March 13, 2023March 8, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: WP Standard Is Making One of the Best Leather Duffel Bags for Men

As a new season dawns, perhaps you’ve got one thing on your mind: Planning your next (or your first!) spring getaway, and doing so by packing up plenty of your favorite travel style essentials into, well, one of the best duffel bags for men. The right gear is nothing without the proper means to transport it, and if you can do so in rugged, heritage-minded style, that’s certainly all the better.

From the pages of this blog, you’re likely well-acquainted with other brands making the best leather jacket and the best leather goods, like my friends at Satchel & Page. Let me introduce you now to a brand that’s going to make a serious run for your money, too: That brand would be WP Standard, an upstart brand with an intense dedication to quality and craftsmanship (and yes, that includes the best leather goods for men across the board).

Find out more at WP Standard

The Texas-based brand began humbly enough, when founder Ryan Barr set out in 2009 to craft guitar straps out of finely crafted leather. A trip to a Mexican tannery and years working in his basement workshop set the brand on the path it walks today: The WP Standard lineup of leather goods is extensive, handsomely crafted and expertly curated, from leather house shoes to stylish leather wallets and of course, one of the best duffel bags for men on the market. In fact, if you’re searching for a high-quality duffle bag for under $500, the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag is an excellent, meticulously crafted option.

These days, WP Standard uses a team of artisans to turn its finished leather into remarkably cool, built-to-last products like the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag. The difference is in the details, and at a glance, the good folks at WP Standard have really knocked this one out of the park. 100 percent full-grain leather makes up the heritage-quality WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag, further bolstered by brass hardware for a suitably antique-looking finish.

Fittingly, it comes complete with a leather luggage tag to help you keep a watchful eye on your bag as you zig-zag across the country and the globe. An interior pocket provides space for other valuable leather goods and EDC essentials — for instance, the brand makes a refined leather toiletry kit — while the entire design of the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag is carry-on friendly.

If you ask me, this is one stylish leather duffle that’s about ready to go on as many adventures as you are, and naturally, the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag will develop a rugged patina over time. And again, it’s worth remembering that the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag retails for under $500 — talk about a steal for your new favorite travel bag.

December 31, 2022December 27, 2022 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Shinola Canfield Messenger Bag – Best Bag for Your Everyday Carry

As the new year dawns, perhaps you’re like me and enjoy taking stock of those style essentials you can’t live without — and for this Brooklyn writer on the go, that means one of the best leather messenger bags is a must-have. But let’s get more specific on this, the last day of 2022: Let’s talk about the Shinola Canfield Leather Messenger, one of the best bags for your everyday carry and a very worthwhile upgrade to your daily haul as we head back into the office next year.

Learn more at Shinola

It’s coming at you courtesy of Detroit-based Shinola, long one of my favorite brands — and for much more than just the best leather goods or one of the best watches for men (period!). Yes indeed, the all-American company has built a true lifestyle brand in every sense of the word, and that extends beyond just your wrist and right down to the Shinola Canfield Leather Messenger as you transport your daily gear from point A to point B.

Crucially, the Shinola Canfield Leather Messenger is all about durability, starting with its Wisconsin leather from Seidel Tannery. Known as Navigator leather, that material means the Shinola Canfield Leather Messenger will only get better with age (and hey, don’t most leather goods look just a bit better with a bit more wear on ’em?).

This stylish leather messenger bag boasts two interior pockets, one for your phone and one for other EDC valuables, and only gets more useful from there. The Shinola Canfield Leather Messenger also boasts a padded laptop sleeve and a card pocket for, perhaps, a stylish Shinola leather wallet.

Beyond that, it latches with a magnetic closure for ease of access on the go, while the gunmetal brass hardware on the Shinola Canfield Leather Messenger is a cool, refined touch. The shoulder strap adjusts with ease (and can even be removed if you so choose), turning the Shinola Canfield Leather Messenger from a bag fit for work into a bag fit for, well, a little bit of everything. To head back to the office and hit the road in 2023, make sure the Shinola Canfield Leather Messenger is right by your side.

