Tag / the friday read

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Summer Style Essentials, Timex x Todd Snyder’s New Watch & Taylor Stitch

The right sneakers for your next workout or your next summer trip.

How is your summer rolling along, friends? In need of new summer sneakers? Step into the weekend with the YORK Athletics Mfg. Henry Low Sneakers as seen above. With any luck, you can wear those stylish sneakers to either A) Get a workout in or B) start to check things off your summer to-do list, from festivals to craft beer tastings & summer travel. If you’ve attended a music festival or still have one on your radar, perhaps my music festival style tips ought to do the trick (Think: Rugged and casual, not sloppy). And if you still need more of the best gear for summer, well, click right through that hyperlink.


OK, now onto business — what’s on your weekend agenda? For me, it’s a rather packed one in Brooklyn — tonight marks the second night in a row I’ll be at my favorite music venue in NYC, the famed Brooklyn Steel! The occasion? A second show in a row by my second-favorite band, Local Natives! If you recall, I trekked to Portland earlier this spring to see this excellent indie rock band play a barnburner of a show behind the new album “Violet Street,” and I even met lead singer Taylor Rice out in PDX! And, last night was the first of a two-night run showing off those same tracks in Brooklyn, and with a varied setlist and stellar live sound, it was everything I thought it would be! So, if you want to follow along with tonight’s fun, join me on Instagram. The rest of my weekend is set to include a fun craft beer tour by bike with friends in Queens — and hopefully, some rest & some work on my Instagram! Again, if you care to join me on another social media platform, it’s appreciated. Now, I’ve got some work to do before the weekend. Cheers!

With that, I’ll be closing up shop for the weekend (well, until tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, at least). Until then, I’d urge you to shop for your perfect summer T-shirt, or else find your new favorite pair of summer shoes. That’s all I’ve got today! Cheers.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: New Clarks Wallabee Boots, VANS Slip-Ons & the Best Beer for Summer

The perfect suit to wear to a summer wedding? It might be!

Summer weekends can fill up in a hurry, can’t they? Why, this weekend, I’ve got a ticket to see iconic NYC rockers The Strokes play at perhaps my favorite music festival, the city’s own Governors Ball! In fact, it’ll be my second time seeing them in about a week — wild! (You know that if you follow me on Instagram, of course). And on top of that, I’m hosting college friends for a quick weekend trip — I sense some craft beer and lots of stories about Michigan State and The State News in the near future for yours truly. What’s on your summer weekend to-do list? If it happens to be a summer shindig, and you’re perhaps wondering what to wear to a summer wedding, well, the Taylor Stitch Telegraph Suit as pictured above is a great place to start. Or, you can always shop my picks for the best men’s gear for summer if you’ve got something more casual in mind (I.E. A summer music festival or a summer happy hour). Aside from that, if you’re simply savoring a relaxing summer weekend at home, well … enjoy it! Maybe turn on The Strokes and crack open a cold one. In the meantime, check out my favorite style reads of the week. Cheers!

OK, got all that in mind as you head to the beach, the pool or the park this weekend? If you still want one last thing to read before you clock out this week, you best check out my #OOTD on how to wear a denim shirt for summer — and a summer weekend in particular. That’s all from me today, folks!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Strokes, OluKai Sneakers & Memorial Day Weekend

The dependable sneakers to wear all summer long.

Looking to get acquainted with perhaps the perfect pair of summer sneakers? A pair that’s going to outfit you for anything and everything you need, from outdoor grilling to early morning training? It is Memorial Day weekend, after all. In that vein, turn toward the OluKia ‘Inana Sneakers (as seen above) this weekend — they’re some of the best new sneakers to throw on your feet. Now that you’ve got your stylish sneakers sorted out for the weekend, let’s turn toward the matter at hand — as we mentioned, it’s Memorial Day weekend! This long weekend marks the official (unofficial?) start of summer, plus a great opportunity to head to the beach or pool, open up your cabin for the season, and naturally … shop some of the best summer style essentials around. My travels won’t quite be taking me to a lake, though.

A legendary band returns to the U.K. for the first time in four years this weekend.

I’m actually heading across the pond yet again this year to take in the newly icnonic All Points East Festival, headlined by none other than world-famous rockers The Strokes! My last trip overseas took me to chilly Dublin, but I expect a warm London weekend brought in by an iconic rock band this time around. The Strokes were a seminal band for me during college and beyond, and it didn’t hurt that they defined the sound of the early-’00s NYC rock revival! It’s fitting that they’re joined at this festival by none other than post-punk rock champions Interpol (another favorite!) and … *cue the applause* Jack White’s The Raconteurs! It’s an action-packed lineup for one heck of a great price at All Points East, and the perfect chance for me to explore London (and particularly the cool Shoreditch neighborhood near the festival) for a few days. Care to follow along? Head to my Instagram or my Twitter to check out all the action. Maybe throw on some tunes by The Strokes as you do. Now, that’s all I’ve got today — I’ve got a flight to catch!

