Style Pick of the Week: Relwen Shawl Cardigan – The Most Rugged Winter Cardigan to Buy Now

I’m always of the opinion that in matters of men’s style, it’s best not to get caught flat-footed. That is to say, I think shopping for the best winter style essentials is of the essence right now, seeing as we’ve hit December, and that goes for plenty of different picks in your wardrobe — including one of the best men’s cardigans. We’ve got Relwen and the aptly named Relwen Shawl Cardigan to dig into right now, and if you hadn’t yet given a cardigan a good, long look this winter, now’s the best time to add yet another vital men’s sweater to your rotation. It’s coming at you courtesy of Huckberry, of course, and it certainly makes sense that the multi-faceted men’s retailer can deliver on one of the best sweaters for men, and then some.

The cardigan has definitely had a style moment over the past handful of years, but it’s here to stay, mainly because it’s a certified menswear classic with functional roots (note the thick shawl collar, designed to serve as another layer of protection against the winter wind). And beyond that, a pick like the Relwen Shawl Cardigan has the sort of style roots that almost serve as an homage to menswear icons like Steve McQueen, who himself loved a shawl collar cardigan back in the day. These days, the Relwen Shawl Cardigan has more modern fabric going for it (in this case, a body made of merino wool and low pill acrylic), plus a nicely tailored fit. With the Relwen Shawl Cardigan, things are just getting started. In short, it translates everything you love about the military influences of Relwen, and brings it forward into 2021.

In every facet imaginable, the Relwen Shawl Cardigan is a step up from the ordinary, price included (it retails for a splurge-worthy $298 at Huckberry). That means that it’s got all the specs and style points you could want, and then some. It’s even lined in a cotton jersey-spandex blend, which makes it almost like a jacket as opposed to a more thin merino wool cardigan, for instance. The thick rib knit also gives the Relwen Shawl Cardigan even more of a vintage-inspired feel, like a cardigan you’d find stowed away at a coastal or mountain cabin on a cold night. What’s not to love about that? There’s even a chest pocket and two hip pockets for stowing your everyday carry essentials, making this ideal to wear as top layer if it’s not too snowy or blustery.

The Relwen Shawl Cardigan is decidedly a bit more bulky than your average sweater, but you should still be able to layer it up underneath a waxed trucker jacket in a pinch (and how does it get any more rugged for winter than that?). Last but not least, if you so choose, you can use two collar buttons to get even more closure around your neck for added warmth in extreme conditions — the Relwen Shawl Cardigan really does check all the boxes, and it looks perfectly classic and ultra-stylish while doing so. It’s one of the best men’s cardigans, easily. If you decide to layer up with it, feel free to let me know on Twitter. Here’s to a winter weekend, my friends!

The Friday Read: Everlane’s New Shoes, The Best Men’s Shirt for Winter & The Best Serums for Men

Ever come across a shirt that’s so well-suited for a winter weekend, it makes you wonder why you’ve never come across it before? That’s my first thought when considering the stellar lineup of rugged, rough-and-tumble and yet classic men’s long-sleeve shirts from Western retailer Tecovas, a brand you need to know. You might remember I talked about Tecovas, makers of some of the most stylish leather Chelsea boots, a few weeks back on the blog, but they do much more than craft just durable, timeless Western leather boots (note the Tecovas Brushed Cotton Pearl Snap Shirt — as seen above). Of note: You can earn $25 for every $100 you spend, too. It’s high time you upgraded your shirting wardrobe, and if you ask me, a sub-$100 Western shirt from Tecovas is a mighty fine way to do that as head into a December weekend. What else should you shop this weekend? I’m glad you asked.

You could start with my guide for The Manual covering the best puffer jackets, particularly as chilly December weather hits, and you could also really step things up and scour my music and menswear newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief, for both style and music picks. How about that, ehh? Of course, I’ve got a few more picks beyond what I’ve recommended above. Let’s read and shop to keep that Friday rolling.

  • I’m going to shine a spotlight on a recent release that I think is perfectly well-suited to your weekend shopping pursuits. Everlane just released a new collection of men’s shoes, including a pair of classic desert boots and some new Everlane men’s sneakers. Both retail for just $125 and come in two crisp shades of suede, so you can’t go wrong when it comes down to the right mix of high-low holiday style.
  • Let’s step from a men’s footwear pick into a new grooming essential to upgrade your routine ASAP. Over at AskMen.com, I wrote about the best serums for men, which have the potential to nourish, smooth and soften your mug in just hours. See for yourself which ones are my favorites — of course, I had to include Caldera+Lab and American Provenance. Happy shopping, folks.
  • In need of a pair of go-anywhere blue jeans, the kind that work at the office and on the road? Allow me to offer up my guide to the best blue jeans to wear anywhere, for the holidays, at the office and beyond. Check it out at The Manual to get the full scoop.

