Tag / friday read

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Menswear Trade Shows, Stylish Men’s Sunglasses and Allen Edmonds

It’s with a much-needed weekend ahead of me that I’m writing today’s Style Guide missive in our ongoing Friday Read series — perhaps you feel the same way? We’re closing out an incredibly busy week on the #menswear front in NYC, including two whirlwind days for yours truly at style trade shows like Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs and Capsule Show. This week’s schedule also included a stop to view the contemporary and slightly edgier mix of brands found at MAN-WOMAN show (think tried-and-true favorites like Apolis and upstart brands like Alps & Meters — as seen in this Midwest fall style post).

At any rate, it was great to catch up with brands familiar and unfamiliar, many of whom you see regularly on this blog — from the standout sneaker makers at SeaVees to perennial Style Guide favorite Frank and Oak. I got around in style with my Timex x Todd Snyder Military Watch and made sure to rock some stylish men’s sunglasses, too. And as it were, that busy week of trade show action capped off an even busier weekend, if you can believe it. Incredibly and unexpectedly, I had the chance to see my favorite band, indie rockers The National, play not one, but two breathtaking shows in the small upstate town of Hudson last weekend. They debuted tracks off their upcoming new album, “Sleep Well Beast,” and I can assuredly say after hearing it twice that it’s on track to be one of the year’s best — no joke. I won’t give away too much, but you can read an excellent write-up at Vinyl Me, Please of the two emotional, powerful shows at converted factory Basilica Hudson. In short, I was so very glad I went — no regrets at all! With that being said, I’m very much looking forward to some much-needed downtime this weekend — and on that note, I’m going to leave you with today’s #menswear news. Happy reading, enjoy the weekend and keep up with my Brooklyn explorations over on Instagram.

  • We’ll start with the menswear world here — and specifically, the world of stylish men’s dress shoes. Among American purveyors of your favorite dress shoes, Allen Edmonds has got to rank high on the list — right? This week, CEO Paul Grangaard announced he’ll be assuming an advisory role as longtime industry vet Malcolm Robinson joins the brand’s parent company as president of its men’s and international divisions. I, for one, am excited to see where the brand continues to go — after checking out the Allen Edmonds Fall 2017 line last month, I can tell you that the brand has some great product — including plenty of stylish men’s boots — on the way this next season.
  • Upgrading your everyday carry is something we talk about frequently here on The Style Guide — and it’s with that in mind that I’m recommending you pick up the Grovemade Walnut and Leather iPhone Case via my latest GearMoose feature. Ehh?
  • Last but surely not least, it’s imperative given my *ahem* “job” as editor of The Style Guide that I direct you to the latest blog series here, called The List, chronicling the best new men’s gear to buy this week, this month … heck, this year? Happy shopping!

OK, loyal readers — we’re closing up shop early today! Have a great weekend, join us for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week from site  favorites Mott and Bow, and we’ll catch you on Monday.

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Gear to Shop in July, The Best Men’s Running Shorts and Amazon Prime Day

It’s another Friday here at The Style Guide, and a particularly momentous one at that.  For one, we’re capping off another hectic, fast-paced and incredibly fun New York Fashion Week: Men’s, the twice-yearly event that allows America’s top menswear designers — Style Guide favorite Todd Snyder among them — to showcase next season’s wares. Held at a mix of intimate studios and the cavernous shipping center-turned-exhibition site Skylight Clarkson Square, it’s a great week to catch up with industry pals (like my pal Jamal of StyleSocietyGuy) while taking in the season’s coming trends. It’s, in short, an excellent reminder of why I love menswear — the diversity, the modern takes on classic styles and more importantly, the great peole who make it all happen. It’s often a whirlwind of a week — that’s why I’m excited for the coming weekend and the festivities to follow.

