Category / Men’s Style

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Nudie Jeans Light Wash Vintage Denim Jacket – An Easygoing Spring Jacket Made for Right Now

Best light wash denim jacket for men.

I don’t know about you, but in my experience, it can be helpful to think of your rotation of men’s style essentials as sort of a toolbox: Selections that fit certain situations with a mix of functionality and plain old great looks in mind, particularly in your outerwear rotation during the breezy days of spring. It’s even better if some pieces come in especially handy in certain seasons — take the utility of a lightweight yet durable, casually cool denim jacket, like the one shown above from our friends at Nudie Jeans.

Brands like Levi’s made some of the first widely available denim trucker jackets, focused on road-ready features like a helpful foldover collar, front button chest pockets and reinforced stitching throughout. This stylish denim jacket from Nudie Jeans uses many of those same design cues — never a bad option to have in your outerwear rotation.

And the good news is, that same style can prove mighty useful in modern times, just with a bit of a twist from some equally modern brands — Nudie Jeans comes to mind, and Nudie Jeans just so happens to be making one of the best denim jackets for men.

There’s a tricky balance to shopping for a denim jacket, especially as you try to scope out one of the best light wash denim jackets — too far in one direction, and you veer into ’80s acid wash denim territory, for instance. When in doubt, strike an easily wearable middle ground, just as you would with denim on your lower half.

Find the best denim for men at Nudie Jeans

And yet, this Nudie Jeans Denim Jacket in Desert strikes a tasteful, stylish and effortlessly cool middle ground: A perfect way to try out a high-quality denim jacket if you’ve haven’t given the style a shot in the past.

This particular version uses 100 percent organic cotton denim, and better still is the fact that it’s the rare USA-made denim jacket — hence the higher price tag, but one that will assuredly prove worth it in the long run, whether styled with a short-sleeve henley and black jeans or as a casual addition to shorts and a pocket tee.

In the case of this Nudie Jeans Denim Jacket in Desert, bright washed broken twill denim makes the difference, giving it some depth that keeps it — again — from veering too far into acid wash denim territory. With classic design touches, a pleasingly vibrant shade of light wash denim for spring, and richly crafted USA-made construction, your new favorite denim jacket checks all the proper boxes.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Weekend Getaway to Knoxville, New Spring Gear & “Grassland”

Best things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee.

My friends, welcome back to another edition of the Friday Read, where we look back at the week that was and look forward to another stylish weekend — in Brooklyn, across the pond and this time, in Knoxville, Tennessee. I’ll be trekking south with my love Mary for a family wedding, outfitted this time in a new Alan David Custom suit in a pleasing seasonal shade — you can (and should) head to my Instagram to see how I’m styling my new duds!

And along with some southern BBQ, bourbon (a favorite sipper among my family) and quality time, I’m also expecting to spend some time exploring Knoxville breweries — a must-do part of any trek to a new city.

Knoxville is also home to the world’s largest Negroni menu (at least, as part of Negroni Week 2022, as I covered at Maxim), and I know myself and my love Mary are looking forward to checking out Brother Wolf for some utterly tasty sips — perhaps including the Oaxacan Negroni as shown above.

I’ll also be bringing along some casually cool spring style favorites from top brands including Huckberry, of course — all of the fun can be found if you head to my Instagram, folks. Onward!

Shop spring style gear and more at Huckberry

A quick note for all you film buffs and culture aficionados out there: You’d do well to check out Grassland, a social justice thriller set amidst the 2008 presidential election and covering the fallout from marijuana-related arrests (no spoilers here!). The film was executive-produced by none other than Common, and perhaps you’ll recognize a fitting tie-in — the watch shown above.

Actor and Michigan native Quincy Isaiah worked with Michigan watchmaker Shinola on the now-sold-out Shinola Grassland Watch last year (which I covered at Maxim), a further nod to inequities in marijuana-related criminal justice (and a great timepiece to scout out on the secondary market). For now, you can watch Grassland on streaming, and you can shop stylish men’s watches at Shinola in the meantime this weekend.

Learn more about Shinola’s ‘Grassland’ efforts

Here’s another quick read to shape your spring and summer style before another weekend getaway begins in earnest: I covered the classic, utterly iconic Vans Old Skool Premium Sneakers here yesterday on the blog, and suffice to say, they deliver a prime footwear upgrade for casually cool, laidback style and effortless good looks. To step into the weekend stylishly, check out the Vans Premium Old Skool at Huckberry, my friends.