That’ll wrap up today’s Friday Read, which hopefully gives you plenty of time to shop and read those choice selections above. But I’ve got one more pick for you before we roll through Friday — the good folks at Shinola specialize in the best men’s watches, sure, but they’ve also done quite the job of crafting the best leather wallet for men, which I wrote about here. Stock up accordingly, my friends. And TGIF!

The Thursday Buy: The Shinola Vinton Watch is the Classic Timepiece You Need Now

There are some men’s accessories that are so timeless and sharp, it’d almost be foolish not to invest in them. That’s the case, at least, with the best watches for men as produced by Shinola, a full lineup from the Detroit-based watchmaker and luxury goods brand, and that especially applies to the seriously cool, super-sharp Shinola Vinton Watch. If you’re a fan of the brand (new or old!), then you know that Shinola can do it all, from making one of the best weekender bags on the market to delivering one of the coolest dress watches for your wrist. It’s with that blend of classic and modern style that they’ve added the Shinola Vinton Watch to the brand’s ever-expanding and yet carefully curated lineup of watches. The Shinola Vinton Watch hits on all the right notes if you want a watch (particularly heading into the holiday season) that you can wear to the office and to holiday gatherings without missing a beat.

It features classic stainless steel construction found in durable dive watches, but the Shinola Vinton Watch really stands apart (quietly, of course) thanks to its crisp dial design and a nice, dressy 38mm case diameter. It’s a solid change of pace from the ever-so-slightly more rugged Shinola Runwell Collection, which boasts options with case diameter measurements of up to 47mm. Yes indeed, the Shinola Vinton Watch just gets the details (big and small) correct.

The specs on the Shinola Vinton Watch, of course, hold up to scrutiny, and they do so at a price that’s lower than expected ($550 at Shinola, to be exact). The dial is both crisp, timeless and refreshing, as all Shinola watch dials tend to be, and the option to get something as sharp as a blue dial against a smooth stainless steel case makes the Shinola Vinton Watch just the right blend of tailored and laidback. The Shinola Vinton Watch is the kind of watch to pair with casual staples (like a thermal crewneck and dark blue denim) as well as more business casual offerings, like tailored chinos and your favorite cardigan.

Other watch design options include a visually striking Midnight Blue paired with handsome PVD gold hardware, right down to the bracelet itself. It’s a worthwhile option to consider the most versatile offering for your own wardrobe with the Shinola Vinton Watch, but it’s almost hard to go wrong with any option (this is Shinola we’re talking about, after all). The best men’s watches also beat the rest of the field with small touches, like a date window at 3 o’clock, set against that well-done dial design you only get at Shinola. When you want to upgrade what’s on your wrist, the choice is clear: Make it Shinola, and make your next purchase the Shinola Vinton Watch.

See Now, Buy Now: Get One of the Best Men’s Henleys for Under $60 at Tecovas

Bone-toe

Isn’t it nice to know that you can go to one place to get plenty of the best men’s style essentials, beyond just, say, the best men’s boots? That’s the case with Tecovas, the Texas-based bootmaker that crafts rugged Western boots and of course, one of the best men’s henleys. It really is like getting a two-for-one deal, knowing that you can step right up and buy rugged men’s leather boots at the very same time that you buy one of your new favorite henleys. What do boots have to do with henleys? Plenty, after all. Boots, especially made in the classic Western and ranch styles by Tecovas, are all about function, purpose and rugged appeal. And the best henleys for men started out the same way, first worn by sporting men in Britain and eventually, utilized as an undershirt. History lesson aside (or perhaps, history lesson included, the Tecovas Waffle Henley is a surefire best bet to shop the next time you pick up some Tecovas men’s boots.

It’s also worth noting that Tecovas — based in Austin — also offers a full range of men’s Western wear and apparel beyond just what we’ve already talked about. They’re a true lifestyle brand if you love Western fashion, if you need hard-wearing gear to get you from point A to point B, or if you just value the ideal blend of old-school craftsmanship and timeless style that you get with everything from the brand’s rugged Western boots to the essential Tecovas Waffle Henley. Why should you consider adding this henley to your cart the next time you pick up a pair of finely crafted Tecovas men’s boots? Allow me to lead the way.

