The Friday Read: Buck Mason Summer Menswear, A Brooklyn Rock Concert & Shinola’s Summer Getaway Bag

Buck Mason summer menswear review.

Even in the high heat of summer, it pays to be prepared in matters of style. That’s how your author feels here at The Style Guide, whether you’re in search of tips on how to dress for a summer wedding or how to dress for a rock concert. That’s why we’re here after all, right?

While I don’t have any summer weddings on the docket this weekend, I did attend a Brooklyn rock concert last night (more on that in a moment), and I can’t help but turn towards brands I trust for both occasions — this summer weekend very much included.

Buck Mason menswear review.

You might have guessed, but the brand in question — one that’ll have you wearing one of the best summer suits as easily as one of the best indigo henleys — is Buck Mason, and there’s hardly a better note on which to kick off a breezy Brooklyn weekend, I’d say.

From rugged chambray shirting to soft-shouldered tailoring fit for weddings and rooftop happy hours, I find myself reaching consistently for staple pieces from the Los Angeles brand, even ones as seemingly simple as one of the best USA-made T-shirts. And for the record, this is no sponsored post — just a wholehearted style recommendation heading into a weekend of Brooklyn BBQs and cold beer.

Buck Mason men's black jeans review.

And as to the versatility of the brand’s offerings, from rock concerts to wedding receptions — Buck Mason black jeans in particular were a go-to style move as I trekked to the famed Warsaw Concerts venue to see avant-garde rockers Shannon and the Clams last night with my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary.

Shannon’s EP (which I covered at Atwood Magazine, alongside a new single release) was among the music that helped bring us together, and the show was a very fitting one to attend side by side. Of course, style is the name of the game at a Brooklyn show, and my favorite black jeans more than did the trick (perhaps you saw the rest of my rock concert look over on my Instagram?).

Whatever your preferred beverage and song of choice happens to be this weekend, here are a few fitting Friday Reads to get the rest of this thing started the proper way.

Shinola Canfield Carryall review.
  • Here’s one for fans of both finely crafted whiskey and its natural summer pairing, a summer bonfire. Or rather, famed rye whiskey purveyors WhistlePig went a step further, partnering with outdoor fire pit and gear maker Solo Stove on a whiskey bundle. A whiskey bundle? Yes indeed, featuring a new whiskey release, a co-branded portable outdoor fire pit and more. Read my take on the collab right now at Maxim.com, my friends.
  • And without further ado, let’s roll into the weekend with one more choice style pick from yours truly. If you’re anything like me, you might sometimes find it hard to part with your favorite pair of jeans as the mercury climbs. But there’s a stylish replacement close at hand via Todd Snyder, who designed a pair of five-pocket pants with the style and polish of chinos, yet the fit and comfort of denim. Taken altogether — particularly the breezy linen-blend fabric — and they’re the perfect denim alternative for guys, as I covered this week here on the blog.

With that, I’ll bring this week’s edition of the Friday Read to a well-timed close (happy hour awaits on the horizon later today, and there are deadlines to meet, after all). If you didn’t quite find the summer menswear essentials you need from Buck Mason, for instance, rest assured that two weekend posts will cover other must-buy men’s style picks for summer — and with that, let’s get ready to toast to the weekend! Cheers and thanks, as always, for reading.

The Thursday Buy: The Shinola Canfield Holdall Is An Investment-Level Bag for Summer Travel

Shinola Canfield Holdall review.

Before you can set your sights on your next summer getaway, let’s take a step back. Or rather, several steps back. Yes, there’s surely something to be said for packing up accordingly, from one of the best summer shirts to the most versatile pants for summer, but let’s go a step deeper.

To be more precise, what stylish weekender bag for men are you taking on quick long weekend trips? The answer might very well be right in front of you in today’s post, courtesy of Detroit lifestyle brand Shinola.

Best weekender bags for summer travel for men.

The famed watchmaker blends both a rugged and refined sensibility with its selection of Mid-Century Modern and Art Deco-inspired watches, a lineup that already includes one of the best dive watches for summer. But its accessories (and an assortment of enviable home goods) are also worth another look — and that very much includes one of the best weekender bags for men.

The Shinola Canfield Classic Holdall could be the perfect go-between, a happy medium between a carry-on suitcase and an overnight bag. Made with premium European leather that’ll develop a handsome patina over time, this stylish men’s weekender bag checks the right boxes in terms of easy storage and transportation.

