The Friday Read: The Orwells, Canvas Jackets and Abercrombie & Fitch

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.

There are weeks that, despite flying by in a blur, make you grateful for what you do and where you live. This week was definitely one of them. But first things first — how did you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Happily in love or happily alone? Hopefully, you found our Valentine’s Day style suggestion helpful. As for me, I kept quite busy this week with pursuits both #menswear and music-related — as seems to be the case these days. And luckily, there’s perhaps no better place to pursue both of these ends than NYC. Yes indeed, there’s probably nothing I love more than a great live show — and this week’s been full of them. It’s always an honor and a treat to check out a show at the legendary Mercury Lounge — a former home to bands (and personal favorites) like The Strokes and The National — and seeing an upcoming band like upbeat, powerful Aussie rockers Gang of Youths  gives me hope for the spirit of the genre. So, that kickstarted the week — and of course, I rocked my JackThreads Munro Leather Biker Jacket for the occasion. But, that’s not all. If you haven’t yet plugged your headphones into the high-voltage, no-holds-barred rock of Chicago natives The Orwells, look out. It was a treat to attend their album release show at hallowed Brooklyn venue/record shop Rough Trade NYC, and the group’s brand-new album, “Terrible Human Beings,” is one you’re going to want to spin if you appreciate a simpler era in rock. Oh, and last but not least …. it’s time for show no. 3 tonight! Again, some weeks fly by in a blur, but I’m beyond excited to see the fun, positive and infectious rock of Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, supported by another amazing band in their own right, Canada’s Arkells. Who’s ready? Now, before you dash out to your own slate of concerts and weekend activities, catch up with what you missed in men’s style (and yes, music) this week. Keep up in the meantime via Instagram and Twitter — TGIF and cheers!

Huckberry

  • Let’s get your weekend started with a nice #menswear deal — shall we? You might recall Johnnie-O from a few past entries on this site, namely as part of my packing for a November trip upstate. And if you need a stylish, luxurious cashmere sweater or a new spring polo to get ready for the season ahead — ‘cuz it’s coming — do we have a deal for you. Now through February 25thuse the code ‘GENTS17’ to get 10 percent off your Johnnie-O order! Yes indeed, that goes for the classic Player’s Blazer and the shirt that I myself picked up (and featured on Instagram) — the Dustin Denim Sport Shirt.
  • Need a new pair of spring footwear? Of course you do. Check out Esquire’s recent roundup of the best men’s sneakers to buy now.
  • It was a real treat to write about an essential outerwear item — that’d be a waxed canvas jacket — for GearMoose. Yes indeed, check out my roundup of the best men’s waxed jackets, folks.
  • Alright, because it’s Friday, let’s get down to business — The Manual teaches you how to make a Boilermaker this weekend. Cheers!
  • Lastly — we’ll be back with a new Style Pick of the Week tomorrow, but keep yourself occupied for now by reading about the essential, rugged Abercrombie & Fitch Chamois Shirt.

And with that, I’m off to another show — how about yourself? If that’s the case, learn all about how to dress for your next rock concert. See you in the front row!

-Beau

The Friday Read: Grand Rapids, Basic Outfitters and The Esquire Man

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.

Phew — what day is it? Friday? If so, you’re in the right place with another edition of The Style Guide Friday Read. What a couple weeks it’s been — in a good way! Between hitting up menswear trade shows and New York Fashion Week: Men’s, followed by a winter trip to Grand Rapids (more on that in a second), I’m more than ready for this weekend. It was a heck of a start to the week as well, what with a unique  and fun spring campaign launch event via my day job drumming up menswear PR for Timberland (A hint: The brand’s sneaker-boots are where it’s at this coming season). With that being said … are you as tired as I am? Even still, there’s plenty of winter style to work — get shopping with the best men’s winter accessories and upgrade your space with stylish men’s home goods.  Or maybe you’re traveling this weekend — in that case, get smart with essential winter travel style. Before you close out the work week, I hope you’ll tune into what we’ve got ahead for you — namely, a fascinating look at the ongoing energy and focus that Esquire is bringing to the men’s media landscape in a time of turbulence. It’s a great piece. Oh, and we’ve got a look at a neat brand that’s helping you up your basics game. Yes, it’s all here. For a look at what’s going on in the #menswear world this weekend, join me on Twitter and Instagram. TGIF!

