The Friday Read: New HELM Sneakers, A New Watch from UNCRATE & The Best Fall Jacket

HELM Cole Sneakers

Rugged, hiking boot-inspired sneakers that’ll offer plenty of fall wearability.

Thank you, my friends, for joining us for another edition of The Friday Read, where we’re starting things off with the right *step* for the weekend. I’m talking, naturally, about the excellent, brand-new HELM Boots Cole Sneakers as seen above. That’s right — the makers of some of your favorite boots (as covered here on the blog!) are launching the brand’s first pair of sneakers, and it’s fitting that they’re a nice hybrid between sneakers and boots. I love the HELM Cole Sneakers in rich wheat leather, and I dig the hiking-style speed lacing and the versatile high-top construction. The best new sneakers for fall? Very possibly. Remember, you can get $50 off your first order at HELM, plus free shipping. So, that’s my recommended footwear pick for many a weekend ahead. Onward to the rest of the weekend. And yes, another reminder to check out my Tuesday-and-Saturday newsletter if you just can’t get enough of what we’ve got going on here. The Style Guide In Brief won’t let you down. 

Frank And Oak

As for me, I’m still enjoying a bit of R&R (call it a working vacation) visiting my parents in Florida — talk about a much-needed break. We’ve been able to hit the beach for some socially distanced sunshine, we’ve made plenty of trips to support local craft brewery Point Ybel Brewing (get the Kitten’s Paw, a light and refreshing hoppy pils!) and I’ve been able to work on features for the likes of Maxim.com (including a piece on the best leather sneakers) and GearMoose, naturally. I’ll be headed back to New York in the coming days, but have really loved being able to rest and relax down here. Hopefully, your weekend is filled with plenty of menswear, plenty of time to kick back, and perhaps some listening to the new album by The Killers. Cheers to the weekend, my friends.

Introducing MW07 PLUS True Wireless Earphones in Black Pearl

An iconic, one-of-a-kind watch – without a doubt.

The Gibson Jacket in Charcoal Birdseye Wool | Taylor Stitch…

Pre-order this classic wool jacket in advance of fall right now.

  • I’ve got a bit more of an affordable deal for you now these days — for a limited time only, the outstanding Taylor Stitch Gibson Jacket (a combination travel jacket and blazer and perhaps the best fall jacket) is available for a discount via the Taylor Stitch Workshop, so you best get on it. What’s more, you can read my full Taylor Stitch review over at GearMoose.
Topo Designs Summer Sale

Yes, it’s true — you can, and should, head over to Topo Designs to shop this standout sale. 

  • Ready to look towards the trail and the weekend? You best gear up over at Topo Designs, and more specifically, with the Topo Designs Summer Sale, featuring plenty of top picks for on and off the trail. To make it easy on you, I’d recommend you get the rugged Topo Designs Field Plaid Shirt or the Field Pants, quite possibly some of the best men’s field pants around.
  • Speaking of new gear, what could be a better way to close out summer and welcome fall than with a versatile men’s watch from Shinola? Check out my full rundown on the Shinola Duck Watch for Maxim, and then get ready to get out on the water to end summer.

Folks, that’ll do it for today’s Friday Read. I’ve got one more shopping recommendation for you, though. If you missed last Saturday’s Style Pick of the Week, now’s the chance to redeem yourself. I wrote all about the excellent Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt, so you would do very well to read my Taylor Stitch review before you power through the day. Enjoy the weekend, my friends. Cheers!

The Thursday Buy: This Todd Snyder Denim Shirt is Your New Favorite Shirt

A cool-as-heck, rugged denim shirt from a lauded retailer.

Welcome, my friends, to another edition of The Thursday Buy, where I talk about one essential menswear must-have to buy in advance of your weekend. Today’s dispatch covers none other than one of the best denim shirts I’ve laid eyes on in some time: The Todd Snyder Indigo Denim Buttondown is rugged yet refined, ready for temperatures right now and yet primed to be worn through fall and into winter. It’s just quite simply … one of the coolest men’s shirts out there. It’s got an attitude and appeal that only Todd Snyder can bring. This is the kind of cool denim shirt that, as I say, you can throw on and forget about. This stylish men’s shirt is simply going to look great when worn with slim black jeans and your favorite leather boots, but it can also pull double-duty with slim chino shorts and classic canvas sneakers. The combinations really are endless here, folks. Made in Portugal with Italian cotton denim, cool features like a button chest pocket help it stand out all on its own — or when layered with a rugged henley. What’s not to love about all that? Todd Snyder is now making your new favorite shirt, and it deserves a spot in your closet now. Cheers to Thursday, my friends.

