Tag / nyc style

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Cross Pens, Javier Bardem and Stylish Bar Crawl Gear

Welcome to another weekly #menswear recap, whereby we’re looking back at some choice reads you should tick through this weekend. How was your week? It was a busy one in the Brooklyn “office” of The Style Guide, what with a PR client event via my day job on Wednesday night at the luxurious Beekman Hotel and a plethora of blogging in between. It’s a tough, sometimes sleep-deprived gig, but someone’s gotta do it! And in that regard, I sure am glad it’s the weekend.

Sutro Shoes Inc.

If you’re setting out on a spring adventure, here’s the weekender bag you need to buy now. And if you could use some help organizing the rest of your gear, feast your eyes upon stylish dopp kits for spring travel. Oh, and if your weekend per chance calls for an early spring wedding? Wear any one of my picks for stylish men’s dress shoes to shop now. In the meantime, we’ve got a few more items for your perusal below — it’s quite tough to believe we’re nearly into May and staring down summer. I, for one, cannot wait for music festival season and a bit of summer travel. But for now, I think I’ll look toward Friday happy hour, some light reading and enjoyable spring weather. Join me, won’t ya? See you tomorrow for our Style Pick of the Week, and you can catch some of my style pursuits in the meantime on Instagram. Lastly — thanks for reading!
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  • I know I’ve been struck by the talent and deep, brooding and well, terrifying nature of some of Javier Bardem’s on-screen characters. Esquire continues to prove why they’re the best around when it comes to engaging and insightful profiles, and I’d urge you to check out their profile on Javier Bardem  from this month’s print issue. Better yet, get out there and buy a copy.
  • Want a light spring jacket or a pair of breezy trousers made with substantial, yet pliable, cotton fabric? Want them done up in one of a few beautiful shades of blue? That’s where the men’s and women’s style purveyors at 13 Bonaparte come into play. The French brand makes carefully crafted, refreshingly easygoing pieces fit for spring layering, from workwear shirt-jackets to band-collar shirts and unique, lightweight cotton trousers. The pieces are interchangeable via the brand’s numbered collection system (so, numbers 1-9, for example). The brand also releases two core collections a year, but it was the cool-looking denim shirt-jackets that caught my eye during a recent tour of the collection with Founder and Artistic Director David Sarfati. In all, it’s a continental take on pieces you already know  — and only through this weekend, you can find them in NYC! Venture on down to 2 Rivington Street through Sunday to get a look at the brand yourself, and shop the 13 Bonaparte site for more.
  • A lightweight spring henley is both specific and yet oddly tough to find, from time to time. I recently wrote about the Flint and Tinder Slub Henley and why you should buy it — and I’m here to tell you again: Buy it, layer it, wear it on its own… when those breezy spring and summer beach nights come along, you won’t regret it. And if you need an idea of just how to style it, take a look at our recent feature on how to upgrade your henley this season.

  • Looking for a new addition to your everyday carry? It would behoove you to check out the excellent, tech-minded Cross Pens Peerless TrackR Pen. This ballpoint pen blends a pleasing weight and nice writing ability with the sort of technology more common to a Bond film. It syncs up with an app that tracks its location at all times — not too shabby. And it’d be a great Father’s Day gift — if you’re shopping around early, that is.

Last but certainly not least ….

  • It seems to me that patio drinking season is in full force — at least, judging by the crowds around Brooklyn. Given that, I’d wager you’ll need some stylish bar crawl. And so I give you two guides: my 2016 guide to how to dress for a spring bar crawl, and my most recent bar crawl style guide for The Manual. Have a good one out there!

That’s it for today, folks.

Stay stylish for now,

-Beau

Greats

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.

You’re Invited! Casio G-Shock Master of G Collection Event

Editor’s note: Thank you to Men’s Health and Casio G-SHOCK for sponsoring this post.  All opinions are my own.  Thanks for reading, and thanks for supporting the brands that support The Style Guide!

I would say one of the best — and certainly most fun — parts about being part of the menswear community in New York City revolves around connecting with standout brands, fellow writers and bloggers, and great causes. It makes for a busy schedule, but a heck of a fun time. And judging by the fact that you read this blog, we’re all along for this neat ride together. That’s why I’m excited to attend the Casio G-SHOCK Master of G Collection Event later this week in New York City. The event is brought to you by Men’s Health, it features the (very shoppable) Tourneau-exclusive Master of G Collection and perhaps most importantly …. you’re invited! If you’re a Style Guide reader in NYC, you’ll get to attend this neat event — all you need to do is send me an email! What exactly is on tap? Plenty, including free food and drinks!

Set to take place at the elegant Tourneau TimeMachine space (at 57th Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan) this coming Thursday, December 1st from 6 to 8 p.m., you’ll get the chance to both shop and view up-close some truly sturdy, durable, rugged and well-designed watches via Casio’s G-SHOCK line. These are the type of watches that can brave the cold of winter, the depths of ocean dives and global travel — and your daily commute. Plus, you can hang with the excellent folks from the Men’s Health Style team and members of the G-SHOCK first responders team — real guys in the field who love and wear Casio watches in their line of work (hey, being a Navy SEAL calls for a pretty tough watch).

Lastly, a portion of the proceeds from watch sales at the event will go to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named in honor of firefighter Stephen Siller, who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11. The foundation continues to support our first responders while honoring Stephen’s legacy — it’s crucially important work. Oh, and the winner of this year’s Ultimate Men’s Health Guy contest, Jed Ballard, will be there to share details of his journey. Jed’s story is a neat, inspiring one — you can read more of it via Men’s Health. So, does that sound good to you? Maybe? Hopefully? If you’ll be around and you’re down to attend, drop me a note via beauhayhoe@gmail.com, or DM me on Twitter @BoKnowsClothes! Sound good? Get it, got it, good? Alright!

by Beau H.

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

by Beau H.

Bring on October: An early fall weekend in New York

Editor’s note: Click here for another seasonal men’s style post. Thanks to Forever21 Men for providing specific products featured in this post. Thanks for supporting the brands that support The Style Guide!

