August 22, 2015August 20, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Gustin Classic Boot

Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.

The latest release from Gustin — a shockingly affordable and stunning boot made right in America.

The folks over at San Franciso-based Gustin have been on something of a tear in recent months — the brand released its first pocket T-shirt earlier this spring, and if it wasn’t enough to deliver well-crafted basics on top of excellent everyday wear, the brand then put out some stunning sneakers this summer. Those releases were the cherry on top of its already standout line of durable and well-crafted denim and complementary pieces like chore coats. And each item funded quickly as per the brand’s crowdsourced production model. Consider Gustin one step further into completely dominating your wardrobe now, thanks to the release this week of a lineup of made-in-America boots that look positively outstanding. If the speed at which they’re funding is astonishing, the price point is nothing short of jaw-dropping, too — just $199. That’s a good chunk less compared to similar-looking boots from Wolverine or Red Wing, for starters, yet they’re made by the very same craftsmen.

The Inferno Tan shade brings heavy vintage vibes, an eyecatching color and a heck of a price point.

Gustin’s boots are available in three different looks, ranging from the chocolate brown shade seen at the top to a bright shade of tan and a grey-and-gold tinged Natural color. The specs of the boots are equally impressive, particularly for a pair that retails at what’s normally a final sale price for other brands. Built to last with Chromexcel leather from the world-renowned Horween Leather Company, they feature a tough Goodyear welt. The brand even used a custom last to create a pleasing, slim-yet-rugged profile that should pair well with its dark denim — and particularly rough-and-tumble fabrics like herringbone and tweed come fall. The waxed brown laces and brown metal eyelets on the CXL Brown Classic Boot are the kind of details that make these both a boot that can take a beating and a boot that’ll look all kinds of right when worn with dressier cold-weather essentials — is it fall already?

Will you be funding Gustin’s latest release? How would you style the boots seen here?

August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 by Beau H.

Style abroad: Travels through Greece and Italy, Part 3

The lovely waters on the beach in Mykonos — just one of the many excellent sights we saw on our trip. Setter Swim Trunks by Orlebar Brown. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta.

The good news is that I made it back to the States in one piece! The bad news is that my family cruise to Greece is now done. It really was an absolutely amazing time though, from hours spent eating and drinking on the beach in Mykonos and Katakolon to days exploring the Acropolis in Athens and the legendary Olympia. Our trip also swung through the lovely and iconic island of Santorini – with its whitewashed houses, narrow cobblestone streets and old-world charm, it was a huge highlight of the trip. And luckily, I found the clothing I packed to be more than adequate, too! [You can check out a packing roundup, plus entries from Part 1 and Part 2 of the trip, here].

Getting out and about in casual style. Slim Mailbag by Satchel and Page. French Terry Sweatshorts by Pistol Lake. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Sneakers by Athletic Propulsion Labs. Guest appearance by a fellow tourist on the right.

I knew going in that the trip would present lots of options for what to wear – from casual days at the beach (and the cruise bar) to formal dinner nights and a bike ride that actually proved to be quite strenuous. Days spent at the pool also called for a versatile swimsuit, like my Orlebar Brown Setter Swim Trunks as seen above.

For active-casual wear, I found myself consistently reaching for my Pistol Lake French Terry Sweatshorts and my Athletic Propulsion Labs sneakers. The futuristic slant of the sneakers made them feel like less of a running shoe and more of a cool-casual sneaker option, while the sweatshorts (as seen here in a Style Pick of the Week entry) were comfortable and breathable. For those situations where I had to turn to dressier yet cool clothing, my Banana Republic khaki shorts and Michael Bastian x Uniqlo polo were more than adequate, while a pair of linen-blend shorts from Frank & Oak also worked quite well.

Chatting with my dad (on the far right) and relaxing in casual style leaving Katakolon. Swim trunks by Orlebar Brown. Printed T-shirt by J. Crew. Leather Wooster Slip-ons by GREATS Brand. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta. Beer by Newcastle.

I found my footwear options to be adequate as well – I wore a pair of Timberland Coulter Chukka boots (courtesy of my day job) for travel, which proved comfortable and effective. The two pairs of loafers I brought along, one by Andre Coton and one pair by G.H. Bass, also saw use during casual and formal dinner situations alike, particularly with my Combatant Gentleman Sky Blue Chinos. My trusty GREATS Brand Wilson sneakers also proved durable and comfortable for exploring Athens and the Acropolis, and worked for dinner later in the day, too!

A look at some of the accessories I brought along for the trip. Vintage wool baseball cap by Goorin Bros. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering.

A look at some of the accessories I brought along for the trip, pictured specifically in Olympia.. Vintage wool baseball cap by Goorin Bros. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering.

