The Friday Read: Investment-Worthy Watches, Best Men’s Denim and the Huckberry Explorer’s Shirt

I don’t know about you, but I’m happy to report that today’s Friday Read on The Style Guide is coming to you from sunny Florida, where I’m getting some much-needed R&R (and a few Coronas) this weekend. Last time around, I headed to Fort Myers to celebrate a Florida Christmas, and I’m just as excited to be back now.  You can, of course, look for a full travel style post incoming on Monday and in the meantime, stick around for a few choice #menswear news items below. Before we get going, layer up for the weekend with the Huckberry Explorer’s Shirt — as profiled on this site last week, in fact.  And if you happen to be in a warmer climate, get acquainted with how to wear you new favorite polo this spring. Oh, and you’d do well to catch up with everything you missed on the blog this week, including another entry in our #OOTD series.  For, follow along with the warm-weather style gear and my Florida adventures as they happen via Instagram and Twitter. Cheers!

  • Esteemed Esquire style editor Matthew Marden offered up a nice quick-hit look at his fashion week trip to Europe to cover the world of global fashion — and specifically, brands showing both their men’s and women’s collections at once. What does this mean for all of us across the pond? Marden argues that big-ticket brands who show both men’s and women’s collections at the same time — giants like Burberry — create a clear and cohesive vision across an entire brand. That’s quite neat, when you think about it — ehh?
  • This was alluded to above, but you best listen up now — the Huckberry Explorer’s Shirt is the tough shirt — and shirt-jacket — you need as the weather turns south this month. Pick it up in the crisp Natural colorway, wear it with slim olive chinos and durable leather boots, and call it a day (or rather, get out and have some adventures!).
  • Need a new watch? Of course you do. And Gear Patrol argues that should buy just one — only one of these five investment-worthy watches and wear it all the time, in each and every style situation. If a stainless steel dive watch isn’t necessarily your thing, check out my picks for the best men’s leather watches.
  • While we’re on the topic of new #menswear — need a new spring bag? The folks at Timbuk2 just might have you sorted out. What’s that, you say? Tomorrow (that’s March 11th), the brand is launching a new bag collaboration with San Francisco street artist Apexer as part of the brand’s Future Shapers campaign. The campaign is designed to showcase unique individuals who drive forward change in their hometowns — like Apexer, an artist with a history of work across the globe and a commitment to San Francisco that’s echoed by the fact that the run of bags is sewn in the city’s Mission District. The line includes a classic messenger bag, a tuck pack and a compact roll-top bag called the Mini Prospect Pack, all done up in a unique kaleidoscope and textile pattern.
  • And lastly — I had a heck of a fun time putting together a full list of the best men’s denim jeans for GearMoose. I think you’ll recognize quite a few picks on that rundown, that’s for sure.

Last but not least — one more #menswear item for you …

  • Given that the weather has been so up-and-down, I’d wager you’re going to need a great spring jacket — that’s why I rounded up the best men’s spring outerwear last week on The Manual. Give it a read, suit up and get ready!

OK, we’re wrapped up for the week now — get out there and have some fun this weekend!

-Beau

Beckett Simonon

#OOTD: The Waxed Trucker Jacket You Need Now

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD series will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

The men’s jacket you wear every single day needs an upgrade. Now, first of all — am I commanding you to buy a great waxed trucker jacket? Do you really need one? Maybe. Maybe not. But, hey — if you feel like that’s an outerwear addition to make here in late February, The Style Guide has you all set.  You’ll probably recognize the brand we’re featuring below, but that’s a side note to why this unique, rugged and yet easily wearable silhouette can work with different iterations of your #OOTD in the weeks to come. If we’re lucky, we’ll start to see slightly warmer temperatures in the weeks ahead — so, it’ll hopefully be time to shelve your polar vortex gear for pieces that are a little more temperate. That’s where a flannel-lined trucker jacket comes in. You’re getting both warmth and weather-beating functionality (in the event of a rainy spring day) with a bit of dashing and rugged appeal thrown in. And who doesn’t love that? The unique thing about the particular jacket shown below is the rock-n-roll edge it adds to the overall ensemble — but I won’t spoil it any further. Read ahead, skim if you must and follow yours truly over on Instagram and Twitter to keep up with the #menswear fun.

Mixing a heritage-quality jacket with a bit of rock-ready edge -- and classic menswear essentials, to boot.

Mixing a heritage-quality jacket with a bit of rock-ready edge — and classic menswear essentials, to boot.

The Jacket: Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket, $198 — It’s a good thing there’s still plenty of stock left for this jacket. As I understand it, it’s been quite the hot seller over at Huckberry — if it’s sold out in your size, the JackThreads Stupp Suede Trucker Jacket provides a similarly edgy silhouette.

The Shirt: Abercrombie & Fitch Garment Dye Oxford Shirt, $39 — I’d urge us all to try mixing a classic piece — like a timeless white Oxford — with an edgier staple (a tough trucker jacket) this season. It’ll work out just fine.

The Sweater: JackThreads Donegal Sweater, $29.98 — Spring weather might be around the corner *crosses fingers* … but we can’t shelve those sweaters yet. Pick up this nicely textured number for a bargain in case it’s chilly or rainy in the weeks ahead.

The Denim: JackThreads Slim Stretch Selvedge Denim, $44.98 —  Let’s make it two in a row with stylish JackThreads gear — this pair of stretch selvedge boasts a unique color and a slim fit.

The Boots: Thursday Boots Diplomat Boots in Cognac Suede, $199 — We love ourselves some Thursday Boots on the blog, and this particular pair feels and looks mobile and flexible for the approaching spring season.

The Socks: Flint and Tinder Inventor Socks, $17.98 (Three-pack)  —  Finish this outfit off with Flint and Tinder socks to complement that waxed trucker jacket.

The Watch: Form-Function-Form Horween Leather Timex Expedition, $79.98 [Also available in Brown Leather— This Expedition watch — with its more rugged, outdoors-y vibe — is finished off handsomely with a beautiful Form-Function-Form Horween leather strap.

The Everyday Carry: Tactile Turn Stainless Steel Slider Pen, $58.98 — Who doesn’t love a durable, useful pen — ehh? It should come in seriously handy every single day. If you’re out and about for a solo lunch, a notebook can be your best companion when it comes to brainstorming ideas (or just doodling).

Have you bookmarked any of the above pieces for later? If that’s the case, I think you’re gonna like the results.  The key to this look is starting with an unexpected piece of outerwear that’s actually highly versatile — the trucker jacket hits the sweet spot in terms of transitional, head-turning style. And we can all get more use out of everyday staples like a classic Oxford and a textured Donegal sweater. Of course, I’m never one to pass up a beautifully accented timepiece like the Form-Function-Form Horween Leather Timex Expedition, and you might be surprised at how handy a small item like the Tactile Turn Stainless Steel Slider Pen can be. OK, ready for that snow to melt? That makes two of us. Stop by The Style Guide Facebook page in the meantime, and join us for another applause-worthy men’s style post tomorrow.

Here’s to you and thanks for reading,

-Beau