Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Dick’s Sporting Goods Fitness Gear

Editor’s note: Thanks to XShadyside Personal Trainers Pittsburgh for sponsoring today’s post. Thanks for reading, and win a Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card by commenting on this post — more details below!

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Ready to hit the gym? Perhaps with some stylish workout gear? Shirt by QOR. Shorts by Strongbody Apparel. Sneakers by Athletic Propulsion Labs.

First of all, bear with me today as we switch gears — somewhat — from fashion to fitness on The Style Guide. Does it feel strange to be approaching the end of the year? At least for your local menswear author, it’s definitely a  bit of an odd feeling. Just yesterday, I was sitting down to write the 2016 Men’s Style Resolutions post and well, now, it’s onto 2017! It’s been a heck of a fun year writing this blog, so thanks for reading along. As it were, there are plenty of style upgrades I’m looking to make in the new year — perhaps you’re in the same situation — but there are other goals I’ve got in mind, too. Certainly, staying in shape and staying healthy just helps your clothes fit that much better — and it helps with how you feel day-to-day on top of that. And while I don’t pound the pavement on nightly runs or pound out quite as many push-ups as I’d like, it’s something I’m resolving to do more of in the new year. Just as with upgrading your apartment or upgrading your footwear collection, those little steps are important — and they can make a big difference at the end of the day! It’s all in the details.

With that said, it’s lucky for you and me both that today’s giveaway is more fitness-minded than solely focused on #menswear — you’ve got the chance to win a $25 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card, courtesy of XShadyside Personal Trainers Pittsburgh. Maybe, like me, you’re not based in the Pittsburgh area — if you are however, you might recognize that name. Either way, the big thing here is the prize — a helpful amount that can go toward anything you might need to jumpstart your workout game next year. We’ve talked, of course, about how to dress for the gym, so consider this prize a potential way to upgrade your gym look and provide a bit more motivation for pumping out some extra reps. Now, onto the important stuff — how to win this prize? You can either A) Simply comment on this post with a link to what you’d buy with the card (that easy!) — and know that you’ve got until December 31st to enter! Thanks for reading, and good luck!

Editor’s note: This giveaway ends at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28th.

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The Friday Read: Casio G-SHOCK, Kenneth Cole AWEARNESS and Menswear Giveaways

Editor’s note: Expect these posts once a week on Fridays — consider this a jumpstart on reading for your weekend downtime. Expect a mix of style and non-style content. For more entries, click here.

If you’re joining us here on The Style Guide today, that means you made it through Black Friday shopping — and Cyber Monday shopping — just fine. So, congrats!  It was an especially busy week in New York City coming off a Thanksgiving trip to Florida  and catching up on work. I also got out of the office on Thursday night for an especially neat opportunity — I had the pleasure of attending a great Men’s Health Style & Casio G-SHOCK collection preview at the very cool, very refined Tourneau TimeMachine in Manhattan. If you’re looking to buy a tough, durable watch that can take a serious beating, I’d strongly urge you to check out the Casio G-SHOCK Master of G collection, available exclusively at Tourneau. Oh, and on another style-related note — if you find yourself in need of a new suit, I think I’ve got what you’re looking for. I partnered with Men’s Wearhouse and the Men’s Health MVP Network to showcase the standout AWEARENESS Kenneth Cole line and a stylish slim-fit suit featuring the comfortable, flexible & breathable AWEAR-Tech technology. Coming from a guy who doesn’t often wear suits … you can’t go wrong with a suit that’s made with mobility and performance in mind. And lastly, need to know what to wear to your holiday party? Look no further than the latest Style Suggestion. While you peruse those picks, I’m very much looking forward to a day off work and some time hanging with my good friend and fellow Michigan State (and State News!) alumnus Jesse O’Brien — a talented writer from the Mitten — this weekend in NYC. Keep it stylish, keep it 100 and check out the week in #menswear below.

A trifecta of stylish menswear could be yours via the SeaVees x Grayers x STAG Provisions giveaway!

A trifecta of stylish menswear could be yours via the SeaVees x Grayers x STAG Provisions giveaway!