That’s because it’s not quite your ordinary weekend exploring Brooklyn (as much as I do love those!). No, I’m heading north this afternoon to the quaint upstate town of Hudson — I took a November trip upstate to Hudson just last year, and I thoroughly enjoyed the town’s focus on excellent gourmet food, arts and culture. My trip has a bit of a different purpose this time around, though.  Famed indie rock heroes The National are hosting what should be a very special evening at former factory and current rustic performance space Basilica Hudson on the edge of town. It’s not quite your average concert, either. Dubbed “Guilty Party” — a direct play on the band’s latest single — the evening features a collaborative performance “in the round,” all taking place not far from where the band recorded said album. It promises to be an incredibly unique, heartfelt and meaningful evening — as any evening curated by your favorite band should be. So, that’s where Friday evening will find me.


And that’s not at all — in a crazy and quite busy turn of scheduling, Saturday brings the fun, quirky and eclectic New Belgium Tour de Fat to NYC. The craft beer festival and all-around extravaganza blends a circus-like atmosphere (think vaudeville performers and trick cycling races) with live music — as it were, an all-time favorite band, New Zealand indie rockers The Naked and Famous, are capping off the night. In short, it’ll be a jam-packed weekend to cap off a jam-packed week. But right now, I couldn’t be more excited. Before you start your own weekend of adventures, stick around a bit longer for our weekly #menswear news recap. Thanks, as always, for reading! Rock on!

  • Equally as important as your prep for the weekend is your weekend shopping strategy — at least, I think so. That’s why I’ve had quite the fun time putting together The List, an ongoing Style Guide series covering the best men’s gear to buy this month.  From the handsome and surprisingly affordabe Newgate Pimlico Wall Clock to the rugged and handy Line of Trade Waxed Canvas Watch Roll, I’d wager that this is gear you’re going to want to buy as soon as you can.

  • I’ll be the first to tell you I enjoy a nice, head-clearing jog through the quite streets of Midwood here in Brooklyn. It’s all the more helpful that the next time I pound the pavement, I’ll have a few ideas on how to do so in style — that’s because I covered the best men’s running shorts for GearMoose! Effective AND stylish, all at once.
  • Amazon Prime Day — the famed shopping portal’s offering of a bunch of deals through its Prime membership service —  flew by this week (Julu 12th, actually). Did you shop any deals? Let me know in terms comments!

And with that, my fellow Style Guide fans … I leave you to the weekend! Feel free to follow me on Instagram to check out Friday and Saturday’s music-filled fun, and be sure to join us tomorrow for our Style Pick of the Week.

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: How to Upgrade Your Everyday Carry, Summer Style Tips and The National

OK, Style Guide readers — how was everyone’s Fourth of July? Productive? Relaxing? Ideally filled with quite a few of the best summer beers? I sure hope that was the case. I spent mine relaxing in Brooklyn, hitting up some of favorite coffee and craft beer spots, and putting in some light work on The Style Guide (hey, gotta hustle). At any rate, it’s been a quick, shortened week, what with the holiday falling on a Tuesday. But lest you think nothing’s gone down lately in the #menswear world … think again.

We’ve got plenty of ground to cover before we roll into the weekend. If summer shopping remains a priority for you, I’d urge you (strongly!) to look for affordable men’s style essentials and pick up one of the best men’s polos to buy now.  I’d also urge you to pair said polo with some stylish shorts for the season — two foolproof moves that work for your next summer BBQ, your next beach trip or a casual stroll in your favorite park.  Before you spend all your budget in one place, though … take a look at a few prime men’s style news items below, will ya? And with that, it’s nearly time to kick back for Friday happy hour — isn’t it? Follow along with me through the weekend on Instagram, and thanks for reading!

  • Among other #menswear writing pursuits, I’ve been doing some work for The Menlo House, the blogging arm of personalized style service and E-commerce shop FiveFour Club. As with so many men’s fashion matters, the devil is in the details — so my latest post covers how to upgrade your everyday carry in style. It’s as easy as that!

