Tag / the friday find

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Bather Is Making Some Of the Best Swim Trunks for Men This Summer

Oftentimes, the best preparation ahead of a beach getaway starts with the basics — you can worry about the ice-cold beach beer you’re loading your cooler up with later, but you’re going to need a pair of the best swim trunks for men well ahead of time, and you’re going to need to know where to go to get said pair.

Perhaps in recent weeks and months, you’ve heard plenty of buzz about Canadian swimwear maestros Bather, which have received praise from the likes of GQ for keeping things minimal yet stylish, with quality and performance top of mind. That means pieces like the Bather Classic Swim Trunks might appear straightforward on the surface, yet they pack a punch as far as utility and plentiful style options are concerned (just check out row after row of swim trunks and board shorts in every color of the rainbow on the brand’s well-appointed site).

Learn more now at Bather

The key with selections like the Bather Classic Swim Trunks is the use of materials like quick-drying polyester, plus a stretch mesh liner that boasts a difference you can feel, at least in my experience wearing the lauded Canadian swimwear brand (and yes, I did indeed try the Bather Classic Swim Trunks in a versatile Solid Navy.

Bather men's swim trunks review.

What more can a guy ask for out of summer swim trunks than a quick-drying pair in an easily wearable design (the Modern lineup features a 4.5-inch inseam, while the Bather Classic Swim Trunks feature a 5.5-inch inseam, for the record).

And while it might seem a bit counterintuitive for a swimwear company to hail from the Great White North, the company also doubles down by manufacturing locally, then testing its product across the globe while offering a limited run of artistic collaborations alongside its lineup of crisp, solid-colored trunks and breezy, beach-friendly patterns.

These swim trunks might seem like a bit of an investment compared to a pair you can score at a local beach boardwalk shop, but that’s the thing about preparation: It pays off when it comes to the best men’s swim trunks well ahead of time.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: J. Press Is Making Some of the Most Classic Menswear on the Market, These Chinos Included

J. Press men's pants review.

When you really get down to brass tacks, there are actually some brands featured in our Friday Find series that don’t necessarily need that much of an introduction at all.

That certainly holds true on this fine Friday when it comes to the menswear masters at J. Press — and if you’re not quite acquainted with the century-plus-old company, that’s about to change.

You see, the good folks at J. Press pioneered iconic Ivy League style across the past century, dating back to the company’s 1902 founding at Yale (yes, Yale). Nowadays, the brand still sticks to its guns in terms of utterly iconic prep style, from the classic chino to the crisp Oxford shirt and the instantly recognizable gold-button navy blazer.

What else has J. Press been up to lately, besides consistently delivering some of the best Oxford shirts and reliable business casual, prep style staples? Let’s find out, shall we?

Learn more and shop menswear essentials at J. Press

You see, J. Press collaborations are equally impressive, including partnerships with everyone from Only NY and Oxford Pennant to Faribault Woolen Mills. But to dip your toes into the world of reliable everyday style, you might find yourself wanting to start things out simply and with versatile fashion top of mind — the J. Press Made In The USA Ivy Chinos (crafted from an easy-to-style Khaki Twill) just might be what the doctor ordered.

The chino pant is just about as classic as it gets, a step up in formality from dark blue jeans and a more sporty, leisurely yet still polished offering compared to suit trousers.

With heritage roots as a hard-wearing army pant, the twill chino has more than earned its stripes, and the domestically crafted nature of the J. Press Made In The USA Ivy Chinos is another winner in my book.

Made from unwashed cotton twill and featuring a trim fit and a crisply cut flat front, the J. Press Made In The USA Ivy Chinos arrive with unfinished bottoms, it’s worth noting — that way, a trusted tailor can hem them to your liking.

It’s but a small price to pay for some of the most classic men’s chinos on the market — the J. Press Made In The USA Ivy Chinos wear easily with knit polos, Oxford shirting and perhaps even a henley and a shawl cardigan in the colder months. With the handsome J. Press Made In The USA Ivy Chinos, you’re stepping into an utterly classic pair of pants this season, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Bolster Your Off-Duty Wardrobe With these Made-In-Canada T-shirts from Menswear Masters Gustin

Perhaps it’s the humid summer weather, but if golf is top of mind for you, then you could think of certain brands like a straight shot right down the fairway: Reliable, pleasing, easier said than done, but just satisfying when it happens. And while Gustin isn’t a golf brand — rather, the West Coast brand focuses on some of the finest denim and menswear basics, much of it made in America — there’s something to be said for reliability in design, fabrication and execution.

