Tag / lorde

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Lollapalooza 2017, Music Festival Style and The Best New Oxford Shirt

Plugged in and ready to go for another round of The Friday Read? Let’s jump right into it. It’s already been a busy season of live shows and festival-hopping for yours truly — including a terrific weekend at Governors Ball 2017 and an incredible two-day stint at Panorama 2017, but this weekend presents a different kind of challenge when it comes to music festival style. More specifically, today finds me in the amazing city of Chicago for yet another weekend of stellar live music — that is, Lollapalooza 2017! You can expect a full men’s travel style recap coming on Monday, and feel free to check out my adventures on Instagram and Twitter in the meantime.

I’ve certainly brought along a lot of #menswear classics for the occasion, from a bevy of stylish T-shirts to my favorite summer shorts, classic summer sneakers and of course, trusty gear to wear to a rock concert. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m absolutely thrilled to be here to see more excellent acts than I count — a list that’s topped, of course, by The Killers. I had the privilege of trekking to see The Killers in New Jersey earlier this summer, and the powerful, energetic show put on by this terrific band was more than enough to convince me to see them again. Who else is on my list? Namely, everyone from Brooklyn indie punk rockers Slothrust to the chill vibes of The xx and Alt-j. More importantly, it’s my first-ever trip to Lollapalooza — it’s a festival that’s been on my list for ages, so it’ll be an absolute thrill to check it out later today. For now, I’ve got some tunes to turn up — enjoy the weekend and stay tuned for more on Instagram and right here at The Style Guide on Monday!

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  • In a very, very exciting development, the great team at Gear Patrol recently held its first-ever Gear Patrol Beer Week, an in-depth and wide-ranging dig into America’s burgeoning, tasty craft beer industry. Believe me, I’m a big fan of this content. I’m fortunate enough to live in Brooklyn, surrounded by standout breweries like Other Half and great beer bars like Torst — so this one hits home for me! I’m looking forward to going back and poring over some of these features — cold one in hand, more likely than not. Cheers!

  • From stylish men’s home goods right down to the gear in your everyday carry, the little things matter — this we know to be true. And that’s even the case when it comes to the best audio gear. With that in mind, I rounded up some standout audio gear to make your next BBQ the best yet over at The Menlo House. Seriously, get your groove on and flip some burgers.
  • This launch hit a few weeks ago, and I’d hope you were privy to it. But if not, know that Mott and Bow launched new Oxford shirts that look great, fit well and feature high-quality fabric that can stand up to all kinds of  wear and tear this summer. Certainly, it might just be the best men’s Oxford shirt you’ll buy this summer. As it were, was fortunate to cover the launch for The Manual, and you’re going to be seeing a lot of these shirts on my Instagram and on this blog — to say the least.

  • So, we talked beer … now let’s talk about another finely crafted beverage, coffee. And crucially, let’s talk about Bizzy Coffee Shots — perfect for folks on the go, Bizzy Coffee Shots quite literally take everyone’s favorite drink and distill it into a tasty, mobile shot. I covered this neat product for GearMoose and had a blast doing it. Bottoms up!

OK, I’m clocking out for the week — I hope y’all have a great Friday! Keep up with me on Instagram and Twitter in the meantime.

Thanks for reading!

-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.

Center Stage: Dressing in Style for NYC’s Governors Ball 2017

Stylish, breezy music festival gear, featuring a short-sleeve henley from Abercrombie and Fitch, linen shorts from Todd Snyder and the essential SWIMS Breeze Leap Laser Loafer and my Timex Waterbury Chronograph Diver.

If, per chance, you follow me on Instagram, you might be familiar with my love of live music. From road trips to see Local Natives and Lucius to The Head and the Heart, it’s a great passion of mine that’s taken me to some very cool cities. Yet, I didn’t have to go very far this past weekend to find my two favorite things (#menswear and live tunes) at NYC’s Governors Ball 2017 music festival. I attended last year’s Governors Ball with tough leather boots, stylish Mott and Bow denim and hard-wearing outerwear — and to take on a temperate-yet-breezy weekend, I took much the same approach this time around, with a big-time focus on stylish music festival gear. Now, we just talked about how to dress for a music festival on the blog last week — and it’s a good thing I had some of those essentials with me for three days of terrific music, tasty bites and a cold beer or two.

Governors Ball

For day one of Governors Ball 2017, breezy style proved key. My Abercrombie and Fitch Short-sleeve Henley teamed nicely with both my Levi’s Trucker Jacket and my SWIMS Breeze Leap Laser Loafer. I added in a rugged Timex Waterbury Chronograph Diver and I was set for the day.

Comfort and mobility are crucial when dressing for a music festival — you want pieces that can move with you, take on the weather and look sharp. That’s why I took on much of the weekend  with the essential, classic and yet slightly edgy Levi’s Trucker Jacket in a slim fit and light wash — it was an ideal, rock concert-ready combo teamed up with my Abercrombie and Fitch Short-sleeve Henley. Better yet, the pairing kept me cool as I broke out a colorful pair of printed linen shorts from Todd Snyder. They fit right in alongside my easy-to-wear, exceedingly comfortable SWIMS Breeze Leap Laser Loafers — made with breathable mesh, these loafers were springy, light and stylish. For a sunny Friday that started with rollicking, energetic afternoon sets from Judah & the Lion and Canadian rockers The Strumbellas (plus Bleachers as happy hour rolled around), it was a fitting combination.

Nautica

Having seen Bleachers twice now at festivals — including a 2014 trip to Outside Lands — I’m a big fan of Jack Antonoff’s brand of bright, summer-ready and ’80s-inspired rock. It stands out in a sea of endless pop, and Jack & co. certainly deliver live — I didn’t want it to end, but I kept on time with my Timex Waterbury Chronograph Diver (see what I did there?). For sustenance throughout the day, I chowed on tasty BBQ from Manhattan’s Mighty Quinn’s and a Golden Ale from Brewery Ommegang, a New York craft favorite — both big highlights.

