Tag / summer style essentials

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Wills Wrinkle-Free Linen Shirt

Every so often, you tend to strike it rich in the menswear world. Take this weekend’s Huckberry Summer Sale, of course. The best menswear from Huckberry already offers lots to love, be it rugged durability, refinement or versatility in your wardrobe, or a touch of all three. And when that menswear arrives on sale for a limited time, well, you’ve got to strike while the iron is hot.

Learn more now at Huckberry

That’s certainly the case with the Wills Wrinkle Free Linen Short Sleeve Shirt, which just might be one of the best shirts for men on the market. It’s up for grabs for a stellar deal right now (25 percent off, based on your selected color and size), so it’s no surprise to this Brooklyn menswear writer that it’s selling mighty fast.

Best summer buttondown shirt for men.

It’s the kind of go-anywhere shirt you can rock with just about anything, be it more easygoing picks like stretch chino shorts and canvas sneakers, or else with dark blue jeans or even tailored linen trousers at the office. It’s also made from a comfortable, pleasantly durable linen-poly blend for more structure and shape, and the fit should prove tailored but not overly tight (nor baggy).

Shop Huckberry’s latest sale now

But because it’s part of the Huckberry Summer Sale, it’s flying off digital shelves quickly. With that being said, I’m going to wrap up today’s post early and leave you to shop the Huckberry Summer Sale. Good luck out there, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best New Huckberry Menswear & A Summer Upstate Trip

It seems it was scarcely a day ago I was talking about a Brooklyn weekend and my experience making one of the best custom hats on the market. And yet, time marches ever forward and we find ourselves on the brink of another sweltering summer weekend.

Best vintage menswear.

In addition to talking about cool vintage menswear curated by the likes of Buck Mason (like the picks above), I’ve stayed plenty busy this week writing about the best necklaces for men over at AskMen, and I’ve also been thinking about how to beat the heat in style. Luckily, it seems easier than ever to do that (or at least, relatively easy) thanks to the likes of Relwen. Let’s take a quick look at the brand on this fine summer Friday, shall we?

Head to Huckberry now

Hopefully, you’re acquainted with Relwen from this blog, or from shopping the Columbus, Ohio brand’s particular strain of all-American menswear. The Huckberry-approved brand is a favorite of mine, with an emphasis on rugged, classic gear often inspired by throwback designs (particularly military staples like field shirts, jackets and streamlined cargo pants and chinos).

And they’re certainly worth a look this summer, especially if you want a durable hybrid blazer like the Relwen Linen Trap Blazer as seen at the top of the page — it’s fit for travel, a short Friday at the office or a summer wedding.

Hotel Kinsley, Kingston.

That’s one brief summer menswear recommendation for you, and that Relwen jacket in particular is the sort of summer travel style essential I can’t go without. To be more specific, I brought some Huckberry gear (including my Forty Five T-shirt and Proof Rover Pants) on a quick upstate jaunt to the lovely town of Hudson, where I sipped on delicious local beer at Kingston Standard, dined at the Hotel Kinsley (as seen above!) and of course, capped it all off with a stellar rock show by beloved indie folk band Big Thief.

Consider each of those menswear picks and destination stops as just a few of my recommendations for your next online shopping spree or New York State visit. For now, I’m signing off and enjoying a bit of downtime (and a bit of time in front of my A/C unit). Thanks so much for reading, and here’s to a summer Friday!

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Outerknown Saltwater Slub Polo – Summer’s Breeziest Polo for Casual Style

Best summer polo for men.

There are details that make a difference in your menswear wardrobe, particularly in the way you shop and the brands you target in your search for summer style essentials. Take the best sustainanble men’s fashion, for instance.

Brands that make a difference, treat the environment with care and produce clothing like, say, one of the best men’s polos in the process practically check all the right boxes in this day and age. I’ve always found that to be the case with a brand like Outerknown.