Getting around town in style with the Karnes Alpine Hiker thanks to Johnston & Murphy. Head to the brand's new NYC menswear store at 200 5th Avenue if you get the chance! Ivy Blazer by Grayers. Blue Oxford by JackThreads. Silver knit tie by Banana Republic. Trusty 508 Jeans by Levi's. Glasses by Frameri.

Getting around town in style for a family weekend with the Karnes Alpine Hiker thanks to Johnston & Murphy. Head to the brand’s new NYC menswear store at 200 5th Avenue if you get the chance! Ivy Blazer by Grayers. Blue Oxford by JackThreads. Silver knit tie by Banana Republic. Trusty 508 Jeans by Levi’s. Glasses by Frameri.

There are several things I’ve been eagerly awaiting these past few weeks, from an amazing Lucius concert in New York City to a proper transition to fall style and notably, my family’s visit to the Big Apple this past weekend. My mom and sister joined me in exploring in NYC this past May (dressed in style, of course), and although I saw my family in Florida at the end of August, it was a much-needed and ultra-fun weekend in my adopted home this time around. And the highlights were certainly aplenty for a relatively quick four-day trip — starting with the neat event pictured at the top of the page (more in a minute). My parents and sister joined me in Brooklyn at my humble abode (the backdrop to my Instagram photos, as it were), and we really did pack a lot into their trip — we’re talking everything from Broadway shows to NYC exploration and of course, a crucial Sunday brunch. It was a lot to take in, so I brought my A-plus #menswear game — and then some.

My family arrived into town on Thursday, right as I was taking part in a very cool event — perhaps the neatest thing I’ve had the chance to do in my part-time gig as a style writer (oh, and pictured at the top of the page). Heritage menswear brand Johnston & Murphy just opened up a dedicated men’s shop in the Big Apple, offering up the brand’s excellent and affordable footwear, accessories and apparel in a refined, unique environment — it’s at 200 5th Avenue in NYC, when you happen to make it out here (if you’re already out East, get there — STAT!). With that in mind, they brought together a group of men’s style bloggers & writers — like yours truly — to participate in a neat menswear stunt — we’re talking jaunting around town accompanied by a bike-riding shoe-shiner, all the while decked out in stellar J&M boots. I tested out the Karnes Alpine Boot for the occasion — the beautiful quality and construction sets these apart, and they’re a steal for under $200. They’re super comfortable, to boot (pun intended!). With the event came the chance to pair up some favorite style essentials for moving to and from the office — including the lightweight, breathable Grayers Ivy Blazer, a well-worn and appropriately classic pair of Levi’s 508 Jeans and the simple, equally classic JackThreads Oxford Shirt, plus a Banana Republic knit tie (an oldie, but a goodie).  It was a great afternoon, and a very fun event in which to participate! Definitely stay tuned for more Johnston & Murphy-related content throughout the rest of the fall — the brand’s gear is just that well-made!

Of course, stopping at Johnston & Murphy and then heading back to the office made for a busy afternoon, as I caught up with my family to recap the day at Fraunces’ Tavern, a revered American tavern in operation since 1762 — yes, 1762! It’s a living, breathing part of American history — and it’s immortalized in the smash hit musical “Hamilton,” to boot.  A pro tip — they also feature the American outpost of the standout Porterhouse Brewing Company, and the restaurant’s New York strip is incredible. The historic ambience is incredible in and of itself, and the location will certainly make you feel patriotic!

The latest Style Pick? A pair of stunning American-made sneakers: The Danner x New Balance miUSA 585. Button Denim Jacket by Forever21. Heather Grey Henley and Bowie Fit Stretch Cotton Chinos by JACHS NY. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing Heritage collab. Glasses by Frameri.

The latest Style Pick? A pair of stunning American-made sneakers: The Danner x New Balance miUSA 585. Button Denim Jacket by Forever21. Heather Grey Henley and Bowie Fit Stretch Cotton Chinos by JACHS NY. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing Heritage collab. Glasses by Frameri.

Although it was a busy — and rather exhausting — Thursday, the weekend was in sight on Friday, which called for a mix of sporty and classic style to take on a day at the office and a night out in NYC. Knitwear from JACHS NY is a great bet for the changing seasons — the brand uses a nice blend of premium fabrics and neat, heritage-inspired touches. The slanted chest pocket on the Heather Grey Long-Sleeve Henley is but one example, and the fabric quality in that particular piece is definitely on-point. It was a comfortable mid-layer beneath my brand-new Forever21 Button Denim Jacket (thanks to the brand for supplying!). When teamed with my JACHS NY Forest Green Bowie Fit Stretch Cotton Chinos, the ensemble worked well for what the day had in store. In fact, I’d recommend you reach for similar transitional, long-lasting pieces for casual Friday, and in that regard, my sneaker choice more than fit the bill.
Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.
In fact, they’re a pair I’d say you should look into — the Danner x New Balance miUSA 585 is a hot-off-the-press collaboration effort between two brands that share a love of American craftsmanship, heritage and style. The sneakers are nothing short of a brilliant master class in long-lasting construction, durability and of course, stellar looks. New Balance’s ROLLBAR technology offers cushioning and support, while the Horween leather and ballistic nylon on the upper are seriously tough. Plus, it’s a really versatile sneaker, with the comfort of a Danner hiking boot and the style of a set of New Balance kicks. I could go on, but know that they more than lived up to the task of getting to and from the office and around NYC in the evening after.

saturday-grid-photo

The ideal outfit for getting around NYC and checking out two Broadway shows. Slim-Fit Striped Burgundy Shirt c/o Forever21 Men. Garment-dyed chinos by Dockers. Brown leather watch by MVMT Watches. Brown leather Chelsea boots by JackThreads. Pen by Owen & Fred.

