My friends, welcome to another edition of The Friday Read as yet another sunny spring weekend rolls on. I’m keeping today’s post light and fun, and Philadelphia-centric — in keeping up with my onslaught of travel over the past month (which you very well might have seen on my Instagram), I’m on the road once more. This time, as you might have guessed, I’m in the City of Brotherly Love to celebrate my great friend Drew’s upcoming nuptials, bachelor-party style. I’m sure we’ll have a cold Philly beer or two, with much to reflect on and appreciate.
If you’d like to stay busy this weekend — but in a leisurely way — head over to check out my latest writing work over at Maxim, where I’ve lately covered everything from Bluetooth speakers to the coolest sunglasses for summer. I’ve also stayed plenty busy otherwise — I wrote about the best left-handed watches — yes, a watch designed for lefties! — over at SPY, which could be just the upgrade your watch collection needs. Hopefully, you’ll find the style upgrade you need.
For now, I’ve got a train to catch and some much-needed time with lifelong friends on the horizon. Cheers, and Godspeed!
Stepping into mid-May wearing a pair of the best men’s chukka boots might seem a bit unusual at first, but think again, and it all starts to make sense. That’s particularly the case when the boots in question are the newly launched Todd Snyder Nomad Boots, a standout new addition to the all-American menswear designer’s full rotation of the best men’s style essentials for any time of year.
Perhaps you’ve already shopped one of the most affordable graphic tees or picked up your new favorite summer shirt, but you’re going to need some footwear to round out this style moves, right? Hence, the Todd Snyder take on the classic chukka boot, a style with history that every guy can lace up in modern times. The chukka boot was prized for its soft rubber sole and supple, easy-to-wear upper, and here, the details get even better when you look closely at a new essential pair of Todd Snyder Nomad Boots. Start with the Italian suede, and then look at the durable rubber sole and made-in-Italy construction.
The Todd Snyder Nomad Boots could quickly become your new go-to pair of boots, especially when paired with anything from the best lightweight jeans for spring to a pair of breezy chinos. The low profile on the Todd Snyder Nomad Boots works especially well in business casual situations, the kind where you can wear an Oxford shirt and a lightweight summer blazer with an aforementioned pair of chinos, for instance.
And another thing about the Todd Snyder Nomad Boots: Any which way you slice it, any color you select — be it Tobacco, Olive, Tan or Grey — is going to pair up with plenty of other neutral style staples in a laidback summer wardrobe. That’s an unexpected menswear move worth making right now.
From time to time, as I’ve said here on the blog before, you’ve just got to go with the classics — like the Flint and Tinder All-American Jeans. They’re a staple of the men’s denim rotation over at Huckberry, made by the San Fran retailer’s in-house brand and highly effective as a daily style move, no matter the occasion. Finding a pair of the best jeans for men to wear in the heat of summer can be tricky, but the key is lightening up the fabric and going with a slim, rather than skin-tight fit. Folks, I’m pleased to say that Huckberry accomplishes all of that — and then some.
Perhaps you’ve read about these stylish men’s jeans in the past on the blog, but rest assured that this pair has been revamped for your enjoyment this season. Keep in mind they’ve already proven a hot seller, but what guy doesn’t need another pair of inky blue jeans in his style rotation, right? The real kicker is the use of one percent stretch for a nice touch of comfort and mobility. They’re also cut, sewn and washed in the denim hub that is Los Angeles.
And since they’re such a hot seller, I’ll leave you early today with some final words of wisdom: Even in the hotter months of summer, a pair of men’s jeans from Huckberry (the site’s full denim lineup, that is) can take you from the office to happy hour and back — and then do it again the next day. Happy shopping out there, my friends.
Sometimes, all it takes to upgrade your wrist game with one of the best men’s watches is a little know-how — like knowing that you should head over to Bespoke Post ASAP to get a deal from Columbia Watches on one of the best watches for men.
If it sounds too simple or too good to be true on the surface, rest assured that it’s anything but that: The NYC-based retailer already allows you to get a deal on the best new boots for spring, and this offering is just as timely. Right now, you can head to the Bespoke Post Sale section to score the Columbia Watches Peak Patrol Watch for a mere $85, a heck of a deal when you consider the rugged build of this timepiece.
