July 26, 2024July 25, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Rugged Summer Gear from Filson, Buck Mason x J. Press & A Paris Olympics Watch

Just as we roll into another July weekend, perhaps you’re feeling as if your summer menswear and gear could use a bit of a refresh, or just a few more selections to help you get over the hemp. This Friday, and many other days here on the blog, I recommend diving into Filson menswear, which runs the gamut — from the road to the river and back. In my personal experience, they’re a brand that always delivers, be it rugged good looks, standout performance in any season, or a mix of the two.

Learn more now at Filson

Be it quick-drying swim trunks, carefully crafted T-shirts, some of the best lightweight buttondown shirts or the very best waxed canvas bags on the market, Filson is a nearly indispensable part of my summer wardrobe — I’d imagine you feel the same way.

If not, consider this a friendly summer weekend reminder, especially as things continue to heat up out there. And for more Filson reviews on this blog, click that link. Now, onward to business — what’s still left on your summer reading and shopping list?

I’ve recently been sent an exciting read I’m looking forward to checking out, the classic tome “A Really Big Lunch,” by legendary Michigan writer Jim Harrison. In fact, my newfound writer pal and fellow Michigander Matt Medendorp sent this volume my way.

It’s an iconic book that’s long been on my list, and t should prove an apt read to while away hot summer days in Brooklyn (cold beer not far out of reach, of course). Have you had the chance to check out that title? I’ll deliver my own review once I’ve pored through its pages!

Buy “A Really Big Lunch” now

For a few more summer recommendations to guide your own weekend, keep on scrolling through below, my friends. Cheers!

Out of all of my favorite menswear brands, Buck Mason delivers some of the most consistent surprises, or pleasant surprises rather, while staying in its lane as a purveyor of modern-meets-classic, Americana style. What do I mean by this? Well, expertly crafted Oxford shirts, the best blue jeans and perfectly cut T-shirts do the trick. And you can find all of this close at hand in the new Buck Mason x J. Press menswear collection, a retro-meets-21st-century offering showcasing what both brands do best. Read about it more via my latest for Maxim.com.

Shop Buck Mason & J. Press menswear now

Here’s something a tad more illustrious and luxurious than just one of the best Oxford shirts, and it’s got some flair going for it ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, too. Omega, the official watch brand of James Bond and the Official Timekeeper of the Olympics (since 1932, no less!) just debuted a stunning Paris 2024 special-edition watch, and it’s a stunner made from Bronze Gold alloy. Read all about it via another feature from yours truly at Maxim.com.

Let’s go from talking about classic menswear and luxury watches to some “news you can use” right away, so to speak, via the good folks at Huckberry. The lineup of Wellen menswear at Huckberry already focuses on sustainability and style, and it gets a revamp here with a new lineup of Wellen performance gear you can wear, well, just about anywhere. And accordingly, I wrote about possibly your new favorite daily T-shirt over on the blog earlier this week — give it a look, my friends.

Shop Wellen menswear and more at Huckberry

That’ll wrap up today’s Friday Read quite nicely indeed, if I do say so myself. To follow along with my weekend adventures in Brooklyn, be sure to give me a follow on Instagram. And to keep up with more stylish menswear for summer, tune in tomorrow and Sunday for a duo of featured weekend men’s style picks. Cheers and thanks, as always, for reading!

July 12, 2024July 10, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Buck Mason’s Latest Summer Menswear, The Best Short-Sleeve Shirts & Taylor Stitch Chinos

Summer is flying by evermore swiftly, but not in a bad way, at least not in my neck of the woods: There are park strolls, beach days, boardwalk visits and brewery beers, and with more of the same on the way this weekend, I’m trusting my favorite Buck Mason menswear to carry me, well, everywhere.

In my experience, the brand gets the details right with an all-American assortment of super-soft tees in dusty colors, expertly cut jeans, hard-working shorts, breezy camp-collar shirts and some of the best swim trunks on the market (to name but a few categories in which Buck Mason excels).

Learn more now at Buck Mason

If you feel the same way, then you know this to be true, but if not, it’s worth considering picking up a few Buck Mason menswear essentials — head here to read more about how it makes some of the best men’s T-shirts, the best chambray shirt and much more. It’s like I said: From summer rooftop happy hours to breezy weekend brewery visits, rock concerts and everything in between, Buck Mason delivers.