Learn more now at Outerknown

Of course, that’s the stylish, rugged and eco-friendly menswear brand founded by surfing legend Kelly Slater. They’re well-known (on this blog and elsewhere) for producing picks like the Outerknown Blanket Shirt, not to mention an entire assortment of sustainable menswear from head-to-toe.

That lineup now crucially includes breezy picks like the Outerknown Salt Slub Polo, which makes it easier than ever to get comfortable, eco-friendly style at a fair price for the rest of the summer ahead.

Best polo for men to wear this summer.

This stylish men’s polo (available in colors like a handsome Midnight Blue and an eye-catching Grey Mist) is crafted from an organic Portuguese cotton slub jersey fabric, an ultra-soft and textured fiber that’s also easier on the environment than traditional cotton.

The Outerknown Salt Slub Polo also boasts a crisp-yet-easygoing three-button collar and two-ply placket — it’s going to feel as soft as your favorite Outerknown T-shirt, all the while looking polished like a casually cool polo for summer nights aplenty.

Shop men’s basics now at Outerknown

Beyond that, the Outerknown Salt Slub Polo accents things with a chest pocket for a more laidback look and feel, and there’s also a small “OK” logo at the bottom left hem. Taken all at once, this is a classically designed polo upgraded with modern fibers for a more sustainable, better and still-stylish polo wearing experience. Meet your new favorite polo for the rest of summer right now.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Filson’s Rustic Short-Sleeve Camp Shirt is a Rugged Summer Staple

Best men's short-sleeve shirt for summer.

This time of summer, in my experience, is often a chance to unplug, to go off-trail, to get back home to Michigan (or your own hometown!), all the while wearing rugged menswear essentials. What you’re wearing on vacation or throughout your summer pursuits is critical, correct?

And it seems that, at least from my time wearing the brand, Filson delivers an ideal mix of rugged style and performance in expert fashion (as you know from reading the blog over the years, of course).

Learn more now at Filson

Be it more casual picks like one of the best pocket T-shirts from Filson, or else a classic weekend getaway bag, there’s hardly an outdoor, warm-weather excursion that can’t be made better by some gear from the iconic Pacific Northwest heritage outfitter.

Filson short-sleeve shirt for men.

And for pursuits both more laidback (like a backyard BBQ) or more involved (like a hike across the dunes to the beach), the Filson Rustic Short-Sleeve Camp Shirt should prove mighty handy, durable and stylish. It’s built with a classic camp shirt design, which features a boxy fit — with room to move or to layer over a T-shirt — and the defining feature of this retro short-sleeve shirt is the lay-flat, V-shaped collar (just like your dad or grandfather used to wear).

Best patterned short-sleeve shirt for men.

The Filson Rustic Short-Sleeve Camp Shirt is made from a midweight cotton, so it’s not quite a performance shirt for hiking, but it should still prove comfortable enough on cool nights or breezy days. It’s also got more than a few touches in terms of style.

It’s available in a sharp Deep Sea Indigo pattern or a colorful natural pattern, each of which would also pair up nicely with some of the best men’s shorts from Filson.

Shop men’s shirts at Filson now

Last but not least, you know you can count on quality from Filson, and there’s even better news: The Filson Rustic Short-Sleeve Camp Shirt is currently 30 percent off for a limited time, with plenty of sizes available. Do yourself a favor and upgrade your casual summer style from a trusted brand right now, folks.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: Save 30 Percent on Menswear Classics with the Billy Reid Summer Event

Billy Reid Summer Event

This Sunday, it’s like I always tend to say here on the blog: The chance to score menswear essentials on sale, and pieces you can wear right now and for years to come, isn’t an opportunity to pass up.

If ever you’ve read the blog, and if ever you’ve shopped the enviable assortment of stylish menswear at Billy Reid, from classic chinos to one of the best men’s peacoats to one of the best men’s shirts, you know that certainly holds true.

