The Friday Read: CHVRCHES, Timbuk2 and the East Dane Event of the Season

Editor’s note: Expect these posts once a week on Fridays — consider this a jumpstart on reading for your weekend downtime. Expect a mix of style and non-style content. For more entries, click here.

If the headline at the top of the page wasn’t a dead giveaway, we’ve arrived at Friday once again. How was your week? If it included any menswear shopping — but didn’t include a pass through the East Dane Event of the Season sale — I’d urge you to double-back, ASAP. And if it did include #menswear shopping, that begs the question — are you all set with your Fall Style Wish List? It really is finally starting to feel like everyone’s favorite menswear season around here, and that transition dovetailed nicely with a busy four-day week of seasonal preparations for yours truly. A lovely weekend with my family in NYC led into a Monday spent working on content for this here blog and Effortless Gent, along with the requisite Brooklyn explorations — you can check out the results of that work starting with tomorrow’s Style Pick entry, for one!

And now that the weekend’s nearly here, I get the chance to pursue two of my passions at once. Combining live music and menswear is, as you know from reading The Style Guide, maybe my favorite thing to do — there’s nothing better than checking out live music in NYC and elsewhere, and dressing for a rock concert can be pretty fun, to boot. In this case, it’ll be particularly exciting to see the incomparable CHVRCHES headline Radio City Music Hall on Saturday night! And in fitting fashion, I’m going to be jamming out in some great gear courtesy of Forever21 Men. You can follow along for the whole ride on Instagram  or via Twitter, and know that we’re coming right back at you with another set of (brand-new!) seasonal shopping picks on Monday. Oh, and before I forget — your recap of the week in menswear is below. Carry on.

  • If you need a functional, stylish bag that brings with it a dash of color and intrigue, consider yourself set. The made-in-America gear purveyors at Timbuk2 just opened a new NYC store in NoHo (325 Lafayette Street), and they’re set to open one in Brooklyn (214 Berry Street, to be exact) next month. On top of that, the brand is partnering with artist and native New Yorker Dave Ortiz on a limited-edition messenger bag. The bag features neat zig-zag piping on the exterior and an Ortiz-designed silk screen print interior based on Ortiz’s famed “The Indian” print. Oh, and you know what’s even cooler? The first 100 people at the NoHo store — between 11 a.m. and 7p.m. — on Saturday (that’s tomorrow!) get the chance to trade in any used bag for a brand-new Timbuk2 x Ortiz bag. Keep in mind, though — only the first 100. Get to it! Not bad, ehh?
  • We’ve got another dose of made-in-America menswear comin’ at ya –inspired by workwear and classic heritage, NYC-based Bridge & Boro just launched a Kickstarter celebrating all that American manufacturing has to offer. More specifically, we’re talking the chance to pre-order what looks to be unique, high-quality selvedge denim, made right in America. They’re also offering a small run of plaid shirts for pre-order as part of their initial men’s collection –what say you? Will you be funding this effort?
  • And last but not least, Halloween is on the way. The ever-stylish team at Esquire gets you up to speed on the
    coolest Halloween costumes for stylish guys this season — handy, right?

We’re not done with the week in menswear yet …

  • From a denim overshirt — as featured in this week’s #OOTD — to a heck of a black moto jacket from the team at Taylor Stitch, I rounded up the best jackets for fall over at The Manual. Read now, buy now — am I right, or am I right?
  • Oh, and one last reminder to check out this site’s recap of the best sale picks at East Dane this week — seriously, get on it while you can, as that sale ends at midnight EST on Sunday.

Set your alarm early tomorrow morning — a new seasonal menswear pick o’ the week is coming at you. Until then — stay stylish!

-Beau

Fall 2016 Style Wish List

Editor’s note: For other seasonal style wish lists, click here.

Can you believe it’s (nearly) here already? Fall? Me neither. As always seems to come up with these seasonal style wish list posts, it feels as if I just sat down to write the last one — did you manage to pick up everything from your spring style wish list, while we’re at it? Making what can feel like the rather abrupt transition from style built for the heat of summer to style geared toward cooler climes is a luxury for some of us, but it can be just as much of a struggle if you’re looking to add transitional pieces to your wardrobe. And of course, it might still be a bit warm in your area. But fall is coming, and we’ll get to that in the coming weeks. For now, we’re still in Wish List mode here at The Style Guide. So, the below pieces are picked (sometimes) with budget in mind, but they more likely represent the best of fall style out there — according to this #menswear editor, that is. That means we’re looking for pieces that more often than not exude rugged, versatile and exemplary fall style — it’s a time for crisp breezes, crunching leaves, walks in the park, some football-viewing and beer-drinking … it’s, in short, the most wonderful time of the year (wink, wink). Don’t believe me? Read on for the below Style Wish List picks, and follow along on Instagram for more transitional style inspiration — you won’t be let down, promise!

