November 11, 2015December 28, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Q+A: Theo and Harris Vintage Watches

A Rolex Datejust is just one of the many terrific vintage options on rotation from Theo & Harris. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Editor’s note: For more Style Q&A entries featuring everyone from Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend to Barron Cuadro of Effortless Gent, click here.

If you read this blog, you know I have a passion for watches. While I have a list of “holy grail” watches I hope to own one day (a Shinola Runwell and an Omega Seamaster among them), I also appreciate simple, uncluttered, solid everyday watches. That means timepieces like an Invicta Pro Diver , which I’m wearing as I write this post, and a great leather dress watch from Daniel Wellington. But there’s a certain breed of watches that up until earlier this year, I wasn’t too familiar with — vintage timepieces.

My friend Christian Zeron, co-founder of start-up vintage watch collector Theo and Harris, first brought his fresh-out-of-the-gates company to my attention earlier this year. I covered them for VOUCH Mag this past summer, and here’s where it gets interesting — Theo & Harris sources, authenticates and sells all manner of vintage mechanical wristwatches, offering a plethora of coveted and rare timepieces along the way (seriously, prepare to be amazed by the company’s archive). That they’ve built such an archive since launching in February of this year is quite impressive, to say the least. Specifically, we’re looking at 200 watches (and counting) sold to 10 different countries in about 9 months, and their current collection is only growing. And if you want to experience even more watch envy, check out the Theo and Harris Instagram. Vintage watches are, of course, expensive by nature. And if you’re fortunate enough to own a vintage watch as a family heirloom, that’s a special story that only you have. However, there is an argument for investing in a beautiful vintage watch. So while you mull on that (and perhaps peruse the Theo and Harris site), I do hope you peel your eyes away long enough to read what Christian had to say on his interest in vintage watches and most importantly, why you (yes, you) should own a vintage watch. Again, I’ll only stick around to ask the questions.

The Style Guide: Tell me about how you got into vintage watch collecting?

Theo & Harris: Initially, my interest in watches was purely aesthetic. I was, and still am, very into watches that have a unique look and style; but as the interest became an addiction I began studying history, mechanics and technical design- being an enthusiast is a full time job on its own. I never owned many watches for myself though. Actually, the only watch I consider mine is the first one I ever bought — a Rolex Datejust reference 1601 with a brilliant blue dial.

TSG: During your time scouting out vintage timepieces, what have you noticed that separates these watches from their modern-day counterparts?

T&H: Value. There are some makers out there … that turn out some tremendously well-valued watches comparable to their equally priced counterparts. However, as a whole, modern watches are built in factories, by machine and without heart and then become, for some reason, painfully expensive. In vintage, I work everyday with watches under $800 that were designed by industry legends, assembled by hand and made to last.

Vintage watches go well with all sorts of outfits if you pick the right timepiece, according to the brand.

TSG: How can a vintage watch set one apart stylistically?

T&H: The whole point of developing a style is to most accurately depict yourself through colors, textures, patterns (and) fits. With a modern watch shop selling only 5 brands, maybe 50 watches total, it’s impossible for everyone to actually be choosing what they want.

If 1,000 people are wearing the same 50 watches, they’re settling. Imagine if the whole world had to pick from 50 T-shirts to wear.

In vintage, you’re dealing with hundreds of brands and over 100 years of production. I can guarantee that there is, somewhere out there, the perfect watch for everyone. Luckily, finding them is my job.

TSG: What’s one vintage watch brand those looking to get into the vintage watch game should look for, if any?

T&H: Omega. Don’t get me wrong, there are dozens of other makers that I couldn’t live without but Omega is, at least to me, king. Foremost, they were all built with great attention to detail and obvious care. The movements are absolutely beautiful to look at and rather easy to service when needed. As far as design, Omega has drawn up some of the most classic watches ever to hit the wrist. Lastly, their product line is so incredibly vast that it caters to suits, soccer fields, boardrooms and the moon.

A vintage watch can work in many of the same situations as a regular timepiece — just don’t be afraid to rock. Photo courtesy of Theo & Harris.

