April 20, 2015May 18, 2015 by Beau H.

The Product Review: GREATS Brand Rosen Sneakers

The GREATS Rosen Runner — a perfect casual sneaker for high-low wear. Short-sleeve mini-check shirt by H&M. Khaki chinos by Frank & Oak. Silver dive watch by Invicta. Glasses by Warby Parker.

In recent years, as high-low dressing has exploded and really gained more traction — think much more stylish iterations of the everday blazer-and-jeans combo, to start — sneaker options for guys have also really exploded as well. While there have always been classic options like Converse Jack Purcells, certain sneaker silhouettes have definitely swung back in style — especially the runner-style sneaker (see Exhibit A here). These types of sneakers mesh perfectly with everything from joggers (yes, joggers can work when worn casually) and a tee to chinos and a buttondown (asyou can see here). One of the more recent sneaker offerings from GREATS out of Brooklyn is cut from that same versatile cloth.

Getting out and about in Brooklyn with a versatile, casual shoe. Photo credit: Liz Tod.

GREATS has been featured on this site a few times already, but the quality of the last pair of sneakers I picked up was simply too good to pass up the chance at another pair. The Rosen Runner dropped in about mid-February to rather mixed reviews (if you follow Hypebeast comments, that is) but I snagged my pair in Cadet (a nice navy color) about a month back from the brand’s small Field House shop near Williamsburg in Brooklyn. The sneaker takes its styling cues from classic American runners and tips its cap to legendary track coach Al Rosen, born in Brooklyn himself. It’s also available in a nice deep Olive and a cream Nimbus color, but navy was my pick.

The combination of nylon and suede is surprisingly durable. Khaki chinos by Frank & Oak.

The sneaker brings to mind other kicks with the same silhouette, namely virtually any one of the pairs in the New Balance for J. Crew collaboration, although the shape of this shoe seems a bit trimmer. Design inspiration aside, these shoes look great, fit extremely well and provide tons of comfort — perhaps even moreso than the previous pair of GREATS sneakers in my closet. That comfort proved necessary during a long walk through Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and an evening spent exploring Park Slope on foot, too. More importantly, they’ve paired perfectly on a few different outings with the khaki chinos seen here, as well as a Rust V-neck tee (from my pals at Pistol Lake) and a denim jacket for a casual lunch.

These sneakers would work just fine with longer, patterned socks, but no-show socks fit just fine.

As far as comfort, these shoes feel springy and surprisingly durable to move around in. The Vibram outsole and EVA midsole provide a very nice amount of cushion — this definitely doesn’t wear like a normal pair of canvas sneakers. While they could also be worn with longer patterned socks (like with this look), they were comfortable with some no-show socks, too. The bottom tread isn’t just for looks, as it’s grippy and adds to that springy feeling. And while I was initially wary of the combination of suede and nylon, the nylon stood up to a slight ice cream spill (the horror!) and cleaned up just fine, while the suede portions of the shoe have good color and a decent (not necessarily cheap) feel.

Subtle branding on the back heel.

The minimalism of these shoes and the lack of a logo on the side (in contrast to their New Balance counterparts) is a definite benefit — I’ve found them to be highly versatile because of that. There’s only a very small “G” emblazoned on the suede top of the tongue, and a lightly stamped “GREATS” arch logo across the suede on the back heel. While it’ll be interesting to see how the suede holds up with repeated wear, I’m not worried about the durability of the nylon or the construction of these shoes — they certainly don’t feel like a pair of sneakers you can pick up for less than $50. For the price, they’re an outstanding deal — maybe the best on the market right now.

What’s your experience been like with GREATS? How would you style this particular pair?

April 13, 2015June 2, 2015 by Beau H.

The Product Review: Frank and Oak Hunt Club Crate, April 2015

Wearing a full ensemble’s worth of spring essentials from Frank and Oak. Glasses by Warby Parker. Stripe webbed belt by J. Crew Factory. Not pictured: Wilson Sneakers in White from GREATS Brand.

