Month / February 2025

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Todd Snyder Western Shirt is an Elevated Take on a Stylish Classic

Best Western shirts for men.

The idea behind building a wardrobe full of versatile men’s style essentials is a constant pursuit, is it not? I’ve found, in my experience, that having your building blocks in place — pieces you can wear every single day, in various combinations — makes it a lot easier to adapt to selections that are a slight swerve from the norm. Big-time stuff, yes?

Luckily for all of us here at this Brooklyn style blog, I’ve found that Todd Snyder takes on both sides of the coin more than stylishly — both the classics and those “slight swerves” from the norm.

Learn more now at Todd Snyder

Take, for example, one of the best Western shirts for men. It’s a departure from a classic Oxford shirt for men or even a chambray shirt, but when a designer like the award-winning Todd Snyder puts his own spin on it, you can certainly trust that you’re getting the best of the best — in terms of quality, style and versatility. Again, big-time stuff, yes?

And that’s what makes the Todd Snyder + Hamilton Twill Western Shirt an outstanding wardrobe addition: It takes the familiar, like that of a rugged Western shirt, then gives it a refined spin by way of both one of the country’s best menswear designers (Todd Snyder) and the longtime maker of some of the best dress shirts for men (that’d be Hamilton, a longtime favorite of the Iowa-born designer).

Details both classic and modern are accounted for when it comes to the Todd Snyder + Hamilton Twill Western Shirt, including USA-made, 100 percent cotton twill construction in a rich, wear-with-nearly-anything shade of olive. It also features snap buttons and back yoke detailing, like you’d find on other options when it comes to the best Western shirts for guys, yet the Todd Snyder + Hamilton Twill Western Shirt is updated with crisp dress shirt cuffs.

Shop the best menswear on the market from Todd Snyder

Could you go so far as to wear the Todd Snyder + Hamilton Twill Western Shirt underneath a soft-shouldered Italian blazer from the legendary designer? You certainly could, but your new favorite Western shirt might be just as at home with black denim and tan leather boots (among other combinations).

Take a swing at something a bit different from the norm, and be sure to thank me later (ha, kidding!). Cheers to the unexpected, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Kyrgies Socks are Some of the Best USA-Made Socks Money Can Buy

Best USA-made socks.

Every so often, you come across a brand that elevates a certain category and changes the way you think about how you put together your wardrobe — that approach is evident in big-ticket items, like an American-made blazer, but what about the socks you wear every day?

The details are truly in the difference, and that’s why I’ve been so impressed as of late with the USA-made socks being produced carefully and diligently by Kyrgies.

Learn more now at Kyrgies

The Virginia-based company is perhaps best known for its slippers and house shoes produced in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, but the brand’s USA-made socks have caught my eye as of late — for their production and fabrication as well as their quality and durability. Kyrgies Homespun Socks have proven as reliable as any in my wardrobe, with a difference you can feel right out of the box — and onto your feet, of course.

Helpfully, they’re available in both Men’s and Women’s sizes (a terrific His-and-Hers gift, if I do say so myself!), and these Climate Beneficial Verified socks are a level up from a typical pair of socks in every way possible. Kyrgies Homespun Socks start with a blend of cotton, alpaca and American fine wool, and it’s both soft and supple yet durable enough to stand up to wearing with leather boots, as I found out on a recent trip to the Italian Dolomites.

Kyrgies socks review.

Each component of every pair of Kyrgies Homespun Socks is truly American-made, from cotton sourced in California’s San Joaquin Valley to fiber from alpacas raised and sheared in North Salem, New York, plus wool sourced from in Dixon, California.

A very small amount of nylon and lycra gives these socks some structure and helps them to stay in place at your calves — a crucial touch that doesn’t take away from their natural sourcing and production efforts, at least in my experience.

Shop Kyrgies Homespun Socks ASAP

In terms of style points, these made-in-America socks come in three versatile colors: Caramel, Seafoam and Navy (navy is my personal favorite). Plus, the combination of a thick vertical ribbed knit from the toe all the way up to a thinner, more snug vertical knit at your calf is an ingenious touch that ensures a secure fit.

Each pair of Kyrgies Homespun Socks is an investment in the best: An investment in quality, style and a better, more carefully considered way of doing things. Add them to your basics drawer accordingly, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: These Tough, Stylish Chelsea Boots from Huckberry are On Sale Right This Instant

Best Chelsea boots for men.

