The Friday Read: Huckberry’s Summer Style Essentials, Future Islands & Omega x SWATCH

When a summer weekend approaches, one that rings in the very first *official* weekend of summer, no less, I know where I head for the best summer style essentials — and perhaps you do, too. From ripstop shorts to rugged T-shirts, from super-soft polos to linen trousers, from leather loafers to hard-wearing canvas sneakers, the place to go — in case you needed a reminder — is Huckberry.

I’ve found that it truly is a one-stop shop in my experience, with the goods and gear to get you from point A to point B in style. And that’s just a fact (not a sponsored post). They’re a brand I’ve trusted myself for years, and as a heat wave rolls into town, there’s never been a better time to stock up on some of the best menswear around — at least, that’s my personal opinion.

Huckberry gear is never far out of my rotation, be a hike out to Brooklyn’s Marine Park (as you might have seen on my Instagram) or a truly stunning show by one of my favorite bands, Future Islands.

The Baltimore synth pop heroes — a group I’ve covered via my freelance music writing pursuits at Atwood Magazine — recently put out a career-best album, People Who Aren’t There Anymore, and the show delivered electric emotion and passion in every respect.

Of course, I had to wear some stylish Flint and Tinder jeans and my trusty Huckberry chukka boots for the occasion — keeping up with the energetic moves of frontman Sam Herring (alongside my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary!) is no easy feat!

The evening proved everything I expected and hoped for, and then some — that’s the way it seems to go with Future Islands shows, as I’ve found over the years. And it was a perfect intersection of style, music, passion and ambition — Radio City Music Hall is famous for that, or so it would seem.

And on that note, Future Islands will be in heavy rotation as I groove my way through a Brooklyn weekend. On tap? Cold beer, time spent at Coney Island and some of the best summer gear from my pals at Huckberry. To sort out your own weekend, here are a few choice reading and style picks. Get out there and get after it, my friends!

Omega x SWATCH 2024 release.
  • Let’s talk about the best watches for a moment, shall we? And let’s talk about a buzzed-about watch collaboration bringing an iconic timepiece to the masses: The ongoing Omega x SWATCH series of timepieces, which takes classics like the famed Omega “MoonWatch” and puts a SWATCH spin on it. The latest trio of timepieces debuted in select SWATCH stores across the country earlier this week, and I covered Omega x SWATCH over at Maxim. Good luck tracking one down, my friends.
  • Now, let’s talk summer travel. You’ve hopefully got a rugged, stylish weekender bag lined up for getaways aplenty, but what about a smaller carry-on or addition to your everyday carry essentials the rest of the time back home? That’s where this Satchel & Page waxed brief comes into play, as I covered yesterday on the blog. Cheers to hitting the road this season, folks.
  • Here’s one more style hit for your weekend: The right chore coat can function as both a durable workwear piece and a stylish replacement for a blazer — not to mention a hard-working travel jacket on top of all that. I wrote about a handsome Taylor Stitch chore coat earlier this week on the blog, so do yourself a favor and circle back if you haven’t scored one for yourself.

And without further ado, that’ll bring the curtain down, Radio City-style, on another edition of what you need to know, wear and shop this weekend. Thanks for following along here at The Style Guide — we’ll have two weekend menswear posts headed your way in short order (tomorrow and Sunday!), so clock in accordingly (before you clock out, that is). Cheers and we’ll see you out there, my friends!

See Now, Buy Now: This Taylor Stitch Linen Jacket is Perfect for Summer Travel

Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket review.

When a modern “classic” gets a revamp in a summer-friendly fabrication, it’s worth taking another look — another very close look at one of the best summer jackets for men, that is. And that’s what the newest edition of the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket brings to the table, and this time, it’s even better than before.

The rugged-meets-refined, versatile chore coat is already one of the best jackets for summer nights, and there are previous iterations that turn the chore coat style into a warm-weather classic. This new take ups the ante even further, and the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe gets the details right in every way possible.

Just like a Taylor Stitch organic cotton polo or one its durable-yet-soft T-shirts, it all starts with premium fabric, the kind that can go just about anywhere in this ever-versatile, hybrid-style silhouette. The Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe has classic chore coat detailing throughout, with two lower hip patch pockets and a chest pocket — complete with a pen slot, naturally.