TSG: What are the qualities or characteristics that set apart a really “good” vintage watch, or at least one that’s still in good shape?

T&H: First, I work with, and wear, vintage watches all day of every day and my taste, although acknowledges, doesn’t prefer “good” from “fair” condition across the board. If I’m looking for a military watch from the Vietnam War, I want one that looks like it’s been beaten to hell. Every detail of wear, every nick or scuff is a piece of an inconceivably long story of this time traveler’s life. However, on all watches, the important elements to look out for are an unpolished or lightly polished case, a clean and properly functioning movement and an original dial. Those characteristics are always important, regardless of the style or period of the watch you’re looking at.

TSG: What are some ways to make sure you’re getting a fairly priced, authentic timepiece?

T&H: Remember, with watches comes more than 100 years of history, design, mechanics and an evil industry profiting off of the replication of all of it. Sure, anyone can try their hand at this tricky slope but to really be able to discern for yourself, there’s a whole lot of studying ahead. If that’s you’re thing, then you’ll never stop reading and loving every second of it. The reality, however, is that not everyone wants to be a full-time expert in everything they enjoy. For those people, they’ll have to find someone they can trust. A shop that’ll do all of the sourcing and sifting for them, a shop that will take all of the risk.

TSG: What’s one thing you’ve learned since getting into the watch business that people might not expect?

T&H: In the past seven months I’ve learned, more than anything else, how to listen ever so carefully to my audience. For example, since we’ve started, we’ve redesigned our website from head to toe three separate times and we don’t go a week without minor alterations. That’s not to say I didn’t love each iteration of our virtual home base but I’ve learned how to read customer feedback, whether thats an email or a huge analytic, and tailor our services accordingly. With our website design, it not only has to be pleasing to view but also interactive to the point that it dynamically presents each of our products to our viewers just as well as I could in person over a drink. Getting into this, I really thought it would be 100% about our watches but with time, I’ve come to realize that, besides our excellent collection, there needs to be an equal experience.

What are your thoughts on vintage watches? Have you ever considered owning one, or do you own one already? What’s the story behind it?

As always folks — thanks for reading and stay stylish,

-Beau

October 28, 2015October 28, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Q+A: Megan Collins, Style Girlfriend

Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend dishes out on-point style advice to guys on the daily — worth the read. Photo courtesy of the site.

Editor’s note: Head this way to see more Style Q&A entries.

As I’ve spent more and more time reading about the menswear world, there have been certain sites that have shaped the way I view style, fashion and getting dressed daily along the way. My friend Barron’s site, Effortless Gent, is one such outfit (pun intended). Dappered and what Joe has done over there also comes to mind. And of course, no discourse on the digital menswear and lifestyle community would be complete without mentioning Megan Collins of Style Girlfriend. The site is well-designed, easy to navigate, fun to read and packed full of useful menswear tips and tricks (and much, much more), from how to wear a turtleneck to a full rundown of some of the best gear for fall. Anything lifestyle-related you might need to know, rest assured that’s Megan and the team are on it. Her Fall Style Guide in its entirety is also great, and the site’s Twitter churns out excellent content, too. Toss in handy and informative lifestyle articles and even relationship advice and you’ve got a winning combination.

That it’s all told from a female point of view, yet geared toward guys, is especially helpful (particularly that relationship bit, ehh?). I’ve had the chance to meet Megan on a few occasions here in NYC and have always appreciated her insight and new way of looking at a holistic lifestyle for guys — starting with clothing but branching into much, much more. The adage that the details make the difference is definitely clear via her site. So without further ado, I’m very excited to present the latest entry in this series — I promise, I’ll just ask the questions.

TSG: For those who aren’t familiar with your site, tell us how you got it started and where that inspiration came from?

MC: I always say, I wish I could tell you I did this sweeping competitive analysis of the menswear landscape and found a female voice was missing from menswear, but actually I just fell into it. I had left a career in advertising to write and was taking on any project I could. At the same time, a friend was starting a custom suiting business and asked me to write a weekly column for his site. I said yes, because I was saying yes to everything, “But I don’t know anything about guys’ style…is that okay?” I asked.

