Tag / affordable men’s style

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The National, Cincinnati and Your New Favorite Field Watch

It’s Friday, and I know what that means for me — as we speak, I’m en route to Cincinnati for the long-awaited, much-hyped Homecoming festival, curated and headlined by my favorite band, The National! The weekend brings these award-winning indie rockers back to their hometown for a weekend of music, excellent beer from Cincy’s Rhinegheist Brewery, and neat accompanying exhibitions (like a photography exhibition of the band on display at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center. Other performers on the docket include personal favorite likes Alvvays, Future Islands and Julien Baker, plus intriguing sets from Father John Misty and rockers The Breeders. Oh, and The National are playing their seminal 2007 album “Boxer” in full on Sunday night. Whoa. Am I excited? Heck yes. If you have any must-hit spots or recommendations for Cincy, feel free to let me know on Twitter! And in the meantime, we’ve left you with a ton of stylish content to peruse this weekend and beyond. Check out this week’s #OOTD on how to style a white tee, or shop what could be your new favorite spring shirt. At any rate, it’s sure to be an action-packed weekend. Follow along with all the fun via my Instagram, and be sure to tune in to the blog tomorrow for our weekly Style Pick. Cheers!

  • Valet, a favorite lifestyle read around these parts, tells you all about the color that’s a magnet for compliments. I myself prefer to wear, well, blue … and more blue, but it’s worthwhile to consider switching up your color scheme every now and then (for instance, to different shades of blue!).
  • Let’s talk about watches for just a second.  Helpful as ever, Gear Patrol is giving you the scoop on the American-made field watch that you need to buy now. Like, right this instant. Besides, who doesn’t love shopping for some new spring style essentials?
  • I’m now inclined to point you toward last week’s Style Pick, which covered an extraordinary spring jacket from Taylor Stitch.  It’s got a bit of workwear style, it makes use of a classic color, and it pairs up with plenty in your closet. Yessir, it’s your new favorite spring jacket.
  • I’ll leave you this week with a very cool read that ties in quite well with this weekend’s Homecoming festival in Cincinnati. If ever you’ve wondered what it’s like for The National to coexist as band members and brothers (who hasn’t!?), then this excellent interview sums it up nicely.

That’ll do it for today’s Friday Read. Want something else to peruse? Shop for new spring style essentials here on the blog. And here. And here. That’s just a start!

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket

A French workwear silhouette meets the kind of quality and style that only Taylor Stitch can provide.

There are certain spring style essentials that, until you see ’em, you didn’t know you needed ’em. What exactly am I talking about? I’m talking, my friends, about the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket, a stylish spring jacket that sits neatly in the middle of that tricky intersection between style and functionality (not to mention throwback looks and modern wearability). Yessir, the Ojai Jacket has tons going for it — would you expect anything less from Taylor Stitch? Surely not. Like most stellar, stylish Taylor Stitch menswear, the Ojai Jacket nods to the past yet works for the modern man (ahem, you!). How so? It’s an updated version of a French workwear jacket, with a deep indigo color and 100 percent cotton construction to match. They’ve even done it up in premium Japanese sateen that should age nicely over time — all the better, since you’re going to want to wear the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket as often as you can this season. Lower patch pockets give this jacket the look and feel of a casual patch-pocket blazer, making it wearable with everything from a classic blue Oxford and slim tan chinos to dark blue denim and a grey slub T-shirt. The Ojai Jacket really is that versatile. It practically solves nearly all of your spring outerwear problems — heck, you could even layer it under a classic rain jacket (see this option from Triple Aught Design) and still get to and from the office in sleek (and dry) style.

Natural Corozo buttons and beautiful Japanese fabric lend a premium air to this jacket.

As one would expect with nearly any item from the endless bevy of Taylor Stitch menswear, all the details are considered on the Ojai Jacket. Corozo ring-back buttons add durability and a dash of premium quality — the brass pin and ring on the back of each button are quite neat, not to mention handy for your everyday carry essentials. A single chest pocket even gives you space to carry your favorite pen — because every guy should have a favorite pen, right (For the record, mine is the Fisher Space Pen). At any rate, the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket is a spring jacket that’s just going to get the job done. The deep indigo color pairs well with faded light wash denim for some high-low contrast, it matches up with chinos in shades from olive to grey to light tan, and it looks at home alonside a crisp white tee, a classic light blue chambray shirt or a (slightly) more formal white Oxford. With just those building blocks along, you can make plenty of excellent spring outfits using the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket as a stylish starting point. Ya dig? Good.

Let me know on Twitter how you’d style the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket this season (and beyond!)

