Author / Beau H.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Shinola + Golden Bear Wool Bomber

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.

The popular watch brand tapped the equally iconic team at Golden Bear for this bomber.

The popular watch brand tapped the equally iconic team at Golden Bear for this bomber.

If you swung through this very small piece of the blogosphere pie a few weeks back, you might recall the jacket you see here from the Best Men’s Fall Jackets feature — but we’re back again. And that’s simple — both in-person and even online, it’s pretty neat to see how Shinola is evolving its product selection, which now includes some sweatshirts. The American brand probably better known for its crisp, classic watches prides itself on its commitment to homegrown partnerships, so it was a smart move to tap the expert jacket makers at Golden Bear for this wool bomber. Beyond this viewpoint, it’s simply a great (and yes, expensive) piece of outerwear if you find yourself frequently trekking through the snow and slush. It plays off a classic masculine silhouette, the A-2 bomber, and features premium details like leather trim and a sturdy brass zipper. It’s these little details — plus the overall excellent look — that make it worth that price tag. On the less expensive end of things, you could always snap up another shearling bomber via JackThreads.

It's also available in Black, although the Grey color still works plenty well for fall & winter.

It’s also available in Black, although the Grey color still works plenty well for fall & winter.

But back to this Shinola number. On top of those other details, the authentic sheepskin shearling collar buttons at the throat too, in case it gets insanely cold. The Melton wool should also keep you extra warm. There’s no word yet on how these jackets fit, but from the looks of it, they’ll feature a modern, contemporary fit that still leaves room for layering. Keep in mind that once you get past all the bells and whistles, this jacket can be styled like even a more basic light grey peacoat would. It’ll add a terrific amount of texture to dark denim and some crisp leather sneakers, and you can certainly dress it up with some navy trousers, brown leather wingtip boots and a light blue dress shirt.  And with a long-sleeve henley and some corduroys, you’ll have the perfect high-low combination for weekend adventures. Given the investment-worthy nature of the price, you’ll certainly want to wear it as much as possible.

Are you a fan of this bomber jacket? Would you invest in this piece?

Florsheim

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: SPECTRE, Todd Snyder and Sneaker Collabs

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.

If your plans last night didn’t involve seeing the latest James Bond movie (as mine did), I would highly recommend you get yourself to a theater right this very second. Yes, not even this post should keep you from checking it out. Opinions on the film have actually been mixed from major outlets, but your friendly style expert and massive James Bond fan recommends you go see it, as much for the excellent menswear as for the film itself. It’s also been a busy and exciting week in other areas, too — I had the chance to see the great indie band Mainland on Monday night (recent openers for Atlas Genius), and they’re also a group I’d recommend checking out just as soon as you can. And that little intro brings us, as always, quite comfortably to this week’s edition of the Friday Read. After you, Mr. Bond…

  • Over at GQ, one writer and fan reflects on the moment his opinion of the series changed completely — and what brought him back (hint: It was the terrific last Bond installment, Skyfall).
  • In one of the  biggest American menswear business moves in recent memory, American Eagle announced this week that it acquired famed designer Todd Snyder’s offshoot, collegiate-centric company Tailgate Clothing; while Snyder’s brand will continue to operate separately, he’ll join AE as an executive VP — that’s a change of pace from 007 news, ehh?
  • My pal Barron at Effortless Gent covers off on how to choose the right watch for your outfit, a big key when getting dressed every day.
  • Style Notes of the Week: While this small space is normally reserved for a great long read, today we’re calling your attention to new great new collaboration drops — Brooklyn-based sneaker brand GREATS (a favorite of yours truly) is teaming with NYC menswear designers Orley on a three new chukka sneakers. And speaking of sneakers, the folks behind heritage-focused Tanner Goods and P.F. Flyers just released a stunning update to the classic Center Hi silhouette.

Got an extra minute or two?

    • Upgrade your fall outerwear game with a slim-fit, warm and stylish quilted down coat from the terrific folks at JACHS NY — read more on it via my latest post for GearHungry.

Florsheim

Ben Sherman US

by Beau H.