Timex

  • Looking for a minimal, sharply designed pair of shorts that function in more situations than you can count? That’s what SPUDS is aiming to produce — the brand says that its shorts (launching on Kickstarter on July 11th!) are meant to “redefine men’s activewear,” what with a blend of performance fabric and easily wearable colors. Learn more here, and look out for that launch next week.
  • While we’re on the subject of upgrading your everyday carry, I reckon that myself and the GearMoose team might have found the stylish wallet to buy now. It’s the Hitch & Timber Flat Jacket Wallet, and it’s a handcrafted, rugged beauty of a piece. Go get that wallet now!
  • In other everyday style tips, Esquire.com has a simple — yet quite important — missive for you to follow. Namely, the site’s fine style team wants you to, quite simply, stop buttoning the bottom button of your suit jacket. That’s it! That’s all!

  • Let’s close this week out with some stellar new music — agreed? If you haven’t caught on by now, Brooklyn-bred indie rock heroes The National are masters at crafting subtle, simple and yet detailed and complex songs. The band’s latest release, “Guilty Party,” is a multi-layered, multi-faceted song about love and loss — in short, it’s beautiful and it’s been on repeat here at The Style Guide HQ. Listen away!

Those quick-hit menswear and music items will wrap up today’s Friday Read. I think we’re on track for a great weekend, yes? Let me know on Twitter if you’ll be doing any shopping for summer style essentials, or if you’ve got any style-minded questions. With all that being said, I’ve got a happy hour to look forward to later — cheers and enjoy the weekend!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Lorde, Rado Watches and New Menswear from Jane.com

Sometimes, in the daily production of everyone’s favorite #menswear blog — that’s this blog, The Style Guide — it seems there’s not enough time or space to cover everything that needs to be covered. From new series like The List (highlighting the best men’s gear to buy now) to weekly series like our #OOTD and Style Pick of the Week entries, there’s a lot of content that’s rolling out — to say the least. And when I need to really lock in and get it done, I often turn to my favorite music. I say this because there are some songs and records I find myself putting on a lot — like, a lot.

And on the note, I’d say that it’s essential — yes, essential — that you listen to the beautifully crafted, emotionally written and perfectly composed “Melodrama” by Lorde . It’s a fine record that’s sure to sit near the top — or at the top — of many a year-end album ranking, and I’ve listened to it a lot since its release just a short time ago. If that sounds like the idea of a great way to kick off the weekend, I’m here to do you one better — complement it with a full rundown of the week in men’s style news and interesting tidbits from Brooklyn and beyond! Right? Right. To keep up with my weekend — and weekday — shenanigans, follow me on Instagram or Twitter. And to get a daily dose of menswear, check out The Style Guide Facebook page. Happy reading — happy listening, too!

With Jane.com, you get the chance to pick up a stylish tee, denim and crisp sneakers all at once — and that’s just the start of it! Learn more below.

  • Ever needed one cool place to satisfy all of your stylish men’s clothing needs all at once? Ideally, a boutique marketplace with products that have personality, style and some unique design touches? That’s what Jane.com provides for you — that is to say, you can get everything from stylish knitwear to slim denim and crisp sneakers at affordable prices from sharp retailers. And the end results? Pretty stylish, if I do say so myself — I was more than pleased with the slim black denim, casual-yet-classic sneakers and rugged raglan tee I picked from the site. Again, it’s one easy spot to take care of your men’s fashion needs, and that should be applauded.

  • There are some times when you want a crisply designed, no-frills watch … and there are times when you want a watch with a little bit of bold personality (and the requisite functionality, of course). In the search for stylish men’s watches, things can get tricky. Yet, there’s help! With both sleek style and the versatility that comes with multiple color options, the True Thinline Collection from Rado Watches offers you the best of both worlds. You get a watch that can accessorize with simple summer outfits while providing a pop of color. Crucially, watches from the True Thinline Collection can also travel with you — the lack of a  leather strap means you don’t need to match it to your shoes and belt to your favorite watch. Handy and stylish in more ways than one, ehh?