Taylor Stitch bar-tacked these patch pockets for durability at stress points, giving the jacket a rugged appeal. Helpfully, in my experience, the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe is a jacket that can stand up to light workwear situations and a day’s worth of travel as easily as it can pass as a stylish blazer replacement (when it comes to workwear, think more of the drafting table than the yard or a job site, of course).

Crucially, the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe also gets the details right in terms of looks — the chili linen stripe color is a nice change of pace in terms of summer fabric.

The linen-cotton fabric blend should also prove hardy enough for cool summer nights, yet breathable enough when layered over Taylor Stitch men’s shirts, polos and even a rugged henley for a mix of high-low style. That high-low style extends to its wearability with everything from the best light wash denim to Taylor Stitch linen trousers, too.

Is the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket in Chili Linen Stripe a true do-it-all jacket? Very nearly, and that’s what counts this summer.

See Now, Buy Now: This Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Polo is a Surefire Daily Style Winner

Best summer polos for men.

It seems that lately here on the blog, the best polos for men have been a prime topic of conversation. In my experience, that’s as it should be: When done the right way, as with the Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Polo at the top of the page, the style is a timeless classic.

We’re talking a stylish polo for men that’s more elevated than a T-shirt, more breezy than even one of the best Oxford shirts, and wearable with everything from the best linen pants to chino shorts (at least, in my experience). And the Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Polo fits the bill quite nicely, seeing as it’s made from a brand obsessed with putting a modern, well-fitting and distinctive spin on throwback staples.

It helps that this polo shirt is also updated with eco-friendly organic cotton, and the laundry list of features carries on from there. The Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Polo is also available in a Bleached Natural Stripe option, plus a deep Indigo Stripe, but the Washed Indigo iteration is my personal favorite.

That color gives it wearability with everything from dark tan chinos to light grey linen trousers and even navy dress pants (don’t forget sleek leather loafers).

And as with other Taylor Stitch men’s shirts, the Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Polo comes in the brand’s excellent chest sizing options — a tailored fit that’s not too tight, and is often flattering (especially on my 6’2″ frame, the 44″ chest size works particularly well).

The two-button placket is more relaxed than somewhat dressier polos, but with the Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Polo, it’s as if the brand has simply upgraded your favorite T-shirt in a more polished way. When casual-yet-elevated style scenarios come calling, reach for the breezy, well-made Taylor Stitch Organic Cotton Polo — it’s a new daily summer staple, my friends.

Style Pick of the Week: Taylor Stitch Jack Shirt in Indigo Oxford – A New Twist on a Classic Men’s Shirt

Taylor Stitch Jack Shirt review.

The adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” sometimes doesn’t apply to menswear classics. Or rather, it can be turned on its head every now and again, especially if it’s one of the best online menswear brands — that’d be Taylor Stitch — doing the updating of a tried-and-true favorite. In this case, that favorite is the classic Oxford shirt, and the Taylor Stitch Jack Oxford Shirt is a signature attempt at revamping a timeless style.

Editor’s note: Thank you to Taylor Stitch for providing a new Taylor Stitch Jack Oxford Shirt for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands that support The Style Guide!

Taylor Stitch, after all, set out to make one of the best men’s shirts on the market well over a decade ago, refining its first shirts in a garage before gradually ramping up production and becoming a true, do-it-all menswear brand.

Best Oxford shirt for men.

And the great news? They’ve still hit the mark in terms of making some of the best men’s shirts even as the brand has grown, using high-quality materials (in this case, a just-right, 6.5oz. organic cotton) and premium touches like tailored, nicely fitting chest sizing.

In my experience, the rich Indigo color shown here — my selection for this men’s shirting review, if you happen to follow me on Instagram — is a knockout, with a deep blue color and a soft, garment-washed fabric for plenty of comfort.

In my experience, Taylor Stitch men’s shirts simply hit the mark, no matter what you’re asking of them. I’ve worn my Taylor Stitch Jack Shirt in Indigo Oxford with dark brown chinos, with contrasting black selvedge denim and with grey jeans — tucked in beneath a cotton blazer or untucked for casually cool style. I’ve found that the Taylor Stitch Jack Shirt fits supremely well, with a length that hits just right tucked in or even untucked.

