Style Pick of the Week: Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Waffle Henley

Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Waffle Henley

A rugged Taylor Stitch henley you’ll have for years and years.

Leave it to Taylor Stitch, makers of everything from one of the best leather jackets to some of the best everyday menswear essentials, to take the humble henley and amp up in a big way, just in time for a holiday weekend and of course, the depths of winter. If you’re more excited than ever for today’s Style Pick of the Week, you’re not alone, because we’re diving into what exactly makes the Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Waffle Henley one of the best henleys for men this season (and beyond). In typical Taylor Stitch fashion, the brand has taken a classic silhouette, the sporting heritage henley, and flipped it on its head in a way only they can (a  great way, for the record).

Yes indeed, the Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Waffle Henley is a classic henley in silhouette, but it stands apart from the pack for several reasons, chief among them being the fact that it uses the brand’s famed Heavy Bag fabric. In this case, the fabric is a blend of upcycled cotton and recycled polyester for maximum sustainability and style, and the thermal knit is burly and based off old-school “seed stitch” thermals. That makes it as tough as something your grandpa might have worn, and it’s a fitting update to a style you can wear for years.

SHOP: The Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Waffle Henley

Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Henley

The difference is in the details with this rugged henley.

The Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Waffle Henley is also a highly affordable henley, clocking in at under $80, a competitive price in the market. And you’ve got to love the versatile, neutral Ash color, suitable for teaming with everything from inky blue Taylor Stitch selvedge denim to Taylor Stitch chinos without missing a beat. It helps that the henley itself is a rugged staple that looks great just about anywhere you take it, be it worn underneath a flannel workshirt on a chilly winter morning out on the trail, or back in town & teamed with a classic chambray shirt and faded blue denim for casual, brewery-ready style. It also helps that it’s made with the kind of quality only Taylor Stitch can provide. That means it’s crafted with a tailored fit in small batches, all the better to be treasured and worn often. In short, if you’ve been looking for your new favorite henley, well, you’ve certainly found it with the Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Waffle Henley.

SHOP: The Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Waffle Henley

Style Pick of the Week: Wolverine 1000 Mile Faribault Boots

Wolverine 1000 Mile Faribault Boots

Some of the coolest leather boots you’re going to find this season.

Thanks, folks, for joining us to start your Saturday with today’s Style Pick of the Week as we look at finding some of the best men’s boots for fall and winter right now. We’re continuing to talk about the best gear for fall here on the blog, and in this case, the best men’s boots to buy right now. What’s even better than that is the fact that, well, these rugged leather boots come from a heritage footwear brand you know, love and trust (or at least, I hope that’s the case).

Wolverine has been a tried-and-true brand for me over the years (seriously, check out my 2013 Wolverine product review on this very blog!), so it’s with great pleasure that I’ve been able to test out the Wolverine 1000 Mile Faribault Boots. They’re some of the best new men’s boots I’ve tried this season — if you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m always testing ’em out — and they’ve got the right pedigree and style potential to carry you through the rest of November and through on into winter. They’re also built on the brand’s workman-like Axel boot design. With all that being said, dig in with me, find out and get ready to pick up your new favorite boots, because they assuredly take the cake.

Faribault Woolen Mills has long been known for making some of the strongest, toughest woolen goods on the planet, starting with 1890s military blankets for U.S. soldiers, so it’s only fitting that Wolverine (based in my home state of Michigan!) would team up with such a lauded heritage brand. The specs on these classic leather boots really are something else (more on that in a moment, though).

SHOP: The Wolverine 1000 Mile Faribault Boots 

Naturally, these wouldn’t be a pair of rugged Wolverine boots without the right construction, and in this case, that means an incredibly tough Vibram lug outsole and the classic 1000 Mile boot design, for starters. And yet, the Wolverine 1000 Mile Faribault Boots go the extra mile (pun intended), using fabrics originally made for U.S. Army blankets (in the case of the Green fabric) or U.S. Navy blankets (as with the grey fabric on the black-and-grey version).

Either way, these boots are rugged, handsome, refined and versatile all the same. Agreeable pairings are plentiful with rugged leather boots such as these, from tan chinos, a white Oxford shirt and a blue denim jacket to slim black jeans and your favorite henley on a casual winter morning. Give the Wolverine 1000 Mile Faribault Boots, and find out what all the hype is about.

