Tag / summer style essentials

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Quoddy’s USA-Made Rover Penny Loafers Are As Expertly Crafted as It Gets

Last week on this Brooklyn style blog — your favorite menswear blog on the market, right??– we started a new series, a quick-hit guide of sorts to one must-buy product to get your weekend rolling in fine fashion.

I’m often scouring the market for the coolest finds around — from footwear to shirting, watches, everyday carry gear and more — and some selections are simply too good to pass up. Think of these selections as a prime exercise in buying less, but buying better — or rather, in getting down to the point and getting you out into the world this weekend, especially when a retailer like Huckberry offers up a newly restocked, fresh pair of footwear ideal for summer and early fall weekends aplenty.

So, in quick-hit form, let’s look at some of the coolest and most finely crafted men’s loafers on the market, shall we? That’d be the Quoddy Rover USA-Made Penny Loafers, the pinnacle of old-school craftsmanship from the family-owned Northeast footwear purveyor.

The brand has been doing things the right way, the hard way and in a very intensely involved manner, for decades, using the finest leathers, hand-crafted finishes — as with these hand-stitched moccasin-style loafers — and exacting attention to detail. Bolstered by a Vibram mini lug outsole, these loafers are sturdy and made to be broken in, particularly with classic cotton chinos or rolled light wash jeans.

Shop stylish men’s footwear now at Huckberry

If you’re considering just one purchase this weekend to carry you through August, that’d be these handsome leather loafers — they even pair perfectly with last week’s Friday Find, this meticulously hand-printed Huckberry shirt. Here’s to another stylish weekend, my friends — cheers!

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: You’ve Got Just Two Days Left to Shop Huckberry’s Annual Summer Sale

My question to you today, my friends, on this lovely summer Sunday, is simple: How can you not love what’s up for grabs and in stock right now via the Huckberry Sale section? It’s been the talk of the town — at least, it has been around these parts, as the Huckberry Annual Summer Sale nears its conclusion (albeit with plenty of time to stock up on seasonal style favorites old and new).

Find out more now at Huckberry

The tempting and well-stocked Huckberry Annual Summer Sale boasts a touch of everything, from breezy short-sleeve shirts to Relwen’s excellent cotton-linen supply shorts (which we discussed just yesterday on the blog), and a full array of sneakers, colorful yet crisp polos, handsome outdoor gear and accessories, even beach towels and everyday carry essentials.

It’s one of the best menswear sales of the year, especially considering the fact that you really can put those gear picks to good use right here, right now.

Within the must-shop Huckberry Annual Summer Sale — which gives you up to 35 percent off now through Tuesday evening — I’ve been loving the looks of Wellen’s AirWeave Performance Shirt, plus Proof’s Rover EDC Shorts for outdoor adventures aplenty.

There’s even a crop of summer wedding attire and a selection of soft, lightweight, beach-ready menswear and swimwear — all at serious discounts. On the footwear front, cocktail hour-approved leather loafers and boat shoes from the likes of Astorflex just so happen to be going under the proverbial discount gun.

The point is this: No matter what you’ve got your heart set on, from accessories to breezy summer shirting and reliable sneakers, the Huckberry Annual Summer Sale has you covered, and quite handily at that. Shop and save while there’s still time, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: These Todd Snyder Linen Trousers Will Replace Your Favorite Jeans This Season

Best linen pants for men.

If you’re anything like me, perhaps you simply can’t find a way to stop wearing your favorite pairs of jeans, even in the summer heat. It makes (some) sense stylistically, after all — the best men’s jeans, especially in lightweight fabrication and a light wash — are a tried-and-true summer style essential, as easy to wear with an Oxford shirt as with a classic pocket tee.

So, it’s helpful that famed American menswear designer Todd Snyder came up with an alternative as far as stylish men’s jeans for summer: Meet the Todd Snyder Straight 5-Pocket Linen Pants, which merge the same silhouette as your favorite blue jeans with the helpful lightweight fabrication of breezy linen.

