February 13, 2016February 12, 2016 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Timex x Red Wing Waterbury Watch

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.

Possibly the perfect watch? Red Wing shoe leather meets a tough-yet-sharp Timex dial.

The importance of a sharp watch — like other great style upgrades — in terms of finishing off an outfit is something that’s hard to overstate. It can definitely help strike the right tone, whether that’s sharp and dressy or laidback and casual. And there’s no doubt that the watch you see here can do either of those — it’s hard to overstate that quality, as well. Watches haven’t often been part of this here Style Pick of the Week series, but that changes right now in a big way. Timex has drawn some buzz as of late for its upcoming partnership with Todd Snyder — as part of his FW16 runway show last week in New York City, Snyder (of Champion collaboration fame) sent models down the runway wearing several models of the above watch (which features, you guessed it, a Red Wing shoe leather strap). The partnership is exceptionally fitting, and it all dovetails off the fact that, somewhat confusingly, Snyder is launching his own collaboration with Timex this coming fall. But back to the matter at hand — Fashion Week or not, you can (and definitely should) pick up this handsome watch right now.

Plenty of solid design went into this exceptionally affordable timepiece.

The Timex Waterbury line was a welcome introduction last year as part of the brand’s anniversary celebration; it nodded to the brand’s heritage, took classic Timex style and gave it a rugged edge. You might recognize a model of the rugged-refined Waterbury line from this past week’s post on how to style a crewneck sweater, in fact. And the Timex x Red Wing Waterbury seen here — sold exclusively through END Clothing for now — advances that design ethos perfectly. For now, it would appear END only has the 38mm model (there are also 40mm and 42mm iterations). But 38mm works just fine — it’s the ideal balance between striking and subtle. Yes, the black-and-tan 38mm dial is just the right size for most of us, but the real standout here is the leather strap, made using leather from Red Wing’s S.B. Tanning Company. A genius idea, yeah? It’s the rare watch strap that’ll break in as superbly as your boots over time — and it’ll certainly match up well with your rugged Red Wing winter boots, to say the least. So given all the rugged refinement that’s gone into this iteration of the watch, it only makes sense that Snyder would look to the duo for style that really played well on the runways. Fear not, though — this particular watch will look superb on your wrist even if you have no modeling experience to speak of. Style it with wingtip boots, jeans and a shawl collar cardigan now, and throw it on with a tee and tailored shorts when it (eventually) warms up. There’s no wrong way to go.

Are you a fan of the Timex Waterbury line? And this watch in particular? Or are you holding out for the Todd Snyder x Timex collab?

February 6, 2016February 5, 2016 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Everlane Cashmere Sweater

A luxurious update to the classic V-neck, courtesy of Everlane.

While I’m sure we all have our assortment of dependable V-neck and crewneck sweaters in hard-wearing fabrics, there’s something to be said for taking the time to look into — and buy, and wear — a more lux piece. It might start out as an aspirational goal, but taking a leap upward to a more premium product can definitely be worth it. That goes for something like the Zady Organic Men’s Buttondown, and it certainly carries over to another, equally transparent retailer — the good people at Everlane. The site’s product selection has long been solid (check out this 2015 piece on shopping picks from Everlane), but it’s expanded even deeper in the past few months, from the brand’s essential Slim Pant to its selection of wool overcoats. That goes double for its luxurious-looking cashmere V-neck sweaters (also available in a crewneck style). For sale in versatile colors like Navy and the unique grey-and-black Donegal blend seen at the top, plus a rich Burgundy, the brand is once again showing its knack for refining simple basics. And that’s why, maybe (just maybe), you should fork over some hard-earned cash — and if you wrote down a style resolution to cut back your clothing allowance this year, I do apologize.

A rich color from a brand normally known for its subdued palette.

Made from 100 percent Grade-A cashmere and featuring a slim fit — both details that shouldn’t be overlooked, there’s no question that this is the ultimate style upgrade as far as V-neck sweaters go. Rest assured that staple brands like Banana Republic still do excellent, and cheaper V-necks in fabrics like extra fine merino. But again — it’s always great to have one stellar item in your closet that’s a step above of the rest, one that you can reliably wear without fail. This V-neck is your answer, folks. Take the Charcoal color, for example. That piece would work quite well with some burgundy corduroys and a white Oxford for a day at the office, and you could likely layer it over a soft V-neck tee with some slim denim for a casual weekend outing. The great thing is, with Everlane’s pricing system and emphasis on transparency, you can be sure you’re getting a nice deal from a company that approaches things the right way. The good things just keep piling up — and this sweater’s certainly at the top of the heap.

Do you own any Everlane sweaters? What are your thoughts on the brand?

January 23, 2016July 28, 2021 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Taylor Stitch Long Haul Waxed Canvas Jacket

The Long Haul Field Jacket — another stunning crowdfunded piece up for grabs from Taylor Stitch.