Beckett Simonon

  • A sharp addition to your summer footwear arsenal might have just arrived. What’s that, you say? Well, you can now pre-fund the smart, refined and waterproof footwear offerings from Gambino Alliance, a  recently launched Kickstarter that’s combining Italian leathers, liquid-resistant technology and memory foam comfort with versatile silhouettes like a sleek pair of Chelsea boots or a simple-yet-classic Oxford. Check them out — and pre-order them — via the Gambino Alliance site.
  • There’s certainly a lot going on in the menswear world this week, including the release of an unexpected — and unexpectedly awesome — new fragrance line from AXE. The AXE YOU grooming line includes everything from a daily fragrance to a body wash in clean, masculine scents; it’s certainly different from the old days of the brand! And it’s worth a look.
  • What is the mission of a men’s magazine nowadays? To provoke? To explain? To shed light on the world as it ought to be? Maybe a little bit of all of these things — the team at Esquire — and excellent, recently appointed editor-in-chief Jay Fielden — are setting out to answer these questions one issue at a time. So far, I think they’ve done an outstanding job — if you agree, you’ll love this piece from the New York Times on the future of Esquire.
  • As y’all know, we’re all about stylish, durable travel gear for this winter — check out how to dress for winter travel (in real life!) via my latest menswear trip to Grand Rapids. It’s a city with a stellar craft beer scene, some neat menswear shops — like Brothers Leather Supply — and plenty of classic Michigan scenery.

One more thing before you log off…

  • Don’t call it a comeback — call it an upgrade, if you will. It was great to learn more about Basic Outfitters for The Manual recently — here’s why you need to know this brand.
  • Before we close out for the weekend, I’d advise you to upgrade your gym gear — and possibly get ready for spring — with the Myles Apparel Everyday Short, my latest feature for the fine team at GearMoose.

OK, amped for the weekend? Beer at the ready — at least later in the day? Bingo.

Have a great one,

-Beau

The Friday Read: Frank and Oak, Stylish Men’s Home Goods and The xx

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.

If you’ve had to check your calendar to confirm that it really is Friday again, you’re not alone. Between attending some excellent menswear trade shows — including Capsule Show and Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs — holding down the day job and working on this here blog, it’s positively flown by. It’s always refreshing to get out “in the field,” meet new brands and make new connections — good things in store ahead, I assure you. With those shows in the books, I’m truly looking forward to the weekend because, well, it’s my birthday! OK, that’s out of the way. But with any luck, I’ll get a few great #menswear gifts to feature on The Style Guide (‘cuz men’s style never sleeps). In classic fashion, I certainly intend on kicking back with a few craft brews — oh, and brunch. Absolutely, brunch. I’m particularly excited to partner with Frank and Oak on some content on behalf of the brand this weekend, too. You’ll be able to look for a full personal style post in that regard on Monday, of course! In the meantime, sit back and tuck in– this week, we talked the best men’s home goods to buy now, and we also filled you in on potentially your new favorite leather weekender bag. A lot happened in the men’s style world, too — read on below, join me on Instagram  and see what’s cooking over on Twitter. Cheers!

