July 23, 2018July 12, 2018 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Myles Apparel Seacliff Boardshorts are the Summer Swim Trunks You Need

The new boardshorts that amp up your beach wear to another level.

Any list of summer style essentials should likely include a stylish pair of swim trunks, right? Like the ones seen above from Myles Apparel, I’d wager. Even if you’re not a frequent beachgoer, you should still take care to dress appropriately when stepping off the boardwalk onto the beach. It’s as essential as what you’re packing in your beach bag and the sunscreen you’re putting on — truly. And that, my friends, is where the functional-yet-stylish Myles Apparel Seacliff Boardshorts come into play. These aren’t the baggy boardshorts you wore as a kid or back in college — the Seacliff Boardshorts are a new breed of men’s swim trunks, equally as good-looking as they are durably crafted. It’s a surprising combo that should make your search for a stylish men’s swimsuit considerably easier, ehh? It all starts with the quick-drying, four-way stretch material that gives these more performance-minded features than the baggy floral numbers a lot of us wore growing up. Trust me — the Seacliff Boardshorts are anything but that. The 7-inch inseam should work well for most guys, although taller fellas will want to search for something with a longer inseam (Bonobos does a nice job of that, my friends). Still with me? Still interested in the Seacliff Boardshorts?

Good stuff. There’s really no downside to picking up a pair of the Seacliff Boardshorts, seeing as the striped pattern is a menswear-minded pattern that stands out in a sea of gaudy, bright colors at the beach. That’s exactly what you’d expect from Myles Apparel, too. The brand offers a clean, minimal and durable interpretation of everyday staples (probably why they’ve named their signature shorts the Everyday Shorts!), so it only makes sense that the Seacliff Boardshorts would blend nautical inspiration and performance in one package. The point is this: You don’t need to worry about much when your shorts are as stylish as the Seacliff Boardshorts — simply pack up your cooler, throw on a rugged henley and some stylish slip-ons, and go.

Do you think the Seacliff Boardshorts are a summer must-have? Let me know on my Twitter page. Thanks for reading!

June 19, 2018June 5, 2018 by Beau H.

#OOTD: Wear This Gear to the Beach This Summer

We try to cover style scenarios aplenty here at The Style Guide, from how to wear your favorite T-shirt to the best way to wear a denim jacket this summer. Well, let’s take things a step further. Which is to say, even when you think looking stylish falls by the wayside, it doesn’t — not even at the beach. Yessir, heading to the beach for a relaxing day — or a series of days — calls for gear that’s situationally appropriate (leave the jeans at home), plus seriously stylish. I think today’s #OOTD covers all those bases, and then some. Think of it like, well, a sandier version of your favorite casual outfit.

So, tailored swim shorts that mimic the fit of your favorite pair of chino shorts, plus a rugged henley and an investment-level watch. Those are but a few of the essentials I think you might find handy the next time you head to the beach. Think of it this way: The best beach gear can have you feeling as sharp and stylish as you do when you throw on your favorite polo or a crisp pair of dark denim. If it fits well and looks great, it’s going to amp up the way you feel that much more. This is something of a Style Guide 101 principle, but it’s a helpful reminder for me as I plan for a beach vacation myself. At any rate, enjoy this #OOTD and let’s hit the beach!

Tailored swim shorts, a cool henley and a tough-as-heck beach bag are but some of the beach essentials you need.

The Swim Trunks: Onia Calder 7.5-Inch Swim Shorts, $78.98 — Crucially, these stylish swim shorts fit more like tailored shorts than the baggy, pocket-ridden trunks of days past — Onia has outdone themselves.
The Henley: La Paz Ribas Henley, $55 — A rugged henley like the the La Paz Ribas Henley offers cooler style and much more visual interest than a standard tee. Plus, it looks great when grabbing a post-beach beer.
The Shoes: SeaVees Baja Slip-On Portal, $68 — These stylish SeaVees slip-ons are the perfect grab-and-go sneaker. They keep your feet cool, and blend in (the right way) when heading to the beach.
The Watch: Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Watch, $1,195 — Exceptionally durable and very well-made, the beautiful Zodiac Super Sea Wolf is the last watch you’ll need to wear to the beach — it’s worth the money.
The Lotion: Ursa Major SPF18 Daily Defense Lotion, $54 — While it’s not got the highest SPF to stand up to super-heavy rays, the Ursa Major Daily Defense Lotion should be a reliable layer of protection to start.
The Beach Bag: Fishpond Thunderhead Large Submersible Duffel, $400 — Is the Fishpond Thunderhead Duffel a beast? Yes. Is it perhaps a bit much for your average beach trip? Maybe. Can it handle absolutely anything you need to carry? Yes, it can.
The Sunglasses: RAEN Pierce Sunglasses, $140 — Never head to the beach without stylish sunglasses. The RAEN Pierce Sunglasses are durable enough to take on the sun’s rays, and exceptionally cool on top of that.
The Extra Beach Essentials: Pendleton Spider Rock Towel, $42.98 AND RBT Insulated Beer Growler, $60
— A surprisingly stylish Pendleton beach towel is what you’re sitting on, and the RBT Insulated Beer Growler is what you’re using to sip on your favorite summer beer. Cheers!

