Tag / olukai

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Olukai Nalukai Boots

Lightweight leather boots to wear with light wash denim and other essentials for summer.

Does it feel counterintuitive or strange to be talking about stylish men’s boots in the middle of summer? Like the OluKai Nalukai Boots as pictured above? This time, after all, is normally reserved for shopping for and wearing things like classic high-top sneakers and the like — not heavy leather boots, right? Well, I’m here to try to prove you wrong, and to tell you to give some rugged leather boots a shot; who knows, you might even discover that this particular pair is your favorite pair of leather boots. On that note, I present to you for your consideration the Nalukai Boots, made with durability, good looks and an easygoing sensibility in mind. The word “nalukai” is pretty fitting, too — it translates roughly to “weathered by time,” and rest assured that the OluKai Nalukai Boots are going to break in quite nicely, to say the least.

The OluKai Nalukai Boots are the sort of A-to-Z boots you can wear with plenty of summer style essentials through plenty of summer weekends and well into fall. If your weekend adventures fall on the more casual side of things — y’know, a farmer’s market trip followed by a park walk and a patio lunch — the OluKai Nalukai Boots are your go-to pair. It starts with the small details, including the unlined, burnished leather upper — that means there’s no bulky, hot lining here. So, that’s a big plus if you’ve been looking to switch up your summer footwear rotation in an unexpected way. Some rugged leather boots are just what you need, in fact.

Yet another cool color in which you can pick up the OluKai Nalukai Boots.

The OluKai Nalukai Boots are available in multiple different rich leather iterations, including a dark grey Husk/Silt as pictured above (and available for purchase here). But for my money’s worth, you can’t top the deep brown leather Fox/Bone Nalukai Boots, which would pair perfectly with slim light wash denim and a white henley, for instance. The lightweight EVA footbed and EVA midsole provide a heck of a lot of all-day comfort, while the octopus-inspired printed footbed is a neat design touch that you might appreciate. The waxed cotton laces on the OluKai Nalukai Boots also lend these boots a slightly more polished touch — feel free to wear ’em with tan khaki chinos, a white Oxford and a lightweight navy blazer for a casual day at the office if you want something more comfortable than traditional leather dress shoes. That’s right, I’m continuing to call for you to wear a pair of stylish men’s boots this summer. What say you? Let me know on Twitter if they tickle your fancy! Thanks for reading.

by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s Transitional Footwear for Spring

Join us for the ride today as we kick off another Online Shopping Picks entry  — if you’re looking for the best men’s transitional footwear for spring, you’re in luck.   What exactly do we mean when we say transitional? Well, we — and by we, I mean me — aren’t exactly talking about rugged winter boots or even classic summer sneakers. No, today we’re talking footwear that’s a touch more durable than your average set of kicks — maybe they combine a few different elements, like the cut of a chukka and the materials of a sneaker (see: Exhibit A, the SeaVees Huckberry Chukka).  Or maybe, they’re both slightly dressy and yet suited for casual wear. Better yet, they should be relatively durable and versatile for fighting spring rain and looking great at the same time. So, you’ll see a solid mix below, from sleek suede chukkas to durable sneaker-boots and everything in between. If you agree with these picks — and even if you don’t — join me over on The Style Guide Facebook page to pick up what should be a lively #menswear discussion.

Greats

#1. Beckett Simonon Laval Suede Chukka Boots in Chestnut — $199

Supremely stylish and water-resistant suede chukka boots — perfect.

I’ve been fortunate enough to test out some Beckett Simonon footwear across the past few months, namely during a fall weekend in New York City. And the good news is that the brand’s chukkas are sturdy, sleek and extremely stylish. Such is the case with the Laval Suede Chukka Boot in a handsome shade of Chestnut. Pre-order these now and wait for them to arrive, because I’d wager you’ll want to wear them with everything from slim light wash denim to chinos. Oh, and an even better perk? The water-resistant suede, fit for taking on inclement weather.