Teak

It really does make perfect sense that the Tecovas Waffle Henley is as high-quality and functional as it is (not to mention, it gives you plenty of bang for your buck at under $60). Yes indeed, Tecovas doesn’t cut any corners with its handsome and ready-for-anything leather boots, which you can wear for work or play. The same can absolutely be said about the Tecovas Waffle Henley, made from 100 percent pima cotton in a waffle knit that makes it an excellent, insulating base layer underneath one of the best denim shirts or your favorite waxed trucker jacket. So, it’s both a lightweight base layer and a henley you can wear on its own, thanks to the unique four-button placket and the textured cotton knit. And of course, it helps that the Tecovas Waffle Henley features elastic sleeve cuffs to customize your fit and layering (go ahead, roll up the sleeves of your flannel shirt).

As if that wasn’t enough, the Tecovas Waffle Henley takes the cake as one of the best henleys for men thanks to its versatility. Whether you pick up the natural Bone shade or the surprisingly rich Washed Navy, this is a henley that goes beyond just an undershirt or base layer. Wear it out in the wild West, wear it on the trail or wear it with some of the best weekend pants for men. It’s ready for anything, just like the brand’s boots. If you end up snagging the Tecovas Waffle Henley, let me know in the comments. Happy layering, folks!

The Tuesday Steal: This Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket Is One of the Best Men’s Winter Jackets for Under $100

There are a rare few brands that check all the right boxes when it comes to making the best menswear essentials. What might those boxes be? For yours truly, that means: Sustainability, style, versatility and (most of the time), affordability. Well, ladies and gentlemen, if you want all of those boxes checked, and if you want things done the right way, then look no further than Everlane and the Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket — it’s a contender for one of the best winter jackets for men, from the rugged fabric to the color, pattern and styling potential. Oh, and another thing: The well-made Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket retails for under $100, making it one of the most affordable men’s jackets (and a darn fine choice as today’s Tuesday Steal, at that).

Everlane definitely has a knack for making some of the best casual winter coats, and this organic cotton number is no exception. They also do a nice job blending workwear and modern style, like with one of the coolest chore shirts, so it only makes sense that the Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket is a new, reliable go-to for cold weather. The 10.8oz. organic cotton, a nice and heavyweight fabric, is what makes the difference here, turning this from a lightweight cotton jacket into one that can be reliably layered up when you really need it. There’s plenty more where that came from, too.

In addition to its burly fabric (which makes it perfect to layer atop an Everlane Oxford shirt or an Everlane henley), the Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket just looks plain great, complete with rich color options like dressy Navy or the Cherry Mahogany Check seen at the top of the page. The use of organic cotton is a solid, sustainable touch, and a crucial one, at that. It’s also a serviceable replacement for a blazer at the office this season, given the crisp point collar and the fact that it’s almost like a shirt jacket. The Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket can be as versatile as you want it to be, a huge selling point in your quest for finding one of the best winter jackets for men.

The demands of winter layering are immense the colder it gets, and the Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket is made to stand up to blustery winds without missing a beat. It’s the kind of jacket you can wear with “the classics,” like tailored denim and chinos, as well as more casual options (slim joggers and high-top sneakers, anyone?). The Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket‘s biggest selling point, in addition to all of the above, is that standout price tag. You’ll find it now at Everlane for under $90, a downright steal considering all the places it can take you this season. Make the Everlane Flannel Chore Jacket, then layer up to your heart’s content this winter.

See Now, Buy Now: Gift this Shinola Leather Wallet to the Stylish Man In Your Life (Or Yourself)

If you’ve got a stylish guy on your Christmas list this year (or if you’re building out your own style wish list), it’s hard to go wrong with something as covetable and, well, stylish as one of the best men’s leather watches. That goes for just about anything you’re apt to find at Detroit-based Shinola, which just so happens to be stocking plenty of the best leather gifts for men this season. It’s an impressive assortment, and one that includes the Shinola Pocket Bifold, a handsome and refined leather wallet made for the modern man. And if the gentleman on your list happens to be in need of a new leather wallet, well, that’s really all the better. Yes indeed, the time is right now to upgrade his everyday carry and perhaps, to add a few covetable items from Shinola to your own list. After all, Shinola does so much more than just craft some of the best watches for men. They also happen to make one of the best men’s weekender bags and a throwback-inspired dress watch that any guy would be very happy to find under tree this season. But back to the Shinola Pocket Bifold — it’s an easy choice as far as a seriously upgraded leather wallet is concerned.