Learn more and shop at Billy Reid

But here’s a little something else worth keeping an eye on right away: The Billy Reid Summer Event, which runs into next week and offers the chance to save 30 percent on select styles from the famed Alabama-based menswear designer.

What exactly is on offer right now at the Billy Reid Summer Event? A little bit of everything, from the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt (a certified classic) to a rugged Billy Reid trucker jacket tailor-made for breezy nights this summer. Bear in mind that the Billy Reid Summer Event only runs until this coming Thursday, June 29th, so it’s in your best interest to strike while the iron’s hot and save big money on stylish summer menswear. Cheers, my friends.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Wills Wrinkle-Free Short-Sleeve Shirt – The Perfect Summer Weekend Shirt

Best short-sleeve shirt for men.

Sometimes, simplicity is the name of the game when it comes to summer style essentials. After all, you assuredly want to beat the heat, first and foremost, and yet, you still want to look polished. An easy way to do that? Reaching for one of the best short-sleeve shirts for men, and ideally, one from the fine folks at Huckberry. The Austin and San Francisco-based brand dreamed up the perfect way to stay cool and look great.

That’d be the Wills Wrinkle-Free Short-Sleeve Shirt, a worthy choice when you want more polish than a standard crewneck T-shirt and yet, a touch more comfort than a classic Oxford shirt, which might prove too hot on some days.

Shop stylish shirts now at Huckberry

The key here is the breezy linen blend fabric, plus a classic fit that should prove flattering and not too constricting. And as Huckberry says, you can team the Wills Wrinkle-Free Short-Sleeve Shirt with everything from chino shorts to light wash jeans without missing a beat, and it comes in a range of cool, versatile color options. Yessir, looking great even in the heat just got a touch easier, thanks to this stylish short-sleeve shirt at Huckberry. Cheers, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Western Rise Evolution Pants are the Perfect Pants for Summer Adventures

Best men's pants for summer.

You’ve got a lot to get ready for this summer, right? In my experience, dressing in style for the summer comes down to preparation — knowing what summer style essentials you need even before you need them, and that’s particularly true as you look to beat the heat.

That can take many forms: Staying polished and cool while heading to the office comes to mind, but so does finding a pair of the best men’s pants for summer adventures. From commutes to day hikes, happy hours to summer travel, I’ve found there’s one pair of pants that can just about do it all.

That’d be the Western Rise Evolution Pants, a personal favorite of mine and the ideal solution when you consider how to dress for the heat in style.

Learn more now at Western Rise

If you’ve cruised through the blog in recent years, perhaps you’re familiar with Colorado-based Western Rise, a brand that rests at the intersection of modern performance style. For instance, they make one of the best merino T-shirts, the sort of shirt you can wear to a brewery, or out on a casual park stroll or off-grid on a weekend camping trip (talk about versatility).

And yet, they also make one of the best buttondown shirts for warm weather, one that I personally love — and naturally, the Western Rise Evolution Pants check many of the same boxes when it comes to outstanding versatility, sharp looks and remarkable performance.

Western Rise Evolution Pants review.

So named because they sit at the “evolution” of jeans, these pants deliver that same critical versatility — they’ve got a five-pocket design, but the Western Rise Evolution Pants look and feel both slightly more polished and slightly more adventure-ready. From my personal experience, that’s a tough combination to crack, yet the Western Rise Evolution Pants hit the nail on the head.

The key is a lightweight, stain-resistant, four-way stretch fabric that feels super-soft to the touch, yet is designed to resist abrasions in the field and on the trail. Beyond that, the stretch fabric is crucial in these ever-more casual times.

Most versatile men's pants.

The Western Rise Evolution Pants certainly contain multitudes, and that’s why they’ve become my new favorite pair of pants over the years. They move seamlessly with you throughout the day, they work expertly as a pair of the best travel pants for men (thanks to the handy media pocket), and color options like Olive, Dune and Navy wear well with plenty of different shades in my own wardrobe (and yours!).