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: David Byrne, Athleisure to Shop Now, and Your New Spring Jacket

Style Guide readers, listen up. It’s Friday! And we’re nearing the end of April. That means you should hopefully be well-stocked in the way of spring style essentials, things that we’ve even discussed this week — take the perfect white T-shirt, for instance. Or a casual spring weekend look that’s going to show you how to wear stylish sweatpants. Need some new sneakers? This blog has you covered there, too: Yours truly wrote about the best men’s high-top sneakers to buy now. What are you up to this weekend? It’s weekend two of Coachella, which I will … admittedly not be attending. We’re just one week away from another festival that’s much more up my alley, Cincinnati’s Homecoming festival as hosted by my favorite band, excellent indie rockers The National. My amazing girlfriend Laura and I will be attending, and I positively can’t wait! In the meantime, I’d recommend you look toward this weekend with a few choice reads. Want to connect? Check out The Style Guide on Facebook. TGIF!

  • It’s a bit lengthy, but GQ.com offers up a neat, deep and intriguing profile of music icon David Byrne, with a career that’s thrived on innovation and doing things uniquely his own way.
  • If you haven’t yet checked it out, the best athleisure lines to shop right now are … well, most importantly, they’re all approved by yours truly. And they’re all the right mix of casual, sporty and easygoing. Read more at The Manual.
  • No matter the season, I’m a big fan of the recently launched Esquire.com series The Endorsement. It only makes sense that the latest iteration covers the essential spring jacket you just gotta buy now — the Baracuta G9. It’s as simple as that, folks.

We’re keeping things short and sweet today, folks. Cheers!

 

-Beau

by Beau H.

#OOTD: Upgrade Your Sweatpants with Spring Style Essentials

Today’s #OOTD post gets right down to it when it comes to spring weekend style. It’s even a bit more dressed down than the seasonal Saturday (or Sunday) ensemble that we talked about earlier this month — we’re diving right into how to wear stylish sweatpants this spring. Yes, you read that right. Stylish sweatpants. The style world is growing more casual by the day, but that doesn’t mean you have to look sloppy when dressed down (and we mean, way down). Your basics, the kind of clothes you grab and throw on to get out the door, can feature just as many small, simple style details as your favorite work week ensemble or more slightly more polished pieces (like your new favorite pair of spring chinos). The trick comes with not treating the sweatpants quite as much like sweatpants — no athletic logo tees or sneakers here. Just a pair of well-fitting sweatpants, accented with a slim T-shirt, a pair of throwback-inspired kicks and a classically rugged chambray shirt. As long as you accent ’em with pieces that go anywhere, your tailored sweatpants won’t look out of place at a laidback brunch spot or a brewery … or just on your couch. The choice as to how you wear this #OOTD is all yours. Thoughts? Questions? Hit me up on Twitter.

A stylish pair of sweatpants can go a long way to helping you take on your weekend in comfort AND style.

The Sweatpants: Flint and Tinder Fieldhouse Sweatpants, $89  — There’s nothing fussy about the Flint and Tinder Fieldhouse Sweatpants. Just a classic pair of sport-inspired sweats made the right way.

The Chambray Shirt: WP Standard Chambray Work Shirt, $98  — A chambray shirt takes this casual ensemble into territory that’s slightly more sharp — but still cool and classic.

The T-Shirt: Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Tee in Green, $45 — A deep, dark green Taylor Stitch T-shirt adds just a bit of color to this outfit, along with visual interest. Wear the chambray shirt buttoned up or open to show it off.

The Sneakers: Rancourt & Co. Carson Mid, $185 — If you want a pair of sneakers that are a big-time upgrade from your average pair with an athletic logo, the Rancourt & Co. Carson Mid are exactly it.

The Socks: Anonymous-ism Boucle Mix Socks in Navy, $11 — Well-made socks with no crazy patterns or wild colors are an underrated style accessory. The Anonymous-ism Boucle Mix Socks get the job done.

The Watch: Szanto Vintage Dive Watch 5201, $275 — Your stylish casual watch should be as similarly no frills as your socks and your classic sneakers — the tough Szanto Vintage Dive Watch is your best bet.

The Bag: Filson Grab n’Go Tote, $125 — How are you going to carry all those weekend essentials? You know, your growler and sunglasses and blanket for that park picnic? The Filson Grab n’Go Tote.

