Tag / men’s style writing

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: New York Fashion Week: Men’s, Pocket Watches and Travel Style

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.

Can you believe we’re already into February? With a busy week of menswear trade shows — and crucially, New York Fashion Week: Men’s — in the books, I’m more than ready for a relaxing weekend. That being said, it’s definitely been a treat over the past week or so to catch up with so many great friends in the menswear industry between hopping around to events and checking out runway shows from the likes of Style Guide favorite Todd Snyder. Seriously, there are some very good things in the works for Fall 2017, from beautiful outerwear to next-level tailoring. On top of the great clothes, it’s special to meet outstanding people and see where the industry is headed. From my very first New York Fashion Week: Men’s experience way back in July 2015 until now, it’s been amazing to witness firsthand a changing industry, all the while writing and learning about it along the way.

And with that being said, I’m more than excited to return home to Michigan for what should be an awesome, reflective few days spent with great friends and family — I try to get back as often as I can, and I’m particularly excited to explore Beer City U.S.A. this time around (that’d be Grand Rapids, folks). In fact, I’d say I’ll be dressed in essential winter travel style along the way. Now, if you’re looking to check a few items off your own travel bucket list, I’d say you should start with my summer trip to Grand Rapids,  and then look back to my rugged fall trip to Michigan while we’re here (talk about a throwback!). In the meantime, read a few choice #menswear pieces below, and follow along with my weekend travels on Instagram  and on Twitter.  Know that in the week ahead, we’ve got some exciting things planned —another great Style Pick tomorrow, for starters. Enjoy the weekend and TGIF!

  • Odds are, you don’t own a pocket watch — right? If you’re feeling nostalgic or yearning for a simper time, Luftbery Pocket Watches has you covered in terms of, well, a new pocket watch. It’s a recent launch on Kickstarter, and it just might be something to set you apart from those of us who consistently check our time on our phones.  Get a look at the brand’s site here.
  • Did you see last week’s Style Pick? If not, acquaint yourself as soon as possible with the Danner Mountain Light Boots — they steal some style inspiration from James Bond, and they’re tough, sleek and ready for anything this winter.
  • In addition to his, err, questionable policy-making (to say the least), Donald Trump’s menswear track record is quickly taking a dive — Esquire examines the fact that the man just does not know how to tie a tie (or do much else).
  • Last but certainly not least — it was a real treat this past week to sort through the essential, durable goods produced by Huckberry, especially considering chilly winter weather — yes, take a look at Huckberry’s best winter gear via one of my recent posts for The Manual.

And one more thing…

  • What’s not to love about the retro sportswear inspiration and near-perfect fabrications of the Todd Snyder x Champion collection? The latest release is this stellar Todd Snyder x Champion Baracuta Jacket, as I covered for GearMoose.

OK folks, that’s all we’ve got today — with that being said, I’m off to have some brews in Grand Rapids!

Until tomorrow’s Style Pick…

-Beau

by Beau H.

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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by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Kings of Leon, Menswear Trade Shows and SuitSupply

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.

Menswear never sleeps, especially not if it’s Friday and there’s more work to be done before the end of the week. Welcome back to The Friday Read, where we’re going through all the men’s style tips and essentials you need to know to kick off your weekend, well, in style. We’re a few days closer to the positively massive and hectic trade show season in New York City, followed by another edition of New York Fashion Week: Men’s. I’m looking forward to scoping out new brands at the likes of Capsule Show and Liberty Fairs, just as I did on a summer trip to Las Vegas via my PR day job (with a bit of hustling on the side, of course).  Checking out new brands and reconnecting with great supporters at Style Guide favorites like Owen & Fred and Tanner Goods is always pretty great — if a little tiring between the daily grind and the afterparties! So, I’m definitely going to enjoy this weekend — particularly kicking it off tonight by seeing the arena-sized rock show that is Kings of Leon! To see a show at Madison Square Garden is pretty special, and that’s no more true than with a group you’ve followed since middle school.  Of course, I’ll be dressed in rock concert style — no doubt about that. What are you weekend plans? If it’s chilly where you are, I hope you layer up in classic winter style — there’s no better way to dress for the season, trust me.  Enjoy the weekend, thanks for reading and join us for a winter travel-centric Style Pick of the Week tomorrow.

