If you’ve been keeping up with the blog on the regular, and keeping track of the incoming high heat of summer, you’re hopefully well aware of the utility of one of the best short-sleeve shirts for men. And of course, style goes hand in hand with that sort of utility.
The best men’s short-sleeve shirts are more easygoing than a long-sleeved Oxford shirt, for instance, and can be worn in more ways than a polo shirt. Oh, and if you’ve got the chance to snag your new favorite shirt on sale? That’s all the better, because striking while the iron is hot never fails — at least, that’s held true when I’ve shopped the Huckberry Sale section.
And without further ado, that’s where the Wellen Easy Cotton Short-Sleeve Shirt is poised to enter your wardrobe. Just in time for summer, it’s 25 percent off, with all the easygoing-yet-versatile style your next #OOTD needs.
Wellen, for the uninitiated, is the sustainable in-house brand at Huckberry, and they make use of eco-friendly materials like 100 percent organic cotton. That’s also the case with your new favorite short-sleeve shirt, but it gets better from there.
That’s because the Wellen Easy Cotton Short-Sleeve Shirt is space-dyed (or rather, each shirt is space-dyed), so no two shirts are exactly alike. The process creates a textured effect that makes this stylish shirt look much more expensive than its currently on-sale price tag of $73.
The use of space-dying also means the Wellen Easy Cotton Short-Sleeve Shirt is a distinctive take on the traditional short-sleeve striped shirt — and again, that’s never a bad thing to have close at hand this summer.
In my experience, your summer #OOTD and your summer wardrobe in general need a wardrobe workhorse or two, pieces built with versatility and a no-fuss, no-frills approach. These pieces, like one of the best men’s short-sleeve shirts or one of the best USA-made T-shirts, are simple on the surface, yet made with versatility and durability in mind.
Take the Line of Trade Mason Short-Sleeve Shirt. It hails from Bespoke Post, purveyors of one of the best subscription boxes for men — as well as a full line of easygoing, easily wearable men’s style essentials.
It’s somewhere between a casually rugged pocket T-shirt and a slightly more formal polo or an Oxford shirt. That makes it perfect for in-between days this summer, like a BBQ — layered over a classic T-shirt — or a day at your favorite brewery (styled on its own alongside the best chino shorts for men).
The key with the Line of Trade Mason Short-Sleeve Shirt? Its textured waffle weave, which gives it some depth, plus a laidback look and feel. Workwear button chest pockets give it a more rugged feel as well, not unlike an old-school shop shirt.
The weave of the Line of Trade Mason Short-Sleeve Shirt itself is also a two-tone weave, so it stands out stylishly, even in a darker color (like the navy option shown here). And as with all things Bespoke Post, it features a reliable build and quality at a very agreeable price.
In fact, the Line of Trade Mason Short-Sleeve Shirt retails for $65, a fair price considering that you can even wear it as a casual shirt beneath a soft-shouldered summer blazer. The benefit of that particular move? Staying cool in the heat by shedding some extra fabric.
However you choose to wear the Line of Trade Mason Short-Sleeve Shirt, it’s yet another Bespoke Post menswear essential that gets the job done in matters of form and function.
Even in the high heat of summer, it pays to be prepared in matters of style. That’s how your author feels here at The Style Guide, whether you’re in search of tips on how to dress for a summer wedding or how to dress for a rock concert. That’s why we’re here after all, right?
While I don’t have any summer weddings on the docket this weekend, I did attend a Brooklyn rock concert last night (more on that in a moment), and I can’t help but turn towards brands I trust for both occasions — this summer weekend very much included.
You might have guessed, but the brand in question — one that’ll have you wearing one of the best summer suits as easily as one of the best indigo henleys — is Buck Mason, and there’s hardly a better note on which to kick off a breezy Brooklyn weekend, I’d say.
From rugged chambray shirting to soft-shouldered tailoring fit for weddings and rooftop happy hours, I find myself reaching consistently for staple pieces from the Los Angeles brand, even ones as seemingly simple as one of the best USA-made T-shirts. And for the record, this is no sponsored post — just a wholehearted style recommendation heading into a weekend of Brooklyn BBQs and cold beer.
