The Friday Read: The Best Lightweight Shirts, A New Everyday Watch & The Ultimate “Bug-Out” Bag

Maybe you’re going to be working from home a lot more now? A stylish hoodie is certainly necessary, then.

We’re right at the start of another Friday Read and another spring weekend, and an unprecedented one, at that. These are trying times we live in, to be sure (you know what I mean). What’s a guy to do with myriad concerns swirling around, and without even a whisper of spring sports to watch in the meantime? And that’s the least of our worries, to be sure. In the midst of it all, know that I sincerely appreciate you reading this blog — it means an awful lot. Perhaps you’re working from home a ton right now — to be sure, that’s why you can view the Flint and Tinder 10-Year Hoodie at the top of the page. Along with suggesting you pick up one of the best men’s hoodies, well, might I suggest a few reads to take your mind off the rest of the news? That’s what I’m here for, at least. Perhaps consider reading up on this disaster gear kit as covered by Gear Patrol, too (seriously — those gear picks cover a variety of situations across the country and the globe).

The ultimate “bug-out”‘ bag, as Gear Patrol says, can come in handy in plenty of different seasons, too. If you or a loved one is dealing with a health crisis at the moment, I’m wishing you all the best — and a speedy recovery. If your work is impacted by today’s current events, I’m also wishing you the best. If you could use even more menswear features to take your mind off things, head to, well, last week’s Friday Read (covered: The best shampoos, a durable new watch from Huckberry, and spring outerwear). At any rate, hopefully, the below menswear reads can help you take your mind (momentarily) off what’s going on out there. If you want to talk all things #menswear for a change, head to Twitter or my Instagram. OK, let’s get this weekend rolling.

  • With all this talk about disaster gear, let’s stick to the everyday for a minute, shall we? Namely, your timepiece collection needs an upgrade, to say the least. I wrote about an iconic new everyday watch at GearMoose — the Szanto x Roland Sands Icon Signature Watch is durable enough for the field, smart enough for the office, and ready for a bit of everything in between.
  • There’s plenty going on out there, but I’d bet you haven’t completely given up getting dressed in style … have you? There’s little that a stylish spring shirt can’t help you fix when it comes to your daily ensemble, so read up on my guide to lightweight spring shirts at The Manual, featuring brands you know and love (like Billy Reid and more). Let’s get to it.
  • Yet again, I’m here to tell you that spring style shouldn’t fall by the wayside — composure is key, after all. That’s where my guide on how to wear the best men’s chinos comes in handy. Simply click over to that post and check out the right way to wear (among other style picks) the Flint and Tinder Selvage Chinos. There’s really no wrong way to style ’em.
  • Last but certainly not least, because you could probably use a little something else to read, let’s stop back by The Manual to check out a neat music — the 7 most influential record labels of all-time. How cool is that? I’m going to be spinning some vinyl this weekend, that  much I know.

Before we take off for the weekend — or more likely, kick back and relax — how about reading all about the must-have shirt jacket you need for spring? It comes from my friends at Billy Reid, who know a thing or two about getting you ready for the season in style. Alright, my friends — that’s all for today’s Friday Read, but we’ve got another Style Pick of the Week incoming tomorrow. Be sure to stop by — oh, and take care out there (and wash your hands!).

Thanks for reading,

-Beau

The Friday Read: The Best Shampoos For Men, A Top Spring Jacket & Your New Spring Watch

A sleek, sharp and cool-as-heck watch to wear this weekend.

Wondering about a watch to wear this weekend? Folks, I’ve got your answer — best make it the Szanto Roland Sands Icon Signature Watch as shown above. It’s one of the best men’s watches to buy right now, and it’ll surely help you stay on time for a weekend of early spring fun. You very well might recognize the brand at the top of the page from past Szanto watch reviews on the blog — and if not, it’s high time you listened up (and shopped in advance of the weekend, of course). I’d only hope you’re wearing a watch designed in collaboration with Roland Sands, at least — I’d love to get my hands on one as I explore Brooklyn this weekend and reflect on my trip earlier this week to Seattle. If you follow me on Instagram, you’re well-aware that enjoyed plentiful craft beer, a standout rock show by NYC legends The Strokes, and of course, a delicious meal (or two) — including at the terrific PINTXO Seattle.

