March 20, 2023March 19, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Add to Your Everyday Carry With This Stylish Leather Brief from WP Standard

If you’ve gotten a bit too used to working from home and now, all of a sudden, need to start dressing for the office again, well, start with the basics: Get your wardrobe in line with office-ready essentials, yes, but first…address your everyday carry. Yes, it’s truly best to start with the building blocks, like a stylish leather briefcase you’re going to use every single day (and then some).

The best place to start your search for your new favorite EDC gear? Let’s go with WP Standard, the Texas-based leather goods brand with a knack for making heritage-quality picks fit to use, well, every single day.

Learn more at WP Standard

We talked recently on the blog about how WP Standard makes one of the best leather duffle bags, but when you need something a bit more streamlined, that’s where the WP Standard Woodward Brief enters the equation. As the brand itself says, this handsome, full-grain leather bag is a “perfect companion for your daily commute,” and I’d venture to say that it’s also one of the best travel bags.

Solid brass hardware provides a handsome touch, and the padded laptop compartment on the WP Standard Woodward Brief makes it an ideal way to transport your valuables. Plus, handy external pockets deliver another degree of utility to the WP Standard Woodward Brief. Plus, as with other variations on the best leather bags, the WP Standard Woodward Brief will only get better with age, developing a patina unique to your personal style. What’s not to love about that? The journey to getting back out there and upgrading your EDC starts… now.

March 13, 2023March 8, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: WP Standard Is Making One of the Best Leather Duffel Bags for Men

As a new season dawns, perhaps you’ve got one thing on your mind: Planning your next (or your first!) spring getaway, and doing so by packing up plenty of your favorite travel style essentials into, well, one of the best duffel bags for men. The right gear is nothing without the proper means to transport it, and if you can do so in rugged, heritage-minded style, that’s certainly all the better.

From the pages of this blog, you’re likely well-acquainted with other brands making the best leather jacket and the best leather goods, like my friends at Satchel & Page. Let me introduce you now to a brand that’s going to make a serious run for your money, too: That brand would be WP Standard, an upstart brand with an intense dedication to quality and craftsmanship (and yes, that includes the best leather goods for men across the board).

Find out more at WP Standard

The Texas-based brand began humbly enough, when founder Ryan Barr set out in 2009 to craft guitar straps out of finely crafted leather. A trip to a Mexican tannery and years working in his basement workshop set the brand on the path it walks today: The WP Standard lineup of leather goods is extensive, handsomely crafted and expertly curated, from leather house shoes to stylish leather wallets and of course, one of the best duffel bags for men on the market. In fact, if you’re searching for a high-quality duffle bag for under $500, the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag is an excellent, meticulously crafted option.

These days, WP Standard uses a team of artisans to turn its finished leather into remarkably cool, built-to-last products like the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag. The difference is in the details, and at a glance, the good folks at WP Standard have really knocked this one out of the park. 100 percent full-grain leather makes up the heritage-quality WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag, further bolstered by brass hardware for a suitably antique-looking finish.

Fittingly, it comes complete with a leather luggage tag to help you keep a watchful eye on your bag as you zig-zag across the country and the globe. An interior pocket provides space for other valuable leather goods and EDC essentials — for instance, the brand makes a refined leather toiletry kit — while the entire design of the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag is carry-on friendly.

If you ask me, this is one stylish leather duffle that’s about ready to go on as many adventures as you are, and naturally, the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag will develop a rugged patina over time. And again, it’s worth remembering that the WP Standard PanAm Duffle Bag retails for under $500 — talk about a steal for your new favorite travel bag.

March 8, 2023June 12, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Filson Prospector Hoodie is the Casually Rugged Layer You Need This Spring

It might seem like casual, off-the-clock menswear is one area you can treat as a bit of an afterthought, right? After all, we’re talking about hoodies (like the Filson Prospector Hoodie, shown above!) and tailored joggers, but there’s a way to step up those menswear essentials.

And if the pandemic and the changing of the seasons has taught us one thing, it’s that your laidback, off-duty garb could soon become daily wear (especially if you’ve got to brave the elements and could use an extra layer or two).