I anticipate more of the same this weekend as I try to stay cool in the Brooklyn heat, menswear and cold beer very much included. And for your own stylish summer pursuits, here are a few essential reads to kick things off the right way — we’ll see you out there, my friends.

Speaking of staying cool in the heat, I know at least one way to combat rising temperatures while putting your best foot forward in matters of style. That’d be one of the best short-sleeve shirts, and I covered a selection of my favorites at a range of price points over at Maxim.com. Shop accordingly and stay cool (and stylish), my friends.

If you keep up with the blog on the regular, you’re well-aware that I find it hard to pass up a deal, particularly a deal on the best men’s chinos from one of my favorite brands. In this instance, that deal hails from the good folks at Taylor Stitch and Bespoke Post, where you can find savings of 30 percent on the Taylor Stitch Foundation Pants in the brand’s wear-with-anything Democratic fit.

Shop Taylor Stitch chinos at Bespoke Post

Let’s ring in the weekend with one last menswear selection for the taking, shall we? Over at Huckberry, I think you’ll be pleased to find that the company’s in-house sustainable menswear brand, Wellen, dreamed up a stylish short-sleeve shirt for men that perfectly merges fashion and function, all thanks to a moisture-wicking fabric and a quick-drying design. Take it on the links, to a summer BBQ and everywhere in between, my friends.

Find out more at Wellen and Huckberry

That’ll wrap up today’s Friday Read quite nicely indeed — hopefully, that trio of stylish menswear picks is enough to sort you out in terms of some prime reading and shopping suggestions for the seasonal heat. Be sure to check back tomorrow for our trusty Style Pick of the Week, and then again on Sunday for a discount on some fine menswear via the Sunday Sale. Cheers and as always, thanks for reading!

June 28, 2024June 27, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Summer Weekend in Scranton & the Best Summer Style Essentials

Summer is about as prime a time as any to flex one’s muscle in terms of sartorial sensibility — yes, that holds true even as the thermostat climbs. In fact, beating the heat in style, whether at the beach or a backyard BBQ, is easier to do than one might think, especially if you shop summer style essentials from, say, Relwen.

The Ohio-based brand has been a longtime favorite of mine, with an eye for taking classic menswear moves — like the Oxford shirt, the chino or the polo — then refreshing them with a touch of the modern.

Learn more now at Huckberry

The Huckberry-approved brand is on my mind this weekend, particularly its artful mix of breezy, stylish pieces fit for summer’s heat — in fact, there’s an entirely new set of Relwen menswear essentials online at the famed retailer, and not a moment too soon through another summer heat wave.

Staying cool in the heat is top of mind in my neck of the woods, which actually looks a little different these next couple days — I’ll be trekking down to Scranton, Pennsylvania (yes, the home of the acclaimed series “The Office”) with my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary for a family weekend of summer fun in the sun.

Of course, I’m bringing my Buck Mason swim trunks and some Huckberry swim shorts for the occasion, and plenty of cold beer and delights from the grill are on tap. What’s on tap for you this weekend? We’ll have a duo of posts covering summer style must-haves, of course, so be sure to swing on by accordingly. Cheers and here’s to the weekend, my friends!

June 7, 2024June 6, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Trekking West to Arizona with Hamilton Watches

In my many freelance writing pursuits — covering everything from spirits to menswear to watches, trekking to Mexico with 1800 Tequila , visiting Boston with Joseph Abboud and more — I value tried-and-true essentials for my #OOTD.

Essentials like one of the best watches for men, of course, which just so happened to be the focus of my latest press trip. Suffice to say, staying on time in style, with rugged functionality top of mind, is the name of the game this Friday (and beyond), my friends. And it was a truly one-of-a-kind experience, which you very well might know if you follow me on Instagram.

Get menswear tips from my Instagram

The experience in question? Earlier this week, I had the chance to journey West with none other than Hamilton Watches, the legendary American producer of military and field timepieces (and an innovator in the timekeeping space since its founding in 1892).