Have you loaded up your beach bag yet? Better yet, have you loaded up the Fishpond Thunderhead Duffel with everything you might need for your trip? Upgrading your beach gear starts with nailing the basics, like fit and color. That’s what makes the swim shorts shown here from Onia so great — they’re subtly stylish and seriously cool. A rugged henley like the the La Paz Ribas Henley is but one outfit upgrade you’d do well to keep in mind, as opposed to an old high school tee or an athletic logo T-shirt. For my money’s worth, you still need to wear great shoes to the beach, if only for a little bit — stylish SeaVees slip-ons help you pass that test with flying colors. And I’d wager you won’t find a better beach watch than the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf, packed with standout specs and style. Accessories also play a major role, and there might not be a more important one in your beach bag than the Ursa Major Daily Defense Lotion — unless it’s the RAEN Pierce Sunglasses. I’d also wager that if you’re a fan of craft beer, you’re going to want to have one of your favorite tasty beverages handy; crucially, the RBT Insulated Beer Growler is the best way to do that. This list might seem a bit daunting at first, or like a bit much (ahem, the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf), but these are all stylish choices that pay off in the end. You’ll look great, feel great and look forward to hitting the beach over and over this summer.

Of the above picks, which one is most essential for your next beach trip? Pay me a visit on Twitter to let me know!

August 31, 2016September 1, 2016 by Beau H.

Catching some rays: A summer vacation in Florida

Editor’s note: To recap my latest travel style adventures, click that link.

Just one snap of my time spent in sunny Florida. Pocket tee by Steven Alan. Tropical-print linen shorts by Todd Snyder. Cooper Boat Shoes by Jack Erwin. Sunglasses by Nautica. Flat Wool Cap by Bridge and Burn. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Bracelet by Bryer Leather.

It might seem hard to believe, but today ends a whirlwind stretch of 12 out of 17 days on the road for me — yes, that’s right! That included a trip West to Liberty Fairs, plus a wedding weekend in Michigan, all fun in their own way, and all involving some stellar #menswear (if I do say so myself). Given that I’ve grown pretty accustomed to hitting the road as of late, it made my next trip all the more enjoyable; it’s not all that often that I get to head South to visit my family in Florida, but it’s always a special occasion. In this case, I was able to celebrate my mom’s birthday (Happy Birthday, Mom!) and take in a truly epic AC/DC concert with my dad in nearby Fort Lauderdale — but more on that in a second. I was last in Fort Myers in March (a Style Guide spring break, if you will), and this go-round, I was able to bring along a different — yet hopefully just as stylish — set of men’s style essentials for a longer trip (Friday to Wednesday morning, as it were!).

A full bag for a few extra days in Florida. Voyager Waxed Weekender by Owen & Fred. Printed swim trunks by JACHS NY. Army Issue Sneakers by SeaVees. Black Henley by Stitchmill. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks. Facial Crème by Nivea Men. Brass bottle opener by Owen & Fred.