Don’t just take my word for it, though: Invest in some of the best spring menswear essentials with a new hoodie from Filson, one of the hardest-working, hardest-wearing brands on the market.

But it’s just a hooded sweatshirt, right? Guess again, my friends. A pick like the Filson Prospector Hoodie is an indispensable workwear piece for those who value cozy warmth and functionality, and it can do just as much for your casual wardrobe, too. In fact, I’ve got some great news for you about the category in general.

Learn more at Filson

There are absolutely companies, like American Giant, making one of the best men’s hoodies with an added level of quality and attention to detail top of mind, and if you ask me, that’s very goods news for your off-duty wardrobe — very good news indeed. And of course, as one might expect, Filson is leading the charge in that regard.

Best men's hooded sweatshirt for spring.

The Filson Prospector Hoodie ups the ante in every regard as far as rugged dependability and durability is concerned: This isn’t any bargain-bin hooded sweatshirt, and it’s got the price tag ($115) to match. If it’s anything like my past experience with Filson menswear however, it’s going to live up to that lofty price tag — and then some.

Crucially, the Filson Prospector Hoodie is made with what the brand calls a thick cotton-blend fleece, all the better for insulating warmth when layered beneath a Filson waxed jacket or atop a rugged Filson thermal henley.

The Filson Prospector Hoodie should prove remarkably warm as a mid-layer (try it beneath a Filson vest) or a grab-and-go top layer for casual style situations aplenty. The drawstrings and eyelets feature a metal finish for added reliability, too. Crucially, t’s shrink-resistant, with a wide rib-knit hem and cuffs to deliver a snug fit and extra coverage.

Plus, Filson has designed the fabric to resist pilling, and that’s a good thing – whether you select the deep Redwood version or the workman-like, highly visible Laser Green color for extreme conditions, the Filson Prospector Hoodie is sure to become a new essential, casual spring layer. Invest in your new favorite hoodie now, then reap the rewards all spring long.

March 6, 2023March 5, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Buck Mason Storm Stopper Deck Jacket Is the Perfect Casual Jacket for Spring

Sometimes, stepping into a new season is all about turning back the clock. Take the good folks at Buck Mason, a brand with a knack for taking old-school styles and updating them in a way that results in nothing less than, say, one of the best spring jackets for men (among many other throwback staples at which the brand excels). Whether it’s an eye-catching rugby polo or one of the best thermal henleys, there’s something special about gear made to last — especially when the piece in question is the impossibly cool yet highly functional Buck Mason Storm Stopper Deck Jacket.

Learn more at Buck Mason

Helpfully, you’ll find it within the carefully curated Buck Mason Spring Preview section, an enticing look ahead at breezy weather and breezy layers, from the famed selection of Buck Mason T-shirts to perfectly executed lightweight sweaters and of course, the Buck Mason Storm Stopper Deck Jacket.

It all starts with the fabric when we’re talking spring jackets, especially one of the best spring rain jackets, and this vintage-inspired jacket is built with yarn-dyed cotton-poly weather cloth, perfect for standing up to spring breezes. Of course the throwback inspiration behind the Buck Mason Storm Stopper Deck Jacket is applause-worthy, too.

That’s because the Buck Mason Storm Stopper Deck Jacket takes its cues from deck jackets, with a seemingly simple design that actually packs in tons of functionality. It’s fully lined in nylon and finished off with corduroy cuff and collar accents in old-school fashion (turn up the collar for added protection from the elements), while the Buck Mason Storm Stopper Deck Jacket also boasts a drawcord waist for a snug fit.

For good measure, the Tanker Green color is utterly classic, almost as cool as a jacket you’d discover in an old Polaroid, while the combination of both a zipper and button front offers even more protection from the elements. The price tag on the Buck Mason Storm Stopper Deck Jacket is agreeable considering it could easily morph into an everyday, casual spring jacket as well as a highly dependable jacket on breezy, rainy days.

It’ll set you back $228 at Buck Mason, not a bad price for your new favorite spring jacket. It’s the kind of casually rugged jacket meant to be worn with Buck Mason jeans or even stretch chinos, whether on the road or at home around town, and it’s never too early to prep for the season ahead.

