December 3, 2022November 27, 2022 by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Satchel & Page Leather Bomber Jacket – Most Stylish Men’s Leather Jacket

From time to time, it can feel great to splurge on a hard-earned menswear pick-up from one of the best leather goods brands on the market — a purchase like one of the best leather bomber jackets. Sure, a leather bomber jacket isn’t an absolute, 100 percent wardrobe must-have in the same manner as, say one of the best winter puffer jackets or a stylish pair of snow boots, yet you should still give it a fair shake. After all, it comes from the same brand that makes your favorite weekender bag (that’d be Satchel & Page, folks).

When you find the right one — like the luxe, impossibly cool and extremely well-made Satchel & Paige Leather Bomber Jacket — it’s a mighty fun, incredibly wool wardrobe investment. And every so often, it’s also fun to shake things up and spend — wisely, of course! — on one of the best leather jackets for men. Again, this handsome, refined, stylish shearling bomber jacket isn’t a true necessity, but the Satchel & Paige Leather Bomber Jacket is an awfully hard style splurge to pass up (if you ask your Brooklyn style writer, that is).

The Satchel & Paige Leather Bomber Jacket is made with care the right way, the old-school way, using some of the finest materials and processes on the market. The materials and processes that go into the Satchel & Paige Leather Bomber Jacket include *drum roll please* beautiful French Calf leather throughout, vegetable-tanned to get better with age. Beyond that, the handsome Satchel & Paige Leather Bomber Jacket features a Spanish wool shearing collar — a luxe upgrade to a retro touch — and is lined with brushed cotton tartan lining.

Stylish men's leather jacket to shop now.

Of course, the Satchel & Paige Leather Bomber Jacket is a splurge, as we talked about earlier, at nearly $700. You should also pay close attention to the company’s sizing notes. Yet, if you think this jacket checks the proper boxes for you — and if you think it’ll hold up and get better the more you wear it! — then the instantly iconic Satchel & Paige Leather Bomber Jacket is a worthy investment this season (and beyond).

November 14, 2022November 11, 2022 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Satchel & Page Weekender Is The Best Men’s Duffle Bag for Holiday Travel

Any time you hit the road, especially as you pack up those men’s style essentials for the holiday season, I maintain you should have good looks and hard-wearing functionality top of mind. That goes for how you’re dressing to get from point A to point B (especially on a chilly winter day), and it’s just as important to ensure you’re packing up one of the best weekender bags for men.

It’s especially useful during the holidays, when your time is short and you’ve probably got multiple stops to make on the road. What’s a well-dressed guy like yourself to do? That’s easy: Load up the durable, rugged and effortlessly stylish Satchel & Page Weekender — one of the best duffle bags for men, let alone this time of year — and get out there.

Perhaps you recognize the famed Texas brand for its recent Warehouse Sale, which gave you the chance to save on one of the best leather bags, or perhaps you’re a newcomer — either way, there’s lots to love with this rugged-yet-refined maker of everyday carry essentials.

Crucially, the Satchel & Page Weekender is built to exacting specifications in Italy featuring fine Italian leather, the kind that’s only guaranteed to get better with age (and I know you’ll want to pack up this bag quite a lot the rest of the year, too). The Satchel & Page Weekender is also made in conjunction with gold-rated leather tanneries for added sustainability, and the end result is quite stylish yet rugged and utilitarian, to boot.

For good measure, the Satchel & Page Weekender boasts an easy-access laptop compartment, plus an interior zipper pocket and key clip. On top of that, this stylish men’s weekender bag is also built with enough space for MacBook Pro 16-inch. Durable antique brass D-rings add a touch of durability while serving as a useful place for extra attachments.

Suffice to say, the Satchel & Page Weekender is made with plenty of room for your holiday style essentials, and it’s also made to get better with age. Bear in mind that the heirloom-worthy Satchel & Page Weekender is more of an investment than other weekender bags at more than $600, but when you consider the fact that you can use this durable men’s duffle bag all the time (yes, all the time), it’s seriously worth it.

