The Sunday Sale: Save 40 Percent On These American-Made Jeans from American Trench

American-made denim for men.

If you’ve been keeping up with the pages of this Brooklyn style blog lately, you’ll know that quality always tends to count, moreso than quantity, when it comes to the best style essentials for your wardrobe. And yet, at times, that quality can be tricky to come by, especially if you’re on the hunt for better-made style staples — to get even more specific, particularly if you’re scouring the market for the best American-made menswear.

And here, once again, is where we turn to our Pennsylvania-based friends at American Trench, a brand you’ve perhaps encountered over the years if you read this blog.

We talked last month about how the company is going the extra mile in crafting a new American-made blazer, a fine pursuit lending itself to some utterly classic, utterly stylish results.

They’ve also partnered up to produce some elegant leather boots right here in the States — and what goes better with each of those essentials (a crisp blazer and handsome lace-up boots) than a pair of classic men’s jeans, right?

There’s your everyday blue jeans — never a bad thing to have handy in your wardrobe — and then there’s the American Trench Richmond Garment-Dyed Denim, which happen to be on sale for the right price (40 percent off!) as we close out your weekend. These sturdy jeans start with strong, tightly woven denim twill, which is then dyed — in this case, in a pleasing and versatile shade of light tan, ideal for early (early) spring and beyond.

The jeans make great use of Candiani Mills Italian denim, in fact — in my experience, that type of cotton twill denim happens to be “the good stuff,” as it were. The American Trench Richmond Garment-Dyed Denim also boast a versatile tapered fit, somewhere between Straight and Slim, and helpfully, quite a few sizes are available in spite of the standout sale price.

The American Trench Richmond Garment-Dyed Denim will develop their own patina over time, not unlike indigo selvedge denim, and they’re finished with handsome details, like a custom-made leather back waistband patch. Plus, all three different colorways of your new favorite pair of jeans are marked down — talk about options for a spring style refresh, ehh? When a pair of American-made jean goes on sale for less than $130, that’s a deal worth taking, in my estimation. Shop accordingly on this fine Sunday, folks.

Style Pick of the Week: Faherty Brand Legend Sweater Shirt – A Modern Update to an Icon

Faherty Brand Legend Shirt review.

I don’t know about you, but my winter weekend menswear rotation — and my rotation of the best men’s style essentials plenty of the rest of the year — tends to lean heavily on rugged classics, like one of the best flannel shirts for men. That’s especially true when dealing with the last frigid weeks of winter, but I also prize pieces that can prove useful into spring, like the Faherty Brand Legend Sweater Shirt.

Best flannel shirts for men.

The ultra-cozy, soft, dependable buttondown shirt is a staple in the New York-based brand’s lineup — it’s as casually cool and classically rugged as it gets, yet there’s a twist and a slight swerve from the classic flannel shirt. That’s never a bad thing, and I’ve found in the past few weeks that the Faherty Brand Legend Sweater Shirt rises to the occasion.

I’ve had the chance over the years to try out variations of the Faherty Brand Legend Sweater Shirt, with a plethora of color and style options available, but this edition might be the best version yet of the famed, best-selling Faherty staple.

The best part? It comes in a whopping 24 different color combinations and patterns, some in solid, some in vivid plaids or stripes, and all offering a little something different, fresh and even fun for your rotation of casual buttondown shirts.

You can even customize the fan-favorite Faherty Brand Legend Sweater Shirt to your liking by selecting the number of chest pockets and the length. There’s much to love about the Faherty Brand Legend Sweater Shirt — heck, you might want to consider picking up more than one — but the use of its proprietary fabric (featuring elastane for stretch and plenty of recycled polyester for softness and sustainability) makes it a standout in terms of stylish shirts to wear with jeans (and more).

It boasts a softness and stretch that’s springy and reliable without stretching out after a long day’s wear. That utility is helpful if you plan to layer your new favorite buttondown shirt atop a tee or henley on a Saturday out and about.

In other style scenarios, this shirt passes muster, at least in my experience. For instance, if you plan to style the Faherty Brand Legend Sweater Shirt underneath a soft-shouldered blazer alongside some Faherty stretch terry pants, then you’re going to want a sturdy-yet-soft shirt that retains its shape.

If you’re searching for a casually rugged, soft, reliable and stylish shirt you can wear with ease starting this weekend and rolling into spring, then the Faherty Brand Legend Sweater Shirt — in its many colors and styles — is your best bet of the moment, my friends.