Since the last time I reviewed the brand in October 2013, a lot — and I mean a lot — has happened for Frank & Oak.
The Montreal-based startup menswear retailer has put together an impressive string of unconventional, of-the-moment presentations at New York Fashion Week, opened up six physical shops in Canada and announced plans for six long-term, U.S. pop-up shops. They’ve done all this while continuing to put out monthly collections that really resonate with consumers and feature nearly every clothing category imaginable — from athletic gear to tailoring. They’ve also started offering a biannual print magazine and all kinds of grooming products & accessories on top of that.

My selection from this month’s Hunt Club crate.

For those who aren’t familiar with the brand, they offer new, refreshed collections each month tailored to the season. They also offer the option to join the Hunt Club, an exclusive members-only option offering free at-home try-on and free shipping & returns on up to five items from each monthly collection. It’s a pretty great deal when you also throw in special discounts, early access to certain sales, and rewards points.

A look at my picks from this month’s Hunt Club crate in action. Cotton Plaid Shirt , Linen Cardigan in Heather Jute and Navy Herringbone Shorts. Watch by Invicta. Sneakers by GREATS Brand,

I got my hands on three pieces from Frank and Oak’s April 2015 issue (The Leisure Issue, to be exact). Thankfully, the brand’s offerings haven’t slipped from fall 2013 to now. The collection plays off easygoing, lightweight spring staples and fabric blends like cotton and linen in trousers, shirts, sweaters and blazers. Crisp short-sleeve button-ups, sturdy spring outerwear, lightweight shorts & T-shirts and other easywearing staples (like this striped popover) also fit right in with the collection. I picked up the Cotton Plaid Shirt in Aquifer, the quick-selling Linen Cardigan in Jute Heather and the 7.5″ Sheldon Herringbone Shorts in Navy — all at a great price-quality ratio.

The Linen Cardigan & Cotton Plaid Shirt both fit trim and provide nice breathability. Photo credit: Liz Todd.

The great thing about Frank and Oak is that its collections offer modern updates on relatively timeless staples in addition to slightly trendier offerings (like these Chino Jogger pants) — this month’s wares are no different, and that’s remarkable, really. The cotton plaid shirt pictured here is nice and lightweight — it’s breathable and comfortable against the skin. It also manages to not feel flimsy or scratchy despite the lighter fabric. The heritage F&O-branded buttons are a nice touch, too. Having had previous experience with F&O shirts, the fit was exactly what I’d come to expect — tailored across the chest and through the sleeves (but not too trim in a size Medium), with high armholes. It’s the type of shirt that would look just as great with this get-up as it would under a khaki blazer or with navy chinos and brown loafers. One caveat to this: If you prefer a lowered second shirt button, this isn’t necessarily the best bet — that second button is pretty high (not a problem for me personally, but it very well could be for others!).

What time is it? Time for a weekend stroll testing out new F&O gear — all standout items.

When worn together, the get-up was absolutely perfect to stroll outside in Brooklyn on a spring morning with temperatures in the high 50’s. The ottoman knit ribbing across the cardigan’s front added nice texture and breathability. And the cotton-linen blend shorts were nicely tailored, hitting above the knee, featuring a button-tab closure and complete with a cut similar to that of J. Crew’s Stanton short. Never having tried a pair of shorts from Frank and Oak, this was positive indeed — just like the rest of my selections this month. When worn with my GREATS sneakers and a nice dive watch, the outfit was an ideal transitional, spring-ready get-up — one that could easily be emulated by mixing and matching other F&O items. That one ensemble can be made with offerings from one brand (and one month’s collection) really speaks to what Frank and Oak has done. Here’s to hoping they put out more of the same in the future — much more.

What are your experiences like with Frank and Oak? Did you pick up any items from this month’s collection?

March 18, 2015April 10, 2015 by Beau H.

The Product Review: GREATS Brand Wilson Sneakers

In-person with some clean kicks from a “great” brand. T-shirt by American Apparel. Shorts by Banana Republic. Watch by Timex Ameritus and patterned watch strap by The Knottery.

Finding a great pair of sneakers for the spring is a move that can make it a lot easier to shop around for the rest of your gear. An awesome pair of well-made sneakers have tons of styling potential — jeans, chinos and shorts can all be worn with ease with some simple shoes. GREATS, out of Brooklyn, N.Y., is a brand that’s been featured a few times in recent weeks on this site (and elsewhere lately) for delivering innovative, modern sneakers at outstanding prices. They seem to be launching new models every couple of weeks, and they’ve also partnered with menswear luminaries like Nick Wooster on various designs.

