See Now, Buy Now: This Pearl Snap Shirt from Criquet Shirts Is the Coolest New Shirt to Buy Now

It’s a heady time around these parts, what with the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals rolling into town fast and furious, and a busy few days of imbibing and dining on the horizon.

But it’s always a wise time to take stock of your menswear wardrobe heading into the hustle and bustle of the holidays: A well-stocked wardrobe, as we often talk about via this Brooklyn style blog, always has options aplenty, especially as far as shirting is concerned.

While stretch dress shirts often suffice at the office, and the classic Oxford shirt reliably teams with a shawl cardigan or a lightweight blazer in equal measure, what about if you want a subtle switch-up from the norm? A piece with some swagger and some stylish appeal, but with less of a rugged touch than a flannel shirt or a thick-knit shirt jacket? The same can be said for swapping in a crisply cut polo, like the one shown above from today’s spotlight brand — scroll ahead for mor, my friends.

Yes indeed, those are some tricky parameters to clear, but I’d wager you’ll want to peruse the effortlessly cool, dashing men’s shirting and apparel on offer at Austin-based Criquet Shirts.

You very well might recall them over the years from past Criquet reviews on this blog, but it’s worth checking in with the high-flying, old-school-meets-modern brand as they look to reinvent how guys dress, one eye-catching buttondown and stylish polo shirt at a time.

The brand was founded back in 2010 with an emphasis on making the classics modern: Think of the ultra-flattering polo shirts worn by the likes of Arnold Palmer, for instance, then retool that shirt for the modern day with an even better fit and fabric — and tons of stylish, easygoing swagger.

In the years since, Criquet Shirts has expanded into Oxford shirting, lightweight flannel shirts, Western shirting and corduroy shirts with a pearl-snap button twist.

These pieces have a touch of Austin-inspired flair, flattering collars, a fit that’s neither too tight nor too loose, and the sort of leisurely ease that makes a shirt from Criquet Shirts as wearable with chino shorts as it is with expertly faded denim or chino pants.

Consider this your cue to start shopping this brand’s stellar shirts: In my experience, Criquet men’s shirts feature durable but buttery-soft fabric, helpful details like face-framing collar stays, a rich array of color and pattern options, and more diversity in the lineup than you can shake a clothes hanger at. Seriously, the array of stylish Criquet men’s shirts is nearly overwhelming, but tastefully curated all the while.

We’re talking options aplenty: Western shirts! Corduroy shirt jackets! Stretch knit buttondowns! Effortlessly cool long-sleeve polos! Cashmere pocket tees! I’ve tried the eye-catching, ultra-soft Corduroy Pearl Snap shown throughout this post, with more Criquet shirting reviews on the horizon.

Think of it this way: If you can envision yourself wearing it at the 19th hole, while whippng up an Old Fashioned or while flipping burgers at the grill — or sidling up to the bar for a cold one, no less — then there’s a good chance the best shirts for men from Criquet Shirts are up to the task in matters of form and function.

The Friday Find: The Buck Mason Thundercloud Quilted Western Jacket Is a Distinctive Spin on a Classic

There are certain distinctive finds in the menswear world that almost defy convention: They take one thing you think you might know, like one of the best Western shirts for men, and then blend it with another ultra-dependable staple, like one of the best shirt jackets on the market. And of course, the good folks at Americana menswear masters Buck Mason certainly know just how to blend the two, and that results in highly wearable, stylish, classic-yet-modern selections like the brand-new Buck Mason Thundercloud Quilted Western Jacket.

Remarkably, the Buck Mason Thundercloud Quilted Western Jacket manages to be both things at once, yet stands alone as a reliable fall and winter layer, complete with quilted down filling to round out 190 GSM cotton-nylon blend exterior.

And that’s where things get even more interesting: This stylish shirt jacket also nails the details of traditional Western shirts, including five-point chest flap pockets and Western-style yoke detailing. And those snaps on the Buck Mason Thundercloud Quilted Western Jacket? They’re made of pearl for extra authenticity, just like the old days.

The square quilting should deliver maximum comfort and warmth when layered over everything from a thermal henley to a durable chambray shirt, and you could even go so far as to layer the Buck Mason Thundercloud Quilted Western Jacket over another faded Western shirt if you really wanted to lean into classic Western, Americana vibes.

The Uniform Khaki color also gives it another level of versatility — that shade should wear well with everything from faded blue jeans to olive chinos and even shades of rust and tobacco. It’s prime time to layer up in distinctive fashion, and this hybrid shirt jacket manages to be two things at once — all the while doing both remarkably well, my friends. If you end up scoring the Buck Mason Thundercloud Quilted Western Jacket, let me know in the comments, my friends.

The Thursday Buy: The Billy Reid Indigo Western Shirt is a Rugged, Refined Summer Classic

Billy Reid Western Shirt.

One of the things I love the most about the menswear world is seeing how brands put a new spin on their own time-honored favorites. And for my money’s worth (and in my own experience wearing the brand!), American menswear stalwart Billy Reid‘s namesake brand does as stellar a job at this as anyone.

This holds especially true for subtle, straightforward picks like one of the best men’s T-shirts, and it holds true for styles that are a bit trickier to perfect, like a stylish buttondown shirt. Make no mistake, it’s hard to improve upon a modern classic like the Billy Reid Western Shirt, which has been in the company’s rotation (and Billy’s personal wardrobe) for more than two decades.

And yet, one glance at the Billy Reid Indigo Western Shirt tells you all you need to know: The award-winning brand has indeed managed to improve upon a classic, and that’s just terrific news for your summer wardrobe.

Best denim shirt for men.

This exceedingly handsome shirt is part of the new Billy Reid Indigo Capsule, which harnesses the magic of indigo dye and turns it into a stylish offering of T-shirts, ultra-soft sweaters, buttondown shirting and more. The Billy Reid Indigo Western Shirt is a standout of the entire capsule, with a deep indigo color, contrast plaid stitching and genuine dark horn buttons.

Best indigo denim shirt for men.

It should come as no surprise that Billy gets all of these details correct, and throws in a few more for good measure. The flap chest pockets boast a unique spade shape, and heirloom ribbon detailing is a subtle touch beneath the bottom shirt placket. Of course, the Billy Reid Indigo Western Shirt is a winner every single step of the way.

Part tailored jacket, part sweater, all versatility.

Take heed, though. All of this ultra-premium construction comes at a price, and Billy Reid is offering up this long-lasting shirt for $228 right now online. If you ask me though, most anything from Billy Reid is worth investing in, so shop accordingly this week. Thanks for reading, my friends!