After all, the Columbia Watches Peak Patrol Watch delivers an array of bells and whistles, including a water-resistant build and a sturdy, 42mm stainless steel case design. The Japanese quartz movement isn’t overly fancy, but it provides precise timekeeping on the go. And of course, the Columbia Watches Peak Patrol Watch delivers standout style on and off the trail, thanks to the durable silicone strap that can go into water and back on land with ease.
Whether you rock the Columbia Watches Peak Patrol Watch with quick-drying active shorts and a merino tee, or with a rugged short-sleeve henley, denim jacket and chinos, it won’t steer you wrong — especially for a mere $85. Time to upgrade your EDC, my friends.
There’s no question that you can never have enough pairs of the best men’s sneakers in your summer wardrobe, right? OK, well, perhaps you can, in fact, have too much of a good thing — that’s why, if you want to upgrade your lineup of the best sneakers for men in a simple, subtle, affordable way, you should certainly consider shopping SeaVees this summer. For what it’s worth, the SoCal brand — a pioneer in the sneaker market since the 1960s — does things the right way, the classic way and the stylish way.
That’s especially true with the utterly iconic SeaVees Sixty Six Classic Sneakers, a pair that’s as timeless as it gets. They’re modeled after the original 1966 edition, yet upgraded for today’s modern man (that’s you!), not to mention sold by the good folks at San Fran-based Huckberry, who also happens to curate some of the best casual menswear for spring and summer. Taken altogether, it’s a tried-and-true combination that makes for one heck of a pair of the best men’s sneakers. How so? Reader, I’m glad you asked. Upgrading your sneaker game is well within your reach.
The SeaVees Sixty Six Classic Sneakers are a standout option if you want some serious style without spending a ton of cash, for starters. They retail for just $58, a downright steal even compared to some of the most affordable men’s sneakers on the market. Plus, the design is as good as it gets, modeled after the wear-with-anything plimsoll style that teams up nicely with stretch shorts, rolled light wash denim or cuffed khaki chinos.
The SeaVees Sixty Six Classic Sneakers are particularly adept at going from the boardwalk to the beach, or hopping on a flight (wear those no-show socks!), or else traipsing casually around town on the weekend, iced coffee in hand.
If you should feel like wearing sneakers to the office? You can make the SeaVees Sixty Six Classic Sneakers your next style move, especially with tan chinos, some neutral socks and perhaps a breezy white Oxford shirt and a soft-shouldered navy blazer (a classic high-low style combination).
Best of all, the SeaVees Sixty Six Classic Sneakers in a trio of easily wearable colors like Navy, Black and White — each goes with just about anything in your wardrobe, so consider snagging all three if you want a nice, sharp style upgrade on a budget. With the SeaVees Sixty Six Classic Sneakers in hand, you’ll have a new favorite sneaker option for the warmest days of the year.
When the time comes to hit the road, hike a trail or head to the beach this summer, you should already have a solid idea of what you’re wearing: Make it some of the most rugged menswear on the market from the heritage outfitters at Filson. Better still, make it gear you can truly keep wearing — and wearing, and wearing — for a downright steal, which is why we’re here in today’s Sunday Sale. Specifically, let’s talk about a basic you won’t be able to go anywhere without as the mercury rises.
To wit: There are going to be certain style essentials you pick up time and time again this season, like one of the best men’s T-shirts, and it’s all the better if you can combine affordability and a rugged appeal. Meet the Filson Ranger Tee, one of the most well-made, best T-shirts for men — done in only a way Filson can, no less.
The Filson Ranger Tee is seemingly simple on the surface, but delivers some serious bang for your buck for under $40 — not unlike the quality-meets-value equation you find when you pick up one of the best men’s short-sleeve shirts for summer from the very same brand. The real key here is the use of 3.5 oz. jersey cotton for durability and a substantial-yet-breathable feel. That makes it a tee you can wear with stretch active shorts on a day hike or park stroll, or with breezy chino shorts and white canvas sneakers for weekend beers.
Best of all? That sub-$40 price tag, which turns it into a downright steal. Make sure the Filson Ranger Tee ends up in your wardrobe ASAP — what’s Sunday shopping for, after all? Here’s to summer, my friends.