But it was the brand’s simple Wilson silhouette that first caught my eye. This pair of sneakers made my spring style wish list a few weeks ago, and I was lucky enough to pick up a pair before jetting off to Florida recently for a weekend vacation (a few more photos of that trip can be seen on my Twitter and Instagram feeds). The Wilson is available in quite a few colorways — and in both canvas and suede options — but the all-white pair was my first pick, namely for versatility and crisp style potential.

A look at the Wilson sneakers in all-white, fresh from the box.

The sneakers arrived in what you might call the brand’s signature blue-and-white packaging. Notably, they didn’t have any scuffs or marks on first inspection — sometimes tricky to do with all-white items. Out of the box, they came with thinner ripcord laces, in addition to a handy backup pair of thicker white cotton laces — although I found the hint of stretch in the ripcord laces to be a nice bonus.

Hardly any logos on these sneakers other than the blue-and-white “G” on the heel here. Pull tab is a handy addition for slipping them on.

The Wilson features metal shoelace eyelets, a canvas upper, pull-tab heel and captoe construction, which adds a nice bit of durability in a mold similar to the Converse Jack Purcell — no need to worry about the toe giving out on these bad boys. The branding on these is thankfully minimal, with only a blue-and-white Greats “G” logo placed on the back heel and the middle sole.

Plenty of styling potential with these sneakers. Buttondown shirt by Saturdays Surf NYC. Lightwash jeans by J. Crew. Glasses by Warby Parker.

These sneakers feature sturdier construction and a thicker heel than other models of white sneakers I’ve had, which is a definite plus (no knock on those Tretorns, though). They felt comfortable with a pair of no-show socks when walking for several hours, and they broke in right away — no crazy stiffness or toughness to the canvas upper or heel. And as far as styling potential goes, these sneakers have definitely got it. On my Florida trip, I threw them on with both a charcoal pocket tee, khaki shorts and a white watch/patterned watch strap, as well as a patterned short-sleeve buttondown and lightwash jeans (as seen above). The clean white color would also work with dark denim or olive chinos, and I plan to try them out with a casual blazer & light grey chinos in the coming weeks, too. Standard khaki chinos would also work well.

Relatively minimal shape and a durable-looking captoe complete these kicks. Ripcord laces add some nice stretch, too.

As always, price was a big factor in my decision to pick these up; other minimal sneaker models are out there (and in more luxe materials like leather), but these are far and away the best bang for your buck at $49. For spring and summer style versatility, these are great to have on-hand — if you catch my drift.

Editor’s note: Get $10 off a pair of GREATS sneakers using the code ROOKIEX.

Do you have any experience with GREATS sneakers? What do you think? And how would you style them a pair like this?

March 2, 2015March 3, 2015 by Beau H.

The Product Review: Linjer Leather Goods Mocha Billfold

Editor’s note: Thanks to all who participated in the recent giveaway run in conjunction with Linjer Leather Goods!

Enough room for the essentials and some cash. Much slimmer than a regular wallet.

Now that the blog’s given away a fantastic Linjer Leather Goods piece to one lucky winner, it’s time to turn our attention to an alternative way to snag a great leather piece from the company for those who didn’t come out lucky — and that way, my friends, would be through yet another fundraising round. Uf you’re unfamiliar with Linjer, they launched early last fall and delivered successfully on a popular INDIEGOGO campaign, promising to cut down on the cost of leather goods while delivering the same top-line quality as more expensive brands. Funding opportunities for company’s new line launch today via the link at the start of this sentence. Linjer’s second push is shooting to raise about $15,000. The new line includes a card holder, a vertical wallet, the billfold seen here and a passport wallet, along with a tote bag. If funded, those items would join a selection of briefcases, a satchel and a messenger bag, among other items in luxurious-looking leathers, already for sale at the company’s official website.

The mocha billfold in action. What bank do I belong to and where am I from? There you go.