#2. SeaVees Mariner Boot in Navy or Olive — $149.98

SeaVees

A collaboration between SeaVees and Taylor Stitch, with very stylish results.

When it comes to talking transitional footwear, the Mariner Boot just might be the ideal pair to buy now — and wear very frequently when spring rains roll through.  The end result of a collaboration between our pals at SeaVees and Taylor Stitch, the Mariner Boot features a British Ventile waterproof duck canvas upper for crucial spring protection. Plus, SeaVees’ signature herringbone tread outsole adds a nice dash of traction on wet streets, and the option to pick up either the Navy Mariner Boot or the Olive option bodes well for those of us who appreciate versatile footwear.
Frank & Oak

#3. AstorFlex Bitflex Chelsea Boot in Dark Khaki — $180

Astorflex Chelsea Boots

The combination of suede and a Chelsea boot silhouette is especially crisp for spring.

As seen in a Style Pick of the Week entry last fall, the Astorflex Bitflex Chelsea Boot has a lot going for it — it’s stylish and sustainably made, for one. And crucially, it combines both a relatively slim profile and a unique crepe rubber sole. Plus, who doesn’t love a great Chelsea boot? It’s an of-the-moment silhouette that’s transcended, well, trends, to become a footwear essential. And if you haven’t tried out a pair, this spring might be a good time to start. While they’re not water-resistant like the Beckett Simonon suede chukkas above, you still get nice quality & sharp looks.

#4.  CLAE Hayward in Mojave Pig Suede — $100

Retro style meets functionality — waterproof suede and a neat silhouette.

The retro-style runner continues to have a moment in the menswear space — in other words, it’s simply an excellent-looking shoe style. If you love a great pair of sneakers, give the CLAE Hayward a look if you’re seeking a new way to shake up your spring footwear rotation.  They’re certainly unique in both looks and functionality, incorporating waterproof suede with nylon side panels atop a crisp runner’s sole. Wear these guys with white jeans and a slim short-sleeve chambray shirt — plus a  stylish denim jacket — on a breezy spring day, and you’re all set.

#5. OluKai Pahoa Boots in Black Seal/Brown — $200

Note the burnished leather, waxed laces and easily wearable design.

If you’re sensing a theme in this post — that of durable footwear that also looks sharp — then you’re right on the money. And the last entry on the list definitely falls underneath that umbrella. Comin’ at ya all the way from Hawaii, the OluKai Pahoa Boots feature some mixed-media design touches — note the contrasting upper and waxed cotton laces. What’s more, the footbed features EquilFit technology for comfort and performance. Not bad for a pair of leather chukka boots, ehh?

Honorable Mention: Thursday Boots Honey Suede Scout Chukka — $149

Crisp, clean and well-made — all for under $150. That’s what you get with Thursday Boots.

We’re bringing back the Honorable Mention category in these Online Shopping Picks posts, namely because it’s mighty tough to pick just five great pairs of stylish spring footwear. And when the final brand on the cut line is Thursday Boots, you can be darn sure we’ll give ’em a second look. Featuring a slick European-inspired silhouette and plenty of traction via a studded rubber outsole, these are dressy enough for the office and more than ready for Sunday brunch.

From start to finish, I hope you enjoyed this essential, excellent, even tremendous rundown of the best men’s transitional footwear for spring. Finding shoes that serve a purpose while providing comfort and functionality can sometimes be tricky — yet, plenty of brands are hitting that sweet spot quite nicely.  From the water-resistant suede of the Laval Suede Chukka Boot to the toughness and on-point styling potential of the Mariner Boot, you’ve surely got options aplenty. If retro-inspired style is more your bag, grab the CLAE Hayward for a change, and I’d urge you not to pass up a pair of dressy-yet-versatile Chelsea boots (like the Astorflex Bitflex Chelsea Boot). Of course, who can resist yet another pair of suede chukkas, like the Thursday Boots Suede Scout Chukka? No one, that’s who.  If you’ve got questions on how to style these boots or heck, if you should buy any of them, drop me a line via Twitter or in the comments below.