  • In the mood for a bunch of new men’s style gear? We’ll get right to it. The terrific trio of SeaVees, Grayers and STAG Provisions have teamed up to set you up with all the classic menswear you could ever want as part of the “Between Friends” giveaway. From this Friday to next Thursday, December 8th, you and a friend can enter to win a huge holiday shopping spree via the three brands. We’re talking a $200 SeaVees gift card, a $250 STAG Provisions gift card and $400-$500 worth of Grayers gear via a personalized styling courtesy of Grayers co-founder Peter Georiou and SeaVees CEO and Chief Designer Steven Tiller. Not bad, right? Seriously, enter the giveaway now, and look for a winner to be picked on December 9th.
  • If you have a cycling enthusiast in your family and are searching for a gift to get them, you might have just found it. Lauded British heritage brand Brooks England, known for its premium cycling accessories, is releasing a neat book entitled “The Brooks Compendium of Cycling Culture” to celebrate its 150th anniversary. This volume gathers insights and stories from a range of writers, artists, journalists and photographers to focus on the far-reaching impacts of the brand’s bicycles using neat short stories and beautiful design. And you get all that — plus a wooden box and a print signed by British photographer Martin Parr — for under $40. Talk about a great gift for the cycling lover, yeah?
  • Let’s finish the week on a classic menswear note, shall we? To get you thinking about cold-weather layering, Esquire covers the 5 military style staples every guy should own. Got any of those in your closet

Want to read just one more style story before you start the weekend?

  • It’s always a treat to see two American-made brands team up — when those brands happen to be the stylish accessories purveyors American Trench and lauded NYC shirt maker Corridor NYC, it’s worth paying attention. The American Trench x Corridor NYC collab has given us some great dyed shirting for the colder months, and it’s my latest feature at The Manual.

That’s all we’ve got going here on this fine Friday — but tomorrow, be sure to check out another fantastic offering in our Style Pick of the Week series.

Stay stylish!

-Beau

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: #Menswear Essentials

Editor’s note: The below giveaway is made possible through a partnership with Nakturnal and features prizes from East Dane. Read on to win!

East Dane stocks head-to-toe menswear essentials -- if you're lucky, this guy could be you. Photo courtesy of East Dane.

East Dane stocks head-to-toe menswear essentials — if you’re lucky, this guy could be you. Photo courtesy of East Dane.

Although The Style Guide just ran a reader giveaway earlier this month with the great team at Tread for Men, we’re running another one today, and it’s focused on #menswear essentials — not bad, right? After all, you can never have enough stylish pieces with which to put together outfits. We’re talking menswear essentials that you can, and should, pick up and wear on the daily — things like a slim chambray shirt, dark denim, or suede chukkas. But where to find such essentials? Well, there are certain E-commerce sites that offer up all those pieces at once, with an eye for style that’s continental and classic. East Dane is one such site — if you’ve read this blog, you know that your humble author is definitely a fan. And if you can see that photo above — all East Dane pieces — you best believe they know what they’re talking about.

That’s why I’m so pleased today to partner up with Nakturnal and offer up two (yes, TWO!) $100 gift cards to East Dane and the site’s well-curated assortment of men’s lifestyle goods. The site’s slate of brands runs the gamut from venerable institutions like Filson and Converse to up-and-comers like Public School  — truly, they’ve got something for everyone. Particularly if you’re looking for something like a great pair of men’s jeans, they’ve got you. And if you want to get 50% off men’s goods right now — everything from chukkas to shirts to blazers — well, they’ve also got you. Now, note that if you’re based outside the U.S., shipping is free for orders of $100 or more, but you’re on the hook for any potential customs tariffs — we’re all about saving you money here at The Style Guide, see?

But back to the menswear at East Dane: It’s a terrific mix of classic, straightforward-yet-continental pieces, and in all, you could feasibly spend hours zipping around the site — as I’ve done in the past. If you want to dive right in and earn that gift card mentioned above, follow the giveaway details below; best of luck to those entering, and join the menswear conversation at The Style Guide Facebook page in the meantime. And the great thing is, you’ve got a whole week to enter! Good luck!

To win one of two $100 East Dane gift cards, comment below or share a link in the comments detailing your favorite item on the East Dane site.

Editor’s note: This contest ends at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23rd.

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Tread for Men Grooming

Editor’s note: To keep up on all things Style Guide-related, check out the site on Facebook.

One kit packed with a ton of functional grooming products. Photo courtesy of Tread for Men.

One kit packed with functional grooming products. Photo courtesy of Tread for Men.