“Sure, just write about what girls like to see guys wearing,” he said.

It ended up kicking off this amazing journey that’s culminated in a really satisfying career for me, connecting with guys who may have GQ at home on their coffee table, but they’re shopping at the mall and need help bridging that divide between aspirational and accessible.

I believe Style Girlfriend has gained such a following because, 1) I shop like a guy – I want it to be easy, I want it to be quick, so our advice is all about tips, tricks, and shortcuts to great style and 2) I’m honestly not that interested in fashion.

Style matters to me, because having great style is like having the best wing man ever – its only concern is making you look good. Fashion, though, is fleeting, based on trends, and honestly, can seem kind of silly sometimes. I’m much more interested in helping guys on their personal style evolution than I am in talking about the latest sneaker drop or runway show.

What started as a nationally syndicated newspaper column has developed into a widely read site. Photo courtesy of Style Girlfriend.

TSG: Running a style with as large a following as yours seems like a lot of work – what’s a typical day like at SG HQ?

MC: I wake up early – 5:15 or 5:30 a.m. – and take some time to read, write, and get centered for the day. Then I work out. If I don’t break a sweat every day, I go completely insane. I signed up for Classpass earlier this year, and it totally rocked my world. I get bored easily, so I can do spin on a Monday, bootcamp on Tuesday, Pure Barre on Wednesday, and on and on. It’s great.

By 9:30am, I’m in the office in the Flatiron District. My editor gets in at 10, we talk through what’s going on for the day – -what’s on her plate, what’s on mine. Then I usually pop in some earbuds and churn through whatever’s on my to-do list. Relationships are so important, so at some point during the day I might meet up with someone from a brand, an agency, or someone running a site like mine. Most nights there’s some event to hit, then I come home and crash pretty early, so I can get up and do it all again tomorrow.

TSG: What have been some of the challenges involved with getting Style Girlfriend up and running that people might not know about?

MC: Style Girlfriend winds up getting lumped in with a lot of men’s personal style blogs, but it’s really not, so sometimes brands don’t know the best way to work with us. It’s not as simple as, “I wear your brand and tag you on Instagram.” It’s not a personal style blog; I’m not on there with pictures of what I wore today, and yesterday, and the day before that. Don’t get me wrong; those blogs are great, and I get a ton of inspiration from what others out there are doing and their amazing style, but we really see ourselves as a media company, or a digital magazine. We’re talking about menswear the way an Esquire or Details would – in articles and editorials and videos. So we’re a bit of an anomaly in the digital menswear space in that way.

It just means it can be a bit more leg work to help brainstorm those partnerships so that we can create really amazing branded content for our readers. So we’re different – but that’s also what makes us special, so I’m glad for the distinction.

TSG: What’s one style essential (or an essential outfit) that every guy should own?

MC: Every man needs a suit that fits him just right. Whether it’s grey or navy is a personal preference, so long as it’s tailored and doesn’t jut out at the shoulders or pool at the ankles. I tell guys to make friends with their tailor. You can take clothes you buy off the rack and make them look made-to-measure for a pretty small amount of money.

Style Girlfriend is much more than your average style blog — its lifestyle section is packed with more great content, too. Photo courtesy of the brand.

TSG: What’s one style mistake you see too many guys make?

MC: Wearing clothes that don’t fit them properly. I tell guys to make friends with their tailor. Everything you own (nearly all of it, anyway) would look 10x as good with just a few inexpensive alterations. An inch at the ankles, a nip in at the waist – there’s so many small things you can do to make your clothes look like they were made just for you.

TSG: What’s been the most rewarding part of helping guys improve their style?

MC: Hearing about the positive impact that dressing better has had in every area of their lives.

I really believe that when you look good, you feel good, and that confidence ends up spreading to every area of your life. And this is borne out in the emails I get from readers telling me crazy inspiring stories about how reading Style Girlfriend helped them bounce back from a divorce or being laid off. How they decided to go after a raise or a promotion, or ask out that girl they’d been in love with forever.

Taking control of your personal style is truly the first step to totally changing your life for a lot of these guys. I have definitely been brought to tears more than once hearing from readers about their transformations.