October 18, 2022October 15, 2022 by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: The Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale Offers the Best Deals on Leather Bags for Men

As you take stock of both your travel gear and your everyday carry essentials, perhaps you like to invest in the best leather goods for men, the kind of gear that lasts — and lasts, and lasts. But there’s a catch with shopping for stylish leather goods: The process can often be expensive, so what’s a guy to do? Here’s my best answer — head right now to the Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale, a well-crafted offering of handsome and rugged leather goods for men.

This rather astounding sale is offering deals on quite nearly the entire lineup of Satchel & Page leather goods, from the brand’s famed Leather Weekender to its Slim Mailbag and even the brand’s Padfolio. These pieces are heirloom-worthy, made from rich brown leather designed to get better over time, to say the very least. And the deals are just as great, running anywhere from 15 percent off to 30 percent off the best men’s leather goods.

The Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale doesn’t tend to stick around very often, and it’s no wonder why: When you can get an exceedingly handsome, well-crafted leather weekender — with plenty of packing potential — why not knock off a few dozen bucks to snag that bag for under $600? Precisely, my friend.

Even the brand’s smaller goods are on offer in the Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale, including a stylish leather backpack. A word to the wise: These pieces from Satchel & Paige do arrive lightly used, and yet, should still be in great enough condition to allow you to make your own mark. Remember: The Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale won’t last forever, so shop early and often.

November 29, 2020November 22, 2020 by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Get 35 Percent Off Sitewide on the Best Leather Goods at Billykirk

The Billykirk team (that’s founder Chris Bray, who started the brand with his brother Kirk in 1999) has been hard at work crafting some of the best leather goods for the season ahead.

My friends, as you might expect, the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals roll on, from large retailers to some of your favorite craftsmanship-oriented brands. In fact, there’s no time like the present to get a deal on some of the best leather goods at New Jersey-based Billykirk, in fact. Here’s the scoop: 35 percent off sitewide using the code BLACKFRIDAY35, with some seriously great picks up for the taking. Yes indeed, if you want to upgrade your everyday carry essentials (or get ready for the holiday gifting season), you can hardly go wrong with the long-running purveyors of finely crafted leather goods. Billykirk has more than 20 years of hard work and experience going for it — as you know if you read the blog — and that’s why they’re a name you can trust as we power through another edition of The Sunday Sale. So, let’s ease on into it with a pick you can add to your cart ASAP and then stuff in a stocking later on: The incredibly well-made, remarkably cool-looking Billykirk No. 397 Slim Card Case, an expertly crafted leather wallet upgrade.

SHOP: The Billykirk No. 397 Slim Card Case

One of the coolest leather wallets around, now at an even better price.

Keep in mind that this handsome leather wallet is just one of the standout gear and everyday carry picks you can snag from the brand, seeing as they take great care in crafting everything from slim leather belts to one of the best weekender bags for men. However, it’s the Billykirk No. 397 Slim Card Case that might be the most useful if you or someone you know needs a well-priced wallet upgrade in time for the holiday season. Don’t forget Billykirk’s valet trays, tote bags and plenty more, either. And once again, know that it’s all 35 percent off with the code BLACKFRIDAY35. If I were you, I might want to knock out plenty of my holiday shopping all at once these days. Good luck out there, my friends.

SHOP: The Billykirk No. 397 Slim Card Case

May 11, 2020May 9, 2020 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Billykirk Carryall Is the Best Duffle Bag for Spring and Summer

A rugged, exceedingly well-made carryall bag for your next spring adventure.

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: Billykirk, out of New Jersey, is making some of the best leather goods on the planet right now … period. It’s as simple as that. OK, not quite. The Billykirk No. 480 Carryall actually is the end result of a heck of a lot of work, and that makes it one of the best travel bags you’re going to stumble across for a long, long time (even though we’ll be off the road for a while, it’s still plenty useful). It’s not the first time we’ll be talking about Billykirk travel bags on the site, either. Now, it might seem counterintuitive to be shopping for one of the best duffle bags right now — it’s a strange and trying time we live in, and many a travel plan has been changed or scrapped. But rest assured, there will come a time once again when you’ll need to load up your rugged duffle bag and hit the road. When that time arrives … there’s no better bag to meet the dual challenge of hauling your everyday carry essentials and looking stylish as heck than the Billykirk No. 480 Carryall. It all starts with the quality material you’ve come to expect from a brand that’s been making some of the finest leather goods for enterprising, stylish gentlemen (like yourself!) for more than 20 years (21, in fact). Materials like rugged waxed duck canvas make up a large part of the handsome and rugged Billykirk No. 480 Carryall, and it only gets better from there.