October 18, 2022October 15, 2022 by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: The Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale Offers the Best Deals on Leather Bags for Men

As you take stock of both your travel gear and your everyday carry essentials, perhaps you like to invest in the best leather goods for men, the kind of gear that lasts — and lasts, and lasts. But there’s a catch with shopping for stylish leather goods: The process can often be expensive, so what’s a guy to do? Here’s my best answer — head right now to the Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale, a well-crafted offering of handsome and rugged leather goods for men.

This rather astounding sale is offering deals on quite nearly the entire lineup of Satchel & Page leather goods, from the brand’s famed Leather Weekender to its Slim Mailbag and even the brand’s Padfolio. These pieces are heirloom-worthy, made from rich brown leather designed to get better over time, to say the very least. And the deals are just as great, running anywhere from 15 percent off to 30 percent off the best men’s leather goods.

The Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale doesn’t tend to stick around very often, and it’s no wonder why: When you can get an exceedingly handsome, well-crafted leather weekender — with plenty of packing potential — why not knock off a few dozen bucks to snag that bag for under $600? Precisely, my friend.

Even the brand’s smaller goods are on offer in the Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale, including a stylish leather backpack. A word to the wise: These pieces from Satchel & Paige do arrive lightly used, and yet, should still be in great enough condition to allow you to make your own mark. Remember: The Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale won’t last forever, so shop early and often.

August 11, 2021July 25, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Satchel & Page is Making the Best Men’s Weekender Bag for Seasonal Getaways

If you’re anything like me, perhaps your travel plans are starting to ramp up slowly but surely. And perhaps you’re realizing that you’re overdue to upgrade your everyday carry essentials, not to mention your much-needed, reliable weekender bag. Enter the remarkably refined, rugged Satchel & Page Carryall Bag, a one-of-a-kind and heritage quality piece that’s got the potential to become your new favorite getaway bag, easily. It’s the perfect addition to our ongoing See Now, Buy Now series, which has hopefully helped outfit you for the many pursuits on your summer to-do list. Chief among them, however, just might be hitting the road in style again, and that’s where you’re very much in luck.

I’ve previously reviewed Satchel & Page on the blog, but it’s always worth diving into what makes the brand so essential for the well-dressed man these days. The Satchel & Page Carryall Bag is as fine an example as any if you’re in search of next-level quality, durability and construction, and that’s an understatement. The brand has been making exceptionally well-crafted bags inspired by an heirloom leather map case from the founder’s grandfather, and that same respect for history and process carries through to staple pieces like the Satchel & Page Carryall Bag. It all starts with French Cowhide leather tanned and finished in Italy, and it only gets better from there.

SHOP: The Satchel & Page Carryall Bag

It’s the best men’s weekender bag for a reason, and incredible attention to detail is only half the story. The soft oiled leather will show variations in color over time the more you use this bag, which — trust me — is going to be quite often, if I had to guess. Solid copper rivets add a durable finishing touch to the Satchel & Page Carryall Bag, which is further reinforced by antique brass hardware. Every little detail has been considered in its construction, including the lovely Tobacco Suede lining. That lining makes it a reliable and safe choice to share those crucial, aforementioned everyday carry essentials, too.

Interior zipper pockets, a laptop storage pocket and a quick-grab pocket for your phone are all thoughtful design touches, and two D-ring additions give you more carrying capacity on the exterior of the bag, too. The small notes have been carefully curated, and the big-ticket items, like the design, the rich leather and the excellent carrying capacity, are all accounted for, too. Better still is the fact that the Satchel & Page Carryall Bag comes with a lifetime warranty, a detail you’re not going to find all that often as you shop around for the best weekender bag for men. If you want a weekender bag that’ll get better with age, one that’ll grow with you and allow you to hit the road again in style, you want the classic, heritage-worthy Satchel & Page Carryall Bag. It won’t let you down, and that’s an understatement.

