It seems as though it was only yesterday we were talking about the best summer style essentials here on this menswear blog, but it’s never too soon to start dreaming of crisp weather, leaves underfoot and of course, a wardrobe packed with the best fall style essentials.
I like to build my fall wardrobe from the ground up, so to speak — tough leather boots, a great pair of jeans and often, a trusty base layer like one of the best henleys for men. And in this day and age, it’s tough to get much, well, tougher and more stylish than Filson and the Filson Waffle Knit Henley.
It’s a rugged layer that’ll come in handy before you know it, whether it’s worn beneath a rugged flannel shirt or alongside your favorite trucker jacket (one from Filson would assuredly come in handy). The Filson Waffle Knit Henley is an icon in the cold-weather rotation from the lauded Pacific Northwest heritage outfitter, made with a blend of Peruvian cotton in a durable waffle-knit weave.
The two-button collar of the Filson Waffle Knit Henley gives you options in terms of customizing your fit, and it doesn’t hurt that the light heather gray color will team with just about anything in your wardrobe (indigo Filson jeans very much included). It’s also the type of staple suitable for work — crisp fall days in the yard — or play, so to speak (tailgate layering, anyone?).
And because it hails from Filson, the Filson Waffle Knit Henley is about as durable as it gets, at least in my experience with the brand. Preparing for fall just got substantially easier, all thanks to a rugged favorite from an iconic brand.
My friends, welcome back to another edition of the Friday Read, where we (and by we, I mean me) cover a bit of everything under the sun these days, from menswear to spirits and occasionally, fine dining. Often, all three go together quite handily, as I’ve found out through my many freelance writing pursuits — and my coverage of spirits, food and drink over at Maxim.
Today, we’ll step away from typical menswear coverage towards something sure to whet your whistle, so to speak (for a dash of men’s style coverage, click that link).
My passion for spirits fortunately (and rather incredibly) opens up a great deal many doors, like the chance to imbibe and sip at some of the finest restaurants in New York City. That’s never a bad way to unwind ahead of a busy Labor Day weekend, and it’s often made all the better by the companionship of my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary, a lover of fine food and drink herself.
And that led me earlier this week to the immersive, whimsical and impressive Wonderland Bar NYC, a just-opened East Village experience that’s a step up from the more typical dive bars of the surrounding area.
For one, it boasts a menu helmed by Michelin starred chef Peter He — if you’ve been watching “The Bear” or following along with the restaurant industry at large, that’s a major deal. This new spin on a Sichuan gastropub lives up to the hype, and then some.
Photo: Patrick Dolande/Courtesy of Wonderland NYC
Its cocktails are theatrical in nature from start to finish, presentation very much included, and its food menu (divided into hot and cold plates) also adds some serious flair to the dining experience.
Just witness the flaming orb presentation of the incredible Shiso Leaf, boasting gin, shiso leaf, peach, ginger, syrup and lime in, well, an orb surrounded by a flaming garnish (you can see more on my Instagram, or at the top of the page, of course).
The New Fashioned, delivered in a smoking decanter and boasting a blend of truffle-oil-washed bourbon, simple syrup and bitters, also shines, while my personal favorite happened to be the blend of gin, ginger, cardamom, peach, passion fruit and lemon found in the All My Lovin’.
Mary also loved this option, and we both couldn’t get enough of the New Fashioned. There’s a nice divide between refreshing and crisp as well as savory, and all just so happen to pair nicely with Wonderland’s diverse food offering.
Photo: Patrick Dolande/Courtesy of Wonderland NYC
A selection of pleasantly spicy, savory bites complement these cocktails in expert fashion including the Chicken Skewers (a personal favorite) and the Peppercorn Squid, the most popular dish on the menu (and the favorite at our table).
But a true highlight, in rather astounding fashion, was the Kumamoto Oyster Ensemble, an oyster topped with uni and caviar. Yes, you read that right. If you love oysters, buckle up — while the serving size accounts for just one oyster, it’s absolutely astonishing.