SHOP: The Todd Snyder Indigo Denim Buttondown

See Now, Buy Now: Lace Up These Rugged Taylor Stitch Boots Heading into Fall

The Moto Boot in Golden Brown Waxed Suede | Taylor Stitch…

Some of the coolest, best men’s boots for early fall — made with uncompromising quality in mind, at that.

It’s nearly the end of August, it’s almost Labor Day … that means, as much as you might not believe it, it’s time to start gearing up for fall, and it’s an even better time to get some of the best boots for men via one of your favorite brands. That is to say, I hope the all-American style gurus at San Francisco-based Taylor Stitch are one of your favorite brands, and if not, picking up the Taylor Stitch Moto Boots is as good a chance as any to get properly acquainted. I’ve certainly been a longtime fan of the brand, from its stylish indigo jeans and expertly cut polos to, naturally, the best Oxford shirt. And on the footwear front, Taylor Stitch has done as great a job as any brand out there at making high-quality, craftsmanship-focused footwear to pair with its full line of menswear (including the tough boots seen at the top of the page). The specs are one-of-a-kind, as is the construction and design process — let’s dive on in.

SHOP: The Taylor Stitch Moto Boots in Golden Brown Waxed Suede

Pin on His Closet

Lace up these absurdly tough men’s boots, then get yourself ready for fall.

It all starts with a team of artisans in León, Mexico, a locale renowned for its footwear factories and high-quality footwear. In that regard, the Taylor Stitch Moto Boots start with tough waxed suede designed to fight the elements and age nicely the more you wear ’em. The Vibram mini-lug sole provides traction and toughness, while a natural leather midsole and storm welt offer up sturdy toughness, too.

Once you’ve stepped into these stylish leather boots, you’re looking at a leather-lined insole for comfort, and antique brass hardware for a tough, laced-up finish. The moto boot profile means these are going to wear nicely with slim Taylor Stitch chinos, rugged denim or tough chore pants in equal measure. Up top, these rugged leather boots team nicely with your favorite style essentials, from a classic Taylor Stitch Oxford shirt to one of the brand’s rugged henleys — or really, anything else you can dream up (you can be sure they’ll wear nicely with an indigo denim Western shirt, among other picks, for example). To get into the spirit of early fall, you need the best boots on the market — start here, and your ensembles are only bound to get better as the season rolls on.

SHOP: The Taylor Stitch Moto Boots in Golden Brown Waxed Suede

#OOTD: Wear This Rugged Gear for Day-to-Night Style This Season

This time of year is somewhat tricky to sort out — you see, it’s not quite the end of summer, it’s not quite early fall … so, what’s a guy to do? That’s where transitional style essentials from some of your favorite brands come into play via today’s #OOTD, which is focused on the best rugged gear for guys. Make no mistake, we’re not going too over-the-top and into flannel shirt + chore pants territory yet (although we’ll get there someday, trust me!). Instead, think of this as a sort of stepping stone from late summer into early fall, with the gear picks to match (kind of like how we talked last month about how to wear your boots for summer).

This look comes through in a similar fashion: All the building blocks are there for you to wear this look up to your cabin or on a socially distanced day trip, just as easily as you can wear it to grab an on-the-go coffee before a park picnic (don’t forget your stylish face mask, folks). The pieces that make up this look are ones you really can wear just about any time, from one of the best men’s T-shirts to a stylish denim shirt and the best men’s bomber jacket (ideal for when things do start to cool off). Naturally, pieces like versatile men’s pants will also be of service. I’ll leave the rest for you to check out below. Go right on ahead and get out there, my friends.