  • Regardless of how you feel about President Trump, it’s clear that some of his economic and trade, err, policies could directly impact the fashion industry. Specifically, American-made menswear. Esquire takes a deep dive into the issue this week; for what’s it worth, we here at The Style Guide — by we, I mean myself — will continue to cover and support brands that do high-quality work, anywhere and everywhere, but especially in the U.S.A.
  • We’re switching off of #menswear for the time being and diving into an album that’s been in my headphones — and perhaps yours, too — since it came out earlier this month. Esquire (those guys again) put together a beautifully composed feature on The xx and the band’s beautifully composed new album, “I See You.” I’d urge a listen if you want to lift your mood and your day, folks.
  • If stylish, technical and functional outerwear is your thing, read up on my latest GearMoose feature covering the sleek Sentinel Field Jacket — and maybe complement that purchase with a pair of the best men’s gloves for winter?
  • Last but not least — if you, like myself, will be fumbling around this weekend for your wallet, grab the Brothers Leather Supply 810 Wallet and solve that problem handsomely (it’s a bit of a throwback post, but useful in its own right).

As always — thank you for reading, and join us tomorrow for what I think you’ll find is a very winter-centric Style Pick of the Week. Fist bumps all around, and you can keep my tab open (wink, wink).

-Beau

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The Friday Read: New Year’s Resolutions, New Watches and the Best Albums of 2016

First things first, thanks so much for joining us for the last Friday Read of 2016. It’s been a pleasure keeping this series going on The Style Guide throughout the year — there’s been travel style, there’s been a dose of healthy dose of live music and hopefully, you’ve found some of these #menswear tips and tricks handy.  On the second-to-last day of the year, I’m reflecting on all the great things I’ve been fortunate to experience during another full calendar year in NYC (which can feel like a pretty big accomplishment, sometimes). I explored Brooklyn and Manhattan, traveled up and down the East coast this fall, made it back to visit family and friends for a weekend in my home state of Michigan, and met lots of great people through the menswear industry all the while surrounded by amazing family (and plenty of trips back to the Sunshine State) — that’s about as much as you can ask for. To top it off with a relaxing few days in Florida and New York City is as good as it gets. I hope you get the chance to reflect in a similar fashion while enjoying the rest of the year (and New Year’s Eve) in style. I just wrapped up a holiday trip to Florida and I’m spending today prepping for 2017 — if that’s the case for you as well, get some casual #OOTD tips for New Year’s Day and of course, get a jump start on your weekend with the last Friday Read of the year. 

  • You can expect a full set of men’s style resolutions for the year ahead on this blog early next week, but for now, let’s see what 2017 lifestyle resolutions the folks at GQ.com are offering up this year.
  • Who doesn’t love a well-constructed, essential and sharp watch? The Armogan Le Mans Chronograph  — sold by our friends at Huckberry — is the one to buy — and it’s among my latest posts for GearMoose! It’s among the sharpest watches I’ve seen this year, without a doubt.
  • While we’re talking about the best of 2016, you really should read The Manual’s list of the best albums of 2016, as written by my digital colleague, Terence Praet.
  • Oh, and one last thing — if you’re spending the next few days rooting for your favorite team in a New Year’s Day college football bowl game, refresh yourself on how to dress for football season, will ya?

We’re keeping it short today — there’s much to be done before the New Year! I hope you’ll join us for the last Style Pick of 2016 tomorrow — and then we’re onto bigger and better things in 2017!

Stay stylish and thanks so much for reading this year! More to come — onward.

-Beau

The Friday Read: Holiday Shopping, Buck Mason and The Head and The Heart

Quick, check your calendars. We’re just about one week from Christmas! That’s pretty wild, all things considered. It means it’s more than time to wrap up — or get started — on your holiday shopping, and it means it’s time to plan out a holiday travel ensemble or two (right?). Click through our women’s holiday gift guide to take care of everyone from your mother to your grandma; don’t worry, we’ll remind you next week, too. And maybe pick up something from this site’s men’s style holiday gift guide — it’s gonna come in handy, trust me. I’ve got a decent jump on my own holiday shopping — and my holiday menswear wish list, for sure — but there’s definitely more work to be done. (just a bit… I guess). Before I take care of some of that shopping, I’m pretty excited to close out the week — I’m heading to the fine city of Baltimore tonight to see The Head and The Heart, the joyous indie folk rockers out of Seattle! Seeing great live shows this fall, from Bastille — as I wrote about in last Friday’s weekly recap — to Local Natives in Providence has been really special, and I’m definitely excited to hit the road again. It’s my first time in Baltimore and my first time seeing the band, makers of one of the most easily listenable, enjoyable albums of the year in “Signs of Light” — oh, and a slew of other fun, rambling and rambunctious tracks like “Shake” and “Lost in My Mind.” So it should certainly be a heck of a fun show, and a heck of a fun way to end the week. Any recommendations for neat things to do in Baltimore? Send me a tweet on Twitter and I’ll get right to it — promise!  As with my recent trip to upstate New York and my Thanksgiving visit to Florida, you can expect a full #menswear blog post on Monday — and you can check out exactly what I’m wearing via my Instagram in the meantime. If you haven’t, join us over at The Style Guide Facebook page — and for now, check out some of the best men’s style news o’ the week below.

