#OOTD: How to Upgrade Your Pocket Tee This Spring

Morning (or afternoon … or evening), folks! Thanks for being with us as we talk how to upgrade your pocket tee this spring. In the men’s style world, never underestimate the importance and utility of a great-fitting T-shirt — especially one that you can wear in a way that’s slightly different from other spring style moves. Once you figure what size works for you, you can use said T-shirt to take on the world in style — particularly as the thermostat climbs. And if you want to switch up your T-shirt game, take a good, hard look at the humble pocket tee. Unlike a standard white tee, it’s got more going for it in terms of versatility and visually interesting looks — the chest pocket draws attention to, well, your chest, for starters. It’s the small details that make a stylish pocket tee suitable to wear on its own or layered up — as you’ll see in today’s #OOTD. We’re mixing a bit of a mononchromatic color palette with a statement-making tee, classic spring sneakers and all of the stylish everyday carry pieces you can get your hands on. It’s the sort of #OOTD you can reliably wear on a weekend coffee date or a spring bar crawl …. or both. What’d ya say? Let’s go to it. For style inspiration all 365 days of the year, follow along on Instagram.

Richer Poorer

A unique take on the pocket tee, accented with classic, spring-friendly style essentials.

The Pocket Tee: Richer Poorer Crew Pocket Tee in Pink, $32 — Think pink isn’t a color that’s made for you? Think again. We’re seeing a lot more of this dusty pink shade across menswear and women’s style, and using it as your base is a significant style upgrade.

The Shirt: Abercrombie and Fitch Two-Pocket Chambray Shirt, $35 — Why are we layering up our pocket tee with a stylish chambray shirt? For one, it’ll help combat any spring and summer breezes. And, number two: If you’re wary of the pink T-shirt, it takes some of the focus of it. Plus, a chambray shirt is a rugged essential for the entire year.

The Denim: Abercombie and Fitch Super Skinny Denim in Light Wash, $59 — Here’s where that monochromatic style we talked about earlier comes into play. This pair of stretch denim blends retro style with comfort — feel free to wear them to your next rock concert, too.
Greats

The Sneakers: SeaVees Hermosa Regatta Sneaker, $88 — We here at The Style Guide absolutely love what’s being done by SeaVees across the board — the Hermosa Regatta Sneaker blends a unique spring color with a light weight and quite a lot of comfort and style.

The Socks: Darn Tough No Show Ultra-Light Cushion Socks, $29.98  — If you’re going to break out classic SeaVees sneakers, some no-show socks are in order — yes? Darn Tough makes some of the best around. Pricey, but comfortable and much-needed.

The Watch: Huckberry Combat B33 GMT Watch, $498.98 — We’ve waxed poetic about the durability and style of the rugged Huckberry Combat B33 GMT Watch, and its simple design makes it ideal for pairing with laidback pieces.

The Sunglasses: Sunski Madronas Sunglasses, $55 — Every so often, you want shades that are simple, stylish and affordable — that’s where the Sunski Madronas sunglasses come in very handy indeed. Yes indeed, these are definitely worth adding to any list of the best men’s sunglasses.

The Ballcap: Huckberry Explorer’s Cap, $39.98 — To keep the sun off your face during interminable hours sipping patio beers, reach for the vintage-inspired, well-made Huckberry Explorer’s Cap.

Beckett Simonon

Looking through the above #OOTD has me positively dreaming of cracking open a cold one on a patio somewhere — hopefully, you’re in the same boat. The key to this outfit revolves around the unexpected pink shade of the pocket tee, plus visually interesting layering via a classic light chambray shirt and slim light wash denim. Of course, it wouldn’t be an #OOTD without stylish spring sneakers — that’s where the Hermosa Regatta Sneaker has you covered.  And in that regard, you’re going to need a tough casual watch to take on spring excursions — that’s what the Huckberry Combat B33 GMT Watch can do for ya. And it’s with two personal favorites of mine that we close out this outfit — there might not be a more stylish ballcap out there than the Huckberry Explorer’s Cap, and for classic, functional spring style, it’s tough to get better than those Sunski Madronas shades. Would you wear your pocket tee in a similar fashion? Leave any feedback over on The Style Guide Facebook page, and join us tomorrow for a new Online Shopping Picks entry.

Stay stylish, my friends!

-Beau

Oxfords under $50 CAD_250x250

Style Suggestion: What to Wear For Labor Day Weekend

Editor’s note: Head this way for another Labor Day style suggestion.

It’s pretty wild to think that summer’s now in the rear view mirror — just about, that is. If you didn’t hit the road for Memorial Day weekend or the Fourth of July , perhaps now is the time for you to take that big summer trip. If it involves dressing to head to the beach, we’ve got you covered. And if it involves a multitude of activities — some travel, some play, some relaxation — hopefully, the below style suggestion has you covered. That goes for heading to your destination, kicking back during a barbeque and perhaps strolling around town. Of course, dressing for summer travel should be top of mind, too.  And in the event it’s unbearably hot where you’re headed, no need to fear — some #menswear-centric tips for dressing for the hot weather should set you right. Either way, it’s about meeting the occasion in style and keeping versatility, fit and function in mind. And if the pieces below can work for other style scenarios, that’s all the better. Let me know of your Labor Day plans — and get the discussion going — on Twitter or Facebook. Now as for me — I’ve got some weekend adventures to the up-and-coming coastal city of Asbury Park, N.J., coming up, and I’ll be taking my favorite style essentials with me. Keep up with everything on Instagram, while we’re at it. In the meantime, stay stylish!

The Shirt: Dockers Premium Wrinkle Slim-Fit Twill Shirt — $68

A unique texture and solid color make this shirt an easy pick-up.