  • While we’re on the topic of bold-yet-wearable, stylish summer sunglasses and summer-friendly accessories, you might do well to check out the latest launch from Style Guide favorites Electric California. I took the brand’s sunglasses with me on a summer weekend trip to Florida, I’ve recently been checking out a stylish Electric watch, and perhaps you recall the brand from my Father’s Day gift guide. So, it’s winning style all the way around — and they recently released the quick-selling Zombie S, a bold set of shades for those who love the West Coast. Importantly, the brand worked with Scotty Stopnik of the revered California surf/skate/chopper haven Cycle Zombies on two shades that capture the independent, bold spirit of the industry and the area.  How’s that for upgrading your pair of stylish summer sunglasses?

Did you enjoy this week’s Friday Read? If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. For now, I’ve got a work day to finish up — and then, it’s off to enjoy one of the best beers for summer, I’d wager. Hope your plans are similar, folks.

Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week.

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Shinola, Pitti Uomo and New Music by The Killers

This week, I’ve found myself looking back — and looking forward — quite a bit.  I’ve been looking back on an incredible mini-trip to Philadelphia and New Jersey to see The Killers about two weeks ago now, and I’ve also been looking back on a great family wedding weekend in Charleston. Both trips brought amazing memories, a dash of excellent #menswear and hearty helpings of craft beer (and in the case of my Jersey trip, stunning live tunes!).

I’m also looking forward to a few other momentous events coming up, including a holiday weekend in NYC surrounding the Fourth of July, plus an exciting month of live music (including a mid-July show by one of my all-time favorite bands, The Naked and Famous!). In the meantime, you can be sure we’ll be talking plenty of men’s style news on the site, from American-made denim to the best shorts to buy for summer and the best new men’s gear to buy now— and plenty more! If that’s of interest, I’d say you should definitely stick around. Before we get to that though, we’ve got a laidback weekend in the Big Apple coming up, and a full rundown of the week in #menswear to kick it off — per usual, as it were! Follow me on Instagram to keep up with the latest, and have a drink on me tonight.

Beckett Simonon

Two distinctly different shoe options available for pre-order from an excellent retailer.

  • Let’s talk summer wedding style as mentioned above — what’s your dress shoe situation like? If you’ve got some time to plan ahead, the fine folks of Beckett Simonon can surely sort you out, and quite handsomely. The company’s well-done pre-ordering process — one that updates you every step of the way via E-mail, from production to shipping — is definitely quite neat. Of course, you might know Beckett Simonon from a Style Pick of the Week entry on the terrific Cole Bomber Jacket on this site, but the brand is so much more.  Perhaps you’re familiar with the insanely cool-looking Morgen Trainer as seen above? And from the handsome Dean Oxford in Brown Leather to a sharp and useful collection of three Italian leather belts, the company’s fine craft is evident throughout the entire process. Again, if you’ve got some time to plan ahead, pre-order one (or several?) pairs of the brand’s stylish men’s dress shoes and be prepared to take that late summer wedding by storm.
  • In retail news, one of my favorite purveyors of stylish leather watches, Shinola, just opened what should be an incredible, well-appointed retail space in chic SoHo here in NYC. Swing by if you’re in the Big Apple — you can find this shop in addition to the new Shinola Brooklyn shop and the brand’s handsome flagship in Tribeca. Happy shopping! be
  • We’re at it again — the three-ring circus that is the traveling band of menswear shows (kidding, kidding) is starting up again, this time at the world’s largest menswear fair, Pitti Uomo. As always, it’s brought out its fair share of well-dressed guys and … overly dressed guys. See the best-dressed guys at Pitt Uomo here.
  • Among other menswear developments, I’m particularly excited about a new series launched recently on the blog — it’s called The List, and it’s a rundown of great gear and essentially, the best menswear to buy now. Our first List included a plethora of great picks, from stylish Chelsea boots to a handsome leather watch and summer drinking essentials from my good pals at Bespoke Post. I’m very much looking forward to continuing the series, and I hope you’re looking forward to reading it.
  • Let’s start to wrap things up with some music — agreed? The Killers — a stunning, soul-stirring and ridiculously excellent live band  — released their new single, “The Man” late last week. It was fitting coming off of my weekend trip to New Jersey to see them play! Have you heard it yet? It’s a groovy, heavy, funky track that might fit in more readily with Mr. Brandon Flowers’ solo work … and yet, it’s got me as excited as ever to hear their new album, “Wonderful, Wonderful.”
  • Now, I’m moreso a proponent of stylish summer sneakers, but that didn’t stop me from writing about the best sandals for men over at one of my favorite style sites, GearMoose — they’re definitely a summer style essential if you’re on the beach or the boardwalk. Shop on!
    Greats
    In short order, that’s going to wrap up today’s Friday Read — are you ready for the weekend yet? I’m ready to kick back, relax and enjoy a nice, cold beer (or an iced coffee). Catch me tomorrow for our regularly scheduled Style Pick of the Week, and we’ll see you around!
    -Beau
    Timex
by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts, Style Girlfriend and Taylor Stitch

