Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.
A luxurious update to the classic V-neck, courtesy of Everlane.
A rich color from a brand normally known for its subdued palette.
Do you own any Everlane sweaters? What are your thoughts on the brand?
Editor’s note: Expect these posts once a week on Fridays — consider this a jumpstart on reading for your weekend downtime. Expect a mix of style and non-style content. For more entries, click here.
Perhaps you find yourself not paying attention to the runways or the sights and sounds of #NYFWM, the dedicated, NYC-hosted week for menswear writers, editors, buyers and industry pros to get their first look at upcoming seasonal collections. But after spending some time around great media and bloggers at a brand styling suite I helped run on behalf of Timberland, I must say — looking at the American iteration of fashion week is something you might consider. That’s especially true when perennial, classic favorites like Todd Snyder and Billy Reid step in the ring — after all, not every runway show is Zoolander-esque. Timberland-centric events gave me the terrific opportunity to connect with friends new and old, including my buddy Jamal of StyleSocietyGuy (the subject of this week’s Style Q+A), and my pals at Brothers & Craft (who are curating a consistently awesome men’s lifestyle site and brand). So even if you don’t pay attention to runway shows — something that’s admittedly not a huge focus for me, either — I’ve learned there are definitely things you can gleam from those around you, and that’s a rewarding part of any profession. And with that being said, it’s nearly time for me to go take a nice, long nap. And maybe enjoy a brew or two this weekend. Have fun with this week’s #menswear news recap in the meantime!
Run out of things to read? Look no further.
And on that note, if you made it to the end of this post — congrats! You’re free to enjoy your weekend.
Stay stylish,
-Beau
Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD series will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.
Ahh, the shawl cardigan — that masculine style essential that I find myself turning to time and time again. It simultaneously combines a rugged edge and old-school vibes (in the case of this piece, a cable knit) with new-school cool — in a slim cut, it can definitely be dressed up or down. It’s the type of piece I find myself wanting to wear far too often, simply because it looks great with lots of different pieces — be they slim chinos, dark denim or some colored jeans fit for the office or the weekend. And lucky for the both of us, the fine folks at JackThreads, makers of the cardigan you see below, are stocking a terrific pick-up at a steal of a price (as it seems with most of the brand’s offerings). Here’s but one way in which to wear it! Let’s see if you’d style it in a similar manner, yeah?
Taking a rugged style essential and mixing in rich color and texture.
The Shawl Cardigan: JackThreads Cable Cardigan, $51.75 (On-Sale) — A terrific navy color plus that great cable knit texture (and the essential shawl collar) at a winning price.
The Denim: Bonobos Dark Roast Travel Jean, $108 — Pricier than a pair of Levi’s, but Bonobos Travel Jeans bring quality in spades — plus the deep brown color here is excellent.
The Shirt: JackThreads Slim White Oxford Shirt, $49 — Another super-solid JackThreads pickup at a standout price — this is your everyday white Oxford.
The Boots: Dr. Scholl’s Burke Lace-up Boot, $155 — I’ve said the before and I’ll say it again: Who knew Dr. Scholl’s made men’s boots? This pair is lightweight and stylish, and they’re a solid way to mix black and dark brown (which CAN be done).
The Socks: J. Crew Medium-Dot Cotton Socks, $14.50 — A bit more expensive than a standard Wal-Mart pair of socks, but they’re much comfier and offer a solid change of pace in terms of color — even though they’re blue!
The Belt: Will Leather Goods Marlow Belt, $75 — As first seen in this site’s New Year’s Eve Style Suggestion; it’s got texture that falls in line with the watch, and a sleek black color to fit the boots. Again, black and brown can work together in dark shades like this!
The Watch: KOMONO Winston Herringbone Watch, $99.95 — As reviewed here; there’s hardly a better price for a seasonally appropriate watch that adds some great visual interest to this ensemble.
So we mix in lots of texture, from the cable knit of the sweater to the herringbone watch to the suede belt, and ground it with a classic white Oxford and saturated dark brown jeans — good enough for just about anywhere, right? Don’t forget to top it off with a slim topcoat and some warm winter accessories. Have suggestion as to what you want to see in these #OOTD entries? Send me an email or drop me a line on Twitter.
