The Friday Read: The Very Best Fourth of July Weekend Sales & A Brazilian Getaway

Huckberry Summer 2025 menswear.

After a bit of a vacation from our Friday Read dispatch last week, we’re back in fine form to roll into the holiday weekend — with as much leisure, style and cold beer as our friends at Huckberry shown above. As it were for the Fourth of July weekend, I’ll miss out on the holiday itself: My latest international jaunt has taken me (along with my lovely Mary!) south of the Equator to Brazil to celebrate a close friend’s wedding in Sao Paulo — and our trip has gone beyond the major metropolis and on out to Atibaia, Monte Verde and more.

While the first leg of our trip saw us exploring Sao Paulo largely on foot (and by car), from rooftops to basement bars and sidewalk cafes, the next leg took us to the rolling mountains and foothills of Atibaia.

We’ve spent this last handful of days with a collection of American friends taking in the impossibly cool Mid-Century Modern designs of a lavish home dreamed up by renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan (boasting four Eames chairs and a host of impeccable touches beyond that!). Even on the heels of a global jaunt to Amsterdam with Heineken late last month, our two-leg trip has proven invigorating, rather than exhausting — it’s funny how that works out, ehh?

Our time in Brazil has been wide-ranging, vivid and impossibly memorable, from a guided Jeep and hiking tour through Monte Verde to a positively delicious visit to Destilaria Monte Verde, not to mention rooftop sunset viewings and stops at both the Dengo and Sabor chocolate enterprises. Traditional Brazilian music, rich and strong Brazilian coffee, a multitude of Caipirinhas, even a Brazilian IPA or two were also very much in the mix.

There’s something vibrant and immediately inspiring about Sao Paulo: Chaotic though the city can be, with its massive melting pot of Brutalist and contemporary architecture, modern enterprise and old-world history, it’s simply one of the most distinct and engaging cities I’ve ever had the chance to visit (and if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I’m fortunate enough to travel the world for both work and play very, very frequently).

I look forward to the day I can return, ideally with another large group stay at a house designed by renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan — talk about quite the way to spend your holiday weekend (take another look at the house both above and below, courtesy of Sotheby’s and Bossa Nova).

For your own pursuits far afield, allow me to offer some gear recommendations, particularly when it comes to your wrist game: I wrote just yesterday about a rugged Shinola ceramic watch that’s built for each and every summer adventure. A stylish hemp buttondown from Flint and Tinder (which happens to be on sale right now!) might also prove fitting for day-to-night style, especially in the breezy climes of Brazil.

But for now, let’s turn our attention to the holiday weekend and to a carefully picked handful of the best 4th of July sales for menswear, gear and more right now — these are my top-of-the-line selections from just a small handful of your favorite brands, all fit for the days and weeks ahead.

And naturally, we’re back here on Saturday and Sunday with a duo of style selections. Cheers to travel, to fun in the sun, to cold beer and to a laidback holiday weekend, my friends.

Let’s keep this weekend rolling with a few quick sale picks, shall we? Here’s what I’ve got my eyes on for Fourth of July style, and since so many sales abound, I’m limiting this to my top five right now.

  • Huckberry: Your favorite online gear and menswear retailer is offering up to 40% off via the Huckberry Sale section.
  • Billy Reid: Here’s a standout sale from one of my favorite designers — get up to 30% off a mix of classic and modern Americana menswear.
  • Bespoke Post: Visit the NYC-based retailer and score at least 40% off gear, home goods, menswear and more.
  • Mack Weldon: Take 25% off the performance menswear company’s Summer Collection when you buy 2 or more products, with no code necessary.
  • Todd Snyder: Take an extra 20% off on-sale designer menswear from the iconic American brand with the code EXTRA20 through the Todd Snyder Summer Sale.

That’ll wrap up today’s latest weekend-ready dispatch — again, I’m wishing you fun in the sun with family and friends, plus a hearty dose of cold beer, along with menswear and gear savings aplenty. Thanks for reading, folks!