The experience was unlike any other, as myself and fellow watch writers took the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical and Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition (this time on a new NATO strap) out into the field and the high heat of the Arizona desert.

On tap, aside from luxurious accommodations at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Bungalows? A thrilling desert off-road vehicle ride while wearing our Hamilton Watches timepieces, followed by a breezy and at times speedy river raft ride down the Salt River (once again, our Hamilton Watches timepieces proved mighty useful).

The trip was capped off in thrilling fashion with a sunrise hot air balloon ride — and yes, once again, we trusted our Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical and Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition watches (my timepiece of choice) to get the job done.

All the while, each of us found just about everything from Hamilton Watches to be tough, durable, easy to read in terms of legibility and timekeeping, and ready to stand up to the elements — be it dust, water or a hot day’s breeze. They even outfitted us with durable Hamilton caps, crucial in the Arizona desert.

I’ll have much more to come on Hamilton Watches via my many freelance writing pursuits, but for the price and the performance, this is a USA-made watch brand you can surely trust when you need it the most.

Shop Hamilton watches online now

And of course, you can find Hamilton Watches and more at sites like Huckberry, which is also a tough thing to pass up. For powering your weekend, look to one of the best men’s watches — and look forward to two weekend style posts incoming on this very blog. As always, thanks for reading and stay stylish!

May 31, 2024May 30, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Buck Mason Summer Menswear, A Brooklyn Rock Concert & Shinola’s Summer Getaway Bag

Even in the high heat of summer, it pays to be prepared in matters of style. That’s how your author feels here at The Style Guide, whether you’re in search of tips on how to dress for a summer wedding or how to dress for a rock concert. That’s why we’re here after all, right?

While I don’t have any summer weddings on the docket this weekend, I did attend a Brooklyn rock concert last night (more on that in a moment), and I can’t help but turn towards brands I trust for both occasions — this summer weekend very much included.

You might have guessed, but the brand in question — one that’ll have you wearing one of the best summer suits as easily as one of the best indigo henleys — is Buck Mason, and there’s hardly a better note on which to kick off a breezy Brooklyn weekend, I’d say.

Learn more now at Buck Mason

From rugged chambray shirting to soft-shouldered tailoring fit for weddings and rooftop happy hours, I find myself reaching consistently for staple pieces from the Los Angeles brand, even ones as seemingly simple as one of the best USA-made T-shirts. And for the record, this is no sponsored post — just a wholehearted style recommendation heading into a weekend of Brooklyn BBQs and cold beer.

And as to the versatility of the brand’s offerings, from rock concerts to wedding receptions — Buck Mason black jeans in particular were a go-to style move as I trekked to the famed Warsaw Concerts venue to see avant-garde rockers Shannon and the Clams last night with my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary.

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A post shared by Shannon And The Clams (@shanandtheclams)

Shannon’s EP (which I covered at Atwood Magazine, alongside a new single release) was among the music that helped bring us together, and the show was a very fitting one to attend side by side. Of course, style is the name of the game at a Brooklyn show, and my favorite black jeans more than did the trick (perhaps you saw the rest of my rock concert look over on my Instagram?).

Whatever your preferred beverage and song of choice happens to be this weekend, here are a few fitting Friday Reads to get the rest of this thing started the proper way.

If you missed out on some of the blog earlier this week, you’re in luck, because we’re running it back right now. How so? Well, simply peruse my post yesterday covering one of the best weekender bags and featuring none other than a favorite brand, Detroit-based lifestyle outfitters Shinola. The company’s handsome Canfield Carryall is an investment piece, to be sure, but one that’s as stylish as it is functional for summer road trips aplenty.

Here’s one for fans of both finely crafted whiskey and its natural summer pairing, a summer bonfire. Or rather, famed rye whiskey purveyors WhistlePig went a step further, partnering with outdoor fire pit and gear maker Solo Stove on a whiskey bundle. A whiskey bundle? Yes indeed, featuring a new whiskey release, a co-branded portable outdoor fire pit and more. Read my take on the collab right now at Maxim.com, my friends.
And without further ado, let’s roll into the weekend with one more choice style pick from yours truly. If you’re anything like me, you might sometimes find it hard to part with your favorite pair of jeans as the mercury climbs. But there’s a stylish replacement close at hand via Todd Snyder, who designed a pair of five-pocket pants with the style and polish of chinos, yet the fit and comfort of denim. Taken altogether — particularly the breezy linen-blend fabric — and they’re the perfect denim alternative for guys, as I covered this week here on the blog.