A busy Friday night led quickly into a great Saturday around New York City — just as with my family’s May trip, we took full advantage of the opportunity to take in not one, but TWO fantastic Broadway shows through the weekend. First up on the agenda — a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the revered much-loved and all-around legendary “Hamilton” at the Richard Rodgers Theatre again; just as seeing it in May was an entirely unexpected and incredible treat (thank you, Dad!), getting the chance to see it once more was just as unexpected, just as breathtaking and just as incredible. It’s intense, it’s powerful, it’s dramatic and it makes you want to learn more about the history of our country! How cool. It’s truly a gem — every bit as good as advertised. And our second Broadway show was nearly just as momentous — the extraordinary “Cats,” a revered musical making its return to the stage in NYC after about 15 years away. Fun fact: In my first family trip to New York City back in 2000, my family and I also saw “Cats” — things really do come full circle! All that Broadway show-hopping — and a stop for a delicious dinner at the Glass House Tavern — called for sharp, easygoing style. The Slim-Fit Striped Cotton Shirt (courtesy of Forever21), helped me meet the occasion in style on my top half — particularly when matched up once again with my trusty Grayers Ivy Blazer. Slim Dockers garment-dyed chinos also teamed up nicely with the versatile, refined JackThreads Kimbo Chelsea Boot, which features quality leather, a sturdy rubber sole and the kind of styling potential you can’t get with just any pair of $110 boots.

sunday-brunch-update

An outfit ready to take on Sunday brunch. Button Denim Jacket by Forever21 Men. Cable Sweater by Dockers. White Oxford by Todd Shelton. Grey chinos by JACHS NY. Grounder High-Tops by Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Glasses by Frameri.

Both shows were an absolute joy to watch — I consider myself first and foremost a big-time menswear fan, but to be around a packed theater of fans who appreciate Broadway was pretty cool (to say the least). And again, seeing “Hamilton” for a second time — just extraordinary. The fantastic trip — and a delicious brunch to cap it off — came to an end all too quickly, but for my family’s last half-day in the city, I still did the best I could in all things #menswear. That meant grabbing a clean-cut essential, the Todd Shelton Classic White Oxford, and pairing it up with a premium Dockers sweater (the one pictured is sold-out, but the rest of the brand’s offeirngs are on-point). It was unfortuately rainy and chilly, so that weather made it ideal to break out yet another neat layering piece courtesy of Forever21, the Forever21 Buttoned Denim Jacket. I threw on a sharp-as-heck timepiece (that would be the Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch), and along with my  Grey Bowie Fit Stretch Cotton Chinos from JACHS NY, I was well and truly set for exploring Brooklyn. That meant, among other blogging pursuits, grabbing a critical brunch Bloody Mary at Building on Bond and generally enjoying the comfort and style of my Todd Snyder + P.F. Flyers Grounder Hi-Top sneakers. Seriously, grab a pair of those sneakers and resist the urge to pair them with just about everything you own.

The weekend definitely came to an end too quickly, but with the chance to catch up with my family, take in two amazing, thrilling Broadway shows and explore some NYC landmarks both new and old, it was one of the highlights of this year. There are always new adventures to have in the city, and to be able to experience those with my family — and with some great gear — is very cool. For more personal style tips, head to Instagram, and follow along with #menswear on the daily via Twitter.

Until the next weekend of adventures — stay stylish,

-Beau

P.S. Check back here tomorrow for a weekend-centric #OOTD, and a terrific men’s style shopping suggestion on Wednesday.

by Beau H.

Seasonal style: A September weekend in New York City

Editor’s note: Click through this link to read more personal style posts.

central-park-feature-edited

From the office to a Central Park concert. Chambray shirt by Old Navy. Garment-dyed chinos by Dockers. Leather chukka boots by Beckett Simonon. Runaway Aviators by MVMT Watches. Weekender Fairfield Watch by Timex. Slim Mailbag by Satchel & Page.

 

It’s hard to believe that September is very nearly in the books — and of course, we’re now officially into fall. And coincidentally, that brought with an ever-so-slight change in seasons this past weekend at The Style Guide HQ and elsewhere. While I’ve appreciated the chance to travel so much these past few months — from a Michigan wedding to a Labor Day trip to Asbury Park — the slight shift toward fall made me glad to be in New York City this past weekend; it wasn’t quite any regular weekend though, as it kicked off with a stellar concert by the amazing indie pop band Lucius, and rolled into beautiful weather and the chance to explore Brooklyn.  Although I left my trusty Owen & Fred weekender bag behind, I still met the past few days with quality #menswear top of mind.

The weekend kicked off in rather unique fashion — although I headed into the office to cap off a busy week in fashion PR, I had to dress in versatile style. Of course, that goes without saying — but as I trekked from the office up to Central Park thereafter for a stellar Lucius concert via the Central Park SummerStage series, it was particularly important. I hauled my gear in my trusty Satchel & Page Slim Mailbag — handy for getting to and from the office. I also reached for a slim-fitting, textured Old Navy chambray shirt — it was the ideal weight for temperatures that were quite hot, but not sweltering (like the weather during my summer Las Vegas trip).  A chambray shirt is a great four-season essential, especially at a very agreeable price — and it teamed nicely with my Dockers garment-dyed chinos for an upgraded casual Friday look. This particular pair of Dockers chinos fit slim and are made of substantial, durable (yet breathable) fabric — again, a great four-season essential. And on the footwear front, I stuck with stylish leather chukka boots from Beckett Simonon — much like the slim chambray shirt, they’re the rare pair of footwear that can go from the office to a concert in one move. Although the brand has dress shoes for sale right now, I’d keep an eye out for future releases — these chukkas are comfortable, super and unique, thanks to the three-eye laces and sleek silhouette. I accented those essentials with another reliable casual accessory — my Timex Weekender Fairfield ; it’s a crisp, classic and subtle timepiece that moved from office to concert just as easily thanks to the slate green NATO strap.  And what a show it was!

lucius-photo-2

An otherworldly performance from Lucius — and a privilege to be so close to the stage.