The Friday Read: A Trek to Amsterdam with Heineken & The Best Summer Travel Gear

In this freelance life (or the #FreelanceLife, as I like to call it), incredible opportunities come across my inbox and my line of sight on the daily. That includes the chance to pursue my passions, to write about the best menswear from brands like Huckberry on this very blog, to test out new watches, audio gear and everyday carry essentials, and to try the finest spirits and the best summer beers on the market — among other pursuits, of course.

And helpfully as I cover a wide array of pursuits for sites like Maxim and CoolMaterial.com, I frequently get the chance to hit the road, go far afield and uncover stories behind iconic brands, distilleries and breweries.

It’s a thrilling opportunity, and one that takes me now over to the iconic city of Amsterdam — celebrating its 750th anniversary as a city! — plus famed worldwide brewer Heineken. There’s plenty on tap, including fresh Heineken beer, a tour of the city’s canals, a visit to Heineken’s new R&D center, and a tour of the brewery itself — naturally, you can keep up with all of the fun over on my Instagram. Cheers, my friends!

Of course, for trips like these, I know the right gear goes a long way, especially when it comes to plenty of time on foot exploring a new city and an iconic brewery like Heineken. I trust favorite retailers like Huckberry for ultra-soft cotton tees and (if needed), the famed Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket for spring and summer rains (and more).

I also value comfortable stretch denim and denim shirting from Buck Mason, and lately, I’ve been wearing Ariat Chelsea boots for some rugged-meets-refined appeal.

As to those boots, they’re as easy to dress up with stretch chinos as they are to dress down with rolled blue jeans and another staple piece, Filson’s Frontier Short-sleeve Henley.

In addition to durable travel gear, I’ve also been favoring stretch pants from Public Rec, especially ones with the design of five-pocket pants and the stretch of tapered joggers.

And not to be outdone or overlooked, let’s talk the best watches for travel: Lately, my Shinola Bronze Monster has found place of pride on my wrist (and in my duffel bag). Speaking of duffel bags and the best men’s travel bags: I tend to trust my ever-helpful Halfday Travel bag, with a garment bag interior and multiple pockets for shoes, men’s basics and more.

It hits all the right notes in terms of easy transport on the go — very much including occasions when I need to bring my Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer, as with this trip and formal nights out in Amsterdam.

My Halfday travel bag has more than served me well on past jaunts, including an April trek to Tequila Ocho, a trek into the Italian Dolomites with audio brand Sonos and even a recent family wedding in Knoxville. To say it’s an efficient travel bag to zip from point A to point B is an understatement, and it also more than reliably holds my trusty toiletries bag from Herschel Supply.

The list of the best travel gear goes on and on, but once you find picks that you love and that serve you well, it makes packing and traveling in style a relative breeze (as does TSA Precheck, of course).

What sort of travel gear do you bring on your own adventures? And what’s next on your personal summer getaway to-do list? Be sure to follow along with all the fun — and my gear picks, and my watch picks — over on my Instagram as I scour Amsterdam for the very best of the best. As ever, expect two weekend style posts covering the best summer gear and menswear from retailers like Huckberry

The Friday Read: A Trek to Rabbit Hole Distillery & Huckberry Summer Menswear Classics

We’re launching into another action-packed Brooklyn summer weekend and getting back down to business after plenty of time on the road — join me, won’t you?

As you might have seen if you follow me on Instagram, and if you keep up with my many freelance writing pursuits, I spent the better part of last week in Louisville, Kentucky, the heart of American bourbon country and a place I’ve trekked to quite frequently this last handful of years as I cover spirits, gear and more for outlets like Maxim.

Of course, it goes without saying that this Brooklyn style blog keeps me plenty busy as well, as I scour the market for the best menswear essentials from tried-and-true brands — several of which I get to review and write about as I crisscross the country! More on that in the weeks ahead as my summer travel schedule ramps up.

The occasion for the trip was a rather special one – as tends to be the case when I head to the heartland of stellar bourbon, and one I’d had on my bucket list for some time now. I had the chance to visit Rabbit Hole Distillery alongside a group of fellow spirits pros and writers, not to mention distillery founder and bourbon innovator Kaveh Zamanian.

It’s among the finest whiskey I’ve had in some time (particularly the Boxergrain expression), although I’d also count Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farms — as seen below! — as another winning selection in my quest to taste the best bourbon on the planet.

