Tag / summer style essentials

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Visit to NYC’s New Wonderland Bar & Labor Day Weekend Menswear Sales

Photo: Patrick Dolande/Courtesy of Wonderland NYC

My friends, welcome back to another edition of the Friday Read, where we (and by we, I mean me) cover a bit of everything under the sun these days, from menswear to spirits and occasionally, fine dining. Often, all three go together quite handily, as I’ve found out through my many freelance writing pursuits — and my coverage of spirits, food and drink over at Maxim.

Today, we’ll step away from typical menswear coverage towards something sure to whet your whistle, so to speak (for a dash of men’s style coverage, click that link).

Read my work for Maxim.com

My passion for spirits fortunately (and rather incredibly) opens up a great deal many doors, like the chance to imbibe and sip at some of the finest restaurants in New York City. That’s never a bad way to unwind ahead of a busy Labor Day weekend, and it’s often made all the better by the companionship of my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary, a lover of fine food and drink herself.

And that led me earlier this week to the immersive, whimsical and impressive Wonderland Bar NYC, a just-opened East Village experience that’s a step up from the more typical dive bars of the surrounding area.

Plan your visit to Wonderland Bar

For one, it boasts a menu helmed by Michelin starred chef Peter He — if you’ve been watching “The Bear” or following along with the restaurant industry at large, that’s a major deal. This new spin on a Sichuan gastropub lives up to the hype, and then some.

Wonderland Bar NYC review.
Photo: Patrick Dolande/Courtesy of Wonderland NYC

Its cocktails are theatrical in nature from start to finish, presentation very much included, and its food menu (divided into hot and cold plates) also adds some serious flair to the dining experience.

Just witness the flaming orb presentation of the incredible Shiso Leaf, boasting gin, shiso leaf, peach, ginger, syrup and lime in, well, an orb surrounded by a flaming garnish (you can see more on my Instagram, or at the top of the page, of course).

The New Fashioned, delivered in a smoking decanter and boasting a blend of truffle-oil-washed bourbon, simple syrup and bitters, also shines, while my personal favorite happened to be the blend of gin, ginger, cardamom, peach, passion fruit and lemon found in the All My Lovin’.

Mary also loved this option, and we both couldn’t get enough of the New Fashioned. There’s a nice divide between refreshing and crisp as well as savory, and all just so happen to pair nicely with Wonderland’s diverse food offering.

Photo: Patrick Dolande/Courtesy of Wonderland NYC

A selection of pleasantly spicy, savory bites complement these cocktails in expert fashion including the Chicken Skewers (a personal favorite) and the Peppercorn Squid, the most popular dish on the menu (and the favorite at our table).

But a true highlight, in rather astounding fashion, was the Kumamoto Oyster Ensemble, an oyster topped with uni and caviar. Yes, you read that right. If you love oysters, buckle up — while the serving size accounts for just one oyster, it’s absolutely astonishing.

The space itself, with a purple neon sign looking out over a ceiling adorned with greenery, is also eye-catching in its own right (especially if you dine in a booth styled like a bird cage). It’s a touch disco, a touch whimsical and truly wondrous.

Suffice to say, Wonderland delivers every step of the way: Presentation, flair, flavor and a seriously memorable atmosphere. It won’t be the last time you hear from me on this excellent new locale, so keep your eyes peeled for my byline.

Huckberry Labor Day Sale 2024.

Now, before I let you go — and before I let you start planning your next trip to the Big Apple, or at least your next night out in Manhattan, allow me to offer one menswear recommendation fit for a dive bar or a restaurant with Michelin cred. That, my friends, would be the chance to check out the Huckberry Labor Day Sale, where you can get an extra 15% off already on-sale gear at the lauded Huckberry Sale section.

It’s part of an action-packed slate of the best Labor Day menswear sales, including prime selections from brands like Todd Snyder and Taylor Stitch. And since it’s the last gasp of summer, it’s high time you added a few early fall selections to your cart, is it not? Cheers to the weekend, cheers to excellent food and drink, and cheers to excellent menswear close at hand all the while. Thanks, as ever, for reading!

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Save As Much as 60 Percent Via Todd Snyder’s Sale Right Now

Todd Snyder Summer Sale 2024

Are some of the best menswear deals on the market seemingly too good to be true? Yes, perhaps, but I’ve found that’s rarely the case with Todd Snyder.

The award-winning American designer consistently creates some of the most picture-perfect men’s style essentials on the market, and that includes everything from one of the best men’s T-shirts to one of the coolest trucker jackets around.

Learn more now at Todd Snyder

The even better news is, a slew of those style essentials can now be yours via the vaunted Todd Snyder Sale section. Now, you’ve got the chance to take up to 60 percent off Todd Snyder sale essentials, and that includes an extra 20 percent off on-sale staples right now.

