Tag / style pick of the week

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Billy Reid Dover Sweatshirt

More than just your average sweatshirt, that’s for sure.

We’ve all likely got that favorite weekend sweatshirt, the one that you reach for on cloudy, dreary, casual days — well, let’s shake things up a bit, because the Billy Reid Dover Sweatshirt is A) Your new seasonal favorite and B) One heck of an addition to your ever-growing list of men’s style essentials.  Inshort, it’s got everything you need in a casual sweater, with an added punch in terms of style points, easy wearability and cool design details. Sounds pretty great, right? Billy Reid is one of those American menswear designers with a point of view that’s distinct and premium, yet uniquely accessible — case in point, the Dover Sweatshirt.  Made in Canada from a cotton-poly blend in a classic crewneck sweatshirt design, this stylish weekend sweatshirt is a winner on all fronts … heck, it’s stylish enough to be worn to the office with slim five-pocket pants, suede Chelsea boots and a classic Oxford shirt for a nice mix of high and low styles. My personal favorite has to be the Natural color, but the Dover Sweatshirt is also available in a crisp Dark Midnight color. Really, it’s your call — you’re getting excellent versatility and style with the Billy Reid Dover Sweatshirt. The only question, really, is how to style it.

SHOP: The Billy Reid Dover Sweatshirt via Huckberry

Billy Reid

Neat leather patches set this thing apart from the pack.

Herringbone twill detailing and vintage-inspired leather elbow patches elevate the Dover Sweatshirt quite nicely. This is the type of sweatshirt that’s going to work with everything from perfectly faded jeans and suede chukka boots to slim corduroy pants and stylish brown leather brogues. When’s the last time you had a sweatshirt like that, ehh?  The results are absolutely what you’d expect from a lauded designer like Billy Reid, who prides himself on doing things in a way that’s different yet accessible. Take the small finishing touches, like piping details at the armhole — the  Dover Sweatshirt is made with craft and care top of mind. In short, you’re going to feel comfortable and look great, even if the only thing you can muster up is a visit to your local coffee shop. But preferably, you’re going to be dressed to take on the world  (even on a weekend!) with the Dover Sweatshirt — it’s that stylish and sharp. For your Style Guide author, it’s the perfect grab-and-go piece to layer over a classic white T-shirt. But feel free to make the Dover Sweatshirt your own — it can certainly handle style scenarios aplenty.

SHOP: The Billy Reid Dover Sweatshirt via Huckberry

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Red Wing Heritage Rover Boots

Timeless, durable leather boots that pass every test you could throw at ’em. Image courtesy of Red Wing Heritage.

Let’s keep it simple to start today’s Style Pick of the Week off the right way, folks: For fall, you need nothing less than the Red Wing Heritage Rover Boots on your feet. After all, if you’re going to snap up a pair of stylish leather boots just in time for the season, you might as well make ’em the best of the best.  And if you read the blog at all, you’re aware that we’re all about quality, timeless materials and a distinct sense of versatility & toughness — all of which Red Wing Heritage stands by. And the Rover Boots in particular sit right in the crosshairs of what you should be looking for this fall — boots that simply won’t quit, the kind that’ll pair with your favorite dark denim and a flannel shirt or a thermal henley for weekend (and weekday) adventures aplenty. They’ll work with more outdoors-minded pieces like tough chore pants and a rugged flannel-lined trucker jacket, too. What separates the Red Wing Heritage Rover Boots from the rest of the pack?

SHOP: The Red Wing Heritage Rover Boots and Red Wing Basic Care Product Kit  

It’s simple: The same approach and attention to detail that makes any pair of boots from the brand tough to beat. The best boots for fall start with the best leather, and Red Wing sits at the top in that category — they make it look easy with full-grain, oil-tanned leather from their own Minnesota tannery. Goodyear welt construction, a process that allows the boots to be resoled after years of hard wear, also, sets the beautifully rugged Red Wing Heritage Rover Boots apart from the pack.

Red Wing Heritage

Another look at the workman-like profile of these tough leather boots.