  • First things first — it’s primetime layering season. And as our friends at Esquire so wisely demonstrate, you need a stylish overshirt in your closet; make it one from Style Guide favorites Buck Mason, and you’re plenty set for cold weather style.
  • Speaking of cold weather style — Esquire.com is coming back at ya with an overview of a seriously warm parka you also might want to pick up this week. Now, I’m not the biggest fan of his music per se, but Drake’s design project OVO certainly keeps things moving along nicely, particularly when it comes to the brand’s collaboration with Canada Goose. Yes, the OVO x Canada Goose collaboration offers up two pricey — but decidedly warm parkas and a set of  matching trucker caps for your purchasing pleasure at the Canada Goose Web site.
  • Still need some help sorting out your holiday shopping? Good thing the folks at Paul Fredrick are hooking you up with 20 percent off orders of $200 or more, plus free shipping on any order. Pick up a crisp white dress shirt — or a versatile denim shirt — for the style-minded guy in your life. Oh, and know that the deadline for standard shipping delivery in advance of Christmas is 11:59 p.m. EST today (Friday, folks). Happy shopping!
  • So, we’ve also got something that should be of interest to both fashion fans and fans of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” — in theaters today. Old Navy has made some classic graphic tees for the occasion, and they’ve got picks for both adults and kids. Show some of that Star Wars spirit this season, ehh?
  • One last thing before we hit the road for the weekend — the new MVMT Watches Modern Sport collection, if you haven’t seen, is packed with durable, handsome and functional timepieces like the Mariner Watch, as I covered for the fine folks at GearMoose. I’ll be bringing my own Calypso Watch from the Modern Sport collection with me to Baltimore this weekend, and I can’t recommend these eye-catching, sturdy and ultra-affordable watches enough.

Have menswear-related questions? Can’t figure out what to wear for the first snowfall? We’ve got you all set — happy shopping, happy reading and have a great weekend!

-Beau

Huckberry

Nautica

The Friday Read: Rugged Fall Style, Oliver Cabell and Hard Graft Gym Bags

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.

So if you’re joining us here today on The Style Guide, that must mean it’s Friday. And if it’s Friday, it’s time for another round of The Friday Read, where we tackle the best of the week in #menswear — with a dash of music and fine spirits joining us in today’s post. First things first — thanks to everyone who participated in this week’s Dickies X-Series Denim giveaway this week. We’ve had the pleasure of some crisp, brisk fall weather this week in NYC — if that happens to be the case for you as well, I’d urge you follow the behind-the-scenes action on Instagram and check out how to dress for fall. We’re talking indigo chore coats, slim garment-dyed pants and a tough Horween leather watch. Oh, and an essential crewneck sweater for your fall wardrobe — that’s a thing, too. It’s been fun to break out some tougher layering pieces for the chilly weather, and rest assured that we’ve got plenty more fall style-centric content in the weeks ahead. Namely, we’re diving into the archives with tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week — and then jumping right back to the present day with our very own Thanksgiving Style Suggestion. It’s tough to believe it’s that time of year already! But, not to worry — we’ll be offering up all manner of holiday style picks, from what to wear to your holiday party to what to buy for your significant other. In the meantime though, I’ve got a weekend of travel ahead — I’m heading on a quick trip upstate to the lovely town of Hudson for a bit of rest, relaxation and menswear-themed exploration. Follow along via Twitter, look for a full recap blog post coming on Monday, and check out everything you need to know from the week in men’s style news.