TSG: You’re based in NYC — for those new to the city or visiting, what are some of your must-visit spots — a restaurant, bar, gallery or the like?

MC: I just moved from the Lower East Side to the Lower Lower East Side (yes, it’s a thing), and I love it. So many good restaurants and bars – a few of my favorites: Mission Chinese, Bacaro, Dimes, Clandestino, 169 Bar and Kiki’s.

TSG: Lastly, as it’s the fall season – what’s one trend that guys should jump on to look their best in the coming months?

MC: Take advantage of the layering season – I love a nice textured sportcoat over a patterned button-up with a tie that contrasts while complementing. Top it all off with a mac coat or field jacket and you are ready to take over the world.

Head over to Style Girlfriend for more great menswear content, and check out the site on Twitter.

September 28, 2015December 28, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Q+A: American Trench

Editor’s note: To check out other Style Q&A pieces, head here.

Just a snapshot of some of the eyecatching styles produced by American Trench. Photo courtesy of the brand.

You can’t help but admire brands that delve into a product niche and ideology, and really live out that commitment. Jacob Hurwitz and David Neill have done that and then some as they’ve built American Trench, a brand with whom you may be familiar if you’ve read any of my work on VOUCH Mag — or if you’ve seen their socks in GQ. The duo developed the brand with the simple idea that manufacturing high-quality goods can be done right here in America, and they’ve stuck to it with the help of a Kickstarter launch in late 2012. I had the great fortune to check out a set of excellent American Trench socks for a review on GearHungry (and you can expect to see more of them around these parts, too). The socks are eyecatching, comfortable and quite well-made — everything you could want on your feet. And in corresponding with Jacob, he and David have a tremendous focus on doing right by the people they work with — something to be applauded and recognized. The brand makes a pretty killer trench coat, to boot. I caught up with Jacob for a few questions recently, and the interview is (I think) absolutely worth a read if you’re into supporting brands who take care of their own — and make a pretty nice product, to say the least!

The Style Guide: Tell me more about the inception of American Trench and the ‘A-ha!’ moment that spurred it on?

American Trench: I took a trip to London with my wife in the summer of 2009 and bought a trench coat there, because when in London, one must buy a rain coat, even in the summer. After getting home and reading day after day about continuing layoffs and job losses, my friend David and I were talking about US manufacturing. We wanted to make something. The idea came up…who makes trench coats in the USA? The answer – no one. So we set out to do it. We had no experience in apparel, so it took 2.5 years, but we make something special.

TSG: American manufacturing is at the core of your business — expand a bit on your philosophy behind that commitment to domestic manufacturing, and are there other brands you admire doing similar things?

AT: American manufacturing is why started the company, plain and simple. All of our products are either knit or cut and sewn in the USA. We try to use domestic source materials when possible and appropriate, but each item has been manufactured at a factory in the United States. Our philosophy can be summed up pretty succinctly: make the best you can make and do the best you can for the people around you. When we read about Brunello Cucinelli’s desire to make all of his products in Italy, which is well documented, it doesn’t sound nationalist. He makes it very clear that this is how he can best help the people around him. The best part about buying USA made? It’s totally in alignment with the core principles of our country – freedom and liberty. Buying USA made is not mandatory nor does it require belonging to a specific race, class, group, or political party. In the land of liberty, the greatest freedom we all have, what we choose to buy, can actually can create change! So there it is — vote with your wallet.

The brand’s relatively understated styles add a nice touch of color to any outfit. Photo courtesy of American Trench.

TSG: American Trench has a pretty particular product focus between knitwear, socks and your outerwear — how did that come about?

AT: We decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign to bring our trench coat to market and realized that we wanted to have a way for people to support us on Kickstarter even if they didn’t have $700+ to drop on a rain coat. So we decided to offer USA=made socks, because who can’t afford a pair of good socks? After Kickstarter, we started to get wholesale interest in the sock side of the business. People were looking for made-in-the-USA (product) and accessories, and we had both. We also found some awesome sock mills — one in Reading, PA and another in North Carolina. Interest in the rain coat never died down, so we become dual-focused on accessories and outerwear.