More importantly — stay stylish!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Show Goes On: Seeing Local Natives in Pittsburgh

All smiles for Local Natives — and enjoying a neat area of Pittsburgh! Trucker Jacket and 505C Denim by Levi’s. Jack in Indigo Star Shirt by Taylor Stitch. Henley by Pistol Lake. Roma Messenger by Brothers Leather Supply. Military Watch by Timex + Todd Snyder. Explorer’s Cap by Huckberry. Glasses by Frameri

There are certain items that pop up in your news feed and make you stop and take notice. Late this past year, a simple Tweet caught my eye and eventually spurred my latest Style Guide road trip. Yes, the announcement that one of my favorite bands, California indie rockers Local Natives, had extended their Sunlit Youth tour into 2017 was enough to shake up my day — and make me pull out my calendar. If you recall, I hit the road to Providence last fall to see them — it was such a stirring show, I knew I had to catch ’em again. So, that’s how I ended up on a Pittsburgh-bound Greyhound bus this past weekend with my favorite #menswear in tow and another excellent live show on my mind. From a December trek to Baltimore to this past weekend’s adventure — to name but a couple — I’m truly lucky to be able to take in great music and great cities in style. Now, my packing list was quite different than my recent spring break trip to Florida, but I had my winter packing routine down pat — and luckily, I hauled plenty of late winter travel essentials for a crisp weekend. That all of this gear fit nicely into my Owen and Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender and my Brothers Leather Supply Roma Messenger was just an added bonus (Pro tip: Here’s another stylish weekender bag for your travels).

Beckett Simonon

Rock-inspired gear with cold weather in mind. Trucker Jacket by Levi’s. Jack in Indigo Star Shirt by Taylor Stitch. Lawrence Boots by Sutro Footwear. Military Watch by Timex + Todd Snyder. Gloves by Grifter Company.

It was with Local Natives’ excellent third album, “Sunlit Youth,” spinning in my headphones that I hit the road — my last Style Guide trip took me to New Haven to see Young the Giant, and I knew I’d need similar cold-weather gear this time around. For a very early Saturday bus trip down to Pennsylvania, I layered up accordingly, starting with a classic Pistol Lake henley in a unique shade of Antique White. I topped it off with my reliable-as-ever Taylor Stitch Jack in Indigo Star Shirt and a seasonally appropriate Levi’s Trucker Jacket in a spring-friendly light wash. Because temperatures dipped into the high 30s in parts of the day, I still needed my  Johnston & Murphy Faux Shearling Aviator (last seen on this blog in a weekend trip to upstate New York).

Greats

On the footwear front, my pick for stomping around Pittsburgh and checking out Stage AE on Saturday night just had to be the cool and crisp Lawrence Boot from Sutro Footwear. The jodhpur style looked sleek beneath my Levi’s 505C denim and proved comfortable for a full day of wear. If you want to dress in rock-inspired style for your next concert, I’d recommend you look into Sutro Footwear men’s boots and other similarly edgy menswear moves. Oh, and if you want more travel style tips for men, peruse this site when you get the chance.

Sharp style essentials for a Pittsburgh Saturday. Trucker Jacket and 505C Denim by Levi’s. Jack in Indigo Star Shirt by Taylor Stitch. Henley by Pistol Lake. Military Watch by Timex + Todd Snyder. Roma Messenger by Brothers Leather Supply.

