The Thursday Buy: Bring this Rugged Waxed Brief from Satchel & Page on Your Next Summer Getaway

The next time you pack up to hit the road this summer, take stock of, well, the bag you’re actually packing up. Has your briefcase or messenger bag seen better days? If that’s the case, there’s a rugged, stylish solution closer at hand than you might think: My friends at Satchel & Page deliver the goods in versatile fashion, and with heritage quality sewn in every step.

And that, folks, is what makes a stylish messenger bag worthy of a spot in your rotation as you cruise through TSA, hop on a train or load up your car. In my experience, Satchel & Page bags punch above their weight in terms of quality, durable design and stylish looks, and then some. And the Satchel & Page Aviator Brief has proven a personal favorite in more ways than one, with military-inspired looks and hard-wearing materials like a handsome green waxed canvas.

The Satchel & Page Aviator Brief boasts handsome Italian leather that’ll develop a rich patina over time, with full-grain construction and a distinct vegetable tanning process for beautiful results (trust me: I’ve tried multiple Satchel & Page bags over the years). An eye-catching leather strap also attaches it easily to your trusted carry-on bag for on-the-go access.

As far as durability is concerned, the Satchel & Page Aviator Brief also should hold up well to repeat wear and tear, especially that waxed canvas. Solid copper rivets and antique brass hardware further bolster that durability, and it doesn’t hurt that that hardware looks plenty stylish in its own right.

This brief checks all the right boxes as far as I’m concerned, from handsome good looks to real-world utility, and the Satchel & Page Aviator Brief is more than deserving of a spot in your summer packing rotation.

See Now, Buy Now: This Taylor Stitch Linen Jacket is Perfect for Summer Travel

Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket review.

When a modern “classic” gets a revamp in a summer-friendly fabrication, it’s worth taking another look — another very close look at one of the best summer jackets for men, that is. And that’s what the newest edition of the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket brings to the table, and this time, it’s even better than before.

The rugged-meets-refined, versatile chore coat is already one of the best jackets for summer nights, and there are previous iterations that turn the chore coat style into a warm-weather classic. This new take ups the ante even further, and the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe gets the details right in every way possible.

Just like a Taylor Stitch organic cotton polo or one its durable-yet-soft T-shirts, it all starts with premium fabric, the kind that can go just about anywhere in this ever-versatile, hybrid-style silhouette. The Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe has classic chore coat detailing throughout, with two lower hip patch pockets and a chest pocket — complete with a pen slot, naturally.

Taylor Stitch bar-tacked these patch pockets for durability at stress points, giving the jacket a rugged appeal. Helpfully, in my experience, the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe is a jacket that can stand up to light workwear situations and a day’s worth of travel as easily as it can pass as a stylish blazer replacement (when it comes to workwear, think more of the drafting table than the yard or a job site, of course).

Crucially, the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe also gets the details right in terms of looks — the chili linen stripe color is a nice change of pace in terms of summer fabric.

The linen-cotton fabric blend should also prove hardy enough for cool summer nights, yet breathable enough when layered over Taylor Stitch men’s shirts, polos and even a rugged henley for a mix of high-low style. That high-low style extends to its wearability with everything from the best light wash denim to Taylor Stitch linen trousers, too.

Is the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe a true do-it-all jacket? Very nearly, and that’s what counts this summer.

The Tuesday Steal: This One-of-a-Kind Huckberry x Zodiac Watch Is Now 25 Percent Off

Huckberry x Zodiac watch review.

It’s often tough to find one of the best men’s watches on sale for a great deal — those sorts of deals tend to not come around all that often. But when they do, as I always say, the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot is too good to pass up, especially as far as Huckberry gear is concerned.

And it’s from the minds of Huckberry that we find our latest and greatest Tuesday Steal, the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver. It’s not the first time I’ve offered up a Huckberry review on one of the best watches for men (specifically this watch!), but it’s a rather timely one here.

At the time of my first review, you see, this rugged watch was 15 percent off. And yet now, the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver is now 25 percent for a very, very limited time (stock is moving extremely quickly via everyone’s favorite gear and menswear retailer).

And as one might expect, the specs on the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver are everything one needs in a rugged, stylish summer dive watch (or a dive watch in any season, for that matter). It boasts an aerospace-grade titanium case, a 1970s-inspired design and 200 meters of water resistance.