The Shinola Pocket Bifold isn’t any old wallet you might find made from cheap materials — far from it, in fact. It’s worth every bit of its $250 price tag, a true marker of quality and not just of a brand name. And the specs on the Shinola Pocket Bifold? I’m glad you asked, friends. It’s made from smooth, rich Vachetta leather, the kind that gets better with age the more you use it (and trust me, he’ll want to use the Shinola Pocket Bifold every single day). It’s neither too bulky nor too flimsy, made with six lined card pockets and an unlined bill pocket, plus a handy receipt pocket. It’s small touches like those that set the Shinola Pocket Bifold apart from others you can buy this season, make no mistake about that.

And it’s all the better to pick up one of the best wallets for men if the stylish guy in your life is already familiar with the esteemed maker of some of the best watches for men. It’s also stamped with the Shinola logo and sewn in the U.S.A. — again, the Shinola Pocket Bifold lives up to the brand’s reputation in every way you’d expect. If the guy in your life expects the best (which I’m sure he does), then the Shinola Pocket Bifold is one way to deliver that, right down to his accessories. Happy holidays, folks!

The Sunday Sale: Get 20 Percent off the Best Men’s T-Shirts at Goodlife Clothing

Well, here we are, my friends. It’s undoubtedly one of the busiest weekends for menswear sales of the year, with Black Friday style sales ongoing and Cyber Monday style sales coming right up. If you’ve had a busy weekend of shopping but still need to add another dose of casual style essentials to your regimen, here’s where Goodlife Clothing comes into play. The NYC-based knitwear and basics brand already makes some of the best T-shirts for men (just look at my guide to the best clothing to buy at Goodlife, for starters). And the Goodlife Clothing Sale is but one additional place to go to get your new favorite T-shirt at a nice discount (20 percent off, in fact). That’s right: The Goodlife Long-Sleeve Tri-Blend Scallop Crew is 20 percent off right now, and available in a range of colors and sizes. In a crowded weekend of the best men’s style sales, it’s a standout for cozy layering this holiday season and beyond. For those curious, that knocks the price down to $60 from $75, meaning it’s not a bad bet at all to snag a couple.

So, why go with Goodlife? It’s easy, really. The brand uses super-soft materials, like a tri-blend jersey cotton in this instance. They’ve blended poly, cotton and rayon for a breezy finish that layers nicely beneath your favorite old-school cardigan or a rugged flannel shirt, and yet the scallop hem ensures this Goodlife men’s T-shirt wears well on its own. That’s the case whether you wear it with classic blue jeans or with some Goodlife men’s sweatpants, all the better to really drive home those casual, laidback style vibes this season. Plus, the plethora of colors available make this a winning buy no matter which one you choose. Are you sold yet? I hope so, because this one of the best men’s T-shirts, and it’s available for a stellar deal right now. OK, then — back to shopping the weekend’s best menswear deals. Thanks for reading and good luck out there!

Style Pick of the Week: Howler Brothers Depot Jacket – The Most Rugged Jacket for Casual Winter Days

HB Fuzzy Depot Jacket

If you’re on the lookout for one of the most rugged winter jackets, the kind you can wear casually while still staying warm through blustery winter weekends, have I got just the jacket for you. It’s fitting that it’s up for grabs with Black Friday and Cyber Monday rolling through this weekend, but seriously, any time this fall and winter would be an ideal time to buy the Howler Brothers Depot Jacket. Make that an upgraded version of the famed Howler Brothers Depot Jacket, too. It’s the sort of jacket that blends old-school cool (note the trucker jacket silhouette) with the kind of warmth that simply can’t be beat for casual style situations. Now, it might not keep you the most protected in an intense blizzard, but for days where it’s blustery and chilly rather than snowing at a steady clip, consider adding the perfectly crafted Howler Brothers Depot Jacket to your seasonal style rotation. It fits right in with the rest of the Austin-based brand’s gear, which is built for good times on land, on the trail and beyond.

The regular edition of the Howler Brothers Depot Jacket, one of the brand’s most popular items, is already done up in corduroy for plenty of seasonally friendly, cozy style. Here though, they’ve upped the ante with a sherpa fleece lining. It’s the kind of jacket your grandpa might have thrown on to head to work on a crisp morning, and that’s not a bad thing at all.