Learn more now and shop new summer menswear at Gustin

Even the most simple of items in your wardrobe can deliver a difference you can see and feel when worn, particularly in the hot summer months — the humble T-shirt is one such item we tend to talk about frequently on this Brooklyn style blog as far as being a difference maker in quality craftsmanship, and that’s yet another area where Gustin excels in its bag of men’s style tricks, so to speak.

Yes indeed, even the most straightforward, like a classic tee, quickly becomes one of the best men’s T-shirts, as you very well might know if you’ve read this blog and if you’ve tried out wares from Gustin in the past.

Best summer T-shirts for men.

This brings us to the thoughtfully crafted and carefully textured Gustin Rainbow Nep T-shirt, now available in a clever two-pack and serving as a pleasing change of stylistic pace from more standard (yet no less essential) men’s T-shirts in solid colors. The Gustin Rainbow Nep T-shirt features any-season, garment-dyed 6oz. 100 percent cotton with a colorful nepped texture, not to mention made-in-Canada construction (top-notch basics brands like Reigning Champ also make their tees and more in the Great White North).

Best T-shirts for men.

The Gustin Rainbow Nep T-shirt in either color boasts durable details like a taped shoulder finish and double stitch binding, while double-needle hems finish off the sleeves with reliable, long-lasting construction in mind.

Of course, those design details make the Gustin Rainbow Nep T-shirt more of an investment at $89 per two-pack, but that’s still at least about a 25 percent markdown compared to similar brands. How’s that for a heck of a deal on some of the best men’s T-shirts? That’s what we’re all about in our Friday Find series, my friends — cheers to a late spring weekend!

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: The Best Made Co. Possibilities Jacket Might Just Become Your New Favorite Jacket In Any Season

You might often find that they don’t make ’em quite like they used to – the best menswear, that is, and one of the best blazers for men, however, defy convention in the best way possible. When done the right way, these classics can become a daily style essential, especially a well-cut navy blazer like the one shown above.

And that certainly holds true, in a literal and physical sense, with Best Made Co., the newly resurgent menswear brand first founded in the mid-aughts and now roaring back in stylish, American-made fashion. Yes indeed, the Best Made Co. Possibilities Jacket presents endless style potential in every way, shape and form, and as Best Made Co. tells it, this piece is “an unstructured, lightweight layer that’s as at home in the bottom of a duffel as it is around the boardroom table.”

The end result is both a cotton and nylon Cordura jacket with breezy structure, durability and as much versatility as any jacket in your rotation, whether worn with dark blue jeans, tobacco-hued stretch chinos or even lightweight olive linen trousers. In fact, you might even say that the Best Made Co. Possibilities Jacket lives up to its name, with cut-and-sew construction done in New York City for good measure.

The Best Made Co. Possibilities Jacket also boasts carefully considered details like a locker loop, patch pockets and a classic vented back, plus corozo buttons and a stitched, reinforced back collar — just when you thought they don’t quite make ’em like they used to, I’d wager that the Best Made Co. Possibilities Jacket turns that notion on its head with a dash of style, rugged appeal and endless wearability. And for good measure, it also comes in a timeless Khaki color for spring and summer-friendly style — as if the Best Made Co. Possibilities Jacket wasn’t already appealing enough, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: This Hiroshi Kato Plaid Shirt is A Vintage-Inspired Wardrobe Addition for Any Season

There are certain standards and certain menswear essentials I tend to reach for in my own wardrobe consistently, almost regardless of season. Perhaps you feel the same way — take the richly crafted appeal of the timeless plaid buttondown shirt.

While perfectly well-suited for fall and winter, one of the best plaid shirts for men can take on spring and summer-friendly character all its own when made by an under-the-radar brand you should know. All the better if that brand, like Hiroshi Kato, takes exceptional care in every stitch to produce some of the best USA-made jeans in a wide range of fits and washes — not to mention expertly crafted complementary pieces like the Hiroshi Kato Brace Vintage Nep Plaid Shirt.