There are some items that you see online and immediately think — or in this case, exclaim aloud — “WHOA,” and certainly one of the best men’s field jackets is good enough to do that. The item that did that for me this week is the crazy-sweet Taylor Stitch jacket you see at the top of the page — and that’s almost not even a good enough adjective to describe it. Yes indeed, the Long Haul Jacket in Field Tan Waxed Canvas is the latest in a growing line of exceptionally stylish and durable-looking product releases from the made-in-America purveyors at California-based Taylor Stitch. If you’re not familiar with the brand, take a moment to acquaint yourself. They stock both a regular rotation of everyday Essentials — things like chambray shirts, Oxfords and their famous Standard Issue Chinos — in addition to the crowdfunding they use to produce products (like the jacket you see here) in small batches. That model is clearly working, as the Long Haul Jacket is a runaway hit to the tune of being more than 350% funded as of press time. They’ve become a Style Guide regular (check out a past Style Pick feature here), and that’s due in large part to the strength and style potential of their product, which is timeless and well-crafted. The Long Haul Jacket would certainly seem to stand up to that test at first glance — and that first glance is a stunner (or is it just me?).

The jacket comes complete with the brand’s signature map lining interior, not to mention a host of other durable design features.

This rather beastly-looking jacket is crafted from 7 oz. Martexin waxed canvas designed to repel water, and comes complete with tonal Brisbane Moss corduroy-lined cuffs and collar for an extra bit of vintage style inspiration. The flap chest pockets and front-welt hand-warmer pockets (along with the silhouette in general) call to mind a classic denim jacket — except a denim jacket won’t pack nearly the punch that this thing will. The copper rivets and buttons look sturdy, an underrated point of emphasis that can make a big difference — don’t want any buttons falling off, eh? So the design features appear at first glance to be exceptionally solid. And of course, the styling potential for this jacket is nearly through the roof. The weight and water-repellent functionality should make it a terrific spring jacket — that’s perfect, given that it should ship in late March after pre-funding and production. And the color and sturdy waxed canvas mean you can wear it into fall with solid layers, too. It’s the perfect jacket to toss on over a grey henley and black denim, and you can mix up your office style by pairing it with a chambray shirt and a navy knit tie. And about that price — for a jacket that you can wear that much, the pre-funding mark of $148 is a downright steal. Get on it, and get excited for spring.

How would you style this field jacket? Do you have any experience with Taylor Stitch?

December 5, 2015December 3, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Frank & Oak Plaid Light Flannel Shirt

Another modern shirting release from Frank & Oak for consideration in your wardrobe.

Here on The Style Guide, I write a lot about excellent seasonal pickups, from trim fall and winter blazers to slim corduroys. There’s one brand that nails some of those seasonal pickups better than the rest, though. If you’ve kept up with the digital #menswear scene and the digital pages of this blog (good for you!), you’ll recognize Frank & Oak. The brand popped up in this week’s Holiday Party Style Suggestion, and they’ve also been featured in two Hunt Club Crate reviews. However, if you’re not familiar, they’re absolutely worth a look. The Canadian retailer has made its name delivering monthly collections featuring of-the-moment looks for not a lot of money (for the most part), and they’ve also upped their retail presence significantly recently with several Canadian locations and shops Stateside in Boston, Chicago and Washington, D.C. for now. You can get in on those collection releases via the brand’s Hunt Club, which offers free shipping and home try-ons, and that’s a great thing considering F&O offers some of the better -value shirting on the market. Luckily, the Plaid Flannel Shirt that you see here — part of this month’s Hunt Club collection — has hit the market just in time for chillier days ahead in December and beyond.

A slim buttondown collar keeps this shirt casual yet ready to pair with like-minded lapels.

At just $48, it’s priced higher than something from the likes of J. Crew Factory but comes in lower than a blue J. Crew flannel shirt — yet one could argue the quality of Frank & Oak’s shirts is definitely on-par with the big-brother brand. This Frank & Oak shirt has just as many positives to it as a more expensive piece — combine a trim fit with a rather understated plaid pattern and a casual buttondown collar, and you’ve got a shirt that can pull double-duty under a herringbone blazer during the week and atop a henley and some navy cargo pants on the weekends. The slim collar is an oft-overlooked aspect of some shirts, too — in this case, that helps it pair just fine visually with a thin-lapel blazer (as most suiting leans that ways these days). And the color and styling potential is such that it’s a nice upgrade from a typical buttondown — injecting some pattern where you might normally go with a solid shirt is always a good call. Here’s hoping this finds its way into your stocking this holiday season — or into your closet before then.

What’s your shopping experience been like with Frank & Oak? What’s your take on this shirt and how would you style it?

November 14, 2015November 10, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: United By Blue Standard Henley

A “standard” henley? Not so much. Read ahead to find out more on this United By Blue piece. Photo courtesy of the brand.

