The Friday Read: The Best Labor Day Weekend Menswear Sales & Huckberry’s Fall Collection

Best Labor Day menswear sales.

Here’s the deal, my friends: It’s a special edition of sorts in today’s Friday Read, given that we’re — rather incredibly — rolling into Labor Day weekend and the official (unofficial?) start of fall. Or at least, early fall. If you’ve been reading the blog as of late, you’re hopefully well-prepared with some of the best fall menswear, like that of the rugged Huckberry Fall Collection (as seen at the top of the page).

Satchel and Page

If you’re not quite there yet? Well, there’s a plethora of men’s style essentials to go around in my roundup of the best Labor Day menswear sales. Now, because your time is important, and brief, I kept it relatively short — I’m talking all about the best Labor Day sales from 15 reliable, stylish brands, many of whom you’ve seen on the blog before. If not? Consider yourself in luck, because there’s no time like the present to shop the best fall menswear picks. For now, I’ll leave you to it — thanks for reading and happy shopping, my friends!

That’ll bring today’s Friday Read — Labor Day weekend sales edition! — to a close. For now, be sure to let me know via Twitter or Instagram if you scored any of the above deals or favorite picks. As for me, I’ll be on the lookout for an icy cold beer in Brooklyn as I enjoy the season opener for my Michigan State Spartans football program tonight. Go Green and thanks for reading!

The Friday Read: Labor Day Weekend, How to Wear a Denim Shirt & Grilling Essentials

Probably Whiskey Mug - Cool Material

A well-appointed way to head into the weekend, right?

Cheers, my friends, to the impending start of Labor Day weekend. Let’s kick it off with a choice beverage via Swag Brewery’s Probably Whiskey Mugs at Cool Material — perfect for a camping trip, a cabin weekend or a bonfire. But back to Labor Day: Can you believe it’s here already? As I always tend to say when the summer wraps up, it feels like we were just talking about the best summer shorts or the best way to wear boat shoes. Rest assured, both of those tips will still come in handy, because of course, it’s prime time to close out the season the right way. So, here we are.

Be it the best grilling essentials for Labor Day weekend or, say, a new way to wear a denim shirt, it’s all below in today’s Friday Read. Those picks today will also include a stylish watch from the well-appointed UNCRATE Supply Shop, which holds a bevy of the best gear picks for men. Of course, there’s one thing you should also take care of before and during the weekend, and that’s getting your favorite beer delivered right to your door. You’ll see this in future posts here on the blog, but I’ve taken to using Drizly alcohol delivery to get my favorite craft beers in a flash, along with whiskey and much more.

Speaking of gear picks for men, have you had the honor of subscribing to my newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief? Of course, I only kid. But if you want a  bit more of The Style Guide than I’ve got room for here, from indie rock to coffee to the best gear picks, twice a week, do yourself a favor and subscribe. I’ve featured favorite bands like Future Islands and The War On Drugs alongside some of my favorite boots and more. It’s a good time, guaranteed.

How will you be enjoying your weekend? I’m going to be capping my time off in Florida in relaxing fashion, heading to Orlando to (safely) see my sister, and what’s more, experience (safely!) Universal Orlando Studios. It’s always a favorite of the Hayhoe family, especially The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (a huge part of my childhood!). To follow along with all my adventures in style, be sure to follow me on Instagram. For now, I’m off to kick back, listen to the new album by The Killers and enjoy what’s (probably) some coffee. Cheers & thank you for reading!

A rugged, durable, affordable watch for late summer and early fall.

Vintage-inspired high-top sneakers that’ll come in handy for fall.

Let’s close this thing out by talking about early fall style, OK? I’ve got a pair of rugged leather boots for you right now that’ll come in handy on September adventures, as well as when the weather takes a turn for the worse in the season ahead. The Taylor Stitch Moto Boots are about as good as it gets if you want some of the best leather boots for men, and that’s just a fact. Read my full Taylor Stitch boots review for more. As always, thank you again for reading — have a great weekend and let’s look toward fall in style. I’ll raise a glass to that!

 

The Friday Read: Labor Day Weekend, MAHI Leather and Faherty Brand

A rugged, richly crafted leather tote that you can customize as you’d like — read more below.