SHOP: The Satchel & Page Carryall Bag

June 2, 2021May 18, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Satchel & Page Gladstone Weekender is the Best Summer Travel Bag

The hour draws ever closer. That is, the time to hit the road again in style with one of the best weekender bags for men will soon be upon us, and if you’ve been reading the blog, I hope you’re prepared for what lies ahead. I mean that in the best way possible — hitting the road again, even in a car or via a quick train (or bus) trip should be enjoyable and just plain fun. It’s made all the better by the most crucial ingredient of all as far as your summer travel gear is concerned:

The Satchel & Page Gladstone Weekender is one of the best weekender bags on the market, ready for quick getaways and rugged adventures alike. If you’ve kept up with the blog, you also recognize Satchel & Page from a weekend style guide or two, but it’s always worth revisiting a brand making heirloom-quality leather goods of all types, including this refined leather weekender bag. Why go with a bag like this one instead of, say your tried-and-true athletic logo weekender? The proof is in the pudding, my friends, and that means this bag has plenty more style points and even more functionality than the bag you’ve been lugging to the gym — it’s made specifically for weekend getaways, season after season. It gets even better when it comes to your new favorite weekender bag, though.

SHOP: The Satchel & Page Gladstone Weekender

The list of positives about the excellent Satchel & Page Gladstone Weekender goes on and on, and on. It features a lifetime warranty, for starters — the sturdy brass frame won’t give out or buckle under pressure, either. It’s also made with handsome Italian, vegetable-tanned leather, making it one of the best leather weekender bags you can possibly buy right now. Tobacco suede lining ensures your valuable gear won’t get dinged up or scuffed, and brass hardware drives home the rugged durability of this handsome leather weekender bag.

Think of it like an accessory that’s as stylish as your road trip #OOTD, and then some. Two interior pouch pockets and one zipper pocket offer crucial space for your everyday carry essentials. The rugged Satchel & Page Gladstone Weekender is, without a doubt, the kind of bag you can pack up to hit the road at a moment’s notice. And if you need to leave from the office for your weekend getaway, it helps that this bag is quite stylish, unlike a plain old gym bag. It’s an investment for the price ($625 at Satchel & Page), but it’s got dependability and serious style going for it — unlike any other weekender bag on the market. Safe travels, folks.

SHOP: The Satchel & Page Gladstone Weekender

May 14, 2021May 7, 2021 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Heritage-Quality Leather Bag, New Buck Mason Jackets & The Best Summer Backpack

Just as with last Friday’s weekly recap, where I talked about the best bag to buy for a weekend getaway, well, we’re back again in fine form with my latest summer travel gear pick for your reading and shopping pleasure. After all, there’s no better way to lead into the weekend than by buying one of the best leather bags and packing it up accordingly for a safe and long-awaited getaway. In that case, my friends, allow me to reintroduce you to Satchel & Page, makers of heritage-quality leather goods of all shapes and sizes. You can check out my Satchel & Page review from 2015 on the site, but the latest on the company is that they’ve only expanded and only gotten better in the years since then.

It’s the Satchel & Page Counselor Zip Briefcase that caught my eye, the kind you can haul to work and then use as a carry-on, but might I also recommend you check out the brand’s full line of the best leather travel luggage for men? Go right ahead and start adding to your cart (and your travel wish list).

See, there’s a closer look at the Satchel & Page Counselor Zip Briefcase above — how cool is that?? Such a sweet bag. But bear in mind that we’re not only talking about Satchel & Page today. My latest weekly roundup is packed with a touch of everything for your reading pleasure, including new jackets from Buck Mason. Speaking of getting a bit of everything: Have you subscribed yet to my twice-weekly music, menswear and craft beer newsletter? Every Tuesday and Saturday, for free, I send out The Style Guide In Brief: It includes a song to enjoy, some menswear to shop, and some craft beer or whiskey (or coffee) to imbibe all the while. It’s fun, it’s free and you’re going to love it (I hope). Give it a whirl and check out the rest of the Friday Read below, folks. Thanks for reading!

We’ll start off Friday with, well, another reading selection. This is a great gift for the outdoorsman and a great gift for Father’s Day upcoming: The Peter Buchanan-Smith Axe Handbook is beautifully designed and packaged, and quite the gem to have on your bookshelf (or near your workspace, or at your cabin). Any fan of Best Made Co., the company Peter founded, would also do well to check out this seriously cool book. And even if you’re not the most adventurous, this helpful handbook might just spur you on towards a new passion. Get it now at Barnes & Noble.

If you’ve read the blog, you know the brand pictured above. That’d be the all-American purveyors of some of the best jackets for men — I’m talking, of course, about Buck Mason. I got to take a deep dive for Maxim on three new jackets from Buck Mason, each crafted with plenty of style points and supreme durability (and heritage) for the season that’s upon us. Find your new favorite jacket today at Buck Mason, folks.

