April 13, 2016April 14, 2016 by Beau H.

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: SprezzaBox Subscription

Editor’s note: For more great style content, check out our Spring Style Online Shopping Picks. Thanks to everyone who entered!

All of this gear could be yours — for months on end — if you enter the giveaway below!

As guys have grown more and more interested in all things #menswear, we’ve seen an explosion in the rise of digital services geared to help guys (like yourself) become more stylish. Be it the Frank & Oak Elevate program (formerly the Hunt Club), or great blogs like Effortless Gent, resources abound for the guy looking to become more stylish on a daily basis. Subscription-based programs that package up stylish gear and deliver it right to your doorstep are also becoming more and more popular (including lifestyle boxes like Bespoke Post). And the folks at SprezzaBox are innovating in this space, too — particularly when it comes to sharp, stylish accessories for those occasions when you need to suit up.

The name plays off the concept of “sprezzatura,” or the art of a carefully nonchalant approach to style (you’ve probably seen this on display in the streets surrounding Pitti Uomo). So, they’ve got a lot to live up to, namewise. And their stylish assortment certainly does that! Although they also offer an online store with everything from ties to pocket squares, they’ve also got a neat program with options to sign up month-by-month (or yearly), and have all the menswear goodness you could possibly want shipped to wherever you choose (your house, your man-cave, the Bat Den, etc.). It’s a great value for the product, too — finishing touches like a simple pocket square can definitely up your game if you’re not used to trying those sorts of things out. How it works? Their stylists hand-select a mix of product each month (all of which could feasibly be incorporated into one sharp outfit), and then it ships right on out. They’ve got everything covered, right down to the cufflinks. For those of us who need to throw on a tie or a sharp blazer from time to time, it makes getting dressed quite easy. If you find yourself needing to do that on the regular, then you’ll like what we’re giving away: a FREE (yes, FREE) six-month subscription to SprezzaBox. This would normally run you $28/month, but it’s coming to ya at a low cost of … $0 through this giveaway!

But how to win, you say? Simply click on this link and follow the instructions!

Editor’s note: This contest ends at 12 a.m. on April 14.

Thanks as always for reading, and good luck to those entering!

-Beau

December 22, 2015December 22, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Suggestion: Christmas Day

Editor’s note: For another Style Suggestion covering a cozy, more casual Christmas, swing your sleigh this way.

Classier than Cousin Eddie, not as bold as Clark Griswold. An in-between Christmas Style Suggestion.

Just last Wednesday on The Style Guide, we covered what to wear if you found yourself taking it easy on Christmas — casual, but not sloppy (looking at you, Eddie). But the holiday season can go several types of ways — including a bit more dressy, as you might have seen with this holiday party style suggestion. The tricky in-between place is where lots of occasions seem to go nowadays. If you’re in your own home or heading over to someone else’s for the day, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Dress up too much and you stick out a bit — but show up wearing sweatpants and that might just not fly, either. So your humble staff of one at The Style Guide’s Brooklyn HQ pulled together the below outfit for this exact scenario. Keep in mind that if it’s hot where you are, simply swap in a great pair of shorts and perhaps a solid polo in place of the heavier ensemble (the accessories can feasibly work with either get-up, though). In the meantime, get the last of your Christmas shopping in order with my holiday gift guide for the lovely ladies in your life, and stock up on your menswear Christmas Wish List while you’re at it.

The Sweater: JACHS NY Merino Wool Burgundy Crewneck Sweater — $129

A color that fits in for the season — and beyond. Comfortable fabric is a bonus, too.

As with another great JACHS sweater featured earlier this fall on The Style Guide, this piece also has some on-trend and seasonally appropriate elbow patches. The color is rich and the quality of the 100 percent merino wool fabric is definitely breathable and fairly lightweight, unlike other, scratchier wool-blend sweaters. But those touches can come with a premium for some of us — that’s why if you do spring for this sweater, I’d advise you to rock it as many ways as possible throughout the rest of the winter (burgundy doesn’t just fit in at Christmas) — although the crewneck makes it more casual than a V-neck sweater, it can still go over a shirt and tie if needed.. If you fancy a cheaper option instead, give some picks from Frank & Oak a look instead.