Roman from Linjer Leather Goods was kind enough to send me the first mocha billfold they produced, and it’s a piece that delivers on the quality the company promises. Some crowd-funding campaigns can be quite iffy in terms of actually delivering nice items in time (or at all), but Linjer’s stepped up to the plate, for sure. This particular mocha billfold is a lot slimmer than even typically slimmed-down wallets (about 40% of the traditional thickness) and uses exceptionally soft leather that should develop a nice patina over time.

The first-ever mocha billfold from Linjer Leather Goods.

This same leather features prominently in the company’s briefcases, satchels and messenger bags — it’s vegetable-tanned, giving it that soft-to-the-touch feel. It features two pockets for cash (one of them dubbed a “secret pocket” and enough space for 6 cards, which should be the perfect amount for most of us. Crucially, the presentation of the wallet in terms of packaging was also on-par with what you might expect from a reputed company — Roman and the team were kind enough to include a handwritten card.

I currently carry a brown leather card case, but this presents a sturdier, more durable and attractive option. There’s more than enough space for cards I need and the cash slots offer enough room for some bills. The inner lining of those sleeves is a soft twill that’s also a step up from the plastic-like lining you find on some brands. While these pieces are close to $50 right now, it’s an investment that’s worth making — doubly so when you consider a wallet’s on your person every day with both casual or dressier outfits. This Linjer billfold is sharp enough to go with both — and everywhere in between.

January 27, 2015July 23, 2020 by Beau H.

The Product Review: Brickell Men’s Products

Reviewing an up-and-coming skincare brand.

While lots of us put care into our appearance and overall style, there are parts that seem to get overlooked (speaking from personal experience here) — namely, skin care! You’ve simply got to have the best men’s grooming essentials on deck these days. It’s part of the full package in terms of taking care of yourself physically and mentally, and it’s probably even more important than the clothes you wear — after all, it’s an indicator of overall health, and that’s why you need the best men’s grooming picks for day-to-night skincare. A terrific post from our friends over at Effortless Gent really got me thinking about this concept — Josh from Brickell Men’s Products preaches the importance of developing a daily skincare routine (and using high-quality products, like those from Brickell, to do it). Given the EG-approved recommendation, that was enough for me to take the plunge myself.

I picked up the Purifying Charcoal Face Wash and added in a sample of the brand’s Daily Essential Face Moisturizer for Men, both using a discount code related to Effortless Gent (the brand is currently knocking 15% off your first purchase if you sign up via email). They rolled into my mailbox about a week ago, giving me ample time to test them out — and the results are in! Now the brand has gotten quite a bit of press across the past few months, so those testimonials would be an excellent source to check out, too.

For other grooming brands I love, be sure to check out Oars + Alps — use the code BEAU15 to get 15 percent off at checkout. Go ahead and check out the excellent men’s grooming gear at Huron, too.

Charcoal face wash that capitalizes on a recent skincare trend (with good presentation, to boot).

The first thing that jumps out is the packaging, seen at the top of the page. The cardboard box is crisp and sturdy, stamped with a masculine logo, much like other guys’ skincare brands out there — not that that’s a bad thing, by any means. The full-size face wash bottle is a nice, deep emerald green color – a small detail to be sure, but that makes it pleasing to look at. Other products on the site feature either that same green shade or a deep red bottle color.

As for starting to use the product itself, there weren’t any visible directions on the bottle (not that many are needed for face wash, anyhow) — but that was rectified with a tips email that came the day after the package was received, outlining best practices for using the charcoal face wash. For the record, using a dime-sized amount of product with warm water works best to wash your face, followed by cold water to clean off.

Charcoal face wash on the left, with a moisturizer sample on the right.

Pairing the face wash with the moisturizer immediately thereafter (and following that process twice a day) has yielded some pretty pleasing results. I’ve noticed that despite the cold winter weather, my face doesn’t feel dry – using both products helps a great deal with beating winter skin irritation. Neither product drys out the skin either, something that can be an issue with other skincare products. While I’m no expert in skincare by any means, those are definitely positives to using these products. I’d expect that that same quality extends elsewhere, too.

In the future, I’m definitely inclined to purchase a larger version of the moisturizer, and I’d definitely add other products — like the shampoo or the body wash. Note that they also produce, among other products, a full line of shaving items (minus the razor and blades), and travel sizes for each.

