March 20, 2023March 19, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Add to Your Everyday Carry With This Stylish Leather Brief from WP Standard

If you’ve gotten a bit too used to working from home and now, all of a sudden, need to start dressing for the office again, well, start with the basics: Get your wardrobe in line with office-ready essentials, yes, but first…address your everyday carry. Yes, it’s truly best to start with the building blocks, like a stylish leather briefcase you’re going to use every single day (and then some).

The best place to start your search for your new favorite EDC gear? Let’s go with WP Standard, the Texas-based leather goods brand with a knack for making heritage-quality picks fit to use, well, every single day.

Learn more at WP Standard

We talked recently on the blog about how WP Standard makes one of the best leather duffle bags, but when you need something a bit more streamlined, that’s where the WP Standard Woodward Brief enters the equation. As the brand itself says, this handsome, full-grain leather bag is a “perfect companion for your daily commute,” and I’d venture to say that it’s also one of the best travel bags.

Solid brass hardware provides a handsome touch, and the padded laptop compartment on the WP Standard Woodward Brief makes it an ideal way to transport your valuables. Plus, handy external pockets deliver another degree of utility to the WP Standard Woodward Brief. Plus, as with other variations on the best leather bags, the WP Standard Woodward Brief will only get better with age, developing a patina unique to your personal style. What’s not to love about that? The journey to getting back out there and upgrading your EDC starts… now.

November 10, 2021October 28, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Satchel & Paige Waxed Briefcase Is a New Everyday Carry Must-Have

As we all return slowly but surely to the road, be it through a fall road trip, a stint back in the office or simply a day spent out and about around town, perhaps you’ve realized your everyday carry essentials have been lacking. Particularly when it comes to staying organized in style, it can be a tall order to return to your daily routine without the right gear, and that’s where the remarkable Satchel & Paige Aviator Brief comes into play. It’s a serious upgrade to whatever bag you might be using now (unless of course, that bag is made by the heirloom leather goods purveyors at Satchel & Paige), and it’s one of the best everyday carry essentials for hauling those must-have items to the office or to a day working remotely at your favorite coffee shop (your call these days, folks). Like all bags and leather goods from the Dallas-based brand, its design is rooted in history and its modern look is rooted in functionality, form and some of the best materials you’ve seen put into a lineup of EDC goods.

Upgrade your everyday carry now

It’s built with the same approach that Satchel & Paige takes with its full lineup of gear, which was first inspired by a map case used by the founder’s grandfather in World War II. Here, the Satchel & Paige Aviator Brief is also inspired by military bags and is made in Italy from remarkable materials (more on those in a second).

The Satchel & Paige Aviator Brief simply looks incredible and will only get better over time, thanks to the green 20oz. waxed waterproof canvas, which should prove burly and substantial while aging nicely (and keeping your everyday carry essentials safe, of course). It’s lined in handsome Tobacco suede and finished off on the outside with copper rivets for maximum durability at key stress points. Naturally, the exceptional Satchel & Paige Aviator Brief is certainly built to last. Vegetable-tanned French Cowhide leather should also prove thick and durable yet supple, yet retaining a slim profile that’s key to your commute, your road trip or your next flight as a carry-on.

Shop leather goods at Satchel & Paige

The Satchel & Paige Aviator Brief doesn’t cut any corners, and that’s reflected in the fact that the laptop pocket in the center is strategically placed to avoid scratching your laptop. How’s that for thoughtful, well-executed design? Two exterior pockets also provide easy access to EDC goods, and the included shoulder strap makes it even easier to haul the Satchel & Paige Aviator Brief around town or across the country. What’s more, it’s polished enough to take to the office as you dress in business casual style, but it’ll look right at home with more rugged ensembles, like a flannel shirt layered over a henley with your favorite pair of jeans. Try doing that with a regular leather briefcase, ehh? Point being, the Satchel & Paige Aviator Brief is unlike anything in your everyday carry rotation, so level up and invest in the best now.

October 24, 2021October 18, 2021 by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Enter this WESN Goods Giveaway to Get the Best Everyday Carry Gear on the Market

Welcome back to another fine edition of the Sunday Sale, where I help you dive into the best deals on the best menswear, and in this case, the best deals on the best everyday carry gear. Here’s the lowdown: If you read the blog, perhaps you’re familiar with the rugged EDC gear being made by WESN Goods, a Detroit-based brand first launched on Kickstarter and now best known for its WESN Microblade and a well-curated, well-designed offering of EDC goods for men and women. The brand’s name means “West, East South, North,” fitting for adventure-minded gear offerings. While the brand is certainly worth shopping if you need upgrades to your daily carry for yard work, road trips, camping and more, there’s an even better way to step things up with your everyday carry essentials. Now through October 29th, enter the WESN 4-Year Anniversary Giveaway for a chance to win the brand’s entire product range. What exactly does that get you? A heck of a lot, from the famed WESN Microblade to the WESN Allman Knife, a handy carabiner and more.