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Iron & Resin

Read on to find out how these stellar Iron & Resin gloves could be yours. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Read on to find out how these stellar Iron & Resin gloves could be yours. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Editor’s note: This giveaway is now closed, but thanks so much to everyone who participated! And congrats to @UberOwen, the winner via Instagram of a great pair of Buffalo Bobber Gloves.

There are certain products you see on store shelves that you’re left thinking about when you walk away. I had the great fortune of attending a fall boot collection launch event at the Wolverine Company Store in NYC back in August, and while there, I stumbled across a stunning pair of gloves sitting on a shelf. How no one snapped them up, I’ll never know. Of course, they fit right in next to the rugged boots on display. And even just picking them up, I could instantly tell the leather was extremely high-quality, and the production value moreso. That night, in short, kickstarted my interest in Iron & Resin. This is one US-focused company that’s doing right by keeping its production and product assortment extremely close to home.  I’ve had the chance to write about them for VOUCH Mag and Effortless Gent, and I’ve been mightily impressed after diving into their Web site and learning more about the brand.

They stock an assortment of stellar third-party lifestyle, apparel and home goods, including accessories from the likes of Owen & Fred, alongside ridiculously sturdy-looking jackets and other gear made by the brand itself. It’s all fit for the open road — literally. It’s that commitment to great journeys, places & people — and to great USA-made goods — that’s helped the brand carve out such a niche. You can find everything from indigo shirts to surfing gear to those famously durable, made-in-America gloves on the brand’s newly revamped Web site.

And with winter on the way for many of us, it’s those incredible gloves that’ll likely come in handy (literally) out there  They’ve got superior abrasion resistance and a rolled cuff for ease of movement, so they’ll certainly stand up to whatever winter brings your way. Heck, you might never need another pair of gloves — they’re made for motorcycle riding, so they’ll stand up to your commute just fine. So without further delay, read on to find out how you can win the excellent Buffalo Bobber Gloves from Iron & Resin.

Best of luck to those entering!

  • Head to my Instagram and be sure to follow myself and Iron & Resin — they have an absolutely beautiful feed, and plenty of followers to prove it!
  • Like either Wednesday or Thursday’s Iron & Resin-themed photo, and in the comments, tell me how you plan to get out and explore in your new gloves this fall & winter! Use #IronAndResin, as well.
  • Be on the lookout for a winner announcement through an IG message on Thursday night!

Best of luck to everyone entering and as always,

Stay stylish,

-Beau

by Beau H.

What to Wear Today: A Fall-Ready Leather Jacket

Editor’s note: For other What To Wear Today features, head here.

A sold-out style via Taylor Stitch that gets a lot of the details right when it comes to the perfect leather jacket.

A sold-out style via Taylor Stitch that gets a lot of the details right when it comes to the perfect leather jacket.

While we talked fairly recently on The Style Guide about how to transition your style into fall, there’s one key move that can really help you up your fall style game. In addition to looking for items that incorporate more texture into an outfit — like a thicker watch strap or some roughout leather boots — there’s one piece that adds instant style cred to any ensemble. I touched on the importance of a great fall jacket pretty recently, and when you reach for leather outerwear, it’s a gamechanger. There’s a whole host of styles within that leather jacket family that you can reach for, from shearling coats to more classic racer styles, but one thing’s for sure — a leather jacket is no ordinary piece of outerwear. If you do fancy a substantially deeper dive, head on over to my buddy Barron’s Web site Effortless Gent for a fantastic primer on what sets certain leather jackets apart from the rest; know that for now, it’s a piece that’s dressier than a denim jacket, cooler than a blazer and just as ready for tailored gear as casual wear.

A modern update to a classic style via J. Crew. That's exactly how your leather jacket should fit.

A modern update to a classic style via J. Crew. That’s exactly how your leather jacket should fit.