The construction of these boots is notable for another reason — they’re, somewhat incredibly, water, stain and perspiration-resistant — yep, the Rover Boots are as tough and stylish as it gets. You’re also riding easy in terms of comfort: These durable boots are built from the ground up with a crepe rubber sole. So, you know they can stand up to most anything. Might I also suggest you snag a handy Red Wing product care kit to keep the Rover Boots looking fresh? That’ll do it. Heck, even the price is a selling point when it comes to the Red Wing Heritage Rover Boots — try finding a pair of boots like this for under $300 anywhere else. It’s tough to do, yes? I think you’ll agree with me when I say the Red Wing Heritage Rover Boots are all you need for fall, right down to the USA-made construction. Who else is ready to break out these handsome, rugged and stylish boots? I thought so. If you pick up these boots, keep me posted on Twitter. And thanks for reading!

SHOP: The Red Wing Heritage Rover Boots and Red Wing Basic Care Product Kit  

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Bespoke Post Carry Box

From a slim wallet to a stylish pen, the Bespoke Post Carry Box has the early fall essentials you need to stay organized.

Your everyday carry essentials are perhaps no more important than at the start of a new menswear season — like early fall. We’ve been talking for weeks here on The Style Guide about transitional men’s style essentials to keep you looking sharp in spite of the changing weather — that’s where the always-handy Bespoke Post Boxes come into play. In short: Bespoke Post packages up menswear essentials and delivers ’em to you for one low price via its subscription service. Which brings me to the functional, truly excellent Bespoke Post Carry Box.  What’s in store for you if you pick up this well-designed package of menswear goodies? Quite a lot, my friend. From the crisp and clean Line of Trade Slim Wallet (with room for up to 15 cards!) to the Fisher Bullet Space Pen, the Carry Box is packed full of those small, thoughtfully made touches you didn’t know you needed (yet). Take the Gerber Shard Tool — a pocket-sized multi-tool that can be had (along with the Space Pen and the Line of Trade Slim Wallet) for just $45 when you sign up to join Bespoke Post. How’s that for a heck of a deal to start a new menswear season? Bingo.

SHOP: Bespoke Post Carry Box

SIGN UP: Join Bespoke Post 

Three refined, durable and great-looking everyday essentials in one agreeable package.

Now, you might be wondering why the heck you’d need a new leather wallet or a new pen, or a new multi-tool, but the answer comes back to the fact that organization and attention to detail — from the ground up — really can shape a menswear ensemble. That is to say, the Bespoke Post Carry Box can be the perfect finishing touch if you’ve got your other men’s style essentials on lock. Whether you’re heading to a rock concert or schlepping your gear to a day at the office, the stylish and very well-priced Bespoke Post Carry Box can help you keep everything straight. And these goods aren’t just any old everyday carry pieces, either — the Fischer Space Pen is an investment-level writing utensil all on its own, while the handsome Line of Trade Slim Wallet comes in multiple refined leather options for maximum versatility. Each piece of the Bespoke Post Carry Box truly can be used every single day, and they’ll get better with age (yes, even the Gerber Shard Tool). And again, the Bespoke Post Carry Box is available for under $50 when you sign up to join Bespoke Post — what’s not to love about that? If I were you, I’d be all in.

SHOP: Bespoke Post Carry Box

SIGN UP: Join Bespoke Post 

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Proof Strong Shirt

Your new favorite fall shirt, courtesy of Proof.

There’s no wrong way to slice it: Proof makes dependable, tough and versatile menswear for the guy on the go (that’d be you). Strong men’s style essentials, if you will. Case in point: The Proof Strong Shirt, a ready-made weekend style move that works and works. I’m also a fan of the versatility and mobility of the Proof Performance Oxford, and it looks to me like this dependable everyday shirt fits much the same mold. Fall calls for gear that moves with you and is ready for anything — reliable staples that work for morning coffee, afternoon brunch and an evening of brewery hopping. The Proof Strong Shirt does all of that and more.

