2017 Men’s Style Holiday Wish List

My friends, the above title says it all — it’s time, once again, to dive into the men’s style holiday wish list of your, well OK … my dreams). This wish list of the best men’s gear has become a yearly ritual dating way back to when The Style Guide first launched (as Siblings with Style, no less), and it’s always one of my favorites (Editor’s note: Check out my first-ever holiday wish list from  back in the day while we’re on the topic). Why? Well, if you read our regular list of the best seasonal menswear — entitled *ahem* The List … you know that it can be fun to dream a little about what’s going to end up in your closet. And that’s no more true than when it comes to what Santa might be leaving for you under the tree. After all, it’s December and the clock is ticking. Rest assured that we’ll also be publishing gift guides on what to buy for the women (and fellas) in your life in the coming weeks. It’s all covered! Let me know on Twitter what’s on your holiday wish list, and thanks for reading! 

Shinola Runwell Chronograph — $750

An unbeatable watch from a brand that nails the perfect balance between rugged, casul and yet refined style.

Another year, another stylish Shinola watch on my holiday wish list. Can you blame me? Shinola makes well-crafted timepieces with sensible design and just a bit of rugged edge. It must be my Michigan roots, but I truly appreciate this brand and how they’re focusing on bringing industry and a bit of an economic uplift to Detroit. So yes, the Shinola Runwell Chronograph is a stunner in my book.
Taylor Stitch Telegraph Jacket in Navy Donegal — $278
Taylor Stitch Telegraph Jacket

A well-tailored, well-made jacket from Taylor Stitch that would be a heck of a Christmas gift.

Truly, it seems like Taylor Stitch can do no wrong — that’s even the case when it comes to handsome, winter-ready tailoring like the Taylor Stitch Telegraph Jacket in Navy Donegal. It’s on this wish list precisely because it’s a change of pace from tan herringbone or grey flannel when it comes to cold-weather tailoring, and it features that classic Taylor Stitch fit and quality. Santa, any thoughts?
GrowlerWerks Copper uKeg — $169

A seriously cool way to keep your beer fresh and in good condition.

It’s definitely the craft beer fan in me — and the abundance of excellent brewpubs and breweries in Brooklyn and beyond — but the stylishly and effectively designed GrowlerWerks Copper uKeg is certainly a handsome addition to one’s apartment (including mine, potentially!). Perfect for keeping a rich stout or porter fresh through winter, ehh?
Audio Pro T3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker — $249

A unique way to upgrade your listening experience in terms of design and style.

Here’s yet another device that plays right into my interests (and perhaps yours, too!). The crisply designed Audio Pro T3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker adds just enough sleek style to any apartment or home, and this cool home speaker is able to move where you move, from your home office to your back deck to your workshop. As for me, I’d use the Audio Pro Bluetooth Speaker to crank some tunes by my favorite band, The National. Who else is with me??
Taylor Stitch Link Stitch Sweater in Oatmeal Alpaca — $145

A new sweater offering from a revered brand — absolutely perfect to add to a holiday style wish list.

Looking forward to a chilly winter season, like me? Then I’d wager that you and I both could use the rugged Taylor Stitch Link Sweater, a new offering from a brand that specializes in the kind of stylish layering essentials any guy would be happy to receive this winter. Seriously, I could see the Taylor Stitch Link Sweater working perfectly when layered with a stylish field coat or a classic denim jacket in equal measure … taking notes, Santa?
Flint and Tinder Crossback Work Shirt — $138

A fitting winter shirt that’s rugged, durable and worthy of a Christmas list for you … and maybe someone else?

The Flint and Tinder Crossback Work Shirt is certainly a more accessible piece in terms of rugged winter style for this wish list when compared to, say the Shinola Runwell Chronograph at the top of the list. It’s no less essential and well-crafted, though — it would do very well when worn atop the Taylor Stitch Link Sweater with burgundy corduroys, for starters. Yes indeed, the Flint and Tinder Crossback Work Shirt is a winner when it comes to prime layering. Sounds like a top holiday wish list pick to me.
Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots in Tan Harvest — $300

Finely made leather boots … that I sure hope Santa leaves for me under the tree, ehh?