Subtly stylish, rugged gear picks for everyday wear right now.

mandarin woods 300x250

Who’s ready to squeeze in one last summer adventure before fall kicks in? This look can work right now, and then on into the months ahead. How so? You’re starting with the ultimate base, one of the best men’s T-shirts via the Forty Five brand, a versatile layer in its own right that can be worn individually, for starters. Of course, it can also be layered up with a stylish denim shirt from our friends at Todd Snyder. Those two pieces are truly classic men’s style essentials regardless of season, but they work particularly well right now — especially when matched up with a rugged bomber jacket for those breezy, ever-so-slightly chilly nights. Of course, stylish tapered trousers add a nice dimension of versatility and go-anywhere appeal, namely given that they’re coming from the experts at Flint and Tinder.

The rugged appeal and versatile good looks simply don’t stop, though. Rugged Chelsea boots from Red Wing Heritage deliver the goods when you need adventure-ready, tough footwear that also looks stylish and timeless as heck. To provide comfort and classic appeal in equal measure, be sure to pick up at least one pair of the Mil-Spec Sport Socks from American Trenchclassic socks with anti-microbial properties are a new must-have. To me, this look just keeps getting better, specifically when you throw on a rugged military watch for dependable, everyday style. And what’s one of the best ways to accent one of the best watches under $100? That’s easy — a rugged everyday bag from Filson ought to do the trick. So, are you feeling geared up and ready to take on whatever’s next? I sure hope so.

Shop Western Rise Today!

Before I let you go, here’s your reminder to sign up for my newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief, for a unique, twice-weekly dose of men’s style, indie music, craft beer and coffee-centric content. Stay safe out there, thanks for reading!

-Beau

The List: Get Ready for Early Fall with The Best New Men’s Style Shopping Picks

Is it hard to believe we’re starting to prepare in earnest for early fall  with both the best new men’s gear and with today’s edition of The List? We’ll be celebrating the best of the best new men’s gear from brands you know and love, as always, but with a bit of a different focus. As opposed to covering summer style essentials, we’re going a bit heavier and leaning into all the rugged men’s gear you can use starting now, and then on into the months ahead.

On the docket? Only the best fall style picks from brands you know and love, starting with the Proof Strong Shirt as seen above, and carrying right on through to picks from Filson, Todd Snyder, Buck Mason and more. Read on and gear up, my friends.

Proof Strong Shirt — $128

A durable, classic chambray shirt made from performance fabric.

Every guy, yourself included, needs one of the best chambray shirts in his closet this fall. This one happens to be made from a Japanese CORDURA chambray fabric that blends comfort and performance. It’s one of the best shirts for men right now, easily.

Todd Snyder Indigo Slub Jersey Long-Sleeve Pocket T-shirt — $78

The coolest long-sleeve tee on the market.

There’s a reason Todd Snyder keeps popping up on the blog, and it’s because he makes some of the best American menswear (and the best T-shirts) around. This indigo T-shirt is the perfect fall base layer.
Red Wing Heritage Iron Ranger Boots — $329
Product image for Copper Rough And Tough

Getting the best men’s boots is as easy as picking up these.

This certainly won’t be the last time you read about Red Wing boots on the blog this fall. These rugged leather boots are iconic, classic and so easy to wear.
American Trench Mil-Spec Sport Socks — $42.50 (4-Pack)
Mil-Spec Sport Socks with Silver – American Trench

You can’t go wrong with some of the best men’s socks on the market — period.

American Trench socks are, for me, the stuff of legend. They’re the exceedingly rare pair of American-made socks, as the name would imply, and they go great with your favorite leather boots. I also love the Mil-Spec Sport Socks in particular — a perfect everyday sock.
Taylor Stitch Jack Shirt in Roped Indigo — $125
The Jack in Roped Indigo - Classic Men's Clothing | TS…

Another stylish, rugged men’s shirt from Taylor Stitch.