The Shirt: Ace Rivington Beach Washed Chambray Pocket Shirt — $84 (Was $67.20)

A simple chambray is the way to go here, especially one that’s been pre-washed.

This indigo chambray number from Ace Rivington is a fairly solid price from a brand that takes pride in crafting its gear (although a cheaper option from GAP as seen here wouldn’t go amiss either). It’s pre-washed and lightweight yet it should still be durable — and that pre-washing should allow it to break in even easier. Unlike a stiff white or blue dress shirt, the chambray shirt is the way to go here because it strikes the all-season, all-situation vibe that should play well just about anywhere — particularly when combined with a nice merino sweater. Plus, if it gets hot and the sweater needs to come off, the chambray shirt will do fine on its own.

The Pants: JackThreads Skinny Stretch Denim — $59.50

Made with a hint of stretch, this pair of denim looks cleaned-up but should wear comfortably.

Keep in mind that you could definitely substitute in your favorite pair of denim — be it a heavier pair of Mott & Bow raw denim or something a little more lightweight, like this pair of JackThreads stretch denim. The brand has been getting a lot of play here in recent weeks simply because its new menswear vertical combines what so many guys look for — a digital shopping experience, easygoing but crisp style essentials and very accessible prices, something that’s no more true here (seriously, this price is just above a UNIQLO-type offering). Now, the 14 1/2″ leg opening runs pretty slim, so if you’ve got some leg muscle, you might be better off reaching for something like the 770 jean from J. Crew. Note that if things get a little dressier, you could keep the jeans and simply add a sharp knit tie to your top half.

The Shoes: Thursday Boots Honey Suede Scout Chukka — $149

The rich honey color should complement the other colors in this outfit nicely.

Just like a heftier pair of Thursday Boots, these Suede Scout Chukkas live up to solid quality for the price (a review of the Chocolate Suede Scout Chukka is coming on Wednesday on this blog, in fact!). Combine that with a nice shade of honey (dark tan, you might say?) and you’ve got a boot that’s refined yet casual — perfect for this type of dressing situation. They’ll be comfortable should you need to leave them on, and they can easily come off since you’ll be rocking some sharp socks — but more on that in a minute. The color should stand out nicely under the dark denim and burgundy sweater here. If needed, some leather sneakers could fill the same footwear void.

The Belt: J. Crew Factory Washed Leather Belt — $19.50

Reach for a casual belt with some texture to complement the rest of this ensemble.

This J. Crew Factory belt is the cheaper alternative to the Land’s End belt featured in the Thanksgiving Style Suggestion a few weeks back, and that’ s all the better for a casual leather belt. It’s not too thick in terms of width, so it could also be worn in business-casual situations outside of this occasion, and that small but noticeable contrast stitching near the buckle should break up the inky blue of the dark denim a bit. Although the boots are honey suede, don’t worry about matching up the color of the belt to those chukkas — simply enjoy your holiday in style.
The Socks: Richer Poorer Poet Socks — $12

Navy on navy — in the case of the denim and the socks — definitely works thanks to the pop of pattern.

Richer Poorer also made it into last week’s cozy Christmas Style Suggestion, so keep in mind that those fun polka-dot socks could work with this outfit, too. However, if you’re a fan of colorful, well-designed socks, read on. Although the Poet Socks, the dotted geometric pattern offer up some visual contrast when put right up against the skinny dark denim, and to have just a bit peeking out from atop your suede chukkas isn’t a bad thing. If you’re like me and stocked up on American Trench socks earlier this fall, some stripes from that brand could also do you good with this outfit.

The Watch: MVMT The 40 – Blue/Brown Leather — ~~$120~~ $108 (Take 10% Off Here)

The bright blue dial stands out next to other, darker shades of blue in this outfit.