Lucius is certainly one of my favorite bands — the melodic five-piece always puts on a stellar show. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel upstate earlier this summer to see them in at the rustic Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, and this time around, the show was certainly just as thrilling. Having the chance to get very close to the stage certainly made it all the more poignant – Lucius excels when they connect with a crowd. Led by the lovely Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, nearly every song is a sight to behold — their voices just play that well off each other. It’s a show of their dedication that they work so well together — from the moment they kicked off the show with “Go Home,” the magic really never stopped. They’re a group with great variety in their setlist — you get the feeling that they could play either “Wildewoman,” their 2013 debut, or “Good Grief,” this year’s sophomore album, in its entirety and fans would enjoy it just as much. An encore even brought out the legendary Jackson Browne, who joined Holly and Jess on a version of “Willin’,” an unexpected and welcome surprise! The rest of the show was just as much of a treat for fans. From carefully composed tracks like the beautifully sung “Dusty Trails” and “How Loud Your Heart Gets,” to the jaunty “Almost Makes Me Wish for Rain” and brand-new track “Pulling Teeth,” (which brought Holly and Jess into the crowd), Lucius never missed a note.  The fact that they can transition from an upbeat sing-along like “Born Again Teen” to the lilting, haunting melody of “Gone Insane” within the same show is a testament to their versatility and skill — seriously, support this band if ever they tour near you! I can’t recommend them enough — and with a packed crowd on hand, I’m glad I had those durable Beckett Simonon chukkas to help my feet stay comfortable through the concert; all that jockeying for position (not a mosh pit, but still) lent itself to plenty of time on my feet.

Rugged essentials for a slight transition to fall. Flint Overshirt and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Kramer Sneakers by UGG for Men. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing Heritage collab. Brass bottle opener by Owen & Fred.

Rugged essentials for a slight transition to fall. Flint Overshirt and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Kramer Sneakers by UGG for Men. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing Heritage collab. Brass bottle opener by Owen & Fred.

Again, it was a truly thrilling show that kicked off a stellar weekend — despite a terrible home loss by my beloved Michigan State Spartans to Wisconsin. Admittedly, that put a damper on an otherwise beautiful Saturday that brought with it exciting freelance writing work — more details on that soon — and some exploration of Prospect Park, to boot. As the weather finally felt a  bit more fall-like (especially with a cool breeze), I was able to break out the rugged, well-crafted Flint Overshirt from Bridge and Burn. The overshirt is substantial but not too heavy, dyed with rich indigo and lined in soft plaid flannel. It’s just about everything you could ask for in a rugged fall overshirt, and with a slimmer fit than bulky, workwear-style overshirts of years past, it’s a decidedly modern style upgrade.

Huckberry
Although it would pair up nicely with a slim henley, I styled it with a lightweight Richer Poorer pocket tee – it’s a soft, slim-fitting basic that every guy should have in his wardrobe for transitional layering. That simple get-up was complemented with sturdy selvedge denim from Raleigh Denim Workshop. Featuring a tapered cut through the thigh and a slim-straight fit from the knee down, they fit the way sturdy denim should fit – and so far, they’ve broken in quite nicely. To cap off my Saturday look, I had to reach for my ever-present Frameri glasses, plus the versatile Kramer leather sneaker from UGG For Men. With the cut of a chukka boot plus a nice rich color, they broke up the deep blue hues of the outfit nicely – and they fit right in with the rugged Red Wing leather on my Waterbury Chrono (another essential that plays nicely off the more substantial textures of early fall).

Exploring Prospect Park on an ideal September weekend. Flint Overshirt and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Heather Grey Pocket Tee by Richer Poorer. Glasses by Frameri. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab.

Exploring Prospect Park on an ideal September weekend. Flint Overshirt and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Heather Grey Pocket Tee by Richer Poorer. Glasses by Frameri. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab.

 

When it comes down to accessories, I also love a great hat – keep in mind, we’re not talking an athletic logo ballcap, but a subtle, simple wool cap (also from Bridge & Burn). If you’re into hats and want one that eschews the younger look of a logo ballcap, this one is the way to go. That ensemble made it easy to head to Prospect Park for some exploration and time spent in the sun. It’s one of my favorite areas in Brooklyn, with wooded pathways and access to neat areas nearby (like the excellent Midwood Flats, a craft beer haven with nice gourmet burgers and sandwiches). It’s also an area that’s quickly becoming more popular, with plenty of development nearby – yet, the park hasn’t lost its charm.

sunday-photo-1

Casual Sunday style for a trip to Milk & Honey in Brooklyn. Denim jacket by American Apparel. Slim short-sleeve henley by Old Navy. Slim Mercer Denim by Mott & Bow. Sunglasses & brown leather watch by MVMT Watches. Leather chukka boots by Beckett Simonon. Blue weekender bag by Sword & Plough.

I took the opportunity on Sunday to enjoy some excellent weather around Brooklyn – no overshirt needed this time, although I did accessorize with a tough denim jacket. The pleasant weather meant it was the ideal chance to break out a slim short-sleeve Old Navy henley — while it’s still warm enough. If you want to upgrade your basics wardrobe with pieces that fit trim and won’t break the bank, definitely peruse the digital pages of Old Navy. Although we’re past Labor Day, I’ve found light tan or natural denim, like the trusty Mott & Bow Slim Mercer, nods toward white jeans without going too far down that path — the Mercer was a nice change of pace alongside crisp Beckett Simonon chukkas. The ensemble was complemented nicely by some patterned Richer Poorer socks — a pair or two from the brand is another purchase worth making if you need a sock upgrade. Easygoing accessories worked with this look, too. I’d definitely recommend taking a look at new sunglasses –like the Runaway Aviator – being produced by MVMT Watches. Of course, the excellent brown leather & rose gold watch seen here from the brand is also worth your time – pun intended. Each piece made for a laidback #menswear look fit in as I grabbed a delicious coffee at another perennial Brooklyn favorite, Milk and Honey. With a relaxed vibe, rustic wooden tables and a top-notch selection of pastries and brunch favorites, it’s worth a walk through the Ditmas Park neighborhood to get there.