SHOP: The Proof Strong Shirt

As  Proof  puts it, the Strong Shirt blends the everyday style of a classic chambray shirt with durable cotton and nylon for flexibility and ease of movement. That’s unique among chambray shirts on the market. That’s not all, though — the chambray itself comes from the  Proof arsenal of exceptional fabrics: We’re talking cordura chambray from a leading Japanese denim mill. In short, that means the Strong Shirt is surprisingly durable and abrasion-resistant, the perfect chambray shirt for layering this fall atop your favorite henley and classic dark denim.

The rugged shirt you need for fall weekend adventures.

SHOP: The Proof Strong Shirt

It’s also got plenty going for it when it comes to plain old classic style, too. The look and feel of the Proof Strong Shirt is very similar to that of your favorite standby, a J. Crew chambray shirt. From the front button pockets to the pleasing indigo chambray color, it’s a winner all around. In short, it’s a new modern classic, a shirt that can be worn with everything from tan chinos and white high-top sneakers to a classic navy blazer, dark denim and rugged suede chukka boots for a casual fall Friday.

Plus, you’ve got that extra bit of versatility thrown in, thanks to the durable fabrication of the Proof Strong Shirt. Seriously, don’t hesitate to layer this thing atop a warm thermal shirt for your next day hike — it can handle it (On that note: You should learn how to dress for your next camping trip before it’s too late). Conversely, the remarkable Proof Strong Shirt is going to team just as readily with a coated waxed cotton jacket and your favorite pair of broken-in denim for a fall football tailgate or a bar crawl — that’s versatility at its finest. All of which is to say: Stop reading this story and go get the Proof Strong Shirt right now.

SHOP: The Proof Strong Shirt

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers

Your next pair of fall sneakers … or are they boots?

Not yet familiar with the Vulcanizer brand? Well, my friends — let’s change all of that today as we talk men’s style essentials and get you well-acquainted with the next entry in our always-rugged, ever-fashionable Style Pick of the Week series. The subject of today’s post? The Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers, a boot-sneaker hybrid that looks as tough and stylish as your favorite pair of leather boots … while simultaneously existing in the realm of the best men’s high-top sneakers. Don’t believe me? Read on.  Japanese brand Vulcanizer is a new addition to the lineup over at Huckberry, a site that knows a thing or two about curating menswear essentials. It’s really no surprise, then, that the Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers are unique, versatile and rugged — all at once.

It’s gotta start with the classic moc toe construction and vulcanized sole, two touches that surely make the Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers a seriously ready-made addition to your list of fall style essentials, if ever I’ve seen one. The cotton canvas upper is also water-resistant, a key feature that ought to come in mighty handy whether you keep it simple (classic dark denim and a grey crewneck sweater) or a little more stylish (a white Oxford and khaki chinos at the office).  Either way, the Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers are going to hold up — to say the least.

SHOP: Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers via Huckberry

A classic pair of high-top sneakers with the look of a pair of durable boots — a fall style favorite, surely.

Make no bones about it,  Vulcanizer has certainly taken their time with the Work High Oxford — designed in Japan and made in Romania, you  just don’t see sneakers nowadays like the Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers and everything they’ve got going for ’em. Available in three colorways (I like the Brown Work High Oxford the best), these sneakers are durable enough to wear on a light day hike along with a waxed trucker jacket and tough work pants, yet stylish enough to wear to your favorite bar alongside casual style staples like a rugged denim jacket and a classic chambray shirt for the season. The Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers are also a steal in terms of price, clocking in at under $150. That price for a pair of durable sneakers that wear like boots? Sounds just great to me. The moc toe construction is also cool and classic, simply perfect for fall. You should certainly shoot to wear the Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers to your next football tailgate or brewery visit — they’ve got that rugged sensibility that’ll fit right in alongside dark indigo denim and a rugged long-sleeve henley.  So, how’s that sound for your next fall footwear purchase? Easy enough, right? 

SHOP: Vulcanizer Work Oxford High-Top Sneakers via Huckberry

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Flint and Tinder Stonewashed Jeans

Flint and Tinder

Possibly a new daily style staple.