SHOP: The Wolverine 1000 Mile Faribault Boots 

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Made in New York Field Jacket

Another day, another stellar menswear pick from the likes of NYC’s best menswear designer, Mr. Todd Snyder. And thanks once again for joining us for another Style Pick of the Week, as fine a way as any to kick off a fall and winter weekend. Naturally, today’s Style Pick sure is a fitting one as we move into November, seeing as the Todd Snyder Made in New York Field Jacket checks all the right boxes should you still be on the hunt for one of the best jackets for fall and winter (and really, does the search ever stop!?). It’s a rugged update on an old-school classic, trading in a traditional military green for a sleek and sharp black that calls to mind downtown NYC style these days.

The Made in New York Field Jacket is certainly an investment, to say the least ($428 at Todd Snyder), but it’s worth remembering that you really do get what you pay for. We’re talking a durable cotton-polyester-nylon blend that results in excellent, functional-yet-stylish Italian Olmetex® fabric, the right kind of material to withstand fall breezes and rain. It’s not a rugged winter parka, to be sure, but it’s the kind of versatile jacket you can wear plenty before the polar vortex hits.

SHOP: The Todd Snyder Made in New York Field Jacket

Todd Snyder Made in New York Field Jacket

A drawcord interior waist allows you to get the perfect fit when layering over other Todd Snyder essentials.

Of course, the Todd Snyder Made in New York Field Jacket isn’t just a functional and rugged coat for weekend adventures aplenty. It also looks mighty stylish when worn back in town as well as out on fall day trips, and four patch & flap pockets provide the right amount of space to handle both pursuits. Zip up this jacket or button it up for a bit more stylish flair when layered atop a Todd Snyder denim shirt and a rugged henley, for instance. It’s unlined, so you’ll have enough room to wear a Todd Snyder crewneck sweatshirt beneath it on chilly days, and that’s the kind of small detail that can’t be beat. Again, it’s an investment-level jacket, but you can rest easy knowing Todd Snyder will make it worth your while. Add one of the best field jackets to your rotation now, then reap the rewards the rest of this season.

SHOP: The Todd Snyder Made in New York Field Jacket

Style Pick of the Week: Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket

Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket

A rugged jacket patented more than 100 years ago.

Folks, let’s be honest. Does Filson need any introduction? Furthermore, does the Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket need any introduction? Probably not, and yet here we are, so rest assured that today’s post gets right down to business, and it’s anything but spooky (Happy Halloween!). No sir, the Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket is the kind of rugged jacket you buy now and wear, well, forever, and that’s why the lauded, century-old Pacific Northwest heritage outfitter is among the best menswear brands out there. They’ve of course got plenty of history helping explorers and frontiersmen, woodsmen and the like with gear to get the job done, but pieces like this one prove that they’ve got an eye toward heritage style for the modern man (that’s you and me both). The Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket is  a burly, tough jacket, crafted from the brand’s famed wool, the type that just so happens to be naturally water-repellent. That alone makes it one of the best men’s jackets for fall, but there’s so much else that it’s got going for it. Now, if you read the blog or subscribe to my newsletter, this jacket might look familiar but if not, consider this your lucky day.

SHOP: The Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket 

Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser

Details really do make the difference when it comes to this epically cool jacket.

The Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket really does have all the bells and whistles you need, whether or not you tackle a ton of yard work and projects in the field, or are just looking for the right jacket to wear on a fall day hike. It’s quite possibly your new favorite casual jacket, with plenty of styling potential alongside, say, a Filson henley and your favorite pair of jeans, and that alone makes it worth considering. It’s also the type of classic jacket you can throw on and forget about — it’ll stand up to the elements, it’ll more than keep you warm, and it’ll look truly great all the while.

And for those who value versatility, you can pick it up in colorways like a bold Buffalo Check or a classic Forest Green. Plus, you’ll have the Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket for years and years — and years — to come, and that’s something worth investing in now. Are you sold yet? If you end up picking up this rugged, iconic jacket, be sure to let me know on Twitter. We’ll see you out there, folks.

SHOP: The Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket 

Style Pick of the Week: American Giant Classic Full-Zip Hoodie

American Giant Classic Full Zip Hoodie

An incredibly durable, essential casual hoodie for perfect fall weekend style.

Folks, as often seems to be the case around this time of year, I’m urging you to reconsider your casual wardrobe in today’s Style Pick of the Week, and I’m specifically calling for you to pick up one of the best men’s hoodies on the planet. If this year’s pandemic didn’t already cause you to seriously step your casual fall weekend and at-home style, it’s high time you upgraded your hoodie with American Giant and the American Giant Classic Full Zip Hoodie. They’re just the brand to take your laidback fall looks from “good” to “great … and seriously cozy.” American Giant has been a favorite of your humble Brooklyn menswear author for some time, owing to the fact that they meticulously craft some of the best casual menswear on the market, from a classic trucker jacket (as featured on the blog this past winter), to one of the best crewneck sweaters on the market.