If you loved the refined, heritage-worthy appeal of one of the one of the best leather bags from Satchel & Page, well, here’s one of the best adventure backpacks for those more inclined to outdoor adventures. The Topo Designs Klettersack, a fan favorite that’s available at the UNCRATE Supply Shop, is built to withstand harsh designs while providing plenty of compact carrying capacity. It’s as fine a Friday pick as any, correct? Yes, indeed.
Last but not least, here’s a helpful guide to lead you clearly into the weekend. For The Manual, I wrote all about the best way to clean your glasses and sunglasses, some advice I’ve been trying to follow myself as of late. Read up and head into the weekend with a new outlook (see what I did there?).

OK, folks — we’re all set in style and in new shopping (and reading) picks for the weekend, I should think. But just for fun, here’s one more must-have menswear pick to pick up right now on this fine May day. Get your new favorite T-shirt from the aforementioned men’s style masters at Buck Mason in this T-shirt buying guide on the blog, and reap the rewards when you discover it’s one of the best T-shirts for men on the market. Happy shopping, and stay stylish.

September 30, 2015September 29, 2015 by Beau H.

Cross-country: Heading West for a weekend in L.A.

Polka dots popping out. Taking my favorite Saturdays Surf NYC shirt and my trusty Navali Stowaway Weekender Bag. Luggage tag by Owen & Fred.

Editor’s note: For more travel style dispatches, head here.

Out of the major American (and international) cities I’ve visited, I have perhaps the fondest memories of Los Angeles — and I only spent about twelve hours there. The last time I was in the L.A. area was, without question, one of the best weekends of my life — a trip West as part of a graduation gift to watch my beloved Michigan State Spartans take down Stanford in a legendary Rose Bowl game. I slept on a hotel room floor, edited stories from my phone as part of my work at The State News (MSU’s student newspaper) and basked in the glow of a historic school moment. Spending the next day driving around L.A. with my newspaper colleagues was particularly momentous after such a great win. But I quickly realized the city had more to offer — and when one of my best high school & college friends headed West earlier this year, I knew I had to make it back. So that’s where this weekend is set to take me — and as always, I resolved to travel in style despite the promise of pretty sweltering Los Angeles weather. (Let’s call this trip #StyleGuideLosAngeles, shall we?)

Three options for hot weather, pictured top to bottom — lightweight JACHS NY grey chinos, flexible Mott & Bow dark denim and lightweight linen shorts from Frank & Oak.

I’m bringing along a good mix of product to combat the heat, starting with some linen shorts from Frank & Oak (as pictured above and detailed in this April post). I’m also bringing along a pair of Banana Republic khaki shorts and my Pistol Lake French Terry Sweatshorts, a seasonally-appropriate pickup from a brand that just happens to be based in L.A. They should pair nicely with one of my Pistol Lake V-neck tees. And that get-up should in turn go well with my ever-reliable GREATS Brand Rosen sneakers, a pair I’ve come to rely on in all sorts of situations. They’re exceptionally comfortable and work to dress down a blazer and T-shirt (a combination I’ll likely be wearing on the plane, as I’m heading to the airport after a half-day at work — #WheelsUp!). And should those sneakers need some time out of the rotation, I’m sure my GREATS Brand Wilson sneakers in White will definitely get the job done with multiple pant options.

Travel essentials for a cross-country trip. Russel Baseball Jacket by Grayers. Navy sneakers by GREATS Brand. Socks by American Trench. Leather chukka boots by Timberland. Leather watch by Daniel Wellington. Dive watch by Invicta. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Brothers. Dopp kit by Baxter of California.

