Tag / colorful men’s socks

by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Ways to Wear Green on St. Patrick’s Day

Editor’s note: Click here for more online shopping picks covering seasonal style trends.

We’re now about a week out from the holiday everyone loves to, eh, ‘over-celebrate’ — St. Patrick’s Day. In a bustling metropolis like NYC (and particularly at my alma mater, Michigan State University — Go Green!), things can get a little, er, rowdy. It’s fun to have a nice time, but everything in moderation — yes? Whether you’re taking the day off or heading into the office as per usual, there’s still the tendency to want to go full-on festive for an occasion like this, particularly one that involves so much color. We’ll have a full outfit suggestion coming at ya early next week, but if you’re looking to stand out subtly with one piece o’ green in your wardrobe, start with the below picks.

#1. GREATS Brand Pronto in Cargo — $199

A vintage runner-style silhouette updated with premium Italian materials.

A vintage runner-style silhouette updated with premium Italian materials.

GREATS consistently churns out excellent sneakers for more-than-fair prices given the quality and construction built into them, and the Pronto in Cargo is a silhouette that’s a prime example of this. It’s got classic retro vibes, yet the neutral dark green color keeps it subtle and modern — especially for this occasion. It’s understated enough to the point where it doesn’t scream “Hey, I’m wearing green!” Pair it with dark denim and a lightweight wool blazer for some high-low St. Paddy’s Day style.

#2. JackThreads The Daily Vee in Olive — $18

A trim fit and understated color make this tee a nice option for the holiday.

A trim fit and understated color make this tee a nice option for the holiday.

When subtly and simple style is the name of the game (and it truly should be on this holiday), JackThreads continually delivers. The value for its basics is excellent when compared to the price point — if you read this blog consistently, you know I’m a fan of the brand. This olive tee is a different take on green — it’s far from the green dye in the Chicago River. And in a slim fit, you can certainly rock this blazer under a charcoal cardigan or a denim jacket if your day leans more casual.

#3. The Tie Bar Checks & Balance Pocket Square — $10

A refined combination of green-and-white to counter those less-than-refined St. Patrick's Day situations.

A refined combination of green-and-white to counter those less-than-refined St. Patrick’s Day situations.

If you’re very into keeping things toned-down on St. Patrick’s Day, a pocket square is perhaps the best way to incorporate some subtle green into your outfit. And the Checks & Balance Pocket Square provides just enough visual interest, what with that white diamond pattern over a silk twill green body. Rock it with a slim khaki blazer, grey chinos and a white Oxford — it’s a stylish combo that’ll turn heads for the right reasons* (*Disclaimer: If you have a few too many at the bar after work, that’s on you).

#4. Richer Poorer London Socks — $12

Part blue, part green and all simple style.

Part blue, part green and all simple style.

Another inexpensive and simple way to take on green for the holiday, Richer Poorer socks provide nice value for the price. This green-and-teal combo swings a little further away from going full-on green but again, if you want some understated color in your outfit — here you go. Heck, you could even wear a work ensemble as you normally might, throw on the socks and call it good (these would sit well under some slim khaki chinos and brown suede chukka boots).

#5. Bonobos Waffle Crewneck in Vine, $78

Easy to wear thanks to the slim fit, textured cotton and subtle shoulder detailing.

Easy to wear thanks to the slim fit, textured cotton and subtle shoulder detailing.

Bonobos likes to mix things up when it comes to seasonal knitwear, and this waffle knit made from soft, textured cotton embodies that perfectly. The slim cut is a positive, as is a color that, yet again, doesn’t scream bright green. Interesting details like the left shoulder buttons give this more of a crewneck sweater vibe than a plain thermal might, so feel free to rock it over a blue chambray shirt for a change of pace. Be prepared for some anti-green backlash perhaps (“Someone dressed up for St. Paddy’s Day!”), but know that you’re doing so in style.