TSG: What was the biggest challenge (or series of challenges) you encountered in your journey to source fabric, materials and production partners for your trench coat?

AT: There have been challenges at each step, although that’s true for any business. Making the trench was a beast, we choose to make a super complicated product to start, with 70-plus pattern pieces. It took two tries to find the right factory, and not without a lot of screw-ups and fixes. Pattern making is not easy, nor is production. It’s a complicated business. Knitwear is not walk in the park either, samples and production sometimes don’t end up being the same.

TSG: What’s one style mistake you see too many guys make?

AT: Scale and proportion. If you going to wear slim jeans or trousers, the rest of the outfit should be slim. Then all items will be in proportion. You can’t wear your favorite decade old blazer with your new trim pants and vice-versa, the scale of each garment is totally out of sync. Likewise, sometimes a little looser look can be really refreshing, but make sure the rest of your outfit matches the same scale.

The other thing I would say is that less is more. Don’t cram too many colors, patterns, and styles into one outfit. For example — if you wear your double-monk shoes, keep the suit solid and the socks toned down; double-monk shoes are a big statement. Instagram style is its own universe, and should be taken treated as half-fantasy, half-reality. Less is more!

If you have square-toe dress shoes in your closet from ten years ago, thank them for their service and put them in the trash.

TSG: What’s one style-related item every guy should own?

AT: Tough one. But regardless of the item, quality over quantity. I think a good pair of versatile shoes is a must. I’m talking about something that can be dressed up or down, with a suit or denim. Great shoes make a good suit look great and turn your socks into a star. The Longwing 975 and PTB 990 styles by Alden are classic. They ain’t cheap, but you can wear them with anything. I really love the Rancourt cap toe as well.

That’s all from Jacob this go-round. If you’d like to support the brand more, check out their Web site or catch them on Twitter.

August 3, 2015August 2, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Q + A: Barron Cuadro, Effortless Gent

Barron Cuadro of Effortless Gent talks style tips, the development of his site and more. He also nails this classic blazer-and-denim combo.

Editor’s note: To check out other Style Q&A pieces, head here. As I’m abroad this week, stay tuned for a Wednesday trip post!

Across the past few years, I’d say my personal style has developed a lot. More specifically, starting in about my sophomore year of college, I began to pay a lot more attention to what I wore, how I got dressed and how it helped me shape my life in terms of organization and focus. What was an outside interest at first turned into hours of reading about style and finding my own sense of style therein. One of the biggest sources in that development was (correction: is) Effortless Gent, an outstanding menswear and lifestyle site focused on helping guys improve their style (and everything that goes with it). What started as me merely perusing (poring over) the site’s pages in my free time led to a writing opportunity that continues to this day — my “Five Ways to Wear One” series — and a friendship with Barron that I’m definitely grateful for, as I think I can safely say that I might not have found my passion, and my career, without his guidance. But enough of the dramatic stuff — I caught up with Barron to talk all things Effortless Gent, the development of his personal style and his transition from San Francisco to NYC, and if you know Barron, I think you’ll like what you read.

Take me through the process of starting Effortless Gent, and how that dovetailed off your own style journey?

Effortless Gent: Throughout high school and college, my guy friends would ask me style-related questions. After 8ish years of hearing the same questions over and over, I realized there are probably other guys out there with the same questions but no one to ask. My professional background is in web design / development, so I decided to put together a site and answer these questions for a much larger potential audience than just my friends.

What’s been the most rewarding part of helping guys improve their style?

EG: I love the emails I receive from guys who have quietly put into practice all the things we teach on the site. They realize how big a difference it has made in their lives and they’re just writing to thank me. That never gets old; it just proves that a little attention to detail and a bit of guidance can go a long way.

Even with more low-key, casual ensembles, Barron keeps it crisp and classic.

TSG: You advocate for a Lean Wardrobe and the idea of a personal uniform — tell me a little bit more about those concepts.

EG: The Lean Wardrobe philosophy has become the cornerstone of the site, and it guides everything we teach. The idea of a personal uniform is similar and fits into that philosophy.