On that front, I’m anticipating the weather to be quite hot — so my Mott & Bow dark denim should pair well with my Rust V-neck from Pistol Lake (check out that shirt here) and my navy GREATS sneakers. However, I’m ready to sub in my JACHS NY grey chinos, which are about the same weight as a Bonobos Washed Chino, should the situation call for it. I think the dark denim in particular will also team up nicely with two shirting options I’m bringing — my polka-dot Saturdays Surf NYC Esquina Oxford (from the Spring 2014 line), and my Michael Bastian x Uniqlo polo, featuring a nice royal blue color and a thin striped collar The polo in particular (seen more closely here) has a nice bit of stretch and a breathable fabric, key in the heat. My Mott & Bow denim should also do well in that regard. In case the weather does turn cooler, I’m bringing my trusty Russel Baseball Jacket from Grayers (as seen above), which should provide a crisp, versatile outerwear option. On my head, I’ll be throwing on my Goorin Brothers vintage ballcap — a favorite from a brand that really does know how to make great hats. To round out my apparel, some standout socks from American Trench (as discussed in this week’s Style Q&A) will definitely prove breathable and comfortable. Of course, no trip would be complete with a great timepiece — I’m expecting my stainless steel Invicta Pro Diver 8926 and my Classic Bristol Leather Watch from Daniel Wellington to work interchangeably with footwear I’m bringing (particularly my well-worn brown leather Coulter Chukkas — courtesy of my day job repping Timberland).

Grooming gear fit for the road ahead. Featuring Beard Oil & Pure Pomade from Doc Elliott, Shampoo from Baxter of Californina and the Wahl Grooming Stainless Steel Trimmer.

To round out my luggage and grooming situation, I’m hauling everything in, as ever, my Navali Stowaway Weeekender Bag and my hard-wearing Satchel & Page Slim Mailbag, both of which have provided formidable and tough options for carrying luggage across the globe. And as toiletries are just as key when traveling as at home, I’m rounding up some essentials to bring with me (in travel sizes, of course). My haul will include the Travel Essentials Kit from grooming giant Baxter of California, as well as some Pure Pomade from Doc Elliott and my Wahl Grooming Stainless Steel Trimmer. I’ll be lugging it all in the Baxter Quilted Dopp Kit, which should make things easy to access throughout the trip. While I’m looking forward to sampling the finest food & drink *namely beer, can’t forget about the beer* that L.A. has to offer, I’m also hoping to meet with a brand I admire and whom I’ve interacted with a bit in the past — the fine folks at Apolis. After seeing a press preview of a neat industrial design project they’re working on, plus profiling them for VOUCH Mag and GearHungry, it’s a definitely a cool opportunity.

As always, look for the regularly scheduled Friday Read post before I jet-set, along with a new Style Pick of the Week. Follow me during the trip via Instagram and Twitter, if that catches your fancy! And look for more from out West next week.

And do let me know — what’s on your must-see list in L.A.? Best restaurants or spots to check out? Drop me a line via Twitter or give me a shout in the comments!

September 9, 2015May 2, 2021 by Beau H.

The Product Review: Satchel & Page Slim Mailbag

Editor’s note: For more product reviews covering excellent #menswear staples, head right this way.

Fit for the hills of Greece and the NYC commute, too: the Slim Mailbag from Satchel & Page.

As you go about improving your sense of style, it only makes sense that the details take on an added importance — as they should, and that’s the case with one of the best leather bags for men. Style upgrades in areas both big and small definitely contribute to a broader package in terms of your personal appearance. And there are a surprising number of companies allowing guys to get great quality for those upgrades while supporting up-and-coming brands (blog favorites like Pistol Lake and Apolis definitely fit this mold). Satchel & Page has certainly made a name for itself doing that, thanks to an initial Kickstarter run of simple yet handsome bags that raised nearly $230,000. The product focus has expanded since that time to include leather jackets and more, but its staple products — especially its well-known Slim Mailbag — are just as high-quality as ever.

I had the chance to chat via phone with founder Daniel Ralsky as I hopped on a plane to Michigan last month, and I had the good fortune to get my hands on the Slim Mailbag as I also hopped through Greece at the start of August (check out more on that trip here). And this rugged leather bag for men has proven every bit up to the challenge of navigating both international air (and ground) travel and the rigors of commuting in NYC. (Editor’s note: Before we dive in, although this bag is available right away, certain products — like the brand’s new line of belts — do fund via Kickstarter or the brand’s Web site).

Another shot from beautiful Santorini, Greece. The Slim Mailbag alongside a Goorin Brothers vintage ballcap.

