The Friday Read: New Men’s Footwear from Billy Reid & Classic Fall Whiskey from Castle and Key

Billy Reid men's footwear.

My friends, here we are on the brink of what promises to be another most excellent fall weekend — it might be a blustery and rainy one in New York City yet again, but I’m equipped with the proper fall style essentials for the task at hand, including my trusty Shinola leather watch (and many more).

Best chukka boots for men.

With today’s post (or yesterday’s post on the best shirt jacket for men), hopefully, you feel the same way. On that note, let’s talk some of the best fall boots — and from an unlikely source, at least until recently: Billy Reid. You see, the famed Alabama-based menswear designer, one of my favorite brands and menswear companies, period, hadn’t made footwear in recent years — that all changes now though, with two classic styles that should cover plenty of style scenarios.

Billy Reid footwear now includes both a sleek pair of leather moto boots and a stylish pair of chukka boots, and you can certainly look for much more on two of the best pairs of shoes for men this weekend on the blog (hint, hint). I don’t know about you, but it’s an exciting prospect that one of the best menswear designers in the country is now making some of the best men’s boots — it’s almost worthy of a toast, don’t you think?

And a toast or two was once again the focus of my week, as I trekked to the lovely, rolling hills of Kentucky and Bourbon Country itself. The mission? Visit the historic Castle & Key Distillery outside Lexington as part of my spirits and freelance writing pursuits, a trip that included a tour of its famed grounds and plenty of sipping on Castle & Key Restoration Rye.

Speaking of rye whiskey, you should also check out my latest Maxim.com feature on an excellent new rye whiskey from the spirits innovators at BHAKTA. But in the meantime, back to Castle & Key.

We also visited charming Lexington restaurants like Eppings on Eastside, and spent a very memorable day sipping bourbon and watching horse racing at the iconic Keeneland race track. Consider this just a taste of what’s to come regarding this heralded, fast-growing spirits company.

It was once again another reminder that I’m so fortunate to do what I do, be it covering menswear on this very blog or trekking around the country visiting the best distilleries and menswear factories in the business.

For now, I’m going to put some Billy Reid men’s boots on my wish list, and later, I’ll be enjoying some Castle & Key bourbon on a crisp fall night. I hope you consider doing the same! Cheers, and thank you for reading!

See Now, Buy Now: Billy Reid’s Leroy Shirt Jacket is the Perfect Early Fall Layer

Best men's shirt jacket.

In my experience, the best menswear essentials are the pieces that, as I often say, can do more than one thing well — the sort of picks made to go the distance, like the Billy Reid Leroy Shirt Jacket. The famed Alabama brand, led by Reid himself, nails the perfect balance between rugged and refined, including one of the best shirt jackets for men.

And this particular number is one of the best layers for shoulder season: Those nights when it’s breezy and a touch brisk, yet not quite chilly enough for your winter outerwear rotation. The Billy Reid Leroy Shirt Jacket is part of the Fall 2023 Billy Reid Collection, with enough durability to be worn now and into the months ahead in just about any way you see fit.

Best shirt jacket for men this fall.

The key here is the use of waxed cotton fabric from Scottish fabric maker Halley Stevensons, which is then turned into a remarkably rugged piece lined in cotton for softness and finished with a double-layer collar for durability.

The vintage match pocket on the Billy Reid Leroy Shirt Jacket is an exceedingly cool touch, proving that great style (and versatility) is all about the details this season (and beyond). Find out for yourself with the Billy Reid Leroy Shirt Jacket today, my friends.

Style Pick of the Week: Billy Reid Bold Plaid Tuscumbia Shirt – A Refreshed Version of A Classic

Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt review.

When I shop my favorite menswear brands, I tend to look for consistency and reliability, and of course, a distinct sense of style. That’s where Billy Reid often comes into play: The classic-meets-modern Alabama menswear brand makes iconic pieces with a fresh sensibility, be it the best shirt jacket for breezy nights or a rugged indigo Western shirt.

They also have their own lineup of tried-and-true classics, like the flagship Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt. Here’s where it gets even better: They update some of the brand’s best pieces in every season in new colors and fabrications, each cooler than the last, like the Billy Reid Bold Plaid Tuscumbia Shirt.

It arrives just in time for fall, and it’s a nice change of pace from a more standard (yet always classic!) blue or white Oxford shirt, for instance. The fun doesn’t stop there, though.

Best men's shirt from Billy Reid.

The iconic modern brand already calls the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt a “cornerstone of lived-in luxury,” what with its use of custom brushed plaid cotton (in the case of this shirt). The plaid pattern itself on the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt is also rich and visually appealing, with plenty of layers to it.

That gives it a bit of an edge in terms of style over other more classic red plaid shirts, for instance — the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt is crisp enough to wear beneath your favorite fall blazer in dressier style situations for the season ahead. The next time you need a shirt that refreshes an already-iconic design, opt for this number from Billy Reid.