  • Who knows how much gear is still left on the brand’s digital shelves, but the fine folks at SuitSupply opened up the SuitSupply online outlet for your shopping pleasure earlier this week — it’s the type of sale that many get excited about every year, and with great deals on slick tailoring and accessories, it’s not hard to see why.  Just how to style that new winter suit, though? Have I got the tailored #OOTD for you.
  • If we’re talking handmade craftsmanship and fine attention to detail, then we’re talking Markhor, a footwear company out of Pakistan that’s changing the industry’s approach to stylish men’s dress shoes — and trying valiantly to do so. I covered the brand via my latest post for The Manual, and it really was great to learn more about the unique and intriguing ways in which they craft their sleek, classic shoes.
  • Let’s step outside the menswear world for a second — and you might want to grab your headphones, because the xx put out “I See You,” the best album of this young year, last Friday … if you haven’t been able to stop listening, you’re not alone. It’s filled with essential tracks rendered with lush music, and I’d say they’re an essential act to see come summer festival season.
  • Before New York City’s menswear trade shows and the resulting fashion week scene heat up, take a look at GQ.com’s rundown of the best Milan street style  from the European style circuit.

Thanks, as always, for reading — and enjoy the weekend!

-Beau

Beckett Simonon

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Golden Globes, Bridge and Burn and Daniel Craig’s Winter Style

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.

We’ve nearly reached the end of quite the week in NYC (and elsewhere)… particularly if you follow politics. I have a feeling we’ll be saying that a lot in the weeks and months to come, but for now, let’s keep things strictly focused on all the good that came out of the #menswear world this week — shall we?  Crucially, if you don’t have any 2017 style resolutions set up yet, fear not — there’s still time! And with a new and refreshed approach comes a whole host of other valuable insights to step up your style, from how to suit up this winter to the best winter boots to buy now — seriously, these are all men’s style upgrades you can make like, right now. If you’re keeping your eye on other lifestyle endeavors, like upgrading your home goods, know that we’ve got some helpful content coming your way in the next few weeks. And in the meantime, did you enter this week’s reader giveaway with the great folks at Friday and River?? No, you say? Well, you’ve got until tonight — so, get to it while you can. And if you need something to read while you work on this chilly Friday, the below pieces ought to have you covered — for at least part of the day.

  • Did you happen to catch the Golden Globes? Perhaps you’ve read about ’em a little bit here and there (or a lot), but one man with show-stealing style? Donald Glover, y’all. Esquire.com breaks down Donald Glover’s Golden Globes style — and it was memorable and sharp.
  • Remember the good folks at Bridge and Burn? Purveyors of plenty of great style gear, including one of this site’s best denim shirts to buy now? Yes, those guys. They’re back with a great deal to get your wardrobe sorted in 2017. Now through January 15th, use the code ‘SAVE30’ to get 30 percent off all Bridge and Burn gear! That’s a heck of a deal from a brand that makes investment-worthy goods — might I suggest something winter-ready, like the Bedford Navy Multi-Stripe Shirt? Or perhaps a personal favorite, the Flint Denim Overshirt? You’d do well to buy and layer either one, be it over a rugged henley or atop your favorite crewneck sweatshirt and tough selvedge denim.
  • Here at ye olde Style Guide, we love rugged winter layering. So who better to show us how it’s done than everyone’s favorite Bond himself, Daniel Craig? GQ.com takes us through a seriously cozy and still-stylish fit from a guy who knows a thing or two about rugged style. The man is definitely to be emulated, that much is true.

We’re not done with our weekly dose of menswear yet …

  • Although I love writing about classic men’s accessories like stylish weekender bags, it can be nice to switch it up every now and then — take my latest piece for GearMoose, for instance. I don’t know if I’d rock a rolltop backpack every day, but if a new bag upgrade is what you need, I’d point you toward my roundup of the best men’s rolltop backpacks. Happy reading!