While some might associate leather jackets with poorly fitting versions of old, a great leather jacket nowadays is cut slim and trim, like your aforementioned favorite blazer. While the style shown at the top from Taylor Stitch has unfortunately been pre-funded and isn’t up for sale, it does a nice job of capturing what you want in your leather jacket. It doesn’t feature too many bells and whistles, unlike some styles. While black leather jackets favored by rock stars and the like can actually be pretty cool, it might not be the best pick to reach for if you want to wear a leather jacket in place of a blazer. No, the best leather jackets are slim, trim and clean-cut. The Wallace & Barnes MA-1 Jacket from J. Crew gets it right. It’s prohibitively expensive, to be sure, but it’s a classic silhouette that can be dressed up with some grey wool trousers or dressed down with dark denim and a henley. If you’re looking to closely replicate that style for far less, grab this number from H&M — but be warned, it’s probably not the highest quality. ASOS also stocks a plethora of leather jacket options, but some look pretty questionable as far as quality goes.

Ben Sherman US

Shearling is also having a moment right now when it comes to leather jackets — it’s another classic tough-guy style that’s gotten a modern update thanks to a slimmer silhouette (and a higher price tag). J. Crew again nails this style with this sherpa-collar number from Wallace & Barnes, yet the price of that one piece alone is enough to make most of us turn and run. And therein lies the difficulty if you decide to go the shearling route — there simply aren’t many cheap shearling options out there. It seems that wool-blend jackets with shearling accents represent a more affordable option (particularly this Golden Bear piece for Club Monaco), but that’s not really why we’re here, is it?

While not technically a leather jacket, this wool bomber from Frank & Oak gets the details right.

While not technically a leather jacket, this wool bomber from Frank & Oak gets the details right.

So be prepared to pay more if you throw on additional, pricier accents like shearling. Suede presents another take on the classic leather jacket — but like the J. Crew bomber as featured in my latest Effortless Gent piece, there aren’t exactly all that many cheap suede bomber options out there, either  (take, for example, this $1,800 Club Monaco jacket). And you know when James Bond steps out in a suede bomber, it’s a costly trend worth watching. Yet, the biggest key when searching for (and styling) a leather jacket still revolves around looking for a sustainable investment. For example, Frank & Oak, whose monthly Hunt Club crates are always a hit, produces what looks like to be a nice leather bomber  for about half of what J. Crew charges, although sizes are going very quickly. Some of its wool-and-leather varsity bombers (pictured above) made in partnership with Golden Bear also look to be a very solid bet.

And while a varsity bomber might not be the ideal leather jacket style, it can still be dressed up or down in the same way as a pricier leather piece. Contrasting pieces that add in cold-weather texture, like a knit tie or waffle henley, are going to stand up to the style just fine. The same goes for suede bombers, too.

Stick in the same color family when wearing an edgier moto jacket and you'll be just like Beckham. Well, maybe not just like him...

Stick in the same color family when wearing an edgier moto jacket and you’ll be just like Beckham. Well, maybe not just like him…

And if by some chance you do get your hands on a more classic leather jacket, any number of styling combinations are at your disposal. Try out a crisp moto jacket with  solid tee, a la Mr. Beckham, and consider yourself set for a night out on the town. Conversely, you can pair a classic Harrington-style leather jacket with a white Oxford and navy knit tie — that Club Monaco option is pricey, without a doubt, but you get the idea. Rocking a slightly edgier jacket in place of say, a more traditional fall coat is a style move that can really represent a big forward step — picking up a versatile piece of outerwear and being able to pair it with everything from casual to sharp combos is the mark of a good investment. If you shop right, you might end up looking like Mr. Beckham up there.

Do you own a leather jacket? How do you feel about this fall style move?

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Zady Men’s Navy Organic Buttondown

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 simple shirt made in a not-so-simple way, via the new Zady Man collection.

A simple shirt made in a not-so-simple way, via the new Zady Man collection.

First of all, folks: Happy Halloween! What costume do you have picked out? Let me know via Twitter! And with that out of the way, we’ll roll through our regularly scheduled Style Pick of the Week. More below…

If you hadn’t heard of Zady before the start of this week, there’s a good chance you have now. The ethical E-commerce company has slowly turned heads in recent years for its hyper-sustainable approach to the fashion industry. In short, the brand has set about stocking and selling only ethically produced, high-quality clothing — think buttondowns from Apolis and canvas coats from United By Blue. It’s a more sustainable, yet no less premium, version of East Dane. And now, Zady itself is making a small line of essential items for men — hence the resultant mini-media frenzy. If that didn’t catch your eye, the line of intensively-produced basics is sure to grab you away from Twitter for a few seconds (caught ya, yeah?). Of the well-curated colection, which includes a lightweight alpaca sweater and a crisp white Oxford, the simple navy buttondown is certainly one piece that has the potential be both on-trend and highly versatile.

