Tag / randolph engineering aviators

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Randolph Sportsman Vintage American Sunglasses – A Classic Menswear Accessory

If you, like me, are constantly scouring the menswear market for the ultimate in classic men’s style essentials, there are a few that are nearly indispensable to a guy’s summer wardrobe. There’s the T-shirt, the blue jean, the timeless canvas sneaker (especially in the summer months), and in the world of menswear accessories, there are the always-classic aviator sunglasses you’ve been coveting (or perhaps wearing for years).

There’s a new (old) master of the style on the market, one that’s more than worthy of your consideration: Randolph Engineering blends throwback craftsmanship with styles that toe the line between classic and modern, best seen in handsome picks like the Randolph Sportsman Vintage American Sunglasses.

Learn more now at Randolph Engineering

The style builds off the brand’s penchant for making some of the very best USA-made sunglasses, a noble pursuit that stretches back five decades for the Massachusetts company. They’re also based on the brand’s Concorde style, a classic aviator style that’s now been amped up with a brow bar (matched by skull temple tips).

The Randolph Sportsman Vintage American Sunglasses are bold and yet versatile, a perfect match for everything from a summer T-shirt and classic blue jeans to chino shorts and a henley. Oh, and yes, in my opinion, the Randolph Sportsman Vintage American Sunglasses can even pair up handsomely with your favorite summer suit.

These elegant, classically cool shades are also plenty functional, especially the polarized and anti-reflective lenses. And with 200-plus steps of careful craftsmanship, the Randolph Sportsman Vintage American Sunglasses are worth the higher price tag.

Shop stylish men’s sunglasses at Randolph Engineering

In fact, I’d go so far as to say these stylish vintage men’s sunglasses are almost heirloom-worthy, and a surefire upgrade over other shades on a lower budget. If you’re ready to make the leap and upgrade your wardrobe with the ultimate in classic looks, embrace the potential of the Randolph Sportsman Vintage American Sunglasses.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Randolph Engineering Makes (Arguably) the Best USA-Made Sunglasses on the Market

Randolph Engineering sunglasses review.

When it comes down to it, they just don’t make ’em like they used to — “it,” in this case, being durable sunglasses crafted with care in America. And yet, in my experience, one brand in particular rises above the rest, and that’s Randolph Engineering, makers of some of the very best USA-made sunglasses.

Learn more and shop men’s sunglasses now

The company is an old-school one, developing military-grade and military-approved shades on time-tested equipment in Massachusetts. The story only gets better from there when it comes to some of the best sunglasses for men.

Best USA-made sunglasses for men.

And in fact, some of that equipment used dates back decades, as the brand was originally founded by machinists Jan Waszkiewicz and Stanley Zaleski — the very developers of that same equipment, prior to the formal launching of the brand itself.

The company won its first military-spec contract for men’s aviator sunglasses in 1983, and the brand has grown by leaps and bounds since then. It’s an admirable story that I can’t help but love — and in my experience, the brand’s men’s sunglasses deliver the goods in terms of heritage and history.

Learn more now at Randolph Engineering

These days, Randolph Engineering proudly toes the line between rugged functionality and modern style, which is a tricky balance to strike — and yet one that they achieve admirably.

Case in point? Styles like the Randolph Engineering Class A Aviator, which boasts a distinctive and versatile shape, plus the option to select from multiple lens and frame colors. Four lens size options provide versatility based on the shape of your own face, too.

And for good measure, the design is well worth the price tag (less expensive than designer frames, more expensive than classic Ray-Ban Aviators, and packed with tons of history, to boot). This isn’t the last time you’ll be reading a Randolph Engineering review on the blog, but for now, get used to — and get acquainted with — the brand that makes your new favorite sunglasses.

by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Dress for a Casual Summer Day

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

Past #OOTD features here at The Style Guide have tackled everything from dressing up linen pants to dressing down a chambray blazer, but what about those times when you just …. need something in-between to wear? The title of this #OOTD might be a dead giveaway, and it might be a bit “boring,” but maybe you’re grabbing coffee and groceries and then a beer or lunch, maybe you’re strolling through the park  — but it’s a casual scenario, it might be hot (but it could get a bit breezy later), and you want comfort, good looks and an easy-to-wear #menswear ensemble.  That’s the aim of today’s #OOTD — it’s taking somewhat expected pieces (like classic, slim denim and a V-neck tee) and matching them up in a way that’s cool, simple and effortless (and more on why we’re sticking with denim in a second). If you want more daily styling tips or appreciate a great outfit grid (as I do), check out my Instagram feed for more — and chime in on Twitter with suggestions on topics for the next #OOTD. Got it? Good!
Huckberry

Pairing up items you've already got -- like a V-neck tee -- with sharp sunglasses, lightweight sneakers and a trusty denim shirt.

Pairing up items you’ve already got — like a V-neck tee — with sharp sunglasses, lightweight sneakers and a trusty denim shirt.

The Denim: Mott & Bow Slim Mercer Light Denim, $108 — Mixing things up from typical dark or light wash denim is a must, and the light tan color of these jeans matches up pleasingly well with blue and grey — as you’ll see below. Plus, they’re a little more versatile than shorts — although if it gets too hot, those would work fine here.

The T-Shirt: Life/After/Denim Club V-neck Tee, $58 — Here’s the casual part of the outfit –a garment-dyed V-neck tee in a rich blue color that fits slim and looks better than a standard crewneck tee.

The Overshirt: JackThreads The Denim Shirt, $34.99 — A light wash denim shirt is an unexpected summer style move — lest you think it’s too heavy, know that this shirt is lightweight and should offset the deeper blue of the tee nicely; wear it slightly buttoned up for a layered look, or leave it open during a stroll by the lake.