The space itself, with a purple neon sign looking out over a ceiling adorned with greenery, is also eye-catching in its own right (especially if you dine in a booth styled like a bird cage). It’s a touch disco, a touch whimsical and truly wondrous.
Suffice to say, Wonderland delivers every step of the way: Presentation, flair, flavor and a seriously memorable atmosphere. It won’t be the last time you hear from me on this excellent new locale, so keep your eyes peeled for my byline.
Now, before I let you go — and before I let you start planning your next trip to the Big Apple, or at least your next night out in Manhattan, allow me to offer one menswear recommendation fit for a dive bar or a restaurant with Michelin cred. That, my friends, would be the chance to check out the Huckberry Labor Day Sale, where you can get an extra 15% off already on-sale gear at the lauded Huckberry Sale section.
It’s part of an action-packed slate of the best Labor Day menswear sales, including prime selections from brands like Todd Snyder and Taylor Stitch. And since it’s the last gasp of summer, it’s high time you added a few early fall selections to your cart, is it not? Cheers to the weekend, cheers to excellent food and drink, and cheers to excellent menswear close at hand all the while. Thanks, as ever, for reading!
A reliable twist on the classics is sometimes a welcome change of pace, especially as you look for menswear essentials to carry you from late summer into early fall. I can hardly think of a better option for the days ahead than the Faherty Brand Stretch Terry Pants, a fresh take on the five-pocket pant that manages to be more dressy than your favorite jeans, and yet more laidback than chinos.
They’re the best of both worlds, as you’ll often find with Faherty Brand (sold reliably by my friends at Huckberry, of course).
The company specializes in ultra-soft, expertly crafted flannel shirts and Oxford shirting, not to mention classic T-shirts, shorts and hoodies — all with coastal flair and most featuring soft garment-dyed or washed finishes for a casually cool touch.
The Faherty Stretch Terry Five-Pocket Pants get all the details right, from metal rivet-reinforced pockets to a classic slim-straight leg cut that wears well with rugged leather boots or crisp leather sneakers (look for earth tones in both pants and footwear to really drive home that early fall aesthetic.
The stretch fabric (a terry cotton, for good measure) should feel comfortable no matter what, and in my experience, I’ve found that Faherty Brand pants and chinos hold their shape and durability over time.
It helps that your new favorite pants are also available in a wide range of colors to suit every taste and style, and waist sizes in some colors run up to size 42. So, you’ve got effortlessly versatile pants made from durable fabric, featuring rugged-yet-refined appeal for early fall pursuits more casual (brewery beers, anyone?) and more crisp (a day at the office). Sounds like these are a surefire winner in any season, but especially right now.
If it feels somewhat strange to be talking about the best style essentials for early fall as of yet, well, check that calendar: It’s nearly here, and with Labor Day bearing down on us, it’s high time to start think about a few key fall style upgrades for men. Naturally, I’m recommending you head to Huckberry to start your search, which is where we’ll take a peek behind the curtain today at one of the best chore coats for men.
One of the best jackets for men is our focus today, and not just any old style, either. Huckberry, if you’ve dove into the Web site as of late, knows how to curate, sell and style a slew of classic pieces, including an iconic chore coat from Portuguese Flannel.
Its use of soft cotton corduroy fabric, a helpful touch that makes it easier to move around in than a traditional canvas chore coat, for instance. Your new favorite chore coat also boasts a tailored fit that’s still easy to layer, be that over a classic chambray shirt, an easygoing T-shirt or a rugged henley.
The Portuguese Flannel Labura Corduroy Chore Coat also looks great with stretch chinos, with contrasting faded blue denim or even with olive canvas work pants for days at the shop (or a more blissful coffee shop outing, of course).
