The Friday Read: Summer Style Guide, Mainland and the 2016 Tony Awards

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.  

Can you believe it’s already the end of the third week in June? It’s pretty crazy how time’s been flying by so far this summer. We’ve got some big things in the works at The Style Guide HQ, including a great reader giveaway upcoming next week with my friends at Mack Weldon, plus tips on the best men’s swimsuits to buy for summer and a stylish #OOTD, per usual (wink, wink). If you haven’t hit the road yet this summer, take a look back at this site’s picks for the best men’s weekender bags for travel, as I rounded up five great ones. In fact, I just put my trusty Navali Stowaway Weekender to use as I hit the road to Timberland HQ in the rustic town of Stratham, N.H., for a great Fall 2016 planning session (again, time’s been flying by so far). If you get the chance, I’d recommend you check out lovely Portsmouth nearby. And back in NYC, the rest of the week was quite a busy one, what with catching an exciting concert put on by my buddies in Brooklyn indie rock band Mainland — if you’re in need of new music, give them a listen on Spotify. Before you catch those new tunes though, check out all the news that’s fit to print (digitally, of course) in the #menswear world this week. Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

  • Get Kempt dishes out its Summer Style Guide via its partner platform at Urban Daddy, and it’s chock-full of items for your consideration.
  • Are you feeling stuck sartorially? Here are the 10 best-dressed men of the week via GQ, and you can get some nice styling tips therein.
  • Even if you don’t follow the theater community, it’s always worth a look at red carpet style — so with that in mind, check out the New York Times’ recap of style at the 2016 Tony Awards.

In need of more men’s style reading?

  • We’ll have a full post coming on Monday, but for now, check out a quick post covering stylish new JackThreads Swim Trunks, as covered by yours truly at GearHungry.

Again, check back tomorrow for a super-stylish (what else?) Style Pick of the Week, followed by a reader giveaway with the Mack Weldon team.

New customer offer! Get your first shirt or shorts for only $20 at Frank + Oak! (Valid until June 21 on select styles and while supplies last)

G-Star RAW

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

The Friday Read: Apolis Nomad Market and Hang Ten x Urban Outfitters

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.  

Now open at the Wythe Hotel -- the Nomad Market Pop-up via the fine folks at Apolis. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Now open at the Wythe Hotel — the Nomad Market Pop-up via the fine folks at Apolis. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Does it feel like summer to you yet? It’s probably got something to do with the glorious weather these past few days in Brooklyn, and a slew of summer-centric events I was able to attend this week, including a neat bar crawl hosted by my friends with the colorful sock brand Pair of Thieves around NYC. Those socks, if you’re not familiar, are colorful and quirky yet easily wearable (see this outfit for an example), and it was fun to catch up with the brand’s co-founders, as well as my pal, the ever-stylish Jamal Jackson of StyleSocietyGuy. Even before that event, it was a busy one in NYC — I helped host Timberland’s Fall 2016 Collection Preview at the Hotel on Rivington. Thanks to everyone who came out! And be on the lookout for some incredible leather jackets and tough boots coming up from the brand later this year. One other NYC-centric note: If you get the opportunity to head over to Brooklyn, one of this site’s favorite #menswear brands — Apolis — celebrated the opening of the first East Coast edition of its traveling pop-up (known as the Nomad Market) at the Wythe Hotel, as seen above. It’s packed full of stellar goods, including the brand’s chore coats, denim and knitwear. Check it out through August 17th, and maybe put a piece on hold for me?

Since we’re feeling very much summer-ready over here, it’s definitely time to grab a few rays — if you need a swimsuit or T-shirt refresh, grab an item or two in a colorful, retro-inspired print from the new Hang Ten x Urban Outfitters collab — these pieces harken back to days on the beach and lots of sun, particularly these corduroy shorts (ideal for after you catch hit the water). Do these pieces come with a cooler and a cold beer? I’ll report back. Know that we’ll have a Memorial Day style suggestion coming up next week, along with guides to the best men’s sunglasses for summer. And until then, check out the rest o’ the week in menswear.

Need to satisfy your craving for more men’s style?

  • I love a great watch — especially one that’s rugged, durable and still casual. Given that, it was a blast to write this post on the best men’s field watches for GearMoose earlier this week!