It’s the small pleasures like a delicious coffee or a nice walk that can sometimes get lost in the bustle of New York City – so with that in mind, I was glad I took the opportunity to get out and explore this weekend in Brooklyn. It never hurts to start off your Friday night with a stellar show by Lucius, either! I’ll be counting the days until the band returns to my neck of the woods, and I’ll (hopefully) be dressing in style in the meantime.

If you have style questions of your own, hit me up on Twitter – or follow along on Instagram for daily #menswear inspiration. For now, it’s back to work — look for a special Style Q&A coming up on Wednesday, and circle back tomorrow for a look at a fall style #OOTD. Get it? Got it? Good.

Until next time,

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Lucius, Timberland and Stylish Chelsea Boots

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 passed a special milestone on the calendar this week at The Style Guide — crucially, the first day of fall! The change in seasons has been lauded, touted and written about a lot on this blog as of late, from our Fall Style Wish List to a look at how to dress for fall weather to a roundup of the best men’s chukka boots out there. So it’s fitting that we’re finally, officially into the season. That meant a busy week of work at my day job, as myself and my Coyne PR colleagues joined forces to launch the Timberland Fall season in earnest with an intimate event for top men’s and women’s style editors. If you want to get a feel for how that went down, know that we worked with the team at Sixfold Leather to craft a very Timberland-centric experience for men’s media involving beautiful beverage carriers and classic Timberland wheat leather — oh, and delicious Brooklyn Brewery beer! Not a bad combination at all. A word to the wise — you should snap up one of Sixfold’s durable, neat-looking beer carriers for yourself while you can. With that event in the books, it’s onward to a busy fall season at The Style Guide HQ and elsewhere. Tonight is a fitting time to catch a bit of a breather, though — I’ll be taking in a concert by the one-of-a-kind indie pop band Lucius as part of the band’s performance at the Central Park SummerStage. I had an amazing time traveling upstate this summer to see them play at Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, N.Y., so I’m very much looking forward to seeing them again! Nothing can top meeting them the last time around, though. No to worry, of course — there’ll be a full personal style blog post recapping the performance and the weekend on Monday! But before we head out the door for the weekend, let’s get back to some menswear news, shall we?

  • Seasonal transitions are much easier to get through if you’ve got the right footwear — we here at The Style Guide love a great pair of Chelsea boots, and so does Playboy (give their style coverage a chance, seriously) — here are the 6 best Chelsea boots to buy for fall.
  • The denim jacket is another easily wearable piece for fall style transitions — the Wall Street Journal has some mighty luxurious options on-tap for the season; wear it over a grey crewneck sweater and your favorite chambray shirt when it gets chilly — trust me.
  • Feel particularly like buying some upscale menswear this week? Or do you have some extra cash to spare? The style team at Maxim assembled three handsome looks featuring some …well, wildly expensive items, from outerwear to accessories.

Still catching up on this week’s style news?

That’s all we’ve got as we wrap up a long week — enjoy your weekend and follow along with my style pursuits on Instagram.

‘Til the Style Pick of the Week,

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Raf Simons, Red Wing Heritage and Usain Bolt

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.  

This past week was all about reflection and appreciation for me — appreciation for a great weekend spent in Michigan, appreciation for the chance to head back to my home state again in just two weeks for my good friend Andy’s wedding, and appreciation for what’s so far been a great summer in NYC. I’ve had the chance to take in some excellent concerts by my favorite bands, I’ve had the chance to travel, and I’ve also had the chance to explore the Big Apple with amazing friends — seriously, put an NYC trip on your bucket list. With all that being said, it’s still tough to believe we’re already into August. But, that means one of the best times of the year for us #menswear fans isn’t too far off — we’re talking, of course, about fall, and all the great style transitions it brings with it. Looking too far ahead? Perhaps. For now, I’m looking forward to a relaxing, warm weekend in the city before I get ready to travel across the country in the next half of the month (a family visit to Florida and a work trip to Las Vegas are in order). If you’ve got your own summer travel still left on the horizon this weekend, accessorize with a stylish dopp kit or a functional weekender bag. And in the meantime, kick back and enjoy the Friday Read. To keep up with daily style inspiration from the blog, head over to Instagram.

  • Even if you’re not into fashion (that is, fashion with a capital “F,”) shockwaves went through the industry this week when it was announced that Raf Simons is the new creative director at Calvin Klein. The former creative director at Dior, this is his first foray into American fashion; ultimately, it could signal a new direction for the iconic American brand — and it likely means they’ll be back in a big way at next year’s New York Fashion Week: Men’s, among other fashion week happenings.
  • For those who like their athletic performance mixed in with some eye-catching style, check out FOURLAPS — named for the number of laps it takes to run a full mile, the folks at Valet recommend you look at this new athletic brand that’s mixing up the market.
  • Red Wing Heritage is back with a mighty interesting release, partner — the brand just launched its Pecos Collection, featuring two silhouettes inspired by the boots worn by Western ranchers all the way back in the 1930s. It’s a style that’s probably not for everyone, but if you’ve grown weary of your trusty suede chukka boots or even leather chukkas, you might consider grabbing a pair.
  • Long Read of the Week: It’s been a while since this entry made an appearance in the Friday Read, but its return is a fascinating one. The New Yorker looks into (with varying responses) how fast Usain Bolt would run the mile — yes, read on and ponder away.

What else is on your reading list? Make it one of these pieces, will ya?

  • There’s no better time than August to slip your feet into some stylish boat shoes before Labor Day — check out my list of the 10 best boat shoes for men over at GearMoose.
  • For rock-ready style that’s just as modern today as it was in 1970s, turn to the new Levi’s 505C — I had a blast covering the brand’s latest launch for The Manual, and know that these jeans (as seen on my Instagram) really are way comfortable.

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

by Beau H.

Style in the city: Celebrating the Fourth of July in NYC

Editor’s note: Click here for another look at how to dress for summer in style.

Checking out Upstate Stock, one of my favorite NYC menswear shops, in style. Slim chambray shorts from the Canvas by Lands' End line. Moroccan Tee by Tommy John. Chariot Runners by Brooks Heritage. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab. Sunglasses by Spine Optics. Denim Tote by JackThreads.