And of course, to keep up with all the fun in NYC, Knoxville and beyond, head to my Instagram and hit that follow button — great Southern BBQ and craft beer await, along with a hearty dose of fun with the family and classic, suitably semi-formal wedding style. Our regular slate of two weekend style posts also happens to be on the docket tomorrow and Sunday, naturally. Cheers, folks!

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: The Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt Takes on a Timeless Military Style for Spring

Buck Mason men's chambray shirt review.

Certain menswear essentials are so classic, so utterly timeless, that they tend to look great no matter the era or even the season. While fits and fabrics sometimes change, the best men’s chambray shirts certainly qualify as a time-honored men’s style staple — all the better if they’re made by a modern brand that has a healthy respect for the classics. In the case of today’s style selection that brand, of course, is Buck Mason, a perennial favorite of this Brooklyn style blog and a company that certainly delivers a true twist on an old favorite when it comes to the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt.

This particular shirt is a recent introduction to the brand’s lineup of the best shirts for men, which put a fresh twist on old-school staples like the Oxford shirt, the cotton twill workshirt and even the flannel shirt (in the colder months, of course). The Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt takes its cues from the sturdy cotton poplin build of the throwback US Navy N-3 button-up, which was worn as a tough workshirt in warm weather.

It’s quite the place to draw inspiration from, and the lightweight durability of the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt should speak for itself. It should ultimate prove softer and less densely woven than one of the best chambray shirts, with slightly different texture and character — and yet, that doesn’t make the highly durable cotton-poplin construction of the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt any less useful in your own style rotation this season.

Best workshirts for men this season.

In fact, the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt can be worn as a lightweight overshirt of sorts atop a crisp pocket tee or a short-sleeve henley, or else buttoned up and used to dress down a soft-shouldered navy or khaki cotton blazer. The indigo dye of the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt will shift over time and patina in its own way, while side seam gussets give you more room to move when wearing this as a workshirt.

Shop classic style staples now at Buck Mason

Consider the hard-wearing yet not overly bulky Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt a reliable style move with tan chinos and leather chukka boots, or else wear it properly as a streamlined workshirt with canvas work pants on cool spring mornings and summer nights — the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt strikes the right blend between throwback durability and modern style in every way possible. Would you expect anything else from the Americana style purveyors at Buck Mason?

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These Vans Old Skool Sneakers Update a Classic

It’s hard to argue with the classics when it comes to your spring and summer style rotation, especially as you look to lace up a pair of the best sneakers for men. And it’s a good thing you can find a plentiful selection of sneakers both iconic and modern over at Huckberry, is it not? The pair in question today has been making style waves long before Huckberry’s 2011 launch however.

Yes indeed, the Vans Old Skool has been a rightful style classic for decades, beloved by everyone from skaters to rock legends to stylish fellas like you and me.

Learn more and shop sneakers at Huckberry

And for 2025, the Vans Old Skool gets a Premium update (they’re called the Vans Premium Old Skool, after all). The premium update arrives in the form of a Gum Sepia combination that allows the Vans Old Skool stripe detailing to shine — just like you remember ’em from days gone by, but with a fresh, new twist. In fact, I’d consider the Vans Premium Old Skool a more grown-up version of your favorite skate shoes, one you still can wear with casual style at the forefront.

The biobased foam insole gives the Vans Premium Old Skool a springy, sustainable touch, while the company also upgraded these kicks with ’90s-era foxing tape for added durability. It’s the combination of Sepia tones with a gum rubber outsole that gives the Vans Premium Old Skool a point of distinction, though, along with a full-grain leather collar lining.

Suffice to say, the Vans Premium Old Skool should prove more durable, comfortable and dependable — and just as stylish — when compared to your favorite vintage pair of Vans men’s sneakers.

The throwback-inspired color combination is just one option as you shop for your fairly priced pair of Vans Premium Old Skool sneakers (you can score them right now at Huckberry for $90. of note). They deliver some serious bang for your buck, particularly when styled with light wash jeans and a classic pocket tee, or else with tailored chino shorts and a fresh navy polo.

For a stylish pair of sneakers that have stood the test of time, the Vans Premium Old Skool sneakers deliver the goods yet again this spring and summer.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Take 40% Off The Perfect Bomber Jacket for Spring From Taylor Stitch

There are jackets that fall squarely in the performance category, there are jackets that are more stylish than truly functional, and then, there’s the rare jacket that manages to toe the line nicely in both respects. Finding one of the best jackets for men this spring that’s on sale ups the ante even further, and so it goes with the Taylor Stitch Last Call section and the performance-minded yet sleek, sharp Taylor Stitch Ember Jacket.