Mother-of-pearl buttons made ethically team up nicely with a slim fit & other typical shirting details.

Mother-of-pearl buttons made ethically team up nicely with a slim fit & other typical shirting details.

It’s crafted from long staple organic cotton sourced from Turkey for a premium feel — and admittedly, a higher price tag than you’d find at a place like J. Crew ($130). But even the mother-of-pearl buttons are made sustainably using waste from the shellfish industry. And the product page itself does more than just toss up a few photos of the shirt. There’s an entire primer on what makes the shirt’s organic cotton — and other components — so special. It’s rather unexpected, but dovetails off nicely from what brands like Everlane are doing in terms of transparency to consumers. Oh yeah, and the styling potential of the shirt is pretty on-point. Toss it on with slim tan chinos and white leather sneakers for a fail-safe everyday look this fall, and wear it with some slate-grey linen shorts (as seen here) as it gets warmer out. It would also look right at home under a brown wool blazer and grey trousers this fall, and if you’re feeling daring, you could pair it with a more faded pair of dark denim and an elbow-patch cardigan for a stab at the monochrome trend that’s picked up so much steam.  The point is this: Zady appears to have hit it out of the park with its first stab at a private collection, and although the initial price tag could sting for those of us a bit strapped for cash, it could  very well be a splurge worth saving for — or putting on your list for Santa?

Have you bought any third-party merchandise from Zady? What do you think of its own collection?

Ernest Alexander

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: REI, Mark McNairy & Tanner Goods

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.

Now that it’s Friday, my voice has finally recovered from… wait. Wait a second. That was how last week’s Friday Read started, too… and as luck would have it, it did indeed take me all week to recover from quite the cold — and quite the fun weekend — back in my home state of Michigan. Visits like that are always special, and they give you an excellent opportunity to reconnect with your roots and see old family & friends. To say I’m thankful for where I’m from would be an understatement! And it’s great to be able to write about it through this blog — so thank you for reading, commenting, clicking and participating in giveaways; you can be sure more are to come! In fact, if I were you, I’d pay close attention to this site (and my Instagram) on Wednesday and Thursday of next week if you’d like some great fall and winter gloves from my pals at Iron & Resin. But in the meantime, don’t get too spooked this Halloween weekend and enjoy your Friday downtime!

  • This was pretty big news earlier this week, so if you haven’t seen it, best read up. Outdoor retail giant REI is closing its doors on Black Friday for the first time in its history as part of its #OptOutside campaign; have to wonder if others might follow suit?
  • Want to upgrade your business-casual style? The ever-reliable team at Dappered has you covered with this standout suggestion.
  • Here’s one for all you beer geeks — and advertising folks, too. Digiday reports that Heineken is teaming with a select set of designers to produce special one-off pieces for gifting to top industry influencers — take, for example, an older pair of Mark McNairy saddle chukkas with a Heineken green sole. Fascinating stuff, and they’re not the only beer brand involved in similar partnerships, either!
  • One last quick note on the style front — you might recall the great team at Satchel & Page (of Slim Mailbag fame) — well, the brand just launched its new Autumn/Winter line via Kickstarter, and each piece is absolutely worth your time and dollars.
  • Long Read of the Week: If you’ve spent any time in  New York City, you might have heard rumors about the infamous ‘Mole People,’ who dwell beneath the city in its subway tunnels — Narratively has the full scoop on that spooky story this week.

Elsewhere in the #menswear world…

    • Catch up with a new release from two heritage-quality brands — Tanner Goods teamed up with Danner once again on an excellent set of special-edition seasonal boots, as I covered for VOUCH Mag.
    • The great folks at American Trench do standout merino wool caps for winter (in addition to great socks), and those caps were the subject of my newest GearHungry feature.

Florsheim
Ernest Alexander

by Beau H.

Style Q+A: Megan Collins, Style Girlfriend

Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend dishes out on-point style advice to guys on the daily -- worth the read. Photo courtesy of the site.

Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend dishes out on-point style advice to guys on the daily — worth the read. Photo courtesy of the site.

Editor’s note: Head this way to see more Style Q&A entries.

As I’ve spent more and more time reading about the menswear world, there have been certain sites that have shaped the way I view style, fashion and getting dressed daily along the way. My friend Barron’s site, Effortless Gent, is one such outfit (pun intended). Dappered and what Joe has done over there also comes to mind. And of course, no discourse on the digital menswear and lifestyle community would be complete without mentioning Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend. The site is well-designed, easy to navigate, fun to read and packed full of useful menswear tips and tricks (and much, much more), from how to wear a turtleneck to a full rundown of some of the best gear for fall. Anything lifestyle-related you might need to know, rest assured that’s Megan and the team are on it. Her Fall Style Guide in its entirety is also great, and the site’s Twitter churns out excellent content, too. Toss in handy and informative lifestyle articles and even relationship advice and you’ve got a winning combination.

That it’s all told from a female point of view, yet geared toward guys, is especially helpful (particularly that relationship bit, ehh?). I’ve had the chance to meet Megan on a few occasions here in NYC and have always appreciated her insight and new way of looking at a holistic lifestyle for guys — starting with clothing but branching into much, much more. The adage that the details  make the difference is definitely clear via her site. So without further ado, I’m very excited to present the latest entry in this series — I promise, I’ll just ask the questions.

TSG: For those who aren’t familiar with your site, tell us how you got it started and where that inspiration came from?

MC: I always say, I wish I could tell you I did this sweeping competitive analysis of the menswear landscape and found a female voice was missing from menswear, but actually I just fell into it. I had left a career in advertising to write and was taking on any project I could. At the same time, a friend was starting a custom suiting business and asked me to write a weekly column for his site. I said yes, because I was saying yes to everything, “But I don’t know anything about guys’ style…is that okay?” I asked.

“Sure, just write about what girls like to see guys wearing,” he said.

 It ended up kicking off this amazing journey that’s culminated in a really satisfying career for me, connecting with guys who may have GQ at home on their coffee table, but they’re shopping at the mall and need help bridging that divide between aspirational and accessible. 

I believe Style Girlfriend has gained such a following because, 1) I shop like a guy – I want it to be easy, I want it to be quick, so our advice is all about tips, tricks, and shortcuts to great style and 2) I’m honestly not that interested in fashion.

Style matters to me, because having great style is like having the best wing man ever – its only concern is making you look good. Fashion, though, is fleeting, based on trends, and honestly, can seem kind of silly sometimes. I’m much more interested in helping guys on their personal style evolution than I am in talking about the latest sneaker drop or runway show.

What started as a nationally syndicated newspaper column has developed into a widely read site. Photo courtesy of Style Girlfriend.

What started as a nationally syndicated newspaper column has developed into a widely read site. Photo courtesy of Style Girlfriend.

TSG: Running a style with as large a following as yours seems like a lot of work – what’s a typical day like at SG HQ?

MC: I wake up early – 5:15 or 5:30 a.m. – and take some time to read, write, and get centered for the day. Then I work out. If I don’t break a sweat every day, I go completely insane. I signed up for Classpass earlier this year, and it totally rocked my world. I get bored easily, so I can do spin on a Monday, bootcamp on Tuesday, Pure Barre on Wednesday, and on and on. It’s great. 

By 9:30am, I’m in the office in the Flatiron District. My editor gets in at 10, we talk through what’s going on for the day – -what’s on her plate, what’s on mine. Then I usually pop in some earbuds and churn through whatever’s on my to-do list. Relationships are so important, so at some point during the day I might meet up with someone from a brand, an agency, or someone running a site like mine. Most nights there’s some event to hit, then I come home and crash pretty early, so I can get up and do it all again tomorrow.

TSG: What have been some of the challenges involved with getting Style Girlfriend up and running that people might not know about?