Editor’s note: To catch up on other Style Q+A entries, start here.
Jamal Jackson, of StyleSocietyGuy, is a recognizable face with a terrific sense of personal style.
And as with every day in the digital style universe, it’s great to be able to look at what someone else is wearing, or how they’ve styled a certain item, and draw inspiration from that — even if their personal style is a bit different than yours. So with that in mind, I caught up with Jamal to find out about running his site and how he charts — literally — his very busy days. Enjoy!
The Style Guide: How did your personal interest in style and fashion get started?
Style Society Guy: My dad has always been into grooming and style. Mostly, he had grooming and excellent hygiene, so my interest in menswear grew from there. I’d say I really started getting into it in middle school .
Your Web site and Instagram presence is impressive and seems to grow by the day – what’s that development been like? (Editor’s note: Find Jamal on Instagram here).
SSG: I noticed that I have spurts in my stats …but I’m noticing that it’s mostly organic — just how I wanted it to be. The downside of it is that I don’t know exactly who referred a visitor to my site until someone tells “Oh, (my friend) told me to check out your site.” I wish I could measure those stats more but it makes me want to strategize how I produce my content everyday.
TSG: On that note, what’s a typical day like for you?
SSG: This might sound kind of crazy, but I work from one Excel sheet. I have several columns in that one sheet — every day of the week and what I should be doing hour by hour. It sounds kind of stressful but it really disciplines me. Although I don’t follow every single task at every hour, it’s a good guideline to … keep me on track.
Right now, I’m working at a work space called Projective in Freemans Restaurant in New York’s Lower East Side. I don’t have a specific office spot except for home at the time, but I’m good at documenting as I travel.
The day consists of meetings, video calls, press previews (whether it’s a market week or not), webinars, nightly events, and usually dinner with potential clients or digital friends.
Jamal also frequently works with top-flight brands during trade shows and manages his own growing social media platforms.
I think this is a common answer, but I’m going to say the amount of work it takes to produce one post. From the outside, it seems like what it takes to create a blog post is to take the photos and write about what you’re wearing. However, it is far more than that. You need to plan to not wear other competitors in one post … speak on details of the clothing, amplify the brand’s voice and speak to the focal point of the product and the brand. Another aspect is how long it takes to shoot photos, gather your photographer and edit 350-450 photos 3 times a week.
Jamal as seen on the street during the first-ever New York Fashion Week: Men’s this past summer (Esquire.com ranked him #2 in its weekly rundown!).
I’m seeing a lot of guys being comfortable with showing their personal style and grooming regimens. Its actually ‘a thing’ now. I love that menswear influencers can bring readers to share what they’re are wearing and interaction going, brands are also happy with this as readers give very honest feedback on products ..bascically for free. This is a good time for brands to actually listen up and pay attention to what audiences have to say.
TSG: What’s one item (or perhaps one outfit) every guy should have in his wardrobe?
SSG: A denim or chambray shirt, I swear it works with EVERYTHING.
TSG: What’s one style resolution that you have for 2016 looking toward the rest of the year?
SSG: As of now I don’t have one set in stone. But. I plan to actually start wearing more of what’s buried in my closet, the items that still have tags on them. I tend to wear my favorites because…they’re my favorites.
To see what Jamal’s up to on a daily basis, head to the StyleSocietyGuy Instagram or check out his Web site.
Editor’s note: For more gift ideas to get your gears turning, click here.
Although in actuality it’s 13 days away on the calendar, perhaps Valentine’s Day feels a little closer for you — particularly if you’ve got a big night or a big trip planned, or if you still need to sort out a gift. I’m certainly no travel agent, and I can’t offer up a great dining recommendation (unless you’re a Brooklyn craft beer fan), but I can hopefully help you start to think about a nice gift for your significant other. Ahh — and as to what to wear, that’s coming next week! Hang tight until then, and know that you can always rush delivery on both a gift for her, and a new outfit for yourself, if need be. Some of these picks lean on the budget-friendly side of things, and others are a little more spendy — of course, handmade touches, things like a card or some nice flowers, can be just as thoughtful as other experiences. So the ball’s in your court now!