He founded Rabbit Hole a little more than a decade ago after a career as a therapist, a fascinating pivot that lends itself nicely to experimentation and a sense of attention to detail. After humble beginnings building the distillery from the ground up, Rabbit Hole now makes some of the most innovative American whiskey out there, with an equally innovative distillery design to match (it’s situated in NuLu, a buzzed-about and up-and-coming neighborhood with plenty of character).

The distillery, now owned by Pernod Ricard, uses extremely distinct malting processes and mash bills to produce several whiskies exclusive to its distillery, situated not far from the excellent Hotel Genevieve — for now, let me say that if you find yourself in Bourbon Country, U.S.A, put Rabbit Hole Distillery at the top of your list to visit.

As luck would have it, these spirits-focused trips — and even the many events I attended this past week as part of annual spirits extravaganza Bar Convent Brooklyn — are the perfect opportunity to test out the best summer menswear from companies like Huckberry.

Luckily, durable denim, rugged leather boots and breezy summer shirting prove mighty helpful when going from a distillery tour to a dinner at one of The ‘Ville’s finest establishments (allow me to recommend Bob’s Steak and Chop House at the Omni Hotel, plus Southern-meets-Japanese fusion establishment Enso).

What sort of gear do you bring to hit the road? Hopefully, this style blog proves helpful in those many pursuits, but as ever, you can expect two weekend style posts in the days ahead. Beating the heat in style, whether in Kentucky or back in Brooklyn, is the name of the game, my friends. In fact, might I suggest this stylish Billy Reid linen shirt or else a travel-ready Huckberry blazer to cement your next summer #OOTD?

You can expect more where that came from in the days and weeks ahead — as ever, stay stylish, thanks for reading, thanks for following along and imbibing with me! Here’s to a Brooklyn summer weekend — cheers, my friends.

The Friday Read: AC/DC in Cleveland & The Best Summer Workwear From Huckberry

AC/DC Cleveland 2025.

Well, my friends: It’s official. For the second time this month, I’ve managed to squeeze in a properly iconic, truly rocking show by Australian icons and personal heroes AC/DC. If you’ve been reading this Brooklyn style blog for years, you know I tend to dabble in music writing — among my many other freelance writing pursuits, of course — and that I’ve got a true love for guitar-driven rock music.

It all started with AC/DC years ago, as I wrote on this very blog when I saw AC/DC in Tampa Bay just a few weeks ago, and if you’ve kept up with me on Instagram, you’ll see I haven’t slowed down one bit (and neither has my first favorite band!).

This week saw a trek to Cleveland for a mix of business and pleasure: In the midst of writing about the best leather chukka boots for men, I made time to trek back to the Midwest once more in pursuit of the best craft beer, the best summer menswear from Huckberry and certainly, the pursuit of the all-encompassing power of genre-defining, game-changing rock music.

I’ve also covered a lot of ground when it comes to all things music on this very blog, including how to dress for a rock concert and how to dress in rock n’roll style: For me, that meant a combination of rugged Taylor Stitch denim and a classic T-shirt purchased earlier in the day at the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame — what a pairing, ehh?

For visiting the likes of Great Lakes Brewing, stopping by iconic Cleveland dive bar ABC The Tavern and then turning things up in high-voltage fashion for a blistering, hard-rocking show, they were the right pick indeed — you can (and should!) check out my other Taylor Stitch reviews for a road map to the best seasonal menswear, and for a look at how those denim jeans are working for me, please do see my Instagram below. Cheers!

I’ve stayed plenty busy even on the road, covering the likes of the Huckberry x Ford capsule collection at Maxim.com — rugged workwear aplenty is the name of the game — and carving out time to taste the best Cleveland craft beer. It goes without saying, but the fun continues back in Brooklyn this weekend with two summer style blog posts for your reading and shopping pleasure.

For now, I’m going to reflect fondly on my time in Cleveland, and my time seeing one of the greatest rock bands on the planet, over a cold beer or two. Join me, won’t you? Cheers to the weekend, cheers to summer style essentials and as always, long live rock n’roll!