For as much as certain brands are known for doing one thing well (extremely well, at that), it’s refreshing to see a heritage brand like the good folks at Filson step outside of its comfort zone to produce lightweight, summer-friendly gear. Specifically, it’s cooler now than ever before to see a Pacific Northwest heritage outfitter like Filson step right up and deliver some of the best men’s shorts for summer.
You already know all about the fact that a brand like Filson makes one of the best men’s chambray shirts, not to mention equally rugged gear like the toughest winter workshirt, but thanks to the launch of the Filson Dry Falls Shorts, you can get some of the best shorts for men from your favorite rugged outfitter.
Lest this seem too good to be true, consider the rugged appeal of picking up some shorts from Filson: Especially for outdoor adventures, the brand is famed for using tough-yet-pliable fabrics, the kind that get better with age — they’ve certainly done the same thing with the Filson Dry Fall Shorts (more on that in just a second).
The key with the Filson Dry Fall Shorts starts, of course, with that famed Filson fabric and attention to detail. In this case, it’s a durable and tightly woven cotton with a hint of stretch for ease of movement. The 7-inch inseam on the Filson Dry Fall Shorts should hit above the knee for most guys, another crucial design detail if it’s easygoing movement from the trail to the watering hole that you seek.
They’re also incredibly lightweight, and Filson bills the drawcord waistband on the Filson Dry Fall Shorts as another helpful touch that helps you eliminate a belt that might slow you down (they’re absolutely correct, too!).
The Filson Dry Fall Shorts feature reinforced pockets and front stitching, another crucial touch in terms of durability, while the rear pockets are even made with Velcro flaps to ensure your everyday carry stays in place on the go. They also work for more casual pursuits — backyard beers and brewery visits come to mind — while the range of colors offers up something for every palette (my personal favorite? The eye-catching Dark Moss). Make the Filson Dry Fall Shorts your new favorite everyday summer shorts: You won’t regret it.
If you’re wondering why we’re here in today’s Friday Read at my daily menswear blog talking about the Kentucky Derby, well, keep on scrolling and welcome to the ride, my friends. Now, if you follow me on Instagram, you assuredly know it’s been quite the ride these past few weeks.
I took a quick hiatus from last week’s regular Friday Read, and from my daily writing duties at sites like Maxim, to head out to Las Vegas with the TAO Hospitality Group to review the stunning new TAO Dayclub — I previously visited the incredibly cool TAO Mohegan Sun property for Maxim, and this was another stellar trip opportunity! That brings me, of course, to the Kentucky Derby — quite literally, in fact. I’ll be onsite for a lifetime chance to check out the iconic Run for the Roses, and I’ll be there as part of my “day job,” believe it or not. Woodford Reserve might be the official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, but I’m attending to taste and visit HIRSCH Whiskey in Bardstown, Kentucky — along with Derby Day festivities, of course!
Naturally, you can get a taste of HIRSCH Whiskey sent to your door in the meantime via Drizly if you’d like to try out yet another Derby Day Whiskey, but in the meantime, I’ll have more insight for Maxim next week. All of which leads me into the rest of today’s Friday Read for your weekend perusal and shopping enjoyment. I’ll be suited up on Saturday, so be sure to follow along with my Instagram. Cheers!
Now, Taylor Stitch menswear might not be the first thing on your mind as seersucker suits and the like take center stage this coming weekend. That being said, here’s your weekly (if not daily!) reminder to check out what the brand is doing, from substantial yet soft T-shirts to sturdy denim jackets and some of the coolest accessories you can shake a stick at — go give Taylor Stitch another look if you need a spring or summer refresh.
Another area in which to focus on a spring or summer refresh? Your basics rotation, hence why I wrote all about the best men’s henleys over at SPY.com, featuring favorites from Buck Mason and many more. It’s a list of the best of the best, in my humble opinion, and I recommend you hop to it to add a new short-sleeve henley or three into your life.
Here’s another style pick on a budget to get you thinking spring and summer upgrades. Over on the blog just earlier this week, I told you all about a great way to save on sneakers from Bespoke Post. The magic — and the deal — can be found within that post. Let’s get right to it and add to cart, my friends.