Until tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week,

-Beau

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The Friday Read: March Madness, South by Southwest Music and Spring Camo

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

Since we last spoke during the ole Friday Read, it’s certainly been quite the week. I had the great fortune to spend this past weekend in Florida visiting with my dad and as luck would have it, a few friends from Michigan State University. Add to that mix a busy work week, some building buzz surrounding the NCAA Tournament and oh yeah — St. Patrick’s Day yesterday (!!), and it’s been a heck of a week! I’m even more excited for this weekend though — I’m hosting my best friend from college, Stephen Brooks, as he covers Notre Dame men’s basketball in the NCAA tourney … in Brooklyn, just a few subway stops away (catch all the action over at his Twitter) . Isn’t it crazy how things work out sometimes? Hopefully, you’ve got an exciting weekend of college basketball — or just relaxation — ahead of you. If you’re catching all that college basketball action live, here’s what to wear for the NCAA Tournament.  And if you’re still recovering from St. Patrick’s Day? Godspeed, and hopefully, the below #menswear news makes things a bit more bearable.

  • This humble menswear writer figured the camo trend was waning a few years ago, but it’s still sticking around — GQ.com picks out three ways to wear camo this spring (fairly tastefully, that is).
  • I always enjoy reading what the folks at Well-Spent have to say, particularly in regards to the goods they’d buy this month…instead of covering rent.
  • The state of the New York menswear scene — much like the state of the menswear scene in general — is shifting, expanding and changing pretty rapidly at the moment. The trend forecasters at WGSN offer a pretty excellent analysis of the whole thing, thankfully (note that to get full access, you need to be a subscriber … sigh).
  • Long Read of the Week: If you’re lucky enough to have made it through most of this week at South By Southwest, there still might be a few top music acts you need to catch — Consequence of Sound picks the top 40 acts at SXSW.

Not fully ready to start the weekend? Fear not.

  • Spring jacket season has (thankfully) arrived — look for a full rundown on this site on Monday, and catch up on the Bridge & Burn Hayden Gray Jacket through my latest GearMoose post.
  • Throne Watches crafts sturdy, durable timepieces with an eye toward inspiring American cities as part of its 1.5 Collection — get the full scoop over at VOUCH Magazine.



The Friday Read: Spotlight, The Foo Fighters and the $10,000 Suit

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

I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to get a serious case of spring fever. Last weekend’s weather in NYC was truly amazing (temperatures in the 50s — the 50s!) but this week has been a return to temperatures I’m more used to seeing in my home state of Michigan. So spring’s not fully upon us yet, but that didn’t stop me from planning out my spring style wish list and also looking toward some sharp spring business-casual style with this week’s #OOTD post. There’ve also been some even more exciting spring-centric writing ventures in the works, including an ongoing Style Essentials series I’ve been penning for GearMoose — in fact, this week I featured one of my favorite sets of sneakers, the GREATS Royale in White. Needless to say, I’m definitely in full-on spring mode. Are you in the same boat? Feel free to get a discussion going on over at The Style Guide’s Facebook page, if so. Know that next week, we’re coming in hot with suggestions for how to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day — plus, an exciting reader giveaway opportunity on Monday with the folks from Owen & Fred.  It’s all happening … well, most of it, anyways. Enjoy your weekend downtime and catch up below on the week that flew by. Thanks as always for reading!

  • Did you get around to seeing Spotlight? As a journalism grad and former reporter, the story was an intriguing one, without a doubt — Esquire.com uncovers the editor behind the real-life Boston Globe expose in light of its success at the Oscars?
  • We’ve got another coming at ya from Esquire.com this week — I’m admittedly only a passing fan (sorry I know, I know), but the Foo Fighters addressed break-up rumors with a hilarious comedy sketch video.
  • And lastly, why does a $10,00 suit cost … well, $10,000? GQ lets us know.
  • Style Notes of the Week: With new spring releases are dropping left and right, and GREATS is back with a  set of colorful, quirky spring sneakers with the refined folks at Orley. On that note — are you pining for spring and summer, long days at the beach and warmer temps? Surf and lifestyle brand Reef is tapping into that sentiment with the second entry in its “Just Passing Through” series.

Stay a bit longer with a few more choice reads.

    • If you need an extra reason to get excited for spring, know that denim jacket layering is in full-force. And in that regard, I rounded up the 15 best denim jackets for men over at GearMoose.
    • As it is the weekend and everything, I’d highly suggest you pour yourself a nice drink (if you’re into that sort of thing). You can now upgrade your whiskey drinking with cool gear from Time & Oak — get the scoop in my latest entry at VOUCH Mag.


Florsheim

The Friday Read: David Beckham, American Apparel and New Mott & Bow Denim

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

I’m closing out this week on The Style Guide (and heading into next week) thinking ever so slightly of the impending arrival of spring. Doesn’t it seem like we were just talking wool blazers and fall sweaters? It’s pretty wild how the style cycle turns — even now, spring arrivals are hitting shelves (to that end, look for a spring style wish list next week). What top picks do you have your eye on for the coming season? Those new purchases seem to go hand-in-hand will looking toward spring travel, too. Rest assured that future posts will definitely cover off on those types of topics. For now, it’s the close of NYC Beer Week here in the city — somewhat unsurprisingly, there’s almost been too many great events to choose from around New York! So that’s definitely something I’m looking forward to this weekend. And as you look ahead to (maybe) cracking open a cold one yourself,  I’d recommend you kick back and catch up on what you should be shopping and reading this weekend.