With the same crisp detailing as five-pocket blue jeans — this time available in a suitably summer-ready shade of light Khaki — the legendary menswear designer bills these pants as “soft but sturdy,” noting that the fabric “retains the best elements of both fibers: lightweight and breathable” (compared to traditional cotton denim, that is).

The Todd Snyder Straight 5-Pocket Linen Pants are both rugged and casual yet smart at the same time — built like jeans, but with the comfort and polish to pair with everything from a camp collar shirt and leather loafers to a lightweight navy cotton blazer and a grey Oxford shirt (try it out sometime alongside the Todd Snyder Straight 5-Pocket Linen Pants and feel free to report back).

Shop the best summer menswear at Todd Snyder

In the meantime, the straight leg cut should wear well with everything from canvas sneakers to Todd Snyder x Sperry boat shoes (also a personal favorite, in my experience!).

When it really comes down to it this season, versatile style is the name of the game, and trading in your dark wash jeans for something with a touch more refinement — and a touch more lightweight comfort — is a wise move as the thermostat continues to climb. Find the Todd Snyder Straight 5-Pocket Linen Pants now in your preferred size — there’s stock available, but you might find your new favorite summer trousers are selling fast, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Line of Trade Breakers Beach Cardigan Was Made for Breezy Summer Nights

Best lightweight cardigan for men.

No matter where your summer adventures take you, preparation and even thoughtful curation of your wardrobe is going to save you many a headache down the line. Getaways far afield, to the coast and the cabin and perhaps even to the fire pit in your own backyard call for summer style essentials that can rise to the occasion — get caught without the right layer on an unexpectedly cool summer night, and you’ll feel it right away.

Think of this way: For all those times you might have thought to yourself, “It could get cold. Better grab another layer,” well, you tend to remember those times you (or your partner!) could have used an extra sweater, right?

Something like the Line of Trade Breakers Beach Cardigan to carry you through sunset into the evening, cold beer in hand, yes? Meet your new favorite lightweight summer sweater, a category that might be overlooked at times, but that proves downright useful when you need it the most.

The good folks at Line of Trade — an utterly classic Americana retailer that spun off from our friends at Bespoke Post — specialize in turning old favorites (like the rugged denim shirt) into modern classics, like the perfectly easygoing beach sweatshirt, made all the more polished in the crisp shawl-collar design of the Line of Trade Breakers Beach Cardigan.

The secret to your new favorite lightweight men’s sweater for summer lies in its fabric, of course: A breathable, slightly stretchy cotton pique knit fabric gives this sweater structure, shape and even moisture-wicking properties in case your bonfire starts to run a little too hot.

The Line of Trade Breakers Beach Cardigan, upon closer inspection, is lightweight and textured, bolstered by a shawl collar to protect you from summer breezes that might turn a tad chilly. What the brand calls a generous cut allows you ample room for layering over a long-sleeve tee, over a henley or over a polo or a washed-out denim shirt.

This handsome, rugged yet lightweight cardigan is truly timeless in Vintage Navy, but a Heather Stone option calls to mind the color of a trusty hooded sweatshirt you’d throw on at the beach in days gone by.

And yet, the Line of Trade Breakers Beach Cardigan is all grown up, as ready for wearing with faded jean back on dry land as it is alongside lounge shorts on the sandy coast. The next leg of summer is here, and you’ve found the perfect sweatshirt for the season ahead with the Line of Trade Breakers Beach Cardigan.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Buck Mason Toughknit Tubular Tees – A Modern Spin on an All-Time Classic

Buck Mason T-shirt review.

Here at this Brooklyn style blog, we place a priority on the classics — classics that hold steadfast and true, with longevity, durability and rugged good looks in mind. The timeless white T-shirt is a perfect example of a staple that’s often imitated, never duplicated — at least, in the hands of Buck Mason, the best T-shirts for men face some stiff competition.

Find out more now at Buck Mason

So it goes with the latest USA-made men’s T-shirt from Buck Mason, the California purveyors of many a timeless style staple made modern. The Buck Mason Toughknit Tubular Tee harkens back to the good old days, when T-shirts were first worn to great (functional) effect by the U.S. military and later, by icons of fashion like Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando and James Dean (you know the drill, right?).