The Friday Read: The AC/DC PWR UP Tour, the Best Spring Weekend Menswear & Tampa Bay Craft Beer

AC/DC PWR UP Tour.

It’s not every day that a blog post via my Brooklyn style blog leads off with a reference to AC/DC — nor an AC/DC show on the horizon, right?? The Aussie rockers were my first favorite band years ago growing up in Michigan — where I’ve spent much of the past week reconnecting with family and friends (and attending my high school class reunion!). Yes, if you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll have seen all of that fun — and Michigan craft beer — and more.

I’ve come a long way since those days ridin’ down the highway back in Michigan jamming out to those legendary rockers, but my latest excursion south to Florida brings the promise of another show by an iconic band, this time in Tampa Bay.

If you’ve followed along with the blog over the years, especially as I’ve talked about live music adventures in Brooklyn and even how to dress for a rock concert, plus how to dress in rock n’roll style, my tastes have certainly changed, but the band still holds a very, very special place in my heart. In fact, this will remarkably be my fourth time (dating back to 2008!) seeing Acca Dacca. How about that!?

And that all means that, thanks to a timely Christmas gift from my mom… my dad and I get to see these giants of rock n’roll this very weekend in Tampa Bay! It’s a departure from the norm (although “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” still holds a prime placement on my Spotify!), but so great and a positively exciting return to my roots, in a way, all the same.

Again, long before I started this Brooklyn style blog and later had the chance to travel to the French Riviera, cover the finest spirits in the world and write all about my favorite menswear, well, there was AC/DC.

And as a wise author once wrote in Esquire years ago, a band like AC/DC will never die — the world will always need a band like AC/DC. Lofty praise considering most of my coverage skews towards the best new gear and watches, yes? But again, perspective is important, as is the chance to just plain old rock out.

If you happen to have any recommendations for Tampa — perhaps some of the best Tampa Bay craft beer via Cigar City? — then those selections truly are welcomed (and you can let me know via Instagram!).

As for my wardrobe in the Florida heat, I look forward to wearing a new duo of menswear from Taylor Stitch (canvas fatigue-inspired shorts and a simple black T-shirt from Taylor Stitch, namely). Just like the straightforward, high-voltage rock music of AC/DC, sometimes, keeping things simple is best — and pays the most dividends in terms of consistency over time, ehh?

For now, keep your eyes peeled here for a duo of weekend style blog posts as I boogie my way across Florida and make my way back home early next week to Brooklyn — there’s nothing like a return to form via an iconic rock band though, is there?

I look forward to getting down to some good old-fashioned rock n’roll this weekend, just like the old days — thanks for reading, thank you for following along, and remember: Rock n’roll ain’t noise pollution, folks. Cheers!

The Friday Read: A Weekend Getaway to Knoxville, New Spring Gear & “Grassland”

Best things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee.

My friends, welcome back to another edition of the Friday Read, where we look back at the week that was and look forward to another stylish weekend — in Brooklyn, across the pond and this time, in Knoxville, Tennessee. I’ll be trekking south with my love Mary for a family wedding, outfitted this time in a new Alan David Custom suit in a pleasing seasonal shade — you can (and should) head to my Instagram to see how I’m styling my new duds!

And along with some southern BBQ, bourbon (a favorite sipper among my family) and quality time, I’m also expecting to spend some time exploring Knoxville breweries — a must-do part of any trek to a new city.

Knoxville is also home to the world’s largest Negroni menu (at least, as part of Negroni Week 2022, as I covered at Maxim), and I know myself and my love Mary are looking forward to checking out Brother Wolf for some utterly tasty sips — perhaps including the Oaxacan Negroni as shown above.

I’ll also be bringing along some casually cool spring style favorites from top brands including Huckberry, of course — all of the fun can be found if you head to my Instagram, folks. Onward!

A quick note for all you film buffs and culture aficionados out there: You’d do well to check out Grassland, a social justice thriller set amidst the 2008 presidential election and covering the fallout from marijuana-related arrests (no spoilers here!). The film was executive-produced by none other than Common, and perhaps you’ll recognize a fitting tie-in — the watch shown above.