We define the Lean Wardrobe (LW) as the minimum number of clothes a man needs to create the most well-rounded, flexible wardrobe that suits his daily life. Rather than a concrete list of items, LW is a philosophy or a set of principles that guide you when buying. The LW is also super flexible, because not every guy has the same situation, income, or surroundings.

TSG: What’s one initial mistake you see most guys make when it comes to trying to improve their style?

EG: I guess not having a proper plan, or a direction they want to go. That usually leads to premature buying and then eventually being unhappy with those purchases, requiring him to purchase something else. That cycle usually repeats until he finds something that’s truly him. And it can happen with every article of clothing, from shirts, to socks, and everything in between. That trial-and-error process can be time consuming and expensive, but if you follow the LW guidelines, you can generally avoid 95% of that headache.

TSG: If you had to pick one outfit to wear every day, what would it be?

EG: It would have to be a pair of medium-dark denim, white OCBD, unlined, unstructured sport coat in navy, and tan leather loafers. I wear something similar most of the time (unless it’s unbearably hot or cold, and when it is, I adjust by removing or adding layers).

TSG: Playing off that question, what’s one essential item every guy should own?

EG: I always say a navy sport coat. It instantly dresses up whatever you have on.

The devil’s all in the details when it comes to a great outfit, according to Mr. Cuadro — and I agree!

TSG: You’re new to NYC from San Fran — what’s that transition been like and how has it changed your style?

EG: SF is much more casual with their style, which personally doesn’t suit me very well. In NYC, people dress up more. It’s not crazy to be in suits and ties, or creative smart casual rigs… It’s just the nature of the city and the people who are here. Since I enjoy dressing well, NYC has allowed me to be more myself, if that makes sense. In Build A Lean Wardrobe, one of the things we teach is to plan a wardrobe around your surroundings. Not just your physical surroundings, but the way in which people around you dress… Not that you have to dress exactly like everyone around you, but it’s a great way to gauge what’s considered “normal” and “appropriate”, and you can adjust course from there. Anyway, NYC hasn’t really changed my style much, other than the fact that it allows me to be more… me.

TSG: Given that the site’s home base has changed, do you think content on the site will continue to evolve in that direction as well? What’s next for EG?

EG: I think it will, and only for the better. I’m constantly inspired by the variation in styles I see here, plus the firsthand experience I’m getting by dressing for distinctly different seasons. In SF, we had one season almost all year round, so you don’t always get the opportunity to experiment. As far as what’s next, we’ll be focusing more on our eGuides and courses, especially our upcoming launch for Build A Lean Wardrobe, and hopefully continue to put out articles that help guide and inspire our readers to amp up their style game, no matter where they are.

Head to the Effortless Gent Instagram here for a daily glimpse into the happenings behind EG (and some great outfit shots from Barron), and check out the site here for tons of excellent style content.

July 6, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Q+A: United By Blue

The interior of the seriously cool (and ethical!) United by Blue flagship store and coffee shop. Photo courtesy of United By Blue.

Editor’s note: To check out other Style Q&A pieces, head here.

In recent years, it seems that consumers have been paying more and more attention to the little things: how and where (and why) their clothes are made, for starters. And the type of impact that clothing companies have on the world outside the style and fashion sphere has grown increasingly important, too. During a stop at the outstanding Pop-Up Flea trade show and exhibition earlier this spring in NYC, I came across an eyecatching booth outfitted with rustic décor, durable chore coats and soft T-shirts. It quickly became apparent that United By Blue wasn’t any ordinary clothing company schilling at trade shows, though. Founded in 2010, the brand aims to create a direct impact through the sale of each and every product by removing one pound of trash from oceans and waterways through clean-ups organized by the company. It’s a rather astonishing and inspiring mission, and it goes without saying that the product they sell to make it happen is pretty neat, too (I’ve previously written about their Stillwater Board Shorts for GearHungry). They also stock an extremely well-curated selection of home goods , bags and outdoor gear while simultaneously running a coffee shop at the brand’s Philadelphia flagship, among other Northeast-based retail locations. I caught up with co-founder Brian Linton via email for a few brief questions to learn more about the company’s roots, what makes the brand tick and what plans they have for the future.

