Tag / the friday read

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Summer Shoes, Rogue Ales & Beards for a Good Cause

Dependable high-top sneakers to wear all summer long.

Let’s start this Friday Read off right with a look at some of the best men’s sneakers, shall we? The Nisolo Cortez High-Top Sneakers are positively some of the best summer shoes you need in your rotation, and seeing as we’ve moved past Memorial Day, I’d say it’s time you geared up. You surely recognize Nisolo from the blog as makers of the excellent Nisolo Travel Derby and even a stylish weekender bag. But, seeing as we’re all staying close to home for the time being, those rugged high-top sneakers should work nicely in the interim. Now, onward and into the Friday Read. Times continue to be strange and difficult for many of us, so thank you for taking time out of your day and weekend to stop by the blog. Pressing style matters await to divert your attention, but right off the bat, I’m going to call out tge that inimitable menswear designer Todd Snyder is running a sale of up to 30 percent off on the covetable Todd Snyder x Champion line, among other items — perhaps the perfect summer sweatshirt is within your grasp via one of the best men’s style sales out there.

As for me, when I’m not dreaming about a new Todd Snyder sweatshirt for breezy summer nights, I plan on spinning some new vinyl (as usual!) — this week’s prime pick is the lovely “Vide Noir” by folk rockers Lord Huron. I’m also going to be supporting some local businesses. I recently picked up the Road House Coffee Blend from Brooklyn’s own Variety Coffee Roasters, and I’ve also got a shipment incoming of delicious, fresh craft beer from another Brooklyn staple, Threes Brewing. Of course, there’s also another Style Pick of the Week post incoming tomorrow so some writing will be on the docket, too. Be sure to join us for that, and in the meantime, here are the rest of the weekend’s top picks.

  • A brand that specializes in some of the best men’s denim might not be the first place you’d go to get a face mask during these trying times, but in fact, they could be a perfect option (think of all that useful, tough fabric). I’m talking, of course, about Fitted NYC in this case. The Williamsburg-based denim brand (as I covered for The Manual back in 2018!) is now making selvedge denim face masks — talk about style and safety rolled into one durable offering.
  • In the way of other men’s style brands making face masks, get a load of what cool-as-can-be style purveyors Faherty Brand are doing. They’ve got a selection of surprisingly stylish face masks (non-medical grade) for you to wear when out and about — that’s in addition to their excellent collection of cozy, comfortable Work From Home style essentials they’re also making.
  • Ever felt like growing out a beard and really going for it? Perhaps you’re doing something similar now, in fact? What if I told you that you could grow out your beard & donate toe a good cause in the process? For my friends in Pennsylvania in particular, the Abington Interfaith Food Cupboard has been working with the previously beardless Drew — our man Drew’s been growing out his beard, and a $10 donation to Drew’s Beard Challenge gives you the chance to vote on what happens next with his beard … and he’s got to keep it that way for five days. How could you not want to pitch in on that?? Donate here via Supportful.

  • Let’s pivot to some of the best craft beer for your weekend imbibing, shall we? West Coast-based Rogue Ales & Spirits  is rising to the occasion to meet the demands of thirsty consumers who can’t visit its physical locations. They’re now shipping beer to Oregon, Washington D.C., Nebraska, Ohio and Nevada, while also offering free beer & spirits delivery in the Portland, Oregon area. And you can also pick up your beer from one of its Oregon locations —  or  use this tracker to find it in all 50 states! Pretty great news all around, right? Cheers.

OK, let’s close things out right with one last feature before your weekend starts (or continues) in earnest. The right summer shirt is crucial to have on hand. While your rugged flannel shirting has long been stowed away, consider keeping a stylish denim shirt close at hand. In particular, check out the Buck Mason Vintage Denim Shirt via this blog post. If you do pick it up, feel free to let me know on Twitter. Alright, that’s all I’ve got. Stay safe and stay strong, folks!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Memorial Day Weekend, The Best Summer Shirt & Craft Beer Delivery

A classic adventure shirt you can wear all through summer, starting today.

Thanks for joining us again for another Friday Read.  We’re on the cusp of Memorial Day weekend, so welcome. Although it looks mighty different than years past, I hope you find ways to celebrate with family and friends (socially distanced, of course). What’s on your plate (besides shopping for summer style essentials)? Maybe you’ll be spending some time outside with family or heading out on a hike? Or perhaps, you’re just focused on making the perfect summer meal and enjoying a classic summer beer? At any rate, I’d bet that the excellent Western Rise Limitless Merino Shirt (as seen above — it’s one of the best shirts for summer I’ve tried) is going to get where you need to go.