The tough-as-nails Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver dive watch aesthetic also extends to its rotating titanium bezel for keeping an eye on dives and water-ready excursions (or going anywhere else, for that matter). Your new favorite dive watch also features a 44-hour power reserve. On the dial itself, you’ll also find easy visibility through C3 SuperLuminova luminous paint on hands and dial indices.

See Now, Buy Now: These Suede Loafers from Huckberry & Astorflex Are a Refined Summer Style Move

Best loafers for men to buy now.

Just when you think you’ve found the perfect pair of men’s shoes for a summer wedding (or any other tailored engagement this season and beyond), the good folks at Huckberry enter the fray once again with a new must-buy pair of stylish men’s footwear.

And not just any pair of summer sneakers or sandals — as essential as those are, a pair of the best men’s loafers can work wonders for casually cool-yet-elevated seasonal style. Luckily, the good folks at Astorflex have you covered once again.

Astorflex men's loafers review.

Best known for making some of the coolest men’s chukka boots on the market, Astorflex is a gem of an underrated find to this day. The brand works out of a family-run factory using sustainable production methods to come up with versatile, durable and effortlessly cool footwear (click through this link here for more Astorflex reviews covering my experience with the brand).

And the Astorflex Fastflex Suede Loafers fit the bill quite nicely on all fronts, with the silhouette of a timeless penny loafer and the proper materials for an eco-conscious, summer-friendly finish.

Best suede loafers for men.

Like other pairs of Astorflex men’s shoes from Huckberry, these loafers are handmade in northern Italy to exacting specifications, with a hard leather outsole complimented nicely by a soft, supple unlined interior for all-day comfort.

The roughout leather on your new favorite loafers is more textured and of course, rougher than suede, with a distinctive look that should rest nicely beneath a cuffed pair of the best light wash jeans, your favorite olive chinos or even a pair of natural-hued denim.

And for even more elevated wear, turn to the Astorflex Fastflex Suede Loafers underneath, say, a navy seersucker or cotton-blend suit for a bit of edgy-yet-polished style. While they may not feature the crepe rubber outsole of traditional Astorflex men’s boots, the streamlined Astorflex Fastflex Suede Loafers are all the better for it, offering up a new take on the classic leather penny loafer.

A fairly wide range of sizes are available, and the Astorflex Fastflex Suede Loafers are online at Huckberry now — just in time for your next summer shindig.

The Sunday Sale: Upgrade Your Everyday Carry and Save with RIDGE Wallets at Huckberry

RIDGE wallets review for men.

The search for the best menswear accessories, and the best everyday carry essentials, is often never quite finished, at least in my book. That certainly goes for the wallet you carry with you on the daily, and it’s fitting perhaps that here on Father’s Day, we’re covering one of the most rugged, dependable and stylish wallets for men from my friends at RIDGE Wallets — something that can work for more than just the father or father figure in your life.

Granted, it’s too late to snag this one on the holiday itself, but for the future — and for yourself, or anyone in your life with a hankering for some of the best everyday carry accessories on the market — it’s worth keeping this brand top of mind.

And that leads us to RIDGE Wallets, a much buzzed-about brand that specializes in everyday carry essentials with ingenuity and durability in mind. Over at Huckberry, I’ve got even better news: You can save 25 percent on a rugged RIDGE wallet, and there are plentiful options in matters of style and utility.

RIDGE men's wallet review.

The RIDGE Mopane Wood Wallet, in fact, uses a handsome wooden build with space for up to 12 cards and a small amount of cash. It looks great, it performs even better and it could be a useful solution if you find your current wallet overstuffed (like George Costanza, for instance). The brand is best known for its colorful, vibrant and rugged wallets, using materials like carbon fiber and titanium (and yes, wood).

And a slew of these wallets can be found right now at Huckberry, so do yourself (and your dad, or any father figure in your life) a favor and select the proper RIDGE wallet to amp up that everyday carry.

Style Pick of the Week: Billy Reid Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants – Summer’s Coolest Pair of Pants

Billy Reid menswear review.

Amping up your rotation of summer style essentials hits a new level when you decide to invest even in the best everyday menswear — picks that you can wear frequently, without worrying that they’re versatile enough or well-made to stand up to repeat wear.

In my experience, Billy Reid menswear hits all the right notes if you want luxe-yet-accessible men’s style essentials, ones with a bit of flair and yet plenty of easy-to-wear potential.