OLIVERS

The weather was surprisingly sunny and beautiful, and I certainly did my best to get around with my favorite spring style essentials in tow, including the functional and stylish Proof Rover Jacket and of course, Flint and Tinder’s Stretch Selvage Denim. Again this weekend, it’ll be all about relaxation back in Brooklyn — I have my TrailKeg growler to fill up at Gold Star Beer Counter in the borough, and I’m also looking forward to cheering on my Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament this weekend! March is one of my favorite parts of spring, precisely for the on-court prowess of my alma mater (fingers crossed, that is!), and I can’t wait to take in some great basketball with college friends. Let me know what’s on your weekend slate of spring fun over at Twitter, and be sure to swing by tomorrow for our next Style Pick of the Week

  • OK, to business. The right shampoo can sometimes be overlooked, I’ve found, in terms of your grooming routine. That’s not the case anymore, though — I’m all about what the best shampoos for men can bring to your rotation of grooming essentials, which is why I covered the 10 best shampoos over at GearMoose.
  • Spring has sprung, and that assuredly menas you need a tough, durable spring jacket — I submit for your consideration the Proof Rover Jacket, as surefire a spring style winner as it gets. Read more at GearMoose, then head to Huckberry to pick up yours.
  • Let’s turn briefly to the rugged leather boots you’ve (ideally) got on your feet this season. They should be from HELM Boots, no questions asked. More specifically, you should click through to this blog post covering the best Chelsea boots to buy right now. And if you thought spring wasn’t an ideal time for Chelsea boots? I promise, HELM has you taken care of.

Folks, that’ll just about do it for today’s Friday Read. But before I let you go, I’m going to direct you toward another standout timepiece that should be on your wrist this spring — the Buck Mason Mulholland Explorer Wristwatch, as durable and stylish a watch as it gets. It’s rugged, it’s hard-wearing, it looks great whether grabbing coffee or grabbing a beer … you can do no wrong. By the way: Don’t forget your HELM Boots before you hit the road. OK, that’s all for now — thanks for reading!

The Friday Read: A Seattle Road Trip, The Best Face Washes for Men & A New Henley

The timeless, seriously cool spring jacket to start wearing right now.

There it is in all its glory — the new spring jacket you’re going to be wearing all season, starting with this weekend. To me, a versatile spring jacket like the Grayers Boone Utility Jacket is exactly the right layer you need to welcome the up-and-down weather of early March. And again, it’s the best spring jacket to wear as we kick off the weekend with today’s Friday Read. As for my weekend plans, I know a jacket like the Grayers Boone Utility Jacket could come in very handy for me — I’m trekking to a place known for some rain and breezy weather, Seattle! I’m heading out to this great Pacific Northwest city for the first time for a very exciting (and fitting) reason. I’ll be heading West to see what should be a terrific rock show by legendary NYC rockers The Strokes, who recently announced their first album in seven (!) years, titled “The New Abnormal.” Contemplative, synth-driven crooner “At The Door” is an innovative release, while “Bad Decisions” is a proper throwback Strokes track that pays homage to Billy Idol (seriously, listen to it!), and I truly can’t wait to see both tracks played live at the WaMu Theater. In the meantime, I’ll be busy exploring with my favorite spring style essentials in tow, naturally, and I’ll be taking in the cool environs and atmosphere of the Ace Hotel Seattle — another first for me! On the menswear front, I plan on checking out the latest and greatest at Filson, in addition to a stop through a longtime favorite retailer, Hammer and Awl.

In addition to rocking out to new and old favorites from a legendary band, I plan to get out and about in Seattle as much as possible (wearing the the best spring jacket I can find, of course). That’ll include stops at Georgetown Brewing, Pike Brewing and some small bites at the lauded PINTXO Seattle and Teku Tavern, along with a much-needed stop for record shopping at Holy Cow Records. Along the way, I plan to fuel up accordingly at spots like Analog Coffee —  can it get much better? Not quite! So, have you been to Seattle? Where would you recommend I visit? Be sure to let me know on Twitter, and be sure to check out tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week in the meantime.