Shop stylish pants and shorts at Western Rise

Searching for pants made to take you from the office to a long weekend and back? The Western Rise Evolution Pants can go anywhere you go, with ease.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Get This Short-Sleeve Billy Reid Shirt for Everyday Summer Wear

Best short-sleeve shirt for men.

When you find a style that works for you, the kind of piece you can wear repeatedly throughout a single season, it’s best to stock up on that piece, right? Kind of like one of the best short-sleeve shirts for summer. The short-sleeve shirt — like the seriously cool, subtle but extremely well-made Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt — is an undisputed summer style champion, with the polish of your favorite Oxford shirt but the comfort of a polo shirt given its short-sleeve design. Head over to the well-stocked New Arrivals section at Billy Reid to get started, or else keep it locked right here to get the full scoop.

Learn more at Billy Reid

You can mix in color and pattern, or go with a more versatile color to wear with everything from tan chinos to light wash jeans to olive-hued cotton shorts. There’s nothing a piece like the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt can’t do — seriously, keep scrolling.

Best summer shirt for men.

The Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt looks simple enough on the surface, but it’s got all the hallmarks of a premium Billy Reid piece from the Alabama-based, all-American designer. It’s made from subtly textured 100 percent cotton and finished off with horn buttons for a premium look and feel, and it even includes some subtle yet distinguished Billy Reid branding on the bottom placket (as shown above).

The fit on the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt is also on-point: Think standard and nicely tailored, but not too tight. The chest pocket adds both visual interest and serves as a handy spot to store the best summer sunglasses, too. Whether you choose to rock the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt on its own or layered stealthily under a Billy Reid blazer, it’s one of the best men’s shirts to rock now.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Faherty Brand’s Short-Sleeve Henley is the Best Summer T-Shirt to Shop Now

Best short-sleeve henleys for men

If you’ve been hunting for a summer shirt for men that strikes a happy balance between rugged, casual and versatile, then I’m here to tell you that the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley is your new seasonal style move. If you’ve read the blog, you know Faherty Brand makes rugged winter shirts as well as spring bomber jackets, but the NYC-based, coastally inspired brand also does a bang-up job of making the best summer menswear, too. They’ve got plenty of options for style enthusiasts and newfound fans alike, including the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley, which toes the line between overly casual and overly rugged quite nicely.

Think of it this way: As we all ease back into the world, you’re going to need casual menswear staples that are cooler than a T-shirt but not as buttoned-up as a dress shirt. One of the best men’s henleys is here to fill that gap quite handily. Now, Faherty Brand has something of a specialty in this area — witness the fact that it makes both stretch Oxford shirts (to wear with your favorite blazer) as well as rugged flannel shirts (to layer atop a Faherty Brand henley when the weather takes a turn). And although it’s more casual than both of those categories, the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley isn’t to be trifled with. It’s as solidly built as it gets, and the fact that it retails for $78 is a nice bonus, too.

SHOP: The Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley

Best short-sleeve henley for men

Like all of the best short-sleeve henleys for men, it meets some crucial criteria. What exactly are those criteria? I’m glad you asked, my friends. The Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley is made from a blend of cotton and polyester, both ideal for comfort and breathability on hot summer days. It also features a more relaxed, rather than skintight, fit. This is also ideal for breezy summer style. Faherty built this shirt from the ground up with all the proper considerations in mind.

This is very good news for all of us eager summer style shoppers. Of course, a great summer shirt isn’t much without great looks, right? Helpfully, the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley comes in six colors, ranging from Faded Denim to a crisp White. Each option provides more than enough wearability for the modern man about town (that’s you!). And the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley really is a henley you can wear all around town, be it with chino shorts and white leather sneakers or a rugged denim jacket and olive chinos. When the time comes to head to the beach, your new favorite henley is an ideal layer to team with your favorite swim trunks, cold beer in hand. It’s clear that hopefully, you need this classic men’s henley in your wardrobe. Choose wisely, folks.