Learn more at WESN Goods

Click through to read more about the WESN 4-Year Anniversary Giveaway, which was designed to celebrate the brand’s inspirations, its journey from a Kickstarter campaign to a prominent Detroit brand, and much more. You can also score quite a few additional entries to the WESN 4-Year Anniversary Giveaway by reading the fine print, so to speak, but it’s worth checking out the rest of the brand’s highly durable, incredibly handsome and well-designed product assortment in the meantime. For now, enter the WESN 4-Year Anniversary Giveaway now through October 29th to give your everyday carry a serious shot in the arm. Good luck out there!

Gear up right now with WESN Goods
The best EDC picks are within reach

March 5, 2021March 9, 2021 by Beau H.

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Win a Trio of Classic Everyday Carry Goods from Ezra Arthur

Enter to win three everyday carry picks from Ezra Arthur, folks.

Folks, we’re doing things a little differently on this fine Friday, as you might have guessed. Instead of our usual Friday Read (featuring menswear and gear news), we’re comin’ at ya with a very exciting reader giveaway opportunity: You’ve got the chance to win a trio of ridiculously well-made everyday carry goods from Ezra Arthur (keep reading to find out how to enter). Not familiar with the brand? Today’s your lucky day, because I got a chance to check out three essentials from the family-owned, Arizona-based, made-in-America brand. Keep on scrolling for a chance to win three Ezra Arthur staples: The Ezra Arthur No. 6 Wallet, the Ezra Arthur Small Notebook and the Ezra Arthur Pocket Comb. Now, about the brand. Ezra Arthur is owned by four brothers, with a focus on “artifacts worthy of discovery,” the kind of pieces that, as the brand says, can be used every day and passed down — perhaps after being found tucked away in a workshop or your top drawer. Pretty cool, right? It’s that philosophy (timeless, dependable goods made with pride) that sets Ezra Arthur apart. There’s more where that came from, but for now, know that you simply need to leave your E-mail below in the comments to be entered into this giveaway — from now until March 12th at midnight EST. OK, back to the brand itself.

Editor’s note: The products shown here were provided by Ezra Arthur for review. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting brands that support The Style Guide!

Ezra Arthur Leather Goods

They source American materials and craft the stunning pieces shown here today in Phoenix, Arizona at their own facility using handmade craftsmanship — talk about quality and attention to detail. These everyday carry goods are useful, durable and dependable pieces that are going to develop a nice patina over time, although the brand has some useful tips on caring for your goods on its Web site. The products themselves are beautifully and durably made, including the No. 6 Wallet, made with Horween Chromexcel leather (out of Chicago). It also features an interlocking pocket design that keeps the wallet slim when folded — and able to fit easily into the front pocket of tailored shorts or jeans, as I’ve found out.

The brand’s pocket comb and holder — plus a stylish notebook and a durable leather wallet — are yours for the taking today.

I also appreciate the stainless steel pocket comb — with a combination of fine and course teeth — complete with a Horween Chromexcel leather sheath in one of six color options. Talk about old-school cool, ehh? And of course, as a writer on the go, I often carry a notebook in my bag around Brooklyn. These days, it’ll be mighty useful to have the Ezra Arthur Small Notebook close at hand, featuring high-quality details like revered Tomoe River paper and a Horween Chromexcel leather cover(also available in one of six cool and classic colors). It’s a handsome, refined and downright handy addition to your everyday carry. No idea will pass you by as long as you keep this notebook around.

Your chance to add some Ezra Arthur goods to your own daily carry. Photo courtesy of Ezra Arthur.

But how to make these gear picks your own? Simple: Once again, leave your E-mail in the comment section below from now until March 12th at midnight EST. Hopefully, you’ll find these heirloom-quality pieces from Ezra Arthur are highly useful and remarkably stylish additions to your daily carry — I know that’s how I feel. Good luck out there!

Editor’s note: The brand will ship each of the above three products directly to the winner. Giveaway valid for U.S. residents only.

October 18, 2016October 11, 2016 by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Wear a Flannel Shirt for 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.

It’s been a few weeks since we had a proper #OOTD here on The Style Guide, so we’re getting back to business today. As fall weather rolls into your neck of the woods, perhaps you’ve been breaking out some of your favorite style essentials for the season. It’s a time much-loved around Style Guide HQ for that very reason — and your list of seasonal essentials should definitely include a flannel shirt. Now, cotton flannel fabric in a plaid pattern carries with it a bit of a negative stigma — it was such a trendy staple for years that it might seem played out. But there are a few key ways you can break out a flannel shirt without looking as if you’re heading off to chop wood. The key starts, as always, with the fit of your shirt. Take that classic flannel fabric, slim it down (or size down) and pair it with a decidedly modern bomber jacket. Oh, that’s right — that’s what the below #OOTD is doing. Take a look below, follow your author on Instagram and follow The Style Guide on Facebook for your daily prescribed dose of #menswear.