Everlane.com Low Cost. High Quality. Classic wardrobe essentials for less!

To top it all off, they’ve got nearly a decade of experience producing American-made menswear (and women’s wear!), and they’re also socially engaged through the American Giant Delta Project. What’s more, and perhaps most importantly, American Giant also makes protective face masks here in the States. Talk about using your powers for good. But back to one of the best men’s hoodies, ehh? It’s an essential you’ve simply got to have these days.

SHOP: The American Giant Classic Full Zip Hoodie

Best men's hoodies

It’s available in an array of colors, like this limited-edition Oxblood.

The great thing about finding one of the best men’s hooded sweatshirts is that, as you would expect, it’s improved in every way from your typical hoodie. In this case, that means the American Giant Classic Full Zip Hoodie is made from a custom-developed heavyweight fleece and combed ringspun cotton — this makes it durable to wear in blustery fall weather (either on its own or with a waxed trucker jacket), yet warm and soft to the touch on the inside.

Freemans Sporting Club

It’s a tough-as-nails hoodie that the brand calls “the best hoodie ever made,” and I’ve certainly got a mind to believe ’em. It’s made in North Carolina and features custom hardware like a metal zipper, eyelets and drawcord tips, meaning no stone goes unturned in the making of the best hooded sweatshirt for men — seriously. Even better? It brings dependable weekend style to your wardrobe, thanks to eight color options (including three limited-edition colorways, such as Oxblood). In that respect, it could be the best hooded sweatshirt to wear with jeans and your favorite T-shirt … or with chinos and a henley for a casual outing. When something as seemingly simple as a hooded sweatshirt gets the American Giant treatment, you can expect great things. Do yourself a favor and get your new favorite hoodie (or two, or three!) today.

SHOP: The American Giant Classic Full Zip Hoodie

mandarin woods 300x250

 

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Dylan Suede Snap Jacket

Italian Suede Snap Dylan Jacket in Dark Brown

The coolest fall jacket your money can buy, guaranteed.

When new fall arrivals start to show up at Todd Snyder, it’s high time you start paying attention (at least, that’s what your Brooklyn menswear writer thinks). And when the Todd Snyder Fall Collection features what just so happens to be one of the best men’s jackets for fall — period — then it’s certainly worth considering the fact that you need this jacket in your life ASAP. The inimitable NYC menswear designer has outdone himself with the Todd Snyder Dylan Suede Snap Jacket, a fresh and modern update of the denim jacket that takes the classic silhouette and revamps it with incredibly luxurious suede.

The result is one of the best jackets for men, one that’s an investment ($998 via Todd Snyder), and yet … undoubtedly worth it. No designer is taking modern menswear classics and shaking ’em up the way Mr. Snyder is, and that’s saying something. Take your pick from an incredible array of colors for this stylish trucker jacket, including Dark Brown, plus other rich fall shades like Rust, then be prepared for a world of fall style opportunities to open up.

SHOP: The Todd Snyder Dylan Suede Snap Jacket

Also available in seriously cool colors like Eucalyptus.

The great thing about the Todd Snyder Dylan Jacket is the versatility it gives you. The Italian calf suede and made-in-Italy construction are hallmarks of some of the finest quality around, while the tailored fit makes this classic trucker jacket wear as sharply as your favorite fall blazer — seriously. The rich color options are seriously cool for fall. This is the type of classic men’s jacket you can wear with anything in your wardrobe, be it a rugged henley and faded selvedge denim or a classic white Oxford shirt and tan chinos (FRYE leather boots sold separately).

Use the Todd Snyder Dylan Jacket  as a replacement for a blazer on your next Zoom call, or throw it on with slim black jeans, brown leather chukka boots and a classic white tee as a quick layer for to-go cocktails or brewery beers — how about it, ehh? And of course, when you want a sharp, functional jacket for your next road trip, this Todd Snyder jacket is the only way to go: Just check out the front snap chest pockets and side hip pockets for your everyday carry essentials. Naturally, if it’s a rugged-and-refined jacket for fall you seek, one that you can wear for a park stroll or a leisurely morning cofffee on your back deck, you want the simply excellent Todd Snyder Dylan Jacket. Heck, it’s  quite simply your new favorite piece of fall outerwear