The Thursday Buy: This Todd Snyder Western Shirt is an Elevated Take on a Stylish Classic

Best Western shirts for men.

The idea behind building a wardrobe full of versatile men’s style essentials is a constant pursuit, is it not? I’ve found, in my experience, that having your building blocks in place — pieces you can wear every single day, in various combinations — makes it a lot easier to adapt to selections that are a slight swerve from the norm. Big-time stuff, yes?

Luckily for all of us here at this Brooklyn style blog, I’ve found that Todd Snyder takes on both sides of the coin more than stylishly — both the classics and those “slight swerves” from the norm.

Take, for example, one of the best Western shirts for men. It’s a departure from a classic Oxford shirt for men or even a chambray shirt, but when a designer like the award-winning Todd Snyder puts his own spin on it, you can certainly trust that you’re getting the best of the best — in terms of quality, style and versatility. Again, big-time stuff, yes?

And that’s what makes the Todd Snyder + Hamilton Twill Western Shirt an outstanding wardrobe addition: It takes the familiar, like that of a rugged Western shirt, then gives it a refined spin by way of both one of the country’s best menswear designers (Todd Snyder) and the longtime maker of some of the best dress shirts for men (that’d be Hamilton, a longtime favorite of the Iowa-born designer).

Details both classic and modern are accounted for when it comes to the Todd Snyder + Hamilton Twill Western Shirt, including USA-made, 100 percent cotton twill construction in a rich, wear-with-nearly-anything shade of olive. It also features snap buttons and back yoke detailing, like you’d find on other options when it comes to the best Western shirts for guys, yet the Todd Snyder + Hamilton Twill Western Shirt is updated with crisp dress shirt cuffs.

Could you go so far as to wear the Todd Snyder + Hamilton Twill Western Shirt underneath a soft-shouldered Italian blazer from the legendary designer? You certainly could, but your new favorite Western shirt might be just as at home with black denim and tan leather boots (among other combinations).

Take a swing at something a bit different from the norm, and be sure to thank me later (ha, kidding!). Cheers to the unexpected, my friends.

See Now, Buy Now: Kyrgies Socks are Some of the Best USA-Made Socks Money Can Buy

Best USA-made socks.

Every so often, you come across a brand that elevates a certain category and changes the way you think about how you put together your wardrobe — that approach is evident in big-ticket items, like an American-made blazer, but what about the socks you wear every day?

The details are truly in the difference, and that’s why I’ve been so impressed as of late with the USA-made socks being produced carefully and diligently by Kyrgies.

The Virginia-based company is perhaps best known for its slippers and house shoes produced in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, but the brand’s USA-made socks have caught my eye as of late — for their production and fabrication as well as their quality and durability. Kyrgies Homespun Socks have proven as reliable as any in my wardrobe, with a difference you can feel right out of the box — and onto your feet, of course.

Helpfully, they’re available in both Men’s and Women’s sizes (a terrific His-and-Hers gift, if I do say so myself!), and these Climate Beneficial Verified socks are a level up from a typical pair of socks in every way possible. Kyrgies Homespun Socks start with a blend of cotton, alpaca and American fine wool, and it’s both soft and supple yet durable enough to stand up to wearing with leather boots, as I found out on a recent trip to the Italian Dolomites.

Kyrgies socks review.

Each component of every pair of Kyrgies Homespun Socks is truly American-made, from cotton sourced in California’s San Joaquin Valley to fiber from alpacas raised and sheared in North Salem, New York, plus wool sourced from in Dixon, California.

A very small amount of nylon and lycra gives these socks some structure and helps them to stay in place at your calves — a crucial touch that doesn’t take away from their natural sourcing and production efforts, at least in my experience.

In terms of style points, these made-in-America socks come in three versatile colors: Caramel, Seafoam and Navy (navy is my personal favorite). Plus, the combination of a thick vertical ribbed knit from the toe all the way up to a thinner, more snug vertical knit at your calf is an ingenious touch that ensures a secure fit.

Each pair of Kyrgies Homespun Socks is an investment in the best: An investment in quality, style and a better, more carefully considered way of doing things. Add them to your basics drawer accordingly, my friends.

The Tuesday Steal: These Tough, Stylish Chelsea Boots from Huckberry are On Sale Right This Instant

Best Chelsea boots for men.

