#OOTD: How to Style a Chambray Shirt This Season

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.

Ahh, yes. The hallowed, essential chambray shirt. With its textured cotton fabric, workwear roots and both short-sleeve and long-sleeve iterations, it’s a Style Guide favorite through and through. Now, you might be thinking “Another chambray shirt, Beau? Really?” … really. While we’ve talked about how to style a chambray shirt for spring and we’ve reviewed a great Todd Shelton chambray shirt, it’s high time to circle back around to a style essential that works in all four seasons — especially fall. Those much-welcomed fall breezes certainly have taken their time showing up in NYC, but if the season is finally changing where you are, there’s no better time to style a chambray shirt. And the one we’re talking about today just might be the best out there. Folks, it’s the Taylor Stitch Everyday Chambray Shirt — a piece you might recognize from our Style Pick of the Week series — and it’s made with top-notch Japanese chambray fabric and sturdy double-needle construction. There’s no getting around it, the Everyday Chambray Shirt is the one to buy this season (well, not the only one … but perhaps the best). How exactly to style this thing? With rugged-refined #menswear essentials, of course. Read on for more.

The perfect chambray shirt, worn just the right way for a perfect season in menswear.

The perfect chambray shirt, worn just the right way for a perfect season in menswear.

The Shirt:Taylor Stitch Everyday Chambray Shirt, $118 — Well, you’ve already got a bit of the rundown, but Taylor Stitch made this site’s Approved Brands page for a reason, and this shirt is a huge part of that. With a pleasing blue color, visually interesting front-button chest pockets and the ability to be worn casually or a bit more dressed up, you don’t want to mess with the Everyday Chambray Shirt.

The Henley: Flint & Tinder Marled Long-Sleeve Henley, $62 — If you caught this site’s piece on how to style a henley for fall, you know exactly why it’s here. The mid-weight marled jersey fabric is of excellent quality, the fit is modern and the color is versatile.

The Denim: Dickies X-Series Slim-Fit 5-Pocket Denim Jean, $29.99 — Since when did Dickies start making slim denim? You’d best pay attention, and snag a pair or two for a great deal and nice comfort.
The Boots: Thursday Boots President Boot in Cognac Suede, $199 — The team at Thursday Boots hits another home run with the Cognac suede being used on a few varieties of boots this season, and the sleek President is the perfect boot pick for a rugged ensemble.
The Socks: CHUP Missouri Socks, $38 — Colder weather calls for heartier textures and a shot of seasonal pattern – the Missouri Sock is your answer.

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The Watch: Timex x Red Wing Waterbury Chronograph, $158 — There’s no question that something as tough as a Taylor Stitch chambray shirt needs a watch that stands out in rugged fashion — the Timex x Red Wing line is your best best.

The Hat: Carhartt WIP Key Ribbed Beanie, $35 (Available via East Dane) — If it’s getting chillier out, you need a hat to fight the chill. Carhartt — and even its fashion-oriented WIP line — knows a thing or two about that.
The Weekend Essential: United by Blue Trail Weekender in Olive, $97.98 — Sometimes, you need a functional, durable bag that just gets the job done; that’s where the Trail Weekender comes in.
And in a nutshell folks, there you have it. A rugged piece like the Taylor Stitch Everyday Chambray Shirt is just the kind of ideal finishing touch for fall — it’s got hearty texture, workwear-inspired roots and sturdy construction. All those keys lend it to pairing with like-minded pieces, like a durable henley. The look is grounded with slim grey denim and sleek suede boots, and tough accessories are always a great way to go — particularly when you need to stand up to the chilly weather. The excellent thing about the Taylor Stitch Everyday Chambray Shirt is that it can be kept in your rotation year-round, as we always preach at The Style Guide. For a bit over $100, that’ll make it an essential part of many a fall #OOTD — and plenty beyond.
Snag the Everyday Chambray Shirt while it’s still around at Huckberry.