  • Who can pass up the chance to combine refined spirits and great menswear? Not that many folks, that’s who. The fine spirits purveyors at Glenfiddich launched a fall capsule collection — titled Wardrobe XXI — with none other than menswear luminary Josh Peskowitz. The lauded fashion vet, who recently opened up Magasin, a menswear lifestyle boutique, curated four men’s style capsule collections on behalf of Glenfiddich. The brands run the gamut from contemporary — Camoshita United Arrows to slightly edgy (FEIT). And each capsule, which is sold at select retailers like NYC’s Gentry and Miami’s Alchemist, pays homage to Glenfiddich’s 21 Year Old Reserva Rum Cask Finish. Now, great whiskey and great menswear? That’s something we can all get behind.
  • If you’re hitting the road for Thanksgiving next week, you need to know how to travel in style. That just got easier with the introduction of the Arcata Travel Kit from premium accessories brand Oliver Cabell. We rounded up the best dopp kits for men on this blog earlier this year, but this dopp kit is a worthy addition. Thanks to the brand’s transparency — right down to the material and labor costs displayed on its Web site — you know you’re getting a premium, road-ready piece.
  • We’ve covered the best men’s weekender bags, but you might want to add another to your list. The Hard Graft Gym Bag Volume Two is a beautifully crafted, superbly done bag that merges tremendous functionality with stellar looks. Give it a read via yours truly at GearMoose!


Looking for something to read — or listen to — this weekend?

  • If it’s a relaxing weekend listen you seek, might I suggest the eloquently produced “On Hold” from everyone’s favorite ethereal music trio, The xx? Give it a listen over at Pitchfork. You won’t regret it!

That’s all we’ve got from my neck of the woods — stick around and check out your new favorite fall jacket, or a rugged fall layering essential, before you take off for the weekend.

Stay stylish,

-Beau

The Friday Read: Tommy John Undershirts, Michigan State and The Hill-Side

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.

Last week on The Style Guide, I wrote about hitting the road to head to Providence to see Local Natives – what a trip it was, and what a concert to experience. This weekend, I’m again prepped to hit the road for an equally special trip back to my home state of Michigan! I’ve jetted back and forth a fair amount for everything from a Grand Rapids bachelor party weekend to a Detroit-area wedding (dressed in style the whole way, of course). However, I’ll be dressed for a Midwest fall this time around. Yes indeed, this weekend’s trip brings me back to maybe my favorite place in the world – the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing. For as many great experiences as one can have in a big city like New York, it’s always refreshing and rejuvenating to return to a place that holds so many memories. Of course, in addition to hitting up renowned East Lansing locales like HopCat (and snapping some #menswear photos), it’s a big weekend in another respect. We’re talking Michigan –Michigan State, a football rivalry with an off-the-field intensity that matches the competition between the sidelines. From my days at the student newspaper taking on Michigan’s student newspaper in what could lightly be called “two-hand touch” football through to now, it’s a rivalry that’s a heck of a lot of fun to be a part of – particularly when plays like this one happen. My beloved Spartans have struggled a heck of a lot this year, but it’ll be interesting to see which team shows up on Saturday – to say the least.  But enough football, right? It’s time to recap a few choice items in the week in #menswear, including how to wear an undershirt this season (check it out below). Oh, and stay tuned for our Style Pick of the Week tomorrow. For now, I’ll leave you to it.

Wondering how to buy and wear an undershirt? The right way? Check out this graphic courtesy of Tommy John.

Wondering how to buy and wear an undershirt? The right way? Check out this graphic courtesy of Tommy John.

