Tag / gq insider

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Viral Instagram Poses, Summer Seersucker and The Strokes

Editor’s note: Expect these posts once a week on Fridays — consider this a jumpstart on reading for your weekend downtime. Expect a mix of style and non-style content. For more entries, click here.  

How was your week? As it seems with most of these posts as of late, it’s the capper on another extremely busy one here at The Style Guide. It admittedly took me a day or two to get back into the swing of things after an extraordinarily fun weekend with great friends at the epic Governors Ball here in NYC; for more on the #menswear I brought with me, check out that post. There’s really nothing like great live music, and if you get the chance to check out any summer music festivals, I’d urge you to do so (in fact, we’ve got a summer festival style guide all set for you). Aside from that, it was great to catch up with the fine folks at JackThreads to see what they’ve got in store for the coming summer season, and we’re deep in the throes of preparing for Father’s Day over at The Style Guide HQ. What are you getting your dad this year? Check out my Father’s Day gift guide for more suggestions. Before you move onto the next task (or the next browser tab), stick around for a bit and check out this week’s #menswear news. For more random style musings, follow my stylish alter ego on Twitter, and check back here on the blog for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week.

  • The debut issue of GQ Style gets right into it by covering the viral Instagram pose you should never strike again — who even knew there was such a thing?
  • In the spirit of true summer style, the great folks at Maxim talk over the only 5 seersucker items you need this summer.
  • Here’s a style note for you: If you find yourself in the L.A. area this summer, be sure to check out the great pop-up shop being convened by the fine folks at Bridge & Burn (a Style Guide favorite); they’re running a special partnership with the team behind the Liberty Fairs trade show — that’s at 8366 1/2 West 3rd Street in L.A., if you get curious.
  • To close things out on a non-style note, it was an absolute treat to see The Strokes rock out at Governor’s Ball this past weekend — PAPER examines why New Yorkers love The Strokes.

Not done reading yet?

  • In addition to some of my choice Father’s Day picks on The Style Guide, I just had to cover essential Father’s Day gifts over at The Manual — some pieces were so great, they made it into both features!
  • If you still find yourself in need of summer swimwear, keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming Style Guide feature — and in the meantime, scoop up a great pair of JackThreads Swim Trunks.

So, that closes out another Friday Read; enjoy your weekend!

And as always… stay stylish,

-Beau

by Beau H.

The GQ x Tiffany’s CT60 Watch Collection Preview

Vintage GQ magazines, fine watches & fine whiskey — the preview of the CT60 Collection.

Vintage GQ magazines, fine watches & fine whiskey — the preview of the CT60 Collection.

Last night, I was lucky enough to get another great opportunity through the fantastic GQ Insiders program. I had the chance to attend a special preview for Tiffany’s CT60 Watch Collection — a set of limited-edition timepieces that honor Charles Tiffany, founder of the iconic brand. He’s perhaps best remembered for installing one of the first — and largest — public clocks in the city (#TiffanyNYMinute, anyone?) As if the watches themselves weren’t impressive enough, the event was held at a new GQ-sponsored space, The Gent — complete with a complementary whiskey tasting and delicious (if small) appetizers. In addition to the new watches, select offerings from other Tiffany’s collections (like the Seattle Seahawks 2013 Super Bowl ring) were also on display. (I was also fortunate enough to get another look at the watches during the Thursday morning launch at the Tiffany’s flagship, and they’re just as lovely in the light of day).

The limited edition rose gold chronograph, inspired by a Tiffany's watch given to FDR in 1945.

A limited edition CT60 rose gold chronograph, inspired by a Tiffany’s watch given to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945.

First, the CT60 Collection watches themselves: beautiful, absolutely beautiful. 23 (23!) different dial & strap combinations, powered by automatic Swiss movements. I’m not necessarily a watch snob by any means (although I do love me a great timepiece), so I’m not bothered too much by the automatic vs. quartz debate. I can, however, appreciate great design and heritage quality — and that’s exactly what these timepieces bring to the table.

Two square-dial watches from Tiffany’s East West Collection alongside four variations of the CT60 Collection.