Actor and Michigan native Quincy Isaiah worked with Michigan watchmaker Shinola on the now-sold-out Shinola Grassland Watch last year (which I covered at Maxim), a further nod to inequities in marijuana-related criminal justice (and a great timepiece to scout out on the secondary market). For now, you can watch Grassland on streaming, and you can shop stylish men’s watches at Shinola in the meantime this weekend.

Here’s another quick read to shape your spring and summer style before another weekend getaway begins in earnest: I covered the classic, utterly iconic Vans Old Skool Premium Sneakers here yesterday on the blog, and suffice to say, they deliver a prime footwear upgrade for casually cool, laidback style and effortless good looks. To step into the weekend stylishly, check out the Vans Premium Old Skool at Huckberry, my friends.

And of course, to keep up with all the fun in NYC, Knoxville and beyond, head to my Instagram and hit that follow button — great Southern BBQ and craft beer await, along with a hearty dose of fun with the family and classic, suitably semi-formal wedding style. Our regular slate of two weekend style posts also happens to be on the docket tomorrow and Sunday, naturally. Cheers, folks!

The Friday Read: The Ultimate Western Weekend with Oskar Blues Brewery & Dale’s Pale Ale

Dale's Pale Ale.

Over the years, I’ve had the great fortune to try some of the best American craft beer on the market — in Brooklyn, in my home state of Michigan and across the country (and the globe — did you know there’s a booming craft beer scene in Madrid!?).

If you follow me on Instagram (or keep up with this blog), you know I’ve got a passion for all things spirits and suds, and I’ve even had the chance to cover the best new microbrews at sites like Maxim.com. In fact, you might say craft beer was my first love, at least before I dove into the world of fine American bourbon — and all that goes with it, of course.

Yes indeed, way back when I was covering the best gear for spring and summer at GearMoose, I also found that the same things I treasured — an expertly cut pair of denim or a well-fitting chambray shirt, for instance — also made for a nice uniform of sorts to wear to… a craft brewery!

It’s the little things that make the difference, and so I find myself once again with the chance to pursue my passions, cover the gear (and beer!) I love, and travel the country (and the world!) while doing so.

And that’s why, live from Denver, I’ve made yet another trek out West with iconic craft brewery Oskar Blues Brewery, makers of the excellent (and groundbreaking) Dale’s Pale Ale as well as a host of other deliciously crushable beers that tend to pair well with outdoor pursuits aplenty.

In fact, in a fun turn of events, the brewery is the official beer of U.S.A. Curling! And with next year’s Winter Olympics on the horizon, Denver is hosting the USA Curling Mixed Fours National Championship — I’ve seen curling on TV, you’ve seen curling on TV but the chance to check it out in person (all while also touring the iconic Oskar Blues Brewery) is too good (and too fun!) to pass up.

Now, Dale’s Pale Ale — a longtime favorite I first discovered when I moved to NYC more than a decade ago, as luck would have it — is far from the only beer Oskar Blues makes, but it’s among the finest and most accessible, with rich malt character and delicate hop spice. It’s a change of pace from the wine I recently sipped in the French Riviera (more on that below), but one I welcome as a return to form — who can turn down a fresh beer right off the canning line?

But enough about beer — for now, at least. I’ll be outfitting myself with rugged style favorites best suited for a brewery tour, like Flint and Tinder menswear from Huckberry. Those aren’t the only menswear selections I’ve brought with me out West, of course, as you know if you (repeat after me) follow me on Instagram.

Sturdy Blundstone boots and a great field watch are also top of mind. In the meantime, it’s the best of all worlds in my neck of the woods: Fresh beer, rugged menswear and a glimpse of fresh air and blue sky in lovely Denver. Again, keep up with me on social media to follow along with all the fun, and keep it locked here for two stylish spring blog posts headed your way on Saturday and Sunday. As ever, thank you for reading!

The Friday Read: New Spring Menswear & the Trip of a Lifetime with the Huckberry Explorer’s Grant

If ever there were a brand to puts its money where its mouth is, so to speak, at least in terms of delivering the best gear for adventures far afield, then it very well might be Huckberry. The Americana and adventure retailer is a fitting choice to kick off today’s Friday Read and to kick off your search for the best new spring menswear out there.