This refined leather bag for men is, generally speaking, remarkably well-made and will absolutely only get better with age. It’s the type of piece I’m excited to get more use out of, because thanks to the excellent, rich leather, it should tell quite the unique story. Already, the patina is changing and actually looking all the better for it. It comes with a lifetime warranty and crucially, it feels like it could stand up to that test. The leather is thick yet not too stiff out of the box, ideal for a bag that was asked to do a lot right away, including lugging around my laptop and Issara leather laptop sleeve, plus various notebooks. Contained within the bag are also compartments for an iPhone, pens and business cards. The body of the bag itself has broken in remarkably well, a testament to the quality of the leather.

A closer look at some of the sturdy hardware on the Slim Mailbag.

A leather shoulder strap rounds things out comfortably, and thankfully, it’s not at all tiresome to wear. The rest of the piece from Satchel & Page is quite remarkable in terms of quality. The 6-8 oz. rich brown, full-grain leather gets its rugged good looks from a hot stuffing method using oils and waxes — custom made by the company’s tannery, to boot. As you can see in the above photo, the bag is already beginning to take on unique nicks and scratches, which only make it look better (in my opinion). If you’re looking for a sleek, boardroom-ready briefcase, this isn’t the bag for you — but those who need something stylish, rugged and effective at carrying around the essentials will be more than happy to hear it stands up to the test. Note that this bag is three pounds, so it’s by no means a remarkably light carry if you only have a few items (say, not even a laptop).

A side-by-side look at the Slim Mailbag next to a slightly larger Kenneth Cole messenger bag.

But for those who like some history with their everyday carry, this bag’s got that, too — it’s inspired by the same style of bag carried by the U.S. Postal Service in the early 1900s, so it’s certainly up to a rigorous commute. Officially as far as dimension go, the bag runs 11″ by 14.5″ wide by 4″ deep (so those with laptops running at 15″ should probably look to the brand’s larger, regular Mailbag). Hand-hammered copper rivets and antique brass hardware also lend the bag a lived-in look.

An in-depth look at the inside of this bag — well-constructed and with just enough space for everything you might need. Photo courtesy of Satchel & Page.

Like some of the brand’s other products, this bag isn’t cheap up front, but it’s certainly durable and long-lasting enough to justify the price. Note that the relatively similar-in-looks Montague Leather Satchel from J. Crew retails for about $100 — if you can’t pony up the cash right now, that’d provide a slightly flashier approximation. It isn’t, however, the decidedly more casual waxed canvas and leather laptop bag that J. Crew also sells, which goes for just under $100. Yes, Satchel & Page’s Slim Mailbag provides both more sophistication and higher-quality leather and hardware than its peers in the market (although Navali’s Mainstay Messenger Bag would be worth your time as well if an in-between option was needed).

Not all will find Satchel & Page‘s rugged bag appropriate for their commute or their office, or with enough space to lug everything around, but the durability and quality combination is to be commended. The leather is rich and durable, the fastenings and hardware are sturdy, and the space is, for my needs, more than adequate. It’s the type of bag that looks great now and will absolutely improve down the line — hopefully, in both looks and performance.

August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 by Beau H.

Style abroad: Travels through Greece and Italy, Part 3

The lovely waters on the beach in Mykonos — just one of the many excellent sights we saw on our trip. Setter Swim Trunks by Orlebar Brown. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta.

The good news is that I made it back to the States in one piece! The bad news is that my family cruise to Greece is now done. It really was an absolutely amazing time though, from hours spent eating and drinking on the beach in Mykonos and Katakolon to days exploring the Acropolis in Athens and the legendary Olympia. Our trip also swung through the lovely and iconic island of Santorini – with its whitewashed houses, narrow cobblestone streets and old-world charm, it was a huge highlight of the trip. And luckily, I found the clothing I packed to be more than adequate, too! [You can check out a packing roundup, plus entries from Part 1 and Part 2 of the trip, here].

Getting out and about in casual style. Slim Mailbag by Satchel and Page. French Terry Sweatshorts by Pistol Lake. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering. Sneakers by Athletic Propulsion Labs. Guest appearance by a fellow tourist on the right.