  • David Beckham’s work with British brand Kent & Curwen just took another turn — get to know the label’s new creative director here, and get excited for the forthcoming, likely excellent, product.
  • This is from last week, but still worth a share — the fine team at Get Kempt developed what it’s calling the Sartorial Bill of Rights.
  • This story seems to be everywhere (or it certainly has been everywhere) in different forms in the past few years — HighSnobiety looks at the rise and fall of American Apparel.
  • Long Read of the Week: I just came across this feature as I was writing this post, and was sufficiently sidetracked. It might be from last fall, but Valet took an excellent look into “Ralph Lauren University,” interviewing several of the top-notch designers and creative folks who also worked for Ralph Lauren before launching into successful careers in their own right. It’s fascinating and includes plenty of big names, from John Varvatos to Todd Snyder!
  • Lastly — looking to get away out West, and in need of some great gear?

Still on the hunt for what’s new in the men’s style world? Keep looking below.

Florsheim

The Friday Read: Valentine’s Day, Ryan Reynolds and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

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

While last week was a big one (for me, at least), with the second iteration of  #NYFWM, perhaps this week has been a big one for you. After all, Valentine’s Day is upon us! What are you set to wear? Here’s your Valentine’s Day style suggestion. And do you have a gift all sorted out? If not, best get to it with these Valentine’s Day gift suggestions for that special someone. And if you have all of that in order, congrats! Enjoy what’s hopefully a three-day weekend! But before you get going on that last-minute shopping and outfit wrangling, catch up on some menswear (and yes, non-menswear) news. I won’t bug you for too much longer — after all, there are gifts to buy! Look for a Monday product review covering the standout Color No. 8 Diplomat Boot from Thursday Boots, followed by another sharp #OOTD entry and of course, the usual weekly content here at The Style Guide. Stay stylish!

  • This could come in handy in advance of Valentine’s Day, as GQ offers some standout layering tips courtesy of Ryan Reynolds — huge fan of that electric blue cardigan.
  • It might not quite be spring yet, but Apolis still is offering up its Civilian Travel Suiting bundles for a nice deal — within the higher-end market, that is.
  • Get away on a tropical vacation (or at least, start dreaming of one) by checking out the first in a series of global travel and adventure videos from the fine folks behind lifestyle brand Reef.
  • Long(ish) Read of the Week: Harry Potter fans, rejoice! Unless you’ve been living under a rock (apologies if so), Time and others have reported that the script for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — the play, that is — will be published in book form later this summer, and released, fittingly enough, on Harry Potter’s birthday! So exciting.

Frank & Oak

On the hunt for more to read? Look right here.

    • The newly revamped VOUCH Mag is up-and-running in a big way — check out my latest feature on the best boots to survive winter, and keep an eye out for some brands you might recognize.
    • Here’s a new one, too — never lose your umbrella again with the BLUNT + Tile Traceable Umbrella; it was neat to learn more about it for GearHungry.

Florsheim

The Friday Read: Best Dress Sneakers, Pitti Uomo and Alan Rickman

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

What a week it’s been — after so much traveling over the holidays and prepping for the year ahead (on both the work and blogging fronts!), it’s nice to get to the weekend now. There are plenty of exciting things in the works, including the impending arrival of #NYFWM and trade show season. It’s been nice to be back in NYC and catch up with friends — on that note, if you’re looking to revamp your home or apartment, Style Guide favorite The Hill-Side just launched an incredible home design collaboration with Crate & Barrel, which I had the chance to check it out in person yesterday. Needless to say, it left me wanting to re-outfit my entire apartment! But due to what you might call budgetary constraints, that won’t be happening any time soon. Lusting after great interior design hasn’t held up the weekly Friday Read, though. Check out a recap of all things #menswear below, and look out for another entry in the #OOTD series on Monday.
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  • GQ looks at a new breed of shoe — the dress sneaker — and offers their picks for the ones that’ll amp up your style (a heads-up that Monday’s post might or might not feature a pair of sharp leather sneakers around which to style).
  • Airows (a definite read if you appreciate a well-designed site) covers the launch of the Everlane Street Fleece collection, which looks cozy, slim and stylish — everything you want for your weekend gear.
  • Esquire offers a critique of the street style fair — oh, and actual industry trade show — that is Pitti Uomo, noting that the age of the “sartorial peacock” is on the way out, replaced instead by what it calls #TheNewStyle.
  • And this post wouldn’t be complete without a tip of the cap to the unique talents of both David Bowie and Alan Rickman, both of whom we lost this week.  As far as style goes, there’s no doubting that Bowie had a perspective all his own. And as a huge Harry Potter fan, it was always a treat to see Rickman on-screen throughout the series and the rest of his career.