If you peruse the pages of this site, you know San Francisco-based Taylor Stitch, and more specifically, the classic, easy-to-wear Taylor Stitch Jack Shirt. This classic men’s shirt gets an update via rich indigo fabric. Layer it over your Todd Snyder tee if you feel so inclined.
Huron Big Three Kit — $38
No matter the time of year, you’ve got to have the best men’s grooming essentials in your medicine cabinet. That’s where Huron, a recently launched men’s grooming brand out of NYC, comes into play. They focus on clean formulas and high-quality ingredients, and they’re also a rare American-made grooming brand. Add in cool packaging designs, revitalizing grooming kits designed to soften and clean your skin, and a cruelty-free approach, and you’ve got one of the best grooming brands for men out there.
Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket — $240 
If you’ve read the blog over the years, you know and love the Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket. It’s durable, it’s rugged, it’s a modern classic for the modern man, and now this Flint and Tinder waxed jacket comes in eight colors.
Richer Poorer Terry Trousers — $78
Richer Poorer Terry Trousers

Cut like dress pants, but with the feel of sweatpants.

Richer Poorer is a recent addition to the Huckberry lineup, one worth checking out. They make some of the best basics for men, including these casual hybrid trousers to wear as you work from home on breezy fall days (we’re going to be doing this for a while, trust me).
Matador SEG42 One Bag Travel Duffel — $190

The perfect getaway bag for your next weekend adventure this early fall.

For getting out of town on a socially distanced trip, the best everyday carry gear is the right way to go (literally). This durable travel duffel has plenty of space for all your necessities to spend time in the great outdoors, yet is compact enough to go anywhere.
Buck Mason Brushed Loopback Hooded Sweatshirt — $85
Buck Mason Faded Black Brushed Loopback Hooded Sweatshirt

This is the cozy, casual sweatshirt for late summer and early fall.

Close out summer under the stars and on cool mornings this early fall with one of the best men’s hoodies via Buck Mason. It really is as simple as that, my friends.
MWC G10 Military Watch — $79.16
MWC G10 Military Watch - Olive

One of the toughest watches for fall adventures.

As we head into early fall, you need one of the best men’s watches on your wrist. If that rugged watch so happens to be a military-inspired timepiece with tough specs to match, that’s all the better. Snag it via Cool Material now.
Filson Canvas Work Shirt — $145

Layer up for fall with this tough Filson workshirt.

Speaking of rugged men’s gear for early fall, well, have I got just the thing for you. Filson has long made the best workshirts for men, and this hard-wearing canvas offering is no different. Throw it on alongside a military-inspired timepiece and Red Wing boots
5.11 Tactical Edge Chinos — $59.99

Dependable chinos to take you from point A to point B (and beyond) this fall.

For those among us who value performance-ready functionality and on-the-go durability — especially when it comes to the best men’s chinos — there’s 5.11 Tactical. These rugged chinos blend comfortable, movement-minded fabric with versatile, all-day styling potential — that makes them some of the best men’s pants.
Mission Workshop 500D Drift Tote — $235
Mission Workshop 500D Drift Tote - 28L | Huckberry

A dependable everyday bag that pulls no punches.

Talk about one of the best everyday bags, right? Mission Workshop gets it right with this rugged hybrid tote bag designed to hold 28 liters of gear & EDC essentials.
Proof 72-Hour Merino Long-Sleeve Henley — $98
Shell out a bit of extra cash for one of the best henleys for men, a fall adventure-minded performance henley made with merino fabric in a variety of cool colors.
Bespoke Post Scout Box — $45 (When You Sign Up for Bespoke Post)
For years, we’ve talked about Bespoke Post Boxes here on the blog (as in this post!). It’s a monthy subscription box service that offers your pick of tons of different types of men’s gear, new each month. Among archival Bespoke Post Boxes, the Bespoke Post Scout Box features all the EDC essentials you need for fall, from a durable flask to a handsome leather wallet.
Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones — $199 
Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones

An undeniably cool pair of sytlish Bluetooth headphones.

As I’ve spent plenty of time lately over the past few months working from home (as we all have!), I’ve been on the hunt for some of the best wireless headphones — and not just any old pair, either. Stylish wireless headphones made from premium materials are the only way to go for me, and I couldn’t be happier to have had the chance to test out the stunning Master & Dynamic MH40 Wireless Headphones.
Designed in New York City, these are some of the coolest headphones I’ve ever seen, with crystal-clear sound, too. You’ll see plenty of them on the blog in the future.
Jack Black Age Defying Booster Pack — $68
Jack Black Age-Defying Booster Pack™

A trio of easy-to-use grooming essentials to keep your skin fresh this fall.

