#OOTD: A New Way To Wear Your Favorite Summer Tee

The first thing you might notice about today’s #OOTD? Well, it’s a post that talks about how to wear your favorite summer tee … yet the stylish T-shirt in question is being layered up, not worn on its own. It’s small styling touches that are going to provide you with both visual interest and versatility, as crucial in the summer  months as it is the rest of the year. Take, for instance, a park stroll that turns into coffee that turns into lunch that turns into a round of beers … and another round. Want to be able to hop from one spot to the next with versatility in mind? Layering a rugged cotton twill shirt (like the American Giant number seen below) atop a slim navy T-shirt — AKA this one from Taylor Stitch — is one way to meet the demands of the day with both style and functionality in mind. The best T-shirts for summer offer layering potential and a crisp, classic look — such is the case with the Taylor Stitch T-shirt below. And as you’d expect, standout accessories, from timeless suede chukka boots to an investment-worthy watch, are going to take this simple-yet-stylish outfit to the next level. Again, it’s layers that can take a look to the next level, and with that in mind, I think you’re going to dig today’s #OOTD.  If, in the meantime, you want a dash of style as it happens, follow me on Instagram. Thanks for reading!

A crisp navy tee, layered up accordingly with summer style essentials.

  • The T-Shirt: Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Tee in Navy, $45 — A classic navy T-shirt made from sustainable fabric and done up in a standout fit.
  • The Overshirt: American Giant Highway Shirt in Whiskey, $99 –Although it might be too hot to wear some days, this rugged cotton twill shirt is the perfect layer when the weather turns breezy or cloudy.
  • The Denim: Revtown Automatic Denim in Dark Indigo, $75 — Faded just-so, this pair of slim dark denim is a four-season essential — yes, even during summer.
  • The Chukka Boots: Astorflex Greenflex Rough in Sand, $155 — Who doesn’t love a classic pair of chukka boots? You need the Astorflex Greenflex Rough Boots all summer long, and then some.
  • The Socks: CIVIC The Merino Sock in Blue and Grey Stripe, $22.50 — The right pair of socks seems to (still) be vastly underrated these days — CIVIC’s Merino Socks are out to change that.
  • The Belt: Levi’s Aberdeen Belt, $38 — Don’t have a rugged leather belt yet? Fix that now — the Levi’s Aberdeen Belt can add some surprising interest to outfits that lean more heavily on one color (a la the navy items in this particular ensemble).
  • The Watch: Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Watch, $1,295 — When your outfit is straightforward and classic, you can amp up your wrist game a little bit — or a lot. The handsome, functional and investment-worthy Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Watch is a stunner.
  • The Grooming Essential: Duke Cannon News Anchor 2-in-1 Hair Wash, $14 – Your head and your hair deserve a better kind of clean, and this shampoo-conditioner blend from Duke Cannon should give you a significant boost.

Alright, my friends. Have you gotten over the notion that a T-shirt is just a T-shirt? The classic navy T-shirt shown here is the right way to go when it comes time to pick out a tee for your next weekend (or weekday) adventure. The Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Tee features sustainable and stylish fabric, plus a polished fit — all the better for layering underneath a rugged cotton twill shirt from American Giant when needed. A crisp pair of slim dark denim from Revtown grounds this look in casual, easygoing style, and the Astorflex Greenflex Rough Boots help to drive home the rugged appeal of this outfit. In short, it’s the kind of look you can wear to your favorite coffee shop or favorite brewery without missing a beat. Comfort and style are key with accessories, too — CIVIC’s Merino Socks are an undeniably stylish upgrade over whatever pair might be in your rotation currently.  For the price, you’d do well to have the Levi’s Aberdeen Belt in your wardrobe, regardless of season — it’s a rugged essential that just looks great, especially alongside dark blue denim.  You also can’t deny the standout wearability of a next-level watch like the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Watch. Great style often starts with the small details, so before we forget … get yourself a bottle of the Duke Cannon 2-in-1 Hair Wash — simple as that. Do you think you can pull off this casually rugged outfit? I sure do. Cheers, and thanks for reading!
-Beau