The Ballcap: Huckberry Explorer’s Cap, $40 — The reliable ballcap that every guy needs in his arsenal just might be the Huckberry Explorer’s Cap, and that’s all there is to it.
See, wearing stylish sweatpants doesn’t have to be sloppy or overly complicated. Just do it up the right way with standout basics — which will, of course, work in a ton of other seasonal outfits. Again, let me know in the comments below what you think of our picks for styling the Flint and Tinder Fieldhouse Sweatpants.
Cheers!
-Beau

 

 

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket

The next addition to your spring wardrobe — check it out below.

The topic of today’s Style Pick of the Week is a brand you very well might recognize — Relwen. Makers of superb outerwear fit for nearly every situation, from casual weekends (see the Relwen Bonded Pile Jacket) to the more field-ready (enter the Relwen Quilted Patrol Jacket). If you’re a fan of those two unique silhouettes, then today’s stylish spring jacket is certainly going to work out nicely. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket — it’s quite possibly your new favorite spring jacket. The Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket isn’t just any lightweight spring jacket to throw on — it’s packed with that critical combo of styling potential and weather-ready durability that you need this season particularly. The CPO-style design is quite likely different than any other jacket you’ve got hanging in your closet currently, which is part of what makes the Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket so cool and essential. Seriously. It’s got the styling chops to hang with your other favorite spring style essentials — take light wash denim, canvas high-top sneakers and a classic white T-shirt, for starters. Feel free to match the Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket with other, slightly more office-ready looks; a blue Oxford shirt, slim tan chinos and clean white sneakers ought to do the trick. So, we know it’s got the looks you need. What about the performance? Believe — at least based on the specs — the Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket can hang.

The waffle-knit lining in this jacket adds just the right amount of warmth when it comes to spring layering.

It starts with the perfectly spring-friendly cotton-nylon construction — easy enough to layer on a breezy day, sturdy enough to retain its shape and silhouette through lots of repeated wear. Believe me, I think you’re going to find that the Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket is the right kind of jacket for the season; it looks great with classic picks, like a light blue chambray shirt, and it works well with laidback staples (like the classic white T-shirt we mentioned earlier). Add in a plethora of pockets, including two slanted hip zipper pockets and two front-button snap pockets at the chest, and you’ve even got enough room to handle all of your everyday carry essentials. Plus, the waffle knit lining at the shoulders provides some needed insulation for cooler spring (and even summer) nights. Pleated elbows and shaped cuffs are also design touches you don’t often find on other jackets — the Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket has everything considered quite nicely, one could say. For me, that makes it a darn-near essential spring jacket — what say you?

Feel free to leave your feedback or comments on Twitter about this essential spring jacket, my friends. Thanks for reading! 

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Stylish Light Wash Denim, Cheap Cologne and Stephen Malkmus

We’re closing out another whirlwind week at The Style Guide — where does this Friday find you? Maybe you’re closing out the work week and doing some shoppping for spring style essentials on the side? (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there). Maybe you’re hitting the road and dressed in vacation travel style? At any rate, I hope what we’ve covered on the blog as of late has been helpful, stylish and easy to wear.

It’s wild to think we’re already moving through April and looking ahead toward summer — we’ll be turning our attention to critical spring shopping picks in the weeks ahead, from high-top sneakers to buy (and wear) now to more entries in our See Now, Buy Now series. If there are topics or brands you’d like to see covered here, just hit me up on Twitter, follow along via The Style Guide Facebook page, or take a second to check out yours truly on Instagram. I’m all style, all the time! Unless there’s music or craft beer involved. And then, well, all bets are off. For now, check out a few quick, fun and stylish reads to get your weekend going.

  • Who needs new cologne on the cheap? Not just any cologne, though — cologne worthy of a stylish man like yourself. Read Esquire’s picks for the best cheap cologne for men before you step out this weekend.
  • They’re as essential as a clean white tee or a crisp pair of high-top sneakers — we’re talking about stylish light wash denim for spring, of course. My latest post for The Manual covers some of my favorite picks this season. Read up and get to shopping in style!
  • I’d wager you’ve still got some spring style picks to, well, pick up, right? That’s where this week’s edition of The List is going to help you out quite nicely. It’s loaded with home goods, watches, footwear and apparel for the season — there’s something for everybody.
  • Indie rock icon Stephen Malkmus — a source of inspiration years ago for my favorite band (yep, The National!) has some interesting and insightful things to say in this interview with Pitchfork. A nice weekend read, I’d wager.

That’s going to close out this week’s Friday Read — until tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, cheers!