For The Writer (Or Crafter): Shinola Light Pink Medium Paper Journal Two-Pack — $9
A simple-yet-functional and refined-looking gift for the writer.
Gifting something as simple as a paper journal can seem just that — too simple. However, as a writer myself, and a person who likes to actually write things down (different yet related, ya dig?), there’s nothing more satisfying than mapping out a to-do list and crossing things off. They’re also handy to jot down random thoughts, and they lend a cool aesthetic sitting on a bookshelf or coffee table. Plus, these Shinola Medium Paper Journals are made in America from sustainably-managed forests. These would be a great gift as part of a larger gift package (maybe with a nice carrying pouch and pen?), and they’d look pretty neat in tandem with some of the other items on this list (hint, hint).
For The Fashionista: Kate Spade Cedar Street Cami — $148
Just two of a multitude of color options in a refined leather accessory.
Kate Spade is a brand that, much like J. Crew or Bonobos on the #menswear side of the equation, can do no wrong as far as designing fashionable, refined basics that bring a lux touch to everyday items. Take, for instance, the Cedar Street Cami, a small leather crossbody clutch. I don’t purport by any means to know a thing about women’s accessories, but I can assure you that something like this Kate Spade bag echoes refinement and class, and it’s reasonably priced. At any rate, this purse leaves room for the essentials and looks nice doing so.
For The Jewelry Collector: Shinola + Inesse Ceramic Squat Jar — $100
A slightly unexpected gift that adds some nice color and functionality to any space.
Shinola again pops up on this gift list for the second time, but for good reason. Again, I don’t know jack-squat about women’s jewelry (which this piece looks like it’d be great to hold), but I do know this squat jar …. would look great on a dresser or desk! The Shinola + Inesse ceramic jar is handmade in the small Inesse studio in Minneapolis, hence the higher markup than you might see from somewhere else — but it adds a welcome shot of color in these dreary winter days, and the Inesse name is a neat one (it’s a play off the Latin phrase meaning”in actual existence,” a reference to the tangible experiences the company wants to create for its customers through its products. Neat, yeah? And as to the jewelry to place therein — might I direct you back to Ms. Spade?
For The Foodie: A Night Out at Your Favorite Restaurant OR A Great Meal In
Whether you make something like this or order it, a nice meal can be a great part of Valentine’s Day.
There are some things in life that are less tangible than jewelry or accessories, but still just as appreciated — and that certainly is still in play even if your significant other isn’t a true gourmand. Something as simple as a nice night out on the town, be it a lovely dinner or some upscale cocktails, can be an underrated experience that’s sometimes forgotten as we move so fast through life. It can serve as a nice complement to other gifts, too. If the restaurant or cocktail lounge has some special meaning, that’s all the better. And if cooking in is more your thing (admittedly, it’s not mine), then the terrific team at Dappered has some excellent “Make it For Your Date” suggestions to get you started.
So that brings us to the end of this gift guide — did you find what you were looking for? If so, I’m glad I could be of service! If not, best of luck to you in your search — and be sure to swing back through here next week to cross off that other Valentine’s Day to-do, your ensemble. It’ll be a good one, promise.
Until next time!
-Beau
Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.
A flatcap — best worn when the weather’s cold. Elbow-patch cardigan by JACHS NY. Chambray shirt by GAP. Wool flatcap by Goorin Brothers. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta. Glasses by Warby Parker.
A look at the inside of this wool flatcap — made in America with a black suede underbill.
Would you pick up a wool flatcap? Or are you in the no-hats camp?
Editor’s note: Expect these posts once a week on Fridays — consider this a jumpstart on reading for your weekend downtime. Expect a mix of style and non-style content. For more entries, click here.