Particularly with its corozo button front, this stylish and classic chore coat even looks a touch more refined, especially as a suitable blazer replacement. For early fall layering and beyond, I think I’ve found my new go-to layer, and it’s the Portuguese Flannel Labura Corduroy Chore Coat
It’s sometimes easy to overlook the simple details in your daily routine, from the wallet you use to the belt you wear and even the way you store your keys. But when you find products that break the mold and do the little things a much, much better way, you tend to notice right up front — such is the case with the everyday carry essentials on offer from the good folks at DISCOMMON.
DISCOMMON, as you might recall from reading past DISCOMMON reviews on this blog, hones in on what they call “future icons.” That means they use forward-thinking, futuristic and deeply thoughtful design processes to come up with better solutions across the board, from the best weekender bag to the DISCOMMON Wallet 3.0 (today’s featured pick, of course).
The DISCOMMON Wallet 3.0 is part of a bundle approach that accounts for the savings in today’s Tuesday Steal, lest we forget — you can pick up three versions of the DISCOMMON Wallet 3.0 in each of the brand’s crisp, versatile and stylish colorways. So, that’s a little something for everyone, including the everyday carry of someone you love, no less.
The stylish, sleek DISCOMMON Wallet 3.0 is packed with plenty of innovative features, and crafted with geothermed technology. That makes this handsome leather wallet a stitch-free style move that’s impossibly minimal and yet rich in craftsmanship. Not bad for a daily wallet, right?
Top-grain Nappa leather and a micro-suede interior add to the laundry list of features that go above and beyond a typical wallet. And yes, the DISCOMMON Wallet 3.0 is available for a nice discount in a trio of classically cool colors. When you need to rethink your everyday carry (or help someone else rethink their own), the DISCOMMON Wallet 3.0 is your best bet.
Style classics can (and should!) serve as the backbone of a modern man’s wardrobe — take the shirt seen at the top of the page, a true essential from the good folks at Bespoke Post. Every guy’s style rotation can stand to use a good use of easily wearable, goes-with-anything pieces, like the Line of Trade Frank Shirt.
Inspired by classic workwear styles, the Line of Trade Frank Shirt is the sort of shirt you can reach for any day of the week, one that’s able to pair with everything from classic denim to expertly cut chinos. It doesn’t hurt that its build is tailored and crisp yet easy to wear — it’s not a more formal dress shirt, yet it’s more polished than a polo, for instance.
Made from 100 percent cotton in a variety of versatile colors, it’s the type of piece that simply looks great any way you style it, in any season at all. The choice is yours as to which option you opt for, be it a rich Coffee Herringbone hue or a deep indigo variety, another personal favorite.
Again, either variety of the Line of Trade Frank Shirt wears especially well at the office, on the weekend and every day in between. It toes the line between formal and casual in expert fashion, which in my experience is always something great to have in your closet.
Don’t discount the need for style essentials you can turn to at a moment’s notice, this shirt very much included. Pair it with your favorite faded jeans, with crisp dark blue denim, with tan or olive chinos and leather boots, or even with stretch chino shorts — it can handle it all, and then some. In my experience, the Line of Trade Frank Shirt is a surefire style winner, one that’s sure to stand the test of time.
If there’s one thing I know in the world of menswear, it’s that a great deal on some of the best men’s style essentials is hard to pass up, especially as the end of summer beckons. And for a pair of stylish, rugged shorts you can buy now for the last gasp of the season (and beyond), you need look no further than the Huckberry Sale section, of course.
Utility and durability is the name of the game with Ohio-based Relwen, which draws style inspiration from old-school classics worn by the military and elsewhere.
And that means the Relwen Tropical Weave Windshorts are a prime candidate for your latest and greatest wardrobe addition, what with plenty of functionality and reliability in every stitch.
Helpfully, Huckberry says the Relwen Windshorts, made with a stretchy, lightweight and breathable cotton-poly blend, are “a direct result of their vintage-inspired, detail-focused approach.” That approach includes an elastic waistband for comfort and mobility, plus details like zippered hand pockets for your everyday carry.