If anything however, I brought along one too many long-sleeve shirts – while I wore my GAP chambray shirt, I didn’t get the chance to wear my Gustin Spring Plaid Shirt, as I often found myself reaching for more laidback short-sleeve options to pair with white denim or my Taylor Stitch chinos. On the accessories front, my black rubber strap Stuhrling watch was a sporty choice to pair with my sweatshorts and sneakers for strenuous shore excursions, and my Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol leather watch worked well with lots of dinner outfit combinations in particular. My stainless steel Invicta dive watch, a personal favorite, was a solid option with which to hit the beach, and I frequently reached for my Goorin Brothers vintage wool baseball cap (currently sold out online) – it was comfortable and breathable, crucial in the heat of Greece.

For those exploration-filled shore excursions, I took along my Satchel and Page Slim Mailbag – it’s proving to be very durable, sturdy and well-made (plus, who doesn’t love the smell of new leather??).

A formal look for the final night of the cruise. White Poplin Endurance Shirt and Steel Blue Glen Plaid Double-Breasted Suit by Combatant Gentleman. Glasses by Warby Parker. Watch by Daniel Wellington.

And my Randolph Engineering Concorde Flash Lens sunglasses worked excellent to combat the sun’s rays too. On the toiletries front, my Baxter of California Travel Kit was convenient, easy to pack and of course, very useful! For formal wear, my Combat Gent White Poplin Shirt and Steel Blue Glen Plaid Double-Breasted Suit were sharp, well-fitting and also able to be mixed and matched among the jacket and a separate pair of custom grey suit pants from Black Lapel.

Definitely one of the highlights of the trip — checking out the amphitheater at the Acropolis in Athens.

While the process of getting overseas was lengthy (to be expected!) and the time change was a somewhat difficult adjustment at first, I found the whole adventure to be beautiful, serene and highly enjoyable – Royal Caribbean and its staff are friendly, helpful and very gracious, too! It’s certainly a cruise I would take again, and I found several areas I would love to visit again, too.

I’m definitely grateful for the opportunity and the time spent with family as well – and of course, having the chance to work with a few excellent brands on trip gear was pretty neat, too! We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled content here on Wednesday (a product review of the aforementioned Taylor Stitch chinos), but if you’d like to check out more trip photos and content, check out #StyleGuideAbroad via my Twitter and Instagram accounts. Until next time, Greece!

July 25, 2015July 24, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Pistol Lake Sweatshorts

A casual summer style essential made the right way.

This week’s Style Pick is coming at you courtesy of Pistol Lake – yes, that name keeps popping up here, particularly in regard to the brand’s henleys. It’s simply too hard to resist when a company features American-made, sportswear-inspired basics that hit that happy medium of rugged and classic, and do so at a pretty decent price. For the record, these are sweatshorts, to be sure, so they’re decidedly more dressed-down than other Style Picks — like these Billy Reid trousers. But when it’s exceptionally hot out, shorts are definitely what’s called for (check out more ways to beat the heat at the link). And in a range of versatile colors that would definitely pair well with a crisp Pistol Lake Henley, buying something from the brand for your bottom half is a wise move.

The sweatshorts will also soon be available in a brand-new Moss colorway.

And like joggers, sweatshorts are part of the ongoing #menswear trend of using laidback materials and styling to craft everyday items. In that sense, these might be too casual for some. But if you’re looking for a comfortable pair of shorts to throw on around the house, heading to the park or zipping down the street for a patio brunch or lunch, they’re definitely a solid bet – and they definitely do look better than baggy cargo shorts. They’re comfortable, featuring a thick old-school athletic waistband and garment-dyed French terry cotton. And yet, the cut on them is surprisingly like a pair of tailored shorts – these are not your baggy gym-class shorts of old. The best part just might be the fact that they feature a built-in, hidden cell phone pocket. If you’re feeling your way toward small style upgrades, a classed-up pair of comfortable shorts in a solid color is an excellent way to spend some of your summer fun money.

Thinking about trying a pair of sweatshorts out? What’s your take on the ‘athleisure’ trend as a whole?

July 11, 2015July 11, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Stock Mfg. Co. Linen Buttondown Shirt

A lightweight shirt with a more open weave, like this linen number from Stock Mfg. Co., is the way to go when it’s hot.

So this past week, it’s been hot and muggy out in NYC. Like, crazy hot. And staying cool yet stylish is a pretty tall order (one that was covered on this blog earlier this week!) during these times. While reaching for a T-shirt (especially a more luxe option like this one) is always a solid move, sometimes you need, or want, to wear something a little more crisp — yet still casual. The linen buttondown is your friend in this situation. Like its more tailored companion, the linen suit, a nice linen shirt keeps things breezy and airy, yet still offers the versatility that a more classic option (similar to the always-classic blue Oxford-cloth buttondown) might provide. Buying from a brand that supports made-in-America production and has family ties makes things that much better — hence this week’s Style Pick of the Week from Stock Mfg. Co. out of Chicago.