Shop your new favorite men’s jeans, shirts and more at Hiroshi Kato

Part of about a handful of different long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirting varieties produced by the made-in-America brand loved by denim obsessives for crafting excellent Japanese denim, the Hiroshi Kato Brace Vintage Nep Plaid Shirt doesn’t cut any corners in matters of production, fabrication, quality or material, as I’ve found out wearing one of my new favorite shirts over these past few weeks.

With the handsome Hiroshi Kato Brace Vintage Nep Plaid Shirt, the difference is truly one you can feel in every stitch and fiber of the 100 percent cotton  Japanese brushed plaid flannel fabric, one finished with triple-stitched shoulders for hard-wearing durability.

Cat eye buttons and an ultra-authentic chain stitch side seam run-off deliver the utmost in genuine construction and eye-catching good looks through the smallest details — as all stylish men’s shirts tend to offer, the Hiroshi Kato Brace Vintage Nep Plaid Shirt very much included.

Find out more and add this shirt to your rotation at Hiroshi Kato

It comes in two rich colors that swerve from typical plaid patterns (my favorite is the indigo-leaning Daydream Blue), while the weight is plenty comfortable enough to wear on its own or over a pocket tee on breezy days (for more brisk temperatures, a waxed jacket or a lightweight cotton sweater should prove a worthy top layer).

With standout construction you can feel every time you wear this versatile plaid shirt, there are differences aplenty around every corner when it comes to the Hiroshi Kato Brace Vintage Nep Plaid Shirt — your spring wardrobe deserves this go-anywhere addition.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: This Best Made Co. Cotton-Linen Workshirt is a Rugged Style Treasure For (Almost) Any Occasion

Best workshirts for men.

When you get down to it, when it comes time to roll up your sleeves and get down to business. where’s a guy to turn? It seems like one of the best workshirts for men, in matters of both form and function, should get the job done, quite literally — and in this day and age, you also need to know where to turn to layer up with proper utility in mind. Don’t leave anything to chance, as we often say on this style blog, ehh? That’s where my friends at Best Made Co. join your wardrobe.

Find the best USA-made gear and more at Best Made Co.

Yes indeed, often featuring a blend of iconic good looks, durable fabrication and modern heritage designed in one complete package, my friends at Best Made Co. arrive in formidable style — with utility top of mind, at least where the Best Made Co. Cotton-Linen Workshirt is concerned.

Indeed, it’s not all that easy to find a blend of breathability, toughness and style in one dependable workshirt for men — even if your focus on dependability extends more towards, say, brewery visits than yard work (at least on a Friday night!).

And as far as rolling up your sleeves is concerrned, hard-working performance is the name of the game via the Best Made Co. Cotton-Linen Workshirt — as you’ll recall, the iconic modern company went through a relaunch and revamp of sorts in recent years (as the brand says, they were founded in 2009, then refounded in 2024).

It’s all thanks to original co-founder Peter Buchanan-Smith’s dedication to quality, rugged style, quality fabrication and durable performance — all of which might be an understatement when it comes to fashionable yet functional everyday pieces like the Best Made Co. Cotton-Linen Workshirt.

And as the company says of its own take on the utterly classic workshirt, “the blend is 58% cotton, 42% linen, a ratio that will earn its keep” — I’d say I’d agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly from my friends at Best Made Co., and if you feel the same way, then hard-working, hard-wearing style is yours for the taking this spring and summer.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Hiroshi Kato Is Making Some of the Finest, Best Blue Jeans for Men (And More!) on the Market Right Now

Does it ever seem like the market for men’s blue jeans is a bit crowded at times? Perhaps — from classic denim producers to department stores and high-fashion brands — but that makes it all the more special when a company cuts through the clutter and stands above the rest (head and shoulders, one might say!) when it comes to delivering the best selvedge jeans for men (and more!).

Find your new favorite blue jeans for men here

That’s the idea at the root of the Friday Find series, as we say – diving into brands that might fly under the radar from time to time, but are every bit as worthy of a coveted spot in your wardrobe as your tried-and-true favorites. And if you’re a denimhead, you very well likely know the stellar denim and menswear producers at Hiroshi Kato. If not? This Friday is as prime a time as any to dive into your new favorite pair of blue jeans.