When we return from Memorial Day weekend, it also happens to be one of the best shirts to wear to work from home, what with its 4-way stretch and use of merino wool and polyester. A performance Oxford shirt you can wear all day? Sign me up. In fact, there’s a very good chance I’ll be wearing some of my own Western Rise gear to get out and about as much as possible in Brooklyn — the quiet confines of Marine Park near my humble abode sound pretty ideal right now (I’ll be wearing a camo mask from Ball and Buck, as it were). I’ll also be fueling my day with plenty of coffee, and I’m naturally going to make some time to listen to a vinyl record or three (if you happen to be a vinyl guy yourself, you might want to check out one of the best record players). In the meantime, start your weekend right here, right now — today’s Friday Read is packed.

Just one pick from one of the best Memorial Day sales around.

A neat play on the San Fran flag by Anchor Brewing and artist Jeremy Fish.

  • Speaking of San Francisco, lauded & pioneering craft brewer Anchor Brewing is doing plenty to help the local community during these trying times (in addition to brewing some incredibly delicious beer). The brewery partnered with artist Jeremy Fish to refresh the exteriors of boarded up-bars and restaurants across the city with special artwork — putting a modern twist on the SF flag — as part of the Stay Strong SF campaign. Even more critically, every poster has a QR code that directs you to donate to the United States Bartenders Guild.  Even cooler?  The posters are available to download for free at www.AnchorBeerToGo.com — while there, you can also purchase a T-shirt (which will donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the USBG). And if you live in the area, you can get your favorite craft beer via curbside pick-up on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Sounds great to me, right? (Speaking of craft beer, shop for your favorite growler while we’re on the subject).

  • Want to shake up your weekend while giving back to a good cause? Check out Schick Xtreme’s Shave The Day mobile video gaming, where you can play as XtremeMan to shave people’s heads (a fitting quarantine haircut!) to earn Bald Bucks — those Bald Bucks are being turned into real dollars that Schick will donate to St. Baldrick’s Foundation (up to $25,000) to assist with fighting childhood cancer. Hey, you’ve got the extra time this weekend, so you might as well turn your energy toward a great cause.

Alright, that’s going to do it for today’s edition of The Friday Read. But one last thing for you — given that it’s a long weekend, with plenty of potential for lots of laidback relaxation, I’m going to point you toward my guide on how to wear a T-shirt this summer. Seriously: A T-shirt is so much more than just a T-shirt when you rock it the right way. OK, folks. That’s all I’ve got today. Have a great and safe long weekend, be sure to check out tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, and thanks — as always — for reading.

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A New Whiskey, How to Brew Beer at Home & The J. Crew Bankruptcy

The coolest dive watch on the market, in time for the weekend.

If you’re just joining us for the first time for The Friday Read, welcome! And if you’re more than accustomed to my weekly roundup of the best menswear news to know and the best men’s style deals to shop, then welcome back. The headline at the top covers a lot of ground, does it not? These are extraordinary and trying times we live in, so hopefully, you’ll find each of the above topics interesting and informative (heck, I know I’ll  be enjoying some whiskey this weekend). But first things first: It’s *time* for the weekend, as that stylish dive watch above would indicate. The timepiece in question is from New York watchmaker Martenero, who’s currently offering up a great deal on a new dive watch via Kickstarter. It’s the brand’s first dive watch, and if looks are any indication, it could be your new favorite timepiece — you need only pre-fund it before May 22nd to secure one of the best dive watches out there (note that it ships in September).

Elsewhere around these parts, it looks to be business as usual this weekend here in Brooklyn, by which I mean I’ll be hunkered down, enjoying some of my new favorite craft beer from New York’s Nonsequitur Beer Project — gotta love craft beer delivery — and supplementing that with some freshly ground coffee from the very cool and ingenious Taylor Stitch x FiveTillFour project supporting small businesses. Of course, I’ll be spinning some vinyl on a stylish record player, too. What are your weekend plans (besides enjoying tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week)? Let me know on Twitter. 

  • I mentioned above that we’d be getting into one of the best new whiskies to try now, and indeed, here we are: I wrote about a very cool partnership between Americana rockers Jamestown Revival and craft whiskey makers Oak & Eden for GearMoose. The Oak & Eden Round Prairie Rye Whiskey pays homage to Jamestown Revival’s roots while using an innovative finished-in-the-bottle process — the result is a rich rye whiskey that pairs perfectly with Jamestown Revival’s music.
  • Maybe you’re a bit more of a craft beer guy (I’m a craft beer enthusiast first followed by whiskey), and if that’s the case, the Bespoke Post Brew Box might be the right way to go. It’s a great way to brew beer at home, especially if you’re just testing the waters in that realm, and I wrote all about this excellent easy-to-use homebrew kit for GearMoose.
  • If you’ve been following any fashion news as of late, you likely heard the news: Once-lauded retailer J. Crew filed for bankruptcy last week. It’s quite the turn of events for a brand that likely introduced plenty of us (myself included!) to the larger world of men’s style, and it got me thinking about this archival Esquire piece on how everyone wears J. Crew. The title says it all.