Checking out Upstate Stock, one of my favorite NYC menswear shops, in style. Slim chambray shorts from the Canvas by Lands’ End line. Moroccan Tee by Tommy John. Chariot Runners by Brooks Heritage. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab. Sunglasses by Spine Optics. Denim Tote by JackThreads.

The Fourth of July presents a double-edged sword in terms of style and planning (at least for us #menswear fans). It involves travel, it involves hot weather, and it involves a few different style scenarios. Now, I’ve spent the holiday in recent years in both Michigan and in NYC, so this past (or current?) long weekend was a bit of change, as I explored Brooklyn and NYC in style with friends. It can feel strange to stick around town when lots of people hit the road, but hanging around the Big Apple proved to be relaxing, fun and yes, very #menswear-centric (as always).  Plus, it was a great way to test out some patriotic style fit for exploring the city, and the beautiful weather made it all the better — with more menswear activity on the way on this fine July 4th. I’m always up for traveling in style, but this time, that only involved the subway. However, you can put similar tips to use whether you’re hopping around town for coffee or lunch, or catching a flight coast-to-coast.

With the promise of Monday off, I set out to take on the weekend in style with a few warm weather-friendly combos. Saturday was an excellent day to explore Williamsburg, and for that endeavor, I tossed on a brand-new pair of slim chambray shorts from the fine Canvas by Lands’ End line. The terrific Canvas by Lands’ End collection updates several great menswear staples, from chino shorts to henleys, and these particular chambray shorts combine a tailored fit with a textured fabric that’s a nice change of pace from khaki shorts — give them a try if you get the chance. They worked perfectly with another updated style staple, a slim (and very soft) Moroccan Tee from basics maker Tommy John — the notched collar is visually interesting enough to work on its own, or layered under, say, a chambray shirt or even a navy blazer (not that this past weekend got that fancy). The combo was a visually interesting update on a casual T-shirt & shorts, and my colorful Brooks Heritage Chariot Runners offset it perfectly. On the watch front, I reached for a dependable style favorite, my Timex x Red Wing Heritage Waterbury Chrono — it’s the perfect mix of rugged and refined style, and it won’t break the bank. Plus, it works for travel — it’s both a bit dressy and casual — and it’s comfortable to wear for hours on end. I supplemented that with a pair of flexible, durable aviators from Spine Optics; they’re great to grab and go, as the frames and hinges are built to flex and bend, not snap.

Just part of the amazing Upstate Stock shop -- great natural light, a well-curated selection of home goods and even better menswear.

Just part of the amazing Upstate Stock shop — great natural light, a well-curated selection of home goods and even better menswear.

The beautiful Brooklyn weather was just an added bonus to the main focus of my trip to Williamsburg (other than a quick haircut at the Corner Barber). I was able to spend some time and catch up with the staff at the recently opened Upstate Stock shop (as seen above). The shop is a really excellent, well-curated home to tons of lifestyle essentials, and its Web shop is just as well-done. From handmade soaps to refined stationary and men’s grooming goods, everything in the store is sourced domestically or made in New York  state or the city itself (namely, fine leather goods from Slightly Alabama are produced nearby). In fact, picking up a few of the shop’s special-edition postcards (designed by the ridiculously talented Christian Watson of 1924us) is a personal favorite. The store is exceptionally well-appointed and laid-out — it’s a fine example of how to use space and natural light (and the reclaimed wood tables don’t hurt the aesthetic). They also stock pantry essentials  and serve excellent coffee and pastries within the shop. Stop in, shop around, peruse the well-edited selection of obscure craftsmanship & lifestyle magazines, and stay a while — it’s a welcoming, friendly and calming atmosphere. Plus, there’s nothing better than celebrating American-made style for the Fourth of July. Of course, to take some goodies from the shop, I grabbed my JackThreads Daily Tote — made from real denim, it’s an eye-catching and efficient way to lug around a few small items for a day out and about.
Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.
A busy day of exploring led to a night out and about with some good friends in Manhattan — the great news is, I was able to transition my Moroccan Tee from day to night, and I traded in my chambray shorts for some slim light wash Mott & Bow denim. Made with a hint of stretch, the Mott & Bow Wooster is perhaps more comfortable than any denim I own — in either Skinny, Slim or Straight fits, I’d suggest you snag a pair and rock them as frequently as you can. For city-appropriate style, I stepped out in some leather chukka boots (that’s another versatile style move, as they work for travel & city exploration alike). And if you pack and wear versatile accessories — like a durable leather watch — you can also transition a timepiece from day to night … so, that’s what I did!

Can't go wrong with a printed tee and slim shorts in warm weather. Stringer Dune Shorts and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Printed T-shirt by J. Crew. Sneakers by The Hill-Side. Brown leather watch by MVMT Watches. Field Guide by Wildsam. Brass bottle opener by Owen & Fred.

Can’t go wrong with a printed tee and slim shorts in warm weather. Stringer Dune Shorts and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Printed T-shirt by J. Crew. Sneakers by The Hill-Side. Brown leather watch by MVMT Watches. Field Guide by Wildsam. Brass bottle opener by Owen & Fred. Sunglasses by Tom Ford.

Sunday presented another chance to step out in style, followed by today’s  much-needed holiday. The main Sunday directive? Head to the Festival of Independence at the South Street Seaport for an afternoon of tasty bites, cold beer and live music (capped off by indie rockers Wild Nothing, a personal favorite).  Checking out live music in style is a must, and although skies were cloudy on-and-off throughout the day, I always relish the chance to dress for warm weather (especially given how brutal winter can be — right??).  I grabbed some comfortable, slim-fitting Stringer Dune shorts from Bridge & Burn (they’re sold out in Khaki as seen here, but available in a just-as-versatile Gray). In keeping with the nautical theme of a day spent at the seaport, I tossed on my sailboat print T-shirt from J. Crew — it’s an older style, but I’d offer up a slim pocket T-shirt from the brand as a worthy alternative for concert-going or a casual day around town. Comfortable sneakers are a must-have when exploring or rocking out to live music, and my Pale Indigo Washed Denim Sneakers from The Hill-Side turned out to be a reliable and stylish choice, as always. Plus, they worked well in tandem with a simple-yet-refined brown leather timepiece from MVMT Watches (always a solid decision). And I kept the sun off my face with a Flat Wool Cap, also from Bridge & Burn — I’ve found it to be a sharp style upgrade from a plain athletic-logo ballcap (for a bit of a price, of course).        