So this week was yet another exciting and fast-paced one — we’re knee-deep (or maybe neck-deep?) in planning for what should be a fun and enjoyable #NYFWM event for my 9-to-5 job working on behalf of Timberland. In particular, we’ll be hosting a styling suite and a “recharge” lounge for men’s style editors, writers and bloggers during the hustle and bustle of various runway shows (including those from Style Guide favorites like Todd Snyder and Billy Reid). It should be a fun couple of days, to say the least! In the midst of all that preparation, I was also thankful to check out some great menswear trade shows — so there’s certainly lots going on all at once! And that makes me even more grateful to get the chance to write about it through this blog and other platforms. With all that being said — time to log off, rest up and get ready for next week. In the meantime, enjoy this week’s Friday Read and check back here for the weekly Style Pick on Saturday.
Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD series will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for these features regularly.
One of the best things about the menswear world these days is the general approach to mixing and matching style staples. White sneakers can be paired with blazers and chinos, sharp wingtips can dress up a slim pocket tee and denim — if you can dream it, it’s likely a combination worth trying. Such is the case with today’s #OOTD offering. Wool dress trousers could feasibly conjure up some not-so-great style memories, especially if you rocked yours with pleats, as I did back in the day. But as with most silhouettes across the board, the approach is now slimmed-down and smartened-up, making a sharp wool trouser easier to pair with staples both rugged and refined — as you’ll see in the outfit below. And sometimes, when the doldrums of winter start to hit, you just need to shake up your typical blazer-and-trousers combo.
A denim jacket + slim wool trousers = a whole new way to view your work wardrobe.
The Trousers — J. Crew Factory Thompson Slim Suit Pant in Herringbone Wool, $49.99 — The staple of this outfit — slim, versatile and with some subtle pattern.
The Jacket: Taylor Stitch Long Haul Denim Jacket, $188 — The wild card of this outfit, it’s a supremely sturdy investment-worthy piece of four-season outerwear.
The Shirt: Uniqlo Slim-Fit Long-Sleeve Oxford, $29.99 (On-Sale) — Staying on-trend by pairing a deep blue shirt with an indigo jacket. If that’s not dressy enough, throw on a rich wool tie to top things off.
The Boots: Thursday Boot Company Natural Diplomat Boot, $199 — A refined take on the moc toe boot, complete with tough Natural Horween leather.
The Socks: Happy Socks Red Optic Sock, $8.40 — These socks provide a shot of color and pattern, and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
The Belt: J. Crew Factory Reversible Brown Leather Belt, $26.50 — Two solid belts for an agreeable price — don’t worry too much about matching the shade of brown here exactly to the boots (being in the same color family works).
The Watch: Timex Waterbury Chronograph, $100 — A heck of a bargain for a rugged watch that lends another piece of visual interest to this ensemble.
Keep in mind that with the above outfit, I’d recommend throwing in a few choice winter accessories to fight the chill – and with all that being said, you should be well-set to tackle whatever the day has in store for you, be it some time in the office or time around town. Wear it well!
‘Til next time,
-Beau
Editor’s note: This is the fourth in an ongoing series covering quick and easy upgrades to dilemmas a guy might face once in a while. For more entries in the series, click here.
A close-up look at an upgrade worth making — the slim crewneck. For more on this Pistol Lake piee, read on.
A stellar piece from a designer perhaps most known for revitalizing crewnecks — Todd Snyder.
Two crewneck choices from JackThreads — one a dressy cashmere, the other a quilted indigo piece.
Contrast stitching adds yet another solid detail to this Pistol Lake piece.
Have you upgraded your crewneck sweater (or sweatshirt) yet? What’s your favorite of the options listed here?
Editor’s note: For product reviews on outerwear, shirting, accessories and beyond, click here. Portions of this article use affiliate links, from which a small commission might be earned. The Style Guide only recommends and reviews products its editor loves and wears regularly.
A sharp blue dial and crisp markings make this MVMT Watches timepiece a keeper.