Over the past few weeks or so, I’ve had the chance to step into a standout pair of Hiroshi Kato men’s denim, a cult favorite offering that I’d heard about frequently from in-the-know menswear fans and lovers of the best denim for men all across the board. So when the folks at Hiroshi Kato reached out about testing out a pair of finely crafted selvedge denim, I certainly had to take ’em up on that offer — how could you not, ehh?

Of course, I’ve written a Hiroshi Kato men’s denim review over at WERD.com, but this one was a chance every bit as special to trot out some of the coolest men’s blue jeans all around Brooklyn (as you might have seen on my Instagram!).

For my latest men’s denim review and another foray into the world of Hiroshi Kato selvedge denim, I selected a pair of the Scissors Slim Tapered, crafted from rich, durable yet supple 10.5 Ace selvedge. As the good folks at the USA-made denim producer say, these handsome and rugged yet versatile jeans rely on “vintage fade Indigo Japanese 10.5oz 4-way stretch selvedge,” finished off with eye-catching details like a custom back hip leather patch and the company’s custom-branded hardware.

Best blue jeans for men.

Denim from my friends at Hiroshi Kato is a sight to behold and even better to wear — utterly classic, remarkably well-designed, made to get better over time and offered in a wide variety of washes, fits and styles. There’s an almost stunning array of men’s blue jeans on offer at Hiroshi Kato, as I’ve found out over the years — and I’ve got plenty more to dive into from one of the best men’s blue jean producers on the market. Your next pair of hard-working selvedge awaits, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: Bolster Your Spring Wardrobe With This INDIGOSEA Henley

In a style world filled with clutter at times, it’s refreshing to be able to cut through that clutter and find brands dialed in and dedicated to doing top menswear essentials the right way, at the proper price and with the proper fabrication and materials in mind. A tall order in this day and age, no?

But that’s why we’re here with our Friday Find series — unearthing brands you haven’t yet discovered, brands that could very well prove a newfound favorite, companies with a bit more history behind them than average. Take companies like Triple Aught Design and Devium USA, both favorites of this series — and prepare to meet a potential new favorite brand to kick off this fine spring weekend.

INDIGOSEA is a company as of late I’ve been proud to wear, with modern roots dating back just to February 2025 and a historical foundation that can trace its way back to garment factory production across a variety of categories for Japanese companies. It’s a fascinating story that means a few important things for you, dear reader.

Find out more and shop new gear at INDIGOSEA

In my brief experience with the brand across these past few months, INDIGOSEA menswear focuses on rugged workwear classics, from the INDIGOSEA Vintage Henley shown above, to a variety of durable chore jackets, cargo workwear pants and hard-wearing denim, among other casually rugged, easygoing and yet endlessly classic selections. And yet, these menswear essentials, as much as we love them on the surface here at this Brooklyn style blog, are often delivered to you from INDIGOSEA at near-wholesale prices.

Yes, you read that right: Rugged staples like the INDIGOSEA Vintage Henley are as affordable as a mere $38, a far cry from some designer prices — and in my experience, the company’s quality and fabrication stands up to just about anything from more expensive brands. Not that there’s not a time and a place for beloved designer favorites… but the durability and style points of the INDIGOSEA Vintage Henley are simply remarkable for the price, and then some.

Shop stylish men’s henleys and much more

Right off the bat, the INDIGOSEA Vintage Henley feels ultra-soft yet sturdy out of the box, boasting 12.3oz. cotton jersey fabric, a standard fit and reinforced cuffs and a dependable neckline for an expert fit beneath your favorite spring trucker jacket — or worn all on its own. I’ve also found the INDIGOSEA Vintage Henley to be an ideal layer beneath a soft merino wool cardigan, and when worn on its own, the flattering standard fit of the INDIGOSEA Vintage Henley is plenty serviceable.

Look beyond the basics this season when finding your new favorite henley, my friends — the INDIGOSEA Vintage Henley might prove a new staple piece, folks.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: The Bradley Mountain Ranger Duffle Is The Best Bag for Your Next Spring Road Trip, And Then Some

Best duffle bags for men.

When you step back and think about your rotation of the best men’s gear for your day-to-day, from the perfect chambray shirt to essential leather boots and a stylish everyday watch, it’s often curious to me what brands rise above the fray and become day-to-day staples before you’ve even realized it.