We’re here on the cusp of another weekend — and the start of another Friday Read — here at ye olde Style Guide. Can you believe June is flying by? And we’ve got a big weekend coming up, too — it’s Father’s Day, after all! But more on that in a bit. It’s certainly been a momentous summer here already, what with my weekend trip to see The Killers in New Jersey, preceded by a joyous weekend of live music at Governors Ball 2017 and then a Memorial Day weekend trip to Florida before that.

And if you can believe it, I’m on the road yet again this weekend — my travels are taking me South to lovely (and sweltering) Charleston for a family wedding. I’ll of course be doing my best to dress in style for a summer wedding — that means wearable, breathable staples like a classic navy blazer and stylish leather loafers, for starters. In addition to getting dolled up for the occasion, I’m also looking forward to catching up with family and spending some quality time with my own dad. On that front, I do hope your Father’s Day shopping is going (or went) smoothly — and if you’re in need of some last-minute Father’s Day gifts, I’d highly suggest you check out the gift guide we pulled together last week. And if you’re still in search of a few other ideas? I’ve assembled my favorite quick #menswear picks below. Enjoy the weekend, enjoy tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week and enjoy Father’s Day! I’ll be recapping my trip to Charleston on Monday, and you can follow along on Instagram the whole way through.

Timex

As I said above, time is ticking away very quickly indeed to buy that great Father’s Day gift — right? If you’ve got a dad who loves either stylish sneakers or the finer things in life (a handsome pen, anyone?), shop these quick hits below.

    • From CrossPens: The Peerless TrackR Quartz Blue Ballpoint Pen is a smooth-writing, sharp-looking pen that’ll never get lost, thanks to its technologically savvy tracking capability.
    • From Filson: Father’s Day Gift GuideWhile the brand excels at making many types of rugged, durable and hard-wearing gear, I’m a big fan of several picks within the brand’s , geared toward an outdoors-loving dad.
    • From TOMS: Didn’t think TOMS could make something fit for the sneaker-loving dad? Think again, because the  TOMS Del Rey Sneaker features a simple, wearable silhouette that your dad might — no, will — enjoy pairing with stylish light wash denim this summer.

  • Does it feel too early to be thinking about rugged style for fall? The thermostat might read full-on summer in your neck of the woods, but Taylor Stitch knows that it’ll be time to crunch leaves underfoot and head out on weekend coffee dates galore before you know it. That’s why you should certainly look into ordering the Taylor Stitch Chore Jacket from the Taylor Stitch Good Acre Collection — I covered it recently for GearMoose, and it’s very worthy of your time.