Simply use the code SALE20 to start knocking a few bucks off, well, a bit of everything. The designer’s perfectly executed summerweight short-sleeve shirts, just in time for the end of the season, are up for grabs, as are some of the best Todd Snyder T-shirts for men.

A range of linen shirts and shorts also join in on the fun via the Todd Snyder Summer Sale — and remember, that deal gets you up to 60 percent off with the code SALE20 for a limited time only. Scoop up those savings in style now, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Dress for Cool Summer Nights with This Vintage Long-Sleeve Tee from Huckberry

Huckberry men's T-shirts.

In my experience, sometimes, you don’t know how valuable some casual men’s basics can be until you’ve gone without them. For instance: On a cool summer night around a bonfire or during a beach sunset stroll, ever been caught without an extra layer? I’m not talking about a heavyweight flannel shirt or a thick hoodie — I’m talking about something like one of the best long-sleeve tees to throw on atop your favorite pair of lounge shorts, especially one from our friends at Huckberry.

Learn more now at Huckberry

It’s an underrated style essential that’s served me well on many a summer beach vacation, especially as cooler weather beckons through the end of late summer. And today, well, you’re in good hands, since Huckberry’s new Trumbull line of American-made basics delivers one of the best long-sleeve tees for men.

It’s an indisputable workhorse, a well-made tee in its own right and a casually cool menswear move to end the season. Heavyweight cotton construction (garment-washed for softness) gives the Trumbull Vintage Wash Long-Sleeve Tee a lived-in feel, just like the kind of tee you’d unearth from a lakehouse closet on a crisp night.

And yet, this stylish men’s long-sleeve tee sits ready and waiting in your T-shirt drawer or your favorite weekender bag without missing a beat — since, well, you’ve hopefully already added it to your cart in a trio of stylish colors.

Best long-sleeve T-shirt for men.

With its durable made-in-Detroit construction, its relaxed fit (ideal for layering atop a short-sleeve tee with room to move), and its vintage-style look, it’s a perfectly neutral basic you can even layer beneath a trucker jacket alongside blue jeans.

But for transitional style — especially in coastal settings where you need a warmer layer alongside your go-to shorts — I’d say the Trumbull Vintage Wash Long-Sleeve Tee is a surefire bet as far as laidback summer style goes. Try this one on and report back in the comments if you’re a fan. Cheers and thanks for reading!

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: The Filson Outlet Summer Sale Offers Deals on the Best Rugged Menswear for the Season (and Beyond)

Filson men's gear review.

If you’ve been keeping up with the blog on the regular, you’re well aware that the quest for a truly great deal never really stops, at least when it comes to the best gear for men. And as the thermostat climbs and the quest for adventure (or at least, an icy cold watering hole) beckons, there’s one place I like to turn towards in my search for the best rugged gear for men.

If you guessed Pacific Northwest heritage outfitter Filson, you’d be correct, and there’s an even better reason to shop the famed gear company this very week: We’re in the midst of the Filson Summer Outlet Sale, which offers up to 50 percent off the best menswear and gear across the board. It’s the sort of sale that doesn’t come around very often, which is an even better reason to peruse the company’s offerings.

In my experience, Filson gear is made to a bit of everything, from day hikes to park strolls to weekend getaways upstate and beyond. That goes for something as essential as the Filson Lightweight Alaskan Guide Shirt to something a bit more rough-and-tumble, like the rugged Filson Granite Mountain Shorts.

Learn more and shop now at Filson

There are dozens upon dozens of the best men’s gear picks available that’ll come in handy right now, from waxed canvas bags to lightweight shorts, and there are also picks from the Filson Summer Outlet Sale that you can put to great use in the months ahead, like flannel shirts and hard-wearing denim.

Any way you slice it, there’s no bad way to shop Filson’s latest and greatest sale. Let me know what you end up scoring in the comments below, and here’s to summer, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These Faherty Knit Cord Shorts are the Casually Cool Pick for the Summer Heat

Faherty Brand men's shorts.

By this point in the summer, you very well might feel you’ve exhausted your options as far as the best summer style essentials go. After all, there’s only so many times you can reach for one of the best men’s T-shirts or even a pair of the best men’s shorts without it all feeling a bit routine, right?

I’m here to tell you that’s not always the case, especially if you shop one of my favorite brands of the moment: The good folks at Faherty Brand have delivered perhaps your new favorite pair of shorts, with just enough stylish tweaks to make ’em feel fresh, breezy and utterly cool.

Learn more now at Faherty Brand

It also goes without saying that Faherty is as reliable a resource as any for one of the best summer shirts, so what could be a better complementary piece than new shorts in a fresh cut? There’s not much, particularly when casual style situations come calling — that goes for BBQs, backyard hangs, brewery beers and coastal getaways, and the Faherty Essential Italian Knit Cord Shorts are practically an essential selection.

