Tag / tanner goods review

by Beau H.

Women’s Style Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Editor’s note: For more gift ideas, check out last year’s women’s style holiday gift guide.

So, you’ve looked at the ole calendar and realized it’s December, ehh? In a bit of a gift-giving panic (and if not, maybe soon)? Well, fear not — The Style Guide is here to set you up with excellent holiday gift-giving advice for all the stylish ladies in your life. Hopefully, they strike the right chord — if you don’t see any suggestions to fit your gifting needs, shoot me an email and we’ll help you out. Whether you’re buying for your wife, girlfriend, mom, sister or grandma — or likely that whole group, and more — there are plenty of picks below to get those gears turning. In fact, the list is expanded and divided into a few helpful categories. Last year’s Women’s Style Holiday Gift Guide might also help you out in a pinch — but that’s just this writer’s opinion. The biggest key is thoughtful gift-giving — while you might love a framed NFL jersey, your wife might not appreciate said gift (I kid, I kid). It’s never an easy process — so read on, shop away and leave any questions in the comments below.

Home Goods: Luvhaus Ceramics One-Of-A-Kind Turqouise Tumblers (Set of 2) — $64.98

Luvhaus Ceramics

Unique tumblers that add a little spark to your kitchen.

Let’s get this kicked off with a helpful nudge — if you find yourself shopping Huckberry quite a bit, you can kill two birds with one stone. The site’s excellent Huckberry Gift Guide is packed with gifts for everyone from your father-in-law to your son, and the site’s Huckberry Women’s Collection is a veritable treasure trove of outstanding finds both big and small. That includes the very cool set of Luvhaus turquoise tumblers seen here — talk about a neat addition to your kitchen, and the perfect set of tumblers for occasions throughout the year.

Jewelry: Sword and Plough Brass Bar Necklace — $69

Made from a 50-caliber shell casing, this unique piece of jewelry is truly one of a kind.

Made from a 50-caliber shell casing, this unique piece of jewelry is truly one of a kind.

The folks at Sword & Plough get a lot right when it comes to their production and design of stylish men’s and women’s accessories, starting with their support of veterans through every step of design and production. In particular, the Brass Bar Necklace is unique, subtly stylish and a perfect, understated finishing touch. This neat necklace is made from a 50-caliber shell casing, and it’s done in partnership with Bang Bang Ballistic. Co-founder Shanna Rodenberg is a disabled veteran who first experimented with making jewelry out of spent ammo after eight years serving in Afghanistan — you won’t find another piece of jewelry with that pedigree and history this season.

Footwear: Nisolo Oliver Oxford in Brandy — $134.98

Nisolo Oliver Oxford

A chic, refined and well-made pair of shoes that everyone can appreciate.

Now, you certainly don’t have to be a “fashionista” to appreciate a chic, well-made and versatile pair of shoes — right? Nisolo handcrafts its beautiful men’s and women’s shoes in Pereu, and the Oliver Oxford is the brand’s interpretation of a classic men’s Oxford. The sheep leather insole provides comfort atop a stacked leather heel, and the slip-free rubber heel cap provides an added dash of functionality. They’re a more unique take on women’s footwear, but hopefully appreciated by those who love great design.

 Headwear/Accessories: Goorin Brothers January Breeze Felt Hat — $60

Goorin Brothers women's hats

A classic, chic hat for the woman who favors unique, neat style.

We’re keeping things rolling for the fashionable woman (or women) in your life here today. When it comes to versatile, well-made hats, Goorin Brothers is tough to top. On top of classic wool flatcaps and leather fedoras for men — as seen in my recent upstate travel post — the brand also makes a slew of stylish women’s hats, both more unique and more traditional in nature. If the lady in your life needs a new hat to go along with her leather Oxfords, the January Breeze could be the one to gift. Its shape is classic and easily wearable in breezy winter temperatures, and it makes a neat addition to a travel wardrobe — at least in the eyes of this author.

Accessories: Tanner Goods Vanguard Saddle Bag in Hickory — $249.98

A beautiful bag made from premium materials, from the same brand who makes your favorite belt.

A beautiful bag made from premium materials, from the same brand who makes your favorite belt.

If you follow along with this blog regularly, you know that we love ourselves some Tanner Goods gear. The brand’s belts and wallets are investment-worthy, and now, the brand is carefully crafting some amazing women’s accessories as well. Take the incredible Tanner Goods Vanguard Saddle Bag in Hickory. It’s a lovely bag, able to work all through the day and night in a beautiful Hickory color and all-leather construction. The Vanguard Saddle Bag is also made in America — as the brand does with its men’s lifestyle products — features what the brand calls “graceful lines” for a premium look and feel. If you tend to agree, surely the woman in your life will appreciate it.

Accessories, Part 2: Scarf Shop Giant Cotton Scarf — $49.98

Scarf Shop Cotton Scarf

A refined, wearable and stylish cotton scarf for the holiday season.