Quality craftsmanship, including reinforced buttons and soft-yet-durable fabrics, also help make this stylish Oxford shirt a daily workhorse in my wardrobe. And that’s the other thing: My Taylor Stitch review found that the Jack Shirt’s variety and versatility is nearly unmatched.

It comes in a range of colors and fabrications based on the season, this year’s offering included. You’d do very well indeed to pick up what could quickly become your new favorite shirt — take it from me, because in this instance, Taylor Stitch did a stellar job of updating a classic.

The Thursday Buy: The Taylor Stitch Easy Pants are Your Perfect Pants for Spring & Summer

Best lightweight pants for men.

Staying stylish in the spring and summer months, the high heat of the season, doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or taxing. And when you find warm-weather menswear essentials that help you bridge the gap between comfort and style, all the while staying cool as can be, that’s what I like to call the sweet spot.

So it goes with Taylor Stitch, a brand that delivers refined, polished essentials with easygoing appeal all the same. And in my experience, the Taylor Stitch Easy Pants embody that mindset perfectly — your new favorite pants are here just in time for spring and summer, and it only gets better from there.

Made from a 5.5oz. 100 percent linen build, they embody the classic, breezy fit of lounge pants or straight-leg chinos. But here’s the kicker: They use supremely comfortable details like an internal drawcord waist for added comfort, all the while topping the waistband off with belt loops (if you feel so inclined).

Taylor Stitch Easy Pants.

And naturally, some of the best lightweight pants for summer get the all-important details like fit absolutely correct. The Taylor Stitch Easy Pants feature a classic mid-rise and a tailored fit with a slight taper down to the ankle.

In my experience, this design is the sort of reliable fit that looks as polished with your favorite chukka boots as it does with some of the best loafers for summer. They’re also a touch more refined than some other more rugged Taylor Stitch menswear pieces, like a canvas shirt jacket or a garment-dyed hoodie.

That gives them versatility as well as a dash of refinement, in my opinion. In my experience, you can throw on your new favorite linen pants (available in two dusty, versatile colors) with everything from a knit polo and those trusty loafers to a pocket tee and canvas sneakers.

When breezy, comfortable and casually cool style is the name of the game, the Taylor Stitch Easy Pants heed the call, and then some. Don’t let them pass you by as you build out your rotation of the best menswear essentials.

See Now, Buy Now: The Taylor Stitch Apres Hoodie Is Your New Favorite Spring Hoodie

Best hooded sweatshirt for men.

In my experience, the deeper you get into the menswear game, the more you appreciate the finer things — like the fact that sometimes, a hooded sweatshirt can be more than just, well, a casual hoodie for men.

Not only that, but this crucial, sporty layering piece can evolve into one of the best hoodies for men, particularly when done the right way by the right brand. In this instance, that brand is Taylor Stitch, and the hoodie in question is the Taylor Stitch Apres Hoodie. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

The Taylor Stitch Apres line of casual menswear is easygoing enough to rock as loungewear at home or on a spring upstate retreat, boasting tailored (yet elastic waistband) shorts and super-soft lounge pants. Oh, and yes, this stylish men’s hoodie. It’s made from a sturdy yet supple 14oz. organic cotton, perfect for throwing on over a T-shirt when it’s just a bit to breezy for a solo tee alongside your Apres Shorts.

Heavyweight ribbing at key points, like the cuffs and bottom hem, gives this stylish hoodie a more rugged nature, making it ideal for beach bonfires and even as a layer beneath a trucker jacket on day hikes (or brewery visits). Yes indeed, the Taylor Stitch Apres Hoodie only gets better with each wear, thanks to the bleach-washed vintage finish, too.

And the Taylor Stitch Apres Hoodie also features a lay-flat three-piece hood, a helpful detail that gives this hoodie a surprisingly clean look. One of your favorite menswear brands has certainly considered every detail, even with this casually cool piece, and that alone makes the Taylor Stitch Apres Hoodie worth adding to your easygoing style rotation this spring.