That’s going to wrap up today’s Friday Read, all in the name of enjoying the one and only Kentucky Derby — and of course, some finely crafted HIRSCH Whiskey. I can think of no better way to enjoy the weekend. We’ll see you out there and online, my friends!
What makes a truly great travel accessory, like one of the best men’s watches for your next road trip? It’s all in the details, of course — as you very well should know if you read this blog, and as you well should know if you shop Detroit-based watchmaker and lifestyle brand extraordinaire Shinola. The company is a favorite of this Michigan native and style writer, and perhaps they’re a favorite of yours, too — there’s the sub-$400 Shinola Detrola Watch, for starters, plus one of the best everyday watches in the Shinola Runwell. And now, get ready to meet the Shinola Traveler Watch, one of the best new timepieces for guys on the market.
Recently introduced by everyone’s favorite Detroit watch brand and here just in time as travel starts to ramp up in a big way, the Shinola Traveler Watch was designed to be road-ready, be it the nicely sized, durable 42mm case (housing the brand’s high-accuracy quartz movement) or the range of options in terms of style.
Shop the Shinola Traveler Watch and take your pick between both canvas and leather strap options, all the better for versatility from day to night, through TSA and out into your destination city. Yes indeed, the Shinola Traveler Watch can do it all in matters of looks — and performance, too (keep scrolling).
As far as the best men’s watches are concerned, the Shinola Traveler Watch takes the cake in more ways than one, starting with those crucial details — the vellum textured dial is visually intriguing and looks seriously cool when paired with just about any other travel gear in your wardrobe. Those travel picks could include, say, one of the best field jackets or the best chambray shirt, but the Shinola Traveler Watch stands up readily to styles both more casual and more tailored. Sub-dials on the Shinola Traveler Watch help you track your time on the road, as do the dual chronograph pushers so you can stay up to speed on the fly.
The overall dial design on the soon-to-be-legendary Shinola Traveler Watch is clean and classic, blending the Art Deco and the modern in a way that only Shinola can do. And when you throw in the fact that each of the four watches drew inspiration from the sandy dunes of Lake Michigan, perhaps your next summer getaway destination is already apparent.
It’s worth noting that to snag the Shinola Traveler Watch, you’ll have to pony up slightly more than other Shinola timepieces: This handsome new watch will run you $850, but it’s worth it considering you’re adding another standout Shinola watch to your collection. Looks to me like it’s time to hit the road.
When you throw on shorts in the summer months, you want casual, easygoing comfort, right? What about if you want a bit of versatility and a dash of rugged appeal, suitable for poolside lounging and the occasional odd job around the house? My friends, this is where the best shorts for men are going to fit your every need, especially when it comes to the Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts. They strike that tricky balance between functional and easygoing, casually cool yet up for anything. Sounds like the best men’s shorts to get in your wardrobe, yes?
As you very well might have guessed, the Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts are coming at you by way of San Francisco and Austin retailer Huckberry, one of the best online menswear brands a guy can shop. Flint and Tinder, the site’s esteemed in-house brand, already makes one of the best lightweight jackets, not to mention a rugged chambray workshirt, but the Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts strike a more laidback, warm-weather-ready balance between the two. The inspiration is the highly useful yet still incredibly cool designs found in throwback French workwear, including a cotton and linen blend upgraded with polyurethane for stretch and toughness. The Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts get even better from there.
The design on the Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts gives you plenty to consider and enjoy, be it the combination drawstring waistband with belt loops, or the back and hip pockets for storing your everyday carry essentials. The drawstring keeps ’em casual and relaxed, but you can also polish things up by adding a belt and perhaps wearing a nicely tailored sweater polo and some of the best men’s luxury sneakers. The pleasingly faded Turnbull Blue color of the Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts is a nice touch that gives this pair a spring and summer-minded feel, while also offering up a dash of vintage style.
Taken all at once, you can wear the Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts with everything from your favorite pocket tee to one of the best polos for men, all without missing a beat. Trot out the Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts at BBQs and coastal vacations, or take them for a spin at a rooftop patio with leather loafers and a tailored short-sleeve buttondown.
Of course, the Chore Short name make them useful if you really want to get into a project or two, in the tradition of the French workwear from which the Flint and Tinder Dobby Chore Shorts get their name. Either way, these shorts will prove dependable and stylish all summer long.
The Style Guide 