  • If ever you peruse the pages of this blog, or the pages of one of my other favorite sites (GearMoose!), you might know I love recommending a stylish polo for summer. In that same vein, I wrote about the Wellen Hemp Polo, a sustainable and well-made menswear essential that’s going to keep you cool, yet sharp, as the thermostat climbs.
  • Every week, we (and by we, I mean me) try to tell you about the men’s basics that aren’t so, well, basic. On that front, I can’t recommend the Taylor Stitch Heavy Bag Tee enough — I wrote about it recently here on the blog, and it’s surely worth your time if you want a dependable summer T-shirt that gets the job done.
  • Style and toughness is the name of the game when it comes to the best men’s dive watches — wouldn’t you agree? It’s with that approachable aim in mind that I wrote about my favorites for my friends at The Manual.  Taking on summer just got a whole lot more stylish.

So with that, it’s time to wrap up today’s edition of The Friday Read — before you head out for Memorial Day weekend, I’d advise you to check out my #OOTD (quickly!) on the best travel gear to wear for spring and summer. You won’t regret it. Until tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, cheers!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Local Natives, Banana Republic & Portland

The slim denim you need for the weekend ahead.

Are you geared up and ready for the weekend? Surely not yet, right? Or at least, not without a pair of slim light wash denim from Mott and Bow, correct? This brand makes comfortable, premium jeans that are as fit for a casual Friday (like today!) as they are for your weekend escapades — in fact, I might just be wearing mine soon as I hit the road. That’s right, I’ve got another very, very exciting trip upcoming! I’ll be heading back to Portland, Oregon (I was last there in September 2017 to see Future Islands play!) this weekend, and the occasion is just as special this time around. I absolutely love this city for its mix of old and new, with a refreshing contemporary-yet-authentic vibe (don’t believe those who compare it to “Portlandia” … all the time, at least). I’ll be heading to this great Northwest city to see one of my favorite bands, lauded California indie rockers Local Natives,play what should be a wonderful live show behind their excellent recent album “Violet Street” — it’s assuredly one of my favorites this year so far, and they always put on an astounding show! Of course, you can follow along with me on Instagram as I hit up spots like Hopworks Brewery, Blue Star Donuts and Courier Coffee (not necessarily in that order). What’s on tap for your weekend? Any suggestions for Portland must-do’s? Let me know on Twitter, and get your weekend started the right way … now!

  • The good folks at Banana Republic are keeping you cool this summer with a unique new partnership: The Banana Republic Core Collection, formed in partnership with star QB Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams, features a prime mix of classic silhouettes (think chinos and travel-friendly blazers) merged with performance fabric — and per usual, I wrote about it for The Manual! Stay cool out there.
  • If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love — LOVE — a stylish pair of leather boots. Especially a stylish pair of Taylor Stitch leather boots, right? On that note, I covered the newly launched Taylor Stitch Moto Boots for GearMoose; talk about a winning pair of investment-level footwear, yeah? No kidding.

OK, my friends. That’s all from me today, but I’ll leave you with one last guide as to what to wear this spring — hit that link for more. And for now, I’ve got a flight to catch! Cheers.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Timex Watches, Tread By Everlane & the Best New Spring Gear

Another pair of durable, lightweight Danner boots to take you into the weekend.

Folks, it’s time — well and truly time — to step into the weekend with a pair of the best men’s boots from Danner (as seen above). To me, there’s no better way to close out the week and look forward to the weekend than with a lightweight, versatile pair of boots like the Danner Caprine Boots (aside from listening to The National and enjoying a great cup of coffee, that is). On that note, what’s on your weekend agenda? I’m very, very excited to welcome my parents back to Brooklyn for the first time in more than a year! It’ll be a fun-filled and busy weekend, highlighted by a trip to the Brooklyn Museum’s Frida Kahlo exhibit and of course, plenty of great coffee and brunch. We also plan to experience the mysterious, classic NYC production Sleep No More, an immersive storytelling experience that promises twists and turns around every corner. It’ll be a first for myself since moving to NYC! You can follow along with all the fun on my Instagram, per usual. And for your own weekend planning, I’d suggest you start with the below menswear reads and news pieces — they won’t let you down, trust me.