And as to the versatility of the brand’s offerings, from rock concerts to wedding receptions — Buck Mason black jeans in particular were a go-to style move as I trekked to the famed Warsaw Concerts venue to see avant-garde rockers Shannon and the Clams last night with my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary.
Shannon’s EP (which I covered at Atwood Magazine, alongside a new single release) was among the music that helped bring us together, and the show was a very fitting one to attend side by side. Of course, style is the name of the game at a Brooklyn show, and my favorite black jeans more than did the trick (perhaps you saw the rest of my rock concert look over on my Instagram?).
Whatever your preferred beverage and song of choice happens to be this weekend, here are a few fitting Friday Reads to get the rest of this thing started the proper way.
If you missed out on some of the blog earlier this week, you’re in luck, because we’re running it back right now. How so? Well, simply peruse my post yesterday covering one of the best weekender bags and featuring none other than a favorite brand, Detroit-based lifestyle outfitters Shinola. The company’s handsome Canfield Carryall is an investment piece, to be sure, but one that’s as stylish as it is functional for summer road trips aplenty.
Here’s one for fans of both finely crafted whiskey and its natural summer pairing, a summer bonfire. Or rather, famed rye whiskey purveyors WhistlePig went a step further, partnering with outdoor fire pit and gear maker Solo Stove on a whiskey bundle. A whiskey bundle? Yes indeed, featuring a new whiskey release, a co-branded portable outdoor fire pit and more. Read my take on the collab right now at Maxim.com, my friends.
And without further ado, let’s roll into the weekend with one more choice style pick from yours truly. If you’re anything like me, you might sometimes find it hard to part with your favorite pair of jeans as the mercury climbs. But there’s a stylish replacement close at hand via Todd Snyder, who designed a pair of five-pocket pants with the style and polish of chinos, yet the fit and comfort of denim. Taken altogether — particularly the breezy linen-blend fabric — and they’re the perfect denim alternative for guys, as I covered this week here on the blog.
With that, I’ll bring this week’s edition of the Friday Read to a well-timed close (happy hour awaits on the horizon later today, and there are deadlines to meet, after all). If you didn’t quite find the summer menswear essentials you need from Buck Mason, for instance, rest assured that two weekend posts will cover other must-buy men’s style picks for summer — and with that, let’s get ready to toast to the weekend! Cheers and thanks, as always, for reading.
Before you can set your sights on your next summer getaway, let’s take a step back. Or rather, several steps back. Yes, there’s surely something to be said for packing up accordingly, from one of the best summer shirts to the most versatile pants for summer, but let’s go a step deeper.
To be more precise, what stylish weekender bag for men are you taking on quick long weekend trips? The answer might very well be right in front of you in today’s post, courtesy of Detroit lifestyle brand Shinola.
The famed watchmaker blends both a rugged and refined sensibility with its selection of Mid-Century Modern and Art Deco-inspired watches, a lineup that already includes one of the best dive watches for summer. But its accessories (and an assortment of enviable home goods) are also worth another look — and that very much includes one of the best weekender bags for men.
The Shinola Canfield Classic Holdall could be the perfect go-between, a happy medium between a carry-on suitcase and an overnight bag. Made with premium European leather that’ll develop a handsome patina over time, this stylish men’s weekender bag checks the right boxes in terms of easy storage and transportation.
The interior is lined with soft cotton and comes complete with two interior slip pockets and an interior zip pocket for your everyday carry essentials. And in terms of that ease of transportation: Natural grain leather handles and a detachable striped shoulder strap deliver both style and utility at once. Keep in mind that although the Shinola Canfield Classic Holdall retails for the investment-level price of $1,395, it’s certainly built to last and delivers enough space to work for plentiful summer weekend trips.
Of course, because it’s crafted by Shinola, the handsome Shinola Canfield Classic Holdall will work well beyond summer, too. That’s the kind of functionality that’s tough to pass up, so rest easy knowing that your next summer #OOTD will travel safe and sound in one of the best weekender bags on the market.
For as much as I love wearing some of the best light wash jeans for summer (in keeping with the warmer climes of the season), there are times when a man’s wardrobe essentials need a bit more polish.
While the best light wash jeans are ideal for some casually cool flair, there’s a way to get the comfort and mobility of classic denim with just a bit more style — for the office, for date night and beyond.
