Month / September 2023

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: This Bespoke Post Shirt Can Be Yours for Under $50

Line of Trade shirt review.

The cornerstones of a stylish everyday men’s wardrobe might appear simple on the surface, but they’re anything but that once you take a closer look. Consider this Line of Trade shirt from Bespoke Post, for instance. It’s part of the in-house line of everyday essentials from the NYC-based direct-to-consumer brand, which specializes in a balance of casual classics and rugged gear.

Learn more and shop at Bespoke Post

This shirt falls in the “casual classics” realm, no doubt. It looks like a classic men’s shirt, to be sure, but it’s the use of brushed end-on-end fabric that gives it depth and texture — plus softness, which makes it an even easier men’s shirt to wear than a timeless Oxford shirt. Not a bad option to have in your closet, right?

Shop Bespoke Post Sale deals now

Here’s where things get even better: For a limited time, the Line of Trade Arrow Shirt (at least in this medium-blue textured option) can be yours for under $50. Granted, it’s only available as of now in sizes Small through Large, but there are also plenty of the best menswear deals via the rest of the well-stocked Bespoke Post Sale section (even after Labor Day weekend sales earlier this month!).

The fan-favorite menswear retailer describes it as a three-season buttondown, and since it’s made from textured 100 percent cotton, it’s easy to see this shirt working in a variety of seasonal style situations. And if you act quickly to score your size, the Line of Trade Arrow Shirt can prove an excellent deal in terms of form and function.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Le Alfre Classic White Oxford Shirt – A New Wardrobe Staple

In my experience, you’d be surprised how often a menswear selection that seems suited simply for one situation is actually well-suited for, well, several. Take one of the best men’s Oxford shirts, for instance. This classic shirt has preppy roots in more modern times, and was even named for the Oxford cloth used to make the original shirts Scotland years ago.

Combined with its buttondown collar and crisp color options — often in white or light blue — the Oxford shirt was a tried-and-true style staple for plenty of business casual and dressed-up situations (aside from black tie affairs). Here’s where today’s Style Pick of the Week swerves ever so slightly.

Satchel and Page

You see, the best Oxford shirt for men these days has a touch more flash in terms of style potential: It can be dressed up with a classic navy blazer like days gone by, but the right shirt can also be worn in ways that are casually cool, and that’s what leads me to the Le Alfre Le Blanc White Oxford Shirt.

It all starts with the vision of the brand and founder Brandon Snower, who wanted to revamp the traditional buttondown shirt for the modern man.

Consider that aim achieved, as I’ve found that NYC-based Le Alfre makes some of the best Oxford shirts under $100. And while its classic shirts have a contrasting white “banker” collar, the Le Alfre Le Blanc White Oxford Shirt goes all in on a more monochromatic take.

This style, made in Portugal from 100 percent soft Portuguese Oxford cotton, boasts timeless details like a buttondown collar, plus premium touches like Mother of Pearl buttons. Double-button rounded cuffs are also a more casual touch (unlike square cuffs found on some traditional dress shirts), and the Le Alfre Le Blanc White Oxford Shirt is made by Portugal’s oldest shirtmaker, to boot.

Shop Le Alfre shirts now

As Le Alfre says, “simple is always classy,” and this shirt just works (and works). If I were you, I’d wear it untucked with dark blue jeans and handsome brown leather lace-up boots for high-low, casual style, and I’d team it with tobacco chinos and tan leather loafers (plus a navy blazer) at the office or for evening cocktails. Rethink what you thought you knew about the Oxford shirt, and start dressing accordingly this season.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: New York Fashion Week 2023 & One of NYC’s Best New Bars

Apotheke NoMad NYC

My friends, welcome to the best way to start your weekend (or at least, one of the best ways). I’m capping off a rather whirlwind post-Labor Day week here on the blog, which saw me start my week in my home state of Pure Michigan (as you might have seen on my Instagram) before trekking back to the City That Never Sleeps for another edition of New York Fashion Week.

It’s been an eventful few days so far with plenty of items on my to-do list as part of my many freelance writing pursuits. To get the mid-week fun started, I stopped by the new Herschel Supply Co. SoHo store opening, followed by a pit stop at the truly excellent new Apotheke NoMad space (as seen at the top of the page).

Bad Roman NYC review.

The speakeasy-style rooftop bar, modeled after an apothecary that serves up whimsical cocktails (including an excellent Old Fashioned) was the ideal place for an #NYFW kick-off party and some rooftop views. I also had the chance to dine at acclaimed modern Italian NYC restaurant Bad Roman (which you might have seen on TikTok!), and which you can glimpse above.

The evening was hosted by buzzy fashion brand boohooMAN to celebrate its fall collections, and believe me when I say the night was one worthy of celebration. Accordingly, I dressed in style with a few of my favorite menswear essentials from Huckberry (where else??).