MC: Style Girlfriend winds up getting lumped in with a lot of men’s personal style blogs, but it’s really not, so sometimes brands don’t know the best way to work with us. It’s not as simple as, “I wear your brand and tag you on Instagram.” It’s not a personal style blog; I’m not on there with pictures of what I wore today, and yesterday, and the day before that. Don’t get me wrong; those blogs are great, and I get a ton of inspiration from what others out there are doing and their amazing style, but we really see ourselves as a media company, or a digital magazine. We’re talking about menswear the way an Esquire or Details would – in articles and editorials and videos. So we’re a bit of an anomaly in the digital menswear space in that way.

It just means it can be a bit more leg work to help brainstorm those partnerships so that we can create really amazing branded content for our readers. So we’re different – but that’s also what makes us special, so I’m glad for the distinction.

TSG: What’s one style essential (or an essential outfit) that every guy should own?

MC: Every man needs a suit that fits him just right. Whether it’s grey or navy is a personal preference, so long as it’s tailored and doesn’t jut out at the shoulders or pool at the ankles. I tell guys to make friends with their tailor. You can take clothes you buy off the rack and make them look made-to-measure for a pretty small amount of money.

Style Girlfriend is much more than your average style blog -- its lifestyle section is packed with more great content, too. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Style Girlfriend is much more than your average style blog — its lifestyle section is packed with more great content, too. Photo courtesy of the brand.

TSG: What’s one style mistake you see too many guys make?

MC: Wearing clothes that don’t fit them properly. I tell guys to make friends with their tailor. Everything you own (nearly all of it, anyway) would look 10x as good with just a few inexpensive alterations. An inch at the ankles, a nip in at the waist – there’s so many small things you can do to make your clothes look like they were made just for you.

TSG: What’s been the most rewarding part of helping guys improve their style?

MC: Hearing about the positive impact that dressing better has had in every area of their lives.

I really believe that when you look good, you feel good, and that confidence ends up spreading to every area of your life. And this is borne out in the emails I get from readers telling me crazy inspiring stories about how reading Style Girlfriend helped them bounce back from a divorce or being laid off. How they decided to go after a raise or a promotion, or ask out that girl they’d been in love with forever. 

 Taking control of your personal style is truly the first step to totally changing your life for a lot of these guys. I have definitely been brought to tears more than once hearing from readers about their transformations.

TSG: You’re based in NYC — for those new to the city or visiting, what are some of your must-visit spots — a restaurant, bar, gallery or the like?

MC: I just moved from the Lower East Side to the Lower Lower East Side (yes, it’s a thing), and I love it. So many good restaurants and bars – a few of my favorites: Mission Chinese, Bacaro, Dimes, Clandestino, 169 Bar and Kiki’s.

TSG: Lastly, as it’s the fall season – what’s one trend that guys should jump on to look their best in the coming months?

 MC: Take advantage of the layering season – I love a nice textured sportcoat over a patterned button-up with a tie that contrasts while complementing. Top it all off with a mac coat or field jacket and you are ready to take over the world.

Head over to Style Girlfriend for more great menswear content, and check out the site on Twitter.

Ben Sherman US

by Beau H.

The Product Review: KOMONO Winston Herringbone Watch

Editor’s note: For more excellent product reviews, click here.

For a watch that combines high-low style with fall texture, look no further than KOMONO. Slim chinos by Taylor Stitch. Crewneck sweater by J. Crew. Chambray shirt by GAP. Glasses by Warby Parker. White sneakers by GREATS Brand.

For a watch that combines high-low style with fall texture, look no further than KOMONO. Slim chinos by Taylor Stitch. Crewneck sweater by J. Crew. Chambray shirt by GAP. Glasses by Warby Parker. White sneakers by GREATS Brand.

So this blog has talked more and more in recent months about small style upgrades — the little changes you can make to your daily ensemble (and accessories) that make a big difference. This is no more true when it comes to something like the watch you choose to wear every day. While watches aren’t for everybody, they can certainly provide a measure of calm and order in a world increasingly ruled by iPhones and the like.  I myself am a big fan of watches, and I’m always keen to examine timepieces that strike a certain balance between nice looks and reliable performance. KOMONO is an accessories brand that sometimes gets lost in the wash — while they also make sunglasses, they produce timepieces that aren’t as affordable as a Timex, and yet aren’t sold through a mass-market third-party retailer like Amazon. Consider the fact that its watches are sold digitally next to a Euro symbol and you have enough to leave many regrettably confused. That’s their loss, however.