It pays off to have a trusted stable of sturdy, dependable men’s style essentials close at hand, no matter the season. That certainly holds true in your footwear rotation, particularly when stepping ever-so-slightly from late winter into early (early) spring. And friends, I have just the pair of boots to upgrade your menswear stable right now — at a discount, no less, and from one of the best online menswear shops for guys.

The menswear shop in question, of course, is a personal favorite: The good folks at Huckberry, who surely know how to stock and sell some of the best boots for men, along with a host of complementary selections, like expertly faded jeans, stylish trucker jackets and more.

Learn more now at Huckberry

The focus today, though? That’d be the Rhodes Footwear Boone Wedge Chelsea Boots, a hard-wearing set of workwear-inspired Chelsea boots that manage to be both rugged and refined at the same time. In my experience, those are the best kinds of pieces to have in your transitional style wardrobe, are they not?

Right now, the Rhodes Footwear Boone Wedge Chelsea Boots are marked down about 15 percent, so while the savings aren’t as major as what you might find from, say, the Huckberry Annual Sale, they’re still worth taking a look if you need a new set of durable Chelsea boots.

The key is the Goodyear welted Vibram Sport 2060 outsole, which provides superior traction and reliably rugged performance — unlike some other pairs of Chelsea boots, which typically lean more sleek and dressy.

The handsome bovine leather upper will develop its own patina over time — and quite stylishly, in my personal experience with Huckberry boots — while the bovine leather lining molds to your foot over time.

Plus, the Rhodes Footwear Boone Wedge Chelsea Boots come with a Morflex outsole for added comfort, support and traction. And in a stylish medium-brown shade, the Rhodes Footwear Boone Wedge Chelsea Boots should pair up fashionably with everything from olive chinos to light wash jeans to black denim.

Shop men’s boots at Huckberry

The best part? Yes, they’re on sale right now — again, we’re not talking massive savings, but hey, a few bucks goes a long way when it comes to your new favorite Chelsea boots, does it not? Be sure to check back tomorrow for more insight into the best menswear and deals from top brands, folks.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: American Trench Is Now Making Its American Blazer Here in the U.S.A

USA-made blazer for men.

It’s getting harder and harder with each passing season to find true craftsmanship at the highest levels of menswear done right here in America. At least, it seems that way at times, but if you look closely, some of the best menswear brands are committed to USA-made menswear for exceptional quality and stylish results (an understatement, no doubt). And when I shop for wardrobe upgrades, I keep that in mind. That’s why, in my experience, a company like American Trench is so impressive.

Find out more now at American Trench

Founded with the goal of making the best raincoat right here in the United States in the late 2000s, the company has branched out by leaps and bounds (they also make some of my favorite USA-made socks), and the roster gets more impressive the deeper you go.

The company also crafts leather boots, chambray shirts and T-shirts (among others), but the American Trench American Blazer is about as, well, all-American as it gets.

The Pennsylvania-based company has pulled off the near-impossible: Making a classic navy blazer in the US of A. Other Northeast brands, like Joseph Abboud, also manufacture handsome tailoring in the States, but the American Trench American Blazer is plenty impressive in its own right, starting with the responsible sourcing of fleece from Oregon.

Best navy blazer for men.

American Trench then works with American Woolen to turn that fiber into a multi-season hopsack cloth (a fabric widely used in old-school suiting and tailoring, for the most part), before the American Trench American Blazer becomes the impressively cut jacket we see here. Family-owned, Queens, NY-based  Ferrara Manufacturing then crafts this elegant, timeless blazer to exacting standards, American Trench notes.

It’san utterly impressive dedication to style and craft, and the results speak for themselves: With a single vent and a 3-roll-2 construction (where the lapels roll over the top of the third button), the American Trench American Blazer is about as versatile as it gets these days. Genuine horn buttons deliver lasting quality, while this stylish blazer is available in sizes 36 to 46 online.

Shop USA-made menswear at American Trench

In my experience with American Trench, the brand’s garments fit neither too tight nor too slim — this should prove no exception, especially when worn with complementary staples like a white Oxford shirt or an American-made chambray shirt.