For starters, the Faherty Essential Italian Knit Cord Shorts take retro style cues and bring them forward into the 21st century, using details like a shorter, flattering 6-inch inseam as the canvas for some throwback-inspired shorts.

Coastal style inspiration makes these some seriously stylish shorts for men, and the use of knit cord made from organic cotton gives them nice texture and a light, soft and even stretchy feel. Best of all is the fact that they feature an elastic drawcord waist for plenty of comfort.

And yet, folks needn’t be any the wiser that you’re going belt-less, at least if your T-shirt or polo hits at or slightly below that waistband. The Faherty Essential Italian Knit Cord Shorts also cover off nicely in matters of style, what with a range of flattering color options ranging from earth tones to a dusty pink and a handsome cream color.

Learn more now at Faherty Brand

Comfort and variety remain the name of the game when it comes to these stylish cord shorts, which are just different enough from modern chino shorts to add some fresh style to your wardrobe — yes, even in the summer heat. Happy shopping out there, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Step into Savings with These Huckberry x XTRATUF Work Boots for Summer

“Ready for anything” sometimes doesn’t even begin to cover it when talking about (and wearing) some of the best work boots for men, at least in my experience. When I shop for rugged men’s work boots — the sort you can wear into the field, onto the trail and back — I look for stellar traction, waterproof performance and rugged appeal.

And luckily, the Huckberry x XTRATUF Waterproof Chelsea Boots fit the bill in every regard. Better still is the fact that they’re on sale for a whopping 40 percent off, and plenty of sizes are yours for the taking.

Learn more now via Huckberry

For as much as summer is about stepping into a pair of your new favorite sneakers, I’ve found that a pair of the best boots for men is just as essential, particularly for adventures far afield. For me, that means park visits, strolls on a nature trail and brewery beers, but for you, it might mean something different — trust me when I say the Huckberry x XTRATUF Waterproof Chelsea Boots are up for all of it, and then some.

With the Huckberry x XTRATUF Waterproof Chelsea Boots, you’re getting legendary performance from heel to toe — my XTRATUF review notes that these boots are trusted by fishermen on the high seas and plenty of other folks working in inclement weather.

Best pull-on boots for men.

And these durable pull-on boots carry on that legacy nicely (click through to Huckberry — it’s in the name, after all!), with triple-dipped 100 percent waterproof construction. The Huckberry x XTRATUF Waterproof Chelsea Boots also boast a sturdy lug outsole for maximum traction on the trail or the deck, and they’re easy to slip on and off with a pair of the best canvas work pants, blue jeans or even sturdy stretch canvas shorts for especially hot days.

Shop men’s boots and more at Huckberry

And yes, again, it’s worth repeating that the Huckberry x XTRATUF Waterproof Chelsea Boots are now 40 percent for a limited time via one of your favorite retailers — add to your footwear rotation this summer ASAP.

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: This One-of-a-Kind Huckberry x Zodiac Watch Is Now 25 Percent Off

Huckberry x Zodiac watch review.

It’s often tough to find one of the best men’s watches on sale for a great deal — those sorts of deals tend to not come around all that often. But when they do, as I always say, the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot is too good to pass up, especially as far as Huckberry gear is concerned.

And it’s from the minds of Huckberry that we find our latest and greatest Tuesday Steal, the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver. It’s not the first time I’ve offered up a Huckberry review on one of the best watches for men (specifically this watch!), but it’s a rather timely one here.

Find out more at Huckberry

At the time of my first review, you see, this rugged watch was 15 percent off. And yet now, the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver is now 25 percent for a very, very limited time (stock is moving extremely quickly via everyone’s favorite gear and menswear retailer).

And as one might expect, the specs on the Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver are everything one needs in a rugged, stylish summer dive watch (or a dive watch in any season, for that matter). It boasts an aerospace-grade titanium case, a 1970s-inspired design and 200 meters of water resistance.

Learn more and shop men’s watches at Huckberry

The tough-as-nails Huckberry x Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Diver dive watch aesthetic also extends to its rotating titanium bezel for keeping an eye on dives and water-ready excursions (or going anywhere else, for that matter). Your new favorite dive watch also features a 44-hour power reserve. On the dial itself, you’ll also find easy visibility through C3 SuperLuminova luminous paint on hands and dial indices.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These Suede Loafers from Huckberry & Astorflex Are a Refined Summer Style Move

Best loafers for men to buy now.

Just when you think you’ve found the perfect pair of men’s shoes for a summer wedding (or any other tailored engagement this season and beyond), the good folks at Huckberry enter the fray once again with a new must-buy pair of stylish men’s footwear.

And not just any pair of summer sneakers or sandals — as essential as those are, a pair of the best men’s loafers can work wonders for casually cool-yet-elevated seasonal style. Luckily, the good folks at Astorflex have you covered once again.