Let’s keep the good times rolling with the best men’s grooming essentials from Jack Black. The Age Defying Booster Pack adds nothing but quality to your daily routine.
Mott and Bow Connor Heavy Cable Crew — $225
What we haven’t talked about today is one of the best fall sweaters for men, but this rugged cable crewneck sweater from the makers of your favorite jeans is here to change all of that.
Myles Apparel Tour Pants in Sage — $118
If you want the best pants for men for any season (starting in late summer and heading into fall), you’re going to want to check out the Myles Apparel Tour Pants. Made with hard-wearing woven stretch twill fabric, these rugged men’s pants are cut to move with you and feature a water-repellent finish, plus stain and wrinkle-resistant capability. Plus, you can use the code MYLES10 to get 10 percent off your first purchase. 
FRYE Bowery Light Lace-Up Boots — $298
FRYE Bowery Light Boots

You might not find a better pair of leather boots out there.

The best way to continue to get ready for fall? With lightweight leather boots that deliver plenty of durability and classic style.
United By Blue Soft SoftHemp Denim Workshirt — $60
Men's River Denim Work Shirt | United By Blue

A rugged workshirt for men made from sustainable fabric.

Another essential layer you need for fall — a rugged denim workshirt for early fall from the sustainably minded United By Blue team. Just add your Flint and Tinder waxed jacket  and call it good for a day of yard work or adventures.
Ibex 24-Hour Long-Sleeve Crew — $98
Reap the benefits of a stylish merino T-shirt, one that’s sweat-wicking and anti-microbial, as the perfect base layer for early fall and beyond. Ibex does it right.
That’s going to do it for today’s list of the best new men’s gear. Do you have a favorite, one that you’re going to instantly add to your shopping cart? For me, it’s always a tough  call, but you can’t go wrong with, say, the Myles Apparel Tour Pants if you want rugged style and comfort on the trail or the road this fall. It’s also tough to pass up one of the best workshirts for men from Filson — maybe pair the two together? Of course, you know not to sleep on the Taylor Stitch Jack Shirt or the Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket. Either way, whichever picks you go with, feel free to let me know on Twitter. As always, cheers to you!

HELM Boots- $50 Off Your First Purchase

The Sunday Sale: Get Your New Favorite Menswear at the Uncrate Supply Surplus Sale

Uncrate Surplus

Uncrate stocks and sells gear — kind of like the above — that any guy would love. You can get plenty of sale picks right now, too.

Just as we talked last week about the outstanding Cool Material Sale at the Cool Material Shop, well, we’re back again with one of the best online shops for guys, an incredible collection of simply the best gear for men. I’m talking, of course, about Uncrate and the Uncrate Supply Shop — think of Uncrate as part style and gear Web site, and part general store for the latest and greatest men’s gear across the globe (from watches to pullovers to sneakers and more). Even better? The Uncrate Surplus section within Uncrate Supply offers up a solid number of these picks on sale. And yes, I’ve rounded up my favorite Uncrate gear picks below today. Enjoy your Sunday, and happy shopping. Cheers! P.S. Have you subscribed to my twice-weekly newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief? See you over there! 

Reigning Champ Tiger Fleece Pullover — $99

A functional, sharp pullover for fall and winter runs & lazy days at home.

Marked down from $165, it’s seriously cool that Uncrate stocks a stylish-yet-functional pullover with a mid-weight and easy-to-layer fit that’ll prove plenty useful for fall and winter.

Sunspel Classic T-shirt — $69

A crisp, timeless T-shirt from a lauded brand.

A favorite of James Bond himself, Sunspel T-shirts are tough to find on sale, especially more than $30 cheaper than normal. What does that mean for you? It means you need your new favorite T-shirt in your closet ASAP for fall layering under a rugged denim shirt.

Native Union iPhone Dock — $99

A sleek, cool way to charge your phone from Native Union and Uncrate.