Consider the American Trench American Blazer a testament to the lost art of USA-made tailoring every step of the way — and consider making this investment-level beauty a part of your workday wardrobe.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Save 50 Percent on these Crisp, Refined Billy Reid Dress Trousers

If it holds true that you get what you pay for when it comes to men’s style essentials — which I certainly believe to be the case, in matters of both affordability and investments — then it can sometimes be tough to upgrade your tailored wardrobe on a bit of a budget. After all, this Brooklyn style blog was founded with a focus on affordable men’s style, which is why it’s such a treat to scour the market for the best menswear deals.

Take the ongoing Billy Reid End of Season Sale, which just so happens to end tomorrow. We talked last week about menswear deals from Billy Reid, but let’s get just a bit more specific to close your weekend, shall we?

Shop discounted menswear at Billy Reid

Run, don’t walk to score savings on some seriously refined, elegant and yet versatile menswear, like the Billy Reid Flat Front Trousers as shown above. They’re just about everything you could want in a pair of the best men’s dress pants, boasting the same kind of quality construction and fabrication that’s made many of the Alabama-based designer’s pieces menswear icons in the modern world.

That includes, of course, the peacoat worn by James Bond, but look closer and there’s plenty more to love from the award-winning designer’s namesake line. These fast-selling trousers, for instance, feature a soft Italian wool blend and the kind of classic construction that should make them endlessly wearable.

Front side slant pockets, plus one eye-catching watch pocket at the hip, are nicely accented by a dressy tab-front waistband closure. The Billy Reid Flat Front Trousers also boast a tailored slim fit, so size up — if they’ve got your size available, that is — for a more relaxed fit.

Best dress pants for men.

Either way, the Billy Reid Flat Front Trousers should prove crisp, elegant and refined — versatile enough to wear with a contrasting navy blazer and Chelsea boots, or perhaps a classic cardigan and a crisp Oxford shirt for a touch of retro style. So, style and savings on timeless dress pants? The Billy Reid Flat Front Trousers belong in your cart this weekend, my friends.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater – A Classic Winter Weekend Cardigan

Best shawl cardigans for men.

It’s hard not to admire modern brands that have a healthy respect for the classics, brands that know the in’s and out’s of a sturdy flannel shirt, a durable pair of work pants, a hard-working denim overshirt or the cozy, utterly classic nature of one of the best shawl cardigans.

Trusted by icons like Steve McQueen and Daniel Craig over the years — as you’ll well know if you’ve read this Brooklyn style blog for some time — the shawl cardigan lends more depth to the button-front sweater: It’s thick, it’s cozy, it’s just plain… cool. And my friends, the good folks at Line of Trade — as you might recognize from the pages of this Web site — have a new, stylish men’s cardigan worthy of your consideration.

Although they’re a relatively recent entry into the modern menswear canon, Line of Trade fits the bill when it comes to putting its own twist on Americana must-haves — including the fast-selling Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater pictured above.

Find your new favorite sweater ASAP

It’s the kind of sweater practically begging to be worn on brisk winter weekends, on cozy days and nights in front of a fire, or else worn alongside a trusted Oxford shirt as you contemplate what sort of bourbon you’d like in your Old Fashioned. The Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater gets the details right, and then some, from the thick fold-over collar — meant to protect your neck from blustery winter winds — to the textured seed-stitch knit for added warmth and visual appeal.

Check another box for the impressively crafted Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater, because even the faux horn buttons look impressive for a sub-$100 sweater. As the brand (once owned by our friends at Bespoke Post) says, “heritage nautical details combine in a cardigan sweater that yearns for the high seas.”

Especially in a rich shade of olive, it’s an apt pairing with everything from a faded denim shirt and black jeans to a crisp white Oxford shirt and dark, rust-hued chinos.

Best winter cardigans for men.

It’s a vision for the future that’s attractive and geared toward adventure, as many of the best menswear essentials happen to be, and a taste of the good life — in matters of style and ruggedly good looks — can be yours (for an affordable price!) with the Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Trekking into the Italian Dolomites with SONOS Audio

Out of the many winding paths we might walk through our careers and in the pursuit of our passions, I often find myself in some pretty unexpected, rather jaw-dropping stops and starts on the proverbial trail.

That holds true whether I’m writing about tequila and visiting Mexican agave fields, trekking to Austin for a Western-inspired whiskey expedition or even learning about how USA-made suits are crafted (menswear, after all, was the very reason I started this Brooklyn style blog).