Visit Todd Snyder New York

  • One constant around the Brooklyn HQ of The Style Guide? Great tunes (usually played through my LSTN Sound speaker) — and on that note, I’ve found this Pitchfork piece on why we listen to new music very fascinating indeed. Check it out, then let me know on Twitter what you’re enjoying lately.

OK, so that’s going to wrap up my weekly guide to, well, the weekend. Before you go though, I’m going to point you toward an essential weekend outfit, and it involves a rugged henley. More specifically, I’m pointing you toward my guide on how to wear a henley this spring. You’re going to love it (I hope). One final thing before the weekend: You can still pick up this stylish Taylor Stitch Moto Jacket as seen below right now (limited sizes available) for a heck of a discount. So, go for it?? Alright, that’s all I’ve got. Cheers!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Sustainable Brands, The Best Swim Trunks for Men & A New Windbreaker

Layer up for the weekend with the best new spring jacket to buy right now — from Grayers,no less.

My friends, welcome to Friday, and to today’s Friday Read, no less. I had originally planned to be in Cincinnati on this very day for the second-ever edition of The National Homecoming, a standout fest curated by my favorite band — of course, The National. But the current state of the world means that fest is no more, so the best I can do is catch a livestream of The National in the meantime, and shop for some of the best new men’s gear. More importantly though, this weekend is Mother’s Day! Make sure you’re getting the ladies in your life something special — I like these Mother’s Day gift suggestions from Valet, as it were. Maybe you also feel like treating yourself, though? On that note, I’ve got my eye on that Grayers windbreaker seen at the top of the — it’s the Grayers Randolph Stretch Windbreaker, to be specific — for weekend adventures (social distancing required). How about you? If you’re going stir-crazy, perhaps the stylish spring jacket shown above can help you get out and about properly. After all, it’s not a spring adventure without one of the best spring jackets in tow, is it?

But, we move on to the rest of today’s post. What have you been reading? Listening to? Watching? I’ve found some serious enjoyment in adding to my vinyl record collection, picking up favorites like “Singles” by Future Islands and the new Hamilton Leithauser record, the soulful and timeless “The Loves Of Your Life.” Might I also suggest you check out some high-quality record player options to spruce up your listening experience — if that’s your jam? Hours of weekend enjoyment await. For now though, let’s get into my picks this week. Be sure to join us for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, and stay safe in the meantime.

But one of the many sustainable, rugged options you should consider shopping from Wellen — via my latest post for The Manual.

Your new favorite dive watch — available now for pre-order.

    • Here’s what you might call a crucial Kickstarter campaign reminder. We’ve talked in the past about how great Martenero watches are, and here’s your reminder to pre-fund the brand’s first dive watch, the Martenero Belgrano, ASAP. The campaign is giving you the chance to snag an exceptionally stylish stainless steel dive watch in four fresh colorways that call to mind classic dive watches. Crucially, if you pre-fund this watch now before May 21st (it’s set to ship this September), you’ll get it for a substantial discount (hundreds of dollars less!) than the retail price of $790. This is one of the coolest watches to buy now — the hardest part will be waiting for it. Again, pre-fund it now ASAP.
    • Let’s keep it rolling on the style and gear front. If you’re fortunate enough to have access to a pool or lake that still happens to be open (or heck, if you can get to the ocean), then this next post is going to be of interest to you (to say the least). Namely, I covered the best men’s swim trunks over at GearMoose, featuring brands like Flint and Tinder in the process. Get ready to hit the water (eventually), my friends.
    • Now, in the midst of all this craziness, I’d wager you’re still looking for ways to keep your style fresh and seasonally friendly. With that in mind, I’m going to direct you toward my ongoing series The List, covering the best new men’s gear for each and every season (and plenty of socially distanced occasions right now). It’s got everything you need to hang at home & explore on your own or with the family.

We’ll keep it focused on the blog here on last time before the weekend begins in earnest. Namely, if you need some stylish sneakers for the weekend, I’d suggest you check out GREATS Brand, and then take a good look at my guide covering how to wear white sneakers this summer. Even in these casual times at home, it still pays to look good. Well, my friends. That’s going to wrap up today’s Friday Read. Thanks for stopping by, and have a safe weekend!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: New Jeans from Mott and Bow, Work-From-Home Footwear & Grayers Face Masks

Get a tee, give a tee — a perfect way to give back to charity relief efforts.

As we kick off another Friday Read here on The Style Guide, we’re going to dive right in the best way possible: By highlighting a great way to give back to front-line first responders. Those relief efforts come courtesy of Huckberry, who just launched its For the Frontlines program. The scoop is this: Put your hard-earned dollars toward both style and a good cause through buying the Proof 72-Hour Frontlines Donation Bundle. You get a stylish merino tee for yourself, and another shirt is being sent to a frontline worker — how cool is that? You can also request a T-shirt of your own if you happen to be a frontline worker. If that’s the case, thank you on behalf of this small Brooklyn style blog for your extraordinary service. The cause is a noble (and stylish) one, so kudos to Huckberry for launching this program.