While last week’s Style Pick focused on an incredibly lux, pricey Shinola wool bomber jacket, we’ll dial things back a bit this week to something a little more basic. Namely, that crucial first layer you throw on during the chillier months of fall and winter. And what else would you reach for (if you’re me, at least) than an excellent, rugged henley? If you hadn’t yet gotten the memo, I can resend — I’m a huge fan of henleys, be they short-sleeve or long-sleeve, for the tough styling potential they provide. You can style them just about any way you please — under a shawl cardigan, beneath a leather jacket, or even underneath a dark navy buttondown. And while I’ve spotlighted Pistol Lake and other brands a good amount, I’m a considerate man when it comes to henleys — particularly in those instances when the brand that produces said henley does so with a great cause in mind. United By Blue has popped up on this small corner of the blogosphere a few times (namely in this Style Q&A), and its Standard Henley in Navy is the weekly Pick this go-round for all kinds of good (and stylish) reasons.

A chambray trim, three-button placket and ribbed waffle knit all provide points of visual interest.

This two-tone henley is crafted from 100% organic cotton, a big selling point if you’re an eco-conscious shopper (and in this era, that should be something to which more of us pay attention, ehh?). It’s a waffle ribbed cotton knit, so it’s got some good texture to it — enough so that you shouldn’t feel out of place rocking it under, say, a blue chambray shirt, or even as the top half of an outfit featuring navy sneakers. It features a modern but not too constraining fit — and if’s going to be a bottom layer anyway, maybe it’s not such a bad thing that it’s sold out in a Large at the moment? Here’s the real kicker though — when you buy it, United By Blue will remove one pound of trash from local and regional waterways, and it enlists its friendly and helpful employees to get out in the community to do so. Pretty cool, yeah? At $54, it’s a bit more than your average henley — it could be a nice splurge purchase as a gift, or even a request for good ol’ Santa? Back to the product, though — the chambray trim gives it some nice visual contrast, so I’d say don’t be afraid to rock this under a brown wool blazer and some grey trousers for a high-low office outfit. Of course, it’ll more than hold its own with some great fall and winter corduroys and a casual cardigan for casual days. See, you can and should wear a henley like this as many ways as possible.

Have you shopped with United By Blue before? What’s your take on this henley?

September 19, 2015September 18, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Standard Shirt Spread Collar Dress Shirt

Rocking the Standard Spread Collar Shirt at a lovely Michigan wedding. Silver knit tie by Banana Republic. Tie bar by The Tie Bar. Navy suit and floral pocket square by J. Crew. Tan suede Chelsea boots by ASOS. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta. Glasses by Warby Parker.

Whereas last week’s Style Pick post covered the very well-made (and very expensive) Boiled Wool Sweatpant from Apolis, this week’s Style Pick takes things in a more classic — and dressier — direction. As you head toward wedding season (or even just return to throwing on more suits now that summer’s winding down), hardworking basics are going to be your best friend. That’s especially true of the classic (and more and more underrated) white dress shirt. The team at Standard Shirt passed along one of its, well, standard shirts for review, and I had the chance to test-drive it during a Michigan wedding. The quality is to be applauded, and it presents a great argument for wearing a crisp white dress shirt more often. The company aims to make the best dress shirt in your closet, and its focus on doing that is exceptionally tight — they offer just two shirt styles, both in crisp white. Founded by three friends in New York City, the company’s singular focus is reflected in its partnership with an expert textile industry insider in Seoul, Korea and the shirts definitely represent that focus. One features a cutaway collar, while the other features a standard (that word keeps coming up) spread collar. And for only $59, this shirt can give those other, pricier options in your closet a run for their money.

Two collar styles in a basic — yet essential white dress shirt.

In addition to that noticeable and welcome price differential, a few other key things jump out about the Spread Collar option from Standard Shirt. It’s got a wider collar than many other dress shirts on the market right now that I’ve encountered — I was a bit hesitant to try this style out at first, but it’s a positive. It complemented my tailored yet not overly trim suit (plus the slightly more traditional break on my suit pants). The wider collar also helped the collar of the shirt hold its shape better even with a tie, and it created a pretty pleasing visual effect — no slim collars a la One Direction here. And it’s part of a swing back to more classic tailoring in the broader menswear world — trim cuts, but not severely skinny, seem to be coming back; just look at the type of dress shirts that James Bond will wear in SPECTRE. There’s still something to be said for keeping everything in proportion — that means your lapels should be the same width as your tie, which should be the same width as your shirt collar. That means this shirt in particular gives wider lapels and a thicker tie knot some more strength and visual heft — a definite positive when rocking some strong tailoring. This is the type of shirt that would do well with V-neck sweaters and even on its own under a suit. At $59, picking up one or two could leave you set for white shirts for a while — and if you should find you like it so much that you want more from them? Well, you can pick up any style you want — as long as it’s white! You won’t regret it.

How often do you wear a classic white dress shirt? Any experience with Standard Shirt?

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