Find out more now at Taylor Stitch

It falls squarely in the realm of a highly reliable, streamlined bomber jacket — not quite a puffer jacket in a technical material with a flashy color, not quite a windbreaker you’d wear on a morning jog, but certainly ready for the worst weather spring has to offer.

For good measure, the Taylor Stitch Ember Jacket happens to be on sale in a range of sizes (a whopping 40 percent off, in fact), but why is it worth adding one of the best bomber jackets for spring — an underrated one, no less — to your rotation? Stick with me on this one, my friends.

Taylor Stitch men's jacket review.

It’s as if the San Francisco-based brand made the Taylor Stitch Ember Jacket specifically with the city’s temperamental weather in mind: Sunny and breezy one second, blustery and foggy the very next. The Taylor Stitch Ember Jacket starts with a recycled nylon exterior finished off with a DWR finish to repel wind and rain, and it’s then reinforced with organic cotton and nylon at the yokes and collar — this gives it a one-two punch in terms of both style and utility.

The collar is even lined with tricot for comfort when flipped up against the cold, and the vertical quilting of the durable yet lightweight Taylor Stitch Ember Jacket is filled with 120 grams of insulation (comfortable enough to wear over a T-shirt or henley, far lighter than your traditional winter puffer jacket or parka).

Helpfully, you can layer the Taylor Stitch Ember Jacket over a straightforward tee or over, say, a cotton crewneck sweater in the spring months, or even in colder weather far afield. You can even customize the fit of this streamlined bomber jacket, thanks to the two-way front zipper design.

Shop spring menswear and more at Taylor Stitch

And as with all things Taylor Stitch, at least in my experience, the helpful details — like side-entry zip chest pockets and slant hand hip pockets — are accounted for, and then some. A reliable, stylish bomber jacket made from recycled materials, all offered up at an on-sale steal? Sounds to me like the Taylor Stitch Ember Jacket could be your new favorite spring jacket, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Lightweight Relwen Blazer From Huckberry is A Versatile Tailored Wardrobe Addition

Best spring and summer blazers for men.

As we roll into spring and summer, the last thing a stylish fella like yourself wants to worry about is dressing sharp in the heat — or rather, beating the heat in style without sacrificing comfort. It’s a tall order in a time of outdoor weddings and rooftop soirees, but there are ways to combat the heat of spring and summer in comfortable, crisp and stylish fashion: The Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer is a great place to start if you find your calendar packed with more formally inclined outdoor occasions.

It’s everything you could want in an elegant blazer that’s far from stuffy, starting with the fabrication and the classically inspired build.

As sold by our good friends at Huckberry, it’s the kind of blazer that shows you mean business, yet it’s more fresh and modern than a navy blazer with traditional gold buttons — while there’s a time and a place for utterly classic style, the Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer is all about good looks tailor-made for warmer weather.

Learn more now at Huckberry

The Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer carries on the Ohio-based brand’s penchant for nodding to the classics while giving them a fresh twist — for instance, this blazer takes some design cues from old-school sportcoats, the kind that were once worn hunting (note the throat latch and what’s technically a five-button front). And yet, the Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer also retains all the trappings of a traditional, casual sportcoat, using patch pockets and a lightweight stretch cotton exterior for plenty of comfort, at least in my experience.

I’ve worn the Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer to outdoor rooftop drinks and to meetings in the city (this is a Brooklyn style blog, after all), and I’ve found the garment-washed finish gives it lightweight comfort, while the stretch cotton design offers enough flexibility to wear it over a stretch dress shirt, an Oxford shirt or even a Huckberry T-shirt.

Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer review.

The Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer even features helpful touches like a hidden interior chest zip pocket for your valuables, while it’s also built out with a traditional welt chest pocket, like other favorite blazers in your rotation. Its lack of padding gives it a breezy, rather than stuffy, feel, while the Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer comes in shades ranging British Khaki to Olive and Charcoal (Charcoal is my personal favorite).

Shop menswear and more at Huckberry

It feels durable without being overly heavy, and it wears as easily with chinos and a chambray shirt as it does with a tee and rolled light wash jeans. For all your outdoor tailored pursuits this summer, consider reaching for the seriously versatile, effortlessly cool Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer from Huckberry, folks.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Save 50 Percent On This Essential Quilted Chore Coat from Bespoke Post & Line of Trade

Best men's chore coats for spring.

The right tools for the job, if the job is dressing stylishly yet functionally for spring, shouldn’t be overlooked — not least when blustery, brisk weather threatens. And even if a spring day starts out pleasantly enough, it can quickly take a turn.