SHOP: The Billykirk No. 480 Carryall

Rugged detailing and expert construction set this Billykirk carryall apart from the pack.

The thing with a well-made yet tough travel bag like this fine number from Billykirk is that every last detail is considered, right down to the nickel-plated brass hardware for extra durability on long trips. What that means is you can load up this essential travel bag with all your must-have getaway favorites, from a classic chambray shirt to slim blue denim to rugged leather boots. Even better? The Billykirk No. 480 Carryall is carry-on approved — when the time comes — and features space for a 15″ laptop (plus, again, plenty of your favorite everyday carry essentials). In the interim, it’d work extremely well as a tool bag around the house. As with any great travel bag, the waxed canvas and bridle leather are going to get better with age and with more adventures. It might seem as if travel is a long ways off right now — and it is! — but when it’s high time to hit the road, you’ve found your new favorite travel bag, easily.

SHOP: The Billykirk No. 480 Carryall

December 13, 2019December 6, 2019 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Gifts for Men, New Mott and Bow Denim & The Perfect T-Shirt

The right way to gear up for a cozy winter weekend — don’t you agree? Faherty Brand gets it.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — ’tis the season to bundle up in style, get your shopping taken care of, and then … kick back with one of the best Christmas beers, right? To help you get started with that first step, might I suggest picking up a Faherty Brand sweater for rugged style and cozy comfort? Something like the essential Faherty Brand Legend Sweater ought to do the trick, don’t you agree? After all, you can never go wrong with a stylish sweater that doubles as a rugged shirt — at least, that’s what I think. You’ll find today’s post is focused on plenty of the best gifts for men, from a well-crafted T-shirt to a new men’s grooming upgrade — there’s no time to waste if you still need to take care of some shopping. Holiday shopping will definitely be on my mind this weekend in NYC, but I’m excited to have some time off to properly take in the sights and sounds of the city.

On that note, I’m venturing into Manhattan on Saturday to fuel up with Birch Coffee, explore Central Park — potentially snapping some photos for my Instagram along the way — and then cap the day off in a big way. I’m heading to a rare evening on Broadway (well, in this case, Off-Broadway) to see a much-hyped production of “Cyrano,” starring Peter Dinklage and featuring music written by none other than members of my favorite band, The National! Lead singer Matt Berninger and his wife, Carin Besser, wrote lyrics for this updated production of “Cyrano,” while brothers Aaron and Bryce Dessner (the multi-instrument virtuosos of the band) wrote music. Talk about an incredible combination — and surely, an incredible production! I really can’t wait. What’s on your weekend to-do list? First things first, check out today’s Friday Read.

Let’s get down to holiday gifting, shall we? I mentioned above that we’d dive into a great deal on men’s jeans, and that’s in fact the case here with Mott and Bow. The NYC brand is still going strong when it comes to making some of the best men’s jeans, and this season, they’ve got quite the deal on tap: Get a free tee with any order of denim — using the code HOLIDAY19! —
now through the end of the month. Want more deals on the best men’s jeans and accessories from this excellent brand? It gets better. Use the code (again, HOLIDAY19!) to get a free scarf or hat with orders over $200. The search for the best pair of men’s denim just got a whole lot easier.
Alright, so I’m going to point you toward a major grooming upgrade (and a major grooming gift) for the guy in your life this season. Helpfully, Cardon for Men is launching a limited-edition gift set with a special early preview of two products set to launch in January (those two new products would be the Clay Purifying Cleaners and 3-in-1 Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizer). So, that’s a special gift set that also offers an early look at two new potential grooming favorites — what’s not to love about that??
Perhaps you want to pick up a gift for the traveler in your life? Look no further than the richly crafted, well-appointed Tecovas Large Duffle, from the same brand that’s built quite the heritage of making ultra-functional (and stylish) cowboy boots.
Speaking of essential gifts, what about the perfect T-shirt? It’s possible now, thanks to General Issue (the work of award-winning designer Susan Woo). This new brand works with factories and like-minded partners in Brooklyn to craft luxurious-yet-accesible basics, resulting in a well-curated line with three items to start. A super-soft short-sleeve tee, a sharp polo, and a casual long-sleeve shawl tee are up for grabs — whoever gets one of these is going to love it, guarnateed.