#1. Flint & Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket — $198

A durable new piece of outerwear that's built for darn-near anything.

A durable new piece of outerwear that’s built for darn-near anything.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls — step right up, because the good folks at Flint & Tinder have done it again with this stunning waxed trucker jacket. The makers of your favorite domestically produced boxer briefs and a stupendously great hoodie have really outdone themselves this time with a beautiful piece of outerwear that’s practically tailor made for fall. The Whiskey color is rich and should look great with dark denim and a rugged henley, and the herringbone flannel lining should keep you nice and warm through all sorts of fall festivities. Feel free to rock this guy into winter, too — the Martexin 7oz. waxed sail cloth can handle a little inclement weather.

#2. Todd Shelton Classic White Oxford — $200

The ideal Oxford to offset the ideal fall jacket -- right?

The ideal Oxford to offset the ideal fall jacket — right?

This Oxford shirt right here is another Wish List-worthy piece, if only based on price alone. Every guy needs an essential Oxford shirt in his closet — we’re talking one that pairs with everything from chinos and crisp white sneakers in the summer to that durable waxed trucker jacket in the fall. Well, this Oxford fits that bill beautifully. It’s made from a substantial but breathable 100/2 ply cotton (that’s two fine yarns twisted together), and the made-in-America construction and customizable fit are huge bonuses to a piece that’s investment-worthy in every sense of the word. It’s a great piece year-round, but it would add an extra touch of crisp refinement to your favorite fall style essentials, like a shawl cardigan and sturdy dark denim.

#3. Johnston & Murphy Eldredge Wingtip Boot — $275

Italian-made leather wingtip boots that you won't want to take off? Sign me up.

Italian-made leather wingtip boots that you won’t want to take off? Sign me up.

From my recent travels to Michigan to  a Labor Day weekend in Asbury Park, Johnston & Murphy has certainly won over this style writer for blending comfort, quality and affordability. With that spirit in mind, it’s easy to see why a dependable, durable-looking and just plain handsome pair of wingtip boots makes the cut on this list.  Handcrafted in Italy, these tan calfskin leather boots are the ideal mix of rugged and refined, able to add a bit of flair to faded grey denim or a pair of slim wool trousers — try out either combination from one day to the next if you don’t believe me.  Oh, and don’t forget stylish socks that add a bit of color and comfort, will ya?

#4. Flint & Tinder Marled Long-Sleeve Henley — $62

The answer to your search for the perfect fall henley, made right here in America.

The answer to your search for the perfect fall henley, made right here in America.

Yet another piece from Flint & Tinder on this list? Believe me, the brand’s new fall collection really is that on-point. We here at The Style Guide (ahem *just me*) love a rugged henley, and it looks as if the newest addition to the Flint & Tinder line takes the cake in terms of the designated henley spot on this year’s Fall Style Wish List (only partially kidding). While it’s also available in versatile colors like Navy and Olive, you really can’t go wrong with  a classic white henley. It’s another made-in-America piece that’s going to have you covered for all sorts of style situations, particularly including pairing with a certain tough trucker jacket (can you see a theme here?). Of course, it’ll also set you right for layering under everything from a wool blazer at the office to a navy field jacket at your next rock concert.

#5. M.Gemi Netto Leather Sneakers — $228

Low-top leather sneakers in the fall? If you know how to style them, yes indeed.

Low-top leather sneakers in the fall? If you know how to style them, yes indeed.

Yes, we’re going with another pair of footwear to round out this list (although it was mighty hard to narrow it down to just five!). These sneakers are certainly a worthy Wish List — or wait list — addition, as they’ve sold pretty quickly (that seems to make them even more covetable, however). A pair of rich brown leather sneakers is a pretty underrated style accessory in fall — it’s still sneaker weather, even if at first it might not seem like it. The color of this particular pair makes them as versatile as leather chukka boots — style them with a white Oxford and navy chinos for a high-low office look, or pair them up with a crewneck sweater (and yes, even that waxed trucker jacket) for a dash of slightly dressy weekend style. What are you waiting for? Hop on them before they sell out!

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

Are you fully on-board with the above Fall Style Wish List picks? I certainly hope so. There’s plenty more fall style-centric content to come in the weeks ahead, particularly focused on pieces you’ll love to wear, like leather chukka boots, slim henleys and yes, a trucker jacket or two. If tackling the changing seasons at first feels daunting, look for investment-worthy pieces you can wear across all seven days of the week — dependable boots and a crisp white Oxford should certainly be on your shopping list if you don’t have ’em already, and a reliable long-sleeve henley is a must-buy (at least in the mind of this author). Everyone should splurge — truly — on a staple piece of outerwear that you can wear all season long, and that waxed trucker jacket is Exhibit A. Heck, the longer it takes me to write this post, the more ready for fall I get. If you’re in the same boat, or if you feel I missed any fall style picks, give me a shout on Twitter.