Don’t get it twisted: There’s a good chance the Flint and Tinder Stonewashed Jeans could become your new favorite pair of denim this fall — and certainly, well beyond that. Here we are on the first day of September, and that means it’s probably time to take a good, long look at the fall style essentials you have, and the ones you need. That is to say, a great pair of everyday denim from go-to Style Guide favorites Flint and Tinder belongs on the list. The in-house brand of our good friends at Huckberry continues to deliver on classic style essentials made (in the States!) with durability and rugged style in mind. That runs all the way from shirting to underwear to the Stonewashed Jeans you see here. I’m a big fan of the similarly constructed Flint and Tinder All-American Jeans, and the Stonewashed Jeans apply that same ethos to a fall-friendly wash. As much as I love a good pair of inky denim, it’s pleasing and fun to see a more casual-leaning pair of classic men’s jeans make their way into your rotation.

SHOP: The Flint and Tinder Stonewashed Jeans via Huckberry

Turn up the cuffs and show off the details.

You can wear ’em exactly like you’d wear your favorite pair of rich blue denim, but in a more laidback fashion (think a thermal henley, a heather grey cardigan and casual brown leather boots, to start). The Flint and Tinder Stonewashed Jeans have all the styling potential you could want this fall, and they’ll pair up just fine with every shirt in your arsenal, from flannel shirting to a classic chambray shirt or a casual long-sleeve shirt. After all, they’re just jeans, right? Not quite. What makes the Flint and Tinder Stonewashed Jeans so different? It’s easy. We’re talking a blend of cotton and stretch for crucial comfort. The slim fit (although they’re also available in Straight fit) is tapered and lean but not too tight, making them an easy match with suede Chelsea boots or leather lace-up boots … or perhaps a pair of stylish leather brogues. And although it might not seem like it, it’s surprisingly easy to incorporate the Flint and Tinder Stonewashed Jeans into work week looks — they’ll even complement a navy cotton blazer and a blue Oxford shirt at the office. The key is the unique stone wash, which gives these stylish jeans some character. So, to recap: An agreeable fit, made-in-America construction and a casual finish that’s also surprisingly easy to wear? Yessir, the Flint and Tinder Stonewashed Jeans are a big-time fall winner.

SHOP: The Flint and Tinder Stonewashed Jeans via Huckberry

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: North & Mark Union Blazer

A crisp and clean blazer, made with tech fabric for versatility.

Welcome, my friends, to another Style Pick of the Week — today, we’re telling you about one of the best men’s blazers to buy now, a stylish navy blazer cut for the office and for travel (be it of the Labor Day weekend variety or elsewhere in the season ahead). Our focus today? The North & Mark Union Blazer, a tech-savvy jacket that cleans up nicely for the office or even an upscale date night.

Yessir, the Union Blazer just has plenty going for it, from the easy-to-wear nylon-cotton and poly blend to the fact that it’s water and stain-repellent. Yes, indeed. It’s worth noting that your Style Guide author loves the Navy Union Blazer the best out of each color option — it’s everything you could want in a classic men’s blazer, with plenty of easy mobility built right in (the summer-friendly Tan Union Blazer could also be a prime pick for these last few weeks of the season, though). The stretch fabric gives it a level of comfort you’re not going to find in any other blazer out there — it’s as functional as a rain jacket, yet all the more stylish. In short, the Union Blazer is the sort of jacket you can wear on its own even when you’re dealing with the occasional rain shower — just flip the collar, and you’ve really got two jackets in one when it comes to the North & Mark Union Blazer.

SHOP: The North & Mark Union Blazer from Huckberry

The North & Mark Union Blazer is the real deal in terms of blending fashion and function.

The Navy Union Blazer is also such a great value because it’s priced (currently) at under $200 — that’s under two bills for an office-ready blazer and a weather-ready piece of transitional outerwear. The classic blazer styling also means you can wear the North & Mark Union Blazer in more ways than one. Try it out as you might a more traditional jacket — with a classic Oxford shirt, slim tan chinos and brown leather dress shoes. And then, keep it handy to wear in a slightly more fall-friendly fashion — with a white slub cotton henley (I like this one from Faherty Brand), plus dark indigo denim and rugged brown leather boots. Should a little rain to start fall? No matter — you’re all good, thanks to the functionality of the North & Mark Union Blazer. Internal zip side pockets provide some handy room for your everyday carry essentials, too; make no mistake, the Navy Union Blazer is a classic jacket for the modern man on the go. So, what’ll it be? Is the North & Mark Union Blazer on your list of men’s style essentials? I sure hope so.