A United By Blue clean-up taking place. Photo courtesy of United By Blue.

The Style Guide: Talk to me about the founding of United By Blue and the ‘A-ha!’ moment that led to its creation?

Brian Linton, United by Blue: United By Blue started after I was running a brand that was donating a portion of proceeds to ocean conservation. It lacked impact because I wasn’t able to measure the environmental goodness of what the money achieved. United By Blue was a way to get our hands dirty. It is a brand created with a focus on creating the infrastructure and systems within a for-profit business structure that would normally only be present in a non-profit. We organize and host cleanups on an ongoing basis, all from within the company. We don’t outsource or donate money to others to do environmental good in our name.

TSG: What has it been like to run a company equally focused on clothing and social/environmental good? Has it been difficult to merge the two?

UBB: Certainly it’s been a difficult but fun journey! Merging the two works because we consider ourselves an outdoor brand. And being in the outdoor industry, our customers love and care about the outdoors. Therefore, the overlap is more natural than it may seem. We are able to often partner with the retail stores that sell our products on cleanups in their local communities, mobilizing customers to become volunteers and attend a UBB cleanup.

TSG: Are there certain product categories the brand isn’t in currently that you’d like to expand in the future?

UBB: As a lifestyle brand, we are constantly expanding our offerings. This past season, we launched an awesome line of men’s board shorts and will be expanding the swim category in the future. We’ve also put a lot of energy and focus into developing more women’S dresses, which will be launching over the coming seasons. You can also expect more gifts and home goods later this year.

The brand’s Asbury Park, New Jersey store. Photo courtesy of United By Blue.

TSG: Are there areas of the country where the brand would like to expand in terms of either a retail presence or stockists?

UBB: We are an East Coast brand and are therefore much more prevalent there. Although we have some solid distribution along the West Coast, this is definitely an area that is a reflection of our brand vision and a place we would love to grow.

TSG: Any upcoming collaborations or partnerships you might be able to discuss briefly?

UBB: We just launched a collaboration with Roots Canada that will be sold through our stores as well as their stores through Canada and the US. It’s a line reflective of our shared passion for the outdoors and the importance of protecting it.

Check out United By Blue on Instagram if you have a hankering for beautiful lifestyle and scenery shots (paired with durable and stylish products), or give them a follow on Twitter, where they frequently run giveaways and other neat promos.

June 8, 2015June 8, 2015 by Beau H.

Style Q+A: Brothers and Craft

The four founding brothers (as it were) of Brothers & Craft. Photo courtesy of the brand.

Throughout the course of my day job and attending events through the GQ Insider program, I’m fortunate to meet some pretty cool people who also happen to share a similar outlook on life and style & fashion in general. At April’s GQ x Tiffany’s CT60 Watch Collection Preview, I met Clay Chambers of outstanding creative lifestyle brand and blog Brothers & Craft. If you know the site or follow them on Instagram, you’ll know that they (meaning brothers Kirk, Zac and Clay, who founded the site with their oldest brother Ryan in 2012) really have a tremendous eye for style and outstanding visuals in general, which leads to some pretty cool partnerships. In fact, the trio recently roamed the state of Kentucky as part of a project with the state’s tourism department (the brothers were born nearby in east Tennessee). I got the chance to chat with Clay recently about B & C, who’s on the rise in the world of #menswear, and of course, the best places to grab a bite or a drink in two very cool cities — the brand’s two bases, Charleston and NYC.

The Style Guide: Take me through the story of starting Brothers & Craft; when did your vision for it begin to develop and when you did know you were onto something that resonated with people?

Brothers & Craft: Our building blocks look different than most guys you might talk to in the menswear world. We were raised to appreciate craftsmanship and resourcefulness. Our mom would teach us how to sew and tailor our own clothing, teach us how to cook, and even drag us around on weekends to yard sales where we’d pick up old furniture and refurbish it ourselves. So Brothers & Craft began as a creative outlet to share the things we were wearing and creating. Zac would make pocket squares and bow ties and put them on the blog. Kirk would hand make a wooden wine rack and take you through the process of how he built it. Or Ryan (our oldest brother who started with us) would teach you how to make your tie skinnier. So there’s always been an element of “how-to-for-men” tied into what we do, but we’ve always wanted the blog to serve as a place where we share our creativity. We’ve been fortunate enough that influential Instagrammers would show love and shout us out, so that’s helped us build our own audience.