Granted, the price points are hardly for everyone (or anyone, for that matter?). On the low end, one of these will set you back $4,250 — while the limited edition rose gold calendar chronograph seen in the second photo is … $19,000. Yes, for the price of a watch you could also pay for a year of college tuition (and plenty of other things). So, best to put that wallet away for now. Eye-popping prices aside, it’s always great to see what an iconic company can do in terms of design — and these really are well-designed timepieces.

Simple numerals on the dial and smaller case diameters make these crocodile strap options classic & understated.

The entire collection calls to mind simpler times, with understated, no-frills designs — minimal dial comlications, crisp numerals and smaller case diameters (up to 42mm). In addition to the pricey Calendar option seen above, there’s a Chronograph and a more basic Three-Hand style, too. There’s a men’s-sized 40mm option in the Three-Hand variation, and a smaller women’s 34mm option, too. Strap variations include brown & black crocodile leather bands, as well as a stainless steel band with (among others), stunning a blue or dark brown or slate grey dial.

On the left: The women's 34mm stainless steel option. On the right: the 40-mm men's option.

On the left: The women’s 34mm stainless steel option. On the right: the 40-mm men’s option.

In particular, the crocodile strap options were drool-worthy (and yet insanely pricey!). They call to mind other designs that focus on classic (but not stuffy) refinement — like Shinola’s Runwell watch. These timepieces are certainly cost-prohibitive, but the design cues they emphasize mean it’s easy to get something relatively simliar for WAY less cash — look to Shinola, for starters. Only the lucky few will be able to pick up something from this collection, but in the meantime, a guy can dream — right?

Which watch is on your wish list? How much is TOO much when it comes to a nice watch?

 

by Beau H.

The H&M + GQ Modern Essentials Collection Launch Event

A collection of spring staples curated by the former British soccer star.

A collection of spring staples curated by the former British soccer star.

Wednesday night, I had the chance to attend the launch of the H&M Modern Essentials Collection (as selected by David Beckham) — a party put on by GQ, as luck would have it. I don’t often get the chance to attend fashion-type events like these, but as a member of the GQ Insider program, this launch was too good to pass up. Inside the 48th Street H&M here in New York, a DJ spun remixes, free drinks were on tap and the entire basement floor of the store turned into a showcase of everything menswear-related that H&M had to offer — including a specific selection of goods curated by Mr. Beckham for the collection (seen below). It was a pretty packed event but there was still plenty of room to shop Becks’ picks and more .

Beckham's collection has the basics covered from striped shirts to a tan denim jacket.

Beckham’s collection has the basics covered from striped shirts, a plain white tee and a tan denim jacket.

Thankfully, this year’s David Beckham collaboration reaches outside loungewear for crisp essentials, including a nice line of five-pocket pants for spring,  pastel crewneck sweaters, a now sold-out striped pique polo and a quick-selling linen mac coat (see the full line-up here). He also has evening wear covered for the warmer months with a sharp dark navy linen blazer (also sold out!). Beckham’s picks include staples like a white poplin shirt that could see lots of use if you follow some of these classic suggestions, too.

The pieces picked up by yours truly at the event. A light blue V-neck, checked navy trousers, a khaki cotton blazer, a grey twill shirt and a repp stripe tie.

The pieces picked up by yours truly at the event. A light blue V-neck, checked navy trousers, a khaki cotton blazer, a grey twill shirt and a repp stripe tie.

Elsewhere outside the Modern Essentials collection, H&M is a brand that delivers fast-fashion pieces for those of us on a budget — and they certainly do some things well. A lot of that inspiration was on display during last night’s event, and thanks to a nice 25% discount, I brought home some spring styles for myself. As Beckham wears so nicely in promo shots for the collection, the above navy mini-plaid trousers would pair nicely with white sneakers (like these here) and a crisp white polo in the warmer months.

I also snagged a slim-fit khaki cotton blazer and a discounted grey twill shirt, both of which should complement the navy, brown and silver repp stripe tie I picked up. Events like these don’t come around that often, but it was nice to be able to get out, do some shopping and pick up a discount in the process — hopefully, more are in the works as part of the GQ Insider program. Stay tuned!

What are your favorite items from Beckham’s collection? Experience with H&M menswear? Let me know!