  The day was an excellent one, and my style combo worked nicely to transition from the day into the evening. It’s always a treat to see an artist like Wild Nothing capture a crowd — particularly at a free show (as you can see above!).  Jack Tatum and co.’s shimmery, breezy rock played well off the waterfront atmosphere, and tunes from the group’s new album, “Life of Pause,” were definite crowd-pleasers, including the record’s lead single, “TV Queen,”  a wavy, low-key rock track characteristic of the band’s style. The group is jetsetting off to South America for a run of dates, but their new album is one of the better releases of the year to date, and they’re worth a listen in the meantime. Seeing them for free was a great way to cap off two of the weekend’s three days, but there’s more Brooklyn exploration — and fireworks — to come today. I’ll be taking on the day in my slim Mott & Bow denim, and accenting that with a pair of patriotic socks from DivvyUp, plus classic white Seavees sneakers and a reliable blue chambray shirt.

To get of-the-moment style tips and menswear musings in the meantime, check out your humble author on Twitter, and to see style in action, swing on through my Instagram. Any style questions? Shoot me an email anytime via the Contact page.  Lastly — I hope everyone has a great holiday, and takes some time to be thankful for our amazing freedoms here. To be able to write this blog is a privilege, and it’s among the many that I’m thankful to have.

And finally: Thanks, as always, for reading,

-Beau
Huckberry

by Beau H.

Taking some time: An upstate Memorial Day getaway

Editor’s note: Click this link for a full  set of posts on how to travel in style this summer.

Taking some time away from NYC. The Jack in Indigo Star Shirt and Slim Chinos in Light Stone by Taylor Stitch. Heritage Tassel Loafers by Sebago. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab. Striped webbed belt by J. Crew.

Taking some time away from NYC. The Jack in Indigo Star Shirt and Slim Chinos in Light Stone by Taylor Stitch. Heritage Tassel Loafers by Sebago. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab. Striped webbed belt by J. Crew.

I’ve been fortunate so far this year to hit the road quite a bit, from a New Year’s weekend in Detroit to a stylish weekend visit to Washington, D.C. and a quick few days in the sunny state of Florida. Each trip has presented a pretty nice mix of work and play (some more play than work, admittedly), but it’s definitely helped me get more acquainted with packing and planning ahead in the midst of a busy work and writing schedule, and I’ve been able to document the trips as they’ve happened on Instagram. Given how hectic things have been during my 9-to-5 and beyond,  I felt the urge to get away for just a bit this past weekend. What better place to go than a relaxing, tranquil, chic spot just outside NYC? Specifically, the Time Nyack Hotel.  In fact, I was astonished as I researched the lovely village of Nyack; it’s a beautiful location, and even as I type this, the hotel’s scarcely been open a month! Such a modern hotel in a quaint town also presented the chance to break out style that’s fit for the city yet ready for a quick upstate trip. Do you follow? Yeah? Good.

A look at my packing essentials. Voyager Waxed Weekender and leather luggage tag by Owen & Fred. Chapter Travel Kit by Herschel Supply. Slim Chinos in Light Stone and Jack in Indigo Star Shirt by Taylor Stitch. Heritage Tassel Loafers by Sebago. Leather lanyard by Tanner Goods. Waterbury Chrono by Timex x Red Wing. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere.

A look at my packing essentials. Voyager Waxed Weekender and leather luggage tag by Owen & Fred. Chapter Travel Kit by Herschel Supply. Slim Chinos in Light Stone and Jack in Indigo Star Shirt by Taylor Stitch. Heritage Tassel Loafers by Sebago. Leather lanyard by Tanner Goods. Waterbury Chrono by Timex x Red Wing. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere.

As with my trip to Washington, D.C., my jaunt to Nyack proved to be another ideal chance to test out my new Owen & Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender.  The Martexin Original Waxed canvas is some of the sturdiest and toughest in the business, the Wickett & Craig leather straps are sturdy and breaking in nicely, and the bag’s always provided plenty of room for my menswear essentials (including a trusty Bridge & Burn Flat Wool Cap and Word Notebooks Adventure Log). On this particular trip, that also included extras like my trusty Herschel Supply Co. Chapter Travel Kit — made from water-resistant polycoat in a sharp navy color and featuring a vegetable tanned leather pull, it accented the bag  and my Tanner Goods leather lanyard nicely while holding some Baxter of California grooming essentials. However, the small details were just one focus of my trip in terms of packing, planning and exploring.

A look at some of the stylish grooming essentials from C.O. Bigelow provided by the hotel, plus my Herschel Supply Chapter Travel Kit and Doc Elliott Pomade.

A look at some of the stylish grooming essentials from C.O. Bigelow provided by the hotel, plus my Herschel Supply Chapter Travel Kit and Doc Elliott Pomade.

For work style that would take me from the office to upstate on Friday (as it seems lots of New Yorkers do), I brought along that aforementioned Owen & Fred bag, and dressed to meet the demands of the cubicle and the train ride (hint: Both involve lots of sitting, just in different environments). In this case, that meant tossing on one of my favorite shirts (heck, perhaps my favorite?), the Jack in Indigo Star from the fine folks at Taylor Stitch. The shirt is crisp-yet-casual, able to be worn tucked in or untucked, and complete with high armholes and slim sleeves — that’s exactly how I want my shirts to fit, and I’d wager that’s how yours should fit for travel and the office. A sleek pair of Sebago Heritage Loafers completed my Friday travel ensemble, alongside a versatile striped webbed belt from J. Crew (it goes with denim and a tee as well as it does with slightly dressier outfits). And given the heat and those pesky rays, eye-catching sunglasses from Sunday Somewhere finished off my travel accessories for the day (and the weekend in general).