And on the heels of an adventure of my own last week — an opportunity to review a luxury hotel in Saint Tropez — I simply can’t wait to get back out there on the road again. There’s no time like the present to set your sights on the horizon either, as the triumphant return of Huckberry Explorer’s Grants delivers an absolutely prime chance to go far afield and carve out epic new memories.

The insanely cool opportunity hasn’t been seen in some time (I previously wrote about Huckberry Explorer’s Grant IV way back in 2016), but it’s now back and absolutely better than ever. The 2025 edition of the Huckberry Explorer’s Grant boasts a value up to a very cool $50,000, including four nights at a 5-star adventure lodge, first-class flights for you and an adventure companion to get there, and a whopping $20K in Huckberry credit to outfit yourself with the best new spring menswear and gear.

Not a bad deal at all, right? Oh, and don’t forget that the Huckberry Explorer’s Grant comes with credit for a rental car to get you where you’re going (and to get you far off the grid) with utility in mind. It’s an astounding opportunity that showcases what Huckberry is best at: Durable, rugged, hard-wearing gear made for going off-trail and around the globe (and that’s an understatement in this case).

Adventure options aplenty are abundant in the travel package, from southern Utah on up to Maine or out to Big Sur — to say the Huckberry Explorer’s Grant is rather epic is, again, an understatement. How to enter the adventure-focused Huckberry Explorer’s Grant contest (now until March 31st)? Sign up at Huckberry with your E-mail, then look out for up to 31 more ways to boost your number of entries.

The Huckberry Explorer’s Grant doesn’t come around very often, so now that it’s back in full force (thanks to Toyota), I’d say the chance of a lifetime is yours for the taking. Good luck entering the Huckberry Explorer’s Grant — take a chance while you’ve still got the choice, and we’ll See Out There, thanks to Huckberry, of course.

The Friday Read: New Rum from Andres Brugal, New Bluetooth Headphones & The Top Menswear Color Trends of 2025

As you know if you keep up with this blog on the regular or follow me on Instagram, I wear a lot of hats in this freelance life, including covering a range of topics that fall under the “men’s lifestyle” umbrella, from flannel shirts to sturdy pocket knives to the best leather boots and yes, luxury spirits.

This week covered off on nearly every single one of those bases in my many writing (and extracurricular) pursuits — take, for instance, the ultra-luxurious Andrés Brugal Edition 02 rum as shown above.

I was fortunate enough to get an exclusive first look at the rum for Maxim, and also fortunate enough to attend a launch event celebrating the very rare liquid itself. But spirits weren’t my only focus this week: A new luxury Audemars Piguet watch (just a bit out of my price range) debuted in a vivid shade of green, while my focus elsewhere shifted to some of the best new spring menswear of 2025.

As you know if you read this blog, a wardrobe refresh is in order with the changing of the seasons, from the best new Taylor Stitch sweater to buy now, right on through to a durable and dependable Buck Mason x Lee trucker jacket.

So, we’ve got fresh updates to classics — in the spirits, watch and menswear worlds, of course — and plenty to look forward to on an early spring weekend in Brooklyn for yours truly. Here are a few more choice reads and style selections to start your weekend right way, my friends.

  • Speaking of fresh spring style finds to power a new season, how’s this for an introduction to some “freshness” in your wardrobe? For my friends at Cool Material — where I’ll be writing semi-regularly these days! — I covered the top menswear color trends of 2025 and how to wear ’em. I also spotlighted some key selections from top style brands, ones you know, love and have seen on this blog. To start a new season off right, give these picks a look at Cool Material, my friends.
  • The theme of today’s Friday Read seems to be wearing many hats, or testing out plenty of categories in that elusive and ultimately fun “men’s lifestyle” space. And as you know if you follow me on Instagram, I’m serious about my music and about my audio equipment to guide the process. That’s why I jumped at the chance to test out the new H20 Audio RIPT LITE Headphones. They’re compact, they’re built for performance — mainly zipping around Brooklyn on foot, on my end — and they’re also ideal for athletes who value a secure pair of headphones for a variety of pursuits. They’re also a better deal than Apple AirPods, for instance, and I’ve found that they stay put and boast long battery life. If you’re in the market for some new headphones, you might want to snag a pair of the H20 Audio RIPT LITE Headphones.
  • Let’s send you off into the weekend the right way — with one more stylish shopping selection, of course. That’d be my pick for a discounted men’s blazer, the Wills Garment-Dyed Blazer from my good friends at Huckberry. I covered it here on the blog earlier this week, and it’s up for grabs in a versatile Navy color for weeks on end of seasonal style enjoyment. Happy shopping, my friends.