And in my experience, Todd Snyder nails that balance perfectly. Exhibit A? The Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants, which bridge the gap between chinos and denim perfectly. Would you expect anything less from the award-winning designer, after all?
The award-winning designer excels at the rugged appeal of the best men’s light wash jeans, and the same can be said for both chinos and 5-pocket pants. How are five-pocket pants different than chinos or jeans? Well, they mimic the same design of chinos, yet in this case, the fabric is a handsome, breathable cotton-linen blend — and of course, your new favorite pants feature an excellent Khaki colorway (among other options).
Colors like crisp Navy and inky Black are also up for grabs when it comes to the Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants, while a sleek Slim cut gives them a dressier look and feel than even slim blue jeans might bring to the table. And that lends the Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants an air of summer-ready versatility.
Pair them with brown leather loafers and a navy polo for an evening outing, or swap in your favorite Oxford shirt and brown leather chukka boots for a mix of high-low office style. Elsewhere, feel free to dress down the Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants with a denim trucker jacket and one of the best USA-made T-shirts on the market.
All the while, you can breathe easily (literally) knowing that the blend of 73 percent cotton and 27 percent linen is easygoing and lightweight. And with the comfort of your favorite jeans, the polish of chinos and the right balance between cotton and linen fabric, the Todd Snyder Cotton-Linen 5-Pocket Pants could just become your new favorite summer pants. Shop accordingly this week, my friends.
I always tend to say that they don’t make ’em like they used to anymore, particularly if that involves making a stylish USA-made men’s shirt — and yet, that adage doesn’t always hold true. In this instance, my good friends at Huckberry are offering up access to one of the best men’s shirts for summer, and it comes from a brand with strong modern heritage in terms of design and fabrication.
The brand in question? Gitman Vintage, makers of shirts in Tennessee using handsome, vintage-style fabrics and carefully crafted methods. And the shirt in question? The Gitman Vintage Archive Madras Shirt, which just so happens to be marked down about 25 percent right now via the Huckberry Sale section. That goes for both the rich blue madras pattern seen above, as well as a distinct, multi-colored green plaid offering. Not a bad deal for one of the best shirts for men, right?
Now, we’re coming off a long weekend packed with Memorial Day deals on menswear, but a bit of extra shopping never hurt anybody, right? And just in case you’re wary of scoring another long-sleeve shirt heading into the high heat of summer, just know that the Gitman Vintage Archive Madras Shirt makes use of ultra-lightweight, 100 percent cotton fabric with a rich Madras fabric.
The Gitman Vintage Archive Madras Shirt has a touch of ’80s prep and retro style, yet the modern fit every guy needs today. And at its current price, it’s the kind of shirt you can invest in for both casual wear (alongside chino shorts, for instance), and dressier occasions (beneath a lightweight summer blazer and linen trousers).
As far as summer style essentials are concerned, two things are top of mind: Staying cool and comfortable, of course, and also staying mighty stylish. And with Billy Reid, you can meet those two aims quite handily indeed. Exhibit A: One of the best men’s shirts for summer, an updated take on a classic that manages to hit the mark in terms of great looks as well as breezy comfort.
The shirt in question is the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, already a fan favorite and a bestseller from the Alabama-based designer. It comes in multiple different fabrications, changing from season to season, and yet the Billy Reid Linen Tuscumbia Shirt is a perfect fit for your next summer #OOTD.
The real key is the use of garment-dyed, lightweight linen that gives the shirt an “effortless, lived-in look and feel,” as the award-winning designer notes.
And whether you pick up the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, in a dark, dressy color like Carbon Blue or opt for the more breezy French Blue as shown at the top of the page, it’s a picture-perfect classic. And true to form, your new favorite shirt for summer (again, the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt!) can be worn tucked in underneath, say, a linen Billy Reid blazer or worn untucked, sleeves rolled, as a casual yet crisp style move alongside chino shorts.
Any way you choose to wear it, this new take on an old favorite from Billy Reid helps you beat the heat in style, my friends.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: In my experience, tracking down the best summer style essentials for men, or really, the best menswear essentials period, is all about opportunity and knowing when to spend — and when to save, of course.