  • Don’t let your grooming routine slip on the weekend — in fact, using a refreshing face wash can be a great way to kickstart your day. In the spirit of improving your men’s grooming essentials across the board, I wrote about the best face washes for men over at GearMoose. Whatever your skin type or routine, there’s something on this list for everyone.
  • Keeping things slim and stylish is a must when it comes to your everyday carry essentials, especially when you’re talking slim denim or your favorite chinos. With that approach in mind, I wrote about the best slim wallets, featuring sleek and functional selections aplenty. Head to The Manual for my latest.
  • If you read the blog on the regular (and how could you not??), then you know that I’m all on board when it comes to the versatility and appeal of a rugged henley — this sportswear classic is now a daily style staple for guys everywhere, myself included. In the spirit of the best rugged gear for men, I rounded up my favorite henley shirts once again for The Manual. Once you’ve checked out that post, read this other post about how to wear a henley on the daily.

OLIVERS

Alright, so we’ve covered off on new henleys, a new face wash for your grooming routine & of course, everyday carry essentials. What’s one final essential you can’t live without? It might just be a classic Oxford shirt, a fitting piece every week of the year — including blustery March days. With all that in mind, I’m going to point you toward my guide on how to wear an Oxford shirt. It’ll work on the weekend or at the office with ease — I should know, I’ve tried! OK, that’s all for now. To keep up with my weekend travels, be sure to join me on Instagram. Cheers!

 

The Friday Read: Bonobos Travel Jeans, Your New Chinos & A New Pilsner

A rugged, classic chore coat guaranteed to deliver weekend fun.

Welcome once more to another edition of The Friday Read, my friends. Today’s take on the best men’s style news of the week is particularly momentous — tomorrow is Leap Day, a rarity on the calendar, so let’s have a little fun with it! And one way to have some fun? By picking up more winter style essentials, including the rugged and essential Wellen Stretch Chore Coat as seen above. It’s simply one of the best chore coats you can buy at the moment. I’ll be going a bit more formal with my look this weekend, though. Why’s that? Well, my great college friend — none other than Mr. Kyle Campbell — happens to be tying the knot in Brooklyn! A Brooklyn wedding is a rarity for me (I’ve traveled back to Michigan for past weddings), so it’s definitely momentous to be able to head to The Palm House at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, followed by post-wedding festivities at excellent beer hall Berg’n.

Speaking of craft beer, the festivities have continued to roll along through NYC Beer Week these past few days — it’s one of my favorite weeks of the year here across the city. I had the chance to try delicious beers from the likes of Finback Brewery (the Breach The Surface IPA is a juicebomb of a  brew), Suarez Family Brewing (had to get the flavorful Qualify Pils from this upstate gem!) and more at spots like Covenhoven. I also stopped by lauded Brooklyn bar The Well, packed with 60 (yes, 60!) taps. The occasion? A live panel with renowned beer writer Josh Bernstein! Talk about a great day of great beer — drafts from NYC’s Interboro and Florida’s Civil Society Brewing were particularly prime choices. Looking back on the week, I’m grateful I get to live my passions in NYC — from craft beer to yes, menswear. Hey, speaking of menswear: Let’s get going with the good stuff, shall we? Enjoy the rest of today’s Friday Read.

  • Can you ever have enough of the best men’s chinos? Well, perhaps — but that’s not why we’re here. No sir, I had the chance to write about my favorite men’s chinos for each and every season for The Manual — on the docket, you’ll find picks from both Taylor Stitch and Faherty Brand, for starters. Happy shopping!
  • So you’ve got your new favorite chinos and you’re ready to hit the road — or are you? Not without one of the best passport wallets. I wrote about 20 (yes, 20!) of them for GearMoose, per tradition. Gear up, add to your everyday carry, and then (and only then!), you’re ready to hit the road.
  • All of that earlier talk of craft beer is making me thirsty … if you feel the same way, check out a crisp, refreshing and new pilsner over at GearMoose, as covered by yours truly. In my last trip to Utah, I enjoyed quite a few brews from Uinta, so I’m certain you’ll be mighty pleased with the Uinta 801 Small Batch Pilsner. Bottoms up!

OLIVERS

Last but not least — just as with the rugged Wellen Stretch Chore Coat as seen above, now is certainly not the time to stow away your winter jackets. That being said, maybe you feel your rotation has grown a bit stale as the months have gone on? In that case, grab the versatile Buck Mason Bunker Twill Field Jacket — head to this blog post to get the full scoop, then be ready to pair it with your favorite henley and your best blue jeans for expert weekend style. Have questions on what to wear, and when to wear it? Want to see what I’m wearing (and drinking, and listening to)? Head to my Twitter or Instagram. Cheers!

The Friday Read: Billykirk Leather Goods, New GREATS Sneakers & Banana Republic

A soft, lightweight flannel shirt to layer up with this weekend.