That started, as always, from the ground up. I’ve realized the importance of making sure your small items are both durable and stylish — such is the case with my Herschel Supply Chapter Travel Kit, an easy-to-pack, easy-to-use dopp kit that sheds water (the wide array of colors doesn’t hurt, either). It fit nicely inside my reliable-as-ever Owen & Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender, which actually ended up holding about six days worth of gear (see, that’s versatile dressing — wink, wink). I also packed up a durable Stitchmill Henley and other easily wearable pieces. On a side note — if you’re going to grab one henley, you might want to make it a slim-fitting, made-in-America purchase from Stitchmill. But onto the rest of the trip. As I headed right from the office in NYC to the plane, I took advantage of a very casual Friday and threw on my OLIVERS Capital Shorts and the lightweight, comfortable Stio Divide Polo, both of which provided nice freedom of movement and versatility for moving from work to a flight and dinner. Of course, my Jack Erwin Cooper Boat Shoes were also durable and crisp for a half-day in the office and the resulting flight to Florida, which proved to be longer than expected thanks to some travel delays. The time spent in the air was more than recovered thanks to a few tasty brews at Twin Peaks, brewers of four in-house beers and some excellent pub fare, including the Billionaire Bacon Burger. Friday night done right!

Catching some much-needed Florida rays. Dash Tank by Fourlaps. Swim trunks by JackThreads. Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Sunglasses by Nautica. Sneakers from the MW for Reef collab. 8926 Pro Diver by Invicta. Bracelet by Bryer Leather.

With a busy work week and travel day in the books, it made Saturday all the more enjoyable — it was time for a relaxing beach day with fittingly casual apparel. That meant I threw on the Fourlaps Apparel Dash Tank, because everyone could use a little sun now and then. I covered the brand in a piece on the best athleisure brands for men, and they’re worth checking out if you want performance-minded apparel that’s a little more bold — and a little less logo-heavy — than your average tank top. It was an easygoing complement to my JackThreads Swim Trunks, which were pretty sharp in a deep navy color. Beach-ready footwear is an essential, and a pair of casual grey sneakers from the Masafumi Watanabe x Reef collaboration were just the ticket, able to stand up to sand & the walk through the parking lot after. Perhaps the most versatile timepiece I brought with me was my Invicta 8926 Pro Diver — I’ve had that thing for about three years now (it even nabbed a spot in this site’s roundup of the best dive watches), and it fit right in underneath the sand & sun. Given the need to transition from situation to situation, I’d suggest you also grab a versatile, casual-yet-refined dive watch for your next waterfront outing.

For a trip to one of my favorite stops in the Fort Myers area (the excellent Point Ybel Brewing), I also kept it casual. The great thing about those OLIVERS Capital Shorts is that, minus repeated gym sessions, they can hold up to darn near anything (including a repeat wear for an easygoing dinner). My situation up top was also breezy and casual, as it was the prime opportunity to feature a fun vintage printed shirt. A regular (read: Non-vintage) printed short-sleeve shirt is the ideal way to have a bit of fun in the warm weather, and my reliable-as-always Jack Erwin Cooper Boat Shoes worked just fine for grabbing a few pints. We topped off the night with a stellar dinner at legendary local spot Doc Ford’s — my parents would surely recommend the Yucatan Shrimp.

As one does in Floriday, Sunday provided another lovely opportunity to relax and explore at the same time. That meant a Sunday Funday trip to Punta Gorda and some exploration around the Fishermen’s Village shopping area (complete with a requisite stop at nearby Fat Point Brewing — get the Big Boca Ale to go in a growler, if you get the chance!). We also grabbed a tasty waterfront meal No trip to a beautiful waterfront locale would be complete without the chance to once again break out those Jack Erwin Cooper Boat Shoes. which are a decidedly sleek upgrade to the typical boat shoe. They offset a new favorite pair of breezy tropical-print linen Todd Snyder shorts (an end-of-season sale pick-up) — they were sufficiently breezy, comfortable and yet stylish. Of course, accessories to fight the sun were also crucial — in this instance, that meant some Nautica sunglasses in a cool, retro-yet-modern (there is such a thing) Clubmaster-style shape. My trusty Tread for Men Traveler Sunscreen helped me fight the sun’s rays — seriously, don’t skip out on that — and although I reached for my Invicta 8926 Pro Diver for some pool time early in the day, my refined Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch — on a NATO strap, no less — was the perfect pick for more time in the Florida heat.

The Sydney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers. Breton Stripe Tee by Grayers. Colter Pants by Stio. Sunglasses by Nautica. Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Striped webbed belt by J. Crew. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Bracelet by Bryer Leather.