The Sage Linen Buttondown in person, fresh out of the box. An excellent summer staple.

I’ve previously written about the brand for VOUCH Mag, but if you’re not familiar, you should acquaint yourself — especially with this particular shirt. One of the brand’s co-founders, Jim Snedeker, was kind enough to send along the very shirt you see here for a feature, and it’s one standout item. The linen-rayon blend means it wrinkles less easily than traditional linen garb, and when worn with some slim grey jeans and navy sneakers, it held its shape nicely on a recent workday. The color is versatile and friendly for the weather, too. The buttondown collar definitely helps the upper part of the shirt maintain its shape, but the shirt draped well regardless and was the right length to be worn untucked. I did choose to size down, but even then the fit was comfortable and still tailored. It should pair nicely with a blazer and some light grey chinos (as well as shorts when the temps really get to be too much). It’s the type of shirt that would also work at a more laidback summer wedding. And right now, it’s the type of shirt you need in your closet — although if you can’t quite swing the price, any one of a few more affordable options from J. Crew might do the trick. If you can afford though, it’s one shirt that’ll keep you cool the rest of this summer.

Have you ever bought from Stock Mfg. before? What’s your go-to shirting move when it’s hot out?

May 27, 2015May 27, 2015 by Beau H.

The Product Review: Gustin Spring Plaid Shirt

A sturdy shirt with details that reflect the price. Spring Plaid Shirt by Gustin. Dark denim by Mott & Bow. Glasses by Warby Parker. Brown leather watch by Stuhrling.

Editor’s note: For other product reviews covering more menswear categories than you can shake a stick at, click here.

San Francisco-based Gustin has been known across the menswear community these past few years for the excellent, sturdy (and American-made) denim they’ve been producing — don’t forget about their tough, durable chore coats either. The brand is expanding even further as of late into new, essential categories like T-shirts and (starting in June), sneakers. And you can add another category to the list of things the brand does very well — casual shirting. Gustin launched its shirting with a focus on the basics, like chambrays and Oxfords. They’ve since broadened that approach even further, to the point where they’re now funding a third release of shirts with lauded heritage shirtmaker Thomas Mason. They’ve done a nice job adding seasonal fabrics as well — like the Spring Plaid shirt you see here.

Shirtails are slightly long in the front and back for my personal taste, but it’s still fit to be worn untucked. Dark denim by Mott & Bow. Photo credit: Liz Todd.

This release was funded in the depths of this past winter (February if memory serves?) and at only $76 for this made-in-America piece, it’s not hard to see why. While that price is on the higher side if you’re on a budget, a one-off purchase like this can be an excellent way to get exposure to made-in-America craftsmanship and quality, if only infrequently to start. The shirt uses Japanese cotton cloth with a vintage plaid pattern — it’s nice to see another brand making use of plaid patterns in places other than fall or winter-weight clothing. The colors in this shirt are pretty vivid, and yet the overall pattern is subtle enough to have a pleasing effect on the eye from afar. The combination of red, green, blue, yellow and white might seem a bit much at first, but it definitely works in this case. Being able to glance closely and see different bits of color crossing over each other is a nice effect, too.

On the lookout for spring. Shirt by Gustin. Khaki Travel Jacket by Combat Gent. Pocket square by Banana Republic. Glasses by Warby Parker. Photo credit: Liz Todd.

On the lookout for spring. Shirt by Gustin. Khaki Travel Jacket by Combat Gent. Braided leather belt by Target Merona. Pocket square by Banana Republic. Glasses by Warby Parker. Photo credit: Liz Todd.

It’s the type of shirt that adds some punch to an outfit without taking away too much attention from elsewhere – and the multitude of colors pairs well with a neutral piece like the Slim-Fit Khaki Travel Jacket from Combat Gent shown above. Perhaps the most important thing to note on this shirt is the fit — although this shirting model isn’t on-sale now, that same design carries over to the brand’s other pieces. In a Slim-Fit Medium, the armholes are high but not restrictive, the sleeves have a tailored and clean (but not overly snug fit), and the shoulders are the right width on my 6’1″, 180 lb. frame. The shirt is just a tad on the longer side when untucked for my personal taste, but it’s more than able to be worn that way comfortably. As far as the overall fit, it’s very close to a slim-fit casual shirt from J. Crew or Club Monaco. (Editor’s note: Does anyone have any experience with the Classic Fit shirting style from Gustin?).