Better still is the fact that the Relwen Tropical Weave Windshorts feature a gusseted crotch design for even greater ease of movement, while stitched-through hand pockets also provide a more streamlined look and feel.
Across the board, these shorts come in four stylish, effortlessly cool colors and also boast a relaxed fit — from the trail to the town and back again, I’d wager you can trust the Relwen Tropical Weave Windshorts to handle just about any of summer’s last adventures, starting right now.
I don’t know about you, but in my experience, the best menswear essentials are the ones that truly stand the test of time, all the while providing versatility and modern good looks. It might seem like a high bar to clear, but that’s where Buck Mason enters the fray (and your wardrobe, of course).
And in addition to its lineup of iconic, hard-working pieces like the best American-made T-shirts, stylish men’s chinos and expertly faded denim (to name but a few), the Buck Mason Japanese Chambray Service Shirt simply delivers exceptional style.
Of course, the Buck Mason Japanese Chambray Service Shirt is a staple in my own wardrobe, as chambray shirts have been for years, and this particular number gets all the details right.
It’s made in a classic-fit design for layering atop your favorite Buck Mason henley or a sturdy heavyweight tee from the brand, while the light wash 5 oz Japanese indigo yarn-dyed chambray should age nicely and wear crisply in a number of seasons (fall very much included). Two patch-and-flap chest pockets offer utility for your everyday carry, while the handsome Buck Mason Japanese Chambray Service Shirt should very easily get better with age.
That’s the kind of style staple I can see working handsomely any day of the week, and hopefully, you feel the same way — see you out there, my friends.
When some things work, you know it right away in terms of your wardrobe of menswear essentials. That’s the topic up for debate — or rather, no debate at all — in today’s Friday Read, and that’s thanks to my good friends at Huckberry.
The classics are the classics for a reason, in terms of both effortless style and versatility, and the famed retailer just gets that right in every way possible via the latest and greatest Huckberry Smart Casual offering.
The Huckberry Smart Casual offering has a little something for everyone, especially headed into a packed Brooklyn weekend for yours truly (and beyond, of course). For days at the office and wedding weekends in particular, Huckberry just delivers, and that holds true from season to season and situation to situation.
As the brand says, the Huckberry Smart Casual rotation includes breezy polos, iconic T-shirts, rugged leather jackets and expertly faded denim, to name but a few favorites. These are the kind of pieces you can mix and match with effortless ease, particularly leading from summer into early fall.
For smart casual style, look no further than the Huckberry Smart Casual rotation this weekend — that’s my latest and greatest #menswear tip heading into the weekend, and you can look for more where that came from very soon indeed.
Style staples that stand the test of time can prove the backbone of any wardrobe, and that certainly goes for one of the coolest jackets of all-time — yes, one of the coolest jackets of all-time, indeed. And my friends, the Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket, as sold by our good friends at Huckberry, certainly qualifies.
As made famous by none other than Steve McQueen, this handsome and rugged jacket boasts good looks aplenty and loads of functionality as we inch ever closer to shoulder season. The Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket is a British style classic, one that wears well through multiple seasons — late summer and early fall very much included.
The key is the cotton and polyester construction, the kind that repels wind and rain with ease. And as Huckberry helpfully notes, the “umbrella-inspired back vent prevents a build up of excess heat while letting rain run-off,” a nifty move that sets the iconic Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket apart from the pack.
It’s also a style known for its eye-catching tartan lining, another legendary feature that Mr. Steve McQueen made look great. A double zipper gives the Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket a customizable appeal, and the famed style also comes in a range of versatile and distinctive colors, each as cool as the last.
Even better is the stand-up collar on the Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket, which provides protection from wind and rain.
Of course, durable knit cuffs at the wrists and waist also deliver a snug fit and again, plenty of utility. When summer rain and wind starts to pick up, when you want a jacket you can wear easily with everything from a henley and jeans to crisp chinos and a polo, the Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket is your go-to move, my friends.
The Style Guide 