It pays off to have a trusted stable of sturdy, dependable men’s style essentials close at hand, no matter the season. That certainly holds true in your footwear rotation, particularly when stepping ever-so-slightly from late winter into early (early) spring. And friends, I have just the pair of boots to upgrade your menswear stable right now — at a discount, no less, and from one of the best online menswear shops for guys.

The menswear shop in question, of course, is a personal favorite: The good folks at Huckberry, who surely know how to stock and sell some of the best boots for men, along with a host of complementary selections, like expertly faded jeans, stylish trucker jackets and more.

The focus today, though? That’d be the Rhodes Footwear Boone Wedge Chelsea Boots, a hard-wearing set of workwear-inspired Chelsea boots that manage to be both rugged and refined at the same time. In my experience, those are the best kinds of pieces to have in your transitional style wardrobe, are they not?

Right now, the Rhodes Footwear Boone Wedge Chelsea Boots are marked down about 15 percent, so while the savings aren’t as major as what you might find from, say, the Huckberry Annual Sale, they’re still worth taking a look if you need a new set of durable Chelsea boots.

The key is the Goodyear welted Vibram Sport 2060 outsole, which provides superior traction and reliably rugged performance — unlike some other pairs of Chelsea boots, which typically lean more sleek and dressy.

The handsome bovine leather upper will develop its own patina over time — and quite stylishly, in my personal experience with Huckberry boots — while the bovine leather lining molds to your foot over time.

Plus, the Rhodes Footwear Boone Wedge Chelsea Boots come with a Morflex outsole for added comfort, support and traction. And in a stylish medium-brown shade, the Rhodes Footwear Boone Wedge Chelsea Boots should pair up fashionably with everything from olive chinos to light wash jeans to black denim.

The best part? Yes, they’re on sale right now — again, we’re not talking massive savings, but hey, a few bucks goes a long way when it comes to your new favorite Chelsea boots, does it not? Be sure to check back tomorrow for more insight into the best menswear and deals from top brands, folks.

See Now, Buy Now: American Trench Is Now Making Its American Blazer Here in the U.S.A

USA-made blazer for men.

It’s getting harder and harder with each passing season to find true craftsmanship at the highest levels of menswear done right here in America. At least, it seems that way at times, but if you look closely, some of the best menswear brands are committed to USA-made menswear for exceptional quality and stylish results (an understatement, no doubt). And when I shop for wardrobe upgrades, I keep that in mind. That’s why, in my experience, a company like American Trench is so impressive.

Founded with the goal of making the best raincoat right here in the United States in the late 2000s, the company has branched out by leaps and bounds (they also make some of my favorite USA-made socks), and the roster gets more impressive the deeper you go.

The company also crafts leather boots, chambray shirts and T-shirts (among others), but the American Trench American Blazer is about as, well, all-American as it gets.

The Pennsylvania-based company has pulled off the near-impossible: Making a classic navy blazer in the US of A. Other Northeast brands, like Joseph Abboud, also manufacture handsome tailoring in the States, but the American Trench American Blazer is plenty impressive in its own right, starting with the responsible sourcing of fleece from Oregon.

Best navy blazer for men.

American Trench then works with American Woolen to turn that fiber into a multi-season hopsack cloth (a fabric widely used in old-school suiting and tailoring, for the most part), before the American Trench American Blazer becomes the impressively cut jacket we see here. Family-owned, Queens, NY-based  Ferrara Manufacturing then crafts this elegant, timeless blazer to exacting standards, American Trench notes.

It’san utterly impressive dedication to style and craft, and the results speak for themselves: With a single vent and a 3-roll-2 construction (where the lapels roll over the top of the third button), the American Trench American Blazer is about as versatile as it gets these days. Genuine horn buttons deliver lasting quality, while this stylish blazer is available in sizes 36 to 46 online.

In my experience with American Trench, the brand’s garments fit neither too tight nor too slim — this should prove no exception, especially when worn with complementary staples like a white Oxford shirt or an American-made chambray shirt.

Consider the American Trench American Blazer a testament to the lost art of USA-made tailoring every step of the way — and consider making this investment-level beauty a part of your workday wardrobe.

The Sunday Sale: Save 50 Percent on these Crisp, Refined Billy Reid Dress Trousers

If it holds true that you get what you pay for when it comes to men’s style essentials — which I certainly believe to be the case, in matters of both affordability and investments — then it can sometimes be tough to upgrade your tailored wardrobe on a bit of a budget. After all, this Brooklyn style blog was founded with a focus on affordable men’s style, which is why it’s such a treat to scour the market for the best menswear deals.