 

-Beau

by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Dress for A Casual Spring Weekend

Style is all about dressing in a way that stays true to yourself — and in a way that’s true to the situation, right? Right. There’s no sense in wearing a suit to the ballpark, for instance. The best style moves — from the classic Oxford shirt to the perfect pair of everyday denim — nail that tricky balance of classic-yet-versatile style, while working in any situation. And so it is with today’s #OOTD — we’re talking a specific situation (in this case, an easygoing spring weekend) and we’re talking picks that should fit right in with your wardrobe if you’re the kind of guy who values casual, laidback style with just a bit of retro cool. That’s what I call staying true to yourself, ehh? Spring is a time to shed extra layers and take it easy, so we’re stepping out in retro-inspired high-top sneakers, a classic leather watch and — perhaps most crucially — an ultra-cool short-sleeve shirt for the season. All of it adds up to an outfit that’s appropriate for a park picnic, a zoo visit, a stroll through an outdoor art fair or a visit to your favorite brewery … maybe all in one day? If you’ve got thoughts on this outfit, let me know via The Style Guide Facebook page or Twitter. Cheers!

Layering a stylish short-sleeve shirt with an easygoing tee and high-tops — that’s all there is to it!

The Shirt: Portuguese Flannel El Dorado Shirt, $125 — The purveyors of your favorite flannel shirts for the cold weather turn their attention toward a retro-inspired short-sleeve shirt — get yours now.

The Tee: Flint and Tinder Slub Tee in White, $25.98 — Are we layering a short-sleeve shirt over a tee? Heck yes, we are. This Flint and Tinder Slub Tee has a bit of a similar feel to something Armie Hammer might have worn in “Call By Your Name,” I’d say.

The Denim: Todd Snyder Made in L.A. Natural Indigo Selvage, $248 — Is this a pricey pair of light wash denim? It sure is. But Todd Snyder makes some of the very best denim around, easily. Roll these atop your sneakers or wear them with just one cuff. Speaking of sneakers …

The Sneakers: Rancourt & Co. Carson Mid, $185 — Made-in-America high-tops like these spring-ready Rancourt & Co. sneakers are tough to come by — these should stand up with ease to bar crawls and park strolls alike.

The Socks: Anonymous-ism Boucle Mix Socks, $12 — While you could go with no-show socks here, these Anonymous-ism socks feature a neutral color and fabric that’s not too heavy — both spring must-haves.

The Belt: Filson Leather Belt, $85 — We’ve featured this Filson leather belt in a past #OOTD entry, and with good reason — it’s a dependable, stylish addition to your accessories lineup.

The Watch: Jack Mason Field Camp Watch, $195 — The Jack Mason Field Camp Watch is the timepiece you need for a spring weekend — it’s got just enough sharp style and just enough rugged appeal to go anywhere.

The Essential: ManCan 128oz. Picnic Keg, $44.98 — Is the ManCan Picnic Keg an essential? Well, only if you fancy having a park picnic … which I’d wager you do!

This outfit can go anywhere you go on a casual spring weekend — it’s pieces like slim light wash denim and those durable, retro-inspired Rancourt & Co. sneakers that get the job done when it comes to laidback style for the season. Layering a  retro-inspired short-sleeve shirt underneath a Flint and Tinder Slub Tee is also a slightly unexpected style move that gives this outfit some versatility and visual interest — it’s the kind of look that’s going to look particularly at home lounging on a patio with a margarita (or your drink of choice, that is to say). To stay on time through it all, the rugged style of the Jack Mason Field Camp Watch should help out admirably, while the ManCan Picnic Keg — funny name and all — is the essential to bring with you to a park picnic or a backyard party.  And the great thing about this outfit is the freedom of choice — you can rock it with or without the Anonymous-ism socks, for instance. So, where will this #OOTD take you this spring? What picks would you add or subtract? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading,

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Gang of Youths, Spring Travel and Wes Anderson

First of all: Happy Friday, Style Guide readers? Are you ready for the weekend? Are you ready to close out March? Know that we’ve got plenty of spring style essentials, shopping picks and outfit suggestions coming your way across the next month. But for now, let’s turn our attention to another edition of The Friday Read. Most importantly, I’m hitting the road back to the Detroit area for the weekend today. I’m looking forward to exploring Detroit, visiting must-see spots like Third Man Records, and enjoying some excellent coffee, brunch and Bloody Mary’s (what more could you ask for out of a weekend!?). As I hit the road, I’ll likely be listening to a new favorite band of mine, Australian indie rockers Gang of Youths. I first saw this powerful, epic rock band last February and had the chance to see them again on Sunday at Bowery Ballroom — I’d recommend them, without a doubt. And in the meantime, I’d also recommend you check out this week’s featured reading — from my latest feature at The Manual to a piece that Wes Anderson lovers will surely enjoy, we’ve got something for everyone below. Enjoy!