What exactly do I mean by that? Well, picture your favorite pair of chinos. Now, merge them with some of the best jeans for men. What do you get? A pair of pants I personally love, the Billy Reid Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants. From sunrise to sunset (and beyond), these premium men’s pants are a major hit in my book, with durability and versatility in spades.

Billy Reid already makes plenty of summer menswear must-haves, particularly one of the best linen shirts, and these five-pocket pants are a nice complement to the award-winning designer’s slightly more casual staple picks.

The Billy Reid Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants (with a blend of 78 percent cotton for structure and 22 percent linen for breathability) boast a stylish slim fit, but in my experience, Billy Reid slim-fit pants aren’t overly slim — they’re very nearly just right.

Billy Reid men's pants.

The Billy Reid Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants feature durable antique brass hardware, right down to the brass tack button that gets an embossed Billy Reid stripe treatment. It’s the sort of small detail that makes these pants worth the higher price tag than your typical pair of jeans, chinos or even linen pants (the Billy Reid Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants clock in at $198).

The garment-wash process gives them a soft handfeel right out of the box, which is ideal — from Oxford shirts to one of the best pocket T-shirts, you’ll want to work these pants into your warm-weather menswear rotation ASAP. That’s the sort of style upgrade you really can’t beat, and that’s why I trust Billy Reid with my summer style must-haves.

The Thursday Buy: Get Casually Cool with a Retro Buck Mason Camp Collar Shirt This Season

There are tried-and-true staples in every guy’s rotation of the best menswear, be it a trusty T-shirt, a stylish polo or even a laidback, rugged henley. But it’s nice to take a slight style swerve off the beaten pat every once in a while by embracing a style that’s retro yet modern, fresh and ever so slightly on trend without overdoing it.

In my experience, at least in the summer heat of Brooklyn, you can check off all those boxes perfectly with one of the best camp collar shirts for men. And this season, I’ve found that the best camp collar (or Cuba collar) shirts for guys come from one of my favorite retailers: The great folks at Buck Mason, a West Coast brand with a flair for modern takes on iconic styles (like the shirt in question today).

The camp collar shirt dates back well before modern fashion runways, as the style was worn by field workers in the heat of Cuba and included additional details like front hip pockets. The fabric and fit was breezy and cooling, the lay-flat collar also helped with breathability and the overall impact was easygoing yet useful.

Today, the best camp collar shirts check off many of those same boxes, and for my money’s worth, the Buck Mason Draped Linen Camp Collar Shirt is among the best of the bunch.

Men's camp collar shirts.

It’s somewhere between a polo and a T-shirt — perhaps dressier than both items, but as comfortable and easy to wear as your favorite Buck Mason tee. It works wonders with chino shorts and canvas sneakers, yet the best camp collar men’s shirts are also wearable with linen trousers and leather loafers. It can be dressed up or dressed down simply on its own (no blazer needed), which is more than I’ve found with even the best T-shirts, for instance.

In short, any #OOTD that might call for a classic polo can reasonably work with a style move like the Buck Mason Draped Linen Camp Collar Shirt. And lest you think this camp collar is too “off the wall,” consider the fact that it comes in a crisp, timeless color like Dark Navy.

While the lay-flat collar is a change of pace — and it’s a detail that took me some getting used to — this stylish men’s short-sleeve shirt works just about as well as anything in your off-duty wardrobe, from BBQs to beach days and beyond.

Rest easy knowing the linen-blend fabric is ultra-soft and comfortable in the heat, the fit is relaxed without being overly baggy — an XL works on my 6’2″ frame — and the style points are tough to top with one of the best camp collar shirts for men this season. Try it on for size and unlock a new level of summer style points.

See Now, Buy Now: Randolph Engineering Makes (Arguably) the Best USA-Made Sunglasses on the Market

Randolph Engineering sunglasses review.

When it comes down to it, they just don’t make ’em like they used to — “it,” in this case, being durable sunglasses crafted with care in America. And yet, in my experience, one brand in particular rises above the rest, and that’s Randolph Engineering, makers of some of the very best USA-made sunglasses.

The company is an old-school one, developing military-grade and military-approved shades on time-tested equipment in Massachusetts. The story only gets better from there when it comes to some of the best sunglasses for men.

Best USA-made sunglasses for men.

And in fact, some of that equipment used dates back decades, as the brand was originally founded by machinists Jan Waszkiewicz and Stanley Zaleski — the very developers of that same equipment, prior to the formal launching of the brand itself.