So, us guys value stylish, functional winter accessories — and it stands to reason that the ladies in your life do, as well. This cotton scarf certainly isn’t built for taking on a snowstorm, but it’s a neat, textured cotton piece that you might call an “indoor scarf” — ideal for layering with a sweater or cardigan in front of the fire or at a New Year’s Eve party. And if you’ve got someone in mind who likes that type of thing, I’d suggest you pick up the Scarf Shop Giant Cotton Scarf.

Home and Bath Goods: Herbivore Spa Day Beauty Set — $79.98

Herbivore Spa Day Set

A refreshing, responsibly made and affordable spa set for her.

Who knew that Huckberry offered spa products? Certainly not this guy. But if your wife or girlfriend wants a nice way to relax — at an affordable price point for you — then the Spa Day Beauty Set is just what you need to purchase this holiday season. It features calming bath salts, an exfoliating rose body polish and jasmine body oil for a complete package made with premium ingredients and care. The Spa Day Beauty Set  is also all-natural and non-toxic — it’s a winning situation all around.

Frank & Oak
Now, I suppose that’s that. Hopefully, the above picks represent a broad spectrum of gift-giving selections for all the fine women in your life. If you’ve got a gift you want to run by a trusted fellow style fan, I’m the man to see. From the fashionista to someone who loves to entertain, stylish, premium gifts like leather Oxfords or a set of unique tumbler glasses fit the bill perfectly. Of course, the above gifts are just a smattering of the gifts you could buy — and supplementing a style-minded gift with something more personal (a new book or tickets to a favorite play, perhaps?) are always great to keep in mind. With that being said, let me know how your holiday shopping is going — and keep an eye out for our Friday Read and Style Pick of the Week entries later this week.

Happy shopping, and stay stylish!

-Beau

by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Wear a Bomber Jacket This Season

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

Ahh, yes. The classic bomber jacket. A men’s style staple that’s experienced a huge resurgence in recent years, in part thanks to certain, ahem, celebrities (Mr. Kanye West among them). But how do you take a style that’s seen on the runways and boil it down to an essential, easily wearable outfit? A solid menswear #OOTD, if you will? That’s why we’re here today at The Style Guide, and after you read the below, your questions will all be answered (hopefully). The key with looking at a major trend sometimes isn’t too follow it exactly — that is to say, you can buy that Alpha Industries bomber jacket, but maybe (no, definitely) switch it up from how Yeezy wears it. In this case, we’re working with a different bomber jacket entirely, and classic style staples like a slim chambray shirt and … well, we’ll leave that to the imagination for now. Have thoughts or suggestions on how you would style your bomber jacket? Leave a comment below or join the (very fun!) conversation on Twitter.

Slick, sharp and casual -- just the right way to wear a bomber this fall.

Slick, sharp and casual — just the right way to wear a bomber this fall.

The Bomber Jacket: Bridge & Burn Northrup Olive Jacket, $218 — See, I said we were using a different bomber jacket entirely — right? The olive color is neutral and yet still a change of pace from navy or that military green typically seen on bomber jackets, and the front snap hip pockets and stand-up collar are neat design touches, too.

The Chambray Shirt: JackThreads Chambray Workshirt, $49 — The great thing about starting an outfit with a neutral bomber jacket is that any classic chambray shirt in your arsenal would work — yet this neat patterned workshirt offers a heftier weight for fall, plus a pattern that’s just different enough.

The Denim: Mott & Bow Slim Morton Denim, $128 — You (probably) should recognize the Mott & Bow Slim Morton as a recent Style Pick of the Week entry, and it’s a good pick here because of the super-comfortable four-way stretch and dark black color in a no-fade rinse.

The Sneakers: UGG Kramer Sneakers, $120 — Your humble author discovered the comfort and style of UGG men’s sneakers during a summer trip to Michigan, and the Kramer falls right in line with those same qualities. Surprised? Don’t be — these are a reliable, stylish high-top sneaker pick for the season ahead.

The Socks: ICNY Half-Calf Gradient Socks, $13.98 — Sometimes, you just need simple, straightforward socks that offer neutral color, comfort and performance. You get all that with this pair for a pretty decent price, and the fact that the fine folks at Huckberry sell ’em is a positive.

The Watch: MVMT Watches The 40 in Rose Gold/Natural Leather, $120 — Since when can you get a crisp, versatile watch fit for both casual and dress situation? At a low price, to boot? Since MVMT Watches started making ’em, that’s when. The case diameter is just right, and the look is crisp and clean for just over $100.

The Belt: Tanner Goods Classic Belt in Hickory, $99.98 — Looking for an investment-worthy belt that’ll break in beautifully and offer a rich accent to dressy and casual outfits? Here it is.

The Everyday Carry: Bull & Stash The Stash Notebook (5.5″ x 9″), $50 — $50? For a notebook? Bear with me. Bull & Stash Notebooks support American-made production and top-notch quality, and they’re refillable — just swap out the paper when you’re done (save those memories though).