OLIVERS

In the meantime, there are other ways you can give back to COVID-19 relief efforts. For instance: Head to HELM Boots to pick up your new favorite leather boots, then use the code “donate20” to get 20% off your purchase — while $20 goes to relief efforts. It’s a great inititiave with some excellent benefits from one of the most stylish boot brands I’ve come across. There’s also plenty more covered in today’s Friday Read when it comes to new gear, including the best new dive watch on the market (available for pre-order right now from Martenero — more on that below). Now that we’ve covered those items of business, what else is on your weekend to-do list? I’m looking forward as always to tucking into some strong coffee (this time via the Brooklyn outpost of Ninth Street Espresso) and playing a new vinyl record I just got in, the terrific 2017 album “Antisocialites” from Canadian indie rockers Alvvays! Are you a fan? And how are you using your added time at home this weekend? Give me a shout on Twitter, and enjoy the Friday Read below.

Now’s your chance to get an early deal on one of the best new dive watches around.

  • OK, let’s talk watches for a second — like the stylish dive watch shown above. If you’ve been lucky enough to get your hands on a coveted Martenero timepiece (as seen here on the blog), you know they’re the real deal. This stylish watch brand is back in a big way with yet another opportunity to crowdfund a new timepiece — the  Martenero Belgrano is one of the coolest watches to buy now (well, pre-order, at least). Here’s the deal: It’s Martenero’s first dive watch, paying homage to classic models while delivering style all its own. 200 meters of water resistance and a crisp, sharp design help blend fashion and function, and the 316L stainless steel construction ensures plenty of durability. Right now, you can pre-order the Martenero Belgrano for an early bird special of $299 (it’ll ship this September), with prices increasing from there if you don’t snag the deal in time. Act quickly, because that’s a great deal compared to the full retail price of $790. If looks and design are any indication, Martenero has just come out with your new favorite watch — maybe pick up one in every color if you feel so inclined. 

OLIVERS

  • Here’s your reminder that that yes, yes indeed … you can still shop for and try on some of the best men’s jeans to wear at home. Crucially, stylish jeans with stretch are the kind you should be searching for, and that’s where NYC’s Mott and Bow (a longtime favorite of mine) comes into play. Right now, you can use the code beau10 to get 10 percent off your first purchase at Mott and Bow! Keep in mind, the brand also makes stylish henleys and some of the softest, coolest T-shirts known to man. There’s never been a better time to upgrade your spring at-home style.
  • It’s heartening to see how so many brands are pivoting their operations and looking for ways to give back to COVID-19 relief efforts, is it not? Found under the New Arrivals section, you’ll come across a unique-but-crucial addition to the Grayers brand and its lineup of summer style essentials. That’s right, Grayers is now selling (non-medical) face masks in an array of cool-looking and high-quality fabrics. It’s a sign of the times, to be sure, but it’s a welcome way that the brand is giving back. Pick up a four-pack (or two-pack!) now.
  • NYC-based men’s shoes brand Ankari Floruss (started by prominent menswear aficionados Moti Ankari and Marcel Floruss), recently debuted its first-ever pair of slides for cool, refined at-home style. They’re handmade from 100 percent leather and retail for $117, with a portion of sales going to helping frontline workers in the COVID-19 pandemic. I can’t think of a more stylish way to give back.

Is it really the weekend if you aren’t kicked back, cup of coffee (or cold beer) in hand, perusing some of the best menswear deals of the moment? Not quite. If you’re new here, I’m going to direct you toward another edition of The List — it’s  my weekly roundup of the best men’s gear for plenty of different style situations. Rest assured, although we’re all at home, it’s crucial that you stay dressing in style. Correct? Indeed. OK, that’s all for today. Thanks for reading — stay safe, stay healthy.

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A New Everyday Carry, The Best Loungewear Sets & Dickies Gives Back

The coolest shirt for a much different spring weekend than usual.

My friends, thanks for joining us yet again for another Friday Read. Consider this a starting point for your weekend and a bit of a look at the menswear industry at large, from deals and steals to ways to give back to COVID-19 relief efforts (like my friends at HELM Boots continue to run, for one). These relief efforts should be of particular interest during these trying and challenging times, so any way in which brands can offer support is very welcome indeed from my perspective. And as always, if you’re a medical professional or a frontline first-responder, THANK YOU for your service and your work ethic — it really is incredible and much-appreciated. With that being said, in times like these, it can sometimes seem odd to talk about menswear — like that rugged spring shirt seen above (it’s the Flint and Tinder Stretch Utility Shirt). But I’m of the opinion that style and routine can provide a helpful guiding light these days. So, we’ll continue to shine a light on the best spring style essentials on the blog, and hopefully, you’ll like what you see and what you read. Heck, if that classic shirt at the top of the page piqued your interest right off the bat, head over to Huckberry to shop the Flint and Tinder High Desert Collection — while also checking out the very well-curated Huckberry Journal. It’s another great source of quarantine reads — I hope you find today’s roundup helpful, too.

