Editor’s note: For all manner of style suggestions covering everything from brunch to the holidays, head here.
As I sit here to write this post, it’s pretty wild that it’s already time to think about Cinco de Mayo — where has the time gone? And how are your 2016 style resolutions holding up so far? I’m still struggling to wear less blue, namely — the below outfit doesn’t necessarily move away from that color, either! With that being said, it’s important to recognize that Cinco de Mayo really does have historical significance — and yet, it’s a time a lot of us use to spend with friends at say, a patio bar crawl or the like. And if you’ve been cooped up inside all winter, it seems people need any excuse to get outside (heck, who doesn’t love a great brew regardless — am I right, or am I right?). At any rate, we’re combining style that’s part casual, part rugged and a little refined to combat warm breezes during the day, and possibly cool temps at night. Like what you see, or have other suggestions in mind? Give The Style Guide a shout over here. Onto the outfit!
The Jacket: JackThreads Trucker Jacket — $79
Unique design details and a classic indigo color make this the ideal piece of spring outerwear.
Just as we kicked off our suggestion covering
what to wear to Sunday brunch with a JackThreads, so we begin this style suggestion with a
tough trucker jacket that’s a positively stunning value — and it should come in handy if it gets breezy, too. The silhouette is a bit different than your
standard denim jacket (note the covered placket and the front ridges on either side of it). Lest you think a denim jacket can’t work for you, note that
it can be worn plenty of ways. It’s also worth noting that JackThreads’ creative director, Tony Kretten, was the man behind the relaunch of the
GAP 1969 denim line — so he knows a thing or two about great denim.
The Shirt: Saturdays Surf NYC Esquina Denim Shirt in Light Washed Indigo — $115
The spring and summer answer to winter’s dark denim shirt.
We’re going full-on denim on denim on the top half — but it’s no
Canadian tuxedo. Lest you’re wary of pairing two shades of blue, note that this
Saturdays Surf NYC oxford has nice texture and a color that’s significantly lighter than the jacket. It’s a simple, minimal shirt that could quickly turn into a workhorse spring styling piece — it would work well with
slim tan chinos or even dark blue jeans throughout the summer (don’t rule out a pair of
tailored shorts, either). From personal experience, Saturdays Surf NYC shirts fit slim and hold up very well through repeated wear — a good thing considering the price tag.
The Pants: JackThreads Slim Chino in Stone — $49
A pair of pants to go along with the JackThreads jacket — slim, stylish and affordable.
In this case, the darker blue jacket and lighter blue shirt are just fit for the cool tones of these
JackThreads stone chinos. The brand crafts these with a slim fit and nice fabric, plus the price is (as always with JackThreads) exceptionally solid. Some slim khaki chinos would also work with the rest of this ensemble, as might some
natural denim — and if you were lucky enough to pre-order the incredible
Taylor Stitch Slim Chino in Stone, that’s a worthy pair of pants to keep in mind when matching up multiple shades of blue (although it doesn’t look like they’ll ship in time for this particular holiday).
The Sneakers: SeaVees Legend Sneaker Standard in Bleach — $78
Just as stylish now as it was decades ago.
SeaVees was among the first brands to really pioneer the classic plimsoll sneaker, and the silhouette has stood up to the years — the
Legend Sneaker Standard is no different. These kicks are crisp, casual and timeless — they’ll pop nicely with the light grey chinos and the darker blue jacket, and the great thing about these kicks is that they’ll probably look even better a bit beat up. Plus, they’re comfortable and lightweight — perfect for hanging out on a patio as the sun sets. If those aren’t your speed, check out other
stylish spring sneakers here.
The Belt: J. Crew Factory Braided Leather Belt — $18.50
A welcome and appropriate departure from a thin dress belt.
Casual situations call for a change of pace from a slim, minimal dress belt — this is definitely one of those times. This
J. Crew Factory braided leather belt works well in terms of adding some texture and visual interest to this outfit, and it works for spring (and summer, and fall … and winter). A
striped webbing belt would also add a spring-friendly vibe to the look, yet the leather belt is going to be a bit more versatile across the seasons. If you happen to have the rugged vintage leather belt from
this style suggestion, throw that on instead.
The Watch: AVI-8 Hawker Harrier II — $165
A sufficiently rugged watch ready for the rigors of a bar crawl.
Are you familiar with
AVI-8 Watches? The brand takes pride in producing authentic, tough and durable watches inspired by classic pilot timepieces. The story is an admirable one, and the product looks great — and backs it up with quality for a very solid price, too. The version of the
Hawker Harrier II seen here is a bit less technically complicated than some of the other models from the same line (including
this chronograph number), but it’s fitting for this particular occasion — it’s not too dressy, and it gives off a nice, rugged vibe. The combination of black and tan between the dial and the case is solid, and the 45mm diameter means it’s pretty beastly. If a smaller-sized watch might be more your thing, head to last week’s post on the
best casual watches to buy now.
The Socks: American Trench Summer Footies — $13.50
An underrated finishing touch that could be crucial in keeping your white kicks pristine.
Don’t underestimate the power of
taking care of your feet this summer — and by extension, your shoes. A nice pair of no-show socks can help contain foot odor, make sneakers last longer and ultimately, prove much more comfortable for your feet. American Trench does standard fall and winter socks well, and they’ve even introduced some nice, spring-ready colors (in addition to the
no-show socks you see here). Even if they’re only socks, the fact that they’re made in the USA at a family mill is another big bonus. They’ll definitely finish off this outfit the right way.
When approaching a situation like Cinco de Mayo, where you might be headed to a party to a bar and back, or multiple indoor or outdoor stops along the way, layering up appropriately is going to be key. The denim trucker jacket adds a rugged, bar-ready look to those modern, slim chinos — and classic white sneakers are a great piece of finishing footwear. A tough, military-inspired watch serves a dual function — that of a neat conversation starter and a really solid watch. Plus, each of these pieces can work across the rest of the season in various outfits. That’s worth a toast in my book.
How are you dressing for Cinco de Mayo? Any pieces you would change or add?
The Style Guide 