I’ve developed an appreciation for careful craftsmanship, for quality and attention to detail, and for the little nuances found in finely made essentials every man should own, from suiting to boots to shirting and my everyday must-haves. That includes my own love of music, of vinyl records and of high-quality audio in its many forms.

And that pursuit, my friends, is why I find myself wearing a stellar pair of Sonos Ace headphones (as seen above) as I prep to fly to the Italian Dolomites for the ultimate (I mean, ULTIMATE) apres-ski experience — courtesy of the truly excellent high-end audio brand.

I was fortunate enough to review a pair of the newest Sonos over-ear headphones last year for Maxim.com, and I’ve also been loving the nuanced and crystal-clear sound quality of the Sonos Roam 2 (both of them are in my Halfday Travel bag for the excursion, which stretches until next Monday).

Before we dive in further, a quick word about my Halfday Travel bag: It doubles as a garment bag, it boasts handy shoe and inner zipper compartments aplenty, and the exterior is about as durable as it gets, in my experience. Yessir, a Halfday Travel bag is a wise pick-up before your next flight — now, to business!

Find out about my go-to travel bag from Halfday

 Our accommodations? The Casa Tra Cime, which promises plenty of Sonos gear and Sonos-adjacent fun (and exceptional Italian food and of course, drink). We’ll also be visiting Alta Badia and dining at the likes of Club Moritzino and at L’Murin. The focal point of the trip is Cortina d’Ampezzo, the site of the next Winter Olympics — and as fine a place as any to put the full lineup of Sonos audio gear to the test.

And while my colleagues will be skiing and snowboarding, I’ll be exploring alpine towns aplenty (a lack of skiing experience stretching back more than a decade makes the Dolomites quite the prospect!). Suffice to say, there are plenty of things to do in the Dolomites in winter, regardless.

I’ll also be packing and wearing a mix of layering-ready, rugged essentials to take on the snow, not unlike my Buck Mason canvas jacket and a trusty Huckberry flannel shirt as shown above. Of course, you can keep up with all the fun over on my Instagram.

Follow me on Instagram

It’s the sort of lifetime trip that tends to come up last-second in this line of work, but when opportunity knocks, the door must be answered — no doubt about it! I’ll have the ultimate soundtrack via my Spotify to keep me occupied on the trans-Atlantic flight, and the rest of the way, I can’t wait to test out the full suite of Sonos gear.

Again, to keep up with this trip, head on over on my Instagram — and fear not, since we’ll still have two regularly scheduled menwear posts debuting this weekend to help you bundle up in style. In the most sincere way possible: Thank you for reading, thank you for supporting this blog and thanks for following along with my adventures!

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Relwen Canvas Chore Coat is an Instant Outerwear Upgrade

Best chore coats for men.

It’s hard to believe that we’re shifting slowly but surely from burly winter outerwear and some of the best winter jackets into, well, burly and tough-as-nails early spring outerwear for seasonal style transitions, but here we are. And that leads us to today’s featured pick, a true must-buy if you — like me — prize expertly rugged style and frequently wear pieces like one of the best chore coats for men.

If that sounds like you — and I’m guessing it does, if you read the blog on the regular — then the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat could be the latest and greatest piece from the vintage-inspired Ohio brand to find some space in your wardrobe.

Shop the best transitional style menswear right now

The brand has come up time and again in Huckberry reviews on this Brooklyn style blog, and in my experience, the company’s focus on tried-and-true recreations of the classics with a modern twist is much appreciated. That goes for pieces like the iconic Relwen Quilted Tanker Jacket as well as its famed hunting jacket-inspired blazers.

So, to business: What separates the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat from other chore coats you might be eyeing as we step from one season into the next? Well, your new favorite chore coat uses high-tensile cotton and nylon with stretch for plenty of durability and strong yet lightweight layering potential. It’s also water-resistant on the outside (thanks to a polyurethane coated backing finish), and you’ll find the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat is comfortable to wear inside and out: The tricot lining should see to that.

And in my experience, chore coats that are abrasive are no fun to wear — the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat should prove the opposite, whether layered over a midweight flannel, a thermal henley or an American-made T-shirt in warmer weather. You’ll also find the classics are covered in terms of details when it comes to the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat — that means it’s outfitted with a foldover collar, a five-button front and oversized patch pockets (a top-entry chest pocket and side-entry hip pockets) for your everyday carry essentials.

Relwen Canvas Chore Coat review.

