Tag / affordable men’s style

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Here’s Why You Need the Outerknown Journey Jacket For Your Next Trip

Available in two colors, the Outerknown Journey Jacket is a winner when it comes to versatile, travel-friendly style.

Wait, hold on a second — don’t hang up or put away your collection of stylish men’s outerwear just because we’re rolling through May right now. No no, there’s still plenty of reason to keep a versatile transitional jacket handy — especially if you’re planing a spring or summer trip (or five). Chilly nights, cold plane A/C, unexpected rain … it all demands a jacket that can do it all. As luck would have it, the exceedingly versatile, casual-but-not-too-casual Outerknown Journey Jacket is the one you need for your next trip. In the evermore laidback times we live in, a transitional jacket like the Outerknown Journey Jacket is going to be your best friend when it comes to freeing up space in your bag. Think of this classic jacket, inspired by the old military M-65 coat, as a sort of blazer replacement, a do-it-all jacket that offers added storage space, lightweight protection from the elements, and sharp, sleek style. The Navy Outerknown Journey Jacket is the top pick here according to your neighborhood Style Guide editor, but you really can’t go wrong with either option. It’s also somewhat similar to the equally versatile and durable Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket — both are handy and nearly required for cool spring and summer nights.

The 4oz. twill fabric used to craft the durable Outerknown Journey Jacket is made from organic cotton and hemp, a bonus if you’re into responsible sourcing and production (which you certainly should be). A handy hood even packs into a collar zipper, offering crucial protection from the elements — again, an underrated design feature that’ll prove quite useful if your next trek takes you somewhere particularly rainy.  The Outerknown Journey Jacket really nails that essential blend of functionality and style — the snap closure hip pockets offer space for everyday carry essentials, like a streamlined wallet or a stylish leather passport holder. And the overall aesthetic is one that just screams 2018. A stylish field jacket  is the functional, dressed-down blazer replacement you’ve been looking for. The Outerknown Journey Jacket works with a crisp white tee, faded blue denim and classic suede boots as well as it does with olive chinos, a white Oxford and leather brogue dress shoes. Taken all together, the Outerknown Journey Jacket belongs on your packing list for your next trip, certainly.

Who’s going to go right out and buy the Outerknown Journey Jacket? Let me know via The Style Guide Facebook page. 

by Beau H.

The List: Kick Off May in Style with These Essential Men’s Gear Picks

The best way to ring in a new month is with a little essential #menswear shopping, right? The sort of shopping that checks a whole lot of gear off your list of spring style essentials, right? Yep, that’s exactly it. That’s what we’re here to do in today’s edition of The List, which I think you’ll be pleased to find features everything from an essential long-sleeve T-shirt to  quite possibly your new favorite pair of sneakers. Check out the full rundown below.

SeaVees Huntington Middie in Elmwood — $108

The cut of a chukka and the comfort of a sneaker.

The SeaVees Huntington Middie is an indispensable spring and summer sneaker, packed with the sort of grab-and-go style you’re going to need weekend after weekend.

Fisher Space Pen Astronaut Pen — $34.98

An easy-to-carry, easy-to-use essential for all your daily writing needs — pick up a pen the next time you brainstorm.

Should a pen be included in a list of menswear essentials? The answer to that question is yes, yes it should be. A neat, well-made pen is practically an everyday carry essential, and the Fisher Space Pen Astronaut Pen is among the best.

Taylor Stitch Triblend Long-Sleeve Shirt — $68

Taylor Stitch can make one heck of a long-sleeve tee, that much is true.

The great team at Taylor Stitch continues to focus on plenty of new and essential menswear by the month — this stylish long-sleeve tee features cool, different-than-average stripes and handsome raglan construction.

Little River Sock Mill Textured Herringbone Crew Socks — $20

Don’t think herringbone can work in the spring? Think again.

Peeking out from some classic high-top sneakers beneath a pair of rolled light wash denim, these Little River Sock Mill socks are cool and spring-friendly.

WP Standard The Weekender Bag — $350

A beautiful weekender bag that embodies the craftsmanship behind this standout brand.

I love the gear put out by WP Standard, which you know if you follow me on Instagram. In that case, the new WP Standard Weekender Bag is the latest release that’s on my wish list.
Danner Tramline 917 Boots — $200

A hiking boot that’s more streamlined than throwback options.

What do you get when you put a Horween leather upper atop a sporty Vibram outsole, then add in a dash of classic craftsmanship? You get the spring-ready Danner 917 Tramline Boots, perfect for seasonal adventures.
WP Standard The Dopp Kit — $85

The perfect companion to your WP Standard Weekender, folks.