This weekend, I’ll be following much the same routine, socially distanced here in Brooklyn. That includes spinning plenty of vinyl (my latest purchase is the excellent “The New Abnormal” by NYC rock legends The Strokes!), and of course, enjoying some terrific coffee (namely, from the FourTillFour x Taylor Stitch partnership). As for your own weekend, I wish you safety, health & all the best! Read on below for more crucial content.

  • As the headline mentioned, I’m here to tell you all about one of the best essentials for your everyday carry, as I covered at GearMoose — that would be the new The James Brand x Huckberry Elko Knife, a sleek and well-designed pocket knife to act as an accessory to your favorite chore pants. Gear up accordingly.
  • Let’s dig into some menswear you can wear to work from home, shall we? In this era of ultra-casual leisure (even when on a Zoom call), you might want to check out one of the best loungewear sets for men — I rounded them up for The Manual. Stay safe, comfy and cozy, my friends.
  • Who doesn’t appreciate some rugged workwear when the going gets tough? I know I do — and you’ve now got another reason to love iconic workwear brand Dickies. The brand is converting its plants in Mexico and Honduras to produce FDA-compliant isolation gowns for hospitals and healthcare workers in response to the ongoing pandemic. And get this — Dickies and its parent company, VF Corporation are looking to produce and deliver 50,000 gowns in May,  with a goal of making as many as 675,000 by June, and then on up to 3.4 million (yes, million) by September.  Great work.

And with that, we’re going to wrap up today’s Friday Read. Have suggestions for what you might like to see on the blog, or in these posts (perhaps a weekly playlist? Spirits or beer recommendations? Specific clothing categories?)? Be sure to reach out to me on Twitter. I’ll leave you with one last guide for the weekend, covering how to wear a chore coat for spring. To tide you over until Monday, don’t forget about tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week. Once again — stay safe, stay healthy, and thank you for reading.

And a final, secret word if you scrolled this far — maybe check out this Taylor Stitch moto jacket below??

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Blundstone’s 150th Anniversary, A Levi’s Livestream & Oliver Peoples Sunglasses

My dear friends, here’s the deal: We’ve reached yet another Friday, and yet, perhaps to you  …  the days are starting to blend together as we all do our part and stay home to save lives during this trying time. One thing that can help shake things up? Changing what you wear from day to day, like stepping into some of the Olivers Apparel Passage Pants as seen above — even if you’re just hanging in your backyard, you can’t go wrong with the best men’s pants for spring. As for me, I’m doing the best I can here in Brooklyn, continuing to enjoy my favorite coffee and vinyl records on the weekends, catching up with a bit of TV and the occasional movie (the “High Fidelity” series remake is a hit), and of course, keeping busy working on the blog and freelance writing pursuits. You’ll get the scoop on some of those freelance writing pursuits below, in addition to a fun Levi’s livestream to keep you busy and engaged with your favorite artists during these trying times. On that note, there are also ways you can give back from home — one that I’ve recently come across is The Mask Fund, started by a few excellent content creators (including the ever-stylish Anthony Urbano). The Mask Fund provides tangible donations to front-line first responders and workers, so it’s certainly worth checking out. Of course, if you’re still able to work from home, I hope you’re doing so in style (or at least continuing to keep the best new men’s gear in mind as you shop digitally). On that note, let’s dive into a few reads worthy of your time this weekend. Thanks for stopping by the  blog, be sure to join us for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, and stay safe in the meantime.