Stylish leather boots — especially the much-hyped, long-coveted Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots — nearly always end up on my style wish list. That’s certainly true this year, as demanding NYC winters call for rugged, classic men’s boots … like the Red Wing Iron Ranger. Will this year be the year? We shall see, we shall see …
John Woodbridge & Sons Vintage-Style Football — $125

A cool home decor addition? Assuredly. A bit silly? Maybe. But still cool nonetheless? Oh, yes.

Now, is it essential that I receive this stylish John Woodbrige & Sons Vintage-Style Football? No, not really. That’s why it’s on the holiday wish list, though! This vintage leather football is a bit silly, to be sure … but it looks cool and adds a touch of rugged appeal to any space — I can see it resting nicely on my windowsill or in a bookshelf for a stylish home decor touch. Does the John Woodbrige & Sons Vintage-Style Football make your wish list?

Taylor Stitch Oxnard Shirt in Sun-Bleached Chambray — $125

Another shirt from Taylor Stitch? Certainly — all of the brand’s gear is worthy of a wish list!

To be sure, do I have enough rugged Taylor Stitch menswear in my wardrobe to last me quite a while? Why, yes … yes, I certainly do. Will that stop me from adding the Taylor Stitch Oxnard Shirt to my holiday wish list? Assuredly not. The Oxnard Shirt is a well-crafted, versatile shirt, ready for layering now with a rugged henley and wearing with rolled chinos and stylish leather sneakers come spring and summer. So, it ends up on this list!
Alright, folks — what’s ending up on your holiday wish list? Which of these picks couldn’t you live without? The Shinola Runwell Chronograph is a true stunner in my eyes, as is the Taylor Stitch Link Sweater, an excellent men’s layering essential. Of course, I can’t pass up the GrowlerWerks Copper uKeg for the season, either. Let me know in the comments what you’re asking for (and hoping for) this Christmas.
Happy shopping and thanks for reading!
-Beau

Online Shopping Picks: East Dane ‘GO BIG’ Fall Sale

Editor’s note: Continue reading The Style Guide for more menswear style suggestions.

Here at The Style Guide,  we’re all about helping people out — right? From the weekly #OOTD feature to the Friday recap of the best of the week in #menswear , it all comes down to keeping y’all informed — and keeping myself informed, come to think of it. So, that’s why we’re here today. It’s Thanksgiving Eve — AKA the biggest bar night of the year — but that means we’re in the thick of a busy shopping season. If you haven’t gotten a jump on your Christmas shopping as of yet, you best start — and it’s a great thing we’re giving you the tools to do that via the great folks at East Dane . We shared with you details about the epic East Dane Event of the Season last month, and the excellent menswear and men’s lifestyle retailer is back at it again. So, without further ado: Now through 11:59 p.m. PST on Monday, November 28th, you can get some stellar online shopping deals! Using the code GOBIG16, you can get 15 percent off orders of $200 or more, 20 percent off orders of $500 or more, & 25 percent off orders of $800 or more. So, that’s a heck of a great deal, and it goes for a wide selection of both full-price and sale items. Now, because those are big barriers to reach, we’re focusing on hard-hitting, higher-priced goods in key categories — we’re talking footwear, shirting, sweaters, outerwear … you get the drill. Particularly if you’ve got a lot of shopping to do all at once — or if you just love the fine mix of rugged-refined and luxurious goods sold at East Dane — it’s certainly worth shopping quite a bit. Now, note that a few choice Style Guide favorites — like Shinola & Wolverine — are either entirely or partially excluded from this sale. Even still, there are plenty of great goods out there. So, that begs the question — what exactly should you buy to get the most bang for your buck? That’s what we’re here for today. Shoot me a tweet on Twitter if you think I missed any deals — and a Happy (early) Thanksgiving, folks!