Greats

  • In the way of other Father’s Day gifts, if you find yourself in the Los Angeles area, you’d do well to stop by the Sportie LA shop — the shop has teamed up with “Cars 3” to showcase and sell a series of collaborative merchandise from Style Guide favorites like Richer Poorer. The colors and styles are inspired by the film itself, making it potentially perfect for a little family outing (and if you go, you’ll find the shop at 7763 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles).
  • And before we let you go for the weekend, I’m going to remind you one last time about two stylish shopping hints for ya. Namely, we’re mixing menswear, home goods and accessories in my Style Guide Father’s Day gift guide — it’ll help tremendously if you haven’t given it a read! Lastly, the great team at Style Girlfriend — a site you should definitely be reading — tells you via Cool Material exactly what your girlfriend wants you to wear. Helpful tips, indeed!

That’ll round out this week’s take on the Friday Read — join us again tomorrow for a healthy weekend helping of #menswear, and catch my full travel style recap forthcoming on Monday.

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Father’s Day Gifts, Fourlaps Apparel and The Killers 

Folks, Happy Friday and welcome again to the latest Friday Read here on The Style Guide. We’re capping off an incredibly busy week — as it were, we published our guide on what to buy for Father’s Day (and by we, I mean me!). And did you catch my post on Governors Ball 2017 this past weekend covering the #menswear I brought with me? It was a rollicking, rocking good time, without a doubt. And if you can believe it, the live music continues through the coming weekend — notably, I’m trekking to the fine cities of Philly and Camden (that’s New Jersey) for the Radio 104.5 Birthday Celebration! That’s right — the one-day mini-fest featuring the likes of Bleachers, Foster the People and … The Killers! You can look for a full recap in that regard on Monday — I’m wildly excited for a great weekend, and you can follow along with all the action on Instagram or Twitter. For now, dive into a quick recap of the week in men’s style.

  • OK, let’s talk about your everyday carry. Namely, what you might (or might not) be using to carry your laptop around. In that department, I wrote about the 25 best laptop bags for men over at GearMoose. Shop away!

  • So, if your dad needs a style upgrade for the gym this Father’s Day, I’d urge you to check out Fourlaps Apparel. It’s athletic apparel for the active dad who doesn’t want to look like a total slob. With bright, bold colors and blocked stripes, it’s a bit of retro style and a lot of sporty functionality for the dad who loves to hit the gym (or just hang out in a nice pair of shorts).

  • In the way of gifts for the dad who’s got everything, check out the stellar, jam-packed Swanson Box from UrbanStems for Father’s Day, positively packed with all the goodies Dad will love — that includes gourmet treats like barrel-aged chocolate and fine coffee. It’s a winner all the way through — right?
  • While we’re talking Father’s Day, I put together a handy roundup covering what to buy for the stylish dad — from a handsome watch to beautiful Allen Edmonds Chelsea boots, you can find plenty of fashionable picks.

OK, y’all — we’re keeping it short this week. Join us tomorrow for our Style Pick of the Week, and enjoy Friday in the meantime!

-Beau

 

 

 

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Men’s Backpacks, Governors Ball and Stylish Summer Sunglasses

Governors Ball

There’s no question I’m listening away on my JBL headphones today — and getting VERY pumped to see bands like The Orwells this weekend at Governors Ball 2017!

We’re comin’ at ya live from New York for today’s edition of The Friday Read here at The Style Guide — and if it’s June 2nd, that must mean one thing: It’s time for Governors Ball 2o17 here in the Big Apple! The three-day music festival is always a favorite of mine, and it’s the third year in a row I’m attending at least one day — including last year’s trip to Governors Ball . It brings in the best across indie rock, rap, electronic music — you name it, it’s got a home in NYC. It’s also bringing back acts that I’ve seen on the road near and far, from Local Natives to The Head and the Heart and Chicago rockers The Orwells.