SHOP: The North & Mark Union Blazer from Huckberry

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Taylor Stitch Presidio Jacket in Cognac

The stylish leather jacket you need in your wardrobe this fall. Is it any wonder it comes from Taylor Stitch?

If you take one spin through the pages of The Style Guide, you’ll discover quickly that we sure do love Taylor Stitch. The California-based brand makes darn near everything that stylish guys (like yourself!) need when it comes to menswear essentials, from the Taylor Stitch California Shirt to the Rangeley Sweater to the Jack Short-Sleeve Shirt to, well, the Presidio Jacket as seen at the top of the page.

It can be argued with ease that every guy needs a stylish leather jacket in their wardrobe, particularly as the calendar creeps toward fall. Seriously: The right leather jacket can team with dark denim, rugged chambray shirting, leather boots … you name it. And y’know what’s the even better news? If you pre-fund the absurdly stylish Taylor Stitch Presidio Jacket right now, that’s exactly when you’ll receive it (October or November, to be specific). What else is there to love about the Presidio Jacket? Plenty, my friends. Plenty. For starters, your new favorite leather jacket is handmade in San Francisco in partnership with Golden Bear — you might recognize the lauded, classic outerwear brand from their work on the amazing Taylor Stitch Moto Jacket. So, the Presidio Jacket has that going for it.

The best construction and materials money can buy — an absurdly great jacket.

The leather is custom tanned, making for a meticulous and careful process that results in one heck of a jacket. The 3oz. Cognac leather used to make the Presidio Jacket results in a distinctive, classic piece of outerwear that’s going to age wonderfully. It’s also cut in a classic bomber jacket silhouette, all the better for wearing with everything from a classic white Oxford and olive chinos to a heather grey henley and black denim. Does that make it one of the best leather jackets for men? Heck, it just might. The lining — made of nylon and grey wool — will keep you toasty without stifling you on chilly fall days, while the welt handwarmer pockets are lined in cotton flannel for even more warmth. Yessir, the Presidio Jacket has a ton going for it, absolutely. It’s simply an absurdly beautiful and classic jacket — the Presidio Jacket is surely going on my fall wish list. And the great thing about it? You’re getting the Presidio Jacket for quite the deal ($200 off the regular price of $998). Again, it’s got classic versatility built right in, too. From an indigo denim shirt and dark blue jeans to a white Oxford, a knit tie and khaki chinos, the Presidio Jacket is destined — destined, I tell you — to become a new menswear essential for you. Easy as that.

Are you taking a chance on pre-funding the Presidio Jacket now? How would you style this thing?

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Huckberry Artist Series Heavyweight Tee

More than just your average T-shirt, this Huckberry number features custom artwork.

I’ve shopped for my fair share of T-shirts over the years, and I’ve got to say: The search for the perfect T-shirt can be a tricky one (to say the least). There might be a solution if you’re looking for an upgraded, visually interesting and easy-to-layer T-shirt, though: That’d be today’s Style Pick of the Week, the Huckberry Artist Series Heavyweight Tee. It’s an upgraded T-shirt in each and every way, and that’s why it’s nearly essential that you pick up an Artist Series Heavyweight Tee now, featuring engaging artwork and a summer-ready fit.. We’re all about style moves that take the average or the everyday and amp it up a  little bit, from the classic white T-shirt to an expertly faded pair of light wash denim, and the  Huckberry Artist Series Heavyweight Tee is the perfect addition to your (hopefully growing) list of summer style essentials. And if you’re not normally a T-shirt guy — or conversely, if you feel like you’ve got too many tees in your wardrobe — why should you consider picking up the Huckberry Artist Series Heavyweight Tee? It’s quite simple, my friends. Like all Huckberry essentials, with the Heavyweight Tee you’re getting durability, quality & great design — all in a tee that you can wear on its own or layer up under a classic chambray or Oxford shirt.