#OOTD: The Upgraded Way to Wear a T-Shirt This Summer

Who doesn’t love breaking out a comfortable, slim-fitting and stylish T-shirt in the summer months? It’s an underrated pleasure in the men’s style world to shed extra layers and simply wear a great tee through warm summer days and into the evening. But what if you want a new, upgraded way to wear a T-shirt this summer? Something that’s at once laidback and yet refined, comfortable to wear and yet sharp? Dare I say it: A #menswear ensemble that works at happy hour and in the hours leading up to it? Indeed, an ensemble that blends a bold T-shirt with … a tailored summer suit fit for the office? That’s where today’s #OOTD is taking us. We’re shaking it up with dressy leather sneakers, a handsome leather watch and a durable, investment-worthy bag for your everyday carry. Make no mistake, the below outfit is quite bold if you’re normally a regular suit-shirt-tie guy. That’s why it pays to keep in mind the versatility of the below suit — and the below Nautica T-shirt. As you’ll see, you can mix and match that Taylor Stitch suit with casual pieces — like a slim chambray shirt — in other looks. And you can even ditch the jacket and simply pair the slim linen suit trousers with the T-shirt. But enough idle chitchat — check out the full outfit below, follow me on Instagram for styling tips galore and enjoy a pleasant summer filled with plenty of stylish suit-wearing.

Taylor Stitch Telegraph Suit

A head-turning T-shirt worn in a head-turning way — with rich leather sneakers and a lightweight, versatile summer suit via Taylor Stitch.

The T-Shirt: Nautica Color Block T-Shirt, $29.50 — It’s all got to start with a well-made, slightly bold T-shirt — right? This Nautica T-shirt makes use of strong colorblocking — easy to wear on its own or under the Taylor Stitch Telegraph Suit.

The Suit Jacket: Taylor Stitch Telegraph Linen Jacket in Charcoal, $278 — That ties nicely into my next point here — the Taylor Stitch Telegraph Suit is slim-fitting, very well-made and ready for summer layering — even with a T-shirt.

Timex

The Suit Trousers: Taylor Stitch Telegraph Linen Trousers in Charcoal, $178  — Just as with the Telegraph Suit Jacket, the  Taylor Stitch Telegraph Linen Trousers are handsome, tailored and versatile — so much so that you could even ditch the jacket and just wear the colorblocked tee and trousers individually.

The Sneakers: Florsheim Forward Lo Lace-up, $99.99 Sneakers and a tee with a suit? That’s how we’re doing it this summer. These handsome Florsheim sneakers are crafted from rich leather and almost wear more like dress shoes or loafers.

The Socks: Arvin Goods No-Show Socks (Three-pack), $30 – Underneath the tailored hem of your Taylor Stitch Telegraph Linen Trousers, you’re going to want easily wearable no-show socks — like the Arvin Goods No-Show Socks —  to team up with those leather sneakers. Who’s with me?

Greats

The Watch: Electric California Carroway Leather Watch, $225 — I would hope you recognize the Electric California brand from my Memorial Day trip to Florida— if not, acquaint yourself accordingly with this remarkably crisp and suit-friendly watch.

 The Sunglasses: Raen Optics Arlo Sunglasses, $109.98 — Because this outfit is fit for all-day wear, sharp and stylish sunglasses are in order. Ditch the athletic-inspired frames and reach for the striking Raen Optics Arlo Sunglasses.

Sutro Shoes Inc.

The Bag: Billykirk Small Carryall, $279.98 —  Don’t let that price tag scare you off — the Billykirk Small Carryall is as investment-worthy and versatile of an everyday carry piece as it gets; plus, its design means you won’t be slinging a backpack or messenger bag over the shoulders of your carefully constructed Telegraph Suit Jacket.