That’ll wrap up this guide to new spring style trends and gear quite nicely, I’d say. What’s on your seasonal wish list? If you have plans to hit the road or the trail, might I suggest checking out a selection or two from the performance-driven gear rotation via Proof and Huckberry?

The Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt, with moisture-wicking, anti-microbial properties and plenty of durability, is a personal favorite. And with that: Let’s gear up, get out there and make the most of this spring weekend! Cheers to style, spring sips and more, my friends.

The Friday Read: Trekking into the Italian Dolomites with SONOS Audio

Out of the many winding paths we might walk through our careers and in the pursuit of our passions, I often find myself in some pretty unexpected, rather jaw-dropping stops and starts on the proverbial trail.

That holds true whether I’m writing about tequila and visiting Mexican agave fields, trekking to Austin for a Western-inspired whiskey expedition or even learning about how USA-made suits are crafted (menswear, after all, was the very reason I started this Brooklyn style blog).

I’ve developed an appreciation for careful craftsmanship, for quality and attention to detail, and for the little nuances found in finely made essentials every man should own, from suiting to boots to shirting and my everyday must-haves. That includes my own love of music, of vinyl records and of high-quality audio in its many forms.

And that pursuit, my friends, is why I find myself wearing a stellar pair of Sonos Ace headphones (as seen above) as I prep to fly to the Italian Dolomites for the ultimate (I mean, ULTIMATE) apres-ski experience — courtesy of the truly excellent high-end audio brand.

I was fortunate enough to review a pair of the newest Sonos over-ear headphones last year for Maxim.com, and I’ve also been loving the nuanced and crystal-clear sound quality of the Sonos Roam 2 (both of them are in my Halfday Travel bag for the excursion, which stretches until next Monday).

Before we dive in further, a quick word about my Halfday Travel bag: It doubles as a garment bag, it boasts handy shoe and inner zipper compartments aplenty, and the exterior is about as durable as it gets, in my experience. Yessir, a Halfday Travel bag is a wise pick-up before your next flight — now, to business!

 Our accommodations? The Casa Tra Cime, which promises plenty of Sonos gear and Sonos-adjacent fun (and exceptional Italian food and of course, drink). We’ll also be visiting Alta Badia and dining at the likes of Club Moritzino and at L’Murin. The focal point of the trip is Cortina d’Ampezzo, the site of the next Winter Olympics — and as fine a place as any to put the full lineup of Sonos audio gear to the test.

And while my colleagues will be skiing and snowboarding, I’ll be exploring alpine towns aplenty (a lack of skiing experience stretching back more than a decade makes the Dolomites quite the prospect!). Suffice to say, there are plenty of things to do in the Dolomites in winter, regardless.

I’ll also be packing and wearing a mix of layering-ready, rugged essentials to take on the snow, not unlike my Buck Mason canvas jacket and a trusty Huckberry flannel shirt as shown above. Of course, you can keep up with all the fun over on my Instagram.

It’s the sort of lifetime trip that tends to come up last-second in this line of work, but when opportunity knocks, the door must be answered — no doubt about it! I’ll have the ultimate soundtrack via my Spotify to keep me occupied on the trans-Atlantic flight, and the rest of the way, I can’t wait to test out the full suite of Sonos gear.

Again, to keep up with this trip, head on over on my Instagram — and fear not, since we’ll still have two regularly scheduled menwear posts debuting this weekend to help you bundle up in style. In the most sincere way possible: Thank you for reading, thank you for supporting this blog and thanks for following along with my adventures!