I knew going in that the trip would present lots of options for what to wear – from casual days at the beach (and the cruise bar) to formal dinner nights and a bike ride that actually proved to be quite strenuous. Days spent at the pool also called for a versatile swimsuit, like my Orlebar Brown Setter Swim Trunks as seen above.

For active-casual wear, I found myself consistently reaching for my Pistol Lake French Terry Sweatshorts and my Athletic Propulsion Labs sneakers. The futuristic slant of the sneakers made them feel like less of a running shoe and more of a cool-casual sneaker option, while the sweatshorts (as seen here in a Style Pick of the Week entry) were comfortable and breathable. For those situations where I had to turn to dressier yet cool clothing, my Banana Republic khaki shorts and Michael Bastian x Uniqlo polo were more than adequate, while a pair of linen-blend shorts from Frank & Oak also worked quite well.

Chatting with my dad (on the far right) and relaxing in casual style leaving Katakolon. Swim trunks by Orlebar Brown. Printed T-shirt by J. Crew. Leather Wooster Slip-ons by GREATS Brand. Stainless steel dive watch by Invicta. Beer by Newcastle.

I found my footwear options to be adequate as well – I wore a pair of Timberland Coulter Chukka boots (courtesy of my day job) for travel, which proved comfortable and effective. The two pairs of loafers I brought along, one by Andre Coton and one pair by G.H. Bass, also saw use during casual and formal dinner situations alike, particularly with my Combatant Gentleman Sky Blue Chinos. My trusty GREATS Brand Wilson sneakers also proved durable and comfortable for exploring Athens and the Acropolis, and worked for dinner later in the day, too!

A look at some of the accessories I brought along for the trip. Vintage wool baseball cap by Goorin Bros. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering.

A look at some of the accessories I brought along for the trip, pictured specifically in Olympia.. Vintage wool baseball cap by Goorin Bros. Sunglasses by Randolph Engineering.

If anything however, I brought along one too many long-sleeve shirts – while I wore my GAP chambray shirt, I didn’t get the chance to wear my Gustin Spring Plaid Shirt, as I often found myself reaching for more laidback short-sleeve options to pair with white denim or my Taylor Stitch chinos. On the accessories front, my black rubber strap Stuhrling watch was a sporty choice to pair with my sweatshorts and sneakers for strenuous shore excursions, and my Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol leather watch worked well with lots of dinner outfit combinations in particular. My stainless steel Invicta dive watch, a personal favorite, was a solid option with which to hit the beach, and I frequently reached for my Goorin Brothers vintage wool baseball cap (currently sold out online) – it was comfortable and breathable, crucial in the heat of Greece.

For those exploration-filled shore excursions, I took along my Satchel and Page Slim Mailbag – it’s proving to be very durable, sturdy and well-made (plus, who doesn’t love the smell of new leather??).

A formal look for the final night of the cruise. White Poplin Endurance Shirt and Steel Blue Glen Plaid Double-Breasted Suit by Combatant Gentleman. Glasses by Warby Parker. Watch by Daniel Wellington.

And my Randolph Engineering Concorde Flash Lens sunglasses worked excellent to combat the sun’s rays too. On the toiletries front, my Baxter of California Travel Kit was convenient, easy to pack and of course, very useful! For formal wear, my Combat Gent White Poplin Shirt and Steel Blue Glen Plaid Double-Breasted Suit were sharp, well-fitting and also able to be mixed and matched among the jacket and a separate pair of custom grey suit pants from Black Lapel.

Definitely one of the highlights of the trip — checking out the amphitheater at the Acropolis in Athens.

While the process of getting overseas was lengthy (to be expected!) and the time change was a somewhat difficult adjustment at first, I found the whole adventure to be beautiful, serene and highly enjoyable – Royal Caribbean and its staff are friendly, helpful and very gracious, too! It’s certainly a cruise I would take again, and I found several areas I would love to visit again, too.

I’m definitely grateful for the opportunity and the time spent with family as well – and of course, having the chance to work with a few excellent brands on trip gear was pretty neat, too! We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled content here on Wednesday (a product review of the aforementioned Taylor Stitch chinos), but if you’d like to check out more trip photos and content, check out #StyleGuideAbroad via my Twitter and Instagram accounts. Until next time, Greece!

The Style Guide

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

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