Take the ongoing Billy Reid End of Season Sale, which just so happens to end tomorrow. We talked last week about menswear deals from Billy Reid, but let’s get just a bit more specific to close your weekend, shall we?

Run, don’t walk to score savings on some seriously refined, elegant and yet versatile menswear, like the Billy Reid Flat Front Trousers as shown above. They’re just about everything you could want in a pair of the best men’s dress pants, boasting the same kind of quality construction and fabrication that’s made many of the Alabama-based designer’s pieces menswear icons in the modern world.

That includes, of course, the peacoat worn by James Bond, but look closer and there’s plenty more to love from the award-winning designer’s namesake line. These fast-selling trousers, for instance, feature a soft Italian wool blend and the kind of classic construction that should make them endlessly wearable.

Front side slant pockets, plus one eye-catching watch pocket at the hip, are nicely accented by a dressy tab-front waistband closure. The Billy Reid Flat Front Trousers also boast a tailored slim fit, so size up — if they’ve got your size available, that is — for a more relaxed fit.

Best dress pants for men.

Either way, the Billy Reid Flat Front Trousers should prove crisp, elegant and refined — versatile enough to wear with a contrasting navy blazer and Chelsea boots, or perhaps a classic cardigan and a crisp Oxford shirt for a touch of retro style. So, style and savings on timeless dress pants? The Billy Reid Flat Front Trousers belong in your cart this weekend, my friends.

Style Pick of the Week: Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater – A Classic Winter Weekend Cardigan

Best shawl cardigans for men.

It’s hard not to admire modern brands that have a healthy respect for the classics, brands that know the in’s and out’s of a sturdy flannel shirt, a durable pair of work pants, a hard-working denim overshirt or the cozy, utterly classic nature of one of the best shawl cardigans.

Trusted by icons like Steve McQueen and Daniel Craig over the years — as you’ll well know if you’ve read this Brooklyn style blog for some time — the shawl cardigan lends more depth to the button-front sweater: It’s thick, it’s cozy, it’s just plain… cool. And my friends, the good folks at Line of Trade — as you might recognize from the pages of this Web site — have a new, stylish men’s cardigan worthy of your consideration.

Although they’re a relatively recent entry into the modern menswear canon, Line of Trade fits the bill when it comes to putting its own twist on Americana must-haves — including the fast-selling Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater pictured above.

It’s the kind of sweater practically begging to be worn on brisk winter weekends, on cozy days and nights in front of a fire, or else worn alongside a trusted Oxford shirt as you contemplate what sort of bourbon you’d like in your Old Fashioned. The Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater gets the details right, and then some, from the thick fold-over collar — meant to protect your neck from blustery winter winds — to the textured seed-stitch knit for added warmth and visual appeal.

Check another box for the impressively crafted Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater, because even the faux horn buttons look impressive for a sub-$100 sweater. As the brand (once owned by our friends at Bespoke Post) says, “heritage nautical details combine in a cardigan sweater that yearns for the high seas.”

Especially in a rich shade of olive, it’s an apt pairing with everything from a faded denim shirt and black jeans to a crisp white Oxford shirt and dark, rust-hued chinos.

Best winter cardigans for men.

It’s a vision for the future that’s attractive and geared toward adventure, as many of the best menswear essentials happen to be, and a taste of the good life — in matters of style and ruggedly good looks — can be yours (for an affordable price!) with the Line of Trade Harbor Shawl Sweater.

The Friday Read: Trekking into the Italian Dolomites with SONOS Audio

Out of the many winding paths we might walk through our careers and in the pursuit of our passions, I often find myself in some pretty unexpected, rather jaw-dropping stops and starts on the proverbial trail.

That holds true whether I’m writing about tequila and visiting Mexican agave fields, trekking to Austin for a Western-inspired whiskey expedition or even learning about how USA-made suits are crafted (menswear, after all, was the very reason I started this Brooklyn style blog).

I’ve developed an appreciation for careful craftsmanship, for quality and attention to detail, and for the little nuances found in finely made essentials every man should own, from suiting to boots to shirting and my everyday must-haves. That includes my own love of music, of vinyl records and of high-quality audio in its many forms.

And that pursuit, my friends, is why I find myself wearing a stellar pair of Sonos Ace headphones (as seen above) as I prep to fly to the Italian Dolomites for the ultimate (I mean, ULTIMATE) apres-ski experience — courtesy of the truly excellent high-end audio brand.