That brings us to a bit of a downer of an end, unfortunately — but do yourself a favor this weekend, and listen to some Bowie or watch a Rickman film; I’m sure they’d both appreciate it.

‘Til tomorrow’s post,

-Beau


The Friday Read: Ethical Clothing, The Best Food in Los Angeles and The SuitSupply Online Outlet

It’s pretty hard to fathom that already, eight days have been crossed off 2016 – it’s been a whirlwind start to the year, what with a weekend in Detroit exploring top menswear spots, followed by a trip this week to the famed Outdoor Retailer Conference in Salt Lake City, where I’ve been busy representing Timberland. It’s been great to meet with lots of trade and lifestyle media, establish new connections and learn more about what others in the editorial and public relations industries have going on.
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And with that being said, I’ll probably be looking forward to a good day of rest on Sunday! As to matters in the #menswear world – how are your 2016 style resolutions holding up so far? I’m already looking to make headway with a few of mine (i.e. wearing less blue), but it’s a work in progress. If you’re looking for a different sort of a revamp, like a stylish pair of winter boots or a warm winter peacoat, click on those links. We’re far from out of the woods with the cold weather though – in that regard, we’ll be rounding up the best men’s winter accessories – from gloves to scarves and socks – on Monday. For now, get ready for happy hour later and enjoy the weekend!

  • DETAILS.com (RIP to the print mag) reports that, according to an Ohio State University study, those who don’t frequently shop for clothing made ethically are perceived as “boring and fashion-challenged.” Yikes! I’ll stick to my Apolis  chinos (and so will DETAILS, apparently).
  • Is L.A. the most exciting food city in America? GQ says yes, yes indeed. I must say, I unfortunately didn’t get to many of these during my trip to Los Angeles this past fall — maybe one day!
  • Ever on top of the digital style game, Dappered reports that the SuitSupply online outlet has returned, filled to the (mostly-stocked) brim with all of your tailoring needs — some of it is quite flashy but other pieces are just right.
  • Long Read of the Week: We’re back with another long read, and this one’s a doozy — Nautilus dives right into the search to find extraterrestrial life, and what it might mean for us mere earthlings.

Can’t get enough #menswear writing? Read these:

    • Throne Watches is producing premium timepieces inspired by great American cities, like the Throne 1.5 x Brooklyn Watch — I found out more for GearMoose (a new writing venture I’m taking on this year!).
    • And not to be outdone, JackThreads is back at it again with its Geo Sweater, as profiled in my latest GearHungry feature.


The Friday Read: DETAILS, Bill Simmons and The National

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.

To any new readers here: Welcome! And to you old regulars, welcome back. Can you believe it’s Thanksgiving already? The fact that it feels like it was just Labor Day (and the start of summer before that!), is pretty crazy! Next week, I’m looking forward to a relaxing trip to West Virginia to see family — where are you headed? And while we’re at it, what are you wearing for the holiday? It certainly won’t be long before Turkey Day — but prior to that, I’m actually hopping on a train this evening to Washington, D.C., where I’ll be re-connecting with some high school friends passing through the area. That adventure comes on the heels of a trip to Michigan last weekend, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what D.C. has on-tap (pun intended, wink wink). [P.S. Follow along with my style picks via Instagram and Twitter]. What are you most looking forward to this coming weekend? While you think on that, take a look at this edition of the Friday Read, which features a pretty monumental shake-up in the menswear editorial world.

  • The New York Times reports that men’s lifestyle magazine DETAILS (of which I suspect many of us know and read regularly) is being shut down by Conde Nast after its December issue; it should be noted that DETAILS.com will gradually fall under the umbrella of GQStyle.com, yet this is another sad day for the fashion publishing industry.
  • In happier news and in a welcome return to the stage, Bill Simmons sat down with President Obama for GQ’s Men of the Year Issue, and the interview is insightful and well-done.
  • This piece isn’t necessarily style-related, but it’s fascinating nonetheless — Vox revisits a series of ads released in the ’90s by AT&T that provided a pretty accurate picture of future technological advancements.
  • Long Read of the Week: In the most fascinating piece on a band I’ve read in a long time, Stereogum catches up with The National as the revered indie rock band transitions back into recording after time apart pursuing some incredible side projects. It’s a deep look at a band that’s one of my all-time favorites (it doesn’t hurt that they have significant Brooklyn roots near my old neighborhood, either).

Missed out on more menswear this week?

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