For just about 25 percent off, get this highly stylish phone charging dock from accessories brand Native Union, made from solid marble (yep!) and finished by hand.

Reproduction of Found Military Trainer — $99

Dependable, vintage-inspired sneakers to wear all summer and fall.

Take nearly 20 percent off some of the coolest men’s sneakers of the moment. The Reproduction of Found Military Trainer Sneakers play off an actual U.S. military training sneaker from the 1940s. Folks, you’ve just found your new favorite sneakers.

TID No. 1 Watch — $199

A classic leather watch available for a great deal from Uncrate.

20 percent off a stylish leather watch you can wear on the daily? Sounds like a great deal to me. The 40mm stainless steel case and Swedish leather band are surefire winning choices.

Bridge & Burn Burl Jacket — $199

The toughest workwear jacket for fall? Very possibly.

A tough waxed jacket should come from a brand that knows how to make one the right way, and the Bridge & Burn Burl Jacket uses inspo from the brand’s Pacific Northwest heritage for an on-sale piece of fall outerwear that gets the job done.

FEIT Wool Hiker Boots — $499

An incredible pair of rugged hiking boots.

Believe it or not, you’re getting almost 40 percent off these rugged leather hiking boots, the type that just so happen to be refined and stylish enough to wear with, yes, a suit. These FEIT leather boots are premium, eye-catching and ready for fall.

Private White Loro Piana Travel Blazer — $499

This rugged-yet-refined travel blazer is as cool and functional as it gets.

That initial price might elicit a double take, but this is one of the best men’s blazers out there, made by England’s Private White using custom wool-nylon Loro Piana fabric. It normally retails for $750, but it just so happens to be waterproof and practically windproof — it’s the perfect travel blazer on the market, easily.

Alchemy Equipment Carry-On Bag — $199

A rugged, durable travel bag for late summer and early fall getaways.

You need arguably the perfect travel bag to pair with the perfect travel blazer, and this Alchemy Equipment bag is made with a tough waxed cotton-like upper and plenty of reinforcement for your everyday carry carry essentials and more.

Catalyst Beer Fermentation System — $199

An easy and affordable way to brew beer at home.

As a craft beer fan, I’ve long been interested in the world of homebrewing, but space in my Brooklyn apartment tends to be a bit prohibitive at times. If you yourself want to get into the world of homebrewing, consider picking up the Catalyst Beer Fermentation System, a cool homebrewing set that makes it easier than ever to brew beer at home. Cheers!

Whenever you come across an online store for men as jam-packed as the Uncrate Surplus Shop, it’s tough to sort through arguably your new favorite gear picks. And yet, here we are with the 10 best deals from Uncrate right now. How about that? And what are you going to be picking up today? Perhaps the Catalyst Beer Fermentation System is going to lead you into pursuing homebrewing, or those FEIT leather boots are going to kickstart your fall style. As for me, I personally love the Private White Loro Piana Travel Blazer (a guy can dream, right??). Be sure to let me know your top sale picks on Twitter, and happy shopping!

Style Pick of the Week: Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt

Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt

One of two stylish chambray shirts from the Taylor Stitch Essentials Collection.

If you follow the blog regularly — and I sure hope you do — you’ll know that we’ve been talking this month about Taylor Stitch, and the Taylor Stitch Essentials Collection. More to the point, we’ve been talking about the kind of pieces from the standout San Francisco retailer that just work, regardless of the season. That’s no more true than right now, with the Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt — as we move through August into September and beyond, you need one of the best chambray shirts in your rotation, and you need to be shopping the Taylor Stitch Essentials Collection.

Ladies and gentlemen, this rugged chambray shirt just so happens to be even better than you might expect, for one. It’s a workhorse daily shirt for day-to-night wear. Whether you pick it up in Blue Everyday Chambray or Charcoal Everyday Chambray, I think you’ll quickly find you’ll have plenty of ways to wear it right off the bat (yes, even during these socially distanced times). Bonfires, beach visits, day trips and to-go beer runs … this is the chambray shirt you need. We’ll get into more of that in a second, though — you don’t get one of the most versatile men’s shirts without first making it to exacting standards. That’s what the brand has done with the Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt, and a fine job they’ve done indeed.