Not too trendy, not too boring — just right. A modern flannel shirt paired with other modern staples.

The Flannel Shirt: Eddie Bauer Favorite Flannel Shirt, $49.99 — There are some brands you don’t mess with when it comes to flannel. Eddie Bauer’s been making these for years, and they’re comfortable, easily wearable and — here’s the key — slightly visually different in an engaging Baltic plaid pattern. Size down for a slightly trimmer fit, and wear it a ton.

The Bomber Jacket: Beckett Simonon Cole Bomber Jacket, $295 — The biggest key to making this look more modern than lumberjack? A beautiful calfskin suede bomber jacket in a trim fit. Treat this piece with care (I.e. Avoid the rain) and it should last through many seasons to come.

The Denim: Cheap Monday Sonic Denim (Available via East Dane), $90 — Learn more about a denim brand that could be a new favorite — we’re talking classic washes, nice fits and agreeable price points for the quality.

The Boots: Chippewa Original 6-Inch Service Boot in Cordovan, $269.98 — Does it get any better than ridiculously durable Chippewa boots, especially in Cordovan? Hardly. These boots are the rugged complement to the slick bomber jacket — you’re wearing a flannel shirt, after all.

The Socks: American Trench Pima Cotton Houndstooth Socks, $18.98 — Textured socks in this particular color should play nicely off the deeper blue of the plaid flannel shirt — the American-made quality doesn’t hurt, either.

The Watch: Timex for J. Crew Andros Watch, $118 — J. Crew does many things quite well, and a few things very well — its collaborations with third-party partners rank high on that list.

The Belt: Rag & Bone Rugged Brass Belt. $150 (Available via East Dane) — Is $150 a lot for a belt? It certainly is. But Rag & Bone does essential basics without fuss — this durable belt falls within that category neatly.

The Everyday Carry: Taylor Stitch Raw Brass Keyhook, $32 — Goods from Taylor Stitch — from the brand’s Everyday Chambray Shirt to this keyhook — are as well-made as can be. Carry this thing everywhere, and never lose your keys again, yeah?

Again, the key with breaking out a flannel shirt revolves around picking a more unique color than the tried-and-true red-and-black combination, along with a slimmer fit. Of course, a sharp suede bomber jacket helps matters out, as do simple, clean accessories like a NATO strap watch and premium socks (yes, the socks do make a difference). Some of the picks are definitely pricey, but as we always say, they can serve as a nice reward, and a reminder of the quality you get when you pay a bit (or a lot) extra for everyday goods. Got any questions on this #OOTD? Or would you swap in a few different brands? Hit me up on Twitter.

Check back tomorrow for another fall-centric style suggestion — and until then…

Stay stylish,

-Beau

September 20, 2016September 20, 2016 by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Wear a Bomber Jacket This Season

Ahh, yes. The classic bomber jacket. A men’s style staple that’s experienced a huge resurgence in recent years, in part thanks to certain, ahem, celebrities (Mr. Kanye West among them). But how do you take a style that’s seen on the runways and boil it down to an essential, easily wearable outfit? A solid menswear #OOTD, if you will? That’s why we’re here today at The Style Guide, and after you read the below, your questions will all be answered (hopefully). The key with looking at a major trend sometimes isn’t too follow it exactly — that is to say, you can buy that Alpha Industries bomber jacket, but maybe (no, definitely) switch it up from how Yeezy wears it. In this case, we’re working with a different bomber jacket entirely, and classic style staples like a slim chambray shirt and … well, we’ll leave that to the imagination for now. Have thoughts or suggestions on how you would style your bomber jacket? Leave a comment below or join the (very fun!) conversation on Twitter.

Slick, sharp and casual — just the right way to wear a bomber this fall.

The Bomber Jacket: Bridge & Burn Northrup Olive Jacket, $218 — See, I said we were using a different bomber jacket entirely — right? The olive color is neutral and yet still a change of pace from navy or that military green typically seen on bomber jackets, and the front snap hip pockets and stand-up collar are neat design touches, too.

The Chambray Shirt: JackThreads Chambray Workshirt, $49 — The great thing about starting an outfit with a neutral bomber jacket is that any classic chambray shirt in your arsenal would work — yet this neat patterned workshirt offers a heftier weight for fall, plus a pattern that’s just different enough.

The Denim: Mott & Bow Slim Morton Denim, $128 — You (probably) should recognize the Mott & Bow Slim Morton as a recent Style Pick of the Week entry, and it’s a good pick here because of the super-comfortable four-way stretch and dark black color in a no-fade rinse.