The interior is lined with soft cotton and comes complete with two interior slip pockets and an interior zip pocket for your everyday carry essentials. And in terms of that ease of transportation: Natural grain leather handles and a detachable striped shoulder strap deliver both style and utility at once. Keep in mind that although the Shinola Canfield Classic Holdall retails for the investment-level price of $1,395, it’s certainly built to last and delivers enough space to work for plentiful summer weekend trips.

Of course, because it’s crafted by Shinola, the handsome Shinola Canfield Classic Holdall will work well beyond summer, too. That’s the kind of functionality that’s tough to pass up, so rest easy knowing that your next summer #OOTD will travel safe and sound in one of the best weekender bags on the market.

See Now, Buy Now: These Todd Snyder Linen Pants are A Perfect Replacement for Casual Jeans

Best pants for men this summer.

For as much as I love wearing some of the best light wash jeans for summer (in keeping with the warmer climes of the season), there are times when a man’s wardrobe essentials need a bit more polish.

While the best light wash jeans are ideal for some casually cool flair, there’s a way to get the comfort and mobility of classic denim with just a bit more style — for the office, for date night and beyond.

And in my experience, Todd Snyder nails that balance perfectly. Exhibit A? The Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants, which bridge the gap between chinos and denim perfectly. Would you expect anything less from the award-winning designer, after all?

The award-winning designer excels at the rugged appeal of the best men’s light wash jeans, and the same can be said for both chinos and 5-pocket pants. How are five-pocket pants different than chinos or jeans? Well, they mimic the same design of chinos, yet in this case, the fabric is a handsome, breathable cotton-linen blend — and of course, your new favorite pants feature an excellent Khaki colorway (among other options).

Colors like crisp Navy and inky Black are also up for grabs when it comes to the Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants, while a sleek Slim cut gives them a dressier look and feel than even slim blue jeans might bring to the table. And that lends the Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants an air of summer-ready versatility.

Best lightweight pants for men to wear now.

Pair them with brown leather loafers and a navy polo for an evening outing, or swap in your favorite Oxford shirt and brown leather chukka boots for a mix of high-low office style. Elsewhere, feel free to dress down the Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants with a denim trucker jacket and one of the best USA-made T-shirts on the market.

All the while, you can breathe easily (literally) knowing that the blend of 73 percent cotton and 27 percent linen is easygoing and lightweight. And with the comfort of your favorite jeans, the polish of chinos and the right balance between cotton and linen fabric, the Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants could just become your new favorite summer pants. Shop accordingly this week, my friends.

The Tuesday Steal: Save More Than 25 Percent On This Stylish, USA-Made Shirt at Huckberry

Gitman Vintage men's shirt review.

I always tend to say that they don’t make ’em like they used to anymore, particularly if that involves making a stylish USA-made men’s shirt — and yet, that adage doesn’t always hold true. In this instance, my good friends at Huckberry are offering up access to one of the best men’s shirts for summer, and it comes from a brand with strong modern heritage in terms of design and fabrication.

The brand in question? Gitman Vintage, makers of shirts in Tennessee using handsome, vintage-style fabrics and carefully crafted methods. And the shirt in question? The Gitman Vintage Archive Madras Shirt, which just so happens to be marked down about 25 percent right now via the Huckberry Sale section. That goes for both the rich blue madras pattern seen above, as well as a distinct, multi-colored green plaid offering. Not a bad deal for one of the best shirts for men, right?

Best long-sleeve shirts for men.

Now, we’re coming off a long weekend packed with Memorial Day deals on menswear, but a bit of extra shopping never hurt anybody, right? And just in case you’re wary of scoring another long-sleeve shirt heading into the high heat of summer, just know that the Gitman Vintage Archive Madras Shirt makes use of ultra-lightweight, 100 percent cotton fabric with a rich Madras fabric.

The Gitman Vintage Archive Madras Shirt has a touch of ’80s prep and retro style, yet the modern fit every guy needs today. And at its current price, it’s the kind of shirt you can invest in for both casual wear (alongside chino shorts, for instance), and dressier occasions (beneath a lightweight summer blazer and linen trousers).

See Now, Buy Now: This Billy Reid Linen Shirt Helps You Beat the Heat in Style This Season

As far as summer style essentials are concerned, two things are top of mind: Staying cool and comfortable, of course, and also staying mighty stylish. And with Billy Reid, you can meet those two aims quite handily indeed. Exhibit A: One of the best men’s shirts for summer, an updated take on a classic that manages to hit the mark in terms of great looks as well as breezy comfort.