Now available in a durable two-pack in crisp colors made to pair with anything (white and black, to be specific), the Buck Mason Toughknit Tubular Tee gets every detail right, starting with the use of USA-grown cotton.

And in the year 2025, your new favorite T-shirt follows many of those same style Q’s, looking great in the process. More dressed down than Buck Mason’s breezy linen polo, this casually rugged tee fits right in alongside traditional favorites like a pair of Buck Mason blue jeans, plus leisurely staples like stretch chino shorts and even drawstring lounge shorts.

The point is, one of the best T-shirts for men (yes, like the handsome Buck Mason Toughknit Tubular Tee) isn’t something you have to think too hard about wearing — merely throw it on, marvel at its perfect fit and standout construction, and go about your day.

Buck Mason knit the new Buck Mason Toughknit Tubular Tee — again, available in a handy two-pack option for maximum utility — at Buck Mason Knitting Mills in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, while the tees were then knit and finished in the brand’s hometown of Los Angeles (a stellar spot for plenty of the best USA-made menswear at the moment).

By eliminating side seams on this tubular T-shirt, the brand came up with an expertly fitted tee that drapes cleanly and looks simply great no matter what. Midweight Supima cotton and high-quality construction make the difference — a T-shirt is no longer just a T-shirt when it comes to the hard-working, utterly classic Buck Mason Toughknit Tubular Tee. The best is yours for the taking, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Save Big on Basics By Taking 20 Percent Off Any Three Aether Apparel Performance Tees

Best performance T-shirt for men.

It’s never a bad thing to have a well-curated, consistently available stock of the best basics for men close at hand: Great, high-performing, even stylish socks, boxer briefs and a selection of stylish men’s T-shirts come to mind.

The right T-shirt is particularly important, especially one that’s an investment in terms of price — see the above option from Aether Apparel, my friends. A properly designed tee can serve as a base layer on a light day hike, as an easygoing piece of loungewear and as a comfortable base on a cool summer night beneath a zip hoodie, a bomber jacket or a denim jacket.

Finding one of the best T-shirts for men, one that can meet all three of those pursuits and then continue to perform while looking great is what I might call the sweet spot, and that’s where Aether Apparel’s line of summer T-shirts comes into play.

I’m especially impressed by the 100 percent pima cotton build of the Emery Pima Crew Tee (which is more suited for everyday wear than hitting the gym), but the brand also makes soft, eye-catching pima cotton pocket tees in both long-sleeve and short-sleeve varieties, among other options from the L.A.-based performance meets style brand.

The great news? You can buy any three Aether Apparel T-shirts and save 20 percent on your order, including Aether Apparel women’s tees for that special someone in your life. Aether Apparel tees are the perfect blend of classic fit, soft fabric and rich, versatile colors you can easily mix and match — particularly with Aether Apparel selections in shades like olive, grey and navy.

In my experience, Aether Apparel T-shirts like Emery Pima Crew Tee wear as nicely with drawstring lounge shorts as they do with classic light wash denim and chukka boots — and that’s a valuable style essential to have in your arsenal of casual style tools.

Remember: The next time you want to refresh your basics drawer with the right mix of utility and great looks in mind, keep in mind that right now, you can buy any three Aether Apparel T-shirts and save 20 percent on your order. Happy shopping and we’ll see you out there, folks.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Flint and Tinder’s Retro Corduroy Shorts from Huckberry are the Perfect Summer Style Move

Best corduroy shorts for men.

Still searching for the perfect set of summer style essentials to make the season at hand feel even more stylish, fresh, and dare I say… fun? As I tend to say here at this Brooklyn style blog, just when you thought you had it all covered, another style consideration enters the fray, and this week, we’re focusing on stylish updates to your rotation of summer shorts.

Luckily — and as often seems to be the case with the best menswear for summer — your friends at Huckberry have you covered handily, particularly when it comes to well-designed, well-cut shorts with more than a dash of retro inspiration.