For now, I’ve got a Saturday night fashion show to attend, and of course, some writing to take care for this blog as I keep you up to speed on the best men’s fashion to shop now. Have any questions about a brand, or a certain style, piece or category you’d like to see featured here? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks, as always, for reading — stay stylish!

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Flint and Tinder Western Shirt Is Your New Favorite Fall Buttondown

Most rugged shirt for men.

If there’s one thing I can’t get enough of, it’s the chance to truly layer up in rugged style as we roll into early fall (and well beyond). Any great wardrobe of men’s style essentials should be well-prepared in advance for what lies ahead, including the brisk breezes and crisp, crunching of leaves of fall — and the call of seasonal adventure, naturally.

There are certain pieces I tend to rely on in these situations, and I’ve recently found a new one to add to my roster. Or rather, a new (old) piece: The Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt is a fan favorite, and a sttylish men’s shirt restocked in time for a new season, with all the rugged appeal a guy could ever want.

If you’ve perused the blog over the years (or even as recently as this week!), then you know Flint and Tinder covers all the right bases: Versatile, well-made menswear crafted from durable-yet-supple fabrics, with the potential to work as well for an evening of brewery beers as a day at the office.

That goes for its henleys, waxed trucker jackets and the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, naturally. The Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt toes the same line: Polished yet rugged, visually appealing, made to be worn again and again.

The Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt gets the basics right, including the use of 100 percent cotton denim in washes like a richly faded Medium Dark Wash, as well as crisp Black and a classic Stonewash denim. The burnt cow bone snaps are an authentic touch, as is the Western detailing throughout.

Shop men’s shirts now at Huckberry

I’ve found the Medium Dark Wash edition of the Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt to be an ideal fit in a size XL, too. It’s comfortable enough to button up on its own, easygoing enough to wear open over one of my favorite T-shirts, and sharp enough to wear with the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants or else casual grey denim.

It’s an optimal headliner for any casually rugged fall #OOTD, with hundreds of positive reviews that justify dropping $158 on a Western shirt. Who knows — it could very quickly become your new favorite fall shirt.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These Rugged HELM Boots Are A Casually Rugged Fall Essential

Best leather lace-up boots for men.

As we step into a new month (September, the first month of fall, for those of you keeping score at home), it’s crucial that you shore up your menswear rotation. So, dust off your waxed trucker jacket, throw on your favorite henley, step into the best pair of men’s blue jeans and of course, lace up some rugged leather boots.

In my experience, the earlier you prepare for the season ahead, the better you’re going to look and feel. Let’s start from the ground up with your new favorite pair of leather boots. While summer is high time to lace up trusty canvas sneakers, the pursuits of fall call for something a bit more hard-wearing in the footwear department — something like the HELM Boots Lou Teak Boots, right? Yessir, yessir.

Perhaps you’ve grown acquainted with the fan-favorite Austin-based brand thanks to its stylish leather Chelsea boots or even sleek leather loafers, but the company also excels in the world of dependable lace-up leather boots (to say the least).

The HELM Boots Lou Teak Boots bridge the gap between dressier Chelsea boots and everyday chukka boots — a bit more adventure-ready and durable, yet no less suited to wear with dark blue jeans or your favorite chinos.

Better still is the fact that the Teak pair of the HELM Lou Boots retails for just $219 right now (sizes are going quickly, so keep a weather eye out). It’s not hard to see why the HELM Boots Lou Teak Boots are such a hot seller, though.

Shop men’s boots and more at HELM

They feature a rich Teak Krumenauer leather exterior that’s then lined with supple black leather through the interior for maximum comfort right out of the box. Of course, the leather exterior on the HELM Boots Lou Teak Boots will break in handsomely the more you wear ’em, another benefit to shopping a long-lasting pair of boots from HELM.

Brass finish eyelets should develop a nice patina over time, while round cotton laces give them a polished-yet-rugged finish.

The HELM Boots Lou Teak Boots are perhaps at their best when worn with high-low combinations (like the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants and a henley), but they’re also a nice change of pace with blue jeans and a navy blazer back at the office this fall. When in doubt, don’t overthink it: Just relish the chance to wear your new favorite leather boots this season.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: These Classic Everlane Stretch Jeans are 30 Percent Off Right Now

Everlane men's denim review.

If you ask me, there’s a lot to keep up with out there in the world of men’s style essentials, be it new seasonal picks or tried-and-true classics that every guy can find some use for in his wardrobe. I’d certainly count a pair of the best jeans for men in that second category as a timeless classic that works in practically any situation.

That goes for crisp black or dark blue jeans at the office or faded light wash jeans for casual weekend outings. So in that sense, today’s post coming off Labor Day weekend is a bit of a two-for-one deal.