We’re still in the heyday of summer, and that means that, well, it’s hot. That heat requires that you dress for warm weather, and it also requires you keep skin care top of mind — that’s particularly true when it comes to men’s grooming essentials. An effective grooming routine can be a solid way to start and end your day, especially if you’ve got reliable premium products to use. That’s why it’s been such a treat to check out Tread for Men across these past few weeks.  The Chicago-based grooming start-up reached out to yours truly at The Style Guide earlier this summer, and I’ve had the pleasure of testing out the brand’s Energizing Facial Cleanser, Hydration Toner and Firming Moisturizer. It’s all part of the brand’s Daily Skin Care Kit — also known as “The Daily” — which you can conveniently opt to have delivered every month. It’s a bonus that these highly functional products are presented in high-quality, no-frills bottles and containers, — they’d make a wise addition to any routine you already have in place, because it’s product that really works. The Facial Cleanser really does have a renewing, strengthening feel, and the Hydration Toner has noticeably toned my skin when used in conjunction with the cleanser. That goes double for the moisturizer, which works quite well to rejuvenate and rebuild skin.

Lest this sound like a lot of steps to you, rest assured that it takes just about as long as it would to pick out a well-composed outfit (and if you follow this site’s #OOTD series, hopefully that’s a snap!). Using these products consistently has made a noticeable difference in how my skin looks and feels, even after just a few weeks — believe me, the results are there. It’s become a welcome part of my routine, and I’d definitely urge you to check these guys out. But what does this really all mean for you, Style Guide reader? It means something very good, indeed.
Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.
It just so happens that one lucky winner is getting their own Daily Skin Care Kit very soon. All you need to do is enter the giveaway below, stick around for the winner, and we’ll make it happen. Best of luck, and stay for a minute to check out other Style Guide content, including the dopp kits you need to buy now and a stylish dive watch to go with the rest of your outfit.

To enter to win the Tread for Men giveaway detailed above, click this link — good luck!

Editor’s note: This contest ends at 12 a.m., Thursday, August 4th.

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Mack Weldon

Editor’s note: Thanks to everyone who participated in this month’s giveaway!

From essential, comfortable tees to often-overlooked undergarments, Mack Weldon is out to take over your basics wardrobe.

From essential, comfortable tees to often-overlooked undergarments, Mack Weldon is out to take over your basics wardrobe.

There are many things that are often overlooked in the menswear world, at least from my perspective. Daily, I’m finding little style details I’d like to improve on personally, whether it’s the fit of my dark blue denim or the cut of a classic blue Oxford. Perhaps you’re in the same boat. As critical as the bigger-picture details can be, some areas have been overlooked for years in the men’s style community — literally. We’re talking your socks, undergarments and undershirts. More critically, we’re also talking about yet another way you can upgrade your style — and comfort level — considerably. It starts with the brand  you see pictured here. Mack Weldon  has built its name on the quality of a well-curated selection of men’s basics, starting with its selection of trunks, boxers and boxer briefs and moving on through to pieces like its Pima Crewneck (as seen in this #OOTD) and other essentials for daily wear.  The assortment even includes dress socks and no-show socks. These are the type of tees and socks that can finish off an outfit — yes, their Pima Crewnecks  can be rocked on their own for ideal spring style. So from head-to-toe, they’ve got the goods covered (you get what I mean…). It’s a product category that a lot of brands have neglected, yet Mack Weldon’s stepped up reliably to carry the mantle — and that’s a great thing for you and me both.  I’ve had the good fortune of checking out its slim-fitting, well-made Pima Crewneck, as well as the brand’s Merino Long-Sleeve Tee, and I’m pleased to report the pieces wear comfortably and perform every bit as well as one would hope. Once you get your hands on these, you’ll need to add more pieces in every color (and there are some great ones on the brand’s site).

They’re pricier than the average pair of underwear or an average T-shirt, but that just goes to show you all that goes into what the brand does. If you can’t drop some cash on a few essential basics right now, there’s good news — they’re part of our latest Reader Giveaway! In fact, one lucky winner will get their choice of one of the brand’s T-shirts and a pair of stylish socks!

To enter to win the great Mack Weldon gear detailed above, simply click this link and follow the instructions! Good luck!

Editor’s note: This giveaway ends at midnight EST, Thursday, July 7th.

Florsheim

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Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Minimum Squared Wallets

Editor’s note: Thank you to all who participated in the giveaway! And congrats to the winner, Scott. T! 

A unique-looking, slim and minimal wallet from Minimum Squared -- one of which could be yours! Read on for more details. Photo courtesy of the brand.

A unique-looking, slim and minimal wallet from Minimum Squared — one of which could be yours! Read on for more details. Photo courtesy of the brand.