In today’s Friday Read, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover before we head into Labor Day weekend. I hope your week has been an enjoyable one, packed with the best in #menswear.  It’s been busy around these parts. This blog in the past few weeks has covered what to wear for Labor Day weekend, the chukka boots to buy for fall and plenty more. Let’s pivot, for a second, to how you’re going to haul your everyday carry this weekend and beyond. I think I’ve got a solution to share if you’ve been looking for the answer. That solution, folks, is MAHI Leather and the company’s essential, handcrafted line of durable, functional and great-looking leather goods. In particular, I’ve been hauling around the brand’s Classic Leather Tote in a handsome shade of brown leather courtesy of MAHI– it’s served me so well, I took it to Lollapalooza 2017, as you can see above. And if you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen that this bag is plenty versatile and durable.


For your next weekend adventure and well beyond, I’d say you should consider making the brand a part of your travel gear — the leather is soft and supple, the quality is on-point and the chance to customize the Classic Leather Tote was quite neat. With that being said, I’m going to use that tote to haul around some craft beer and a few other menswear essentials in the days ahead. Speaking of #menswear essentials — we’ve got a few choice reads for you, plus details on an excellent Labor Day weekend sale, detailed in the rest of this post below. Let me know on Twitter how you’re spending the weekend — and reader feedback is always welcome in the comments! Without further ado … let’s close out the summer in style and look toward a heck of a season ahead.

A handsome washed buttondown from Faherty Brand is but one of my picks from the brand’s Labor Day weekend sale.

  • Doing some shopping to close out summer? You might be in luck when it comes to stellar #menswear — Faherty Brand, purveyors of breezy, casual style — are offering an extra 25 percent off all sale items to celebrate the holiday! And there are some excellent picks in that list, from striped tees to indigo buttondowns, including my personal favorite pick as seen above. Get to shopping, yeah?

  • Elsewhere on the men’s style front, lovers of classic men’s sneakers should rejoice. GQ.com dives into the one sneaker that — unexpectedly — stokes the sneaker-loving fires of plenty of menswear fans: The J. Crew x Nike Killshot 2. If you’ve ever pined for these sneakers or tried (and failed) to get your hands on a pair, you’re not alone.
  • Let’s talk accessories really quickly — if you’re new to the blog, allow me to introduce you to our Saturday Style Pick of the Week series. This week’s stylish entry is coming tomorrow, but last week’s entry covers a rugged leather watch fit for all kinds of wear this upcoming fall. Certainly, you should add it to your everyday carry haul. The Halios Laguna Watch also comes with a stainless steel strap — two stylish men’s watches for the (investment-level) price of one. So, that’s just a taste of our weekly Style Pick series. Come through tomorrow for more!
  • And before we take off for the long weekend, let’s look again toward fall menswear essentials. As it were, my latest post for The Manual does just that — I take a dive into the brands making fall’s best leather jackets. Splurge or save, spend or wait it out a little bit; it’s a seasonal style staple that you surely need.

Ladies and gentlemen, thanks so much for reading — I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! If you check back tomorrow, we’ll have a new Style Pick of the Week waiting. And if you check back on Sunday … we very well might just have a new See Now, Buy Now post for you. I can’t guarantee anything, but I know a guy  …

See you soon,

-Beau

Style Guide Summer: A Labor Day weekend out East

Editor’s note: Click here to follow along with more travel style posts.

Searching high and low for cool sights in Asbury Park. Denim Shirt by JACHS NY. Stringer Dune Shorts by Bridge & Burn. Daily Classic Nylon Sneakers by Reebox x JackThreads. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Sunglasses by Nautica. Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn.

Searching high and low for cool sights in Asbury Park. Denim Shirt by JACHS NY. Stringer Dune Shorts by Bridge & Burn. Daily Classic Nylon Sneakers by Reebox x JackThreads. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Sunglasses by Nautica. Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn.