Find out more now at Huckberry

Judging by the thermostat outside, there’s still plenty of time to work some fresh new shorts into your style offering this season, particularly when they’re a pair of shorts that check as many boxes as do the Flint and Tinder Corduroy Drawstring Shorts.

Available in a versatile 7-inch inseam that should work plenty well on a lot of guys — even my frame at 6’2″ — these are about as good as it gets for a set of shorts that bridge the gap between laidback lounge shorts and polished (yet slightly less comfortable) stretch chino shorts.

The key is right there in the name, after all, of the Flint and Tinder Corduroy Drawstring Shorts: That drawstring waist is a pro style move that feels supremely comfortable all day long, no matter how many trips to the grill or the backyard cooler you take.

Plus, the 7-inch inseam is stylish without being overly short or long — and of course, the Flint and Tinder Corduroy Drawstring Shorts channel a bit of throwback cool with use of a wide-wale cotton corduroy fabric, just like your pops might have worn in the 1970s or ’80s. How about that for style that stands the test of time?

Even the color options you’re getting with the Flint and Tinder Corduroy Drawstring Shorts, like a light grey or a rich, dusty Terracotta — are not unlike colors you’d find out there decades ago.

You can go full-on throwback by wearing the Flint and Tinder Corduroy Drawstring Shorts with a ringer T-shirt, but I think these easygoing yet polished shorts likely wear best with a soft cotton-blend polo or a retro-minded Flint and Tinder camp collar shirt. Stock your cooler with cold beer, grill up some hot dogs and let the summer fun roll on in style as you rock your fresh new Flint and Tinder Corduroy Drawstring Shorts.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Take 30 Percent Off Sitewide Right Now at Bonobos

Bonobos menswear review 2025.

How do you prefer to curate your rotation of summer style essentials? Do you shop as you go throughout the season, securing picks when and where you need ’em — from swimwear to shirting to summer suiting? Or do you plan far in advance, stocking up ahead of the season and then mixing and matching your favorite selections in one perfect ensemble?

When the calendar calls for everything from coastal getaways to summer weddings to laidback BBQs, it’s perhaps best to do a little bit of both — that’s where my friends at Bonobos make a major difference in my wardrobe, in your wardrobe and in the summer style rotation of casually cool guys everywhere.

Shop summer menswear at Bonobos

And if you’re the type of guy to leap into a menswear sale at the spur of the moment, shopping and planning and saving as you go, then it’s your lucky weekend: Bonobos, purveyors of some of the best pants for men and the best everyday shirting, are offering 30 percent off sitewide (or at least, they were as of the time of this writing!).

You’ve got that right: 30 percent off sitewide, with some exclusions, but with a host of enviable, accessible and versatile men’s style gear up for grabs via the venerable New York City retailer. The selection is wide-ranging and impossibly stylish, from linen shirts and perfectly textured shorts to knit polos, soft-shouldered blazers, expertly cut trousers and even ultra-soft cotton tees.

In my experience, Bonobos makes it fun to get dressed in the warmer months, with performance features adorning menswear that’s the perfect mix of refined and easygoing, including buttondown shirting and stylish shorts aplenty.

Shop on-sale style favorites at Bonobos

There’s also a series of sweater polos you can dress up or dress down, not to mention casual stretch blue jeans (in case you, like me, can’t get enough of your favorite pair of denim), and tailored separates, performance pieces in stretch fabric, and casually cool chinos and five-pocket pants.

You might say the fast-moving Bonobos Sitewide Sale — which, again, is offering 30 percent off most everything — is too good to be true. That’s why I’d act as quickly as possible to score your new favorite style essentials for the days and weeks ahead.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Sale to Shop Besides Prime Day & Summer Weekend Menswear Recommendations

Flint and Tinder menswear review 2025.

My friends, welcome back to your weekly (or near-weekly!) Friday Read dispatch, where we take stock of the world of menswear and a dash of, well, everything — from your bar cart to your wrist game and the footwear in your rotation, all via way of a few choice reading and shopping selections.