SHOP: The Todd Snyder Dylan Suede Snap Jacket

 

Style Pick of the Week: Flint and Tinder CPO Shirt Jacket

Your new favorite fall jacket from Huckberry, easy as can be.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably got an ever-expanding list of fall style essentials to buy from the good folks at Flint and Tinder (including a rugged fall shirt jacket as seen above). And if you’re a fan of the blog, you know that plenty of gear picks from F&T (the in-house brand at Huckberry) are suited for each and every season — but especially the depths of fall. It’s wild to be in the midst of kicking off October right now, so with this ideal season in mind, it’s high time you picked up one of the best shirt jackets for men: It’s time you picked up the Flint and Tinder CPO Shirt Jacket for rugged layering this season.

As with any Flint and Tinder waxed jacket (including the much-coveted Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket), it delivers plenty of standout form and function for crisp fall days, chilly fall nights and adventures in between. But first off: What is a CPO jacket? We’ve talked about the silhouette in the blog on the past, but current CPO jackets pay homage to the Chief Petty Officer’s naval coat — think rugged, modern and tough in the current age, and this Flint and Tinder waxed jacket certainly delivers. Let’s go through the specs, shall we? Keep on scrolling.

SHOP: The Flint and Tinder CPO Shirt Jacket 

Also available in a sleek Charcoal color.

As with the best waxed jackets, it starts with the fabric and construction, two areas in which Flint and Tinder clearly excels. In the case of this stylish shirt jacket, it’s a cotton-and-spandex blend, waxed for toughness and yet flexibility. The hardware on the Flint and Tinder CPO Shirt Jacket also delivers, what with custom FNT gunmetal buttons getting the tough treatment here.

Front-button chest pockets and an interior pocket designed to hold your everyday carry also provide the utility you need this season, be it on the road or at home. This rugged shirt jacket should wear easily atop all your favorite fall style staples, be it a thermal henley and rugged chore pants, or else slim faded denim and a garment-dyed Oxford shirt for casual versatility. Is there anything the Flint and Tinder CPO Shirt Jacket can’t do? In this day and age, not quite. Wear it on a solo hike, wear it to grab to-go beers, throw it on for yard work or another fall morning cup of coffee … it’s the perfect fall layer, over and over.

SHOP: The Flint and Tinder CPO Shirt Jacket 

Style Pick of the Week: Filson Quilted Jac-Shirt

Filson Quilted Jac-Shirt

Whether you’re a skilled banjo player, an explorer or have a tendency toward days at home, this is one of the best shirt jackets for men you can buy.

When you know, you know — when you step outside on a crisp, cool fall morning, you know what lies in store: Fall adventures and of course, the need for rugged fall gear to take on the day. That, my friends, is where the Filson Quilted Jac-Shirt comes into play, one of the best shirt jackets for men this fall (and of course, well beyond). This timeless men’s shirt jacket is tough-as-nails, easy to layer, built for inclement fall weather, and made to last and last — and last. That sounds pretty ideal for the season, right? It’s built to act as a standalone outer layer, thanks to PrimaLoft insulation that’ll keep you toasty on cold fall mornings and days in the field, preferably layered atop a Filson henley. The Filson Quilted Jac-Shirt is built every bit as well as you’d expect coming from Filson, made for Pacific Northwest mornings (or days at home, upstate or in the Midwest).

When the going gets tough, you should assuredly turn toward one of the best shirt jackets for men, seeing as this particular number is made with a tough, 4oz. cotton exterior finished off with a water-resistant waxed treatment. It delivers the goods when you need it, to say the least.

SHOP: The Filson Quilted Jac-Shirt

Filson

A reliable, dependable and rugged shirt jacket for fall and winter.

One of the best men’s shirt jackets needs to step up in the clutch, and it helps if it looks darn good while doing it. The Marsh Olive color is a workhorse when it comes to pairing up with grey chore pants and tough leather work boots, yet it also looks mighty fine when worn casually (think slim indigo jeans, a thermal henley and chukka boots to grab to-go brewery beers). Consider the Filson Quilted Jac-Shirt a grab-and-go-type of jacket, one you need to wear when on the trail or camping under the stars (or again, hanging out around your bonfire). And because it’s Filson, all the details are accounted for — the snap front buttons are easy to use even while wearing, say, Filson work gloves. Although the Filson Quilted Jac-Shirt is a bit pricier than your average work shirt, it’s absolutely worth it — it’s a new everyday style staple. If you end up picking it up, let me know on Twitter.