  • Perhaps you regularly read the digital pages of GearMoose, one of my favorite sites (and not solely because I contribute there frequently!). On that note, I covered an essential spring and summer watch, the Timex Archive MK1 Watch — it’s durable, affordable and made to last. Pair it with your favorite T-shirt and a perfectly broken-in pair of chukka boots for easygoing summer style.
  • If you’re not yet aware, the great folks at Everlane are doing a decidedly stellar job when it comes to crafting the best new pair of sustainable sneakers on the market — that would be the Tread by Everlane Collection, as covered by yours truly at The Manual. In fact, the great thing about these sneakers is how well they pair with the brand’s perfectly cut Oxford shirts and slim dark denim.
  • In my mind, these sorts of things are always worth a reminder and a refresher — that is, you need to check out my guide to the best spring style essentials to buy now. Hopefully, these weekly entries more than get the job done when it comes to upgrading your personal style.

That’s going to close out today’s Friday Read — if you’re still searching for something to read (or for one of the best men’s T-shirts to round out your wardrobe), I’d suggest you check out this piece on your new favorite tee. Cheers!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Vampire Weekend, Brooklyn Coffee & Jack Mason’s New Solar Watch

The classic, functional sunglasses you need for summer.

Who else is looking toward the weekend in fine fashion today? Well, you can start it out by shielding your eyes from the sun with some of the best men’s sunglasses on the market, the Sunski Topekas Sunglasses. Available for only $68 at Huckberry, they’re sure to be a stone-cold classic. If it were me, I’d pick up a pair for all kinds of weekend adventures. And what exactly is on my weekend agenda? Well, for starters, I’m en route back this morning from upstate New York and the lovely town of Kingston … where I was lucky enough to see Vampire Weekend play songs off of today’s just-released album, “Father of the Bride,” last night! Talk about the opportunity of a lifetime as far as seeing an iconic indie band put on a stellar show. Kingston was also lovely — it was truly a treat to hit up spots like Keegan Ales for tasty beers pre-show! If you get the chance this weekend, I’d certainly recommend you spin that new VW album, and if ever you get to Kingston, well, you know your first stop.

Now that I’m back in Brooklyn, I’m also looking forward to the unique, innovative 37d03d Festival taking place in the borough this weekend! What’s on tap? A terrific Saturday night of genre-bending music as part of a performance collaborative led by Mr. Aaron Dessner (of The National!) and Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver legend). The resulting performance by the Dessner-Vernon outfit Big Red Machine should be nothing short of epic. In the meantime, I also plan to hit up some of the best coffee in Red Hook, including The Black Flamingo. What’s on tap for your weekend? Follow along with mine on Instagram, and be sure to check in with me on Twitter for more fun.

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    • Let’s kick things off with a little solar-powered bang here, in the form of the Jack Mason Solar Field Watch (as covered by yours truly at GearMoose) Perhaps you recognize Jack Mason from this blog, and I can assure you, the brand makes tough, dependable, handsome everyday watches — it’s even cooler that this one just so happens to be highly technically savvy.
    • The thermostat keeps climbing, and it’s only bound to get hotter — that’s where a pair of stylish swim trunks comes into play. On that note, good news for all of us: I wrote about the best men’s swim trunks for my friends at The Manual. Surf’s up!
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    • Early last week, we took a deep dive into all the best new menswear you need to wear to your next happy hour — and seeing as we’re on the verge of another weekend, I figured it would be worth another share. Read all about how to get dressed for happy hour right here.

That’s going to close out today’s Friday Read, folks. Still want something else to read? Check out my piece on the best men’s denim shirt for spring. Have a great weekend, folks!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Los Angeles, The National & PBR Extra

A unique pair of packable, wearable spring and summer travel shoes.

I can tell you this — today’s post centers a lot around spring travel, so it’s fitting that I’m recommending the Astorflex Patnoflex as the one pair of shoes you need this weekend. Wear them on the plane, wear them off the plane, and pack ’em in your bag without worry. Come to think of it, I could use a pair of these — perhaps the best travel shoes — given my weekend plans!

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As we speak, I’m on the road to Los Angeles for what should be a truly banner weekend — my last trip to the City of Angels was, surprisingly enough, way back in October 2015! The reason for this long-overdue trip? Well, it’s perhaps the best possible reason I can think of to get on a plane across the country: A “Special Evening with The National,” of course! The night is set to feature a concert, a film screening and Q&A featuring my favorite band & my heroes, The National!