There’s really no time like the present — as we stand on the edge of another winter weekend — for you to pick up your new favorite flannel shirt. The right flannel shirt, as in the soft and dependable Lisboa Porto Shirt, is wearable all weekend long, from coffee to cocktails — and it’s the kind of easygoing, classic flannel shirt you can even wear around the house as you lounge around and click through today’s Friday Read. What exactly do we have going in today’s edition? Plenty, folks, including potentially your new favorite sneakers (if you’re not dealing with absurd amounts of snow right now). We’ll get to the rest in a moment, but it’s pretty wild to be nearing the end of February — on that note, I’m starting to get excited for an early March trek to Seattle (a new city for me!) that I’ve got planned.

5.11 Tactical

I’ll be staying at the always-excellent Ace Hotel, and of course, there’s quite the reason behind the trip: Legendary NYC rockers The Strokes (whom I had the honor of seeing on New Year’s Eve in Brooklyn) are making a triumphant return to the stage in advance of the April release of their new album, fittingly titled “The New Abnormal.” That being said, I’m already starting to prep for the trip, which I plan to continue this weekend as I enjoy some delicious coffee and spin my “Room On Fire” vinyl. Naturally, I’ll also be listening on repeat to the band’s new single, “At The Door,” a slow, synth-driven crooner with moody atmospherics — it’s a change of pace from the classics, and I love it all the same. OK, let’s pivot from indie rock back to menswear, shall we? Here’s today’s Friday Read — enjoy!

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  • What better way to start the weekend than with some new leather boots? I’m a big fan of FRYE leather boots, and would certainly recommend you check out the brand as winter closes out — consider them an underrated addition (for a great deal, at that) to your wardrobe as we wrap up February.
  • I mentioned above that we’d dig into some new sneakers in advance of early (early) spring, and those sneakers are in fact here — they’re the stylish, minimal and premium GREATS Court Sneakers, and I dug into what makes them so essential for GearMoose, per tradition. They’re affordable given the use of Italian leather, and they’ll wear extremely with everything from slim tan chinos and a rugged henley to a classic Oxford shirt and slim denim.
  • Speaking of slim denim, get a load of this: The good folks at Banana Republic are really changing the denim game, crafting slim blue jeans with 99 percent less water (yes, 99 percent!) thanks to its new Dry Indigo line — and of course, I wrote all about your new favorite denim over at The Manual. It’s all about sustainability and style in 2020, so you can’t go wrong.
  • If you’ve taken the time to curate a collection of thoughtful everyday carry essentials — as every stylish guy should do — then it only makes sense that you pick up the proper place to store them when you’re off the road, yes? A stylish valet tray is the ticket in that regard, and helpfully, I wrote about Billykirk Bronco Valet Tray for GearMoose. Best get to shopping now!

New Spring Arrivals

I often talk about the type of style essentials you can consistently wear day in and day out, year in and year out — and there’s perhaps no rugged base layer more suited to right now than a classic henley. With all that being said, I’m going to point you toward my guide on how to wear a henley right now, featuring plenty of gear picks you know and love. If you have questions on how to style it, or how to rock any of your other favorite winter style essentials, you know what to do: Reach out to me on Twitter. Cheers to the weekend!

Elevated Basics. Grounded Price.

The Friday Read: Valentine’s Day, Rogue Brewing’s New Stout & Red Wing Boots

Give yourself the gift of vintage this Valentine’s Day — seriously, why not?

Alright, folks — we all know what day it is. That’s right … it’s Friday, and yes … it’s Valentine’s Day. What do you have planned? And more importantly, what are you wearing? Perhaps my guide to what to wear on an evening date can be of service? Maybe you don’t quite have a lot planned at all, but that’s no reason to get down — treat yourself to your favorite craft beer, or perhaps a live show (as I plan on doing!), or a delicious burger or maybe, just maybe … treat yourself to a piece from the spectacular Taylor Stitch Vintage Collection as shown at the top of the page? A complementary offering to the excellent Taylor Stitch Restitch Collection (which repurposes old Taylor Stitch gear), pieces like the Taylor Stitch Vintage Moto Jacket are seriously rare, highly coveted and very tough to find (unless you act now, that is). And although it’s pricey and limited in sizing, there’s no question that you’ll be very, very happy this Valentine’s Day if you snap up the Taylor Stitch Vintage Moto Jacket — or a similar piece from the collection.