TSG: In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of guys become way more interested in style; what’s one piece of advice you would give to guys just finding their personal style?

B&C: In the past, dressing well in America –as an idea– has sometimes been inextricably linked to being effeminate. I’m not sure where that comes from, but it’s nice to see that the average guy can now feel more comfortable building his own style without facing judgement from others. That said, crafting your own swag or style, to me, always starts with simplicity. Find timeless clothing items you like, and look for colors that blend well with them. I happen to love neutrals and earth tones because they don’t ask for attention. So for much of fall and winter I wear pieces army green, browns, navy, beige, and so on. So maybe in the summer you like wearing blazers with a pair of nice fitting denim and tassel loafers. Test the waters with the fits on both, and perfect what you like. From there, it’s about tweaking details and little pieces so you don’t get bored with your staples.

Kirk Chambers rocking a spring style get-up in Charleston. Photo courtesy of Brothers & Craft.

TSG: Your team splits time between Charleston & NYC; what’s that like in terms of the differences in locale and fashion when you travel back and forth?

B&C: Right now Zac and I live in Brooklyn, and Kirk’s based in Charleston with his wife and kids. Things move slower in Charleston. People are laidback and friendly, the weather is amazing, and the architecture carries such a rich history. It has so much eighteenth century swag, which is uncommon for most other southern cities. Back in New York, though, I get so energized by cultural diversity and the nightlife; they help make it what it is. And anywhere you walk there seems to be new restaurants, coffee shops, bars, art galleries, and clothing stores popping up each month. But behind the touristy facade of midtown Manhattan, there’s a deeper, more cohesive side to New York in each neighborhood. The local spots define the streets and they bring people together in many ways.

Clay Chambers during a recent trip to Charleston for the city’s Fashion Week this past spring. Photo courtesy of Brothers & Craft.

TSG: And for those heading to Charleston or NYC anytime soon, what’s one spot to check out?

B&C: The food scene in Charleston is second to none! Waking up there, head to Saint Alban for coffee and pastries; it’s a European style cafe. Strolling along downtown or the battery is beautiful, where palmettos and pastel colored mansions fill each street. For lunch, head back up to Leon’s Oyster Shop for chicken and oysters. You need to have dinner at Edmund’s Oast, too — the charcuterie there is mind blowingly good. In New York City–and I don’t care how much people talk about it — you need to spend time at the Highline Park in Chelsea. Summers there are magical, especially at night. My favorite cafe in the city is near Columbia University on the Upper West Side, called the Hungarian Pastry Shop. They have the best cakes and desserts!

Zac Chambers rocking a double-zip Todd Snyder bomber. Photo courtesy of Brothers & Craft.

TSG: Who are your personal style icons, someone who’s shaped the way you try to dress (if any)?

B&C: I think that things, more than people, inspire what I wear. Maybe it’s acoustic beach music, or an old, tattered rug, or a sleek, modern museum, or even a weathered, faded brick on a building. Photographs are inspiring too; even more, I love coffee table books.

TSG: Is there a go-to outfit you have? If so, what?

B&C: Right now I love wearing loafers, a fitted pair of chinos, an oxford shirt, and soft shell bomber jacket. Such a great, simple combo.

TSG: Lastly — what’s your favorite clothing brand of the moment (menswear-focused or otherwise)? And one brand to watch across the next year or so?

B&C: I really respect Todd Snyder’s pieces. He does such a wonderful job modernizing the fits to classic American sportswear. I also love Sid Mashburn, his suiting pieces have such a smooth, Italian fit. In streetwear, watch out for Zanerobe. It’s already built a successful name for itself, but it continues to really grow exponentially each season.

Be sure to check out Brothers & Craft both at the brand’s site and Instagram.

The Style Guide

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Tag / style q&a