As you plan out outfits for St. Patrick’s Day, it’s best, like we talked about before, to exercise some moderation and restraint when others likely won’t. Of course, this is coming from a guy who loves Guinness the 364 other days of the year. But hopefully, the above suggestions get you thinking in the right direction — and stay tuned for a full outfit suggestion coming early next week. Until next time!

-Beau
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Florsheim

by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Dress Down a Wool Blazer

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.

With winter weather still in full force for a lot of us, there can be a tendency to get into a bit of a style rut. That is, there are only so many ways you can style a shawl-collar cardigan or a crewneck sweater  before you want to change things up a bit. The good news is that, for so many of us, high-low dressing (that is, mixing and matching casual and formal pieces) is easier to do than ever before, regardless of what you might find yourself doing day-to-day. The below outfit makes use of some staples you likely already have in your closet (like dark denim, for starters) and puts ’em together in a slightly unexpected way. As a matter of fact, you might recognize the blazer from last week’s #OOTD post. Get the lowdown here, and then get those goods in your shopping cart.

Putting it all together -- combining style essentials you might already have in your closet.

Putting it all together — combining style essentials you might already have in your closet.

The Blazer: Frank & Oak Fairmount Deconstructed Blazer in Light Brown, $145 –A slim, soft sportcoat with a tailored fit and minimal padding — ideal for casual wear.

The Henley: JackThreads Daily Henley in Indigo, $34 — A great price for a superb piece that’ll age well over time; the “dressed-down” part of this outfit.

The Denim: Mott & Bow Skinny Mosco Denim, $96 — A classic pair of denim with great color and a nice bit of stretch (full review here). Note that Slim and Straight options are also available.

The Shoes: Frank & Oak Modern Leather Brogues in Dark Tan, $175 — Italian leather and European construction takes this pair to another level, plus  the color stands out remarkably well against the denim. Click here for a full Frank & Oak review.

The Socks: Anonymous Ism Wave Socks, $25 — Definitely a pricey splurge, but worth it for the quality and nice color they provide.

The Watch: Timex Waterbury Watch, $80 — A new Style Guide favorite; very well-priced, clean and classic. The ideal blend of casual and classed-up style.

Oh, and seeing as it is winter and all, finish off your oufit with my picks for the best winter accessories.

So with the above outfit in mind, I’d say give it a try just as soon as you can — when you pick up style staples that fit well and can be mixed and matched with ease, you’ll give yourself plenty of #OOTD options.

Would you rock the above look? How do you dress down your blazer?

by Beau H.

Style Q+A: American Trench

Editor’s note: To check out other Style Q&A pieces, head here. 

Just a snapshot of some of the eyecatching styles produced by American Trench. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Just a snapshot of some of the eyecatching styles produced by American Trench. Photo courtesy of the brand.

You can’t help but admire brands that delve into a product niche and ideology, and really live out that commitment. Jacob Hurwitz and David Neill have done that and then some as they’ve built American Trench, a brand with whom you may be familiar if you’ve read any of my work on VOUCH Mag — or if you’ve seen their socks in GQ. The duo developed the brand with the simple idea that manufacturing high-quality goods can be done right here in America, and they’ve stuck to it with the help of a Kickstarter launch in late 2012. I had the great fortune to check out a set of excellent American Trench socks for a review on GearHungry (and you can expect to see more of them around these parts, too). The socks are eyecatching, comfortable and quite well-made — everything you could want on your feet. And in corresponding with Jacob, he and David have a tremendous focus on doing right by the people they work with — something to be applauded and recognized. The brand makes a pretty killer trench coat, to boot. I caught up with Jacob for a few questions recently, and the interview is (I think) absolutely worth a read if you’re into supporting brands who take care of their own — and make a pretty nice product, to say the least!