What’s a well-dressed fella such as yourself to do? The answer is easy: Head to Bespoke Post to score some new spring menswear, take the problem out before it becomes a problem, and do so by layering up in rugged, functional, fashionable style. With spring style essentials at the ready, the quest gets all the easier, and — as I always tend to say on this Brooklyn style blog — if those style essentials happen to be on sale, that’s all the better.

And today’s discount is one not to be missed: Savings of 50 percent — yes, 50 percent, with plenty of sizes available — on a rugged chore coat built with plenty of useful bells and whistles. The chore coat hails from Line of Trade, the all-American brand first started by Bespoke Post and now operating on its own accord (as you might have seen from previous Line of Trade reviews on this blog).

The brand has a deep respect for Americana heritage style, from ridiculously warm trucker jackets to soft flannel shirts, sturdy-yet-supple sweaters and now, the Line of Trade Timber Quilted Chore Coat as seen on this blog. The Line of Trade Timber Quilted Chore Coat takes the traditional chore coat construction (in this case featuring a four-button front) and turns it on its head slightly with a more lightweight, all-ripstop construction that’s more than suited to repel wind and rain.

Traditional patch pockets — with a twist — round out the Line of Trade Timber Quilted Chore Coat (note the notched corners for more shape and durability). As Bespoke Post notes, this dashing chore coat features vertical quilting for a finish that’s streamlined, not bulky, while still delivering warmth when layered over a thermal henley and chambray shirt.

The details are finished to perfection, from the rivets on the front patch pockets to an interior right chest pocket for more everyday carry storage space.

Shop the best new spring gear ASAP at Bespoke Post

Given the utility and rugged good looks you’re getting out of the Line of Trade Timber Quilted Chore Coat, it’s almost a wonder it’s a remarkable 50 percent off right now. Stop your search early for your next must-have spring chore coat, because the Line of Trade Timber Quilted Chore Coat fits the bill perfectly.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Nomad Chukka Boots – Spring’s Perfect Pair of Chukka Boots

Best suede chukka boots for men.

It’s high praise to call any of a number of men’s style essentials the perfect example of said style, but there are a few key pieces — from vastly important menswear designers, no less — that lay claim to being, well, darn near perfect. The great news for all of us? Todd Snyder is getting more than a few of those critical men’s style essentials just right this season.

Learn more now at Todd Snyder

Let’s start with your footwear as we examine critical style essentials every guy should own. The chukka boot is an important go-between from your sturdy pair of winter boots and your casual pair of canvas sneakers for summer, no? And you can trust Todd Snyder to deliver what you might call a perfect pair of chukka boots for men.

That’s high praise — and it’s not the first time our Todd Snyder reviews have called out the Todd Snyder Nomad Chukka Boots — but sometimes, a reminder (particularly on this fine spring Saturday) helps solidify the need to amp up your wardrobe in a fresh new way.

Crucially, the Todd Snyder Nomad Chukka Boots were the first-ever pair of shoes introduced to the lineup by the award-winning American designer, who counts game-changing stops at Ralph Lauren and J. Crew on his resume (you can thank him for the J. Crew chambray shirt of the late ‘aughts in particular, for instance).

So, it makes sense that the Todd Snyder Nomad Chukka Boots would be the first stylish foray into Todd Snyder footwear for the Iowa-born visionary, and in my experience, they meet the moment in several key areas.

Italian suede sits atop a rubber sole, not unlike classic pairs of chukka boots from brands like Clarks, but these boast a slightly more refined, slimmer profile — they should still prove stylish and at ease with everything from rolled chinos (cuffed at the ankle) to light wash denim and a breezy polo.

Italian construction sets them apart, while rich colors like Tobacco add a pleasing touch to your spring footwear rotation. Contrasting waxed laces also look plenty polished, a slight upgrade from more casual laces — the right balance between rugged and refined is critical, and the Todd Snyder Nomad Chukka Boots assuredly deliver that versatility and dependability.

When you seek more polish than sneakers, yet more laidback style and comfort than dress shoes, lace up a pair of classic chukka boots — the Todd Snyder Nomad Chukka Boots get the job done in fine form.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Ultimate Western Weekend with Oskar Blues Brewery & Dale’s Pale Ale

Dale's Pale Ale.

Over the years, I’ve had the great fortune to try some of the best American craft beer on the market — in Brooklyn, in my home state of Michigan and across the country (and the globe — did you know there’s a booming craft beer scene in Madrid!?).