The Winston Herringbone from KOMONO stands up to dark denim and black boots with ease.

The Winston Herringbone from KOMONO brings unique texture while standing up to dark denim & boots with ease. Selvedge denim and black moc toe boots by Timberland.

I had the chance to check out the KOMONO Winston Herringbone Watch over the past few weeks (as featured on this site’s Style Pick of the Week series last month), and I’ve been nothing but pleased with the combination of value for the price. As I’ve said in the past, I’m no watch geek by any means — I leave that to the experts. I do know what I look for in a reliable timepiece though — durability, function and nice looks. And the Winston Herringbone from KOMONO definitely provides that.

It’s a rather unique watch in that the cotton herringbone strap makes it the sort of timepiece that stands up to the chillier temps of fall and winter. In the same way that a sturdy NATO strap can inject color, pattern and function into a regular warm-weather watch, a timepiece with a thicker strap like this actually does better as it gets colder. Herringbone is a legendary cold-weather fabric when applied to blazers, so to dial it down into a watch is a pretty neat move. This also means it’s not an everyday watch that can pair with multiple outfits.

Crucially too, this watch isn’t the first one you should buy if you’re just starting out — something like a silver dive watch would work across all four seasons and in any situation imaginable, while a nice brown leather watch might also strike a good balance if you dress both casually and dressy on a frequent basis. However, if you seek the definition of a fall and winter watch, this is it. And for what you might call a ‘seasonal’ watch, its price tag (barely over $90 USD) isn’t bad at all.

An appropriately-fitting patterned case accompanies KOMONO's Winston Herringbone Watch.

An appropriately-fitting patterned case and a clean dial make this KOMONO piece stand out.

The Winston Herringbone features the remarkably crisp and clean dial for which KOMONO is known, ands adds numerals at the hour markings — something that some of its other timepieces don’t use on occasion. The black face and red seconds marker provide a similar contrast to the Timex Weekender — yet this watch looks decidedly more modern. Some might not like the ‘KOMONO’ placement as opposed to the number ‘4’ at that marker, yet it still manages to complement the overall look (in my opinion). Its 41mm dial is heftier than a Weekender (and many other minimal watches), and the case is also thicker.

The thicker case is actually to its advantage, as it’s not the type of watch that might get overwhelmed in a fall or winter outfit filled with more texture. That means that it’s likely confined to use during those months, however — unless you live somewhere cold year-round (Brr!). It runs and winds quite smoothly — there’s no ‘tick-tick’ sound as you might encounter with other, less expensive watches (I.e. the Weekender). But don’t call it a full-blown dress watch as of yet. The thicker case and those numerals around the edge of the dial make it much more casual — and that’s all the better to wear with fall outfits. While it probably won’t work with a tuxedo or even a four-season suit, it’s the ideal type of watch to wear with a navy flannel suit — the strap complements the heavier texture perfectly.

The perfect type of outfit for the KOMONO Winston Herringbone Watch. Slim denim by Mott & Bow. White henley by Pistol Lake. Boots by Thursday Boots. Socks by American Trench.

The perfect type of outfit for the KOMONO Winston Herringbone Watch. Slim denim by Mott & Bow. White henley by Pistol Lake. Boots by Thursday Boots. Socks by American Trench.

A with most fall gear, this watch will be at its best paired with like-minded seasonal staples — like a suede bomber jacket, some roughout leather boots and dark denim. Taking the chance to pair with something like a shawl cardigan works, too. And although it’s a black herringbone pattern, that texture on the strap makes it more like a black rubber-strap watch — as long as you wear it casually, it can be paired fairly freely with black and brown leather boots alike. That goes particularly for leather high-top sneakers and the like. It also seems to add a slight jolt to more monochromatic outfits — wearing navy trousers and a navy sweater doesn’t seem all that much when you mix up a watch strap with some texture. Of course, it’s just different enough to set itself apart from other watches out there — it’ll draw more attention than a regular ol’ NATO strap out and about.
Ernest Alexander
That being said, it’s not the kind of watch that could likely take a substantial beating. So if you’re looking for a watch to do some fall chores, it’s best to leave it inside. But the rest of the time, it’ll do more than fine. That’s about the most you can ask for from a seasonal watch that retails for under $100. And while the rest of its selections are worth checking out, KOMONO seems to do a nice job with timepieces that strike a decided niche — like this green-dial number. The Winston Herringbone certainly falls among that class, and it’s worth your time (pun intended) if you need a watch to fill the gap between dressy and casual, cold weather and warm weather.