The shirt in question is the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, already a fan favorite and a bestseller from the Alabama-based designer. It comes in multiple different fabrications, changing from season to season, and yet the Billy Reid Linen Tuscumbia Shirt is a perfect fit for your next summer #OOTD.

The real key is the use of garment-dyed, lightweight linen that gives the shirt an “effortless, lived-in look and feel,” as the award-winning designer notes.

And whether you pick up the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, in a dark, dressy color like Carbon Blue or opt for the more breezy French Blue as shown at the top of the page, it’s a picture-perfect classic. And true to form, your new favorite shirt for summer (again, the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt!) can be worn tucked in underneath, say, a linen Billy Reid blazer or worn untucked, sleeves rolled, as a casual yet crisp style move alongside chino shorts.

Any way you choose to wear it, this new take on an old favorite from Billy Reid helps you beat the heat in style, my friends.

The Sunday Sale: This American Trench Chambray Shirt is Now 40 Percent Off

Best chambray shirt for men.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: In my experience, tracking down the best summer style essentials for men, or really, the best menswear essentials period, is all about opportunity and knowing when to spend — and when to save, of course.

And today, it all comes together quite nicely as we close out Memorial Day weekend by diving into a deal on one of the best chambray shirts for men, especially one crafted by my friends at Pennsylvania-based American Trench.

And it’s not just any old deal: It’s savings of 40 percent on an American-made chambray shirt, a rarity in the menswear market and one that delivers style and utility in spades. That holds true in any season, but especially summer, when the American Trench Chambray Shirt can function as a light overshirt on a cool morning, before you shed that layer for an American-made T-shirt.

Best men's chambray shirt.

The American Trench Chambray Shirt is crafted from lightweight yet breathable chambray, of course, and that durable fabric can work wonders for your wardrobe. It’s also cut and sewn in America (again, a rarity in the menswear world these days).

The American Trench Chambray Shirt should wear well either tucked in with tobacco-hued chinos and a navy blazer, or else alongside olive linen trousers and leather loafers. The value in every stitch of the American Trench Chambray Shirt — which is going now for under $100 in the American Trench Clearance Section — makes it a standout selection for summer mornings, days and nights. Shop accordingly and end the long weekend the right way, my friends.

Style Pick of the Week: Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts – An Easygoing Pair of the Best Summer Shorts

Best summer shorts for men.

In my experience, going back to the basics can sometimes work wonders for your summer style essentials and your menswear wardrobe in general. After all, as I always say, the classics are the classics for a reason: A perfect sustainable shirt jacket for summer nights, a breezy USA-made tee, and yes, these Outerknown chino shorts at the top of the page all qualify, at least in my book.

It only gets better from there when it comes to the sustainable style brand founded by surfing legend Kelly Slater, because the Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts check off all the right boxes in terms of a prime summer look. What do I mean by that? Well, let’s start with the fabrication and fit, because in my experience, Outerknown delivers on both accounts.

Helpfully, the Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts are modeled off straight leg chinos, so you needn’t worry about them being overly baggy, a la cargo shorts of days gone by. They’re also crafted from durable, strong organic cotton that’s also been garment-washed — they’re just the right mix of supple and sturdy.

And that garment washing also gives the Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts a lived-in, aged look and feel, which is never a bad style move to have in your rotation.

Outerknown men's shorts review.

For good measure, the “Hollywood waistband” means the belt loops and pockets are sewn right into the shorts themselves, a cool touch that also calls to mind, say, vintage fatigue shorts or throwback chinos.

Yes indeed, in my book, the Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts — in either Faded Olive or a crisp Navy — are ready to be worn with everything from canvas sneakers and your favorite henley to an ultra-soft cotton polo and leather loafers (to name but a few potential ensembles). Make these yours now for a sustainable, stylish summer.

The Friday Read: A Memorial Day Weekend Getaway to Boston & the Best Summer Menswear

My friends, we made it: We made it to the unofficial start to summer, Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you’re ready for a long weekend packed with family, friends, great beer, great tunes and the best summer menswear. As to summer menswear, here’s a quick word before we get into it: My friends at Huckberry are running an excellent long weekend sale on menswear, gear, everyday carry essentials and more, and you can check it all out here below.