Of course, staying on time is critical for any road trip — particularly when it came to hitting up Nicholas Coffee & Tea and trekking through downtown Pittsburgh. In this instance, that meant I drafted my vintage-inspired Timex + Todd Snyder Military Watch into duty once again. It’s versatile, it’s subtly stylish and it’s tough enough to stand up to a rock show — perfect for this trip. Fully caffeinated, the real exploration of Pittsburgh rolled on, from trekking across the iconic Roberto Clemente Bridge to checking out the incredibly well-designed, unique Mattress Factory Museum and making a pit stop for excellent craft brews at the rustic, home-y Allegheny City Brewing — it’s a bit of a hole-in-the-wall location with a food truck out front and delicious brews (like the Deutchstown Brown) being poured inside. The early evening also took me to renowned Pittsburgh craft beer bar Beerhead — all the while rocking my comfortable, durable Lawrence Boots from Sutro Footwear and prepping for a stellar show, of course.

Now, to be fair … I’d seen Local Natives three times on this tour previously, but to say that lowered my expectations at all … is quite far from the truth. In fact, it made me look forward to this show even more! When a band brings as much energy and passion to the stage as Local Natives does — from blissful opener “Past Lives” through to classic closing track “Who Knows Who Cares” —  it’s a treat the entire time. Seriously, I can’t recommend this band enough. There’s nothing like their show — from start to finish, majestic lights, great sound and a heck of a set list, The show included deep cut “Mt. Washington” (off of their excellent 2013 album “Hummingbird”) and another crowd-pleaser, “Ceilings” — that one’s a personal favorite. . They harkened back to their first Pittsburgh show with fan favorite “Airplanes,” and broke out a show-stopping rendition of “Breakers” to go along with a rousing version of “Fountain of Youth” — what a band!

They also wove in a soul-stirring version of “You and I” — not to mention a beautiful performance of “Colombia,” honoring vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Kelcey Ayer’s mother. Of course, “Who Knows Who Cares” brought the house down, too — this is a band that really can do no wrong! There’s nothing quite like the feeling of knowing your favorite songs are coming … and being blown away by them all the same.

Taking on a chilly day on the Pittsburgh waterfront. Anorak by Fisher + Baker. Cable-knit sweater and garment-dyed chinos by Dockers. Flannel shirt by Frank and Oak. Pahoa Chukkas by OluKai. Red Wing Leather Chronograph by Timex x Todd Snyder. Explorer’s Cap by Huckberry. Glasses by Frameri.

As seems to be the case after a great live show, I was plenty tired — but there was no time to waste in terms of getting around Pittsburgh in style. To combat weather that was both chilly and  a bit rainy, my functional, well-made and supremely durable Fisher + Baker Anorak proved exceptionally tough. The simple black colorway was sleek and city-ready and the Ventile cotton waterproof shell more than stood up to the elements — the hood was a nice touch on a blustery day, too. It layered easily over both a nautical-inspired Dockers cable-knit sweater. I paired the combo with  classic-yet-slim Dockers garment-dyed chinos and a cozy red-and-blue plaid flannel shirt from the master menswear purveyors at Frank and Oak. The next time you need style that can take you from brunch to the park — as I did when checking out Point State Park — I’d recommend you team versatile staples with sturdy footwear. On this particular Sunday, my OluKai Pahoa Chukkas filled that part of the equation quite nicely, blending a bit of Hawaii cool with a sturdy chukka silhouette and burnished black leather. For rugged style that also fit the bill, I had to break out my Timex + Todd Snyder Red Wing Leather Chronograph,With a busy day on tap in Pittsburgh, my menswear picks proved crucial.

It was time to head back to NYC too soon, though  — I did so with plenty of amazing memories from a brief-yet-incredible Pittsburgh trip spinning in my head. The chance to see one of my favorite bands really is something I can never pass up — even if it means hopping on a bus to get there. And the opportunity to explore a neat city with a burgeoning arts scene is always welcomed — as is the chance to try out a few local brews and check out a new music venue! But to reiterate — if you want to listen to music that makes you think, try out Local Natives. Oh, and see them live as soon as you can — just be sure to pack your favorite travel essentials for the journey. Join us tomorrow for a new #OOTD series entry, and in the meantime — stay stylish!

-Beau

Frank & Oak