OK, we’re all wrapped up with this edition of the Friday Read — join us for our Style Pick of the Week tomorrow, and enter the Friday and River giveaway while there’s still time.

Cheers everyone,

-Beau

by Beau H.

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

by Beau H.

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

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Bastille, Greg Lauren and A Huckberry Giveaway

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.

We’re through the end of another week, and we’re just a bit closer to Christmas — if you’re one who celebrates the holiday season, that is. It’s also a great time of year in the menswear world — it’s time to drop a few hints about your men’s style holiday wish list, it’s time to gear up with stylish snow gear, and it’s time to get a big jump on your holiday shopping for her. With all those wheels in motion, it made for an extra-busy week at The Style Guide. It kicked off with a really neat, special Monday night — it’s not too often you get the chance to check out a band as big as Bastille  in a venue as intimate as the renowned Bowery Ballroom, but the lauded British indie pop band returned to NYC to make up a special show originally scheduled for October. It was a fantastic night of live music — lead singer Dan Smith is smooth, poised and energetic, with a great band behind him. They played their way through one of the best pop albums of the year — that would be “Wild World” — with a few slightly older hits (“Pompeii” among them!) thrown in for good measure. Songs like “Warmth” and “The Currents” really shone through in a live setting, too. It was a treat to see them in such an intimate venue — and it was even better to catch them the very next night at Manhattan’s cavernous Pier 36 for the very cool Pandora Holiday Live event, which also featured scores of fans on-hand for Bishop Briggs and the energetic (if divisive) British mega-band The 1975 , a group who seem to be everywhere nowadays. If you can, I’d definitely recommend catching Bastille at one of a number of festivals this summer — they’ll surely be there! While summer festival season sounds mighty nice right about now, maybe you’ve got to dress in style for your holiday party, or get a jump on the weekend, so let’s get on with it — we’ve got you covered with this week’s #menswear news.

Nautica

A standout giveaway from everyone's favorite lifestyle purveyor.

A standout giveaway from everyone’s favorite lifestyle site.

  • Alright, so this is a pretty big deal. Purveyors of a stunning mix of men’s lifestyle and style goods, Huckberry is doing it big this holiday season with its Golden Holiday 2016 contest. It’s four straight weeks of neat holiday prizes you can only find at Huckberry, running from now until December 18th. What was last week’s prize? A sweet Secret Agent kit featuring some seriously stylish tailored gear from Trumaker. And this week’s prize? Potentially even cooler. It’s a bespoke sailing adventure — yes, you read that right — on a private yacht around one of a handful of beautiful locations: Maine, the British Virgin Islands, Croatia or Greece, all thanks to Huckberry partners Sailing Collective. Now, how to enter? Those who place an order via Huckberry this week are in the running — every purchase gets you Coal Hard Cash, which you can redeem 24 hours after said purchase to find out if you’ve won Huckberry credit (up to $500!) or, better yet, the incredible top prize (no exaggeration here). But wait! There are two more weeks of prizes upcoming! Yes sir, that’s right. Does it get any better? Learn more, buy away & enter at Huckberry.
  • Want to mix a few more pieces with some high-fashion edge into your wardrobe? That task just got a little easier thanks to a new collaboration between Greg Lauren and Banana Republic.  Although at first it might seem unlikely given Lauren’s penchant for distressed, luxurious takes on style essentials, it’s a partnership through the Council of Fashion Designers that resulted in a 16-piece capsule collection. Of those 16 pieces, there are quite a few that are, well, pricey (a $3,000 cashmere overcoat, anyone?), but it’s a neat blend of the traditional and the unexpected that you should check out via the above feature at GQ.com.
  • In sneaker-related news, your favorite Brooklyn sneaker brand — Style Guide favorite GREATS  — is releasing an outstanding, sleek and stylish take on its lauded Royale silhouette. The good news for those of us who like to break out sneakers until the first snowfall hits? The new version of the Royale comes in a seasonally appropriate, deep navy blue “Jeans Suede” color that would team quite effectively with your favorite crewneck sweater and a trusty chambray shirt on casual winter weekends (sans snow, of course).