March 1, 2023February 27, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Lace Up these Classic Astorflex Chukka Boots from Huckberry for Early Spring

Check your calendar and turn the page into a new month: It’s, rather incredibly, now March, and that means you should be full-steam ahead when it comes to stocking up on the best menswear essentials for early spring (and well beyond, of course). As you know if you read the blog frequently, there are a few sources your Brooklyn style writer trusts when it comes to early spring style essentials, and chief among them — at least for the purposes of today’s post — is Huckberry, the San Francisco brand with an eye for what looks great and wears well for the modern man, season after season.

Learn more at Huckberry right now

And today’s main goal? Stepping out of your sturdy winter boots into a pair of the best chukka boots for men, an early spring must-have you can lace up now and wear well into the summer months. In fact, the Astorflex Brownflex Boots manage to improve upon the chukka boot itself, a truly timeless footwear style boasting a soft, supple crepe rubber sole.

They also feature the kind of versatile design that wears incredibly well with everything from stretch chinos to a pair of your favorite blue jeans. Let’s dive into the pair you need now, yes?

The boots in question, of course, are coming to you courtesy of Astorflex, the long-running Huckberry favorite with a penchant for crafting some of the most stylish chukka boots for men, all at a family-owned Italian factory and all using sustainable materials and production processes. You certainly recognize Huckberry for crafting the best rugged lace-up boots for more brisk fall and winter climates, but what about chukka boots for spring? Enter the Astorflex Brownflex Boots, a new and improved pair of the best men’s chukka boots here to welcome a new season.

The key when it comes to the Astorflex Brownflex Boots? They were custom-developed for the good folks at Huckberry, featuring upgraded touches like a leather lining, not to mention a custom last that follows the foot’s natural shape. Those are but two touches that lift the Astorflex Brownflex Boots a cut above a more standard pair of chukka boots, and they’re crafted from soft suede leather — available in four handsome shades for maximum versatility.

They’ll stand out handsomely and stylishly when worn with everything from some of the best blue jeans for men to olive or tan chinos, and things only get better from there, since they’re priced below $200. The next time your spring footwear game needs an upgrade, get your hands on a pair of the Astorflex Brownflex Boots.

February 27, 2023February 24, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Upgrade Your Tailoring with This All-Season Wool Blazer from Huckberry

Even as we roll through 2023 and move ever closer to March, it can still feel like a bit of an odd sensation to dress up in one of the best men’s blazers, right? Of course, you very well might have been back in the office a while ago, but dress codes are ever shifting, formal events seem somewhat less formal and yet, there’s still the need to put your best foot forward. What’s a guy to do? My suggestion, of course, is to head over to the good folks at Huckberry and shop your new favorite blazer.

Learn more at Huckberry

Yes, that’s right — Huckberry. The retailer seems to nail the perfect balance between rugged and refined gear: You can shop your favorite waxed trucker jacket one minute, then swap it out for stretch chinos and something as polished as the Wills All Seasons Stretch Wool Blazer, and you can do so at a moment’s notice… without missing a beat. Made in part from a blend of wool and elastane, this stylish men’s blazer boasts comfortable stretch (as so many menswear essentials do these days), yet it’s backed by the experience of Huckberry’s Portuguese tailoring partners.

That means you can order the Wills All Seasons Stretch Wool Blazer in your regular suiting chest size, and it arrives with hand-finished details like collar and front placket stitching, plus a half-canvas construction for improved drape, structure and durability. Buying a blazer online can be tricky, but if the reliability, service and performance of Huckberry gear is to be believed, then the Wills All Seasons Stretch Wool Blazer — which also comes with matching trousers — should certainly hold true.

It features standard flap suit pockets and a medium-width lapel for a classic look and feel, while the Wills All Seasons Stretch Wool Blazer boasts a single rear vent (like the suit coats most recently worn by James Bond), which is a bit more modern and sporty in terms of design. Crucially, you can pick up the Wills All Seasons Stretch Wool Blazer in timeless colors like Grey and Heather Navy, but more distinctive colors like Heather Bourbon are a way to nod to current suiting trends without overdoing it.