MVMT Watches seem to fly under the radar from time to time. That is to say, plenty talk about lower-priced brands on one end and higher-end brands on the other, yet MVMT occupies that nice middle ground. The pricing is just right (and 10% off doesn’t hurt), and the looks are clean and crisp. Particularly in the case of The 40 in Blue/Brown Leather, the styling potential is just as versatile as with a white or black dial. Take the pairing of navy socks and navy denim plus this electric blue dial — it’s a combo that matches up well, as you can absolutely wear multiple shades of blue at once. And since colored watch dials lean a little more casual, it works well with the high-low nature of the outfit.

So that wraps up another round of Christmas Style Suggestions — did I cover off on everything you’ll need? Sure hope so! And while style’s definitely important around the holidays, I know I’ll be looking forward the most to spending much-needed time with family and friends on the special holiday. I hope you’ll do the same!

Stay stylish,

-Beau

December 14, 2015December 15, 2015 by Beau H.

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Combatant Gentleman

Sharp tailored wear — namely, a new shirt and tie — could be yours to keep this season from Combatant Gentleman. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Editor’s note: Thanks to everyone who participated! And congrats to the winner, Becca R.! Stay stylish!

It’s been a bit of time since our last Reader Giveaway here at the well-adorned Style Guide HQ, but the holiday season is as good a time as any to give away some great #menswear. With holiday parties upcoming or ongoing and even more opportunities to dress up around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you might be looking to upgrade your style in a hurry — and on a budget. That’s where Combatant Gentleman can help — as they did for the stylish fella above. In fact, I also rocked a great suit, shirt and tie combo from the brand this past weekend. They’re one of this site’s Approved Brands, and they’ve got plenty of clout to back it up. While some might prefer more expensive options offered up by brands like J. Crew, Combatant Gentleman nails the affordable suiting game. Whether it’s a Slim-Fit Travel Jacket (as I reviewed earlier this year) or a sharp double-breasted suit (as seen in a trip I took to Italy), the brand definitely delivers — they’re even making overcoats and pea coats, too. Of course, its chinos are worth a look; also worth a mention is its new made-to-measure suiting service — that’s how I was able to get the lovely custom Blue Glenplaid Suit Trousers I wore this weekend. But rest assured, even if you can’t pick up a made-to-measure suit right away, the brand has plenty of great garb to outfit you for the holiday season — after all, few brands can offer $16 ties, $12 pocket squares and versatile shirts starting at $30 (I’m a big fan of this Floral and Dot Brown Tie in particular).

Critically though, that shirt and tie is what’s going to set you apart from the pack at those holiday parties (and yes, if that shirt’s well-tailored, the tie is slim and the occasion doesn’t call for a suit jacket, you can assuredly wear a shirt and tie sans jacket). That’s why one lucky winner is getting their pick of Combatant Gentleman shirt and tie in time for the holidays — and with the classic options the brand offers, they’ll definitely work during the regular 9-to-5 grind, too.

Here’s how to win — best of luck and thanks, as always, for reading!

Head to my Instagram and follow both myself and the ever-sharp Combatant Gentleman feed.
Like either Monday’s Combat Gent-themed photo, and let me know how a shirt-and-tie combo from the brand would help you elevate your holiday look (oh, and use #DressSmarter if you would!).
Look for a winner to be picked, announced here and notified via IG on Monday night!

Enjoy the season and stay stylish!

-Beau

November 14, 2015November 10, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: United By Blue Standard Henley

Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.

A “standard” henley? Not so much. Read ahead to find out more on this United By Blue piece. Photo courtesy of the brand.