A unique texture and solid color make this shirt an easy pick-up.

First of all — we’re going with a long-sleeved shirt here for a bit more versatility (yes, even in the heat). Let’s say you need to throw on a casual cotton tie at some point during the weekend — this twill shirt has you covered. Dockers might seem like a unique choice as far as shirting given how popular the brand’s Alpha Khakis have been as of late. But this shirt has a unique texture, a color combo befitting of the last gasp of summer (not too bright, not too dark), and a slim fit. That makes it an easy pick — supplement it in your bag with a slim pocket T-shirt and a light blue polo.

The Shorts: OLIVERS Capital Short — $68

Available in a darker Navy or the colorway seen here, these shorts are flexible, functional and fashionable.

Available in a darker Navy or the colorway seen here, these shorts are flexible, functional and fashionable.

These shorts might look familiar to some readers — they were the subject of a recent Style Pick of the Week feature, and we’re keeping them around for their versatility, comfort and excellent fit.  In a heightened blue-grey color, they add a nice bit of contrast to the Dockers shirt shown above. For being made from a nylon blend, they have a flattering, tailored fit and all the touches one would expect from a pair of slim chino shorts. That means the side draft and rear welt pockets rid the silhouette of excess fabric, and the above-the-knee fit is essential in terms of both style & ease of movement. Still not sold? They’re comfortable as heck for all-day travel, as I found out during a recent trip to Las Vegas. If they can handle that, they can handle anything. Oh, and don’t forget a comfortable belt built with quite a bit of stretch.

The Belt: Arcade Belt Co. Crawford Belt — $36

Easy to wear and easy to buy, thanks to an agreeable price.

Easy to wear and easy to buy, thanks to an agreeable price.

For situations where you’re moving around a lot, comfort is of the utmost importance. That’s absolutely the case with your belt — a leather belt, while appropriate here, could potentially be uncomfortable for running or lots of walking (or sitting, or standing). A belt that mimics that look and feel, yet does so while also incorporating a weather-resistant smartweave fabric, is the way to go. Yes, the Crawford Belt is your versatile answer to comfort and style — tough to find in a belt these days.

The Sneakers: Reebok x JackThreads Daily Classic Nylon — $75

Part classic runner, part modern-day sneaker. Perfect for a weekend that calls for a bit of everything.

Part classic runner, part modern-day sneaker. Perfect for a weekend that calls for a bit of everything.

What’s one way to offset the somewhat standard combo of a button-down and shorts? A stellar pair of sneakers. When the team at JackThreads sets its mind to something, they usually do a pretty stellar job. That’s the case here with the Reebok x JackThreads Daily Classic Nylon, another recent Style Pick of the Week feature that makes a reappearance here. In simple terms, these sneakers combine retro cool with a sharp, clean aesthetic. They’d be just as easily wearable with a pair of slim sand chinos as they would with the casual combination seen above. Plus, the price is stellar for a  name-brand collab, and the Navy colorway is pretty neat, too.

A sporty perlon strap and a refined dial design bridge the gap between casual and dressy.

A sporty perlon strap and a refined dial design bridge the gap between casual and dressy.

Did you think we forgot about a stylish casual watch here at The Style Guide? Not a chance. There are a lot of subtle touches in this particular Jack Mason timepiece that make it quite the purchase, from the black perlon strap to the elegant-yet-versatile face to the fact that the 42mm case diameter should work for a variety of wrist sizes. The Super Luminova markings are helpful for reading the watch when it’s dark out (by a bonfire that’s dying down, perhaps?). Plus, the 100-meter water resistance is useful for casual time spent in the waves or by the pool.

The Sunglasses: Sunski Madronas Sunglasses — $55

A solid pick-up that can stand up to the rigors of the weekend.

A solid pick-up that can stand up to the rigors of the weekend.

Finding the right pair of stylish sunglasses at the right price is an ordeal, sometimes. You want a versatile, classic frame shape, plus durability and an agreeable price — where to go? The Sunski Madronas is your answer to all those categories. A functional frame shape and a look that’s crisp-yet-casual make this pair of shades a heck of a deal. And for under $60, they can get beat up a bit without too much worry. So if things turn competitive in that backyard football game, you’re all set.

The Weekender Bag: Huckberry Bradley Mountain Weekender Duffle — $179

A ruggedly handsome bag with the specs to back it up. Use this thing day after day, trip after trip.

A ruggedly handsome bag with the specs to back it up. Use this thing day after day, trip after trip.

So, you might’ve been reading this post and thinking to yourself: “Gee Beau, those picks are great and all, but… how the heck am I packing this stuff?” My friend, meet the Bradley Mountain Weekender Duffle. It’s a favorite of Huckberry readers — and a heck of a lot of other people — for its beastly specs and handsome looks. Your humble author is talking, of course, about the blend of Field Tan Martexin waxed canvas, solid copper rivets and organically processed oiled leather — not to mention, its made-in-America construction. All of those should definitely have you sold on the Bradley Mountain Duffle — if not, see me after class.

 All things considered, hopefully the above Labor Day style suggestion has you all covered for the weekend. It can be tough to pack a bag full of gear for every possible situation — space is limited even in the best weekender bags, after all. But packing smart — there’s a secret weapon we can all keep in mind. In this case, pieces like a textured shirt that toes the line between formal and casual is a solid bet, as are shorts that combine performance, comfort and style into one. Sharp, eye-catching sneakers are a solid complement to a dressier pair of footwear (say, slim leather loafers?). And accessories like a versatile watch and a tough weekender bag never fail you — that’s why they’re worth investing in when buying. If you think I missed any picks, let me know at The Style Guide’s Facebook page, or drop your own suggestion in the comments below.

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.