The Sneakers: UGG Kramer Sneakers, $120 — Your humble author discovered the comfort and style of UGG men’s sneakers during a summer trip to Michigan, and the Kramer falls right in line with those same qualities. Surprised? Don’t be — these are a reliable, stylish high-top sneaker pick for the season ahead.

The Socks: ICNY Half-Calf Gradient Socks, $13.98 — Sometimes, you just need simple, straightforward socks that offer neutral color, comfort and performance. You get all that with this pair for a pretty decent price, and the fact that the fine folks at Huckberry sell ’em is a positive.

The Watch: MVMT Watches The 40 in Rose Gold/Natural Leather, $120 — Since when can you get a crisp, versatile watch fit for both casual and dress situation? At a low price, to boot? Since MVMT Watches started making ’em, that’s when. The case diameter is just right, and the look is crisp and clean for just over $100.

The Belt: Tanner Goods Classic Belt in Hickory, $99.98 — Looking for an investment-worthy belt that’ll break in beautifully and offer a rich accent to dressy and casual outfits? Here it is.

The Everyday Carry: Bull & Stash The Stash Notebook (5.5″ x 9″), $50 — $50? For a notebook? Bear with me. Bull & Stash Notebooks support American-made production and top-notch quality, and they’re refillable — just swap out the paper when you’re done (save those memories though).

If the below #OOTD feels a bit too casual for you with those sneakers, swap them out for a pair of stylish men’s dress shoes (casual wingtips are a nice way to go), or heck, keep the sneakers and add a navy knit tie to wear this to the office. This sort of casual yet put-together look might be best for a weekend coffee run or, dare I say it … Sunday brunch. And since it’s a midweight approach to wearing a bomber jacket — note the lack of a heavy hoodie, a la Kanye — it should work in the early fall or spring in the right conditions. For a bomber jacket that’s certainly an investment, it’s a positive that it can be worn multiple ways. For a look at how yours truly styles spring and fall outerwear for similar situations, head over to Instagram — maybe? Please?

‘Til the next #OOTD,

-Beau

May 12, 2016May 13, 2016 by Beau H.

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Minimum Squared Wallets

Editor’s note: Thank you to all who participated in the giveaway! And congrats to the winner, Scott. T!

A unique-looking, slim and minimal wallet from Minimum Squared — one of which could be yours! Read on for more details. Photo courtesy of the brand.

As I’ve tried to streamline the process of getting ready to face the day ahead, I find myself looking for items that are simple, effective and stylish. Be it a solid money clip or a reliable leather messenger bag, anything that makes it quicker and easier to get from point A to point B is a winner in my book. So, a crisp, clean and unique-looking wallet definitely fits the bill — in fact, a slim wallet is a style upgrade I’d definitely recommend you make. With that in mind, we’re focusing on that theme for today’s giveaway, and introducing y’all to a brand that might be a new one for you. In fact, I was just introduced to Minimum Squared Wallets last fall. One of their co-founders, Sanela Kadric, reached out to me with the brand’s story, which is pretty neat (and which I subsequently covered for VOUCH Mag). The wallets are, as I quickly learned, stitched meticulously by hand from one piece of precision laser-cut leather– a very intense undertaking in and of itself — and yet they incorporate the equally precise and more mathematically challenging principles of engineering to design the wallets (Sanela’s husband has an engineering background — not common among the men’s accessories world, to say the least). As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the brand was just awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award, an international distinction given to brands and products in various categories that emphasize sleek, high-quality design. Pretty impressive, no? It’s the result of a modern approach that aims to use the least amount of leather and stitching possibly, resulting in a wallet that, although it folds over on itself, is still about as slim as a thin card case when filled with about five to six cards. Now, on their own, they don’t come cheap (about $170, the result of these pieces being handstitched in Spain). Their precise selection — that phrase comes up a lot to describe these — combines unique, rich leather colors with a neat, slim elastic strap to hold everything together. Make no mistake, these aren’t the Velcro wallets of past years, and they’re definitely nothing like George Costanza’s wallet. In fact, I’ve found in testing mine out that it’s no thicker than my old card case, and it fits just as easily into the pocket of slim denim or chinos.

That’s a win-win, right? Right. And to recognize the brand’s innovative approach and award-winning quality via the Red Dot Award, we’re giving you, lucky Style Guide reader, the chance to win one wallet of your choice! The lucky recipient will get their pick of one simple, stylish Minimum Squared wallet. Simply follow the instructions below and look out for the winner to be announced via the top of this post!

Good luck, and thanks for reading!

To enter to win one (1) Minimum Squared wallet of your choice, click this link and follow the instructions!

Editor’s note: This giveaway ends at midnight on Friday, May 13th.

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Tag / EDC