The Friday Read: The Best Spring Sneaker Boots, New Spring Style from Taylor Stitch & New 1800 Tequila

Taylor Stitch spring menswear 2024.

As we close out another early spring week, I’d say it’s high time to take stock of the spring style essentials you’ve got close at hand, as we so often cover here at The Style Guide.

Perhaps those spring style essentials include a hearty dose of Taylor Stitch menswear, as shown above — be it expertly crafted chambray shirting, durable denim, sturdy-but-soft T-shirts or spring-ready canvas and waxed canvas outerwear.

They’re certainly a brand I’ll be turning to time and again this season, as you no doubt know if you’ve read the blog on the regular as of late. What’s your go-to move when it comes to Taylor Stitch menswear? I find the brand as versatile and functional as it gets, especially pieces like the Taylor Stitch Shop Shirt, and that goes for everything from Brooklyn rock concerts (one of which I’ll be attending this weekend!) to brewery beers and park strolls.

For your own weekend style pursuits, here are a few handy tips and tricks to take in, from a stellar new tequila to stylish new menswear. See You Out There, folks.

1800 Tequila
  • Here’s one to really whet your whistle this weekend. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I also get the opportunity to cover the world’s best spirits (what a job!) as part of my many freelance writing pursuits. Those pursuits took me to lovely Tequila and Guadalajra last month, specifically with 1800 Tequila to sample a stellar new 1800 Tequila expression inspired by a Mexican historical heritage site. What a trip indeed! You can read more about the trip, and learn all about one of the best new tequilas on the market, over at Maxim.com.
  • Let’s step back into matters of spring style, shall we? In this case, quite literally — I tend to favor durable boots and high-top sneakers in my daily style rotation, but getting the best of both worlds is now easier than ever. That’s because dependable sneaker boots are now the name of the game for many top footwear retailers, including SeaVees as shown above. And accordingly, I covered the best sneakerboots for men for my friends at WERD. Lace ’em up and let’s get after it folks.
  • And now, we’ll keep it casual to close out my weekly rundown. The versatility and classic looks of one of the best T-shirts for men are nearly unbeatable, especially as you shed some outer layers on breezy spring days. And with that being said, the good folks at Huckberry and Flint and Tinder are now making one of the best American-made T-shirts on the market, as I covered yesterday on the blog. Give it a read here, then shop and stock up.

On this fine spring Friday in Brooklyn, that’ll close the curtain on today’s overview of top-notch spring shopping, excellent tequila for your bar cart and of course, Taylor Stitch menswear. It all goes hand-in-hand when you really think about it, and that’s what we’re all about here at The Style Guide. As always: Thanks so much for reading, stay stylish and keep it tuned here for two must-have weekend style picks. Cheers, my friends!

See Now, Buy Now: The Taylor Stitch Shop Shirt is One of the Best Shirt Jackets for Spring

Best spring shirt jackets for men.

Trust me when I say that if you read the blog, you know this well: Spring is no time to skimp on proper layers, especially spring style essentials like one of the best shirt jackets. Blustery weather, breezy mornings, unexpectedly chilly nights and days on the road (or nights at your favorite bar) all call for pieces with rugged appeal, utility and yes, style points.

And of course, your good friends (and mine) at Taylor Stitch have the right tools for the job — quite literally in this case when it comes to the Taylor Stitch Shop Shirt.

You’ll find it among the San Francisco retailer’s expertly curated rotation of spring offerings, which includes pieces like one of the best denim jackets and perfectly cut shirting as well as faded denim and dependable boots. And luckily for both of us, the Taylor Stitch Shop Shirt fuses the best qualities of each of those pieces, blending utility, effortless cool and reliability in one of the best men’s shirt jackets.

The impossibly rugged, hard-wearing Taylor Stitch Shop Shirt starts, of course, with a hefty 12.5oz. 100 percent organic cotton build that’s also stone-washed, giving it a supple quality right out of the box. Yet, it’s still plenty burly to wear over a Taylor Stitch T-shirt or henley without feeling the impact of a chillier-than-average spring day.