Alright, that’s going to end my latest rundown of crucial men’s gifts to buy now — there’s plenty more where that came from in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, perhaps you’re interested in reading about even more of the best new menswear releases? From a rugged waxed trucker jacket to the best new leather boots, I guarantee you my latest gear roundup will have something for you (or the stylish fella on your shopping list). Cheers to the season!

December 24, 2016December 20, 2016 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Brothers Leather Supply 810 Wallet

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 durable, well-made wallet from the Michigan-based team at Brothers Leather Supply. Get 15 percent off all Brothers Leather goods with the code ‘BrotherBeau15’ until January 6th!

First of all, we’re wishing everyone a lovely Christmas Eve. Now, onto to business, shall we? The concept of small, daily style upgrades that make your life better is one that’s pretty big here at The Style Guide. Be it something more noticeable like the cut of your crewneck sweatshirt or the quality of your favorite waxed trucker jacket, looking to buy the best and use the best menswear out there is a fun — if taxing — pursuit. And that pursuit extends to your everyday carry — after all, building great style is a process that touches every aspect of your life (repeat that again, will ya?) I’m always looking for ways to improve my own style, and that’s why finding brands that make the search easier can be so fulfilling. Take Brothers Leather Supply — this brand first caught my eye during a summer trip back to Grand Rapids, when I had the chance to check out the Michigan company’s well-appointed storefront, as seen below.

My Grand Rapids trip this summer introduced me firsthand to the great leather goods brand that is Brothers Leather Supply.

And if you’ve been following me on Instagram, perhaps you’ve seen some of the stunning goods I’ve been testing out — including today’s Style Pick, the slim, useful and effective 810 Wallet. We’ve talked in the past about upgrading your wallet, and if you’ve yet to do that, the 810 Wallet is an easy and effective way to check that off your list of men’s style resolutions before the new year even starts. Whether you browse online or have the chance to visit the Brothers Leather Supply shop in Grand Rapids, I’d urge you to get up to speed on a brand that could steadily upgrade your accessories — in fact, you can use the code ‘BrotherBeau15’ to get 15 percent off any item, now through January 6th! Why should you do that? Read on, my fellow #menswear aficionados.

The 810 Wallet is made with full-grain Vechetta leather in a lovely medium tan-brown color — it’s supple, smooth leather that’ll age nicely over time. And for $75, you definitely get your money’s worth — although hey, that 15 percent discount looks pretty good, yes? The brand does you one better by offering your pick of personalized branding and leather conditioner, too. The striped, canvas-lined large back pocket is a neat design touch that’s complemented smartly by three easy-to-access slots on the left side, plus a larger slip pocket on the right side (complete with its own striped tab). Yes my friends, the 810 Wallet ios a masculine, smart-looking wallet that slides easily in and out of slim dark denim or a trim wool overcoat — a bulky George Costanza wallet, this is not. And it should slide easily into your front suit jacket pocket the next time you suit up on a dressy day at the office. So, what’s not to love about (potentially) your go-to everyday wallet? I’d pick one up as quickly as possible, and I’d wager you’ll be surprised at how much lighter — and more stylish — your everyday carry can be.

Get 15 percent off the 810 Wallet — or any other Brothers Leather Supply good — using the code ‘BrotherBeau15’ now through January 6th. Stay stylish!

The Style Guide

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

Tag / best leather goods