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These indie rock champions are set to debut new material from the forthcoming album “I Am Easy to Find,” complete with an accompanying film from director Mike Mills (and starring Alicia Vikander, no less). It’ll be a special preview of the album before it drops on May 17th, and that’s pretty exciting — to say the very least. Have any suggestions for what I should do in Los Angeles? Places I should visit (aside from the requisite trips to Angel City Brewery and HomeState Tacos)? Let me know on Twitter and Instagram — and in the meantime, we’ve got an in-depth look here at the best menswear news of the week.

  • Perhaps you’re well-aware of what you normally wear to the bar when you’re at home in terms of a go-to outfit, from vintage sneakers to a classic denim shirt. That being said, what do you wear when you hit up the bars while traveling? As in, what does one wear on a spring break bar crawl? I wrote about just that for The Manual earlier this season. Cheers!
  • Speaking of a spring break bar crawl … perhaps you’ll come across some flavorful, out-of-character Pabst Blue Ribbon Extra, a new offering from the legendary makers of everyone’s favorite “hipster” beer, PBR. I had the chance to write about this higher-ABV sipper for GearMoose, and I’d suggest you keep your eyes peeled for it the next time you set foot in your PBR-oriented watering hole.
  • Let’s get back to menswear — more specifically, let’s revisit my guide on how to dress for the office this spring, featuring appearances from rugged Chelsea boots, slim dark denim and a classic blazer. How does that sound? Can’t go wrong in my opinion!

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That’ll wrap up today’s Friday Read as I fly across the country to L.A. — again, feel free to chime in on Twitter if there are certain must-hit spots out West! And before I go, I’ll remind you that you need a pair of the best light wash denim for spring and summer. That’s all there is to it. Have a great weekend,  folks!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best White Sneakers, New Grooming Essentials & Astorflex Chukka Boots

A lightweight, durable pair of spring Chelsea boots.

Right off the bat, it might seem the stylish boots seen at the top of the page — the Danner Mountain 600 Chelsea Boots — are more suited for fall and winter than spring. Rest assured, that’s not the case. These are the lightweight hiking boots you need in your rotation, and they’ll look just as stylish as the brewpub for happy hour afterward this spring and summer (they’ll pair particularly well with slim light wash jeans, too). So, that’s how I’d encourage you to start your weekend — by picking up a pair of those Danner boots.  From there, well, you can go just about anywhere.

That’s what I’m planning to do this weekend, at least. I’m hoping to check out a few noted spots in lovely Red Hook, a former maritime hub in Brooklyn that still retains its charm. Brunch at Fort Defiance is on tap, as is a stop at vintage menswear emporium Wooden Sleepers — I’ll be wearing my own pair of the Danner Mountain 600 Chelsea Boots, as it were. It’s been a rather quiet April on the travel front, but I’m gearing up for a big coastal trip next weekend — stay tuned there! And for now, check out all the new men’s style essentials and tips for spring below. Oh, and be sure to find me on Instagram, too. Cheers!

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  • If you want affordable grooming essentials that take all the little details into account, you want the Groundskeeper by Dollar Shave Club set of hard-working, spring-friendly men’s grooming essentials — and you’re in luck, because I covered it for GearMoose. Can’t go wrong with a seasonal grooming upgrade!
  • As far as essential men’s sneakers go, there’s one particular style that can do a  ton of heavy lifting for you — that would be a pair of the best white sneakers. From luxe leather options to hard-wearing canvas models from brands you know and love, read my full roundup over at The Manual.
  • While we’re talking about upgrading and improving your spring style, it’s just as important to keep in mind that even your off-duty fits deserve an update. With that in mind, I’m going to direct you toward a full rundown of the best new men’s style gear as we discuss how to upgrade your casual spring style this season. From a classic slub tee to timeless high-top sneakers, we’ve got something for everybody — you’ll be the best-dressed guy at the  bar this weekend.

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That’s the end of today’s Friday Read, folks. Having fun yet? Still looking for something to read to wile away the day? Check out all of my tips on how to wear a classic T-shirt for spring, if you feel so inclined. Or, read about the stylish cotton blazer that’ll upgrade any outfit (but especially one featuring a classic chambray shirt and slim tan chinos). How does that sound? Just add a delicious spring beer and call it a day. Have a good one, folks!

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by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Men’s T-Shirt, Shaving Clubs for Men & Spring Break Style

The tough T-shirt that’s going to layer with ease all spring.