I’m looking forward to new tunes from the likes of Phoenix, Lorde, Warpaint and plenty more, plus a fine helping of gourmet eats and tasty craft brews. It’ll be an excellent way to cap off a busy week — and it follows on the heels of a stylish Memorial Day weekend I spent with family and friends in Fort Myers. So, we’re truly experiencing some fun in the sun to kick off summer.  If you’d  like to keep up with all the men’s style and music action, follow me on Instagram and look for a full music festival style recap on Monday here on the blog. Until then — we’ll be talking about the best men’s backpacks and stylish summer sunglasses  via the below featured articles. With that being said: Turn it up, grab your beverage of choice and join me on another journey filled with excellent tunes and even better times.

  • Speaking of summer excursions and summer adventures: If it’s a new backpack you need, I’d say I’ve got you set — I covered the 35 best men’s backpacks for GearMoose! Read up and shop away.

Greats

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The xx, Stitch Fix and Menswear Essentials to Own

As I write this edition of the Friday Read, I’m kicking off day two of a much-needed and long-awaited trip to Florida to see my family! I was previously here on a little Style Guide spring break of sorts back in March, but given the Memorial Day weekend holiday, it’s even better to be back. That also begs the question — what are you wearing this weekend? Hopefully, you’ve got a stylish pair of spring sneakers in tow for wherever your travels might take you.  Of course, you’d do well not to forget stylish accessories, like essential grooming accessories or a great pair of headphones. In that case, the Bespoke Post Vibes Box would probably be of interest — trust me.  As it were, I’ve got all of those essentials with me here on this trip (but if you follow me on Instagram, you know that already).  In any case, let’s look back on this past week. In addition to keeping up with all things menswear, I also had the stunning, nearly unheard-of chance to see British electro-pop rockers The xx play two incredible shows (back-to-back!) last weekend at the lovely, iconic Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. Touring behind one of the year’s best albums — the beautifully crafted “I See You,” they’ve come into their own more than any time before — the result is a poignant, moving and emotional show. In short, go see them on their expanded North American tour! It’s worth a listen as you kick back on Friday evening, absolutely. And with that, I’ll leave you to this week’s #menswear news.

Sutro Shoes Inc.

Stitch Fix

Via the Stitch Fix styling service, you can get pieces like the Cole Haan Grand Pro Sneaker delivered right to your door — as easy as it gets. Cotton jersey blazer and white chinos by Johnston and Murphy. Striped T-shirt by Bourbon and Blue. Watch by Nautica. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks.

  • Ever feel like your wardrobe could use a seasonal refresh? Same here.  Yet, there are other — even easier  — Stitch Fix ways to get expert style advice. Namely, the good folks at offer personalized styling services that result in a sharp selection of menswear for your enjoyment (like the sharp, easy-to-wear Cole Haan Grand Pro Sneakers seen above — my favorite from my own box!). Seriously, it’s all customized to your tastes after a series of simple questions. And what’s more, you only pay for what you keep. Yes indeed, it’s that great. I’d encourage you to sign up for Stitch Fix now — you won’t regret it!

  • Let’s talk more menswear, shall we? When Sunspel puts its stamp of approval on a collaboration, you can be sure it’s got the goods — the brand made James Bond’s polo shirt in Casino Royale, for goodness’ sakes. So that’s what makes the brand’s approach on its Sunspel x Iffey Road collaboration so neat. The heritage knitwear maker teamed up with the British running gear aficionados on pieces like the functional, breathable and technical Stanton Pique Polo, for instance. It features Iffey Road’s drirelease fabric merged with the same silhouette as the brand’s Riviera Polo. That’s a winning combination. And if you’re a track fan, you might recognize the name Iffey Road — it’s the site where Sir Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile mark in 1954. In short: That should be more than enough performance pedigree (and style!) to keep you cool all summer long.