I’ve got a little of each in store in my neck of the woods (beer, menswear and more!), as I’m shipping up to Boston with my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary for one of our favorite shared pastimes: A raucous live show by none other than one of our favorite bands.

Brought to you by way of fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, that would be the one, the only… The Killers.

It’ll be my 14th time seeing the legendary band, a group I can’t help but appreciate in matters of both style AND music — and in fact, it’ll be my lovely Mary’s first time seeing this iconic rock group. As always, I’m thrilled at the opportunity to see my hero Brandon Flowers play live, and I feel ever so fortunate that I got to interview him for Esquire back in 2021 (you can find that story below, as well!)

Add in what promises to be a sunny weekend in Boston, along with the promise of fresh beer at Boston breweries like Harpoon, Lord Hobo and Trillium, and I’d say you’ve got a true recipe for success.

Trillium Brewing Boston.

Of course, I’ve packed some of my favorite summer style essentials from retailers like Huckberry and Buck Mason, all the better to truly take on the long weekend the right way. What’s on your agenda this weekend? Perhaps it’ll involve shopping some of the best holiday weekend menswear deals, as I compiled over at Maxim.com?

Or perhaps it’ll involve hitting up one of your favorite brands for a few exceptional discounts, like Taylor Stitch? Either way, keep it stylish, stay safe, have a cold beer for me and turn up that glamorous indie rock n’roll from The Killers, my friends.

The Thursday Buy: This Filson Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt is a New Daily Go-To

Best chambray shirt for men.

When you need a restock or a refresh of summer menswear essentials, it pays off to go right to the source — if what you seek is a rugged take on a classic, of course. And in this case, that source is Filson, the legendary Pacific Northwest purveyor of some of the best outdoor gear on the planet.

That very much includes one of the best chambray shirts for men, a pick that — in my experience — delivers hard-wearing, work-ready performance as well as versatile style.

You see, the Filson Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt is a timeless style that does just about anything asked of it. If you want a workwear layer for a day in the yard or on the trail, for instance, the durable chambray weave stands up to anything.

Filson men's shirts.

And if you want an easygoing, stylish men’s short-sleeve shirt to wear buttoned up alongside the best summer shorts this season — say, at a summer BBQ — then this handsome chambray shirt delivers handily. The midweight cotton chambray should wear plenty well even in the heat, while details like button chest pockets provide space for everyday carry essentials.

Best chambray shirt for men.

And in my experience, the Filson Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt should offer enough room to layer easily atop a classic Filson T-shirt if need be — although I’d also recommend buttoning this shirt up and styling it untucked alongside your favorite chinos. It’s even crafted with a pencil slot in the left chest pocket, a handy detail that makes the Filson Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt a true workwear classic. Again, if it’s rugged essentials you seek, Filson has you more than covered.

See Now, Buy Now: These VEJA Sneakers are a Stylish Summer Pair to Lace Up Now

VEJA men's sneakers review

Perhaps you’ve spotted them around town in a hip neighborhood, or on the feet of someone who’s style you really appreciate and enjoy. Yes, I’m talking about some of the best sneakers for men, and in this case, a pair of stylish sneakers from VEJA.

They’re distinctive, they’re eye-catching, they’re still low-profile enough to be plenty versatile — more on that in a second — and you can find them ASAP at Huckberry.

They’re also the sort of sneakers that are having “a style moment” right now, you might say, what with their ubiquitous presence everywhere. Whether worn with stretch tan chinos, light wash jeans or even olive chino shorts, the VEJA Campo Sneakers are an on-trend move that somehow still feels rooted in the classic world of the best sneakers for men.

Best sustainable sneakers.

But what’s all the fuss about, you might be wondering, and how did VEJA end up where they are today? The brand has actually focused on making stylish, sustainable sneakers now for about two decades, long before sustainability became a buzzword in the fashion space, and they do so working with ethical factories in Brazil.

Oh, and as to the sustainable specs behind the VEJA Campo Sneakers, which could quickly become your new favorite sneakers? They’re made with Fair Trade-certified rubber, for starters, and they also use wild rubber for the comfortable, springy insole of the VEJA Campo Sneakers, which use the classic low-profile silhouette of court sneakers.

They’re also fairly priced for the quality (they’ll run you $175), and Huckberry stocks 11 different varieties of VEJA men’s sneakers — just in time for summer, those are some sustainably made sneakers that are very much worth buying.