SHOP: The Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt

Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt - Charcoal | Garmentory

You can’t go wrong with either Blue or Charcoal when it comes to this classic chambray shirt from Taylor Stitch.

This classic chambray shirt checks all the right boxes when it comes to durable construction and design, from the use of organic cotton chambray to the tailored fit and higher armhole. The higher armhole gives you a cleaner look while still allowing you to rock this chambray shirt on its own or layered up atop, say, a Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Tee. Double-needle construction and bar-tacked finishing at stress points both ensure this rugged shirt won’t give out on you, even as you traverse the great outdoors this fall.

If you haven’t yet tried a Taylor Stitch chambray shirt, or you’re familiar with brands like J. Crew and its lauded chambray shirt, this is one heck of a change of pace — it’s a step up in rugged quality and dependability, for starters. Better still? You can wear your new favorite shirt with slim Taylor Stitch chinos or the brand’s selvedge denim with ease. How great is that? If you end up giving the Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt a try, be sure to give me a shout on Twitter. Happy shopping out there, folks. Thanks for reading!

-Beau

SHOP: The Taylor Stitch California Chambray Shirt

 

The Friday Read: Jack Black Grooming, Sustainable Sneakers & The American Trench Sale

GREATS Royale Eco Canvas

The most sustainable sneakers for your weekend and the season ahead? It sure seems like it.

Let’s step right on into the weekend with some of the most sustainable sneakers on the market, shall we? The pair you see above are perfectly ready for one of the last true weekends of summer: We’re talking, of course, about the GREATS Royale Eco Canvas, a recent addition to the Brooklyn-based sneaker brand‘s line of classic, subtly minimal sneakers for guys.  I’ve been a big fan of GREATS for years, and to power your weekend, I’d surely recommend you snap up some of, well, the best sneakers for men (and they also make women’s sneakers, naturally). Recycled cotton canvas uppers and a custom lining highlighting the brand’s commitment to sustainability set these stylish sneakers apart, too. Seriously, how about that to start your weekend?

Everlane.com Low Cost. High Quality. Classic wardrobe essentials for less!

My own weekend is off to a pretty swimming start, if I do say so myself — literally, in fact. Since early last week, I’ve been with my parents and sister in quiet, laidback Fort Myers, Florida. Quiet and laidback given the ongoing pandemic, and also quiet and laidback given the remote beaches we’ve been able to safely visit. We’ve also managed to pick up to-go craft beer from Point Ybel Brewing, a personal favorite of any trip. All along the way, I’ve managed to get some quality time with family while working on the blog (there’s a new Style Pick  of the Week coming up tomorrow!), plus my ongoing writing work at Maxim.com and GearMoose.

Freemans Sporting Club

To start your weekend right, I’ve assembled the below men’s style deals and picks. What’s more, I know exactly how to soundtrack your weekendthe just-released, propulsive, emotional, joyous “Imploding The Mirage” by Las Vegas rock legends The Killers. How’s that for a weekend kick-off, ehh?? I’ll have it on rotation for days to come. Back to a bit of menswear, though — check it all out below.

Everlane Sweatpants

The coolest new sweatpants to wear from summer into fall.

  • For these casual days at home and beyond, I’m going to point you toward a brand I’ve long admired: San Francisco-based Everlane, a subject on the blog here dating back to 2015. Here in the present, they’ve just launched the excellent-looking, affordably priced Everlane French Terry Sweatpants, part of the made-to-be-mixed-and-matched Everlane Uniform Collection. Think daily style staples that look great and are made with radical transparency in mind. The best men’s sweatpants to wear at home? You decide. 
20th Anniversary

20 years of the best men’s grooming gear from Jack Black, done up in a limited-edition capsule collection.

American Trench Summer Sale

Plenty of stylish menswear and gear here for the taking here from American Trench.