And if you pair up the Wills All Seasons Stretch Wool Blazer with its matching trousers (also available in an agreeable range of sizes), then you’re getting both a fairly classic suit and sportcoat for just over $500 for the two pieces. That’s versatility and timeless style that can’t be topped, so shop your new go-to blazer today at Huckberry.

February 22, 2023February 21, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Layer Up with this Western Rise Merino Tee

There are times when the solution in your search for the best men’s style essentials really is quite simple. Think of all you’ve still got to juggle these days: Work From Home style, Zoom calls and casual days back in the office, plus time on the road and in the great outdoors. The solution? At least in the case of today’s post, is to wear one of the best merino T-shirts. And the T-shirt in question today — the Western Rise StrongCore Merino Long-Sleeve Tee — offers plenty of ways to wear it, plenty of minimal, sleek style and plenty of utility for the modern man.

Learn more and shop at Western Rise

Merino in its own right is an essential fabric for any wardrobe, what with natural moisture-wicking and insulating properties, a soft handfeel and the ability to act as an insulating base layer in the cold, or a moisture-wicking outer layer on breezy spring (or temperate winter) days.

And this stylish merino T-shirt from Western Rise checks all the proper boxes, and then some. Now, you might recognize Western Rise from making one of the best men’s long-sleeve buttondowns, but they’ve applied that same innovation to a more casual long-sleeve tee, too.

The Colorado-based company with a penchant for the outdoors bills the Western Rise StrongCore Merino Long-Sleeve Tee as the “only long sleeve shirt you need,” and it’s hard to argue with that take. The jersey Merino wool fabric is temperature-regulating and of course, moisture-wicking, boasting a soft handfeel and a fit that makes it easy to move around in and easy to layer up with as your base for a casually rugged outfit. The split side hem also offers nice added mobility.

It’s better still that the Western Rise StrongCore Merino Long-Sleeve Tee features a streamlined design with no branding. That means can rock it under an unlined blazer at the office for a mix of high-low style, you can team your new favorite long-sleeve tee with tapered joggers for a laidback weekend look, or you can style the Western Rise StrongCore Merino Long-Sleeve Tee underneath a denim jacket with tan chinos for the ultimate mix of comfort and classic style.

And when you need to hit the trail or the road, the Western Rise StrongCore Merino Long-Sleeve Tee delivers moisture-wicking comfort and performance. Take your pick from colors like Dune, Midnight or Black, then get ready to wear this shirt as many ways as you can dream up.

February 15, 2023February 14, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Wellen Chore Coat from Huckberry is a Rugged Winter Style Upgrade

There comes a time in every season when your wardrobe starts to feel a little stale, even if you’ve done your best to stock it with, say, a selection of the best men’s winter jackets. Of course, that’s where your good friends (and my good friends!) at Huckberry come into play, with plenty of men’s style essentials to shake up even the worst case of the winter doldrums. I’d imagine you’re well-acquainted with the retailer’s rugged-meets-refined offerings, but a refresher is never a bad thing — that’s certainly true when it comes to shopping one of the best men’s chore coats, the Wellen Blanket Chore Coat.

It’s got all of the trappings of a perfectly rugged, durable chore coat, yet it’s been done up in a warm yet surprisingly lightweight, unlined polyester-wool-nylon blend. That makes the Wellen Blanket Chore Coat a nice layer to throw on over a fisherman sweater or a more thick-knit jumper, or even one of the best men’s flannel shirts (both of which you can find at Huckberry, of course). And the Wellen Blanket Chore Coat has plenty more going for it beyond just that toasty (and again, lightweight!) winter fabric.

Notably, the Wellen Blanket Chore Coat is modeled after old-school, vintage blankets with vivid, rich patterns — take your pick from a Jacquard Stripe option or two handsome plaid variations. The Wellen Blanket Chore Coat also boasts all the classic trappings of a rugged chore coat, including two button-front patch pockets, an interior pocket for your phone, and a patch chest pocket for even more EDC storage.

