by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best American-Made Menswear From Devium, A New Huckberry Jacket & A Winter Weekend Getaway

Devium menswear review.

It can sometimes be tough to find a brand doing things the old way — the hard way, the difficult way, like making some of the best American-made menswear. It’s something I’ve had the time to think about this week as we come to another edition of the Friday Read here at your favorite Brooklyn style blog.

And as with past menswear reviews on this site — including last week’s introduction to Vero Watches — I’m all about brands that go the extra mile when it comes to quality and craftsmanship, like California-based Devium.

Shop Devium’s USA-made gear now

The decade-old brand puts its money where its mouth is, so to speak, in matters of rugged workwear, American-made production and a full array of timeless styles (think hard-working trucker jackets, flannel shirts, canvas workwear, durable chinos and much more).

The Devium story — which starts with the company’s founding on Flag Day, of all days, in 2015, is an impressive one, with plain old fashioned hard work and 100 percent American-made construction at its core.

I’m excited to learn more about the brand, and I’d wager you’ll feel the same way as you dive into its flagship lineup, which includes a range of sturdy flannels, tough-as-nails waxed jackets and more. How’s that for a new brand to jumpstart your weekend? T

he company makes the sort of dependable, good-looking, hard-wearing menswear that should prove useful in plentiful style situations, including my next jaunt — my first trip of 2025, in fact, and a suitably winter-focused one.

Find out more and shop now at Devium

I’m off with my love Mary to chilly Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where a relaxing family weekend — think flannel shirts, whiskey, great food and even better times — awaits. To see how I’m outfitting myself and to find out what I’m sipping on, head over to my Instagram.

And before we head off into the weekend properly, let’s talk briefly about another must-buy style essential, the sort that should come in remarkably handy in terms of warmth, toughness, sturdy construction and long-lasting appeal.

Flint and Tinder waxed jacket.

What style selection could clear that very high bar and live up to the hype at the same time? The new Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Hooded Waxed Jacket, of course. Crafted from the same Martexin waxed sailcloth as the positively legendary, best-selling Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket, the style adds a weather-ready waxed hood and keeps the same classic detailing, like durable hardware and a striped blanket lining.

Flint and Tinder Hooded Waxed Trucker Jacket review.

It’s a workwear jacket built to last in every sense of the word, and it comes in two must-have colors: Field Tan and a rich shade of Forest. Either is a fitting addition to a highly functional, carefully considered and casually rugged (and useful) winter weekend wardrobe.

Shop the best new men’s gear at Huckberry

Between Devium and Huckberry, if you ask me, I’d say you’ve got plenty of gear to consider in the days ahead — and plenty of gear to break in and make all your own. Happy shopping and cheers to American-made menswear, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Billy Reid Shawl Cardigan is a Fresh Twist on a Menswear Staple

If there’s one thing to carry through from 2024 into 2025 in terms of menswear essentials, it’s got to be a sense of respecting menswear classics while bending the rules ever-so-slightly in tasteful fashion. That might seem like a tall task, but when Billy Reid steps up to the plate, the Alabama-based designer’s wares tend to shake things up in pleasing fashion.

Learn more now at Billy Reid

That certainly goes for one of the best cardigans shown above, of course, but one with a noticeable twist. Just as the famed brand takes staples like a shirt jacket and crosses it with a puffer jacket for rugged appeal (resulting in one of the best shackets for men) the designer is an expert at elevating everyday staples into more refined territory, like a classic cardigan given an eye-catching double-breasted design.

Best cardigans for men.

Thus, the Billy Reid French Terry Shawl Cardigan puts a surprising, tasteful twist on a classic, upgrading your rotation of the best winter sweaters for men in the process.

And while the Billy Reid French Terry Shawl Cardigan isn’t quite as versatile as your trusted V-neck or cashmere crewneck sweater to wear at the office, it’s just as visually appealing and ready for a day of meetings or a crisp night out at a moody speakeasy. Not a bad amount of range for one cardigan, right?

And as with all things Billy Reid, the design and fabrication of the Billy Reid French Terry Shawl Cardigan truly place it a cut above the rest, at least in my experience. The flattering shawl collar gets an upgrade in a small-yet-refined way with a suede loop closure at the top button — the details truly do make the difference when it comes to one of the best men’s cardigans.