Greats

  • Alright, let’s keep it moving here toward the weekend — shall we? I had a heck of a fun time pulling together an extensive — and I mean, extensive — list of the 25 menswear essentials you need to own for The Manual. You’ll recognize picks from Style Guide favorites like Abercrombie & Fitch, Todd Snyder, Apolis and plenty more. How many of those picks do you have? Let me know over on Twitter, if you please.

We’ll wrap things up early today — for now, I’ve got to hit the beach! I’ll catch you on the blog with our regular Style Pick of the Week tomorrow, followed by a full travel style recap incoming on Monday.

Thanks for reading — surf’s up!

-Beau

Florsheim

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Shinola, Spring Travel and The National

Hey there, folks — it’s time to wrap up the week once more and jump right into The Friday Read on this fine Brooklyn day. How was your week? Tough to believe that we’ve rolled past Mother’s Day and we’ve now got Father’s Day on our radar in terms of shopping (that is, in addition to the other #menswear shopping recommendations we’ve made on this site). Time’s positively been flying by, especially considering that I traveled to Indiana in style last weekend to catch up with old college friends, try out some craft brews at Goshen Brewing Company and take in the quiet tranquility of the Midwest — if you follow me on Instagram though, you know all about that trip. And back in NYC, we’ve been busy on the blogging and writing front — you’ll see a few handy spring travel tips and more men’s style news to know below.

Of course, I’m particularly excited about what’s to come in the days ahead. Specifically, I’m looking forward to exploring the lovely borough of Queens today in advance of what should be an incredible show from acclaimed British electro-pop band The xx. The band really defies any categorization though, and the group’s new third album — “I See You”— features some of the strongest musical work of 2017, hands down. Yes indeed, it should be a magical evening at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. What are your weekend plans? Standby for tomorrow’s new Style Pick of the Week, as it were — and feel free to join the conversation on Twitter if you’ve got a style query I can answer. Hopefully, I can help — let’s start with these items below, shall we?
Florsheim

  • Who doesn’t love a simple-yet-stylish spring and summer T-shirt? Better yet, how about one that supports a great cause? That’s exactly what Waves for Water is doing with its Artists for Water series, which applies the brand’s trademark focus to upgrading something we all know and love — The T-shirt. That means these T-shirts feature one-of-a-kind artwork from designers and artists alike, including Shawn Stussy (yes, the Shawn Stussy) and Nautas Kapas, the famed skateboarder, designer and now creative director at Birdwell Beach Britches. What does this mean for you, stylish reader? It means that now through July 3rd, you can keep your eyes peeled on the site for new weekly T-shirt launches.
  • OK, so how about upgrading your leather watch? If you happen to be in NYC, or visiting, you should absolutely check out the new Shinola Brooklyn store. They absolutely make some of the best men’s leather watches out there, and it was a treat to catch up with Shinola Creative Director Daniel Caudill for The Manual in advance of the opening, and I’d daresay you’ll be more than pleased with the brand’s handsome accessories and home goods.Greats
  • The summer is no time to let your outerwear game slip, especially on breezy nights — I’d suggest you pick up the Goldwin Packable Windbreaker, one of my recent entries for GearMoose, and let me know where you’re headed.
  • Now, let’s talk music. If you missed it last Saturday, you can — and should — watch the lovely ladies of California rock trio HAIM play two new songs on Saturday Night Live! Who else is excited for the group’s new album this July?  I sure am.


Last, but certainly not least ….

  • While we’re taking new music, it was with joy and surprise that I first listened to the new single by The National last week. If you haven’t heard the latest from the indie rock heroes, listen to “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” as soon as you can. Trust me.

OK, loyal Style Guide readers. That’s it — that’s all we’ve got! Unless, of course, you haven’t listened to that new single by The National. You should do that, ASAP.

Now, we’re ready for the weekend — stay stylish!

-Beau