While last week’s Style Pick focused on an incredibly lux, pricey Shinola wool bomber jacket, we’ll dial things back a bit this week to something a little more basic. Namely, that crucial first layer you throw on during the chillier months of fall and winter. And what else would you reach for (if you’re me, at least) than an excellent, rugged henley? If you hadn’t yet gotten the memo, I can resend — I’m a huge fan of henleys, be they short-sleeve or long-sleeve, for the tough styling potential they provide. You can style them just about any way you please — under a shawl cardigan, beneath a leather jacket, or even underneath a dark navy buttondown. And while I’ve spotlighted Pistol Lake and other brands a good amount, I’m a considerate man when it comes to henleys — particularly in those instances when the brand that produces said henley does so with a great cause in mind. United By Blue has popped up on this small corner of the blogosphere a few times (namely in this Style Q&A), and its Standard Henley in Navy is the weekly Pick this go-round for all kinds of good (and stylish) reasons.

A chambray trim, three-button placket and ribbed waffle knit all provide points of visual interest.

This two-tone henley is crafted from 100% organic cotton, a big selling point if you’re an eco-conscious shopper (and in this era, that should be something to which more of us pay attention, ehh?). It’s a waffle ribbed cotton knit, so it’s got some good texture to it — enough so that you shouldn’t feel out of place rocking it under, say, a blue chambray shirt, or even as the top half of an outfit featuring navy sneakers. It features a modern but not too constraining fit — and if’s going to be a bottom layer anyway, maybe it’s not such a bad thing that it’s sold out in a Large at the moment? Here’s the real kicker though — when you buy it, United By Blue will remove one pound of trash from local and regional waterways, and it enlists its friendly and helpful employees to get out in the community to do so. Pretty cool, yeah? At $54, it’s a bit more than your average henley — it could be a nice splurge purchase as a gift, or even a request for good ol’ Santa? Back to the product, though — the chambray trim gives it some nice visual contrast, so I’d say don’t be afraid to rock this under a brown wool blazer and some grey trousers for a high-low office outfit. Of course, it’ll more than hold its own with some great fall and winter corduroys and a casual cardigan for casual days. See, you can and should wear a henley like this as many ways as possible.

Have you shopped with United By Blue before? What’s your take on this henley?

July 1, 2015July 23, 2020 by Beau H.

Guest Post: The Product Review, Clarks Bushacre 2 Boots

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post from Mark Lai, a college student based abroad and a longtime reader who’ll be offering his own take on the world of menswear in the coming months. For further guest posts, click here.

Pick up a pair for yourself, take good care of ’em, and one day they might look like this. Photo courtesy of author.

The Clarks Bushacre 2 in Beeswax Leather was my first pair of #menswear shoes, and indeed, my first pair of shoes purchased with the consideration of quality and style, rather than based solely on a label. I’ve long been on the hunt for a pair of the best chukka boots for men — and the best boots for men, period — and I might have found them. A year and a half later, they’re still looking good, especially considering their cheap price tag. If you want to invest in a pair of leather boots, you can still do that — brands like Alden have long made investment-level boots.

In terms of construction, the Bushacres are made with full-grain leather uppers (albeit of a lower grade than more expensive shoes), featuring what appears to be a fabric lining. The main difference between these and Clarks Desert Boots are the rubber soles used in the Bushacres, which are harder than the soft crepe soles used in the Desert Boots. Due to the pillow-like comfort of crepe soles, many choose the Desert Boots over these. However, I chose these for what should be better durability than crepe. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong with some of the best chukka boots on the market. Besides, the tendency for crepe to become dirty and discoloured was one aspect that I decided I’d be better-off without. As the photos show, the soles are holding up pretty well, with only the back of the heels showing signs of wear. I’m highly considering getting these resoled with Dainite soles after they’re worn down.

Sizing-wise, I bought these as a US 8, a full size down from my usual US 9 shoes. Despite this, I encountered some uncomfortable heel slippage the first few times I wore them out, with the heel counters proving to be especially hard on my heels. They gradually broke in, and are now one of my more comfortable shoes. They run wide, which is perfectly fine with me as that’s how my wide feet like my shoes to fit.

The classic Clarks Bushacres — different looks and construction than the traditional Desert Boot, but with some added benefits. Photo courtesy of author.

Although the Bushacres may draw flak for their (relatively) sloppy, unstructured aesthete and their non-Goodyear welted construction, they’re a great option for anyone just starting on their sartorial journey. I know for one that these taught me how to take care of my shoes, which has served me well in handling more expensive ones.