I was fortunate enough to review a pair of the newest Sonos over-ear headphones last year for Maxim.com, and I’ve also been loving the nuanced and crystal-clear sound quality of the Sonos Roam 2 (both of them are in my Halfday Travel bag for the excursion, which stretches until next Monday).

Before we dive in further, a quick word about my Halfday Travel bag: It doubles as a garment bag, it boasts handy shoe and inner zipper compartments aplenty, and the exterior is about as durable as it gets, in my experience. Yessir, a Halfday Travel bag is a wise pick-up before your next flight — now, to business!

 Our accommodations? The Casa Tra Cime, which promises plenty of Sonos gear and Sonos-adjacent fun (and exceptional Italian food and of course, drink). We’ll also be visiting Alta Badia and dining at the likes of Club Moritzino and at L’Murin. The focal point of the trip is Cortina d’Ampezzo, the site of the next Winter Olympics — and as fine a place as any to put the full lineup of Sonos audio gear to the test.

And while my colleagues will be skiing and snowboarding, I’ll be exploring alpine towns aplenty (a lack of skiing experience stretching back more than a decade makes the Dolomites quite the prospect!). Suffice to say, there are plenty of things to do in the Dolomites in winter, regardless.

I’ll also be packing and wearing a mix of layering-ready, rugged essentials to take on the snow, not unlike my Buck Mason canvas jacket and a trusty Huckberry flannel shirt as shown above. Of course, you can keep up with all the fun over on my Instagram.

It’s the sort of lifetime trip that tends to come up last-second in this line of work, but when opportunity knocks, the door must be answered — no doubt about it! I’ll have the ultimate soundtrack via my Spotify to keep me occupied on the trans-Atlantic flight, and the rest of the way, I can’t wait to test out the full suite of Sonos gear.

Again, to keep up with this trip, head on over on my Instagram — and fear not, since we’ll still have two regularly scheduled menwear posts debuting this weekend to help you bundle up in style. In the most sincere way possible: Thank you for reading, thank you for supporting this blog and thanks for following along with my adventures!

The Thursday Buy: This Relwen Canvas Chore Coat is an Instant Outerwear Upgrade

Best chore coats for men.

It’s hard to believe that we’re shifting slowly but surely from burly winter outerwear and some of the best winter jackets into, well, burly and tough-as-nails early spring outerwear for seasonal style transitions, but here we are. And that leads us to today’s featured pick, a true must-buy if you — like me — prize expertly rugged style and frequently wear pieces like one of the best chore coats for men.

If that sounds like you — and I’m guessing it does, if you read the blog on the regular — then the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat could be the latest and greatest piece from the vintage-inspired Ohio brand to find some space in your wardrobe.

The brand has come up time and again in Huckberry reviews on this Brooklyn style blog, and in my experience, the company’s focus on tried-and-true recreations of the classics with a modern twist is much appreciated. That goes for pieces like the iconic Relwen Quilted Tanker Jacket as well as its famed hunting jacket-inspired blazers.

So, to business: What separates the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat from other chore coats you might be eyeing as we step from one season into the next? Well, your new favorite chore coat uses high-tensile cotton and nylon with stretch for plenty of durability and strong yet lightweight layering potential. It’s also water-resistant on the outside (thanks to a polyurethane coated backing finish), and you’ll find the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat is comfortable to wear inside and out: The tricot lining should see to that.

And in my experience, chore coats that are abrasive are no fun to wear — the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat should prove the opposite, whether layered over a midweight flannel, a thermal henley or an American-made T-shirt in warmer weather. You’ll also find the classics are covered in terms of details when it comes to the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat — that means it’s outfitted with a foldover collar, a five-button front and oversized patch pockets (a top-entry chest pocket and side-entry hip pockets) for your everyday carry essentials.

Relwen Canvas Chore Coat review.

One more feature to love about the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat — besides the fact that it comes in a trio of tasteful, wear-with-just-about-anything, lighter colors for spring? It’s finished with a drawstring cord waistband, so you can customize your fit when wearing the hearty Relwen Canvas Chore Coat into the field in inclement weather.

The rest of the time, this handsome chore coat should prove ruggedly casual with light wash jeans, suede chukka boots and your favorite henley. (Slightly) warmer days await ahead, and the Relwen Canvas Chore Coat should be your go-to jacket for all of ’em.