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

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#OOTD: How to Wear A Cardigan This Fall

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 will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

Here we are, back from a weekend trip to Providence and ready to dive into another #OOTD on everyone’s favorite menswear blog. If you haven’t caught on by now, layering up for breezy fall weather can be fun and enjoyable — whereas dressing for a blustery snowstorm is done more out of necessity, there’s nothing quite like throwing on a few extra layers just because you can. Particularly when one of those layers is a stylish cardigan, perfect for late October weather. Keep in mind that a shawl cardigan would work for fall weather as well, but we’ve added a bit more to the look below. If you pick up the right style — trim-fitting and textured– you can pair it with just about anything (including a durable chore coat). And that gives you plenty of leeway to rock other seasonal style staples (say that five times fast), like a classic poplin shirt, slim black denim and … of course … tough leather boots. We won’t give it all away up here though — scroll down to get the scoop on this #menswear look.  And for more daily style inspiration, hit up yours truly on Instagram.

Layering a cotton cardigan with pieces equal parts rugged and refined for the fall season.

Layering a cotton cardigan with pieces equal parts rugged and refined for the fall season.

The Cardigan: Dockers Premium Cotton Cardigan Sweater, $98 — Why go with a cotton cardigan in late October? Because it’s blended with cashmere, has some nice texture and can be easily layered over top of (see below for more, folks).

The Coat: Apolis Selvage Denim Chore Coat, $228 — This rough-and-tumble denim chore coat is an exclusive piece for Huckberry, and that means you & I are all the better for it. Made in California from Cone Mills denim, it’ll age beautifully the more you wear it. Shop away.
Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

The Shirt: Big Flower Stretch Poplin Shirt, $125 — Given the fact that we’re layering just a bit, you want a shirt that moves well, fits comfortably and looks great. Enter this classic stretch poplin shirt; pair it with charcoal chinos and this same cardigan sans chore coat if it gets a bit warm.

The Denim: Cheap Monday Sonic Jeans, $90 (Available via East Dane) — When you’ve got a variety of textures up top, it’s best to keep your denim simple. In this case, a no-frills pair of black denim gets the job done & contrasts with the blue selvage denim chore coat. Don’t forget a textured leather belt, yeah?

The Boots: Thursday Boots Brown Wingtip Boots, $220 — If you thought the folks at Thursday Boots were done making stellar, affordably priced boots — well, you were wrong. These stunners are perfect for fall. Worried about mixing brown and black? This casual outfit makes that less of a problem.

The Socks: CHUP Missouri Socks,$38 — “Nearly $40 for socks? Isn’t that a bit much, Beau?” Well … yes, yes it is. But rather than buying disposable, cheap socks by the dozen, you could snag the CHUP Missouri Sock from Huckberry and be set for the season.

The Watch: Lum-Tec Special Edition Combat B30 Bronze Watch, $899.98 — So, first things first — this Lum-Tec watch is a tad bit pricey, to say the least. But it’s a beautifully crafted, durable field watch that’s as suitable for the office as it is for your next fall adventure.

The Everyday Carry: Taylor Stitch Raw Brass Keyhook, $32 — Do you necessarily need a made-in-America, raw brass keyhook? Well, it’s not a matter of life or death. But it makes keeping track of your keys a whole lot more enjoyable.

And, well … there you have it, folks. Taking a premium cotton-cashmere cardigan from an unexpected source (that would be the chino purveyors at Dockers) and blending it with simple denim and a comfortable stretch poplin shirt can set you up for all kinds of versatile style situations this fall. From a casual Friday at the office to a day in class where you just want to look a bit more put together than the dude next to you, this outfit’s got it all. Hey, you’d be OK with cheap beer for a bit if it means you look great, right? Just me? Ahh, well. And the durable wingtip boots add quite a bit of polish to the whole ensemble, while the selvage denim chore coat serves as both a durable piece of outerwear and a fine addition to the rest of your seasonal wardrobe. Oh, and while that tough-as-nails Lum-Tec watch is just a  wee bit pricey, it’ll perform all the better given the extra investment. How would you wear your cardigan this fall? Still need one? Circle back around to our picks for the top cardigans for fall when you get the chance.

Until tomorrow’s post — stay stylish,

-Beau