See Now, Buy Now: This Billy Reid Knit Jacket is a Perfect Layer for Cool Summer Nights

Best lightweight shirt jacket for men.

Part of bulking up your wardrobe of menswear essentials (at a proper pace, not too suddenly!) is all about preparation, and about building a rotation that’s got you ready for just about anything. That holds true for the dog days of summer, and especially if you find yourself squeezing in one last beach vacation, for instance.

Here’s the rub: While it might be blazing during the day, it’ll cool off at night, and whether you’re on your back patio or sipping a cold beer around a bonfire, you’ll need the right gear for the job at hand. Enter one of the best shirt jackets for men, a crucial piece you can wear with ease now and on into fall.

Best shirt jackets for men.

And of course, you can trust one of your favorite menswear brands to deliver a reliable option. That’s where the Billy Reid Summer Fleece Knit Jacket is going to exceed expectations in terms of comfort and rugged style.

Part tailored jacket, part sweater, all versatility.

It doesn’t hurt that one of the best men’s shirt jackets can pull double-duty at home or on the road, particularly one made from a soft, sweatshirt-like cotton fleece. It’s also constructed similar to a handsome Billy Reid shirt, with geometric flap pockets, elbow patches and antique brass snaps — assuredly, the Billy Reid Summer Fleece Knit Jacket is a major upgrade from a beach shop hoodie.

Wear it over a breezy cotton T-shirt or your favorite henley, but just make sure the Billy Reid Summer Fleece Knit Jacket is close at hand in the next few weeks ahead. Oh, and did I mention it’s on sale? Sounds like a deal worth shopping right now.

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!

The Tuesday Steal: Billy Reid’s Short-Sleeve Tuscumbia Shirt Is On Sale for 30 Percent Off

Best short-sleeve shirt for men to wear this summer.

If it seems like I’ve been talking an awful lot about Billy Reid menswear in the past few days, that’s because, well, I have. It’s not for nothing, though: Right now, the Billy Reid Summer Event runs through this coming Thursday, so there’s quite literally never been a better time to score a few new favorite summer style essentials at standout deals (try 30 percent off, my friends).

Let’s dial it in a little bit more today, though, as one of the best men’s shirts for summer is up for grabs via that outstanding sale. That shirt would be the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Short-Sleeve Shirt, which is — as you might have guessed — a summer-friendly iteration of the brand’s best-selling Tuscumbia Shirt.

The key here is the use of yarn-dyed linen in a custom plaid colorway for a washed-out, pleasantly breezy summer feel, and the details only get better from there.

Best men's short-sleeve shirt.

The Billy Reid Tuscumbia Short-Sleeve Shirt features a standard fit for an easygoing feel, while the collar forgoes a more casual buttondown design in favor of a straight collar. The impact is a breezy shirt that even looks polished enough to wear underneath your favorite summer blazer, sans ties.

Of course, you can also style the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Short-Sleeve Shirt on its own with stylish Billy Reid shorts for plenty of summer weekend shindigs, and it still looks crisp enough to wear with your favorite pair of chinos. However you choose to wear the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Short-Sleeve Shirt, it’s a guaranteed summer style winner, complete with a great price tag (until Thursday!) to match.

See Now, Buy Now: This Billy Reid Trucker Jacket is an Affordable Summer Style Move

Best trucker jacket for men.

Summer might seem like an obvious time to take a more breezy approach to dressing, what with temperatures on the climb day in and day out. But there’s also an opportunity to layer up on cool nights with one of the best trucker jackets for men.

Satchel and Page

It’s all the better if the trucker jacket in question comes from A) One of the best menswear brands on the market and B) Can be bought right now for a very nice discount indeed. I’m talking, of course, about the Billy Reid Tupelo Trucker Jacket, which is currently part of the Billy Reid Summer Event.

It’s part of select styles marked down by 30 percent right now, but take heed: The sale only runs until Thursday, and the Billy Reid Tupelo Trucker Jcket is assuredly a rugged men’s jacket worth scoring right now. In fact, today’s must-have trucker jacket retails for just $243, marked down from $348.

Best men's trucker jacket to buy now.

The key with this jacket is the summer-ready fabric, which just so happens to be breezy, pre-washed linen. It’s a nice change of pace from heavier denim jackets, the kind that might not work as well as a layering piece on a hot summer day. The details, as with other Billy Reid menswear essentials, are on point when it comes to the Billy Reid Tupelo Trucker Jacket.

Billy Reid trucker jacket for men.

Those details include antique brass tack buttons for a handsome touch of contrast against the navy linen, plus interior jacquard ribbon stripe detailing. The fit on the Billy Reid Tupelo Trucker Jacket should prove classic but nicely tailored, with enough room for layering it over everything from a rugged Billy Reid henley to a classic Billy Reid men’s shirt.