That brings today’s #OOTD to a close, Style Guide fans. If you thought a colorblock tee could only be worn casually, let’s hope you’re thinking differently now. The key comes in choosing a suit in a modern-fitting silhouette with casual, summer-friendly texture — that means the Taylor Stitch Telegraph Suit is your new best friend. Eye-catching leather sneakers from Florsheim are another seasonally appropriate way to play off the casual nature of the linen suit-and-tee pairing, and I’d wager you’ll be very pleased with the handsome design of the Electric California Carroway Leather Watch. Throw in essential everyday accessories — like the Billykirk Small Carryall  and the Raen Optics Arlo Sunglasses — and consider yourself set for work, happy hour and perhaps a patio nightcap at a rooftop bar. Who else is with me here? Good luck — let me know how you wear your T-shirt this summer via Twitter.

Stay stylish!

-Beau

Style Pick of the Week: Outerknown Pagoda Stripe Tee

From the mind of surfer Kelly Slater comes a heck of a stylish T-shirt via Outerknown. Get this one on your person!

Is a T-shirt ever really just a T-shirt? Certainly not, especially if it’s the Outerknown Pagoda Stripe Tee — today’s choice #menswear pick for your reading (and purchasing?) pleasure. Why is it worth it to upgrade your T-shirt game — to the tune of a nearly $70 T-shirt from the fine folks at Outerknown and Huckberry? Well, riddle me this, folks: What’s an essential you can wear everyday, underneath everything from a slim light wash denim jacket to a breezy navy blazer and heck, all on its own? A well-made, modern-fitting and stylish T-shirt, that’s what.  The Outerknown brand — and by extension, the Pagoda Stripe Tee — sprang from the mind of legendary surfer-turned designer Kelly Slater, and who knew he could put together such an essential, functional and wearable collection of #menswear? Surely, not me.

You very well should recognize the brand’s tees from this site’s #OOTD on what to wear to a summer barbecue, and the Pagoda Stripe Tee would also make a fine addition to any casual summer wardrobe. Make no mistake, it certainly belongs on your list of summer style essentials. Why’s that, exactly? It starts with the eye-catching striped pattern and moreso with the neutral Whitewater color, incorporating easy-to-match white and tan stripes. The Pagoda Stripe Tee  is a perfect example of the dusty tones that are such a welcome change of pace from bright blues and reds in the summer months. You could even team this tee up with a similarly earth-toned pair of chukkas, like the Astorflex Greenflex Suede Chukkas. Add in some slim light wash denim, and you’re set for a weekend coffee run, a casual Sunday brunch or a few patio brews.

Subtle styling details and organic jersey cotton fabric make this tee a comfortable and environmentally friendly T-shirt option.

Timex

As we said before though, a stylish T-shirt is never really just a stylish T-shirt. In the case of the Pagoda Stripe Tee , that’s only a positive. Outerknown joins the ranks of brands doing their part to make the industry more sustainable and stylish in the process — this tee is made with organic jersey cotton for breathability, comfort and an eco-friendly production process. And the jacquard stripe pattern is a step up from your average white tee in terms of texture, style points and easygoing versatility. If you’re wondering how to wear this T-shirt, fear not.
Greats

Again, you could throw this tee on as is, or you could slip the Outerknown Evolution Shirt Jacket over it on a breezy summer evening. From city to country and campsite to your favorite bar back in town — busy, busy — it can take it all on in style (at least, your Style Guide author thinks so). Plus, its retro and slightly boxy fit is just a bit different than a plain white tee — feel free to roll up those shirt sleeves a bit, and you’ve got my full permission to perform the J. Crew tuck (T-shirt style, that is). Are you a fan, and will you be picking up the Pagoda Stripe Tee  this summer? Chime in over on Twitter — and as always, you can check out how I wear my stylish summer shirts over on Instagram.

Most importantly — thanks for reading!

-Beau