Soft French Terry cotton should prove easy to layer over a mid-weight flannel shirt, a stretch dress shirt or a thermal henley for rugged-yet-refined appeal. Distinctive hip patch pockets get a classic Billy Reid finishing touch, and the overall effect of the handsome (whether in colors like Oak Brown or Carbon Blue) is one of elegance yet laidback style in spades — it sounds to me like your new favorite cardigan might have just hit the scene, folks.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt is Rugged Menswear Perfection This Winter (and Beyond)

If the start of your 2025 has meant getting down to business and getting back to work — in matters of menswear essentials and of course, when it comes to actual work — then you’ve come to the right place. From casually rugged style situations to Work-From-Home days, time spent in the yard and time spent in the road, I can think of no better shirt to wear than the aptly named Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt.

If you’ve kept up with this blog and Taylor Stitch reviews over the years, you’ll note that the San Francisco brand excels at making the kind of shirting (and knitwear, and chinos, and accessories) that keeps stylish guys (like yourself) coming back for more. That same focus holds true for the latest addition to the brand’s roster of workwear-inspired shirting, and the Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt plays its part well, and then some.

Shop style essentials and more at Taylor Stitch

For starters, the Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt is built with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from one of the best workshirts for men, including expertly cut-and-sewn flap patch chest pockets for your everyday carry essentials.

Beyond that, the Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt makes use of a sturdy, elements-ready wool and cotton canvas blend that should take on brisk temperatures quite nicely indeed, at least in my experience with Taylor Stitch men’s shirts.

Best overshirts for men.

There’s a heft and a weight to Taylor Stitch men’s shirting, the Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt very much included. The brand notes the Indigo yarns seen here will develop their own look and patina over time, never a bad thing to have when it comes to your go-to everyday workshirt. And the medium-weight build of the Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt should make it a reliable layer over everything from a cotton Taylor Stitch henley this winter to a breezy graphic T-shirt come spring days and cooler summer nights.

Yes, that’s right: In my experience, the Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt is a sturdy, strong and bold-looking workshirt with multi-season chops, and the brand’s signature California collar should frame your face nicely in matters of style.

Of course, like all stylish Taylor Stitch men’s shirts, it comes in exact chest sizing for a fit that’s neither too tailored nor too sloppy. What’s not to love about that?

Of course, the strong and workday-ready Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt also comes in fabrics like a rich deep Navy Corduroy, as well as shades like a versatile off-white shade of Ash, but any way you take your new go-to overshirt, it’s a winner from sunrise to sunset. With the Taylor Stitch Utility Shirt, everything from Zoom calls to dive bar jaunts now seems even more stylish, functional and hey, even fun. Cheers to that, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Amp Up Your Casual Style Rotation with this Flint and Tinder Hat from Huckberry

Flint and Tinder ballcap.

Just as no man is an island, no one’s rotation of the best menswear essentials is ever quite fully complete, or fully finished…. right? At least, that’s the case if you believe in the small details making the difference, and in the need to complement a casually rugged #OOTD the right way.

In the case of today’s standout featured pick — a pick you should just buy if you’re search of an expert way to top off your outfit — the details certainly count. That’s because we’re talking about a Flint and Tinder ballcap, one made the right way, the proper way by the good folks at Huckberry — the sort of ballcap that might put other casual ballcaps in your rotation to shame.

Shop men’s hats at Huckberry

That’s lofty praise, to be sure, but for under $40 on sale at the moment, the Flint and Tinder Waxed Canvas & Corduroy Hat hits on all the marks you’d expect from an accessory bearing the praise-worthy F&T designation. For one, the Flint and Tinder Waxed Canvas & Corduroy Hat is truly a ballcap that can take a beating come fall and winter, and that’s not to be overlooked

Sure, it might not be the hat you’d reach for in the depths of a blizzard, of course (save a Huckberry beanie cap for that). And yet, its waxed canvas crown is nicely complemented by a seasonally friendly corduroy brim for texture, style and toughness.

In fact, the Flint and Tinder Waxed Canvas & Corduroy Hat might break in just as nicely as your favorite Flint and Tinder waxed trucker jacket — if you’ve had one of those covetable trucker jackets in your rotation for years, then you know that Huckberry means business.