It’s no surprise that given how much I’ve been on the road in the past month, the summer came to quite the quick end. But that didn’t stop me from squeezing in one last long weekend of fun before summer (technically) drew to a close. Just a few days after I returned from a summer vacation in Florida, I set my sights on having some fun over the long holiday weekend — as I did for a Memorial Day weekend road trip to kick off the summer. Perhaps you also hit the road, if only for a day or two. That was the case for me, as I took full advantage of a day off on Monday and used the rest of the weekend to hit up everything from my favorite #menswear shops in NYC to the stylish, up-and-coming locale of Asbury Park (all the way down in New Jersey) on a fine September Saturday. And lest we forget, it was a boisterous opening weekend in college football — and that brought with it the chance to cheer on my Michigan State Spartans in style (as you can see below). So, follow along as I recap a weekend that brought with it a little of everything. If you should happen to get bored, check out more menswear musings on Twitter.

A vintage-inspired tee and a tough team watch help add a touch of style to an athletics-inspired outfit.

A vintage-inspired Tailgate Clothing tee and a tough team watch  from Jack Mason help add a touch of style to an athletics-inspired outfit. Army Issue Sneakers by SeaVees. Slim Mercer Light Denim by Mott & Bow. Brass bottle opener by Owen & Fred.

The weekend started slightly earlier than normal thanks to my day job’s advantageous Summer Friday policy — gotta love a few extra hours off. That meant I had plenty of time to rest up for a night of cheering on my alma mater, Michigan State, as they kicked off what should be an excellent college football season with a solid (not stellar) win against Furman. I had some help from my friends at Tailgate Clothing and Jack Mason, who were kind enough to hook me up with team-appropriate gear for the occasion. Both available for great deals, I’d seriously recommend the excellent Michigan State Spartans T-shirt and the Blackout Silicone Strap Watch seen above if you happen to be a Spartan fan — and if not, either brand stocks a bevy of stylish college gear made with everyday good looks in mind. I complemented those new favorites with another style staple, my reliable-as-ever Mott & Bow Slim Mercer Light Denim; it’s a perfect change of pace from trusty dark denim. On the footwear front, the SeaVees Army Issue Sneaker (sold out in White but available in a similarly neutral Olive) was comfortable, effective and appropriate in terms of color (Go White, am I right?). Although I’ll have to add a few layers as the weather gets colder, I can tell my team watch and vintage-inspired tee will provide ample school spirit — and style — all throughout the season.

An outstanding Spartan victory on Friday night paved the way for an outstanding start to the long weekend. For me, that meant a Saturday morning train ride out to the bustling, up-and-coming locale of Asbury Park, an oceanfront New Jersey haven a little over an hour from New York City.  Known for a burgeoning arts scene and prime beach vistas mixed with modern touches — like the newly opened Asbury Hotel — the city has done a nice job mixing the eclectic and the modern. That goes for a classic-yet-refined boardwalk, plus establishments like Dark City Brewing Company and more established locales like one-of-a-kind bar Johnny Mac (spoiler alert — those were two of my stops on the trip). As the day called for casual style, I met the trip accordingly with pieces built for comfort, movement and good looks.

Mixing retro-inspired kicks with lightweight summer classics. Denim Shirt by JACHS NY. Stringer Dune Shorts by Bridge & Burn. Daily Classic Nylon Sneakers from the Reebok x JackThreads collab. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Scout Wallet by Andar Wallets. Sunglasses by Nautica.

Mixing retro-inspired kicks with lightweight summer classics. Denim Shirt by JACHS NY. Stringer Dune Shorts by Bridge & Burn. Daily Classic Nylon Sneakers from the Reebok x JackThreads collab. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Scout Wallet by Andar Wallets. Sunglasses by Nautica.

It was a prime chance to break out a new favorite piece from JACHS NY, a vintage-inspired light wash denim shirt that offered a bit of stylish contrast to my laidback Bridge & Burn Stringer Dune Shorts. Note that the JACHS denim shirt is sold-out, but you can grab a reliable back-up via JackThreads. To combat the chance of rain and some cloudy skies, I threw on a stylish hooded parka from the Masafumi Watanabe for Reef collaboration. I also always appreciate the chance to rock some standout sneakers on trips long and short — my Reebok x JackThreads Daily Classic Nylon Sneakers have proven tremendously comfortable and stylish, and they were the perfect Saturday style pick. Although the day started out cloudy, skies eventually opened up as I explored a quickly developing downtown area (not far from the boardwalk, as it were). From stop to stop, I found that the Scout Wallet from Andar Wallets combined a slim profile with functionality, crucial for traveling light. And my Nautica sunglasses brought bit of retro edge — the navy Wayfarer style seen at the very top of the page is cool, unique and casual — but not too laidback. If you read this blog, you know I love me a great watch, and I certainly didn’t pass up a chance to wear my Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch, either.