If you follow me on Instagram (or keep up with this blog), you know I’ve got a passion for all things spirits and suds, and I’ve even had the chance to cover the best new microbrews at sites like Maxim.com. In fact, you might say craft beer was my first love, at least before I dove into the world of fine American bourbon — and all that goes with it, of course.

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Yes indeed, way back when I was covering the best gear for spring and summer at GearMoose, I also found that the same things I treasured — an expertly cut pair of denim or a well-fitting chambray shirt, for instance — also made for a nice uniform of sorts to wear to… a craft brewery!

It’s the little things that make the difference, and so I find myself once again with the chance to pursue my passions, cover the gear (and beer!) I love, and travel the country (and the world!) while doing so.

And that’s why, live from Denver, I’ve made yet another trek out West with iconic craft brewery Oskar Blues Brewery, makers of the excellent (and groundbreaking) Dale’s Pale Ale as well as a host of other deliciously crushable beers that tend to pair well with outdoor pursuits aplenty.

In fact, in a fun turn of events, the brewery is the official beer of U.S.A. Curling! And with next year’s Winter Olympics on the horizon, Denver is hosting the USA Curling Mixed Fours National Championship — I’ve seen curling on TV, you’ve seen curling on TV but the chance to check it out in person (all while also touring the iconic Oskar Blues Brewery) is too good (and too fun!) to pass up.

Now, Dale’s Pale Ale — a longtime favorite I first discovered when I moved to NYC more than a decade ago, as luck would have it — is far from the only beer Oskar Blues makes, but it’s among the finest and most accessible, with rich malt character and delicate hop spice. It’s a change of pace from the wine I recently sipped in the French Riviera (more on that below), but one I welcome as a return to form — who can turn down a fresh beer right off the canning line?

But enough about beer — for now, at least. I’ll be outfitting myself with rugged style favorites best suited for a brewery tour, like Flint and Tinder menswear from Huckberry. Those aren’t the only menswear selections I’ve brought with me out West, of course, as you know if you (repeat after me) follow me on Instagram.

Sturdy Blundstone boots and a great field watch are also top of mind. In the meantime, it’s the best of all worlds in my neck of the woods: Fresh beer, rugged menswear and a glimpse of fresh air and blue sky in lovely Denver. Again, keep up with me on social media to follow along with all the fun, and keep it locked here for two stylish spring blog posts headed your way on Saturday and Sunday. As ever, thank you for reading!

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Aether Apparel Half-Zip Sweatshirt is an Effortlessly Cool Spring Layer

There’s a right way and a wrong way to layer up for spring with the best spring style essentials, believe it or not. Or at least, that’s the case on this Brooklyn style blog, where I’m all about versatility in design, the right balance between performance fabrics and everyday style, and a dash of the unexpected. Take Los Angeles-based performance menswear brand Aether Apparel and the new Aether Apparel Spring 2025 Collection.

Learn more now at Aether Apparel

The company rests at the intersection of gear you can wear out of the city — on a day hike, a long flight or somewhere in between — and gear that looks crisp and stylish getting from point A to point B. Add in a dash of the unexpected, as with the Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt, and now, we’re getting somewhere, so to speak.

If ever you’ve been hesitant about wearing a zip pullover or sweatshirt someplace other than the golf course, now’s the time to put those thoughts to the side — a new way to layer for spring weekends and casual days on Zoom calls at home just arrived.

It’s got more going for it than your traditional sporty crewneck, starting with the fact that it’s made from organic French Terry cotton. The half-zip design also swerves from the quarter-zip design’s traditional look, and the overall appeal of this casually cool layering piece sits somewhere between a traditional crewneck sweatshirt (in material) and the OG quarter zip.

Taken all at once, the Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt checks every one of the boxes we talked about earlier, all while doing so in slightly unexpected fashion — you might even say the quarter-zip sweatshirt or pullover is back in a whole new way.

The design should prove thermal in nature, ideal for brisk spring mornings and cool summer nights in the field (in fact, Aether Apparel says your new favorite zip sweatshirt is “an uncompromising exercise in versatile comfort and warmth” — how’s that for performance?).

The Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt is even built with underarm eyelets for increased ventilation: While this zip sweatshirt might not quite be one to wear on long runs, it can certainly tackle day hikes and other, more leisurely weekend pursuits.

Even the notched offset chest pocket is a visual touch that shows that a serious level of design and thought went into the Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt. On the style front, rib cuffs give this a sweatshirt-like fit and feel (it’s right in the name, after all), and three crisp, neutral color options deliver easygoing style potential — that goes for everything from olive-hued joggers to faded light wash jeans as a leisurely weekend look. Don’t hesitate to layer up the Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt for work or play — it’ll assuredly deliver.