Flint and Tinder ballcap review.

It’s as if this cap (assuredly one of the best ballcaps for men) was made to pair up with rugged picks like a denim sherpa jacket or a flannel overshirt and a sturdy pair of blue jeans. Beyond that, the right ballcap shields your face from sun, rain and wind, proving critical in times of work and times of leisure (another round of brewery beers, anyone?).

Shop the best new menswear at Huckberry

Details like the leather strapback and brass fastener further deepen the durability of the Flint and Tinder Waxed Canvas & Corduroy Hat, at least in my experience. And while that might be lofty praise to call it one of the best men’s hats on the market, it’s certainly a fine deal at the moment for under $40.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Mott and Bow is Now Making One of the Best Overshirts for Men

Best shirt jackets for men.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: When a menswear company branches out beyond its typical focus, yet manages to dream up staple pieces that pair expertly with its, well, general expertise, it’s a sight to behold. Hyperbole aside, that means that I’ve kept a close eye over the years on Mott and Bow, makers of your favorite jeans.

And now, you can also consider them makers of luxurious cashmere sweaters, perfectly fitting cotton tees and of course, one of the best men’s shirt jackets as seen above. Yes, premium denim in a range of fits and washes is the main focus at Mott and Bow, but a series of rugged and subtly stylish overshirts have now joined the decade-plus-old lineup at the NYC denim brand — and it’s for the better, at least in my experience.

A hearty, thick blended wool fabrication sets the Mott and Bow Oversized Wool Shirt Jacket from the pack in each of its three versatile colors (including my personal favorite, a rich Olive number). The Mott and Bow Oversized Wool Shirt Jacket also features two notched-flap patch chest pockets for your everyday carry essentials, while satin binding at each of the seams gives this men’s shirt jacket a rather refined finish.

Mott and Bow men's shirt jackets.

The Mott and Bow Oversized Wool Shirt Jacket is also built with double back yokes, the better for ease of movement as you layer your new favorite shirt jacket over a thermal shirt, your favorite henley or even a Mott and Bow long-sleeve T-shirt on casual days.

Learn more and shop now at Mott and Bow

And at its core, the pleasingly rugged Mott and Bow Oversized Wool Shirt Jacket should style up in expert fashion with dark blue, black, grey or tan Mott and Bow jeans. In fact, in my experience, any shade and fit of Mott and Bow men’s denim should work well for casually rugged style alongside the new Mott and Bow Oversized Wool Shirt Jacket.

It’s a new product offering from one of the best denim brands out there, and it just makes perfect sense in my book — how about you? If you end up taking the plunge with one of these shirt jackets, let me know in the comments or on Instagram, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: These Durable, On-Sale Forsake Boots from Bespoke Post Are Perfect for Winter Adventures

Best outdoor boots for men.

Especially in these brisk winter months, the focus is almost always on building an outfit from the ground up, or at least, an outfit to take on the elements. Blustery snow drifts, slick city streets and frigid mornings on upstate getaways call for one thing, and one thing only — a pair of the best winter boots, like the kind my friends at Bespoke Post sell.

Or at the very least, you should certainly have your heart set on boots with enough traction and performance to get you from point A to point B when the situation calls for it, and that’s where we step off the trail and into today’s post in earnest.

Shop men’s boots and more at Bespoke Post

And when you really get down to it, those boots had better be waterproof, traction-ready and tough as heck — the good news is, the Forsake Cascade Peak Mid Boots are all of that and then some. Oh, and since this is a Sunday at The Style Guide, they also happen to be on sale — just in the nick of time, right?

While the performance-focused Forsake Cascade Peak Mid Boots aren’t as insulated as a pair of shearling boots or even some faux-fur or shearling L.L. Bean Boots, they’re a worthy option if there’s not a foot of snow on the ground, especially if your winter pursuits call for sporting adventures and casually rugged style.

They boast the modern appeal of sneakers and the functionality of hiking boots, and it doesn’t hurt that the Forsake Cascade Peak Mid Boots are 40 percent off right now at Bespoke Post — good news indeed for your wallet after the holiday rush, right?

Shop the best new gear and boots at Bespoke Post

They’re also as functionally minded as it gets, from the taped seams on the leather and heathered textile upper to the durable MultiGrip rubber outsole and compression EVA midsole — talk about comfort and traction to the max, my friends.