Pricing is comparable to other skincare brands for like-minded products (in this case, the moisturizer is slightly pricier than the Jack Black option because Brickell offers a larger bottle). Knocking off 15% on your first order is definitely preferable at the moment, but extremely frequent refills shouldn’t be needed — so this option hopefully won’t stretch too many budgets. They’re definitely a solid bet among several other competitors — going with a surefire option like this could be a great way to complete an overall lifestyle routine.

What are your skincare steps? What products would you recommend? Any experience with Brickell Men’s Products? And what are your thoughts on the best grooming brands for men right now? Leave your thoughts below!

January 22, 2015 by Beau H.

The Product Review: Bonobos Travel Jeans

Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, the author interned with Bonobos this past summer. This review is completely impartial and in no way influenced or sponsored by Bonobos.

Reviewing a much-loved pair of jeans from a much-loved company.

This time of year, it’s easy to get into a style rut. We’re long into a chilly winter — and most of us are probably jealous of those in warmer climates! The novelty of wearing thicker winter fabrics could very well be getting old, and even reaching for dark denim might not provide enough style inspiration on most days. Fear not, though; plenty of options are out there for changing up how you start your outfit — namely, with your pants. If you’ve had any experience with Bonobos, you know the drill. Renowned for the fit of their chinos and increasingly known for their relatively recent expansion into tailored wear and other stylish items, Bonobos’ Travel Jeans have generated lots of buzz, too.

As renowned for their presentation and customer service as the fit of their pants.

In fact, they’re about as tough to beat for a pair of versatile jeans as any on the market. And that versatility starts with the huge array of color options they offer — absolutely essential to shaking up a winter wardrobe with some different shades. In particular, their Allegheny Oak Travel Jeans provide great cold-weather color and an outstanding fit. Offered in four different fits (Slim Tailored, Slim Straight, Straight Leg and Boot Cut), the full spectrum offers something for just about everyone. And the colors are completely on-point as far as fall and winter dressing — from a rich burgundy to a slate green color to a nice faded tan (or “sand” color), several options should go well with other shades like charcoal or deep navy this time of year.

The Allegheny Oak shade would pair up perfectly with other fall & winter shades.

The Allegheny Oak shade would pair up perfectly with other fall & winter colors.

These travel jeans live up to their reputation, as well. The fabric has a nice thickness to it, yet retains more than a hint of stretch — the folks at Bonobos had easy transport in mind, clearly. This specific pair comes in the Slim Tailored cut — after trying a Slim Straight cut in the same size (and in the more summer-appropriate Bering Blue) last year, there was slightly too much room in the waist and thigh for my liking, thus leading to the Slim Tailored option. The fit is exceptionally similar to their Slim Tailored Washed Chinos.

A closer look at the detailed label now sewn into newer Travel Jeans.

And this iteration of the Travel Jean is superior in other ways, too. There’s a detailed label sewn into the back pocket, along with white stripes on the interior of the brown pockets. The fit is, of course, more tailored than the Slim Straight option, making it easy to wear and move around in. As far as versatility goes, these strike the ideal balance between being too dressed-up and too dressed-down. The five-pocket construction, while not incredibly formal, would work in business casual settings with a well-tailored blazer in multiple shades — from light gray to a heightened blue. Because these jeans are a lighter brown, they would even coordinate well with darker brown leather — like these sneakers or virtually any of the options discussed here. These jeans are also made for wearing with a shawl or color-blocked cardigan and, say, a navy henley casually. Last but not least (and perhaps more importantly for those of us on a budget), most of Bonobos’ Travel Jeans are going for $78 on-sale (knocked down to under $50 with a 40% off code). That’s a terrific price for a pair of pants that are more versatile than a standard pair of dark denim — well worth it given Bonobos’ quality.

Own any Bonobos Travel Jeans? Or their Chinos? Thoughts? Leave it all below and thanks for reading!

August 19, 2014 by Beau H.