The finishing touch that a watch can bring to an outfit is one of the small pleasures of the menswear world, in my mind. Throwing on a reliable and stylish timepiece day after day can become a nice sort of repetition — on days I’m not wearing a watch, it feels a bit like I’ve lost my totem. Whether that’s the case for you and you find yourself with a growing watch collection, or you’re just diving into the world of watches, looking for style and versatility with a budget in mind won’t let you down. Luckily for both the novice and experienced watch enthusiasts among us, a growing group of companies are riding the digital #menswear wave to put out watches that are stylish, affordable and reasonably well-crafted. Now, you won’t be getting a Patek Philipe from some of these brands, but that’s not what we’re going for. And among that set of brands producing sharp watches at excellent prices, MVMT Watches stands out.
The brand offers a variety of styles, including its simple-yet-slightly futuristic Classic line, and a series of Chrono watches that are a little more eyecatching — but the real pieces of interest (at least to yours truly) come from its 40 Series. The dials in the collection lean dressier thanks to the slim silver seconds markers, and the combinations — from rose gold plus brown leather to a silver dial with brown leather — are refined and yet easily wearable. With that being said, the brand was a new one for me before they reached out and were kind enough to offer this watch for review. I was admittedly a bit skeptical having not heard much about them (although their Instagram following is substantial). But after rocking The 40 – Silver/Brown Leather for the past month or so, I can safely recommend it as a bargain pick-up that wears a heck of a lot nicer.
The storage case is also a nice added touch from MVMT Watches.
The first standout quality about this watch is the color of that dial — I was initially a bit worried at how much I’d be able to wear a watch with a blue dial (we all know how much I love blue). But the rich dark brown leather of the strap, plus the slightly toned-down silver case markings, make this watch more versatile than, say, a blue strap and contrasting red dial markings might make it. In short, I’ve paired it as a complement to dark denim and navy chinos, and I’ve even paired it up alongside navy suede boots. So when worn in the right situation, it can add a nice complement to ensembles that at first glance might not work. And it’s to the credit of this watch that the durability surprised me even more than the style potential.
The blue dial lends itself surprisingly well to pairing with rich style staples like tan Chelsea boots (from ASOS) and an elbow-patch sweater (from JACHS NY).
The great thing about this watch is that the dial should hit the sweet spot for a lot of us — similar to a brand like Daniel Wellington, a 40mm case diameter is decently big enough so as not to look too small on a larger wrist, and it does just fine in terms of standing out on a small-to-medium size wrist (who knew wrist size would come up so frequently here?). That’s where The 40 – Silver/Brown Leather falls on this spectrum, and it’s built to be worn with everything from suit trousers to a striped henley and cardigan. Crucially, the silver-plated stainless steel case feels fairly durable when wearing it, too — this isn’t a watch that feels too light on your wrist, or as if it can’t take a bump or two. Now, this isn’t a rugged dive watch, but the case is certainly thicker than a Daniel Wellington timepiece.
Another must-have when starting the day, besides a great watch — delicious coffee! Brew shown here by Blue Bottle.
That extra thickness helps it wear a little more casual than a standard dress watch (although DW’s watches can be dressed down, too). The dark brown genuine leather strap doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy, and it’s worn pretty solidly throughout the past month — again, that’s a positive for the price. And if you’re the type who doesn’t like the “tick, tick” sound you get with some other watches (lookin’ at ya, Timex), rest assured, the 40 in Blue/Brown Leather runs smoothly. It’s also water-resistant, so that should add another layer of protection to this watch. As far as other details, it boasts a quick-release feature at the buckle for the brown leather strap, so a new NATO strap could be swapped in with ease.
The final selling point with this timepiece revolves around, as it seemingly always does — price! MVMT isn’t charging an arm and a leg (or a couple wrists) by any means. While this isn’t Timex-level pricing, $120 is still an excellent price for a watch that can carry you through at least three or four different outfits a week (as I’ve found) — and that goes for sharp situations that call for Chelsea boots (as seen above), to more casual weekend days. A blue dial could be an interesting style plunge to take if you’re just getting into watches, but it could definitely pave the way for future purchases if you wear this timepiece with confidence. And that’s what a great watch should ultimately give you at the end of the day — confidence. And oh yeah — the power to be on time to that lunch meeting.
What do you think of MVMT Watches? Would you consider buying a blue-dial watch?
The Style Guide 