HELM Boots

It’s a chance to score your new favorite jeans, and a chance to save some cash via Everlane, the radically transparent fashion brand with a penchant for making minimal-yet-stylish pieces all the way down the line. The jeans in question are the Everlane 4-Way Stretch Organic Jeans, which just about check off every box you might need in a pair of stylish everyday men’s jeans.

Everlane routinely offers up some carefully considered deals on its entire line, be it one of the best men’s bomber jackets or these well-made blue jeans (which are already a steal at full-price — try $98 on for size). So the chance to score the Everlane 4-Way Stretch Organic Jeans for as long as $49 in some washes is truly a downright steal.

The key here is the use of organic cotton that’s then washed and turned into richly crafted blue jeans using far less water than other denim production processes.

Best jeans for men from Everlane.

That lends itself to a wide variety of washes in which you can score the Everlane 4-Way Stretch Organic Jeans. Note that this particular pair features a slim fit with a slightly cropped finish at the ankle, so consider shopping other pairs of Everlane men’s jeans if you prefer a more relaxed or straight-cut fit.

Shop Everlane menswear now

Yet with seven wash options and waist sizes up to 40, the Everlane 4-Way Stretch Organic Jeans offer versatility in spades for everyone on the hunt for a pair of the best men’s jeans. Shop, save and step out in style this fall.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Flint and Tinder 365 Pants Are Your Ideal Everyday Pants this Fall

Flint and Tinder 365 Pants

Sometimes, repetition and practice are your two greatest friends in building or refining a menswear wardrobe you love to wear. That starts with finding essentials from brands and retailers you can trust, then honing those picks season after season.

Take Huckberry, for instance. You likely know the company from its partnerships on rugged watches and durable shirt jackets — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg — but what makes it so easy to go back to Huckberry is the range you’re getting in terms of selection. The company’s Flint and Tinder line is, of course, a particular favorite of mine (if you know, you know!), especially the ever-reliable Flint and Tinder 365 Pants.

Shop Flint and Tinder at Huckberry

This certainly isn’t the first time I’m talking about (potentially) your new favorite pants here on the blog — and that’s where consistency comes into play, because I’ve been impressed with the quality, fit, variety and versatility of these pants ever since I tried ’em years ago.

Here’s the even better news: The supple, durable Flint and Tinder 365 Pants — which blend the five-pocket style of a classic jean with the polished cotton-blend fabric of a chino — are better than ever this year as we roll into fall. Take it from someone who knows (tips cap).

I recently tried out a new pair of the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants and found the fabric to be soft yet durable, and the style points unmatched. The fit also offered room to move, a crucial detail in the Tapered fit in particular. It’s also tough to top the vast array of color options (12 in total!) and four fit types, along with sizes up to 44×32. Yes indeed, there are plenty of options for the guy who wants to bridge the gap between casual and office-ready style.

I wore my Flint and Tinder 365 Pants to a brewery for evening beers (alongside a Flint and Tinder Western shirt, of course), and then kept those same pants in my rotation later in the week for refined cocktails. I also plan to trot them out during #NYFW events in New York – that sort of versatility is nearly unmatched, in my book.

Flint and Tinder 365 Pants review.

These reliable (there’s that word again!), wear-with-anything pants are exactly the type of piece Huckberry excels at making. How so? Well, they blend the rugged appeal of jeans with the class of chinos, for starters. The fabric is soft yet durable, they’re crafted to work well at the office or on date night, and they’ve got plenty of personality thanks to a garment-dyed finishing process and a wide range of colors to suit every sense of style.

Back to that first point: The Flint and Tinder 365 Pants are part of Huckberry’s outstanding Smart Casual Collection, which urges you to rethink what you thought you knew about business casual style.

Opt for richer, more interesting fabrics, pieces that mix a blend of rugged and refined style, and then accessories that toe the line between both fields. Taken all at once, the Smart Casual Collection is a way of dressing for the office (and for any classy occasion) that’s fresh and modern — and at the core of it could be the Flint and Tinder 365 Pants, so give ’em a shot yourself as we turn the page to a new season.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Save More Than 50 Percent On these Stylish Huckberry Sunglasses for Labor Day Weekend

Best sunglasses for men.

It’s one thing to find some stylish men’s accessories you can wear on the daily, like the right pair of sunglasses or a new addition to your everyday carry. It’s another thing entirely to be able to score one of the best menswear deals in the process of ramping up your EDC, and that’s where the Huckberry Sale section is going to be your new best friend (in matters of style and gear) this Labor Day weekend.