One Year of Men’s Style on Siblings With Style

If you’re just now catching up with Siblings With Style, welcome! And if you’ve been along for the ride, welcome back! It’s been a little over a year since I first posted about men’s style here on this blog, and it’s high time for a recap of what’s been going on in this small corner of the blogosphere. If you’ve taken the opportunity to read or share posts, first of all, many thanks. And if you’ve commented on an article or interacted with myself or Olivia (the women’s style half of this site) on social media, thanks again! The journey to better style is a constant, winding path, and to be able to write about it has been fun and challenging at the same time. With that being said, here’s what you might have missed across this past year or so with #SiblingsWithStyle:

Menswear essentials

An essential: The ‘Classic Polo’ in white from Old Navy. About as inexpensive & simple as it gets.

Yet another essential: A classic blue OCBD from Old Navy.

One of the first topics covered on the blog (and perhaps one of the most important) centered around style essentials — those items that guys can wear anytime of year regardless of the season or other trends. We’re talking things like the blue Oxford cloth button-down — the perfect polo alternative. We’re also talking about the one pair of pants every guy needs to have — that would be dark denim. And of course, a crisp white polo is never a bad thing to reach for you in the warmer months, either. Start with these items as the foundation of your wardrobe and incorporate new products (more on that in a second) and your style is off and running.

Product reviews

As reviewed: Use a watch strap to inject some color into a look on sunny days.

As reviewed: Wolverine 1000 Mile Austen boots in black. The perfect shade and style for fall and winter.

Product reviews on the site here have focused on virtually every item of clothing a guy might need, ranging from stylish polos to a colorful watch strap to sturdy boots fit for stomping through the snow. In the meantime, other reviews have touched on seasonal basics, like crisp white sneakers for the summer or a lightwash denim shirt equally at home in the summer or winter. My favorite of these products? Probably my white Tretorn sneakers, which have gotten tons of wear with T-shirts and jeans as of late. Use these reviews to find style inspiration and make your own decisions about what’s right for you, and you’ll build a versatile and well-stocked wardrobe.

Store reviews

As reviewed: Express.

As reviewed: J. Crew.

In the quest to build great style, there are all kinds of resources out there, a sometimes-confusing web of brands, stores and e-commerce outlets. The Starter Style Review series looks to cut through this clutter and provide the highlights, in pictures and words, of stores that can be tremendously helpful when shopping on a small (or decently large) budget. Entries have chronicled everywhere from the likes of basics bargain store Target to quirky college-town staple Urban Outfitters and even the more continental Club Monaco. Swing by one of these stores and see for yourself how your dollars can work for you when building a curated wardrobe.

Style suggestions

For the winter: A casual way to switch up the v-neck sweater.

For the spring and summer: Lightwash jeans.

Across the past year, style suggestions have been a frequent favorite of mine to write about. Check out spring style suggestions for items that can work interchangeably (like lightwash jeans and a denim jacket) and dig into winter style for ways to stay warm when chillier weather hits. Highlights here include the best way to swap out your regular v-neck sweater (reach for a shawl collar cardigan) and what shirt to throw on with that cardigan (try a chambray shirt that’ll also work year-round). And in the spring, when wearing shorts or shirts, check out some of these tips here and here.

Travel tips

Travel well: Most of the spread for a weekend music festival in San Francisco.

In recent weeks, my travels took me out West to the Outside Lands music festival. With that trip came the chance to really put my knowledge (limited knowledge?) of packing well to the test. It was an extremely fun trip that really made me focus on how to create combos that stood up to the weather while also staying versatile — and I learned a bit about what I would pack in the future, as well. Oh, and the music (Local Natives, Haim and Arctic Monkeys, among others) was pretty good too, as was the company (my amazing girlfriend, Liz)!

The rest

Dressing for a holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving? Or bouncing around parties on the Fourth of July? Check out the linked articles for how to stay stylish and celebrate the occasion.

What to look for in the future:

In the coming weeks, keep your eyes peeled for a review of my Navali Stowaway Weekender Bag. Also, be sure to check out the blog for style suggestions as fall approaches (more than likely including an appearance by the Gustin Chore Coat, among others). Anything else you’d like to see on the blog? Suggestions for improvement? Leave it all below and thanks so much for reading!

Stay stylish,

-Beau

The Style Guide

All the best men's style essentials you need, every day.

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