As I’ve tried to streamline the process of getting ready to face the day ahead, I find myself looking for items that are simple, effective and stylish. Be it a solid money clip or  a reliable leather messenger bag, anything that makes it quicker and easier to get from point A to point B is a winner in my book. So, a crisp, clean and unique-looking wallet definitely fits the bill — in fact, a slim wallet is a style upgrade I’d definitely recommend you make. With that in mind, we’re focusing on that theme for today’s giveaway, and introducing y’all to a brand that might be a new one for you. In fact, I was just introduced to Minimum Squared Wallets last fall. One of their co-founders, Sanela Kadric, reached out to me with the brand’s story, which is pretty neat (and which I subsequently covered for VOUCH Mag). The wallets are, as I quickly learned, stitched meticulously by hand from one piece of precision laser-cut leather– a very intense undertaking in and of itself — and yet they incorporate the equally precise and more mathematically challenging principles of engineering to design the wallets (Sanela’s husband has an engineering background — not common among the men’s accessories world, to say the least). As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the brand was just awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award, an international distinction given to brands and products in various categories that emphasize sleek, high-quality design. Pretty impressive, no?  It’s the result of a modern approach that aims to use the least amount of leather and stitching possibly, resulting in a wallet that, although it folds over on itself, is still about as slim as a thin card case when filled with about five to six cards. Now, on their own, they don’t come cheap (about $170, the result of these pieces being handstitched in Spain). Their precise selection — that phrase comes up a lot to describe these — combines unique, rich leather colors with a neat, slim elastic strap to hold everything together. Make no mistake, these aren’t the Velcro wallets of past years, and they’re definitely nothing like George Costanza’s wallet. In fact, I’ve found in testing mine out that it’s no thicker than my old card case, and it fits just as easily into the pocket of slim denim or chinos.

That’s a win-win, right? Right. And to recognize the brand’s innovative approach and award-winning quality via the Red Dot Award, we’re giving you, lucky Style Guide reader, the chance to win one wallet of your choice! The lucky recipient will get their pick of one simple, stylish Minimum Squared wallet. Simply follow the instructions below and look out for the winner to be announced via the top of this post!

Good luck, and thanks for reading!

To enter to win one (1) Minimum Squared wallet of your choice, click this link and follow the instructions!

Editor’s note: This giveaway ends at midnight on Friday, May 13th.

Shop the latest in Men's styles Under $50 + get FREE Shipping on orders over $100 at Frank & Oak!

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Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Owen & Fred

Editor’s note: Thanks to everyone who participated! And congrats to our winner, Joseph D. Thanks again for reading! 

Read on below and enter to win personalized matte black luggage tag from Owen & Fred.

You know the name. Read on below and enter to win a personalized matte black luggage tag from Owen & Fred.

When you’re first starting out in the never-ending journey that is stylistic improvement, it’s the big-picture stuff that’s often the focus — a great pair of denim, a sharp pair of sneakers, a better crewneck sweater — those kinds of things. But as that starts to take shape, or as you look to simply revamp other parts  of your life, you start to notice the little details, be it in the accessories arena or grooming or other lifestyle categories. Noticing those small details can actually lead to some nice style upgrades (as we so often talk about here), and it can even be a fun process to look at a seemingly ordinary household item — like a bottle opener — and envision one that actually acts as a decoration, a nice lifestyle addition.

Luckily, there are companies who are all about these nice, unsung design touches. Chief among them  (in my book) is Brooklyn’s own Owen & Fred.  You might recognize them from a September home accessories giveaway, in fact. I’ve gained a real affinity for the brand over the past year or so, what with their nuanced approach to designing crisp, well-crafted lifestyle essentials, from bags to leather coasters.  They’re consistently introducing neat new products as well, and that’s what brings us here today. Namely, the brand’s travel accessories add a refined touch (and a bit of edge) when you hit the road — this writer is particularly a fan of this luggage tag. So that’s why we here at The Style Guide (AKA yours truly) are giving you the chance to win one of the brand’s new Personalized Black Matte Luggage Tags!  These guys are sleek, sharp and built with hardened brass. They even come with a custom diamond-engraved message or address on there for ya. The even better news? You’ll have this bad boy in time to accessorize your bag for plenty of spring and summer trips.

But how to win, you say? Simply click on this link and follow the instructions!

Editor’s note: This contest ends at 12 a.m. on March 8.

Thanks as always for reading, and good luck to those entering!

-Beau
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Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Doc Elliott Grooming

Read on for details on how to win your own set of winter beard-care essentials from Doc Elliott Grooming. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Read on for details on how to win your own set of winter beard-care essentials from Doc Elliott Grooming. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Editor’s note: Thank you to all who participated! And congrats to the winner, Christopher C. Thanks, as always, for reading.