For good measure, recycled PET laces and linings add a sustainable touch, and it doesn’t hurt that these boots still boast a rather streamlined profile compared to other hiking boots on the market. Plus, come springtime, the Forsake Cascade Peak Mid Boots will be more than ready to take on that first lovely trail hike when the snow melts — at 40 percent off right now, that doesn’t sound like a bad way to plan for the present or the future, right?

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Bonobos Brushed 5-Pocket Pants – Your New Go-To Daily Pant

Best everyday work pants for men.

As we continue to step into a new year, I’m all about reliability in your menswear wardrobe — clothing that looks great, fits well, wears even better and matches up nicely with plenty of picks in the rest of your style rotation.

Sticking to those core principles will serve you plenty well in a lot of different style situations, but especially as you head back to the office, right? And that’s where a pair of stylish men’s pants from Bonobos can step in as a wardrobe workhorse.

Shop men’s pants and more at Bonobos

If those pants happen to be a premium update to a time-honored silhouette, that’s all the better: For instance, the Bonobos Italian Brushed 5-Pocket Pants deliver the goods in that area. Plenty of Bonobos reviews cover how well the long-running NYC company does in matters of fit, fabric and comfort — again, those are all keys that can go a long way towards revamping your office wardrobe (or anytime wardrobe!) in the new year (and beyond, of course).

Like other pairs of Bonobos men’s pants in my experience, the Bonobos Italian Brushed 5-Pocket Pants should deliver a supremely comfortable build in terms of fabrication and fit. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the five-pocket construction wears like a jean, yet can be dressed up like a chino when done the right way.

Plus, the soft garment-dyed cotton is built with a touch of stretch for ease of movement, while the Bonobos Italian Brushed 5-Pocket Pants come in a range of colors to rival your favorite dress pants or chinos.

They’re a touch more easygoing, they wear as well with a henley for Sunday brunch as they do with an Oxford shirt for Monday morning, and they’re every bit as comfortable as stretch jeans — just with a touch more polish and color. Yessir, the Bonobos Italian Brushed 5-Pocket Pants could take the cake as your new go-to workday pants.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A New American Watch Brand Worth Knowing & The Best New Gear from Huckberry

VERO watches review.

Welcome back to this, the second Friday Read of 2025. It’s a worthwhile time to take stock of how your year has started and where you want it to go, in matters of New Year’s resolutions — menswear and otherwise — in matters of how you dress and the mindful thought that goes into some of your favorite menswear brands. Now, to be sure, I’m not just talking about tried-and-true, fan favorite brands like Huckberry.

We’ve already talked about the best Huckberry menswear in particular to start 2025, but let’s go beyond just that, shall we? In fact, in future editions of the Friday Read, you can expect the occasional spotlight on an unheralded yet truly excellent brand, like the USA-made timepiece manufacturer we’re about to discuss, Vero Watches.

Shop the best menswear and gear at Huckberry

As of late, my attention has been captured by some similar upstarts, the sort of brands that fall right in line with the rugged, adventurous, tastefully classic yet modern vibe of Huckberry (and Taylor Stitch, and Buck Mason and … well, you get the picture).

Best field watches for men.

And especially in the wristwear arena — as I cover watches frequently for Maxim.com and elsewhere — I’ve been impressed by the revamped takes on the “modern American field watch” coming out of Vero Watches. The brand was actually founded back in 2015, but has started to garner some buzz as of late, and I appreciate their outdoor-ready, rugged and yet crisply designed sensibility as far as watch design is concerned.

Vero men's watches review.

And to hear the company tell it, its timepieces are “inspired by grit, commitment and style,” with a true sense of intention behind each timepiece (like the Workhorse Chrono shown here). In fact, Vero Watches says they build timepieces “that are meant to live on your wrist,” rather than in a collector’s box. An admirable focus, yes?

Many of its watches are built with durable stainless steel, feature hearty water resistance and outdoor-minded features like canvas straps, and of course, production takes place in the good ole U.S. of A — Portland, Oregon, mind you.

Yessir, if you ask me, there’s a lot to love about this brand, including the beefy 44.5mm case build of the Workhorse Chrono (expect more in the weeks ahead on this particular watch, my friends).