Shop Mott & Bow Today!

I’ll be doing some online shopping myself, and I’m looking forward to a relaxing winter weekend in Brooklyn, powered as always by my favorite vinyl (this weekend’s selection is “Trouble Will Find Me” by The National), delicious coffee … and yes, craft beer. It’s a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of this week, as New York Fashion Week continued to roll along — I was fortunate enough to check out a sustainable fashion event at NYC’s Ace Hotel featuring Dickies this past weekend, and it’s always a treat to see brands that are doing things the right way (kind of like Taylor Stitch with its repurposed Taylor Stitch Vintage Collection!). With that being said, it’s time to start the weekend right — here’s to Friday, and the Friday Read. Cheers!

New Spring Arrivals: Mens

Shop Western Rise Now

If you read the blog on the regular (as you should!), then it should come as no surprise where I’m going to direct you next: Towards my latest roundup of the best men’s gear! That’s courtesy of the ongoing series The List, which calls out seasonal style essentials aplenty. Heading into the weekend, I’m certain you’re bound to find at least one of your new favorite style picks. Right? Right. If you want to connect further on all things #menswear, head to my Twitter. OK, that’s it — that’s all I’ve got! Have a good one, folks.

The Friday Read: Your New Favorite Sneakers, Cold War Kids & Upgrading Your Watch

Step into the weekend the right way — with these tough leather boots.

Are you laced up and ready to head into the weekend? I know I am — and if I had my way, I’d be wearing some of the best men’s leather boots as shown above: The Nick’s Boots MP-M1 Boots. They’re a perfectly rugged pair of leather boots to wear all weekend (and in my humble opinion, they’d do very well when worn to a favorite brewery or craft beer bar). If you end up picking up those stylish leather boots, let me know. In the meantime, we’re rolling into a busy February with today’s Friday Read. It was another edition of New York Fashion Week: Men’s here in the city this week, which led to quite the juggling act for me — hopping from my agency day job to runway shows by menswear luminaries like Todd Snyder, who showed a perfectly refined, throwback-inspired collection of beautifully tailored outerwear and trousers. It helps that he also served delicious craft beer from Brooklyn’s Threes Brewing at said runway show earlier this week!

Shop Western Rise Now 

The fun didn’t stop there, though — I found time to fit in another one of my passions, that passion being great live music. I swung through the recently revamped Webster Hall (a legendary venue in its own right) to see California rockers Cold War Kids, a personal favorite. I had previously seen them in Brooklyn (in 2018) and Nashville (back in 2017), and they always put on a blistering set. Standbys like “Hospital Beds” and “First” amped up the night, as did my favorite song by the So Cal rockers — the hard-charging, inspiring “Miracle Mile.” Tracks off the band’s most recent album, “New Age Norms 1,” featuring more soulful numbers and gospel-esque production, fit in surprisingly well throughout the night, too. All told, when you blend a night of great rock music with, say, a couple cans of cold PBR, it doesn’t get much better. That being said, I’m looking forward to a relaxing weekend in the borough, powered by plenty of coffee and some of my favorite vinyl records spinning. Check out our Friday Read below, then come by tomorrow for the Style Pick of the Week. Cheers!

  • I mentioned above that we’d be talking about your new favorite sneakers — and indeed, that time has come. Nike recently released an upgraded take on its classic Air Force 1 silhouette, and the result is a pair of streamlined sneakers made with GORE-TEX for added winter durability. Read my latest at GearMoose for the full scoop. Wear them now with your favorite pair of jeans.
  • Bear with me for just a moment here — there’s truly no reason you can’t wear your favorite summer watch in the winter. How does that work out? Well, I’m giving you the full rundown in my latest for The Manual (Hint: It’s all about texture and rugged style).
  • Give the gift of rock n’roll this Valentine’s Day (or any time at all, really) with the latest from Happy Socks — the Happy Socks x Linda & Johnny Ramone Collection harnesses everything that’s cool about rock n’roll in one effective collection of stylish socks, and it celebrates their iconic relationship at the same time. You’re turning up the volume on your style quickly here.
  • Let’s talk quickly about the best men’s grooming essentials, shall we? For the weekend and your work day, it’s *essential* you take care of business efficiently and effectively — and the Art of Sport Hustle Harder Kit (as covered by yours truly at GearMoose), makes it easy to get great grooming done in one handy package.