One more feature to love about the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat — besides the fact that it comes in a trio of tasteful, wear-with-just-about-anything, lighter colors for spring? It’s finished with a drawstring cord waistband, so you can customize your fit when wearing the hearty Relwen Canvas Chore Coat into the field in inclement weather.

Shop the best men’s jackets at Huckberry

The rest of the time, this handsome chore coat should prove ruggedly casual with light wash jeans, suede chukka boots and your favorite henley. (Slightly) warmer days await ahead, and the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat should be your go-to jacket for all of ’em.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Flint and Tinder Corduroy Western Shirt is a New Wardrobe Workhorse

Best corduroy shirts for men.

I don’t know what your wardrobe is looking like these days, as we power through the final stretch of winter and look toward spring (hopefully), but mine is packed with rugged style essentials aplenty. That includes a healthy dose of Western-inspired fashion, which happens to be everywhere these days — and which happens to be more accessible than one might think.

Take the new Flint and Tinder Spring 2025 Collection — it’s an homage to hard-working style staples, like retro-inspired trucker jackets and expertly dyed sweatshirts… and of course, the corduroy-meets-Western shirt shown above.

Learn more now at Huckberry

While it might seem intimidating to try on something as on-trend as a Western shirt, or to trade in your trusty Oxford shirt for something a touch more rugged — as it was for me! — well, just know that Huckberry and Flint and Tinder have taken the right approach with the Flint and Tinder Spring 2025 Collection.

There’s just something familiar about this fresh update to the iconic Western shirt, including the use of lightweight, textured corduroy instead of denim. The Flint and Tinder Corduroy Western Shirt still gets all the details right, using ultra-soft garment-dyed cotton corduroy fabric for a change of pace.

Best Western shirts for men.

That design touch puts this between a standalone buttondown shirt and a lightweight overshirt, the kind you could wear unbuttoned over a graphic tee (or the kind you can wear right now underneath a shawl cardigan).

It even features burnt bone button snaps for a dash of authenticity (what else would you expect from Huckberry!?) and the Flint and Tinder Corduroy Western Shirt comes in a trio of versatile colors (including a refreshing shade of olive, all the better to pair with light wash or dark black jeans and trusty leather boots this coming spring).

For now, trust that the pleasingly rugged Flint and Tinder Corduroy Western Shirt will deliver the goods in matters of dependable style — and a change of pace from the expected in your shirting rotation.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Save Big on Comfortable Sportswear from the Legendary Todd Snyder x Champion Line

Todd Snyder x Champion review.

In my experience, it can be a wise move in the menswear world — as you build out and refine your rotation of the best men’s style essentials — to keep certain goals in mind, or to have a vision for where your wardrobe and your style might be headed.

And for years, it was my goal to add some ultra-stylish Todd Snyder menswear to my closet — consider that goal accomplished, at least at a glance (there are still some pieces from the award-winning designer that remain investment-level).

Learn more now and shop at Todd Snyder

If you’ve been following me on Instagram for years, that journey started with some of the finest heritage-inspired sportswear on the planet by way of the Todd Snyder x Champion lineup.

The Iowa-born designer took the classic hoodie and the classic crewneck sweatshirt, revamped them with his own touches and his own eye for design, and created a timeless-meets-modern lineup involving some of the best sweatshirts for men (and more). And so, here we find ourselves all these years later (remember, this blog started back in August of 2013!).

Todd Snyder x Champion review 2025.

The great news? The Todd Snyder x Champion lineup still delivers impeccable quality, fit and style, from hooded sweatshirts to expertly crafted crewneck sweatshirts, tailored sweatpants and even a sharp-looking turtleneck.

Yessir, the Todd Snyder x Champion lineup is worth your time and hard-earned cash — and all the moreso now, given that a vast range of selections is now on sale at Todd Snyder. From cozy textured waffle sweatpants to short-sleeve sweatshirts, crisply cut T-shirts and a range of classic sportswear, the Todd Snyder x Champion lineup is yours for the taking, even if you’re only searching for an upgraded hooded sweatshirt to wear on the weekends.

Shop Todd Snyder x Champion staples now

Savings on the Todd Snyder x Champion lineup start at 10 percent off and climb from there, with an array of colors, styles and designs available. In short, if your goal was to upgrade your loungewear and activewear in style, then the Todd Snyder x Champion lineup — at a discount — is a prime place to set your sights.