Learn more now at Vero Watches

Consider this your first intro to Vero Watches, a brand I’ll surely be circling back to here on the blog in good time. As it were, you very well might be able to spot a timepiece from the company sooner rather than later on my Instagram.

Best field watches for men.

For now, I’m going to wind down this Friday Read early — you’ve got some reading and shopping to do as far as your new favorite watch company is concerned, but if I can recommend one final piece, head over to yesterday’s blog post to revamp your weekend activewear and loungewear game from Huckberry. Cheers to a new year, a fresh weekend and some stylish recommendations to power the days, weeks and months ahead.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Start the New Year Off Right With the New Wellen WellKnit Sweats from Huckberry

Best sweatpants for men in 2025.

For as much fun as it can be to look back on a holiday season filled with joy — and Christmas cookies, and whiskey, and craft beer — at some point, a guy’s got to get back to work and the right daily style essentials can help. That process includes the real work of your daily grind, and ideally, even the real work of a wellness routine, however that shakes out for you.

And a must-have in any sort of wellness routine — or a travel wardrobe, or for a weekend coffee run? A pair of the best sweatpants for men, something that the good folks at Wellen and Huckberry seem to have excelled at crafting for the new year (and beyond).

In fact, the entire Wellen WellKnit line takes things to another level in terms of performance, sustainability and even a dash of minimal style. All are valuable to have close at hand as you plot your next road trip, your next morning yoga session, your next park stroll or your next weekend coffee outing (again, I’m something of a coffee fiend, and I trust the best loungewear to get me from point A to point B in style).

If any or all of the above pursuits sound like you, then you’d do well to scope out the entire Wellen WellKnit line, particularly the ultra-soft, ultra-stretchy and performance-minded Wellen WellKnit Joggers.

The use of four-way stretch, proprietary fabric — complete with a tapered fit for streamlined performance — makes these the ideal men’s jogger pants for weekend outings, morning training sessions and just about anything you can dream up (yes, lounging very much included). Plus, hidden features like side hip pockets — complete with inner stash pockets for 2-in-1 functionality — make the Wellen WellKnit Joggers a prime purchase in any one of four neutral, versatile colors.

Shop men’s activewear and more at Huckberry

To ramp up your storage to the next level, a back zip pocket provides even more space for daily carry essentials. From the ultra-soft fabric to the next-level tapered fit and a slew of performance features (including moisture-wicking, anti-odor fabrication), you could easily say the Wellen WellKnit Joggers are the best men’s sweatpants to buy in the new year.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These Frye Tyler Chelsea Boots are the Refined Option to Add to Your Wardrobe Now

Best Chelsea boots for men.

As we move slowly but surely into a new year, I find that sometimes, menswear reminders are helpful — the chance to get back to basics, the chance to rediscover old favorites and yes, the chance to finally pull the trigger on a style you’ve been coveting.

Perhaps that includes a style like a pair of the best Chelsea boots for men, with loads of versatility, an edgy appeal and the chops to be dressed up or dressed down. It might seem a high bar to clear, but this pair from the Northeast’s own Frye checks off all the proper boxes, and then some.

Learn more now at Frye

It’s not the first time we’ve talked about Frye Chelsea boots here on the blog, and it surely won’t be the last, because the Chelsea boot is an all-time great style with longevity and looks. In the case of the Frye Tyler Flex Chelsea Boots, you’re getting heritage quality, superior craftsmanship and an iconic silhouette — not a bad way to start the year off on the right foot, is it?

The key with these Chelsea boots in terms of comfort and wearability lies in the new, flexible rubber outsole, which moves with you and provides standout traction on slick city streets. Combined with a variety of leather options — from a textured dark brown to a slick and shiny shade of brown with a dressy hue to it — and you’ve got options when it comes to selecting your preferred pair of these Frye Chelsea boots.

The 1-inch heel is nicely sized, not too tall nor too short — the durability of a sturdy pair of boots is crucial on slippery city streets, this winter, is it not? Complete with a leather lining, this set of Frye Chelsea boots should prove stylish, sharp, reliable and well-made — season after season, starting right now. Find your new favorite pair of dressy winter boots ASAP, my friends.