All the gear fit for grabbing a quick pint. Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Glasses by Frameri. Bond Street Brownie by Dark City Brewing Company.

All the gear fit for grabbing a quick pint. Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Glasses by Frameri. Bond Street Brownie by Dark City Brewing Company.

Those pieces definitely helped me get around Asbury Park in style, including stops at the aforementioned Dark City Brewing — you can’t go wrong with grabbing a tasty flight, but I’d certainly recommend the Bond Street Brownie, a rich, roasted brown ale. I followed up that stop with a lengthy stroll along the boardwalk and a quick pop-in to check out the stylish and sustainable Asbury Park outpost of United By Blue. The shop itself — and the brand — have definitely done a nice job mixing eco-friendly pieces with durable style .  If you find yourself in need of a quick bite or an iced coffee, you can’t go wrong with a quick trip to High Voltage Coffee, located conveniently down the boardwalk from United By Blue. Although the weather was just a tad cloudy for parts of the day, I still had a heck of a time exploring what’s quickly becoming a haven for arts and culture — refurbished boardwalk buildings adorned with large murals are just one example of those efforts. And for those who like a cold brew with a side of outdoor relaxation, the unique Wonder Bar not too far from the boardwalk offered up a nice chance to soak in some rays, while Johnny Mac featured everything from vintage instruments to old records plastered on its packed walls (in addition to a solid selection of craft beer).

Sunday Option 1 BK

No Sunday in Brooklyn is complete without a stop at Rucola. White Oxford by Todd Shelton. Premium Garment-Dyed Khakis by Dockers. Duvall Wingtips by Johnston & Murphy. Sunglasses by Nautica. Nautical 3-Hand Watch by Jack Mason Brand. Tote bag by JackThreads.

I’ll definitely be back to Asbury Park, but yesterday brought a return to NYC and a relaxing Sunday featuring a little bit of everything. I’m a big fan of my Sunday brunch, as any reader of this blog knows, so I always relish the chance to fight the Brunch Village crowds — especially when it means a stop at one of my favorite Brooklyn spots, Rucola. It’s surrounded by quiet, tree-lined streets and lovely brownstones.  On this particular Sunday, I went for sharp-yet-simple style (if you’ve got to head somewhere special right after brunch — say, to a matinee show — a similar combo might be the way to go). In this instance, that meant my Todd Shelton White Oxford was a crisp base for my ensemble, accented by a slim, stylish and comfortable pair of Dockers Premium Clean Garment-Dyed Khakis. Finding pieces that work in that transitional time between summer and fall is tough, but slim chinos in a rich, fall-ready color (like the Tobacco version seen here) are as good a pick as any. The chinos played nicely off the rich brown Johnston & Murphy Duvall Wingtip, and the entire combo would work well with a few minor adjustments throughout the rest of fall (namely, beneath a shawl cardigan when it’s chilly). Two reliable finishing touches helped me complete a look fit for brunch and Sunday adventures — my Wayfarer-inspired Nautica sunglasses and another Jack Mason timepiece (the Nautical 3-Hand Watch). They provided the perfect mix of refined, laidback style — for Sunday brunch, that combination is the way to go.
Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.
With a delicious brunch as fuel for the day, I had more than enough time to take care of some writing for GearMoose and hit up a few of my favorite menswear establishments in Brooklyn, including the terrific lifestyle outpost that is Modern Anthology.  They carry a well-curated assortment of home goods, crisp-and-rugged furniture and essential menswear, plus other odds and ends you didn’t know you needed — give the Web store a look, will you? It’s definitely a favorite haunt in the city, and it made my Sunday all the more enjoyable, as did a stop for a refreshing iced coffee at Absolute Coffee in Boerum Hill — I love me a pit stop for a jolt of caffeine, and I love a rich cold brew even more.