The Style Guide: Tell me more about the inception of American Trench and the ‘A-ha!’ moment that spurred it on?
American Trench: I took a trip to London with my wife in the summer of 2009 and bought a trench coat there, because when in London, one must buy a rain coat, even in the summer.  After getting home and reading day after day about continuing layoffs and job losses, my friend David and I were talking about US manufacturing.  We wanted to make something. The idea came up…who makes trench coats in the USA?  The answer – no one.  So we set out to do it.  We had no experience in apparel, so it took 2.5 years, but we make something special.
TSG: American manufacturing is at the core of your business — expand a bit on your philosophy behind that commitment to domestic manufacturing, and are there other brands you admire doing similar things?
AT: American manufacturing is why started the company, plain and simple.  All of our products are either knit or cut and sewn in the USA.  We try to use domestic source materials when possible and appropriate, but each item has been manufactured at a factory in the United States.  Our philosophy can be summed up pretty succinctly: make the best you can make and do the best you can for the people around you. When we read about Brunello Cucinelli’s desire to make all of his products in Italy, which is well documented, it doesn’t sound nationalist. He makes it very clear that this is how he can best help the people around him.  The best part about buying USA made?  It’s totally in alignment with the core principles of our country – freedom and liberty.   Buying USA made is not mandatory nor does it require belonging to a specific race, class, group, or political party.  In the land of liberty, the greatest freedom we all have, what we choose to buy, can actually can create change!  So there it is — vote with your wallet.
The brand's relatively understated styles add a nice touch of color to any outfit. Photo courtesy of American Trench.

The brand’s relatively understated styles add a nice touch of color to any outfit. Photo courtesy of American Trench.

TSG: American Trench has a pretty particular product focus between knitwear, socks and your outerwear — how did that come about?

AT: We decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign to bring our trench coat to market and realized that we wanted to have a way for people to support us on Kickstarter even if they didn’t have $700+ to drop on a rain coat.  So we decided to offer USA=made socks, because who can’t afford a pair of good socks?  After Kickstarter, we started to get wholesale interest in the sock side of the business.  People were looking for made-in-the-USA (product) and accessories, and we had both.  We also found some awesome sock mills — one in Reading, PA and another in North Carolina.  Interest in the rain coat never died down, so we become dual-focused on accessories and outerwear.

TSG: What was the biggest challenge (or series of challenges) you encountered in your journey to source fabric, materials and production partners for your trench coat?
AT: There have been challenges at each step, although that’s true for any business.  Making the trench was a beast, we choose to make a super complicated product to start, with 70-plus pattern pieces.  It took two tries to find the right factory, and not without a lot of screw-ups and fixes.  Pattern making is not easy, nor is production.  It’s a complicated business. Knitwear is not walk in the park either, samples and production sometimes don’t end up being the same.

Florsheim

TSG: What’s one style mistake you see too many guys make?  
AT: Scale and proportion.  If you going to wear slim jeans or trousers, the rest of the outfit should be slim.  Then all items will be in proportion.  You can’t wear your favorite decade old blazer with your new trim pants and vice-versa, the scale of each garment is totally out of sync.  Likewise, sometimes a little looser look can be really refreshing, but make sure the rest of your outfit matches the same scale.
The other thing I would say is that less is more.  Don’t cram too many colors, patterns, and styles into one outfit.  For example —  if you wear your double-monk shoes, keep the suit solid and the socks toned down; double-monk shoes are a big statement.  Instagram style is its own universe, and should be taken treated as half-fantasy, half-reality.  Less is more!
If you have square-toe dress shoes in your closet from ten years ago, thank them for their service and put them in the trash.
TSG: What’s one style-related item every guy should own?
AT: Tough one.  But regardless of the item, quality over quantity.  I think a good pair of versatile shoes is a must.  I’m talking about something that can be dressed up or down, with a suit or denim.  Great shoes make a good suit look great and turn your socks into a star.  The Longwing 975 and PTB 990 styles by Alden are classic.  They ain’t cheap, but you can wear them with anything.  I really love the Rancourt cap toe as well.
That’s all from Jacob this go-round. If you’d like to support the brand more, check out their Web site or catch them on Twitter.