Learn more and shop now at Todd Snyder

With that, I’ll bring this week’s edition of the Friday Read to a well-timed close (happy hour awaits on the horizon later today, and there are deadlines to meet, after all). If you didn’t quite find the summer menswear essentials you need from Buck Mason, for instance, rest assured that two weekend posts will cover other must-buy men’s style picks for summer — and with that, let’s get ready to toast to the weekend! Cheers and thanks, as always, for reading.

May 24, 2024May 22, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Memorial Day Weekend Getaway to Boston & the Best Summer Menswear

My friends, we made it: We made it to the unofficial start to summer, Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you’re ready for a long weekend packed with family, friends, great beer, great tunes and the best summer menswear. As to summer menswear, here’s a quick word before we get into it: My friends at Huckberry are running an excellent long weekend sale on menswear, gear, everyday carry essentials and more, and you can check it all out here below.

Shop now at Huckberry

I’ve got a little of each in store in my neck of the woods (beer, menswear and more!), as I’m shipping up to Boston with my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary for one of our favorite shared pastimes: A raucous live show by none other than one of our favorite bands.

Brought to you by way of fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, that would be the one, the only… The Killers.

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A post shared by The Killers (@thekillers)

It’ll be my 14th time seeing the legendary band, a group I can’t help but appreciate in matters of both style AND music — and in fact, it’ll be my lovely Mary’s first time seeing this iconic rock group. As always, I’m thrilled at the opportunity to see my hero Brandon Flowers play live, and I feel ever so fortunate that I got to interview him for Esquire back in 2021 (you can find that story below, as well!)

The Friday Read: Bar Madonna, The Best Summer Menswear & Summer’s Best Polo Shirts

Let’s look back on the week that was here in Brooklyn and beyond, shall we? If you follow me on Instagram, you’re well aware that I cover a lot of ground in my freelance writing pursuits, from spirits to menswear, watches and more. I also keep an eye on the New York City cocktail and restaurant scene, checking out hotspots new and old — including Bar Madonna, as seen at the top of the page.

I had the chance to visit the elegant yet accessible space earlier this week with my blonde-haired sweetheart Mary, and we can’t say enough great things about the just-opened cocktail and small plates haven

Bar Madonna takes an ingenious approach, pairing a refined aesthetic with splashes of colorful, vibrant art — including a massive bar-themed mural. The deeper story behind its artsy look and feel? Its partnership with Brooklyn artist and designer KidSuper, who serves as the art director for the space. How cool is that?

Yes, in addition to truly delicious cocktails like the bourbon, fernet and coffee liqueur Brooklyn Special, the location also has its own art director, placing it a cut above in a crowded Brooklyn cocktail scene.

As to its selection of small plates and shared bites, the grilled baby romaine salad (with bacon and wild boar!) was a delight, as was the grilled octopus. Oysters topped with a spicy dash of giardiniera were also a huge hit, as was the vibrant 68th and Harrow drink with citrus-infused vodka. Reader. to make a long story short: The next time you find yourself in Williamsburg, or in New York City in general, mark down Bar Madonna as a must-visit space.

Learn more now at Bar Madonna

Accordingly, I also dressed in spring-ready style — with a rain jacket for a blustery evening — so let’s dive into a few reading and shopping selections I’ve had my eye on as of late.

Here’s one for all the auto and watch enthusiasts out there: Seiko just added to its line of Prospex chronograph timepieces with three elegant, road-ready and rugged options, each with triple-chronograph functionality and striking good looks. Pricey though they might be, you can add these watches to your wish list via my latest for Maxim.com.

Let’s dive into another prime nod to the season, shall we? Over within the digital confines of my good friends at Huckberry, the retailer just debuted a suitably breezy, sunny and very aptly named selection of the best summer menswear. And what exactly is on tap in the Huckberry Sun Shop? Colorful printed short-sleeve buttondown shirts, finely tailored shorts, lounge-ready pants and linen blazers, plus plenty of breezy, ultra-soft T-shirts. Amp up your seasonal dressing ASAP with Huckberry, my friends.