All of those features turn the Wellen Blanket Chore Coat into a highly useful yet polished winter coat, one you can even wear in place of a blazer over your favorite Oxford shirt if you so choose. Best of all, the Wellen Blanket Chore Coat is priced fairly at just under $200, an agreeable price to pay to shake up your winter wardrobe. We’ll see you out there, my friends.

February 13, 2023February 10, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Rhodes Footwear Logan Boots are the Best Boots for Men To Lace Up Now

There’s hardly been a better time to take stock of your lineup of the best boots for men this winter… and then add another pair accordingly. That’s because we’re starting to move through the doldrums of winter, when you might have run through your rotation of stylish leather boots and might be in need of a fresh pair to take you through the end of the season and into spring. Well, my friends — not to fear, because as ever, your good friends at Huckberry are here to save the day with a pair of the best men’s boots.

It’s just that simple at times, and that’s what makes the Rhodes Footwear Logan Boots such an essential purchase at this point in the season. They’re a hard-working pair of no-fuss, no-frills boots with classic, sharp style details — and as of this writing, they’re marked down a whopping 50 percent to $125. Even full-price at $250, the Rhodes Footwear Logan Boots are the kind of pair of rugged, versatile leather boots every guy should have on hand.

You see, the Rhodes Footwear Logan Boots hail from Huckberry’s rugged-meets-refined Rhodes brand, which also specializes in some of the best chukka boots for men, not to mention durable Chelsea boots and of course, the hard-working lace-up boots shown here today.

The 5-inch silhouette is a step up from chukka boots, but they’re lightweight enough for everyday wear, as Huckberry sagely notes. And the Rhodes Footwear Logan Boots get plenty more details correct in that regard, including the use of tumbled, waxy leather designed to get better over time. Helpfully, the silhouette of the Rhodes Footwear Logan Boots wears well with everything from, say Huckberry chinos to stylish blue jeans.

And to round things out the dependable Rhodes Footwear Logan Boots are set on a Vibram outsole for grip and a smooth ride underfoot. And again, if you need a reminder: When on sale, the Rhodes Footwear Logan Boots retail for just $125. That’s one heck of a deal on some of the best boots for men you’re apt to find right now.

February 8, 2023February 2, 2023 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Mott and Bow Is Making Some of the Best Black Jeans for Men

If you’re anything like me, perhaps you’re searching for ways to subtly switch up your style without veering too far from the path of your established style favorites, like a pair of the best jeans for men. The classic jean, with its five-pocket design and timeless roots, is, of course, a well-established, everyday go-to, but what about when you want to step things up a touch from your favorite pair of blue jeans without overdoing it?

Well, I’ve got just the ticket: Head over to Mott and Bow, the DTC masters of some of the best jeans for men, and search instead for some of the best black jeans on the market. If you’ve read any of my Mott and Bow reviews over the years, you know they make some of the best lightweight jeans and other styles in a range of crisp colorways (and they also excel at buttery-soft T-shirts, sweatpants and more!).

That being said, it’s the Mott and Bow Mercer Jeans in Midnight that have really caught my eye as of late, with a polished Slim fit and a deep, inky black color that’s both edgy and cool, yet ever so slightly ready for business casual looks. Yes indeed, if you’re wondering “Can you wear jeans to the office?” I’d say you certainly can — as long as that pair fits well, doesn’t have any noticeable distractions (goodbye, trendy ripped jeans!) and comes in dark, versatile colors.

Again, the Mott and Bow Mercer Jeans in Midnight are just the ticket. They’re made from a midweight 10oz. cotton denim blend, rounded out with elastane for crucial stretch. Beyond that, the fabric itself within the Mott and Bow Mercer Jeans in Midnight is a comfort stretch fabric that moves with you reliably all day long. Plus, plenty of sizes and three inseams are available, which should work for most body types.

And the Midnight shade of your new favorite pair of black jeans should retain its deep color over time, minus some slight fading in parts that receive heavy wear. Above all though — and considering the agreeable $129 price tag — the Mott and Bow Mercer Jeans in Midnight have the potential to be a stylish, slightly edgy yet versatile pair of go-to, must-buy jeans. Make your next style switch-up today.

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