Astorflex men's loafers review.

Best known for making some of the coolest men’s chukka boots on the market, Astorflex is a gem of an underrated find to this day. The brand works out of a family-run factory using sustainable production methods to come up with versatile, durable and effortlessly cool footwear (click through this link here for more Astorflex reviews covering my experience with the brand).

And the Astorflex Fastflex Suede Loafers fit the bill quite nicely on all fronts, with the silhouette of a timeless penny loafer and the proper materials for an eco-conscious, summer-friendly finish.

Best suede loafers for men.

Like other pairs of Astorflex men’s shoes from Huckberry, these loafers are handmade in northern Italy to exacting specifications, with a hard leather outsole complimented nicely by a soft, supple unlined interior for all-day comfort.

The roughout leather on your new favorite loafers is more textured and of course, rougher than suede, with a distinctive look that should rest nicely beneath a cuffed pair of the best light wash jeans, your favorite olive chinos or even a pair of natural-hued denim.

Shop men’s loafers, slip-ons and more at Huckberry

And for even more elevated wear, turn to the Astorflex Fastflex Suede Loafers underneath, say, a navy seersucker or cotton-blend suit for a bit of edgy-yet-polished style. While they may not feature the crepe rubber outsole of traditional Astorflex men’s boots, the streamlined Astorflex Fastflex Suede Loafers are all the better for it, offering up a new take on the classic leather penny loafer.

A fairly wide range of sizes are available, and the Astorflex Fastflex Suede Loafers are online at Huckberry now — just in time for your next summer shindig.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Aether Apparel Lightweight Crew Is a Rugged Summer Classic

There are times when you might not know what you need in your summer wardrobe until you come across a situation where, well, a certain pick could come in mighty handy. Take one of the best crewneck sweatshirts for men.

It’s a casual must-have worn under trucker jackets and atop flannel shirts in the colder months, but the right crewneck sweatshirt can prove extremely useful on chilly summer nights, too.

Think of it this way: If ever you’ve felt like you could use an extra layer on a cool summer evening, yet have come up short, consider it a valuable solution. And this, my friends, is where the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew enters your wardrobe.

Learn more now at Aether Apparel

It comes from the technical masters at Los Angeles-based Aether Apparel, who founded their brand by focusing on gear that was stylish enough for the city and technical enough for the great outdoors.

Aether Apparel menswear review.

In my experience, the brand has succeeded on both accounts, which you can see if ever you’ve checked out the Aether Apparel Archive Sale or even worn one of the brand’s adventure-minded accessories, like a pair of the best sunglasses for men.

Elsewhere, picks like the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew fit the bill nicely, from the lightweight French Terry cotton-blend construction to the garment-dyed finishing processing. The fact that it also comes in a trio of neutral, versatile shades (seen above and below) is a major benefit, too.

That process gives the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew a lived-in feel right out of the box, something that in my personal experience is a great thing to have in your rotation of lightweight sweatshirts. It’s easy enough to throw on over a T-shirt, yet will maintain its shape enough to wear beneath a bomber jacket on especially brisk or rainy summer mornings (or nights, or afternoons, for that matter).

Shop Aether Apparel menswear now

And the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew should also add warmth to your #OOTD without weighing you down, another benefit of finding an outdoor essential for the summer months.

Like the rest of the Aether Apparel line, the Aether Apparel Solstice Lightweight Crew comes at a premium price, but in my opinion, the outfitter lives up to its stylish-yet-technical, high-quality reputation. That’s a great thing to have in your summer wardrobe, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Billy Reid Linen Shirt Helps You Beat the Heat in Style This Season

As far as summer style essentials are concerned, two things are top of mind: Staying cool and comfortable, of course, and also staying mighty stylish. And with Billy Reid, you can meet those two aims quite handily indeed. Exhibit A: One of the best men’s shirts for summer, an updated take on a classic that manages to hit the mark in terms of great looks as well as breezy comfort.

Find summer style essentials now at Billy Reid

The shirt in question is the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, already a fan favorite and a bestseller from the Alabama-based designer. It comes in multiple different fabrications, changing from season to season, and yet the Billy Reid Linen Tuscumbia Shirt is a perfect fit for your next summer #OOTD.

The real key is the use of garment-dyed, lightweight linen that gives the shirt an “effortless, lived-in look and feel,” as the award-winning designer notes.

And whether you pick up the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt, in a dark, dressy color like Carbon Blue or opt for the more breezy French Blue as shown at the top of the page, it’s a picture-perfect classic. And true to form, your new favorite shirt for summer (again, the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt!) can be worn tucked in underneath, say, a linen Billy Reid blazer or worn untucked, sleeves rolled, as a casual yet crisp style move alongside chino shorts.

Any way you choose to wear it, this new take on an old favorite from Billy Reid helps you beat the heat in style, my friends.