SHOP: The Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley

by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Wear a Camp Collar Shirt This Summer

Want a new way to dress for summer? One that’s unexpected and yet pretty cool and unique? It all starts with finding one of the best camp collar shirts out there. Camp collar shirts first began appearing on runways once more a handful of years ago, and they’re now made by brands big and small, including the all-American style purveyors at Buck Mason. Think of it not so much as a trend more as a new American style staple, the kind that you can just as readily wear to the office now as you can to a summer BBQ. It might take some getting used to wearing a camp collar shirt as opposed to a polo or even a breezy Oxford shirt, but it’s a cool and somewhat bold style move worth making. It’ll turn heads in a good way, and it’s every bit as comfortable and lightweight as your favorite T-shirt, seriously. That’s especially true of the Buck Mason Camp Shirt we’ll be talking about today, which is about as classic a take on the style as it gets.

A cool camp collar shirt signals the feeling that summer is here, that the sun is shining and that cold beer and great times await. And if you want to go a bit more bold and wear your Buck Mason Camp Shirt underneath a blazer on a short, casual Friday at the office, then you can do that, too — it’s summer after all, and we’re all getting used to really dressing again in our own ways. If you want to wear it more casually, a la the #OOTD below, then I’d suggest you do that, too. The point is, the best camp collar shirt can do even more than you might think at first glance. That’s great news for your summer style.

Best way to wear a camp collar shirt

  • The Camp Collar Shirt: Buck Mason Breeze Linen Camp Shirt, $95 — Now, this shirt has been talked about before on the blog, but it’s worth revisiting. It’s a breezy and effortlessly cool summer style move.
  • The Pants: Faherty Brand Stretch Terry Pants, $148 — Keep the casual summer style vibes flowing with these comfortable stretch pants, which wear like chinos (perfect for the office) but feel like sweats (ideal for weekend hangs).
  • The Loafers: Astorflex Patnoflex Travel Loafers, $175 — We’re back once again to talk about a pair of the most stylish men’s loafers. These are made to travel easily and can work at the office, happy hour and anywhere in between.
  • The Belt: Billykirk No. 117 Mechanic’s Belt, $105 — Wearing a stylish leather belt might feel odd these days, but it’s an essential that you need in an #OOTD like this. Billykirk makes one of the best men’s belts, too.
  • The Watch: Shinola Runwell Automatic Watch, $1,095 — Splurge and treat yourself to one of the best leather dress watches for men. It’s just the right way to go as we re-enter the world.
  • The Sunglasses: Maui Jim Castles Sunglasses, $300 — If you haven’t thought about your accessories in a good while, why not go all out and pick up a pair of the best sunglasses for men to really drive home the cool, stylish nature of this #OOTD? I’m all about it, folks.
  • The Grooming Essential: MANTL Age Defense Moisturizer, $21.98 — Refresh your mug to head back out into the world with this hydrating daily moisturizer, my friends.
  • The Everyday Carry: Mission Workshop 500D Drift Tote, $265 — There’s a reason this versatile and rugged Mission Workshop tote keeps popping up on the blog, and that’s because it’s got the carrying capacity for whatever your day requires, from sun up to sun down.

Well, my friends. Are you ready for the rest of summer, and a stylish one, to boot? It’s all about shaking things up ever so slightly, be it packing up a Mission Workshop tote — instead of a backpack — or opting to wear your new Buck Mason Camp Shirt instead of a classic polo. The rest of these picks toe the line between the comfort we’re used to now (witness the comfortable stretch pants from Faherty Brand) and the cool style you need this summer (as in, some of the most stylish men’s loafers on the market). Add in other considerations, like a pair of the best sunglasses for men and a much-needed, stylish leather belt, and your accessories are top-notch, too. Finish it off with an essential men’s moisturizer, and I’d say you’ve just put together one of the coolest looks possible for whatever heads your way this season. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and stay stylish out there!