Each of those summer style essentials has been top of mind lately, as my #FreelanceLife pursuits keep me plenty busy, as you might have seen on my Instagram these past few weeks indeed. First, I hopped across the pond to tour Amsterdam with Heineken and then spent the better part of 10 days in vibrant, energetic Sao Paolo into Fourth of July weekend.

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As I jet across the globe and get the chance to cover everything from fine tequila in Mexico to the best bourbon in Kentucky and the coolest watches and gear on the market — to name but a few pursuits — for sites like Maxim (along with this blog!), I often think about the idea of buying less, but buying better in building out an entire menswear wardrobe.

If you’re here reading this, perhaps you feel much the same way, and perhaps you also opt for classic-meets-modern retailers like Huckberry (more on them in just a moment).

And that’s why when something like the frenzy that is Amazon Prime Day comes around, I often tend to sit out the madness — how about you?

Instead, I try to opt for sale selections from the best menswear retailers, ones that I know well, use often, love and trust.

It’s a lofty order, to be sure, but as we looked at with the very best Fourth of July sales last week, there are remarkable deals to be had out there from fan-favorite designers across the board, be it some of the best sunglasses under $50 from Huckberry or a fresh new Buck Mason polo.

Those are just two selections designed with style and value in mind, along with better-for-the-planet materials and durability. Of course, I’ve also written lately about ways to save even more on designer menswear at Billy Reid, not to mention a host of the best discounts on summer gear from the likes of — you guessed it! — Huckberry.

The point is this: Whether you opt to shop a retailer like Huckberry or if you go the stylish small business route from another fan favorite like Bespoke Post, there are options aplenty if you seek alternatives to Amazon Prime Day — from apparel to footwear, outdoor gear, everyday carry essentials and more.

Shop summer gear on sale now from Huckberry

That’s what I’ll be thinking about this weekend as I kick back with a cold, crisp summer brew while wearing some of my favorite seasonal menswear. Of course, two weekend style dispatches are headed your way in the meantime. Here’s to shopping and saving the right way, and here’s to July in New York City and far beyond.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: You Can Still Save as Much as 55 Percent Off Right Now at Billy Reid

It’s been a key topic of conversation here on this Brooklyn menswear blog these past few days, and the past few weeks: How to make the most of summer in style, rocking clothes you love to wear, all the while saving a few bucks (when possible), in the process… and I’m here to help, my friends.

We talked just last week about the best menswear sales for the Fourth of July, and there are still a few last gasps, so to speak, in the world of men’s style essentials. Take the tail end of the Billy Reid Fourth of July Sale, for instance.

Find out more now at Billy Reid

It makes perfect sense that the all-American designer — best known for taking rugged classics like the denim shirt or the peacoat and giving them a refined facelift — would extend a standout summer sale ever so slightly.

After all, nobody does casual elegance with a dash of refinement quite like Billy Reid, a brand that’s as suited for a summer wedding as a BBQ (particularly knowing you can wear the same stylish linen shirt to each affair).

And for now, you can retool your menswear rotation for the next leg of summer in fine form: Through the end of the day today via the Billy Reid Fourth of July Sale, you’re saving 30 percent on select styles, plus an additional 25 percent off sale styles: That’s good for as much as 55 percent off the best Billy Reid menswear when you use the code EXTRA25.

Variety aplenty awaits you in the last few hours of the stellar Billy Reid Fourth of July Sale, whether you’re searching for a perfectly casual pullover hoodie for the beach or a striped polo for another upcoming coastal getaway.

Expert fabrication and effortless style is the name of the game with Billy Reid — although these clothes are polished and crisply designed, I’ve found Billy Reid menswear to be outrageously comfortable and breezy, from patterned shirts to chino shorts and trucker jackets (yes, your favorite menswear brand does all of that, and then some).

Shop the end of the Billy Reid Fourth of July Sale ASAP

For a limited time (a very, very limited time), find your new favorite summer #OOTD — or at least a few pieces that can go into crafting the perfect ensemble — via the fast-moving Billy Reid Fourth of July Sale. Summer style and savings in one go are yours for the taking.