HB Fuzzy Depot Jacket

This year’s iteration of the sherpa trucker jacket has all the hallmarks of a new classic, too. The chest pocket and side hip pockets embody the iconic trucker jacket design while offering up a bit of space for some choice everyday carry essentials and Howler Brothers accessories (a bottle opener comes to mind, because this is one heck of a casual jacket for football tailgates aplenty). The Howler Brothers Depot Jacket is also the kind of casual jacket you can throw on at a moment’s notice without overthinking it, be it atop a rugged flannel shirt or your favorite henley (or both), and especially alongside a pair of broken-in blue or black jeans. Again, don’t overthink it when it comes to the Howler Brothers Depot Jacket.

It always pays off to have more technically minded outerwear options in your rotation when the time comes, but for blustery days and cool mornings, the Howler Brothers Depot Jacket is a mighty fine option to have on hand. It’s also priced reasonably at $145, leaving you a bit of spare change left over to grab some Shiner Bock beer in a nod to the brand’s Texas roots. The Howler Brothers Depot Jacket is best worn alongside great friends with good whiskey and beer in front of a roaring fire. That’s how I’d rock it, at least. If you end up snagging the Howler Brothers Depot Jacket, let me know over on Twitter. Cheers!

The Friday Read: The Best Menswear Deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Every Single Huckberry Black Friday Deal You Need - SWAGGER Magazine

It’s hard to believe, but the most wonderful time of the year or at least, the best weekend for menswear shopping — is here. It’s Cyber Monday right now, so do yourself a favor and get shopping. That follows on the heels of the best Black Friday deals, some of which are still going right now. These deals run the gamut from a free gift with purchase at Mott and Bow to deals from one of the best menswear brands as shown above, Huckberry. I’ve rounded up more than 30 of the weekend’s top shopping deals here for your shopping pleasure, with plenty of work to be done (and gear to be had!) in the days to come. Without further ado, I’m going to get right into it and give you a full rundown.

If you like what you see, let me know in the comments or feel free to follow me on Instagram and Twitter. Cheers! Perhaps more importantly though, I’m very thankful for your readership and support! Here’s to a great end to 2021, menswear in hand (and leftover cash in your wallet).

The Best Menswear Deals to Shop for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Alright, then. That’ll do it for my rundown of the best holiday shopping deals for men. What are you looking forward to the most right now? Here’s to a thankful weekend filled with great times, great spirits, food and beer, and great shopping. Cheers!

The Thursday Buy: This Classic Billy Reid Shirt is A Timeless Winter Style Move

It’s fitting that on today of all days (that’d be Thanksgiving!), we’re talking about one of the best men’s shirts, and a timeless style move, at that. It’s the time of year where classic, crisp and versatile is going to serve you well. Even if your go-to jeans or your post-Thanksgiving or holiday party pants have an extra bit of stretch, for instance, you can still look plenty put-together otherwise. That’s where one of the country’s best menswear designers enters the equation by way of the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, a classic men’s shirt in a rich and seasonally friendly pattern, one that’s going to look as great years from now as it does this holiday season. You might be too late to wear this stylish plaid shirt to your Thanksgiving get-together, but it’s one of the best winter men’s style moves you can make for the weeks and months ahead.

Billy Reid already makes a full rotation of menswear classics, including the best men’s peacoat on the market, plus a stylish casual sweatshirt (both of which you can wear with the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, as luck would have it). The Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt goes well above and beyond what you’d expect from your typical buttondown shirt, starting with that engaging, bold (and Billy Reid-exclusive) plaid pattern. That it’s done up in rich autumnal color is an added bonus, but it’s really made to be worn the rest of winter as a striking pop of color and pattern.

With the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, both the big-ticket touches (like premium horn buttons and a modern fit), plus the small details (like signature Billy Reid detailing at the shirt hem) are taken care of in a way that you can trust. The Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt is also made from a lightweight 100 percent cotton, so you can wear it underneath a stretch wool blazer or your favorite Billy Reid cardigan as easily as you can wear it on its own if you’re in a warmer climate for the holiday season. The box-pleated back allows for more ease of movement if you happen to wear this shirt to the office, say, underneath an unstructured cotton blazer or with the famed Billy Reid Dover Sweatshirt. It’s so much more than just your average buttondown shirt, which is why it does indeed retail for a higher price point ($168, to be exact), but having tried out favorites like Billy Reid’s denim shirts over the years, I can certainly vouch for this one. If you want a shirt you can trust this winter through situations dressy and casual, the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt is your new go-to style move. So, with all that being said, I’m wishing a Happy Thanksgiving, and a healthy (and stylish!) weekend with family, friends, great food and great clothes. Cheers!