Unlike past trips to Florida, which required a quick turnaround, I had the chance to take a bit more time in and around the city of Fort Myers. That meant some pool time on Monday, and it also meant a chance to hit up downtown Fort Myers outpost The Lodge for a heck of a lunch and some stellar brews. The décor is rustic and alpine-themed, the barbeque is stellar and the selection of regional and national craft beers is on-point (the Cigar City Lager from Tampa is a crisp, easy-drinking upgrade to a Miller Lite, if that’s in your wheelhouse). To meet the occasion in style, I paired my Grayers Breton Stripe Tee (slim-fitting and comfortable) with the Stio Colter Pant, a slightly stretchy chino made from premium Turkish cotton. It moved well, and made it easy to stroll around town post-lunch — particularly when paired up with those trusty Jack Erwin Cooper Boat Shoes and other style essentials, like my Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch. When you talk about pieces that mix crisp, modern style with a retro vibe, that timepiece is one of them — as is my trusty Bridge & Burn Flat Wool Cap, which came in handy shield my face from the sun. Despite some rain showers, it was an excellent day capped off by some delicious fried chicken at Sanibel Island hotspot The Pecking Order and a beautiful sunset on the beach.

An outfit that’s ready to rock. Authentic band tee and tickets by AC/DC. 505C Denim by Levi’s. Chukkas by Timberland. Waterbury Chrono from the TImex x Red Wing Heritage collab. Double IPA by Two Roads Brewing.

So a tremendous day on Monday led to one (big) thing on Tuesday — the concert to end all concerts, an absolutely epic AC/DC show. That explains the authentic band tee (no knock-off designer band merch here!), my reliable Levi’s 505C Denim, (a rock-inspired jean perfect for the show), and some durable leather chukkas. But onto what truly was an explosive night! Say what you will about their music or their consistent (ahem, stubborn) approach to music, but AC/DC were one of the first bands I ever loved — and I love them to this day, personnel changes and all! The show was worth an entire blog post in and of itself, particularly when you snag prime second-row seats, as my dad and I did (I’m going to pause to try & recover some of my hearing now).

The legendary Angus Young ripping off some blistering riffs in Fort Lauderdale at the BB&T Center.

From the opening chords of “Rock Or Bust” to a blistering take on “Shoot to Thrill,” a ripping rendition of”Sin City” and the classic “High Voltage” — and every single song in between — Angus Young never stopped moving or peeling off insane riffs. And Axl Rose truly did sing his butt off, too — he’s no Brian Johnson, but he channels both Brian & Bon in one heck of a rock n’roll way (on-stage wardrobe choices aside). Even without Brian in the mix, the band is a sight to behold … they’re perhaps the last great “classic” rock band that tours consistently behind original music, and boy, do they put on a show. Chris Slade has proven an admirable fill-in behind the drum kit for Phil Rudd, and Stevie Young is his uncle Malcolm incarnate, holding down the engine room admirably on rhythm guitar. I could certainly go on, but suffice to say — Bon Scott would be proud of “the boys.” Next up — the band’s stop at Madison Square Garden in just about two weeks. Needless to say, I’m ready.

An early flight after an AC/DC concert? No problem. Club V-neck Tee by Life/After/Denim. Leather chukka boots by Timberland. Notebook by Word Notebooks. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder.

With all that being said, the trip still seemed to come to an end all too soon — that could’ve been the early wake-up call to get back to NYC on Wednesday, too. My Life/After/Denim Club V-neck Tee (it’s proven quite the quick seller) was the ideal casual way to catch an early-morning flight — luckily, it fits the bill at my laidback office, too. And my Levi’s 505C Denim worked again to travel back — the hint of stretch is key, and the durability made them an easy pick when matched with the simple, stylish Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch. It’s now time to power through the work day, and unpack my bag until I travel next. With Labor Day on the way though, I’ve got some stylish adventures planned — I’ll be exploring the buzzed-about town of Asbury Park (that’s New Jersey, folks), and bringing along some stylish essentials (of course). Keep up with all the #menswear action on Twitter or Instagram, and check back here Friday for a weekly menswear news recap.

In rock we trust — it’s rock or bust,

-Beau

The Style Guide

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

Tag / best men’s beach gear

See Now, Buy Now: The Myles Apparel Seacliff Boardshorts are the Summer Swim Trunks You Need

#OOTD: Wear This Gear to the Beach This Summer

Catching some rays: A summer vacation in Florida