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

If the below #OOTD feels a bit too casual for you with those sneakers, swap them out for a pair of stylish men’s dress shoes (casual wingtips are a nice way to go), or heck, keep the sneakers and add a navy knit tie to wear this to the office. This sort of casual yet put-together look might be best for a  weekend coffee run or, dare I say it … Sunday brunch. And since it’s a midweight approach to wearing a bomber jacket — note the lack of a heavy hoodie, a la Kanye — it should work in the early fall or spring in the right conditions. For a bomber jacket that’s certainly an investment, it’s a positive that it can be worn multiple ways. For a look at how yours truly styles spring and fall outerwear for similar situations, head over to Instagram — maybe? Please?

‘Til the next #OOTD,

-Beau

by Beau H.

#OOTD: How to Dress for A Rock Concert

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

Chances are, we’ve all got certain style scenarios throughout the week we have to tackle — be it dressing for a laidback office or a laidback summer weekend, there’s a multitude of conundrums (and opportunities!) to navigate in any given week. If you enjoy live music — as I very much do — you might also find yourself attending a show or two … or three. Heck, from the 2016 Panorama music festival to Governors Ball to an upstate trip to see Lucius, I love it all, and I get out and about to shows quite a bit. If you read this blog, you certainly know that; maybe you’ve even tackled a similar scenario, such as how to dress for a summer music festival. However, non-festival settings are a different animal entirely. We’re usually talking an indoor venue, a more compact crowd, and possibly time spent waiting in line outside. So, what are you going to wear? And namely, what’s a combination that might hold up alright at the office and then heading to the show itself? This is one of the essential questions in life (wink, wink) and it’s the one we’re going to answer below. As yours truly likes to drive home, looking for ways to improve — and maintain — your style comes down to always seizing the chance to do a little bit extra when it comes to getting dressed. That’s where style upgrades come into play, even off the clock. The below outfit certainly has a few of those. If you want to keep up with what I’m wearing at my next show (obviously), head to Instagram. To check out my thoughts on music & other musings, check out my non-menswear Twitter — it exists! — right here.

Ready for the front row -- a chambray shirt, slim black denim and Chelsea boots are about as concert-ready as it gets.

Ready for the front row — a chambray shirt, slim black denim and Chelsea boots are about as concert-ready as it gets.

The Jacket: Abercrombie & Fitch M-65 Military Jacket, $150 –The (somewhat) new and very improved Abercrombie & Fitch is keeping that roll going into the fall season with pieces like this timeless, sharp and versatile field jacket. It works just as well over a knit tie with a blue Oxford as it does with this outfit’s other pieces.

The Shirt: Buck Mason Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt, $108 — If you’ve kept your eyes peeled, you’ve seen this Buck Mason short-sleeve chambray shirt as part of this site’s Style Pick of the Week series. It’s an essential done the right way, and the short sleeves will keep you cooler even underneath the jacket.

The Denim: Levi’s 505C Slim-Fit Jeans in DeeDee Wash, $98 — Is it cliché to wear black jeans to a rock concert? Not when that pair of denim is inspired by an actual archival style worn by rockers like the Ramones. (Read more by yours truly at The Manual).

The Boots: Soul36 Fairmont Chelsea Boots in Taupe, $249 — Because no trip to a concert is complete with rock-ready footwear, suede Chelsea boots that can handle a bit of a beating are the exact way to go.

The Socks: Pair of Thieves Okapi Socks, $10  — When your outfit relies on lots of shades of blue (plus some black and tan), a vibrant shot of red is never a bad thing. The price on these Pair of Thieves socks simply can’t be beat.

The Belt: Tanner Goods Classic Belt in Hickory, $99.98 — An average belt just won’t do here — no, your belt should be one that works at the office and at a show, and a refined-yet-rugged Tanner Goods belt is neither too dressy or dressed-down.
Frank & Oak
The Watch: AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Watch, $270 — Seeing as we’re pushing for an outfit that’s equal parts rugged, tough and office-ready, this aviation-inspired timepiece — featuring a beefy 45mm case diameter and smart dial design — is ideal.

The Wallet: Andar Wallets Scout Wallet, $22 — Before we get into what makes this wallet so great, know that you can get 10 percent off your purchase with the code ‘STYLEGUIDE’ — now, why should do that? This wallet is slim enough to fit into the front pocket of that denim, functional enough to hold a small amount of cash and a few essential cards, and memorable enough in design that you won’t leave it behind at the bar.

As you can see in the #OOTD above, the small style details matter, from the cut of your shirt to the color of your socks — and they can be merged into one functional outfit that’s fit for something as unique as a rock concert. Those suede Chelsea boots that you might pair with a business-casual look will fit right in as you jockey for a front-row spot (or a spot at the bar). Pieces like a navy military jacket and a chambray shirt are multi-season essentials that work particularly well for transitioning from location to location — indoors or outdoors. The military jacket is rugged yet sharp when paired up with that crisp blue short-sleeve chambray shirt. And while black denim might feel a touch rebellious, a clean wash in a dark color is certainly as concert-ready  as durable pair of inky blue denim. Lastly, that durable watch and slim wallet are nice additions to your daily haul any day of the week. If you have suggestions or thoughts on what you’re wearing to your next show, write me a note on Twitter (my #menswear one, if you prefer).

Stay stylish and snap a concert video for me,

-Beau