There are plentiful brands in my rotation that pop up very, very often on this Brooklyn style blog, and there are others that re-enter after a long time away, like the USA-made gear purveyors at Bradley Mountain.

Learn more and shop ASAP now at Bradley Mountain

I’ve written about Bradley Mountain — and its Tennessee-based approach to rugged, timeless gear that’s built to last — since about 2017 in various Bradley Mountain gear reviews, but they haven’t graced the pages of this blog in some time. That all changes today, as we take an overdue look at one of the best weekender bags for men, the Bradley Mountain Ranger Duffle.

It’s all happening as part of our Friday Find series, where we unearth the best of the best from brands you might not have considered or perhaps not quite heard of yet.

That all changes today, and just in time for spring and summer travel season. Gear up, because Bradley Mountain makes sturdy, hard-wearing travel essentials from dopp kits to tote bags, not to mention a very pleasing and utterly exceptional range of waxed field jackets, waxed bomber jackets, flannel overshirts, even a small run of military and field watches to complement your next casually rugged #OOTD. But about the Bradley Mountain Ranger Duffle, ehh?

Featuring a nicely sized 42-liter volume crafted from ultra-sturdy yet supple 18oz. waxed duck canvas that’s practically begging to be broken in, the Bradley Mountain Ranger Duffle comes in versatile, agreeable shades of material like Field Tan or a military-inspired olive drab, all the better to develop some serious patina on the road.

Paired with thick and long-lasting 9oz. USA harness leather to round out its trim and handle, an antiqued brass zipper works mighty well alongside old-school copper and brass hardware, all the better to deliver durable transport of your favorite style essentials.

Shop the best men’s travel gear at Bradley Mountain

Perhaps most useful on the Bradley Mountain Ranger Duffle might be its three exterior pockets, plus one interior zipper pocket to streamline your everyday carry from point A to point B.

This stylish men’s duffle bag certainly feels TSA-approved, but might perform even more dutifully when tossed in the back of your truck ahead of a weekend getaway — alongside other Bradley Mountain gear, of course. Your new favorite weekender bag, and the promise of spring adventure, awaits with the Bradley Mountain Ranger Duffle.

by Beau H.

The Friday Find: This USA-Made Devium Slub Twill Overshirt is a Spring Layering Staple

Best overshirts for men to wear this spring.

As you scour the market for the best menswear essentials, especially reliable pieces you can rock now and into the start of early summer, perhaps your focus remains on your outerwear or your top half — as wise a place as any as you look for rugged menswear with a versatile edge.

And perhaps you’ve come across USA-made menswear from Devium a time or two in this search — they’re a newfound favorite brand of yours truly across the past year, with Americana-inspired style roots (the brand was founded on Flag Day over a decade ago, at any rate), and with durability and style points to burn in every stitch.

Shop new USA-made gear ASAP at Devium

Of course, that makes ’em a fine choice for our ongoing Friday Find series, where we dive into unheralded brands doing things the right way, and in this case, the American-made way with selections like the Devium Draftsman Twill Slub Overshirt.

As wearable now atop a pocket tee as it was essential alongside a thermal henley in the frigid months, one of the best shirt jackets for men is going to offer the right mix of form and function just about anywhere, from the job site to the barstool of your favorite neighborhood corner dive.

The handsome and utterly classic Devium Draftsman Twill Slub Overshirt is billed by the California brand as “a year-round workhorse,” with custom 100 percent heavyweight stretch twill construction guaranteed by, well, the brand’s lifetime guarantee. Available in four stylish colors (including crisp Academy Blue and my personal favorite, Old Moss Green), the functionality is ramped up with chest box-pleated pockets big enough to hold a can of beer.

Shop this overshirt and more ASAP at Devium

The Devium Draftsman Twill Slub Overshirt is carefully considered every step of the way, right down to its custom 16L cat’s eye buttons and vintage-style slub twill fabrication. For throwing on at a moment’s notice with selvedge denim and a pocket tee or even garment-washed stretch chinos and your favorite pair of leather boots, there’s not much more essential in matters of utility, durability and rugged appeal than a layering piece like the Devium Draftsman Twill Slub Overshirt this spring. Act accordingly as you plot your next seasonal menswear move, my friends.