Have you heard of KOMONO watches? Would you pick up the Winston Herringbone Watch?

 

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: American Trench Cotton Rugby Stripe Socks

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.

Pick one or pick 'em all -- just one of several solid sock options from American Trench.

Pick one or pick ’em all — just one of several solid sock options from American Trench.

The photo and title of this post isn’t a mistake, trust me. We’re just talking about socks, right? Indeed. A great pair of socks is indispensable no matter the time of year, be they a no-show pair for the warm days of summer or something a little thicker — like these Cotton Rugby Stripe Socks from American Trench. You might recognize the brand from a past entry as part of this site’s Style Q&A series, and if you haven’t paid attention to date, it’s best time you start. The brand is all about crisp, clean, understated designs, something that sets them apart from other sockmakers who favor bolder, louder patterns. A pop of color or a great pattern is definitely to be commended, and those are the types of socks I wear myself more often than not  — yet when a knitwear company lets the fabrics and materials speak moreso than the pattern, that’s when you take notice. American Trench manufactures its socks at family-owned mills in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, and does so in small quantities — so you definitely get what you pay for. And at $44 for a 4-pack of the socks pictured above, that’s a very good thing.

The medium weight and striped pattern make these socks a great pair to ground complementary colors. Sky-blue chinos by Combatant Gentleman. Waterproof chukka boots by Timberland.

The medium weight and striped pattern make these socks a great pair to ground complementary colors. Sky-blue chinos by Combatant Gentleman. Waterproof chukka boots by Timberland.

That’s one thing to note about the brand’s socks overall — they are indeed pricey compared to your average pair. But you get the choice of some intriguing fabric blends — pima cotton and superfine merino are but two picks — plus a nice swath of colors fit to pair with everything from inky blue denim to grey chinos. And as you can see above, the brand’s Triple Stripe sock offers a solid complement to some sky-blue chinos, too. After testing out some pairs through this fall, these socks are every bit as good as advertised — and priced. They’re comfortable, breathable and stylish. There are small points of reinforcement (or what feels like thicker fabric) at heavier wear areas, and they don’t slide down your calves throughout the day thanks to a spandex-lycra blend. The option to select from some neat designs, like a zany-yet-reserved Fair Isle pattern, is another bonus. The pairs I’ve tried out — including those Fair Isle socks — fit comfortably in some sturdy boots, and they also fit in just fine with a nice pair of leather sneakers. Add all this onto the fact that they’re durable, comfortable and made in America, and you might not want to buy from another sock brand this fall — or any other season.

Do you own any socks from American Trench? How do you like your socks — wild and wacky, or more reserved?

Ben Sherman US

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Michigan State, Fall Colors and The Hill-side

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.

As it’s finally Friday, I almost have all of my voice back following the aftermath of that insane, thrilling and incredible Michigan State-Michigan football game last weekend. If you missed the ending, well, you’re in for a treat there. And the football hysteria is actually set to continue for me this weekend, because as luck would have it, I’m hitting the road back to East Lansing for a weekend spent with friends on the best campus in the country (in my humble opinion). I’m also getting the chance to go back to my hometown of Mason, a lovely place where time really slows down — that’ll be a welcome change of pace from New York City. And it’s always great to get back to your roots. But for matters in the present, we’ll catch you up with some of the best #menswear news of the week. On that note, thanks to all who participated in this week’s Goorin Brothers giveaway! Stay tuned for more giveaways in the coming weeks, and next week, look for a great product review of a nice fall timepiece, and a Q&A with the insightful and talented Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend. For now, enjoy your weekend — and thanks for reading!

Need more men’s style coverage to read?

  • You might recognize the subject of my latest VOUCH Mag piece from this blog — JACHS NY produces modern takes on American classics, and the brand’s backstory is just as neat.

Florsheim