  • Folks, if you follow me on Instagram or read this blog, you’re perhaps well-aware that I love a rugged pair of Blundstone leather boots. That being said, if you’re not acquainted with the brand, it’s high time you got up to speed — and on that note, I was proud and excited to be able to cover Blundstone’s 150th anniversary for The Manual earlier this season. Read up on the brand, then step out there in your new favorite boots.
  • ‘Tis the right time to buy some of the best men’s sunglasses, is it not? The arrival of sunny weather means you’d better have your rotation in order, so why not have a little fun when shopping for some new spring shades? That is to say, why not check out the simply stunning, retro-inspired Oliver Peoples x Gregory Peck Sunglasses, as covered by your favorite menswear writer (me!) over at GearMoose? The lauded sunglasses brand worked with the famed actor’s estate to create sunglasses that pay homage to his role in “To Kill A Mockingbird” … so you know they’re stylish and sharp as can be.
  • Alright, my friends. If you’re anything like me, you know and love and appreciate the fact that Levi’s makes some of the best men’s jeans (and maybe the best jean jacket?) on the market. That approach to cool, classic style aligns perfectly with some seriously cool music, as it were. In fact, Levi’s are my jeans to wear to a concert, but since we’re all staying safe at home, the brand is bringing some music to you with its 5:01® Live series (at 5:01 p.m. PST/8:01 p.m. EST — a play off its iconic 501 Jeans), supporting musicians and charities during livestream concerts. Tonight’s guest (for those of us on the East Coast?) — the terrific & energetic Sylvan Esso, with So Cal indie rockers Local Natives — one of my favorite bands! — set to appear on the 21st. Head here to read more, and rock on. 
  • Last but not least, staying safe and in good health is top of mind, is it not? So why not do so in a sustainable way? Pick up some newly launched, moisturizing hand sanitizer from by humankind at the brand’s Web site, and crucially, know that $1 of each hand sanitizer sold goes to The Robin Hood Relief Fund — providing emergency support to those in the NYC area. Hats off to that!

So, before we head on into the weekend (a modified one, to be sure), I’ll direct you toward one more spring style essential you should consider adding to your wardrobe. For yard work at home, socially distanced hikes, a quick jaunt to pick up some to-go beer, throw on some of the best men’s leather boots … for spring. Yes, for spring. If you click through, you’ll read all about what makes a pair of Truman Boot Co. boots so essential. Alright, my friends. That’s all for today. Enjoy yourself and stay safe out there.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Billykirk Sale, Your New Spring Jacket & GREATS Sneakers

OK, folks. It’s Friday. It’s been another week filled with plenty of change — and not always in the best way. But, like the “Change Is Good” stamped on the stylish leather valet tray from Billykirk shown above, maybe you’re using the time to contribute toward positive changes. That could be anything and everything from making donations, supporting your favorite local businesses, being more mindful of your purchases as you shop for the best new men’s gear … and at the same time, being mindful of your family and friends. It’s a heck of a lot to balance at once, so I thank you again for taking some time out of your day and weekend to join me here for another Friday Read. A word: Today’s post is a bit of an extended version of the Friday Read: Lots of ground to cover. Before we go any further, though: You can shop and give back to a good cause with Billykirk right now: The American-made leather goods brand is offering 25 percent off sitewide through its Spring Sale, with 10 percent going toward Feeding America — just use the code SALE25 at checkout, folks. OK back to business.

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As far as being mindful goes … heck, maybe you’ve found that with all this time at home, you need to organize your everyday carry essentials — and you need a new valet tray with which to do it. Whatever brings you here today, I hope you find what you’re looking for. If you’re a first responder or a medical professional, thank you for your work and your service — hopefully, this provides some respite (and yes, a few men’s style deals to shop, because that’s what we do here). Just as with last week, I’ve got some reading suggestions, some ongoing menswear sales and quite a few ways to shop and give back at the same time. As for my weekend plans? I’m going to be kicked back with some coffee from the excellent FourTillFour x Taylor Stitch partnership, and I plan on playing one of my favorite records this weekend, too (at least one, that is to say). What about you? To keep up with how I’m passing my time, and to get some spring style suggestions of your own, head to my Instagram. OK, let’s get into it. Thanks for reading!

    • I’ve talked quite a bit in these past few weeks about the importance of finding one of the best spring jackets for men — it’s still something that can come in handy on solitary hikes or even a quick jaunt to fill up that growler (hopefully, your favorite brewery is still pouring). On that note, I wrote for GearMoose about the Finisterre Aeris Jacket, a durable piece of spring outerwear that could become a new favorite. Head to the site to read more.

  • But one of the many men’s style essentials you can buy from Faherty Brand this weekend.

    • How about another look at how you  can shop and give back? It’s a theme of today’s post, to be sure, and you can continue to do so through Faherty Brand yet again. Now through Monday (the 13th), Faherty is offering select bestsellers for 40 to 70 percent off, folks. From the Knit Seasons Shirt to the brand’s stylish long-sleeve polo, the picks are plentiful. That’s not all: Faherty Brand is also donating 2 percent of sales through the month of April to those impacted by COVID-19, and on top of that, they’ve banded up with a collective of like-minded brands called Brands x Better — this is great work that we should all support (and look great while doing so!)
    • Let’s keep looking at brands making a difference.  Ably Apparel has launched a pretty neat one-for-one program called Get One, Give One to honor first responders. To wit: Ably is offering 25 percent off the entire website and with every purchase, donating an item in support of frontline first responders. That’s a pretty great effort, right? On top of that, Ably is also calling on their social followers to tag a first responder — or for first responders to tag themselves — in Ably’s comments and in return they’ll gift them an item from their website. Again a terrific effort. Check this brand out.