Want to read one more feature before the weekend?

Now, we’ve reached the end of the Friday Read this week — enter that Huckberry giveaway ASAP and add a few pieces to your Men’s Holiday Style Wish List now!

Stay stylish!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Veterans Day, Sword and Plough and Glenfiddich Whisky

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.

Well. Hey, what a week, right? Onward and upward. On this Friday, it’s a good reason to reflect and bring us all togehter– Veterans Day should bring with it great appreciation for the men and women who’ve served, and continue to serve so bravely. And a bit of a focus on the lifestyle companies that help support those veterans never goes wrong, either. Is there anything better than buying stylish, quality menswear for a great cause? If you’ve got some plans to do that this weekend, I think you’ll like the content we have in store below. And if your weekend brings with it other plans, it still pays to keep in mind some crucial men’s style tips — like how to dress for fall travel, or how to buy your new favorite henley (all crucial, you see). And if it’s getting really chilly where you are? Layer up with a stylish flannel shirt or a slim cardigan. You can, of course, look for our weekly Style Pick tomorrow — and stay tuned, ‘cuz it’ll get you shopping via Huckberry quicker than you can move your mouse. For now, catch up on the week in menswear — and the weekend to come.

A duffle built with military-grade fabric and inspiration.

A duffle built with military-grade fabric and inspiration.

    • First up in our Veteran’s Day rundown? A company that keeps the sacrifices of our armed forces front and center in everything it does, from its use of repurposed military fabrics to its mission of supporting vets through all phases of production. Sword and Plough  is launching a new duffle bag inspired by co-founder Emily Nunez’s experience with her U.S. Army duffle. It’s built with that same durability in mind and available in either Camo or Olive — the Camo version is lined in surplus 500-denier nylon fabric, while the Olive version is lined in a surplus cotton/nylon twill (originally meant for older military uniforms, but unused).  Oh, and the leather accents even come from the brand’s Redwing, Minn., which itself is a major military supplier. Get it ASAP via Sword and Plough, and know that the brand’s weekender bags — one of which I took with me on a fall trip to Providence — are just as quality.

  • If you fancy yourself in the market for a smaller accessory that pays homage to military inspiration you can’t go wrong with a rugged, durable and stylish casual watch via AVI-8.  Makers of handsome timepieces, they’re offering 30 percent off the brand’s Flyboy Collection now through Monday, November 14th using the code ‘Flyboy‘  — of course, as to the watches themselves, you can’t go wrong with the Flyboy Tuck, inspired by Royal Air Force flying ace Robert Stanford Tuck. The Flyboy Mesh is also clean, crisp and stylish enough for both casual and more refined wear. What are you waiting for, yeah?
  • Now, it’s not quite Veteran’s Day-related, but your footwear closet might need a new addition. CLAE and Style Guide favorite JackThreads just teamed up on a stylish sneaker collaboration that’s in need of your time. The CLAE x JackThreads Bradley is a refined low-top black sneaker with a patent leather cap toe and heel — not your everyday set of kicks. And the CLAE x JackThreads Strayhorn Mid is a unique, affordable and super-stylish high-top chukka sneaker with a wool upper. Yes, you’ll want to wear this with a classic chambray shirt, your favorite cardigan and dark denim soon — very soon.

Want one last way to toast to the weekend?

  • Craft bee is a big passion of mine. Whisky? Not all the time. But whisky aged in craft beer barrels? Bingo. See, we’re not all menswear here at The Style Guide. If that’s the case for you as well, you’d be wise to keep your eyes open for the new Glenfiddich India Pale Ale Cask Finish, a single malt scotch whiskey finished in IPA craft beer barrels and released last month. It’s part of the Glennfiddich Expermental Series, and it’s certainly got the rich flavor and nuanced details to back it up. It’s now out in the public, too  — keep your eyes  open for it at luxury whiskey retail stores, along with premium bars and hotels across the U.S. Cheers!