Shop Mott & Bow Today!

Before we officially head into the weekend, stick around to shop some of my favorite new menswear deals — everything from a slick leather moto jacket to a rugged flannel shirt is in the mix, as it should be this season. Have questions on what else you should be shopping or wearing? Let me know on Twitter. Enjoy the weekend!

 

The Friday Read: The Best Winter Gear, New Oxford Shirting & The Best Wallet

A highly affordable fleece from the good folks at Bespoke Post.

If it’s the start of the weekend — which it is — then I’d say that cozy winter style essentials should be on your mind as January draws to a close. Picture this: It’s a chilly Saturday morning (not unlike this weekend). You’ve got your favorite record on, a pot of your favorite coffee brewing … and you’re wearing a stylish fleece sweater shown above from the Bespoke Post Polar Box. Sounds pretty unbeatable for a winter weekend, ehh? Again, when you’re thinking cozy style essentials, think about Bespoke Post. Shop Western Rise Now

My weekend routine looks a whole lot like what’s described above, and I always relish the chance to kick back in Brooklyn — I’m coming off a busy week of birthday celebrations (this past Tuesday!), as it were! I spent the day off Tuesday in the borough, enjoying some of my favorite stops (like the lovely confines of Prospect Park and the tasty coffee of Milk and Honey) before hitting up some of my top craft beer spots in Brooklyn with friends, including Covenhoven and Gold Star Beer Counter. On tap? Beers from legendary and hard-to-find breweries in equal measure, including the always-excellent Hill Farmstead. Talk about a fitting birthday treat!
Shop Mott & Bow Today!
I’m always grateful to have the time to step back, reflect and enjoy some time off around my (golden!) birthday, especially as I round into my 6th (6th!) year in New York City. A lot of that has been made possible by my agency day job as much as it’s been made possible by my freelance writing and this very blog! So, this weekend, I plan on enjoying another night out with friends before getting back to work — thanks for reading and supporting The Style Guide! And in the meantime, you know what to do: Kick off your weekend with The Friday Read and the best men’s style news. Cheers!

  • If you follow the blog regularly, you know that I’m a fan of our recurring series The List, covering the best new men’s gear — and in particular, I’m going to direct you toward my recent list of the 10 best pieces of men’s gear to buy this month, from a durable 5.11 Tactical Parka to your new favorite leather boots. Read up, gear up, hit the road!
  • Speaking of hitting the road: Before you go anywhere this weekend, you need to upgrade your wallet. The Distil Union Wally Bifold — as covered by yours truly at GearMoose — is one of the best new wallets on the market in terms of blending durability and sleek style. It also easily slides into the front pocket of your favorite pair of dark blue denim.
  • Let’s keep it rolling over at GearMoose, shall we? A slim, classic Oxford shirt is nearly indispensable in terms of versatility and style points — wear it with slim chinos, wear it with that same pair of dark blue denim … just make sure you’ve got one. On that note, I wrote about the best Oxford shirts, many of them from brands you know and love. Check it out, then let me know which one you’re buying on Twitter.
  • OK, time for one last GearMoose feature today, alright? In terms of upgrading your grooming routine in a subtly stylish yet cool way, the right cologne can go a long way — that’s why I wrote about new Dollar Shave Club cologne. It’s highly affordable and should be highly effective.

Let’s close things out with one last outfit recommendation — since we’re on the verge of a winter weekend, I figured it’s high time we revisited my guide on how to dress for a winter weekend. You’ll find plenty of handy, effective goods in that #OOTD, from a tough waxed trucker jacket to your favorite henley. That should just about do it the next time you head out on a weekend adventure. In need of more style inspiration? Be sure to visit my Instagram.

Shop Mott & Bow Today!

The Friday Read: Philadelphia, New Taylor Stitch Boots & How to Dress for a Weekend Getaway

Heading into the weekend with selvedge chinos from Flint and Tinder.

Ready for the weekend? Who isn’t? Hopefully, you’re going to be kicked back and relaxed with some of the best men’s chinos, a truly all-weather pair from Flint and Tinder — trust me when I say the Flint and Tinder Selvedge Chinos put in work all day, every day. That should be the case whether you wear these stylish slim chinos with a winter blazer for date night, or decide to throw ’em on with your favorite henley. So, that’s my first piece of menswear advice for you heading into this January weekend — rest assured, we’ve got plenty more coming in today’s Friday Read. Of course, we’ll have another Style Pick of the Week heading down the pipeline tomorrow. But first, I’m very much looking forward to what’s on my weekend slate.