  • Alright, so it’s Friday. And it’s fall – it’s getting colder bit by bit out there. We could all use an extra layer from time to time – that starts with something like a stylish cardigan, and that carries through to durable socks and of course, an equally durable undershirt. Some guys are anti-undershirt, but you certainly need something made from quality fabric and featuring a proper fit. That’s where the folks at Tommy John come in – they were kind enough to share this solid infographic covering all the in’s and out’s of how to wear an undershirt and what to look for in the right one; by the way, you can pick up a Tommy John undershirt while we’re here. Very handy to have when it gets chilly this winter – after all, you might need another layer underneath your slim chambray shirt to stay warm, ehh?
  • If you haven’t yet completed shopping for your fall style wish list — mine keeps getting longer and longer — you might want to check out the latest from The Hill-Side; I covered the launch of the brand’s autumn collection for The Manual, and it’s chock-full of durable outerwear, premium shirting and tough sneakers, all done in the excellent fabrics for which the Brooklyn-based brand is known. Get on it, will ya?
  • We’re all about the basics at The Style Guide, and well-designed basics that help you live your life better are to be applauded. That same mindset can extend to the technology you carry with you every day — yes, your phone. The Killspencer iPhone 7 Veil is a slim, durable cover that adheres quickly and easily to the back of your phone. Again, it’s a small upgrade that’ll extend the life of your device — and you can read more by yours truly at GearMoose.

We’re keeping it shorter than usual this week at The Style Guide — it’s time to hit the road! Follow along with this weekend’s menswear and football-related action on Instagram and Twitter, and check out a full travel style recap on Monday.

As always — stay stylish, and thanks for reading!

-Beau

Huckberry

The Friday Read: Local Natives, Dockers and Worn & Wound

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.

It’s not every week that it feels like the fun and enjoyment of the weekend keeps on rolling right through the rest of the week — except for perhaps these past few days. As I covered in last week’s Friday Read, I had the great fortune to see CHVRCHES, one of my favorite bands, here in NYC after a three-year wait! The show was so stellar, I snagged a last-second ticket to Sunday’s show, too. Yes, it’s nights like Saturday night — and Sunday night — that make me very grateful to live in NYC. The live effort by CHVRCHES — at both the hallowed Radio City Music Hall and the massive Terminal 5 the next night — was incredible. Great lights, killer sound and tons of energy from one heck of a kickass lead singer, Lauren Mayberry. Martin Doherty and Iain Cook do their fair part to bring great sound and standout energy, too. I’d say they’re another must-see when they come back with their 3rd album! And the fun continued in the early part of this week, as I checked out the very neat Engineered for Motion x Dockers collaboration with a delicious dinner at the Metrograph Commissary, an elegant restaurant and movie house that was the perfect setting for a collaboration that blends the fashionable (stretch utility pants in olive) with the functional (a black fishtail parka, perfect for bike commuters). As I write this however, I’m also prepping for another big run of days — and not just in the menswear realm. I’m heading north to Providence to see yet another live show — yes, I’m a bit obsessed. It’s been more than three years since I last saw Local Natives (in college in Michigan, no less), and as I’ve written before on this here blog, the band’s third album, “Sunlit Youth,” is one of my favorite albums of the year to date — if not my favorite. The band’s music is soulful, engaging, meaningful and well-written — it seems as if every album proves that even more. And if my memory serves me correctly, they put on a heck of a live show! With that being said, if you know of any must-see spots in Providence, chime in on The Style Guide Facebook page. Of course, you can follow along in real-time with my #menswear escapades on Instagram, Instagram Stories — yes, that’s a thing now — and my Twitter.  And lest you think we’re done here, we’ll have a full recap of the trip coming up on Monday. It’ll be a fun one!