SHOP: The Filson Quilted Jac-Shirt

Style Pick of the Week: Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph Watch

A perfectly rugged leather field watch to wear all fall.

Folks, quickly — look at your right or left wrist. Are you missing one of the best watches for men? Even if you’re wearing a watch (a great style move to start, to be sure), I’d bet that it’s not anywhere near as stylish, rugged or dependable as the Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph as shown above (no offense, though!). It’s an investment-level watch that, thanks to its rugged build and durable design, happens to be both one of the best leather watches and one of the best watches for fall. How does that work out?  A rugged watch that wears especially well in the fall months? Yes, you bet. Luminox has a sterling reputation making tactical and military-approved watches, and this leather field watch blends both hearty design specs and plenty of style points. Now, this particular watch retails for $940 via Luminox …  but it’s assuredly worth it. 

You see, the cooler weather of fall naturally calls for harder-wearing, tougher gear with plenty of texture and dependability for chilly fall weather, wind and rain. Think a waxed trucker jacket, slim selvedge denim, tough leather boots and of course, a reliable leather watch for men — one that’s got the design and toughness to pair up more than readily with each of those fall style essentials. Still with me? Right on.

SHOP: The Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph

A durable leather field watch that looks great with, well, just about anything.

The specs on this rugged leather field watch are, quite simply, very impressive. The 45mm stainless steel case design is beastly and made for fall and winter adventures off trail, and the screw down crown adds another touch of resistance to the elements. This Luminox watch has plenty going for it on the style front, too — the midnight blue sunray dial is eye-catching and visually appealing, and luminescent dial markings help light the way when conditions get tough out there.

Elsewhere, the Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph features three chronographs and alarm functionality, all the better to stay on time on the trail (and back home). It’s one of the coolest leather watches I’ve seen in some time, and design details like ivory contrast stitching and a handsome honey tan leather strap drive that point home nicely, too. You can rock this stylish leather watch with just about any gear you’d like, but for real fall excursions, my best bet would to pair the Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph with a rugged henley, a denim shirt, your favorite trucker jacket, hard-wearing chore pants and of course, leather lace-up boots. Just like that, you’ve figured out your new favorite fall ensemble — starring your favorite leather watch. Good luck out there this fall, folks.

SHOP: The Luminox Atacama Field Chronograph

Style Pick of the Week: FRYE Bowery Lace-Up Leather Boots

Some of the best men’s leather boots, made the right way by FRYE.

Another week, another pair of the best leather boots for men as we head ever closer toward fall. I don’t know about you, but I always look forward to and appreciate the crisp, cold fall air, the changing seasons and some fall-centric activities (Oktoberfest beer or hot apple cider, anyone?). And I frequently find myself reaching for some rugged leather boots, a la the FRYE Bowery Lace-Up Leather Boots shown above. They’ve got all the trappings of a pair of classic leather boots, right on down to the sleek-yet-tough plain toe construction, with a bit of an added edge — these stylish boots feature a side zip, giving them a bit more dressy appeal.

What that means for you is, you can team these FRYE leather boots with everything from wool trousers and a chambray shirt to rugged camp pants and a thermal henley without missing a beat. That’s the FRYE way, after all. They’re a heritage bootmaker for men and women with tons of history. Founded in Marlboro, Ma. in 1863 (yes, 1863!), they’ve never really wavered from the kind of quality leather boots that last and last … and last. It’s seriously impressive, and that’s what makes these some of the best boots for men you’ll be snapping up this season.

SHOP: The FRYE Bowery Leather Lace-Up Boots 

A versatile pair of leather boots with both dressy and rugged appeal.

Keep in mind, these FRYE leather boots are indeed on the pricier side ($358), but consider them in the same league as, say, rugged Red Wing Heritage leather boots … but with dressier styling potential. In my mind, that makes ’em worth every penny. The leather and rubber outsole adds durability and traction through slick fall weather, while waxed cotton laces tie everything together (literally) with more versatility than regular work boot laces. Again, these are a pair of sleek leather boots to wear with everything from your favorite blue jeans and a shawl cardigan to slim tan chinos and a classic Oxford shirt. Add a denim jacket or a chore coat, then call it good for fall adventures. No doubt about it, the FRYE Bowery Lace-Up Leather Boots are going to be in your rotation for a good while, all thanks to the Goodyear welt construction and tough finishing details like antique brass hardware. Need to snag a pair of your new favorite boots for fall? Well, you’ve found ’em here.

SHOP: The FRYE Bowery Leather Lace-Up Boots