Outerwear: Billy Reid Bond Peacoat — $695 (Available via East Dane)

The best peacoat money can buy? It just might be.

The best peacoat money can buy? It just might be.

Now, the Bond Peacoat is the stuff of legend — at least according to this menswear blogger. It’s the perfect season for a stylish peacoat, and this is the one to buy. Originally named for Bond Street in New York City and the brand’s store there, it was made famous by none other than James Bond in “Skyfall.” The good news for you? This beautiful, refined wool-blend peacoat in a striking grey can be had for 20 percent off — that sort of deal doesn’t come around too often, I tell ya what.

Shirting: Todd Snyder Woven Camel Shirt Jacket — $199.50 (Available via East Dane)

A unique fabric, yet this shirt-jacket still has nicely versatile styling potential.

A unique fabric, yet this shirt-jacket still has nicely versatile styling potential.

Don’t own any shirts made with a luxurious camel hair weave? That’s alright — neither do I. Although if I were you and I needed a unique, tailored shirt to layer over rugged basics like a favorite fall henley, this is the shirt I’d snag. Todd Snyder makes a mix of luxe and tailored pieces that play off heritage style — a woven camel shirt-jacket gives you the styling potential of (you guessed it), a shirt jacket …. and yet you get the texture and refinement of a finely tailored camel topcoat. It’s also just a shade shy of the $200 barrier for that 15 percent off deal.

Sweaters: Club Monaco Marled Mockneck Sweater — $129.50 (Available via East Dane)

A unique alternative to more casual fall and winter sweater options.

A unique alternative to more casual fall and winter sweater options.

So, let’s say you’ve got a slim cardigan and a stylish crewneck sweater in your cold-weather layering arsenal … but you want something that captures a dressier, slightly rakish vibe? This Club Monaco mockneck sweater is just the ticket. In a refined navy color, it calls to mind the sort of layers worn by James Bond in “Spectre” — that is, layers that were minimal, refined and ready for action. As for you? This mockneck sweater can be layered under a wool blazer or worn with a durable leather jacket for high-low style that’s fit for winter.

Pants: Carhartt WIP Club Pants — $138 (Available via East Dane)

A unique pair of tapered tweed pants that can be worn casually or with tailored gear.

A unique pair of tapered tweed pants that can be worn casually or with tailored gear.

Now, the traditionally workwear-oriented folks at Carhartt have branched off in recent years with the more style-forward Carhartt WIP line. What’s more, these nicely tailored wool-blend tweed pants are a nice example of that new focus. If you’re looking for an alternative to cotton chinos or even durable selvedge denim, a pair of tweed pants in a comfortable, slightly stretch blend is the way to go. These pants can be worn with leather wingtips and a casual crewneck sweater for a blend of high-low style, and they’ll team up more than admirably with a winter blazer for a day at the office.

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

Footwear: Danner Mountain Light Overton Boots — $380 (Available via East Dane)

A durable, tough pair of hikers with a bit of style injected in the mix.

A durable, tough pair of hikers with a bit of style injected in the mix.

So, you’ve got a closet full of tough fall footwear essentials, like leather chukka boots, but you don’t have something quite sturdy enough for slick terrain? Enter the Danner Mountain Light Overton Boot — the brand’s quality and durability precedes itself. With a cowhide leather upper,  a GORE-TEX liner and a Vibram wedge sole, they’re a silhouette that’s sporty, functional and yet ready to pair with slim dark denim and a navy bomber for a weekend bar crawl. Ya dig?

So, there you go — sorting through a large sale can sometimes be a tricky endeavor — hopefully, those picks helped you out at least a little bit. And the great thing is, you’ve got more than enough time to shop away for key seasonal purchases. If you stick to reputable, stylish and long-lasting brands — like Billy Reid and Todd Snyder — and look to make investment-worthy purchases, you’ll set yourself up for success (as cheesy as that might sound). And with that being said, shop away and enjoy the holiday!

-Beau