OK, it’s here — another glorious spring Friday. What are you wearing this weekend? It’s about high time you picked up the best T-shirt for spring and summer — the Flint and Tinder Heavy Slub Tee, as shown above. It’s going to layer up perfectly with all manner of men’s style essentials, not to mention stylish spring sneakers or your favorite pair of chukka boots. It’s as simple as that. So, that’s the T-shirt you’re wearing this weekend. What’s on your weekend agenda? Perhaps a visit to your favorite brewery or maybe even an evening of live music? My weekend is going to contain a little bit of both — I’m kicking off Friday night right by seeing hard-rocking British band Foals play my favorite venue in the city, Brooklyn Steel! And beforehand, I plan to stop by Grimm Artisanal Ales for a few choice pre-concert brews. It all sounds great on paper — I certainly can’t wait. The rest of the weekend will be filled with searching out the perfect cup of coffee (I’m looking forward to hitting up Mixtape Bushwick in that regard), along with writing for some of my favorite menswear sites. As of late, I’ve started up writing again for Effortless Gent, a classic Web site I still love, and you can view that work here. For the rest of ya, well, there’s a nice selection of weekend reads below. Thanks for reading!

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  • Which jacket blends heritage-quality style with spring-ready layering potential and unlimited wearability? Why, that’s be the Todd Snyder x Golden Bear Bomber, as covered by yours truly at GearMoose! Cheers.
  • In my mind, our #OOTD series is always worth a second — or third — look. In that regard, I’d say it behooves you to learn how to wear your new favorite T-shirt this spring. This look won’t let you down, I guarantee it.Shop Mott & Bow Today!
  • Whether you’re new to the world of taming your stubble or consider yourself a seasoned pro, it’d be handy to know about the best shave clubs for men — right? Enter my latest post for GearMoose covering the shaving essentials you can’t live without.
  • Last but not least — do you have a spring getaway coming up? Are you wondering what to wear? Gear up with my suggestions for what to pack for a tropical spring break — it’s as easy as that.

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Before you go, I’m going to point you toward one more handy, useful article — my guide on how to wear sneakers this spring. It’s as classic and essential as can be. Find it useful? Let me know on Twitter!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Game of Thrones, Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon & How to Wear Sneakers this Spring

The one and only denim jacket you need for spring and summer, available right now.

I’ll come right out and say it — the one jacket you need to wear this weekend is the Flint and Tinder Type 2 Trucker Jacket. Seriously, it could be the best denim jacket on the market, and that’s really saying something. As sold by Huckberry (and available in the site’s section of Just Landed new gear), it belongs on your back for many spring and summer weekends to come. How could you not love the throwback style and yet modern cool that this thing brings to the table, right? At any rate, I digress — we’ve got work to do. Well, not a ton of work, seeing as it’s the start of a spring weekend and all. After quite a few weeks on the road (including a recent trip to wonderful Portland, Maine as seen on my Instagram), I’ll be hanging back in Brooklyn this weekend, enjoying a favorite cup of coffee and  visiting with an old college friend up from Washington, D.C., and taking in all the city has to offer on the craft brewing front (I think a trip to Five Boroughs Brewing is in the cards). And if I had my way, well, I’d be wearing the Flint and Tinder Typer 2 Trucker Jacket for exploring many a great brewery — but a guy can dream, right? For adding to your own menswear wish list, check out my Friday news selections below. Thanks for reading!

  • OK, so I mentioned the wildly popular show “Game of Thrones” up above in the headline … but I don’t watch the show (sorry!), so why did I call it out? Well, it’s got a menswear-specific tie-in. Namely, the John Varvatos x Game of Thrones collaboration just dropped, and I wrote about it for The Manual! Get even more of your GOT fix by reading up on the full offering.
  • We’re well and truly into spring sneaker season — it’s with that in mind that I put together my own guide recently on the blog covering how to wear sneakers this spring. Can’t go wrong with an entry in our ongoing #OOTD series, can you?
  • If you follow me on Instagram, you know I appreciate a tasty whiskey — in an Old Fashioned or on its own, on the rocks — as much as the next guy. In that regard, it was pretty neat to learn and write about Yellow Rose Outlaw Bourbon, one spirit you should serioulsy consider adding to your bar cart — read about why it’s so unique and essential (hint: It involves Texas corn!) over at GearMoose.Shop Mott & Bow Today!With the weekend nearly upon us, I bet you’re ready to get going. Not so fast, my friends. Stick around for one more second to read about this spring’s must-buy boots (from Taylor Stitch naturally). And while you’re still here, you might want to read about the classic leather watch you need on your wrist … ASAP. OK, that’ll do it from me. Have a good one!