The leather uppers are capable of holding a nice shine, but tend to smudge more easily than my other full-grain shoes, which a good buffing will solve easily. Taking care of your favorite boots is crucial, after all. Also, the insoles are stitched to a layer of canvas, which is then cemented to the sole itself, making these resoleable, particularly if the uppers are cared for properly. In this case, we see two qualities that stand out refreshingly from the vast majority of sub-$100 shoes: full grain uppers and resoleability, as opposed to corrected grain uppers and fully cemented soles. The best men’s chukka boots feature a lot of these qualities nowadays, which is refreshing to see.

Paired with slim (but not overly cropped) trousers. Photo courtesy of author.

Personally, I prefer wearing the Bushacres with trousers that have a wider leg opening (the leg opening of the denim above is about 7.5 inches), as they cover the top of the boots and make them look less clunky. I find that wearing cropped, overly-slim trousers with them like this causes the Bushacres to look disproportional and somewhat high street-ish, or maybe that’s just my obsession with details speaking.

As for my care routine, I polish them monthly. I first brush the shoes to get rid of any dust, following that up with the application of a layer of Collonil 1909 leather lotion (Saphir products would do fine as well, as would Kiwi Leather Lotion. After roughly 20 minutes wait for it to be absorbed, I brush them lightly again to remove excess lotion. Another application of Collonil 1909 neutral-coloured leather cream succeeds this, another wait, and finally, another brushing to bring out the shine. I also place shoe trees in them and brush them after each use.

At the end of the day, it boils down to one simple principle: buy affordable men’s shoes made with good materials, take good care of them and they’ll look great. Besides, would you rather your shoes looking like mine or like this?

What have your experiences been like with the classic shoe? Considering picking up a pair for yourself? Where else would you go to buy some of the best chukka boots for men? Let me know!

June 17, 2015June 19, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Suggestion: The Summer Wedding

Trying to keep cool and stay stylish. Unconstructed navy blazer by J. Crew. Vintage red floral pocket square by General Knot. White dress shirt by Combat Gent. Chambray trousers by American Apparel. Brown leather loafers by Bass. Watch by Sturhling. Glasses by Warby Parker.

With the passing of Memorial Day weekend and a quick couple weeks into June, summer wedding season is here in earnest. If you haven’t had the pleasure of attending a summer wedding yet, I would bet you probably have one in the near future. Picking up something sharp, stylish and fitting for the occasion on a budget is a tricky balance to strike. I had the chance to put my packing skills to the test and dress well at the same time (or try to do so) as I headed to a family wedding in Charleston, South Carolina this weekend (home of my friends at Brothers and Craft, as it were). The evening was lovely — a wedding and an evening on the water with family is always incredibly special. I myself tried to strike a balance between keeping cool and staying stylish. Ditching the tie and opting for a lightweight blazer and some tailored (but not overly slim) trousers in a super-breathable fabric helped me at least attempt to do that — that’s a tall task when it’s 90-plus degrees out. Some suggestions to help you handle any wedding situation in the months ahead follow below! (Editor’s note: Be sure to check out the bottom of the post for a special discount offer on dressy summer wedding gear from Ernest Alexander for TSG readers!).

The Suit: J. Crew Factory Voyager Suit — $376

A versatile shade of grey with fabric that can stand up to just about anything.

Now, not every wedding will necessarily require or call for a suit (see the above photo as proof). But if you do have to pick up a suit for the occasion, it’s a wise bet to grab something in a versatile color (like the medium grey option seen here) or the dark navy pairing available through the J. Crew Factory site — that way, the suit can be worn year-round. The fact that this fabric is crease-resistant means that you could even wear it while traveling. If only a blazer need be worn at the wedding in question, picking up something in a vibrant color on the cheap (like this Combat Gent Travel Jacket) would be the way to go (pair it with some crisp khaki chinos for style outside the summer, too). And even if things get as laidback as a polo and chinos (for a beach wedding, perhaps), the suit trousers or jacket could act as separates.