    • OK, more good news on the ways in which brands are giving back. Through the rest of the month, Brooklyn sneaker brand GREATS — yes, the makers of some of your favorite sneakers — will be donating $15 from every order to City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization.  That $15 wil help provide food to a family of three for 15 days. All you have to  do is buy some of the best men’s sneakers of the  moment — another great effort from a truly “great” brand, yes
    • How about something ELSE related to … online shopping? The good folks at O.N.S. Clothing are running a Sitewide Sale through Sunday, offering you 20 percent off of purchases of $150 with the code GET20, on up to 30 percent off purchases of $350 or more with the code GET30. Plus, they’ll throw in a free T-shirt with purchases of $250 and up, to go along with free domestic shipping (and free international shipping on orders of $300 and up). They make cozy, rugged-yet-refined sweaters and essential spring layers, so get to it.

OK, it’s time I left you with one last piece of reading here for the weekend. And it’s a style suggestion too, naturally. The next time you want to look great and feel great on a Zoom call, throw on something a little bit more polished beneath your crewneck sweatshirt. I’m talking, of course, about the easygoing and classic Buck Mason Oxford Shirt, which I covered on  the blog here. It’s surely one of the best men’s shirts you can buy for spring — even if your spring involves working from the back patio with a happy hour beer rather than visiting your favorite brewery. OK, that’s all from me today. Enjoy the weekend, stay safe and feel free to reach out to me on Twitter if you feel so inclined. Cheers!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Comedies on Amazon Prime, A Faherty Brand Sale & Supporting Small Businesses

Folks, thanks once again for swinging through to check out another Friday Read during evermore strange, trying times. If you’d like to take your mind off the news — and who wouldn’t, at this point?? — I submit to you one of the latest spring style essentials from Buck Mason. The Striped Field-Spec Cotton Surplus Crew is a perfect casual spring layering pick, one you can certainly wear atop a stylish Oxford shirt on a casual day  working from home, a solitary stroll or perhaps, a quick jaunt fo fill up your favorite growler at your favorite brewery. At least, I certainly hope that’s something you can access at the moment. As for me, I’ve been spending lots of time listening to my favorite records, drinking coffee, writing, and of course — during the week — holding down the fort at my social media agency day job (from afar, naturally). My writing work is ongoing at GearMoose if you’re of the mind to stock up on some new EDC essentials or other key gear picks, too. In fact, I just wrote about some of the best hand creams for men, a crucial necessity as we all head to the sink more and more to keep our hands germ-free. Today’s Friday Read is going to focus on a healthy dose of menswear, but I’m also of the mind that you can do that while giving back. We’re looking at brands you know and love like Taylor Stitch, and maybe one or two you’re not as familiar with. If you want to keep up with what I’m reading and enjoying at the moment, follow me on Instagram. In the meantime, stay safe & thanks for reading.

Kick back and shop this standout menswear sale for a limited time.

  • Let’s dive into one of the best men’s sales to shop now, shall we? We all seem to have quite a bit more time to shop online these days, so why not check out the excellent Faherty Brand sitewide sale. In fact, you  can start with the outstanding Faherty Brand Movement Shirt, pictured above. Sitewide sales are a rarity coming from a retailer that makes some of the best men’s casual gear, so get ready to take 25 percent off SITEWIDE for a limited time, with the discount automatically applied at checkout. It’s a standout sale that’ll pay serious dividends in terms of breezy spring style essentials (as shown above!), so start shopping. Again, 25 percent off at Faherty Brand … it sounds great to me.
  • We’ve all been talking a lot lately about “flattening the curve” to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, and I’ve no doubt you’ve been doing your part. But what if … you could do more? Shop and give back at the same time, that is to say? Well, men’s lifestyle and golf brand Linksoul has launched a charity T-shirt campaign to give back to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, and you’d do well to get acquainted with the cause. How does it work? Pre-order a limited-edition Linksoul T-shirt (designed by brand co-founder and artist Geoff Cunningham), and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the CDP. The limited-edition graphic T-shirts will ship out at the end of April, and right now, who couldn’t find a spot in their closet for a stylish tee that gives back? Do your part by visiting Linksoul online this weekend.
  • In the way of other neat and surprisingly positive news related to COVID-19, my good friends at Taylor Stitch have launched a new social campaign — #StandSmall — to support their favorite small businesses and encourage their followers do the same. The campaign features a #StandSmall directory that the brand is updating, and they’ll add your recommendations to the list! Be it through online or delivery orders, merch purchases or donations, I’m willing to bet your favorite local coffee shop, bar or restaurant is doing something to support its community  and its employees during this time.  On that note, Taylor Stitch launched a seriously cool coffee and menswear collab with Arizona creative shop and cafe FourTillFour that’s worth your time (I have some of the coffee on the way!).  Oh, and another note on Taylor Stitch: They’re running an indefinite 25 percent off sale. Get your hands on the best new men’s gear now.
  • To close things out: I’m guessing we could all use a little something to lift our spirits, yes? In that case, I’d suggest checking out the best comedies to watch on Amazon Prime (if in fact you have it) — Vulture curated this list, and there are some old-school throwbacks (pre-World War II) and new, under-the-radar sleepers (literally — “Under the Silver Lake” was a highly enjoyable watch for me last weekend). Enjoy!