The next time you could use a breezy layer on a cool summer night, make sure it’s the Billy Reid Tupelo Trucker Jacket you’re wearing — and do yourself a favor by saving some cash on that purchase right now.

The Sunday Sale: Save 30 Percent on Menswear Classics with the Billy Reid Summer Event

Billy Reid Summer Event

This Sunday, it’s like I always tend to say here on the blog: The chance to score menswear essentials on sale, and pieces you can wear right now and for years to come, isn’t an opportunity to pass up.

If ever you’ve read the blog, and if ever you’ve shopped the enviable assortment of stylish menswear at Billy Reid, from classic chinos to one of the best men’s peacoats to one of the best men’s shirts, you know that certainly holds true.

But here’s a little something else worth keeping an eye on right away: The Billy Reid Summer Event, which runs into next week and offers the chance to save 30 percent on select styles from the famed Alabama-based menswear designer.

What exactly is on offer right now at the Billy Reid Summer Event? A little bit of everything, from the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt (a certified classic) to a rugged Billy Reid trucker jacket tailor-made for breezy nights this summer. Bear in mind that the Billy Reid Summer Event only runs until this coming Thursday, June 29th, so it’s in your best interest to strike while the iron’s hot and save big money on stylish summer menswear. Cheers, my friends.

The Thursday Buy: Billy Reid’s Hybrid Swim Shorts Are the Go-Anywhere Pair to Wear All Summer

Best hybrid swim shorts for men.

These days, it seems everything in your wardrobe of menswear essentials serves a dual purpose, and that’s not a bad thing. In my experience, the more versatile your favorite pieces can be, the better. That goes for your chambray shirt (either a rugged shirt jacket or a stylish swerve with a blazer), as well as more beach-ready pieces.

Take the Billy Reid Moore Hybrid Swim Shorts. They look like a standard pair of classic chino shorts — the kind you might wear with a stylish denim shirt from the famed Alabama designer — but there’s so much more to them than meets the eye.

You’ll find them, first and foremost, in the always well-stocked Billy Reid New Arrivals section, and that’s where our journey (and your journey to finding your new favorite swim trunks — or shorts!) begins.

With the Billy Reid Moore Hybrid Swim Shorts, it all comes down to the fabric. That fabric, of course, is a 100 percent quick-drying nylon material, yet from afar, these stylish hybrid shorts look like, well, classic chino shorts. They’ve even got sharp details like a flap coin pocket at the waist, not to mention side slant pockets for a clean and dressy look.

Best hybrid swim shorts for men.

Plus, the Billy Reid Moore Hybrid Swim Shorts come in a cool textured black pattern, or a more classic khaki. If you want to lean more closely into the timeless stylings of chino shorts, opt for khaki. If not, opt for the patterned black option — yet, there’s really no wrong way to go with the Billy Reid Moore Hybrid Swim Shorts.

The great thing is, these stylish hybrid shorts pair up as easily with a USA-made T-shirt as they do with your favorite linen shirt from Billy Reid. As the designer says, from the beach to the bar, you’re covered with these dependable-as-can-be shorts.

See Now, Buy Now: Step Out This Spring with This Classic Billy Reid Linen Shirt

Best linen shirt for men.

When you really get down to it, you need workhorse pieces (true spring style essentials, indeed!) in your wardrobe that can move seamlessly from day to night, especially if you’re still getting in the mindset of heading back to the office (again). What’s a guy to do? Easy enough: Head over to a trusted retailer like Billy Reid, and look for something easygoing yet polished, especially in the realm of stylish men’s shirting.

The Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt is already a certified modern classic, and it just got even better: Namely, the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Linen Shirt takes the timeless silhouette, does it up in breezy linen, then sets you on the path to effortlessly cool spring and summer style. How about it, ehh?

Sounds like a plan to me, and because it’s Billy Reid (one of the country’s best menswear designers!), you’re getting quite the value for the price — sure, the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Linen Shirt retails for $198, but trust me when I say it’s worth it.

Best men's linen shirt.

The build of the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Linen Shirt is, of course, 100 percent linen for plenty of lightweight breathability this season, and it’s also been garment-dyed for an even more laidback, breezy look. Mother of pearl buttons round out the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Linen Shirt in luxe fashion, while the brand’s signature ribbon placket detail is a nice touch that looks quite cool when this shirt is worn untucked (in my humble opinion!).

For good measure, the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Linen Shirt comes in a range of vibrant and classic colors, all the better to add a little flair to your spring and summer wardrobe (especially when you pair this stylish linen shirt with classic Billy Reid jeans or crisply cut trousers).

Because this well-tailored shirt is a pricier pick-up than other classic buttondown shirts, I’d wear it underneath a tailored cotton blazer at the office, and then out on the weekend with off-white jeans or chinos. Get the most out of your return to polished dressing this season, and your wardrobe will reward you in spades.