The Dress Shirt: Combat Gent Endurance Shirt — $35

A white shirt that performs much like its name would imply.

Take it from someone who test-drove this shirt in temperatures pushing 100 degrees — when it’s hot out, you want something that’ll wick away sweat and still look crisp. Even if the wedding is indoors, a fabric like this will help you out big-time when moving around outside.The collar will stand up amply without a tie if the wedding leans more casual. And similar to the rest of the brand’s offerings, it’s exceptionally affordable and performs well for the price — a very agreeable one, at that. You could also opt for a similarly polished shirt from Mizzen + Main, who’s picking up steam as of late with performance-minded dress shirts (among other offerings).

The Shoes: JC Penney Logan Wingtip — $49.99

These shoes also made an appearance in last year’s budget style series, and for good reason.

For those on an extreme budget (and if you’re having to buy the suit in one go as well), picking up a dirt cheap pair of surprisingly reliable wingtips is one way to stand out from the crowd of black shoes likely to be there while also saving a good amount of money (loafers could also accomplish this in truly hot weather). Wingtips are the type of shoe that can work with a full suit and tie or a blazer and chinos — plus nearly any other outfit you can think of throughout the year. While this pair might not be exceptionally durable, they should more than do the job in a pinch (as would some simple suede Derbys from a brand like H&M). Don’t forget about brands like Florsheim, who makes one heck of a sharp dress chukka if you want to switch up your style even further.

The Accessories: The Tie Bar White Pocket Square and Navy Knit Tie — $35

Two items that can work anywhere, anytime — especially in the summer.

Keeping the focus on buying for versatility and affordability, The Tie Bar is still one of the best bets for your money out there as far as accessories go. Yes, those prices have increased — but when you consider the fact that some retailers sell pocket squares on their own for more than the price of the ever-versatile navy knit and white cotton combo seen here, it doesn’t seem so bad. Both those pieces will stand on their own, especially with the medium-grey suit seen above, as well as with a navy option (don’t forget about a summertime staple, the khaki suit). As far as other accessories go, this depends on how much you’re willing to push the boundaries of style — but you could pair wingtips or loafers with no-show socks and a rolled cuff for a cooler breeze (particularly appropriate with loafers), or opt for a punchier patterned pair.

The Rest: J. Crew Braided Leather Belt — $49.50 + Timex Easy Reader Brown Leather Watch — $38.96

Two more casual items that would absolutely work in the summer months — and beyond.

With the shade of shoes shown above, it’ll be a little trickier to match both your shoe and belt leathers. But because summer weddings overall do tend to be more casual, a braided leather belt fits right in (H&M is among retailers stocking cheaper options, by the way). The belt’s more expensive than the watch, yes, but this timepiece makes up for it with a textured brown leather strap that considerably dresses up the plainer dial while also meshing nicely with the color of the belt and the shoes. It’s the type of leather that would also work with brown leather loafers.

So that closes the books on this summer wedding style suggestion — making use of items you already own, like a trusty navy blazer or some sturdy chinos can help offset the need to buy all-new gear for a summer wedding. And reaching for affordable style staples makes a lot of sense too and can help ease your wallet through the process. Feel free to let me know what you’ll be packing and wearing at any upcoming summer weddings!

And for those of you who do need some stylish garb for the summer, check out the exclusive promo opportunity below!

$10 Off a purchase of $100 or more; Free Shipping on orders over $200 at Ernest Alexander Enter promo code: STYLEGUIDE10 at checkout. Valid 06-12-2015 through 07-31-2015

The Style Guide

All the best men's style essentials you need, every day.

Tag / affordable guys’ style

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: SprezzaBox Subscription

Style Suggestion: Christmas Day

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Combatant Gentleman

Style Pick of the Week: United By Blue Standard Henley

Guest Post: The Product Review, Clarks Bushacre 2 Boots

Style Suggestion: The Summer Wedding