That brings us to the end of this week’s Friday Read — again, stick around for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, and stay stylish!

-Beau

by Beau H.

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

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Bastille, U.S. Authentic Leather Jackets and National Sneaker Day

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.

Do you ever reach the end of a week and look back at what a whirlwind it was? That was the case for me, starting even as the week kicked off. Live music is a real passion of mine, and in place of my typical Sunday dinner, I bought a last-minute ticket to The Meadows Afterparty — shows following the first-ever iteration of The Meadows Festival, to see an all-time favorite band, The Temper Trap!  Talk about an unexpected Sunday night opportunity and a tremendous show, at that. If you get the chance, the group’s new album, “Thick As Thieves,” adds a dash of blistering Southern rock influence to their impressive discography (hearing “Sweet Disposition” live was an absolute treat for a Sunday night!).

That led into another unexpected, last-second opportunity — you haven’t lived until you’ve scrambled to snag a ticket on StubHub for Bastille, the extraordinary pop-rock band who blew up the airwaves with “Pompeii” three years ago. It was a very rare treat to see them play at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, one of my favorite venues in New York City, as part of a special mini-tour preceding a truly global effort in support of their excellent second album, “Wild World.” It was made all the more special by the small crowd (see this video as an example!) and the fact that they played nearly all the way through the new album — soon-to-be hits like “Blame” and “Power” are truly live standouts! Catch them on tour if you get the chance (nudge, nudge). Of course, I took it all in stride dressed for a rock concert. It’s a privilege to be able to catch so many great shows multiple nights a week, especially here in the Big Apple! Please go see Bastille if you get the chance — you won’t regret it! And as to the rest of the week, well, we’ll just have to catch up on all things menswear below. It’s bound to be just as busy of a weekend, as I’m hosting my family up from Florida — look for a full personal style blog post coming on Monday!

  • So, get this — National Sneaker Day is coming up on October 9th (who knew?) and the folks at Brooks Heritage want to set you up right, namely with an array of colorful, classic silhouettes that they’ve perfected through the decades. Having checked out a pair of the brand’s Chariot Heritage sneakers, I can vouch for their comfort and quality! See how to style them (for warmer weather, admittedly) in this personal style blog post.
  • Speaking of National Sneaker Day — have you caught wind of the stellar made-in-America partnership between New Balance and Danner? The two brands have teamed up on the American Pioneer Project, one part domestic manufacturing effort and major parts stellar menswear collaboration. First up — the made-in-Maine Danner x New Balance 585, a heck of a premium sneaker made from Horween leather, featuring the kind of silhouette you can wear easily with a blazer and dark blue denim. And thereafter — the Danner Light x New Balance Boot, a hybrid hiking boot featuring New Balance’s signature color palette and a neat blend of materials (we’re talking Horween leather, Cordura mesh and grey suede, to start). Shop ’em now, wear ’em all season!

  • Although a stylish cardigan is a fall menswear must-have, it’s just as essential to have a closet stocked with other sharp sweaters — like these Jamieson’s of Shetland Crew Knits as covered by Well-Spent this week.
  • We all love a rugged Western shirt (like the one seen in this #OOTD), right? Well, GQ covered an especially expensive iteration this week — oh, boy.
  • In need of a new briefcase? Give THE WINGCASE a try — the brand just launched a Kickstarter funding effort for what they’re calling “the smartest briefcase in the world,” complete with a built-in charger and two-in-one functionality via removable compartments. It’s funding quickly, so get on it while it lasts!

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Oh, and one last thing — if you need a durable, heritage-quality leather jacket, check out this week’s #OOTD covering a great option from U.S. Authentic, a brand that’s new to the scene but doing things the right way when it comes to stylish outerwear.

That’s all for this week — keep up with this weekend’s menswear looks via Instagram, and in the meantime — stay stylish,

-Beau