The Friday Read: The Howler Brothers Spring 2022 Collection, Rugged Tecovas Gear & the Best Men’s Grooming Tips

The best new spring menswear.

It might feel odd on this, a fine winter Friday, to already be talking about the best new spring menswear, but why not start dreaming of adding a few items to your menswear wish list, right? It’s easy with the Howler Brothers Spring 2022 Collection, a just-launched offering of breezy men’s style picks that blends the brand’s Austin sensibilities with a love of the outdoors, live music, adventure travel and of course, cold beer. You’ll find hybrid flannel shirts, durable stretch shorts, eye-catching graphic tees and some neat headwear to top it all off. I’ll have plenty more to write about the brand in the coming weeks, but for now, look over the bright, sunny and again, breezy menswear picks up for grabs at Howler Brothers to start your spring shopping.

The new collection is of course just one option you’ve got for shopping the best new menswear and gear, to say the least. It’s a holiday weekend, after all, which is ideal for quiet reflection and naturally, looking into the best President’s Day sales and deals on menswear (which I covered via Maxim at that link there). As for me, I’m wrapping up a busy week of NYFW events — I’ll be bundled up in Brooklyn this weekend in search of a cold beer and a Prospect Park stroll (not in that order, though). Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with style and beer tips — and head to my Web site to read about what else I’m up to on the writing front. Cheers and thanks for reading!

The best men's barn coat.
  • Looking for more perfectly rugged menswear to get your weekend going as you tackle your to-do list? Look no further than a full lineup of the best men’s jackets from Tecovas — just like Howler Brothers, they’re based in Austin and seamlessly blend the classics with just a bit of edge (check out the brand’s Western boots to see what they’re all about). Talk about the perfect jacket to wear from winter into early spring.
  • It’s always helpful to head into a weekend armed with a few tips and tricks, especially when it comes to shopping, right? Well, here’s a grooming tip for you — head over to AskMen to read all about my guide to the best men’s moisturizers for tackling dry winter skin. Your face will surely thank you.
  • And here’s one more tip to get your weekend started off on the right foot: If recent winter storms are any indication, you still need a go-to pair of rugged, hard-working boots. Enter my recent blog post (just yesterday!) on the best men’s boots from Huckberry — by GoRuck, to be exact. Catch the full deep dive right here.

That’ll bring your weekend guide to a close right now, but remember: Take advantage of the best President’s Day sales while you still can. Oh, and more thing: If you’re traveling, I think my recent guide for The Manual on the best TSA-approved grooming products takes care of everything you need. Happy shopping, safe travels — wherever you’re headed — and thanks, as always, for reading!

#OOTD: How to Dress for the First Snowfall

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.

Can you feel it? A real chill in the air? Temperatures (nearly) below or *gasp* at freezing? And maybe … the flutter of a snowflake or two? Yes, the more you look around these parts — that is, Brooklyn — on The Style Guide, the more you realize winter’s just about here. Of course, if you find yourself in a warm climate year-round, stop reading — we have plenty of beach-ready menswear for you. But if you need to bundle up for that first snowfall, the #menswear you need is just a few clicks away — and it looks sharp for situations casual and slightly less so.  Essential layering pieces like a shawl-collar cardigan and a slim henley can work all through fall, but when it comes time to combat the snow? You can certainly still reach for ’em with confidence. We’ll get to the full #OOTD below — and for style inspiration on the daily, check out the behind-the-scenes process on Instagram.

Layering up for snowy weather with a comfortable henley, a rugged cardigan and waterproof boots.

Layering up for snowy weather with a comfortable henley, a rugged cardigan and waterproof boots.

The Cardigan: JACHS NY Donegal Shawl Neck Cardigan, $129 — With its combination of hefty fabric yet a pleasingly modern fit, this cardigan is refined enough for the office but casual enough for the weekend.

The Topcoat: Old Navy Wool-Blend Topcoat in Crème Caramel, $124.94 — Add another brand to your list when it comes to stylish topcoat shopping this season. Old Navy knocks it out of the park with this functional, sharp number. Is it a heavy, technical parka? Not quite. But will it layer up nicely and look refined along the way? Yes, sir.

The Denim: Flint & Tinder All-American Jeans (Slim Tapered or Straight Tapered), $98 — If you caught this site’s post on the best men’s selvedge denim, then you know how essential Flint & Tinder jeans can be. Snag either the Straight or Slim Tapered cut and wear them all season. As to a belt? Choose a braided leather belt  for seasonally appropriate texture if you’ve got one.

The Henley: OLIVERS Apparel Convoy Henley, $98 — If you’re heading to the office & a henley won’t cut it, sub in a stylish chambray shirt & a wool tie. But in casual situations? Layer away with this soft, comfortable and slim henley.

The Boots: Cole Haan Lockridge Moc Toe Waterproof Boots, $350 — Perhaps more well-known for lightweight shoes like its ZeroGrand series, the Lockridge is a flexible, durable and completely waterproof boot ready for snow and slush, plus a business casual day at the office.

The Socks: Anonymous-ism Fair Isle Grade Crew Socks, $25 (Available via East Dane) — With various shades of blue in this outfit — plus that rich camel topcoat — a shot of red via textured socks makes a nice addition.

The Watch: Lum-Tec M60 GMT Watch, $499.98 — If you stop by here often, you know that Lum-Tec makes a bevy of watches that are Style Guide favorites. Although brown boots are in play, the M60 GMT Watch features a black dial and a black leather strap– but it comes with a stainless steel bracelet or a black rubber strap (especially handy in the snow).

The Hat: Herschel Supply Co. Abbott Knit Beanie, $20 (Available via East Dane) — Other than stylish leather gloves, what’s the one accessory keeping you warm in the blustery snow? A functional, neutral winter cap. If you’re going to go investment-level with a durable casual watch, might as well keep your hat affordable and versatile.

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This snowfall-ready outfit favors fashion just a bit more than function — we’re not throwing on a blizzard-level parka and snow pants just yet. But in the event it does start to snow a little harder, versatile accessories like a warm shawl collar cardigan and a sharp topcoat should serve you well. And accessories like tough winter boots  and a rugged leather watch can certainly take a few punches. Regardless of whether you’re stepping through  a few flurries or the bitter chill, don’t leave home without a warm scarf and gloves (thank your mom for that reminder, too!). If you’ve got other questions on what to wear for the first snowfall, or just want to chat, shoot me an email or a Tweet.

Stay stylish!

-Beau