Now that winter’s fully upon us (if it happens to be warm where you are, lucky you!), hopefully you’ve got all the great winter gear you need — from a  warm topcoat to a stylish peacoat and tough winter boots. But with the ever-advancing chill comes the need to turn to another area of the men’s lifestyle department here at The Style Guide — grooming. If you’re among the bearded set out there, it’s crucial to take care of your beard in the winter — it’s one of those little style details that can go further than you think. After all, no one wants to look like a cast member in The Revenant. And it’s with that thought in mind (seriously, groom your beard!) that today’s reader giveaway opportunity comes up. Doc Elliott Grooming, based out of Austin, Texas, certainly has you covered in that regard.

I first stumbled across the brand thanks to a timely 2014 Christmas gift from Santa, and I’ve been a fan of the brand’s Pure Pomade ever since. Their focus is equal parts rugged, refined and vintage-inspired (hence the tagline, “Honor Your MANcestors”), and they like to focus on heritage, authenticity and quality ingredients — that goes for their products across the board.

Its beard care game is equally on-point, and that’s what we’re giving you the chance to enter to win today, my friends. One lucky winner will get the Beard Care combo pack (that’s the brand’s Beard Balm and Serum), plus the brand’s Edge Wax and a fun graphic tee. That entire combo will have your grooming game upgraded in no time, trust me.

To win — simply follow the instructions in this link(Editor’s note: Contest runs until 12 a.m., January 21, 2016).

Stay warm out there and stay stylish!

-Beau

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Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Goorin Brothers

Rocking an unexpected style from a heritage hat brand. Read on to win a gift from Goorin Brothers! Unconstructed blazer by J. Crew. Heathered burgundy pocket tee by Steven Alan. Slim khaki chinos by Taylor Stitch. Chukka boots by Timberland. Glasses by Warby Parker.

Rocking an unexpected style from a heritage hat brand. Read on to win a gift from Goorin Brothers! Unconstructed blazer by J. Crew. Heathered burgundy pocket tee by Steven Alan. Slim khaki chinos by Taylor Stitch. Chukka boots by Timberland. Glasses by Warby Parker.

Editor’s note: Thanks to all who participated! And congrats to the giveaway winner, Ali N.! Stay stylish, folks.

There are some brands that do one thing so well, you can’t help but stop and take notice. Goorin Brothers, heritage hatmakers for more than a century, absolutely fit the bill. After seeing some of the brand’s shops around Brooklyn and Manhattan across the past six months or so — four shops in total — my interest was piqued. I connected with the brand’s lovely PR team and have since been fortunate enough to learn lots more about Goorin — and it’s no exaggeration to say it’s been all good things (read a full brand profile here). A nice hat is a style accessory that not all will be interested in, granted, but if you do decide to go that route, there’s no better place to look than Goorin. It’s a company that’s rooted in quality and family principles, and they make just about every hat style you can imagine, from felt fedoras to flatcaps and perhaps my personal favorite as seen above, a line of vintage ballcaps. But, it’s perhaps the more classic fedora or flatcap styles that pair best with all kinds of outfit combinations in the fall — from a rugged henley and bomber jacket to some sharp tailored wear. That’s the best mark of a great hat, as with any style item — versatility! And Goorin sure does craft them well, as they’re fit for any adventures you might find yourself on this season. I’m personally looking forward to breaking mine out as it gets colder in NYC, although they make several varieties fit for warmer weather. I just need to get my hands on one of the brand’s felt fedoras and I’ll be all set — I’d advise you do the same!

While I could go on about the brand, there’s a bigger upside to this post (assuming you’ve made it this far) — the chance to pick one up for yourself!

So, here are the goods — 1 lucky winner will receive one $150 gift card good for purchase at any Goorin Brothers shop (36 of ’em nationwide) or the brand’s Web site  — that should cover most hats on the site!

More crucially, that winner could be you! Here’s how to enter (and hopefully win):

  • Head to Instagram and be sure to follow both my Instagram account and the Goorin Brothers account
  • Like Wednesday’s Goorin Brothers-themed photo, and in the comments, tag a friend who you think could use a Goorin Brothers gift card — and by extension, a hat! Be sure to use the hashtag #StyleAdventures, too (and lastly, be sure to do so before 9 p.m. THURSDAY — we’ve extended it by one day!).
  • As per usual, the winner will be notified via Instagram Wednesday evening following the conclusion of the contest.

So those are the nuts and bolts of this giveaway — good luck!

Stay stylish,

-Beau