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I was also fortunate enough to get the chance to check out a pair of the brand’s exceptionally high-quality Slim Chinos in Stone, as I wrote about in this site’s Style Pick of the Week series earlier this spring. The fabric and construction are just as on-point as the last pair of Taylor Stitch Standard Issue Chinos I reviewed last summer, and the slim fit and versatile styling potential are to be applauded; I definitely felt as if I could rock them at work and at dinner later on Friday, and that’s exactly how it worked out!

A look at a few of my trip accessories, with a cool backdrop via The Time Nyack. Leather lanyard by Tanner Goods. Cooper Boat Shoes by Jack Erwin. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere.

A look at a few of my trip accessories, with a cool backdrop via The Time Nyack. Leather lanyard by Tanner Goods. Cooper Boat Shoes by Jack Erwin. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere.

On the footwear front, I also tried to pack light yet reliably — I’ve become a huge fan of the comfort and sleek style of my Jack Erwin Cooper Boat Shoes, as I also rocked ’em during my family’s trip to NYC a few weeks ago. They were a nice change of pace alongside my classic, dressier Sebago leather loafers. The Caramel Nubuck color of the boat shoes, and the slimmer profile (compared to other boat shoes, that is) helped them fit right in with my more casual Bridge & Burn Stringer Dune Shorts and a lightweight, comfortable Richer Poorer pocket tee (as seen below). The tee is slim, modern and able to be worn a bit more ruggedly (with the sleeves a bit rolled up, for example). Plus the cotton-polyester-rayon blend is comfortable and breathed easily in the heat. The best part about the boat shoes is that they would’ve worked just as easily with my Friday office/travel outfit as on Saturday! Looking for crisp, comfortable, dependable shoes when traveling is a definite must, and particularly for the summer months, the Cooper is absolutely one shoe you should consider.

Saturday's outfit to beat the heat. Stringer Dune Shorts and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Cooper Boat Shoes in Caramel Nubuck by Jack Erwin. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab.

Saturday’s outfit to beat the heat. Stringer Dune Shorts and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Cooper Boat Shoes in Caramel Nubuck by Jack Erwin. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab.

Now if this trip were longer, I’d definitely consider adding some sharp spring sneakers and a nice pair of light wash denim, but the gear I packed in the interim definitely sufficed. Now, just because I packed light doesn’t mean I skimped on accessories. I love traveling with a great watch or two — as of late, I’ve been digging the rugged, dependable Timex x Red Wing Waterbury Chrono, which Timex was courteous enough to provide for a review (thanks, folks!). The watch wears slightly larger at 42mm, and the case is thick and sturdy. It’s a beauty in terms of the vintage-inspired dial design, too. The same goes for the rugged Red Wing leather strap — is there a better material to forge a watch strap out of? Probably not. It’s already proven a work-week staple, and it’s sure to see plenty of use in the coming weeks and months. My Sunday Somewhere sunglasses have already taken me all around New York City, and they proved just as reliable and stylish for exploring the much quieter confines of Nyack. Lest we forget, when packing low-cut shoes, lightweight no-show socks are in order — luckily, Pair of Thieves provides breathable no-shows with built-in performance for breathability and comfort.

What time is it? Time for a Memorial Day trip to the Time Nyack Hotel. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab.

What time is it? Time for a Memorial Day trip to the Time Nyack Hotel. Waterbury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab.

As to the hotel itself: the Time Nyack was lovely, an eclectic mix of clean, modern design thanks to the loft-style rooms, high ceilings and the building’s past life as a factory. I felt the #menswear accessories I brought along, including that Timex x Red Wing Waterbury Chrono, fit right in! The décor was chic, modern and refined – definitely as upscale as expected. And the on-site restaurant and bar, BV’s Grill, had a nice beer selection and some killer cocktails. Elsewhere in Nyack, this small town is bustling and felt much larger than the listed population of about 7,300. I had the chance to check out The Local Tap House of Nyack on Main Street, which even served some excellent beer from Brooklyn stalwarts Evil Twin and Other Half (a surefire sign of any good beer bar). And if you get to the area , be sure to stop by Brickhouse for a stellar burger (the BBQ Bacon Burger is a treat), and more great beer (including some craft exclusives from the likes of Maine Brewing).

Saturday's travel outfit in action outside Gypsy Donut. Heather Grey Pocket Tee by Richer Poorer. Stringer Dune Shorts and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Cooper Boat Shoes by Jack Erwin. Watebury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere.

Saturday’s travel outfit in action outside Gypsy Donut. Heather Grey Pocket Tee by Richer Poorer. Stringer Dune Shorts and Flat Wool Cap by Bridge & Burn. Cooper Boat Shoes by Jack Erwin. Watebury Chrono from the Timex x Red Wing collab. Maximus Sunglasses by Sunday Somewhere.

The town itself really was busy despite a lot of folks apparently heading away for the weekend – if you want a retreat that feels far away from the city and offers some unique, local spots, this is the place to go. In fact, zipping up and down Main Street will give you the chance to check out a ton of hotspots for dinner or cocktails. And if you’re a fan of delicious donuts and excellent coffee, like they’ve got on-hand at Gypsy Donut, you’ll have just as much fun at breakfast as you will when out on the town later. The Maple Bacon Donut is the stuff of dreams, I tell you.

It was a much-needed getaway, and it proved a lot of fun! If you need a respite from NYC or are looking for a small-town getaway with premium accommodations and a host of restaurants and bars to match, Nyack is the place to be. It’s a cute area with beautiful views of the Hudson River on the drive over, the Time Nyack is conveniently situated close to the town, and I’d wager you won’t run out of places to go or things to do on a weekend trip. Pack smartly, efficiently and stylishly, and you’ll be all set for plenty of adventures.

Where are you heading this summer? Let me know of any neat trips, and what you’re bringing along, over at The Style Guide Facebook page!

 

Frank & Oak

Florsheim