What else do you need in your life besides the WP Standard Weekender Bag? Why, the equally well-made and just-as-durable WP Standard Dopp Kit.
Howler Brothers H Bar B Snapshirt — $69

A uniquely bright and warm weather-ready short-sleeve shirt.

Looking for a shirt to wear to your first spring or summer barbeque? Something that toes the line between too loud and too quiet? The cool Howler Brothers H Bar B Snapshirt is the one to buy right now.
Ready to start shopping? What’s your favorite pick on the latest edition of The List? Chime in via The Style Guide Facebook page for more men’s style insights on the daily. 
 

 

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boot Is Perfect for Versatile Spring Style

A durable pair of boots that channel both classic hikers and high-top sneakers.

Even as we reach the end of April, there’s still a pair of shoes every guy — including you — needs in his wardrobe (and on his feet). And in the case of today’s See Now, Buy Now series entry, that pair of shoes happens to be a dependable-as-heck pair of hybrid sneaker-boots … specifically, the Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boot. The ideal shoe for fighting through spring rain and eventually transitioning toward sunny days, outdoor drinking and music festivals aplenty, the Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boots are a dependable and stylish pair of spring boots that are worth a second look if you want to switch up your footwear rotation this spring. Your humble Style Guide author always advocates for sticking to tried-and-true classics in the footwear department, from classic high-top sneakers to a timeless pair of chukka boots, but there’s something to be said for giving the more unique Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boots a try. That process starts from the ground up with a waterproof lining, so you know the guts of these boots are on point. But they come in mighty handy in matters of style, too.

That is to say, if you want to swap out your white canvas sneakers or suede chukka boots for a hearty park walk or a long, grueling day checking out multiple breweries (a tough job!), the Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boots are the ones to wear. They’ve got the comfort and cut of a pair of high-tops, with the durable touches of a rich leather pair of boots. Features like speed lacing and four cool color options (I like the Java color the best) make the Heritage Boots a reliable standby with casual outfits — like a classic chambray shirt and dark denim, or a slub pocket tee and faded light wash jeans. The price point on the Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boots is almost too agreeable, as well — currently under $130. That’s a must-buy at any time of year, but especially right now.

Can you dig the affordable style and versatility of the Ridgemont Outfitters Heritage Boots? Let me know on Twitter. 

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Raleigh Denim Graham Jeans

Classic denim in a modern fit — plus a spring-friendly wash. The perfect pair? You decide.

If you pass through The Style Guide regularly, then you’ll surely recognize the importance of seasonal style essentials — in this case, spring style essentials — that help you fully embrace this time of year and all of its potential. Bar crawls. Barbeques. Park strolls. Weekend festivals. It’s all on the table, and you need the right gear for every situation. When you feel like completely refreshing and revamping your wardrobe, these essentials are the pieces to which you can always turn. That brings me to the star of today’s post — the Raleigh Denim Graham Jeans, a lovely pair of stylish light wash denim that simply belong in your closet (and on your legs) this season. They check all the boxes in terms of the perfect pair of light wash denim with which to switch up your rotation of dark, inky blue denim. That’s right: Every so often, I’m recommending you set aside your deep, dark blue denim for something with a bit more spark — a slim pair of light wash denim like the extremely well-made, timelessly stylish Raleigh Denim Graham Jeans. In a cool Pilot wash and made with a slim-straight fit, you truly can’t top this pair of denim. And if you’re somewhat new to the whole “light wash denim” game, you might as well invest in the best and pick up a pair you can wear all through the spring and summer, and next spring & summer … and every spring and summer well after that, too. Folks, again … that’s what the Raleigh Denim Graham Jeans bring to the fold.

I’m a big fan of the striking, visually pleasing Pilot wash, the sort of finishing touch that nods toward spring but doesn’t go too far down the “stonewashed retro” path. Small touches like the yellow-gold stitching contrast quite nicely with the rich, pleasingly faded blue of the Raleigh Denim Graham Jeans in particular. This is a pair of classic light wash denim that I could see working quite well with a rugged short-sleeve henley and classic suede boots for a round of beer and cider at your favorite brewery. The slim-straight fit is also flattering but not too tight or too loose — a good go-between when it comes to finding the right balance between casual and sloppy. That means the Raleigh Denim Graham Jeans work in a variety of style situations, even ones that are business casual. Seriously, try pairing the Raleigh Denim Graham Jeans with a dark navy cotton blazer and a striped merino henley (plus suede chukka boots) for a high-low, transitional spring style combo. Stylish light wash jeans that you can wear to the office and to the bar? Your list of spring style essentials just got a little longer.

Will you be purchasing — and wearing — the Raleigh Denim Graham Jeans? Check in with me via The Style Guide Facebook page. 

 

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