Learn more and shop at Huckberry

We’ve talked plenty on this blog (including in my Friday post!) about using the opportunities presented to you in a timely fashion when it comes down to saving on menswear essentials — and again, the Huckberry Sale is a prime example of striking while the iron is hot. There are usually deals aplenty to be had at any time of the year, but this Labor Day weekend deal from Huckberry is particularly special.

You’re now getting an additional 15 percent off sale items, which brings a pair of stylish men’s sunglasses like the Walden Eyewear Pinion Sunglasses down below $60.

Huckberry sunglasses for men.

For those keeping score at home, that means you’re saving more than 50 percent on your new favorite sunglasses. The Walden Eyewear line was introduced last fall at Huckberry, with styles modeled after classic frames (this pair pays homage to military pilot sunglasses).

Details like a vintage nose bridge, premium mineral glass lenses and a three-barrel hinge set-up on the frame drive home the point that the Walden Eyewear Pinion Sunglasses are a certified style winner — and at one heck of a discount for Labor Day weekend.

Plus, these are the kind of sunglasses you can wear into fall, and even through winter. It doesn’t get any better than that, and we’ve got the Huckberry Sale section to thank for that. Now, stock up and get out there, my friends.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Billy Reid Bold Plaid Tuscumbia Shirt – A Refreshed Version of A Classic

Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt review.

When I shop my favorite menswear brands, I tend to look for consistency and reliability, and of course, a distinct sense of style. That’s where Billy Reid often comes into play: The classic-meets-modern Alabama menswear brand makes iconic pieces with a fresh sensibility, be it the best shirt jacket for breezy nights or a rugged indigo Western shirt.

Learn more now at Billy Reid

They also have their own lineup of tried-and-true classics, like the flagship Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt. Here’s where it gets even better: They update some of the brand’s best pieces in every season in new colors and fabrications, each cooler than the last, like the Billy Reid Bold Plaid Tuscumbia Shirt.

It arrives just in time for fall, and it’s a nice change of pace from a more standard (yet always classic!) blue or white Oxford shirt, for instance. The fun doesn’t stop there, though.

Best men's shirt from Billy Reid.

The iconic modern brand already calls the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt a “cornerstone of lived-in luxury,” what with its use of custom brushed plaid cotton (in the case of this shirt). The plaid pattern itself on the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt is also rich and visually appealing, with plenty of layers to it.

Shop New Arrivals now at Billy Reid

That gives it a bit of an edge in terms of style over other more classic red plaid shirts, for instance — the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt is crisp enough to wear beneath your favorite fall blazer in dressier style situations for the season ahead. The next time you need a shirt that refreshes an already-iconic design, opt for this number from Billy Reid.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Pure Michigan Weekend & The Best Labor Day Sales from Huckberry and Taylor Stitch

Best Huckberry menswear for 2023.

It’s hard to believe I’m typing this, but welcome to the last Friday Read of summer — or at least, the last “unofficial” weekly roundup of summer. There’s good news on the horizon, as early fall is one of my favorite seasons for menswear, and perhaps you feel the same way.

It’s really the undisputed champion among the seasons, and as prime a time as any for lacing up your new favorite chukka boots, layering up one of the best shirt jackets and enjoying a nip or two of whiskey (to name but two of my favorite pursuits).

Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket.

Before we can embrace a brisk breeze, crisp leaves underfoot and the warmth of the Flint and Tinder Trucker Jacket from Huckberry, I’m taking a moment to reflect on a momentous summer — including two trips back to my lovely home state of Pure Michigan.

I’ve spent the past week with family on iconic Mackinac Island, a longtime resort destination set across a small 8.2-mile island that outlaws transport by anything but bike or horse-drawn carriage. It’s a wrinkle in time with plenty of charm. Fascinating, right? I found it an ideal time to test out some early fall menswear from the likes of Billy Reid, Sea Culture and more, as you might have seen on my Instagram.

Taylor Stitch menswear 2023.

And of course, we took our time enjoying bright, blazing sunsets, cold local beer (and wine!) and panoramic views of the Great Lakes. What a way to close out summer among family, yes? I also took advantage of the chance to wear gear from Taylor Stitch (although the above jacket remains on my wish list!).

Elsewhere, I’ve got #NYFW events in my sights next week back East, but for now, I plan to enjoy a spirited Labor Day back in the Lower Peninsula watching Michigan State football and sipping on my favorite Michigan beer from the likes of Bell’s Brewery (Oberon is still going strong, in my book at least!).

Find your favorite home state beer now at Drizly

I’ll leave you with two last Labor Day weekend recommendations: You can get 15 percent off the Huckberry Sale section for Labor Day, and you can enjoy 20 percent off the Taylor Stitch Last Call section, too. How’s that for a proper end to summer? If you score any stellar deals this weekend, let me know in the comments below. Cheers to a long weekend, folks!

Shop Taylor Stitch menswear for fall