My friends, welcome to the first Friday Read of 2024! It’s hard to believe, but as of this writing, I’ll have been running this humble style blog for more than a decade, from my college bedroom back in Michigan to my abode in Brooklyn (which you might have seen glimpses of if you follow me on Instagram).

It’s all a great time for reflection and perspective, especially with a new year already barreling by rather quickly. Crucially, it’s one of my favorite times to think on the best menswear essentials to guide the path ahead (perhaps including a new timepiece — like the one above — from my friends at Huckberry, yes?).

As we’ve talked about here on the blog, a new year can be a great time for a style reset or revamp, or it can be a great time to consider what you like about your wardrobe, what you want to continue wearing and what you might need to switch up entirely. There are really no hard-and-fast rules out there (some of the time, at least). Sure, more casual trends like athleisure are firmly now in the mainstream, yes, but some guidelines certainly still apply.

And here at The Style Guide, we go for a mix of versatility, comfort and effortless style, with an emphasis on classics updated for modern times.

Take the rugged, durable Timex x Huckberry watch at the top of the page — it’s the kind of timepiece you can wear on your wrist alongside the rolled sleeves of an Oxford shirt, but it’s dependable enough to wear in the yard for days of winter work.

As to some of those other rules out there: Black tie dress codes are still black tie, big-time client and work meetings might still require a suit, but if you find yourself shifting between say, working from home, hitting the road and heading back into the office, things might tend to feel a bit all over the place.

Hopefully, this blog is a helpful resource, since style is rarely ever just “one thing” — it’s the right blazer and chinos at the office, but it’s knowing when you can mix in a chambray shirt, or when you should opt for an Oxford shirt and knit tie, for instance. You see, folks? Versatility is the key, and you should look to pieces that move seamlessly between scenarios.

That’s why I tend to lean on brands I can trust, brands that make modern variations of the classics. I’m talking about the kind of pieces and brands that you can mix and match, be it a Buck Mason Oxford shirt and a Huckberry wool blazer or Taylor Stitch chinos, a rugged henley and a shawl-collar cardigan for a blend of high-low style. At least, that’s how I’ve found myself dressing on frigid Brooklyn winter days so far.

For me, it’s all about striving to put my best foot forward: Even when working from home, I choose to opt for comfortable yet stylish basics like a merino T-shirt and stretch joggers, the kind I feel comfortable even wearing to run errands around the neighborhood.

What are your menswear resolutions in 2024?

Use The Style Guide to help get there!

How about you? I’d love to hear about your style goals for the new year: Do you want to dress up more “just because,” be it days at the office or date night? Do you want to find the perfect pair of jeans and rugged leather boots? Or do you want to upgrade your off-duty joggers and sneakers for remote work? Or, heck, something else entirely?

And what brands are you relying on to get the job done to kick off a new year? Keep me posted in the comments below and on The Style Guide Facebook page, and here’s to an even more resourceful, stylish and yes, fun year here on this very blog! Cheers, my friends, thank you for reading and let’s really get after it in 2024.