To celebrate my birthday (28 on the 28th!) a bit early, I’m trekking down to Philadelphia on Saturday morning to see one of my favorite bands — esteemed California indie rockers Local Natives! — play the fun Radio 104.5 Winter Jawn, an outdoor shindig held at Xfinity Live (yes, outdoors). It promises to be part of a day of super-fun, enjoyable music, also helped along by AJR (headlining) and Sub Urban. The rest of my weekend jaunt, I plan on taking in all that Philly has to offer in the way of history and naturally, craft beer. I’ve previously explored neighborhoods like Brewerytown, and I’m turning my attention this time to neighborhood spots like the Khyber Pass Pub and of course, the much-lauded Monk’s Cafe (featuring a positively huge selection of rare beer). It should be a fun and fitting way to kick off the birthday “weekend” — I’ll never pass up a chance to hear Local Natives play classics like “Breakers” and new favorites like “Garden of Elysian,” and when you throw craft beer in the mix … that’s a huge positive! I hope your weekend is similarly filled with fun, great food, delicious beer and excellent music. OK, let’s get into today’s Friday Read.

  • If you follow the blog — and especially if you follow me on Instagram — you know one of my passions here in NYC is live music. From festivals to indie rock club shows, I’m always on the lookout for art and music that moves me & impacts my life. Since moving here, I’ve found the Governors Ball music festival to be a reliably fun and jam-packed way to get my needed dose of high-quality, soulful and meaningful music. That’s why I’m pretty excited about the Governors Ball 2020 lineup, as released last week! With sets on the way from Tame Impala, Vampire Weekend and the legendary Stevie Nicks — not to mention a packed undercard featuring the likes of Bleachers, Charly Bliss, British rockers Foals and more. Needless to say, I’m already anticipating early June in NYC. What do you think of the lineup? Let me know on Twitter.

OK, my friends — we covered a lot of ground here, from a terrific NYC music festival to winter style essentials for your upcoming weekend. Before I get ready to hit the road to Philadelphia, I’d implore you to prepare for the polar vortex (or similarly cold winter weather) with one of my recent roundups of the best new men’s gear for the season. We’re talking a rugged shirt jacket, tough leather boots, a handsome watch and plenty more. I hope you find what you’re searching for — be sure to check back here early and often for my top men’s style picks. Until next time, thanks for reading!

The Friday Read: Your New Favorite Messenger Bag, New Menswear for a New Year & A New Hoodie

A rugged denim shirt to layer up with on a winter weekend.

We’re on the edge of another winter weekend — I hope you powered through your week with speed & style in mind! And I hope you’ve got your eye on that remarkable Buck Mason denim shirt shown above — it could be the perfect winter layer when paired with, say, your favorite henley, and it’s the right way to gear up for whatever’s on your plate this weekend. Notably, winter style essentials should be top of mind, and that’s what we’re going to dive into here for another edition of The Friday Read. Whether it’s a modern flannel shirt or the perfect way to wear your leather bomber jacket, I guarantee you we’ve got something for you — plus, a healthy dose of the best menswear news at the same time. So again, what’s on your plate this weekend? For me, I’ll be working away on the blog (be sure to follow The Style Guide on Facebook!), as well as heading to a double birthday party of sorts being thrown by my cousin — craft beer and BBQ are on the menu, make no mistake! I’ll also be enjoying some coffee at Brooklyn’s own Sweetwater Coffee and Tea,and likely swinging by one of my favorite menswear and home goods shops, the always-excellent Modern Anthology. Of course, given that it’s a long holiday weekend, I’ll be out and about in Prospect Park a fair amount, too — in short, I can’t ask for much more from a few days in Brooklyn than that. To follow along with what I’m wearing (and imbibing, and listening to), head to my Instagram. Oh, and before I forget — make sure you’re layering up with that Buck Mason denim shirt shown above. For now, enjoy the start of your weekend!

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OK, that’s going to wrap up today’s Friday Read. Did you find what you were looking for? If not, take a look at my latest roundup of the best new men’s gear — we’re covering everything from rugged flannel shirts to the best new winter boots, so I think you’ll more than be able to gear up in style this season. OK, that’s really it for now — enjoy your weekend!

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