Another option from the Huckberry Artist Series — and a pretty darn cool one, to boot.

Helpfully, the Artist Series line features something for everyone in terms of colors and custom prints, from the retro-minded Wolf Print Tee shown at the top of the page to the Huckberry Van Tee seen here. Each tee is made in the States using 100 percent carded cotton (that’s the good stuff) and dialed in with the exacting fit you’d expect from the fine folks at Huckberry. The positives keep on rolling, too — each Huckberry Artist Series Heavyweight Tee is enzyme-washed for softness, meaning that each Heavyweight Tee feels like you’ve owned it for years right from the first wear. That quality could just make the Heavyweight Tee your new favorite T-shirt, especially when it comes to wearing it with a rugged denim jacket or beneath an easygoing cotton shirt on cool summer nights. Add slim khaki chinos (like these Abercrombie & Fitch chinos) plus some white canvas sneakers (like these TOMS sneakers) and you’re all set for your next outdoor concert. Those are the kind of style moves you should be searching for across these next few weeks — pieces that elevate your look from “just a T-shirt and jeans” to something more: A unique tee worn well (and available at an agreeable price!). That’s what the Huckberry Artist Series Heavyweight Tee brings to the table — unique design, cool looks and standout wearability. The Wolf Print Tee is my personal favorite, ideal to wear with your favorite pair of broken-in denim and some suede chukka boots to grab a beer at your local brewpub.

Do you dig the vibes of the Huckberry Artist Series Heavyweight Tee? Which one would you pick, and how would you style it? Get at me on Twitter. 

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Olukai Nalukai Boots

Lightweight leather boots to wear with light wash denim and other essentials for summer.

Does it feel counterintuitive or strange to be talking about stylish men’s boots in the middle of summer? Like the OluKai Nalukai Boots as pictured above? This time, after all, is normally reserved for shopping for and wearing things like classic high-top sneakers and the like — not heavy leather boots, right? Well, I’m here to try to prove you wrong, and to tell you to give some rugged leather boots a shot; who knows, you might even discover that this particular pair is your favorite pair of leather boots. On that note, I present to you for your consideration the Nalukai Boots, made with durability, good looks and an easygoing sensibility in mind. The word “nalukai” is pretty fitting, too — it translates roughly to “weathered by time,” and rest assured that the OluKai Nalukai Boots are going to break in quite nicely, to say the least.

The OluKai Nalukai Boots are the sort of A-to-Z boots you can wear with plenty of summer style essentials through plenty of summer weekends and well into fall. If your weekend adventures fall on the more casual side of things — y’know, a farmer’s market trip followed by a park walk and a patio lunch — the OluKai Nalukai Boots are your go-to pair. It starts with the small details, including the unlined, burnished leather upper — that means there’s no bulky, hot lining here. So, that’s a big plus if you’ve been looking to switch up your summer footwear rotation in an unexpected way. Some rugged leather boots are just what you need, in fact.

Yet another cool color in which you can pick up the OluKai Nalukai Boots.

The OluKai Nalukai Boots are available in multiple different rich leather iterations, including a dark grey Husk/Silt as pictured above (and available for purchase here). But for my money’s worth, you can’t top the deep brown leather Fox/Bone Nalukai Boots, which would pair perfectly with slim light wash denim and a white henley, for instance. The lightweight EVA footbed and EVA midsole provide a heck of a lot of all-day comfort, while the octopus-inspired printed footbed is a neat design touch that you might appreciate. The waxed cotton laces on the OluKai Nalukai Boots also lend these boots a slightly more polished touch — feel free to wear ’em with tan khaki chinos, a white Oxford and a lightweight navy blazer for a casual day at the office if you want something more comfortable than traditional leather dress shoes. That’s right, I’m continuing to call for you to wear a pair of stylish men’s boots this summer. What say you? Let me know on Twitter if they tickle your fancy! Thanks for reading.