And today, it all comes together quite nicely as we close out Memorial Day weekend by diving into a deal on one of the best chambray shirts for men, especially one crafted by my friends at Pennsylvania-based American Trench.
And it’s not just any old deal: It’s savings of 40 percent on an American-made chambray shirt, a rarity in the menswear market and one that delivers style and utility in spades. That holds true in any season, but especially summer, when the American Trench Chambray Shirt can function as a light overshirt on a cool morning, before you shed that layer for an American-made T-shirt.
The American Trench Chambray Shirt is crafted from lightweight yet breathable chambray, of course, and that durable fabric can work wonders for your wardrobe. It’s also cut and sewn in America (again, a rarity in the menswear world these days).
The American Trench Chambray Shirt should wear well either tucked in with tobacco-hued chinos and a navy blazer, or else alongside olive linen trousers and leather loafers. The value in every stitch of the American Trench Chambray Shirt — which is going now for under $100 in the American Trench Clearance Section — makes it a standout selection for summer mornings, days and nights. Shop accordingly and end the long weekend the right way, my friends.
In my experience, going back to the basics can sometimes work wonders for your summer style essentials and your menswear wardrobe in general. After all, as I always say, the classics are the classics for a reason: A perfect sustainable shirt jacket for summer nights, a breezy USA-made tee, and yes, these Outerknown chino shorts at the top of the page all qualify, at least in my book.
It only gets better from there when it comes to the sustainable style brand founded by surfing legend Kelly Slater, because the Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts check off all the right boxes in terms of a prime summer look. What do I mean by that? Well, let’s start with the fabrication and fit, because in my experience, Outerknown delivers on both accounts.
Helpfully, the Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts are modeled off straight leg chinos, so you needn’t worry about them being overly baggy, a la cargo shorts of days gone by. They’re also crafted from durable, strong organic cotton that’s also been garment-washed — they’re just the right mix of supple and sturdy.
And that garment washing also gives the Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts a lived-in, aged look and feel, which is never a bad style move to have in your rotation.
For good measure, the “Hollywood waistband” means the belt loops and pockets are sewn right into the shorts themselves, a cool touch that also calls to mind, say, vintage fatigue shorts or throwback chinos.
Yes indeed, in my book, the Outerknown Nomad Chino Shorts — in either Faded Olive or a crisp Navy — are ready to be worn with everything from canvas sneakers and your favorite henley to an ultra-soft cotton polo and leather loafers (to name but a few potential ensembles). Make these yours now for a sustainable, stylish summer.
My friends, we made it: We made it to the unofficial start to summer, Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you’re ready for a long weekend packed with family, friends, great beer, great tunes and the best summer menswear. As to summer menswear, here’s a quick word before we get into it: My friends at Huckberry are running an excellent long weekend sale on menswear, gear, everyday carry essentials and more, and you can check it all out here below.
I’ve got a little of each in store in my neck of the woods (beer, menswear and more!), as I’m shipping up to Boston with my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary for one of our favorite shared pastimes: A raucous live show by none other than one of our favorite bands.
Brought to you by way of fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, that would be the one, the only… The Killers.
It’ll be my 14th time seeing the legendary band, a group I can’t help but appreciate in matters of both style AND music — and in fact, it’ll be my lovely Mary’s first time seeing this iconic rock group. As always, I’m thrilled at the opportunity to see my hero Brandon Flowers play live, and I feel ever so fortunate that I got to interview him for Esquire back in 2021 (you can find that story below, as well!)
Add in what promises to be a sunny weekend in Boston, along with the promise of fresh beer at Boston breweries like Harpoon, Lord Hobo and Trillium, and I’d say you’ve got a true recipe for success.
Of course, I’ve packed some of my favorite summer style essentials from retailers like Huckberry and Buck Mason, all the better to truly take on the long weekend the right way. What’s on your agenda this weekend? Perhaps it’ll involve shopping some of the best holiday weekend menswear deals, as I compiled over at Maxim.com?
Or perhaps it’ll involve hitting up one of your favorite brands for a few exceptional discounts, like Taylor Stitch? Either way, keep it stylish, stay safe, have a cold beer for me and turn up that glamorous indie rock n’roll from The Killers, my friends.