A closer look at details of the shirting and the blazer. Pocket square by Banana Republic.

Other shirting details absolutely live up to the purchase price as well. The two-piece front placket and sleeve cuffs feel sturdy, not flimsy — that’s key when rolling up shirt sleeves. The buttons are attached firmly to the shirt and at the buttondown collar – no loose threads or buttons in danger of falling off here. Crucially, the collar itself has a substantial (yet not overly large) roll to it, making it easy to wear without a tie. It’s little details like these that bring together a complete shirt fit for business-casual or more laidback wear. The pattern on this has the sort of scale that wouldn’t detract from a striped cotton tie in dressier instances, and yet the collar could stand up under a linen cardigan or V-neck sweater, too.

So, assuming the brand doesn’t pull a price hike and continues to fund new shirting releases in the current pricing range (roughly between $70 and $93), it’s absolutely worth a shot to snap one up that catches your eye. New product releases from Gustin tend to be funded in a matter of days, if not even more quickly, but at the rate the folks in Cali pump out stellar designs, there should be more than enough opportunity to pick up one of your own soon. Consider this writer sold for the future.

Have you bought any casual shirting from Gustin? What’s your experience been like? What other products have caught your eye from the store?

May 9, 2015December 15, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Pistol Lake Short-Sleeve Henley

A trim fit and vintage details make this short-sleeve henley from Pistol Lake a winner. Glasses by Warby Parker. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta. Dark denim by Mott & Bow. Braided leather belt by Target Merona.

First things first — yes, that headline is correct. And no, this post isn’t a repeat! Although an outstanding long-sleeve henley from the team at Pistol Lake was featured as a style pick earlier this year, the one discussed here is in fact a completely different shirt (alright, it’s still a henley) from the same company! (In full disclosure, William, Shane and Andrew were kind enough to send me this particular piece for another post). The Los Angeles-based brand, for those who aren’t familiar, is a sportswear and vintage-inspired outfit making durable, rugged and stylish basics right here in America. The attention to detail and craftsmanship with each piece I’ve received has been second to none — and that’s something that’s not lost with this short-sleeve henley in either presentation or construction.

Attention to detail in craftsmanship and packaging from the Pistol Lake team.

It’s crafted from 6 oz. 100% cotton jersey fabric, although the weave of this shirt feels lighter and thinner (in a good way) than its long-sleeve counterpart. It’s also available in a vintage-looking, yellow-leaning white and a faded black but I went with the olive option — a perfect three or four-season neutral when layered right (say, with a spring jacket or a shawl cardigan when it’s chillier). The three-button placket doesn’t feel too flimsy or stiff, sometimes a problem when it comes to henleys. The fit is trim across the chest and through the body, and the unfinished sleeves, which can easily be rolled up slightly, are a detail that give this garment-dyed henley an even more rugged, vintage look. Details like double-stitching through the chest seams also help with a trim fit and solid construction. While it’s a bit pricier than a standard short-sleeve henley you might pick up elsewhere, the difference in price is absurdly small for such a jump in quality. Summer’s almost here, and this just might be the perfect casual shirt for the season.

Have you bought anything from Pistol Lake? How would you style this henley?

Editor’s note: Got your shirt game in line but looking to upgrade your bag as part of your everyday carry? Check out what the team at Issara is doing, making ethically crafted, beautiful leather goods!

April 11, 2015April 11, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Gustin Pocket T-Shirt

Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for . For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.

Three colors of this pocket T-shirt available for simple, easygoing style. Image courtesy of Gustin.

Gustin’s menswear business model is certainly the first of its kind that’s grown to such a large scale so quickly, and for good reason. Each of the brand’s crowdfunded offerings, from denim to workwear jackets, has been closely and carefully considered, right down to the excellent fabrics they use. That’s why it was great to see them add another simple, well-made, American-manufactured item to their rotation earlier this week: the pocket T-shirt.

The heather grey version up close (on model). Image courtesy of Gustin.

Gustin’s regular crewneck T-shirts were funded pretty quickly when they first launched earlier this year, and new colors have been successes as well. So a pocket T-shirt was in high demand. When it comes to style, this iteration is actually one step above a regular crewneck — the pocket adds some visual interest on its own, and a heathered fabric can also amp things up slightly. This first round of pocket tees is available for pre-purchase in a three-pack featuring solid white and black jersey cotton shirts, as well as a versatile heather grey triblend option. The set runs for $42 (an astoundingly low $14 per T-shirt if you’re keeping score), and is 43% funded with 12 days left in the run (as of this post). This is definitely the kind of T-shirt fit for easygoing weekend wear — and at that low price, it’s very attainable.

Does this T-shirt make your wish list? Any previous experience with Gustin or the brand’s T-shirts?

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