Oversized front patch pockets give your new favorite shirt jacket plenty of space for your everyday carry, while the double panel front yoke detailing adds durability, reinforcement and a touch of design intrigue — your average canvas workshirt, this is not.

And in the way of style points: The handsome Taylor Stitch Shop Shirt is available in a washed selvage denim as well as a workwear-inspired Gravel shade of grey, but the Chipped Navy color is perhaps most versatile with everything from olive canvas pants to tobacco-hued chinos.

With a flat hem, it also wears reliably like both a shirt and a jacket, making it the perfect travel or workwear layer in equal measure. When you need one of the toughest yet most stylish shirt jackets on the market, the Taylor Stitch Shop Shirt delivers. Add it to your cart today.

The Tuesday Steal: The Taylor Stitch Fremont Jacket Is 30 Percent Off Right Now

Best denim jacket for men.

Outfitting your next #OOTD the proper way, with stylish, durable gear that fits the situation appropriately (be it the office, date night, a day on the road or a night at the bar) has never been easier — seemingly, at least, with the Taylor Stitch Last Call section. It’s a place packed with hidden gems from the San Francisco retailer, the kind that add character to any wardrobe — like the Taylor Stitch Fremont Jacket, for instance.

I’ve had the chance to try this jacket out over these past several months, and it’s a bold update of the classic denim jacket, done in all the right ways. Helpfully, it’s 30 percent off via the Taylor Stitch Last Call section, which is the sort of deal I approve of as we inch ever closer to transitional jacket weather.

And the great thing about the Taylor Stitch Fremont Jacket is that, like the pleasing vintage look and feel of the Taylor Stitch Ledge Shirt, for example, it’s got just enough updates to the traditional denim jacket to make it an ideal change of pace in your wardrobe.

Best chore jacket for men to buy now.

For instance. the Taylor Stitch Fremont Jacket updates the chore jacket silhouette with a fold-over collar, a button-front and a hip-length cut, while its sturdy organic cotton build uses handsome selvage for a high-quality feel. Plus, the Taylor Stitch Fremont Jacket boasts a button chest pocket, plus top and side-entry pockets for your everyday carry (and an interior media pocket).

Taylor Stitch Fremont Jacket review.

These pockets are also roomier than those of a traditional denim jacket, a nice touch for the modern man on the go. The washed fabric is supple and sturdy, and the Taylor Stitch Fremont Jacket has a nice, vintage-style look and feel to it. Oh, and again, your new favorite denim jacket is now 30 percent off via Taylor Stitch, so do yourself a favor and shop it accordingly as we move slowly towards spring. Good luck out there, my friends.

See Now, Buy Now: The Taylor Stitch Ledge Shirt is a Modern Menswear Classic

Taylor Stitch Ledge Shirt

I’m not sure about you, but when I find a menswear essential I love, I tend to stick with it and find it in as many variations as possible. That goes for staple pieces like the best men’s chinos or one of my favorite henleys, and it’s especially the case with one of the best flannel shirts on the market.

And when it comes to today’s post, that flannel shirt is the Taylor Stitch Ledge Shirt. It’s an everyday workhorse that cements the San Francisco brand as one of the best menswear brands to shop now, and it’s not hard to see why.

Taylor Stitch men's shirts.

Perhaps you’ve tried other crisply designed Taylor Stitch men’s shirts like the California Shirt, which nails the proper details in terms of a modern Oxford shirt. The Ledge Shirt, on the other hand, has a touch more rugged appeal with the same classic Taylor Stitch attention to detail.

That means they’ve used a super-soft washed 8oz. organic cotton for comfort right out of the box, then done up the Taylor Stitch Ledge Shirt in a variety of rich, seasonal colors (like the Tarnished Brass Plaid option).

Then, the Taylor Stitch Ledge Shirt is finished with dark horn buttons and classic workwear chest flap pockets. That means, at least in my experience, that you can wear this handsome flannel shirt on its own or as an overshirt over a rugged henley or thermal shirt.

Either way, it’s going to add a sense of timeless appeal to any look, especially when paired with blue jeans and your favorite pair of leather boots. Plus, it’s easy to shop in the brand’s signature chest sizing options. All the proper boxes are checked with this shirt, and that’s a great thing to have in your closet.