Paige Men

OK, so we’re almost wrapped up here today. But again, before I let you loose on the weekend, I’ve got one last suggested bit of shopping and reading. If it’s a rugged base layer or a stylish T-shirt to wear all on its own that you seek, you’re going to want to check out my post on the best pocket T-shirt for men (from NYC’s Freemans Sporting Club, of course). Enjoy, gear up, get out there — and make sure you subscribe to my newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief (a new edition drops tomorrow!). Alright, it’s time for me to get some more coffee. Cheers to the weekend!

 

The Thursday Buy: These Taylor Stitch Chinos Are Your New Favorite Pants

Taylor Stitch chinos review

The best pants for men? Check. The best men’s chinos? Also, check.

My friends, you best continue to acquaint yourself with Taylor Stitch. Specifically, the San Francisco retailer’s chinos, which are, simply put, your new favorite pair of pants (and some of the best chinos for men, to boot). These are a pair of chinos I first reviewed back in 2015, if you can believe it, and it’s no exaggeration to say Taylor Stitch chinos have only gotten better and at the same time … maintained the same incredible quality and rigorous standards. Is that an exaggeration? Not even close — wait ’til you see all the stops they’ve pulled out for the latest iteration, from versatile design to quality construction (including organic cotton). In fact, you can get these organic cotton chinos in a plethora of colors via the Taylor Stitch Essentials Collection, from the timeless British Khaki to the neutral Ash to crisp Navy and of course, an even cooler shade of Olive. Details like soft brushed fabric, custom brass hardware and interior vintage map pocket detailing make these some of the coolest men’s pants, period.

And the fits? Absolutely excellent, from the roomier-but-still-tailored Democratic Chinos (slightly tapered below the knee and roomier through the thigh) to the slim-but-not-too-tight Slim Chinos. Seriously, these are a truly revelatory pair of stylish men’s chinos that every guy needs to own. That’s certainly going out on a limb, but I promise, it’s not too much (if you’ve tried the brand out, you know). And if you haven’t? Take a shot with the Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Chinos just once, and you just might want to fill your closet with a pair in every color. It seems pretty fitting they come from the stellar Taylor Stitch Essentials Collection — they’re as crucial to have in your wardrobe for early fall (and beyond) as anything else you can dream up.

SHOP: The Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Chinos

 

See Now, Buy Now: This Packable Jacket from Faherty Brand Is Perfect for Late Summer

Your new favorite jacket for the end of summer (and into early fall) — guaranteed.

It’s official — we’re slowly but surely getting through the dog days of summer and ever closer to *gulp* Labor Day weekend. How about that? Even as Labor Day approaches, you still need summer style essentials, and to be sure, you need one of the best men’s jackets on your back, perhaps now more than ever. That’s because breezy late summer weather doesn’t slow down, and thus, I give you the Faherty Brand Surf Stripe Packable Jacket. It’s quite simply got plenty going for it, making it one of the best casual jackets for men on the market at the moment. But as with Faherty Brand, there really is so much more than meets the eye.

You very well might recognize the brand from past posts on this site — they make a stylish summer poncho and some of the best men’s flannel shirts, too — and their commitment to casually cool-yet-rugged styles never wavers. This classic packable jacket is the epitome of what the brand does best, made to fit right into your rugged weekender bag for one final beach getaway — and featuring nylon construction to battle sea beezes and rain, too.

SHOP: The Faherty Brand Surf Stripe Packable Jacket

The right details make for the best casual jacket for the summer months, folks.

Make no mistake, a stylish casual jacket is a must-have in your rotation of the best summer gear, even if it’s sunny and warm during the day. Back patio beers and bonfires await, and the best summer jacket is just what you need — it’s easy to throw on over your favorite T-shirt or a rugged denim shirt, complemented by breezy rolled chinos or hybrid swim shorts. Heck, this Faherty Brand jacket could even work well into early fall, if layered up properly with one of the best crewneck sweatshirts and your favorite pair of blue jeans. Whaddya say? The bold retro stripe on the front of this jacket is eyecatching and yet subtly stylish — kind of like a cool, old lifeguard jacket. Isn’t that what you want at the beach and on the boardwalk this summer? No matter where you’re headed the rest of August and into fall, Faherty Brand has you covered.

SHOP: The Faherty Brand Surf Stripe Packable Jacket