blog, be it the brand’s stylish summer shorts or breezy summer shirts. Let’s start today’s post from the ground up though, quite literally. Let’s look at the San Francisco brand’s collection of the best shoes for men, which normally leans heavily into rugged vibes via the best boots for fall or winter.

Instead, let’s take a look at the Taylor Stitch Loafers, which are refined enough for a summer wedding, versatile enough to wear to the office, and well-crafted enough to take it all in stride.

Best summer loafers for men.

Modeled after classic penny loafers and yet streamlined ever so slightly in terms of the last and the toe shape, the Taylor Stitch Loafers, these loafers (made in a D width — take note!) are made with plenty of helpful details for all sorts of situations.

Start with the fact that the Taylor Stitch Loafers feature weatherproof suede: I’d still advise treating them with suede protector, but they should prove more durable than other suede loafers.

Of course, the clean profile of the Taylor Stitch Loafers makes them dressy enough to wear with linen trousers or a Taylor Stitch summer suit, but the Vibram mini-lug sole is also more grippy and durable than a pair of classic, dressy suede loafers. See, Taylor Stitch has nearly thought of everything.

For good measure, you can rest easy knowing these loafers are crafted with care in world footwear hub Leon, Mexico — that’s the same place where plenty of brands make dependable shoes and boots, so the Taylor Stitch Loafers also have that going for them.

They’re pricier than a pair of loafers from a discount retailer (the Taylor Stitch Loafers retail for $298), but given the care and consideration built into every pair, this is one summer footwear purchase you can feel great about making. Get out there in style the rest of this season, my friends.

See Now, Buy Now: Filson’s Summer Sale Delivers Savings of Up To 40 Percent Off

Filson men's shirt.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, no doubt about it: When the chance comes to save on the most rugged menswear imaginable, particularly from an all-time great brand with a history of quite literally delivering the goods, well, it’s in your best interest to take full advantage of that opportunity.

That’s where Filson comes into play, of course, and the Pacific Northwest outfitter is one you know very well on the blog, very well indeed. I

I’ve shone the spotlight on picks like the Filson Camp Shirt and other summer offerings, but there’s something even more worthwhile underway right now. The Filson Summer Sale is, naturall, something I’ve mentioned on my blog as of late — but it’s a sale worth shopping right this very instant.

Coolest chambray shirt for men.

The catch with a brand like Filson is that savings like this (up to 40 percent off select items) won’t stick around forever, and these deals are so good, they’re practically flying off the company’s digital shelves.

Be it the rustic-yet-stylish Filson Chambray Shirt, the rugged Filson Tin Cloth Duffle Bag or something from the hard-wearing Filson x Ten Thousand Performance Collection, this discount offering from the famed retailer is just about as good as it gets.

But if you know me, you know what I’m about to say: A deal this good won’t last forever, so be sure to shop the Filson Summer Sale accordingly right now, folks.