The company won its first military-spec contract for men’s aviator sunglasses in 1983, and the brand has grown by leaps and bounds since then. It’s an admirable story that I can’t help but love — and in my experience, the brand’s men’s sunglasses deliver the goods in terms of heritage and history.

These days, Randolph Engineering proudly toes the line between rugged functionality and modern style, which is a tricky balance to strike — and yet one that they achieve admirably.

Case in point? Styles like the Randolph Engineering Class A Aviator, which boasts a distinctive and versatile shape, plus the option to select from multiple lens and frame colors. Four lens size options provide versatility based on the shape of your own face, too.

And for good measure, the design is well worth the price tag (less expensive than designer frames, more expensive than classic Ray-Ban Aviators, and packed with tons of history, to boot). This isn’t the last time you’ll be reading a Randolph Engineering review on the blog, but for now, get used to — and get acquainted with — the brand that makes your new favorite sunglasses.

The Tuesday Steal: Save More Than 20 Percent On this Howler Brothers Shirt at Bespoke Post

Best Western-style shirt for men.

If you’ve been reading my Brooklyn style blog, you know I’m all about the idea of finding a one-stop shop for the best men’s style essentials, and then keeping a frequent eye on that same retailer. In this instance, the retailer happens to be Bespoke Post.

In addition to its own line of menswear essentials, the NYC-based upstart stocks and sells some of the coolest menswear and gear around, including a few stellar picks from a familiar Austin company, Howler Brothers, which happens to be the subject of several Howler Brothers reviews here on the site. That’s where today’s post dives into a must-have summer shirt, one that happens to be 25 percent off right now.

Howler Brothers Gaucho Snapshirt review.

When it comes to the Howler Brothers Gaucho Western Snapshirt, you’re getting what the brand calls a shirt with a “modern touch to vintage Western wear,” and they’re absolutely correct. In my experience, the Howler Brothers Gaucho Western Snapshirt lives up to that billing and then some.

It starts with a durable cotton-polyester-spandex build that’s more performance-minded than other Western shirts (even if your main focus on performance happens to be manning the grill or fetching another cold beer).

The real kicker with the Howler Brothers Gaucho Western Snapshirt, though, is the use of inventive and distinctive chest embroidery, which gives it that sense of vintage style.

Snap chest pockets and front snap hardware nail down the Western shirt vibe, and again, in my opinion, it doesn’t hurt that the versatile Howler Brothers Gaucho Western Snapshirt is 25 percent off via my pals in the Bespoke Post sale section.

See Now, Buy Now: This Aether Apparel Lightweight Crew Is a Rugged Summer Classic

There are times when you might not know what you need in your summer wardrobe until you come across a situation where, well, a certain pick could come in mighty handy. Take one of the best crewneck sweatshirts for men.

It’s a casual must-have worn under trucker jackets and atop flannel shirts in the colder months, but the right crewneck sweatshirt can prove extremely useful on chilly summer nights, too.

Think of it this way: If ever you’ve felt like you could use an extra layer on a cool summer evening, yet have come up short, consider it a valuable solution. And this, my friends, is where the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew enters your wardrobe.

It comes from the technical masters at Los Angeles-based Aether Apparel, who founded their brand by focusing on gear that was stylish enough for the city and technical enough for the great outdoors.

Aether Apparel menswear review.

In my experience, the brand has succeeded on both accounts, which you can see if ever you’ve checked out the Aether Apparel Archive Sale or even worn one of the brand’s adventure-minded accessories, like a pair of the best sunglasses for men.

Elsewhere, picks like the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew fit the bill nicely, from the lightweight French Terry cotton-blend construction to the garment-dyed finishing processing. The fact that it also comes in a trio of neutral, versatile shades (seen above and below) is a major benefit, too.

That process gives the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew a lived-in feel right out of the box, something that in my personal experience is a great thing to have in your rotation of lightweight sweatshirts. It’s easy enough to throw on over a T-shirt, yet will maintain its shape enough to wear beneath a bomber jacket on especially brisk or rainy summer mornings (or nights, or afternoons, for that matter).

And the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew should also add warmth to your #OOTD without weighing you down, another benefit of finding an outdoor essential for the summer months.

Like the rest of the Aether Apparel line, the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew comes at a premium price, but in my opinion, the outfitter lives up to its stylish-yet-technical, high-quality reputation. That’s a great thing to have in your summer wardrobe, my friends.