The Watch: Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch, $138 — Lest we get too far ahead of ourselves, know that this Timex x Todd Snyder watch is indeed on backorder — but it should ship soon, and you’ve got the perfect #OOTD ready when it does.

The Sneakers: UGG Freamon Sneakers, $110 — Am I the only one who didn’t know that UGG made men’s sneakers? Maybe so? Either way, this pair of chukka sneakers features water-resistant suede, lightweight traction & a nicely versatile color.

The Belt: Arcade Belt Co. Crawford Belt, $36 — Style comes down to the details, and this belt combines the look of a crisp tan leather belt with a high-tensile navy elastic for comfort.

The Socks: American Trench Pima Cotton Houndstooth Socks, $22.98 — American Trench reliably makes excellent socks that breath well even in the heat, and these should be no exception. Again, if it’s too hot, trade the denim for shorts and swap in a pair of stylish no-show socks.

The Sunglasses: Randolph Engineering Aviator Sunglasses in Gunmetal, $209.98 — When you’re pairing up classic pieces like a denim shirt and a V-neck tee, there’s no need to go overboard with your shades; classic aviators are the way to go here.

The above outfit might not gain you major street style snaps, but it’s effective, solid and reliably stylish because the basic pieces are well-made and well-fitting. Plus, accessories like a  crisp NATO strap watch and classic aviator sunglasses can take you anywhere the rest of the season. And that denim shirt can also work in the fall when layered over your favorite long-sleeve henley. The more scenarios you can take on with one outfit, the better off you’ll be — and that’s the case with this #OOTD. Got any feedback? Give us a shout in the comments below! And be on the lookout for a great reader giveaway coming up tomorrow.

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by Beau H.

#OOTD: The Best Way to Wear Shorts this Summer

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

We’ve covered lots of ground here in past #OOTD posts on The Style Guide, but it seems we’ve skipped over a crucial style tip — the best way to wear shorts when it’s hot out. If you’re anything like me, it can sometimes be tricky to put away your denim, be it a slim pair of light wash jeans or something darker in color. They’re an easy style to wear across any season, to be sure — but from time to time, the weather really just calls for shorts. However, we’re not talking baggy cargo shorts. The best shorts for summer are more tailored in cut, lighter in terms of weight and fabric, and able to be worn with everything from a slim pocket T-shirt to a crisp polo and most styles in between. The same goes for the footwear you can match ’em with (and the pick you see below is a bit of a style swerve). The versatility of a slim pair of shorts is great news for all of us, particularly if you like your #menswear a bit more eye-catching.  And if you’re hesitant to ditch your denim or chinos because shorts feel too casual, know that you can take some risks when wearing tailored shorts (click that there link for tips). The below outfit starts things off slow, though. It’s one of the best ways to wear shorts this summer — at least in the opinion of your humble author.

Step 1: Buy shorts for summer. Step 2: Rock shorts for summer using this #OOTD.

Step 1: Buy shorts for summer. Step 2: Rock shorts for summer using this #OOTD.

The Shorts: JackThreads Chino Shorts, $39 — If you haven’t yet snagged a pair of chino shorts, these should be your go-to. Trying them on is free through the brand’s TryOuts program, and the fit and fabric should be reliable and stylish.

The Shirt: JACHS NY Cream-and-Blue Horizontal Striped Short-Sleeve Shirt, $89 — Upgrade from a casual T-shirt with an easygoing short-sleeve number that fits slim and broadens your chest thanks to the stylish stripes.

The Shoes: Jack Erwin Parker Driving Loafer in Navy Suede, $115 — We all love our stylish sneakers, but give some suede driving loafers a try. This particular pair is cut long and lean, and the navy color is especially sleek.

The Socks: Ministry of Supply Atlas No-show Socks, $11.98 — As crucial as it is to get your footwear choice right, it’s even more essential to grab some no-show socks to complement those kicks (especially driving loafers). Note that although the Grey color is shown in that photo, Black is what’s in stock now.
 The Belt: Arcade Belt Co. The Hudson Belt, $31.98 — So, you’ve got the shorts all set; don’t forget about a belt, particularly an upscale accessory that incorporates a neutral color and summer-appropriate texture.
The Watch: Invicta 8926 Pro Diver, $84.14 — Tough, reliable and stylish is the way to go; this is a casual watch that still looks crisp and plays off the rest of the outfit perfectly.
The Sunglasses: Randolph Engineering Aviator Sunglasses in Gunmetal, $209.98 — To top off an outfit that’s got a bit of flourish (particularly those driving loafers), grab some classic men’s sunglasses.
The Necessary Accessory: Manda Organic Sun Paste, $28.98 — When it comes to getting out this summer, taking care of your skin is a must. Doing so in an organic fashion is even better.
The Everyday Carry: Appointed Mini-Jotter, $9.98 — Not everyone is partial to writing things down, what with technology everywhere, but when out on a casual weekend, it can be great to have a notebook handy to jot down your passing thoughts.

 Making the leap to wearing shorts more frequently than denim or chinos can be a work in progress, even when it’s warm out. But grabbing a slim, stylish pair in a neutral color allows you to pair them easily with essentials you’d also rock with classic denim — like a short-sleeve shirt, a casual watch and loafers, for example. And when you take the approach that khaki shorts can work with everything from a T-shirt to a classic Oxford shirt, that opens another world of possibilities (heading to the office for a half-day? Try out shorts with a blazer — perhaps).  Plus, keeping things affordable and simple helps when finding out the pair that’s best for you can help  a great deal. Are you on board yet? Good. For more tips on how to style shorts this summer, head on over to my Instagram, or jump on over to Twitter if you’ve got other summer shorts picks.

Frank & Oak