That’s going to cap off this edition of The Friday Read. Ideally, you’ve got something new to watch, read or shop this weekend. I’d also recommend you check out the always-excellent mix of spring style essentials on display at Huckberry — they’ve not lost a step yet. Of course, the Huckberry Journal is a never-not-interesting take on what to read, shop and listen to during these trying times and weekends at home — I can’t recommend it enough for when you think you’ve run out of things to read or ways to enrich your mind. Alright, my friends: Be good to each other, stay safe, take care of yourself, and we’ll see you here tomorrow for my Style Pick of the Week. Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Multi-Tool for Home, A New Spring Lager and Boots for A Good Cause

Wear this tough shirt jacket when working at home or working in the garage – easily.

Thank you, my friends, for joining me for another edition of The Friday Read during these oh-so-interesting and incredibly trying times. Whether you’re working from home and seeking a respite from the news or else seeking a respite from being on the front lines of this crisis, I sincerely appreciate you reading — and I hope these weekly missives (and other blog content!) can help provide some comfort and a sense of style on the daily. Speaking of style on the daily — maybe that Flint and Tinder Bedford Camp Shirt can come in handy as a rugged shirt jacket for home projects, yard work or else, as a change of pace on a casual day working in your home office? By now, perhaps you’ve settled into a daily routine as you juggle working from home — balancing your kids’ and your spouse’s different schedules, adjusting to new changes in the workspace digitally, and really … trying to keep everything moving forward.

That’s been the case for me in Brooklyn when it comes to both writing and my social media day job, although I’m continuing to support my favorite local businesses from afar as much as I can. Last week, I bought some delicious coffee-for-delivery from Ninth Street Espresso (they have a location within the excellent Threes Brewing in Gowanus). I also took the time to donate a small amount to Bushwick’s Elsewhere — part music venue, part gallery, part bar and cafe, it’s an eclectic and important space that’s put on some excellent concerts in my life and always seems to offer something intriguing and enjoyable. Tell me on Twitter — are you supporting your favorite local businesses during this trying time? How are you adapting your Work-From-Home style (and might I suggest this #OOTD)? Stay safe, stay stylish & check out my favorite things to read, drink and watch this weekend.

  • First things first, let’s talk about some men’s style gear for a good cause. Namely, Austin-based HELM Boots is doing its part — you can get 20 percent off all  boots at HELM Boots through Sunday with the code “giveback”, and what’s more, 10 percent of all sales are going to charities supporting COVID-19 relief efforts (like Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry & AmeriCares). Again, 20 percent off through Sunday, and sales of these stylish boots are absolutely going to a great cause.
  • It certainly might seem counterintuitive to pick up everyday carry essentials right now (especially if the most activity you’ll be doing is yard work before retreating inside), but for all those projects around the house that just can’t wait, there’s the Deploy EDC Kit from my pals at Bespoke Post. With that utility in mind, I wrote about this EDC must-have over at GearMoose — click through for more.
  • As the headline promised, I told you I’d give you the scoop on one of the best new beers for spring. In this case, you should head over to GearMoose to read about the light, clean and refreshing New Belgium Purist Lager, made with organic ingredients and incredibly fresh water. I’m a big fan, and I think you will be, too (even if you’re just sipping on it on your back porch — socially distanced sipping, that is). Cheers!
  • Mark my words, I’m certainly not an expert … but there will come a time when you’ve got to dash out of the house this spring, and you’re going to want to look put-together in one of the best men’s jackets while doing it. All of this is to say, how about you head on over to The Manual and check out my guide to the best lightweight jackets for spring? Again, shopping can feel a little frivolous during times like these, but you’re supporting brands you love and prepping your wardrobe (and your future self!) for a bit of style when the time comes.

To be sure, these are odd times again — I’m sure buying a new Oxford shirt isn’t the first thing on your mind. But hey, for those of us fortunate enough to be working from home — and for those of us who have to hop on Zoom or Slack video conference calls — looking and feel a bit more put-together is a nice change of pace when you can’t get out of the house. Yet again, it’s with that approach in mind that I’m recommending you pick up one of the best Oxford shirts for men. Specifically, click that link to read all about a stellar Buck Mason Oxford shirt. OK, those are all of my reading (and watching, and imbibing) recommendations for this weekend. Want to get in touch on anything at all? Reach out on Twitter, and be sure to follow me on Instagram (I’m posting about what I’m reading, listening to and writing). Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to join me — stay safe, my friends.