  • Over at The Manual, I wrote about the essentials you’re going to need for spring — from crucial layering moves to cool sneakers and a great watch, I hope you find these picks helpful as we bridge the gap between seasons.
  • If you didn’t catch last week’s featured men’s style pick on the blog — that’d be the Iron & Resin Reserve Jacket — well, here’s your chance. Read that piece, buy that jacket and step out this weekend (and every other weekend, for that matter!).
  • For lovers of both music and Wes Anderson films — of which I’m both — I thin you’ll greatly enjoy this excellent feature on the music behind his movies, and his overall approach. Some seriously cool stuff!

That’ll be the last of today’s featured articles, folks. Enjoy the weekend, and check back for our next Style Pick of the Week!

-Beau

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Iron & Resin Reserve Jacket

A grab-and-go jacket that offers a heck of a lot of style and versatility.

What’s one thing you need in your wardrobe (and on your back) this spring more than anything? I’d say it’s got to be a dependable spring rain jacket. Dependable and stylish, that is. But where to go for such a tricky find? Iron & Resin is, simply put, one of those brands you can always turn to in the clutch when you want stylish, wearable and tough gear. From a rugged men’s henley to the excellent Iron & Resin Reserve Jacket that you see on display today, you can be sure the brand is building pieces that are seasonally friendly and more than ready for adventure. With roots in making rough-and-ready threads for chopper enthusiasts, this is one brand that doesn’t skimp on quality or construction (you know we’re all about those two focuses here at The Style Guide). The Reserve Jacket embodies that approach quite nicely — it’s more than just your standard lightweight polyester jacket. Notably, the Reserve Jacket is filled with recycled polyfill, a crucial bit of insulation that provides nice cover on cool spring nights (and breezy spring days, come to think of it). Welt handwarmer pockets offer a handy place to store your everyday carry essentials and keep your hands toasty at the same time — a pretty crucial benefit as well, right? You got it. As we always strive to do here on the blog, the Reserve Jacket packs a hefty punch on the style front, so you’re in luck there.

Polyfill insulation adds some needed warmth for chilly spring nights.

In a black color that actually looks like it might lean more navy, the Reserve Jacket is the sort of classic piece of outerwear that works well in just about any ensemble. Fancy wearing a grey slub tee and some faded denim alongside stylish leather sneakers to get a weekend coffee? Toss on the Reserve Jacket. Want to rock a knit tie and a classic Oxford shirt alongside slim tan chinos and white sneakers? The Iron & Resin Reserve Jacket is a worthy and functional blazer substitute. And when you find yourself in need of a go-anywhere coat for a spring road trip or a music festival (The National’s Homecoming Festival is my pick!), then the Iron & Resin Reserve Jacket is the one to buy. The Reserve Jacket ditches the logos and crazy colors of other spring rain jackets, and it looks all the better for it. So, what’s not to like about that? Let me know in the comments below if you’ll be picking up this crucial spring addition.

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Traveling Abroad, How Your Denim Should Fit and Weekend Style Upgrades

Check your watch, check your calendar and step on up — it’s officially spring, Style Guide readers. If that doesn’t get you amped to load up your shopping cart with spring style essentials, then I’m not sure what will (maybe this classic track from CHVRCHES to which I’m currently listening? Ehh?). At any rate, you can expect plenty of transitional style content here on the blog in the coming weeks — starting with tomorrow’s timely Style Pick of the Week. And for today’s Friday Read, we’ll cover travel style, we’ll cover the right way to wear your denim in these trying times, and we’ll cover weekend style upgrades for the guy with a wish list and some cash to burn. But if you just can’t wait to dive into how to dress this spring, might I suggest this essential #OOTD focused on classic, everyday spring style? It’s a good one, folks. OK, enough idle chitchat — let’s get to this week’s links. Shall we? Cheers.

  • It’s been quite the month of March around these parts — or rather, around Ireland, Scotland and England! Read more about my adventures in the U.K. in my latest travel style post.
  • Do you have a favorite pair of classic denim? I’d wager that you do — right? Maybe you even found it perusing the pages of this blog. At any rate, Esquire.com is here to remind us all about how your denim should fit in 2018.
  • It’s perhaps no more relevant than it is right now — laidback weekend style, that is. GQ.com has 14 — yep, 14 — weekend style upgrades to shop right now. Get on it!
  • Last but certainly not least, I rounded up the 12 best men’s hiking socks — yes, we’re getting as specific as hiking socks — over at GearMoose. Shop away!

And without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to your weekend. That’s it! We’ll see you tomorrow to tell you all about a new spring menswear essential that I think you’re definitely going to like.

Thanks for reading!

-Beau