  • So, a Style Guide favorite — that would be the fine sock and underwear purveyors at Pair of Thieves — just launched a neat collaboration with Opening Ceremony. There are two sock styles and a plethora of colors to choose from in the PERFECT line, including the more luxe Everyday Sock and the thicker, more athletically inclined Sport Sock. And the kicker? Socks in the Pair of Thieves x Opening Ceremony collaboration  retail for $15 a pair and would be perfect to pair with, say, the durable and tough SeaVees Huckberry Chukka for all your fall adventures. Right? Right.
  • Do you fancy yourself a watch aficionado? Are you in NYC the rest of this weekend? If so, you’d do very well to stop by the Wind-Up Watch Fair, put on by three partners from the online resource site/watch shop/watch lover’s dream that is Worn & Wound. The watch fair brings together more than 30 independent watch makers from across the globe, with enough watches galore to fill up the stylish and always-cool Chelsea Market in NYC. I know I’ll be stopping by — will you?
  • Now, it’s not quite felt fully like fall yet in NYC — temps that feel more like summer have a lot to do with that — but I’d still say it’s worth it to study up on how to wear a flannel shirt for fall; it was this week’s #OOTD, and a mighty stylish one at that.

For now, I’ve got a concert to prep for — and the rest of Providence to explore! We’ll see you on the other side — and maybe in the front.

Stay stylish,

-Beau

The Friday Read: CHVRCHES, Timbuk2 and the East Dane Event of the Season

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.

If the headline at the top of the page wasn’t a dead giveaway, we’ve arrived at Friday once again. How was your week? If it included any menswear shopping — but didn’t include a pass through the East Dane Event of the Season sale — I’d urge you to double-back, ASAP. And if it did include #menswear shopping, that begs the question — are you all set with your Fall Style Wish List? It really is finally starting to feel like everyone’s favorite menswear season around here, and that transition dovetailed nicely with a busy four-day week of seasonal preparations for yours truly. A lovely weekend with my family in NYC led into a Monday spent working on content for this here blog and Effortless Gent, along with the requisite Brooklyn explorations — you can check out the results of that work starting with tomorrow’s Style Pick entry, for one!

And now that the weekend’s nearly here, I get the chance to pursue two of my passions at once. Combining live music and menswear is, as you know from reading The Style Guide, maybe my favorite thing to do — there’s nothing better than checking out live music in NYC and elsewhere, and dressing for a rock concert can be pretty fun, to boot. In this case, it’ll be particularly exciting to see the incomparable CHVRCHES headline Radio City Music Hall on Saturday night! And in fitting fashion, I’m going to be jamming out in some great gear courtesy of Forever21 Men. You can follow along for the whole ride on Instagram  or via Twitter, and know that we’re coming right back at you with another set of (brand-new!) seasonal shopping picks on Monday. Oh, and before I forget — your recap of the week in menswear is below. Carry on.

  • If you need a functional, stylish bag that brings with it a dash of color and intrigue, consider yourself set. The made-in-America gear purveyors at Timbuk2 just opened a new NYC store in NoHo (325 Lafayette Street), and they’re set to open one in Brooklyn (214 Berry Street, to be exact) next month. On top of that, the brand is partnering with artist and native New Yorker Dave Ortiz on a limited-edition messenger bag. The bag features neat zig-zag piping on the exterior and an Ortiz-designed silk screen print interior based on Ortiz’s famed “The Indian” print. Oh, and you know what’s even cooler? The first 100 people at the NoHo store — between 11 a.m. and 7p.m. — on Saturday (that’s tomorrow!) get the chance to trade in any used bag for a brand-new Timbuk2 x Ortiz bag. Keep in mind, though — only the first 100. Get to it! Not bad, ehh?
  • We’ve got another dose of made-in-America menswear comin’ at ya –inspired by workwear and classic heritage, NYC-based Bridge & Boro just launched a Kickstarter celebrating all that American manufacturing has to offer. More specifically, we’re talking the chance to pre-order what looks to be unique, high-quality selvedge denim, made right in America. They’re also offering a small run of plaid shirts for pre-order as part of their initial men’s collection –what say you? Will you be funding this effort?
  • And last but not least, Halloween is on the way. The ever-stylish team at Esquire gets you up to speed on the
    coolest Halloween costumes for stylish guys this season — handy, right?