Does it get any better than delicious craft beer, great food and standout live music? Only if Lorde brings down the house with a fun, upbeat and jam-packed set to close out day one in advance of Chance the Rapper (another energetic crowd-pleaser who delivered on a much-hyped set). That’s the way it went down, and it was a joy to watch her break out new songs from her latest album, “Melodrama.” She’s an act that really shot into the stratosphere with her debut album at just 16, and early indications are that her second album is no sophomore slump. I left the festival grounds wondering if day two could possibly top it. With another mostly sunny day in the cards for Saturday, I looked ahead to stepping out in rugged-refined and versatile music festival style — just as you should look to do!

Nautica

A classic Old Navy slim-fit chambray shirt and mobile Ministry of Supply Shorts proved crucial for moving around in the heat; perfect when teamed with shades from Component Sunglasses.

As Saturday dawned, I was looking forward to a stylish, rain-free day (ideally) and an excellent series of live shows (assuredly). As you dress for your next festival, know that it’s tough to misstep when wearing a slim chambray shirt — with its rugged texture and even more rugged appeal, it’s a summer style essential. With that in mind, I threw on the Old Navy slim-fit chambray shirt in a classic yet eye-catching shade of red. For seeing bands that epitomize laidback cool, like personal favorite Local Natives, it felt like the right style move to make.  I also wanted sneakers that could look sharp and stand up to just about anything — my trusty Legend Sneakers from SeaVees were absolutely the right choice, especially when worn alongside the mobile, tailored and breathable Ministry of Supply Going Places Shorts. I accented the casual combo with my durable, trusty MVMT Watches Calypso Watch from the brand’s adventure-ready (and refined) Modern Sport collection.

Kicking back in the 21-plus area! A breezy Old Navy chambray shirt, my classic Levi’s Trucker Jacket and sharp Ministry of Supply shorts made day two great.

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For enjoying tasty craft brews and more great bites at Governors Ball — along with a jam-packed day of music featuring everyone from the searing rock of Car Seat Headrest to joyful vibes of The Head and the Heart — I knew I was dressed the right way. And before I knew it, it was time for perhaps the best set of the day — a positively perfect early evening showing from Local Natives. If you haven’t yet checked out the the group’s excellent 2016 album, “Sunlit Youth,” … please do. Their set was jam-packed with crowd-pleasing numbers, including a cover of “Ultralight Beam” and an all-time favorite track, “Who Knows Who Cares,” to round out their performance. It set the stage for a really fun evening, to say the least. The nightcap included a triumphant return from French rockers Phoenix, riding a wave of energy behind soon-to-be-released new album “Ti Amo.” Without giving away too much, the group sounds as tight and polished as ever, particularly given that they’re ramping up behind their first live shows since 2014. There’s really nothing like hearing songs you’ve listened to on repeat for years. Was it just as incredible as day one? Absolutely. Was I ready for more live music on day three? Undoubtedly.

Gov Ball 2017

Breezy style from JackThreads (RIP), mixed with modern Clarks sneaker-boots and slim Abercrombie and Fitch denim — just what was needed for day three at Governors Ball.

Sunday — sadly, the final day of one of the year’s best weekends — brought with it rain and breezy weather during the day. That meant casual and laidback style once again proved essential, starting with my rugged Nautica sunglasses. Sunday also meant it was high time to break out a striped camp shirt from dearly departed Style Guide favorite JackThreads.  Although I was bummed that the brand recently closed its digital doors, I wasn’t bummed about checking out another excellent day of rock shows from up-and-comers like Chicago’s The Orwells or Scottish post-punk revival vets Franz Ferdinand — not to mention the chill vibes of Mac DeMarco to round out the afternoon. The rest of the day’s lineup proved eclectic and well worth watching, from the hard rock of Cage the Elephant to the stellar and sharp groove of Warpaint.
Timex

To take on showers, my Bridge and Burn Northfork Woodland Jacket and Abercrombie and Fitch stretch denim proved crucial — as did my Clarks Trigenics Flex shoes!

I opted for style that was just as eclectic, from my stylish JackThreads camp shirt to slim Abercrombie and Fitch light wash denim and a key finishing touch — my Clarks Trigenic Flex shoes in a head-turning white leather colorway. Blending the weight and flexibility of a sneaker with stitching & design details more commonly found on classic moccasins, they were a reliably mobile and stylish option for a final day of music.  To prep for the rain, my Bridge and Burn Northfork Woodland Jacket provided a durable top layer, and my sturdy Timex for J. Crew watch didn’t let me down  — it’s withstood the test of plenty of live shows (that goes for my February trip to New Haven to see Young the Giant, too). The next time you hit up an outdoor festival, make sure to pack sturdy outerwear and comfortable-yet-stylish sneakers, plus a rugged field watch.
Greats
As I look back on this weekend, I’m glad above all else that excellent, fun and enjoyable festivals like Governors Ball are just a quick — well, relatively quick — subway ride away. I’ll never pass up the chance to see inspiring, energetic and enjoyable bands like Local Natives or The Head and the Heart, and the opportunity to see global superstars like Lorde and Chance the Rapper is an experience I won’t soon forget. Every year, Governors Ball becomes more and more enjoyable — and I have more and more fun putting together looks, taking in live music and enjoying all things NYC. I hope your music festival experiences this season are just as enjoyable — don’t forget, we’ve got plenty of tips on how to dress for a music festival this summer, and you can stay tuned for a new #OOTD post on the blog tomorrow.

Thanks for reading — rock on!

-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.

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