Mixing the old with the new for a casual Monday. Premium Wrinkle Twill Slim-Fit Shirt by Dockers. Grey Bowie Fit Stretch Cotton Chinos by JACHS. Grounder Hi-Tops by Todd Snyder + P.F. Flyers. Nautical 3-Hand Watch by Jack Mason. Scout Wallet by Andar Wallets. Leather lanyard by Tanner Goods. Hudson Belt by Arcade Belt Co.

Mixing the old with the new for a casual Monday. Premium Wrinkle Twill Slim-Fit Shirt by Dockers. Grey Bowie Fit Stretch Cotton Chinos by JACHS. Grounder Hi-Tops by Todd Snyder + P.F. Flyers. Nautical 3-Hand Watch by Jack Mason. Scout Wallet by Andar Wallets. Sunglasses by Nautica. Leather lanyard by Tanner Goods. Hudson Belt by Arcade Belt Co

Even after all that weekend activity, my time off is still going — and I certainly planned ahead to enjoy Labor Day in style, starting with my Dockers Premium Wrinkle Slim-Fit Twill Shirt (as featured in this site’s Labor Day style suggestion). In this humble writer’s opinion, that comfortable, casual style carried right on through to my JACHS NY Bowie Fit Stretch Cotton Chino in a four-season shade of grey, plus the terrific, durable and unique Todd Snyder + P.F. Flyers Grounder Hi-Top sneakers.  That particular collaboration is certainly one worth admiring — and buying — for its blend of heritage and modern styling, plus all-around great looks. I complemented the look with the Nautical 3-Hand Watch from Jack Mason — the rich blue dial and Perlon strap create a one-of-a-kind pop of blue that’s still nicely versatile with neutral staples (like grey chinos and a navy shirt, for instance). As to my plans for the day? Well, I’m looking forward to another delicious coffee at Milk & Honey — because old habits die hard. A trip to Prospect Park is likely in order as well — and of course, I’ll be busy reflecting on an outstanding Labor Day weekend in and around New York City, and looking forward to a busy fall season. Need more daily style inspiration? Hit me up on Instagram, and peruse the Search bar here for more stylish menswear.

For now — stay stylish,

-Beau

P.S. Check back here tomorrow for our weekly #OOTD post, and be on the lookout for a Fall Style Wish List coming soon.

The Friday Read: Labor Day, Brooklyn Tailors and Fall Florals

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.

With Labor Day weekend upon us, the question is: How will you be spending your final days of summer? And what will you be wearing? For more on what gear to grab, head here. A nice Grayers polo or a great pair of sweatshorts wouldn’t go amiss, I’m sure. On a personal front, it’s set to be a busy weekend for me — I’m heading out to Coney Island Brewing this afternoon to catch up with co-founder Chris Adams for a piece on my friend Pat Evans’ blog Grand Conversations before catching the season opener of my beloved Michigan State Spartans! Always an exciting way to start fall. And then I’m heading back to my favorite state — that would be Michigan — for a family wedding on Saturday (likely including a stop in East Lansing). So it’s set to be a busy one for sure — do you know what you’re style essentials you’re packing in that bag of yours yet? If not, best hop to it. Meanwhile, peruse some weekend reading picks below — wherever you head this week, stay safe and stylish!

    • Gear Patrol caught up recently with Brooklyn Tailors, who received high praise from the likes of GQ as part of that publication’s 2014 Best New Menswear Designers in America class.
    • Common Projects, of the legendary and minimal white sneakers you might covet but likely can’t afford, is making an excellent pair of dress shoes — yes, dress shoes — fit for the fall.
    • If you haven’t swung by Style Girlfriend in a while, or if you haven’t checked out the site at all, it’s worth a look — editor Megan Collins and her team show you how to rock those floral prints into fall.
    • Style Read of the Week: As you may or may not be aware, I’m a big watch fan — with affordability and versatility in mind, of course. We move away from the typical Long Read and instead direct your attention to five watches every guy should own, as picked by my buddy Barron at Effortless Gent.

Ernest Alexander
That’s about the best of the world of writing + style this week — for more, head here:

Greats