We’re not done with the week in menswear yet …

  • From a denim overshirt — as featured in this week’s #OOTD — to a heck of a black moto jacket from the team at Taylor Stitch, I rounded up the best jackets for fall over at The Manual. Read now, buy now — am I right, or am I right?
  • Oh, and one last reminder to check out this site’s recap of the best sale picks at East Dane this week — seriously, get on it while you can, as that sale ends at midnight EST on Sunday.

Set your alarm early tomorrow morning — a new seasonal menswear pick o’ the week is coming at you. Until then — stay stylish!

-Beau

The Friday Read: The GQ for GAP Collection, Throne 2.0 and Levi’s Vintage Clothing

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.  

It seems as if it was just last Friday evening and I was standing in the crowd jamming out to Lucius in Central Park — yet, here we are with a brand-new edition of the Friday Read. The past weekend — and the last few days — have been a nice introduction to fall; if you don’t have a Fall Style Wish List made yet, I’d advise you do so now.  It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year, right?It’s a time for chukka boots, chambray shirts, thick cardigans — you name it, it’s nearly fair game. If I were you, I’d stick around for Monday’s post on … well, we won’t give it all away just yet. If fall travel is in the works, don’t forget that durable weekender bag. And like most weekends, I hope you’ve got your outfit for a football tailgate — seriously, it makes a difference. I’ll be cheering on my Michigan State Spartans as they take on Indiana, and I’ll be exploring the city with my good friend Ian Kullgren, himself a proud Spartan. It was nice to visit with Ian in  Washington, D.C. in May, and I expect just as great of a time checking out the city.  Everything from Central Park to favorite spots off the beaten path, like the excellent Berg’n in Brooklyn, are on the agenda. Oh, and about that football game — Go Green! Before we get to kickoff though, let’s start the weekend with the best in menswear — and keep your eye on the blog tomorrow for a special post with my friends at US Authentic; if you want to talk fall, one of the brand’s leather jackets is the way to go. (Hint: It’s part of the Style Pick of the Week series).

  • While we’re talking all things fall style, the good folks at Esquire picked out the week’s best style upgrades — you might recognize a certain shirt from a certain #OOTD published this week on the blog…
  • A standout watch is the perfect finishing touch when it comes to your ensemble, and us lucky watch aficionados might have just stumbled onto the perfect one. Throne Watches just launched the Throne 2.0, a super-clean yet classic chronograph assembled from Swiss movements. The overall look is stellar — crisp enough for dress situations, versatile enough for casual wear. Truly, you should get your hands on the Throne 2.0 soon (oh, and the sub-$600 price tag isn’t bad, either!)
  • If — like me — you’ve been eagerly perusing GAP’s site for news of the GQ for GAP Collection, you’re in for a treat! If you haven’t seen it already, that is. The new GQ for GAP Collection is live — snap it up quick. A few of those pieces, including that excellent Michael Bastian blazer, look mighty tempting.
  • Lastly in the world of new collection launches as we enter the stellar fall season, Levi’s Vintage Clothing — the premium, workwear-inspired offshoot of Levi’s — just launched a truly great seasonal offering. It’s focused in part on NYC’s hallowed 9th Street Exhibition, a downtown location that served as a backdrop through the 50s for tons of artistic expression — I’m no art history buff, but the resulting menswear is pretty neat, including some excellent 1954 501 Jeans. Good stuff!

Last but not least — one more piece of menswear for y’all:

  • Remember taking summer vacations out West, anyone? Maybe to a national park? Eddie Bauer evokes that sense of nostalgia nicely with its latest launch — a revamp of the brand’s iconic 1936 Skyliner Jacket, this time done up in reversible Pendleton wool patterns that pay tribute to the national parks. It’s a pretty neat feature, to say the least.  You can read more about it via my latest post on The Manual, and you can look for more details on the jacket in the coming weeks on my Instagram (wink, wink).

Enjoy the weekend, and follow along with all things menswear over on Twitter — ’til the Style Pick of the Week post,

-Beau