Learn more and shop at Huckberry

I don’t know about you, but I assuredly look forward to lazy days by the pool or the beach as this time of year rolls around — and that’s where my new AskMen guide to the best summer sandals for men enters the equation. Although I much prefer stylish leather loafers or woven slides like an espadrille-style shoe, the best sandals for guys are sometimes a necessity. And helpfully, there’s a way to score a pair made with plenty of style and craftsmanship in mind, rather than cutting corners. Take a look and see for yourself, folks.

And now, I’m going to bring down the curtain on this late spring edition of the Friday Read. Hopefully, you’ve got a few reading and shopping selections primed for a spring weekend, yes? If you happen to be in Brooklyn visiting Bar Madonna, feel free to drop me a line — and if there are any brands or categories you’d like to see covered here on The Style Guide, drop me a line in the comments below. Cheers to the weekend, my friends!

April 26, 2024April 25, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A London Jaunt & The Best Spring Menswear for Travel

I don’t know about you, but reliability and rugged style is something I can’t quite get enough of when I build out my wardrobe of spring style essentials, let alone my wardrobe of the best travel gear. And travel has indeed been top of mind for this Brooklyn style writer as of late, to say the least, and that’s where versatile, tough-as-nails, dependable picks like my Flint and Tinder Ripstop Stretch Field Jacket (as shown above) have more than proven their worth.

Shop Flint and Tinder at Huckberry

Across the past week, I’ve found myself not in Brooklyn, but in multiple locales across Ireland and England as part of my many freelance writing pursuits, including covering the best spirits and the best spring menswear on the market.

Perhaps you’ve been following along with my travels on Instagram — those travels included time in Dublin, Tullamore and Galway, courtesy of famed Irish whiskey maker Tullamore DEW.

And those travels have also taken me down to London, all in the name of a brief stopover between yes, another spirits press trip. My London trip, of course, has proven more leisurely, and more focused on the best beers in London than Irish whiskey.

I also made time to visit a favorite London spot, Rough Trade Records, in addition to plenty of strolling across the city listening to The National, my very favorite band. What else can you ask for from a trip, right??

I’m far from done, though. From foggy London, I’ll trek to Germany and into the Black Forest with Monkey ’47 Gin, all on a quest to learn about the forthcoming release of this year’s edition of the Monkey ’47 Distiller’s Cut bottle. How’s that for an adventure where the journey is the destination?? For all these pursuits, I’ve certainly had to stay ready in terms of both form and function in my wardrobe.

And again, that’s why I’ve packed my favorite travel duffle bag with the best spring menswear from Huckberry (like that rugged men’s jacket shown above). After all, everything from wind to rain, breezy days and blazing sunsets — in Ireland, England, Germany and beyond — call for stylish, reliable men’s style essentials.

For your next spring getaway, look to pack up accordingly — naturally, that’s where this weekend’s duo of menswear posts (Saturday’s Style Pick and Sunday’s sale rundown) will assuredly help out in fine form. Check back tomorrow, layer up in style and thanks, as ever, for reading!

April 12, 2024April 11, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Spring Sneaker Boots, New Spring Style from Taylor Stitch & New 1800 Tequila

As we close out another early spring week, I’d say it’s high time to take stock of the spring style essentials you’ve got close at hand, as we so often cover here at The Style Guide.

Perhaps those spring style essentials include a hearty dose of Taylor Stitch menswear, as shown above — be it expertly crafted chambray shirting, durable denim, sturdy-but-soft T-shirts or spring-ready canvas and waxed canvas outerwear.

Shop Taylor Stitch style essentials now

They’re certainly a brand I’ll be turning to time and again this season, as you no doubt know if you’ve read the blog on the regular as of late. What’s your go-to move when it comes to Taylor Stitch menswear? I find the brand as versatile and functional as it gets, especially pieces like the Taylor Stitch Shop Shirt, and that goes for everything from Brooklyn rock concerts (one of which I’ll be attending this weekend!) to brewery beers and park strolls.

For your own weekend style pursuits, here are a few handy tips and tricks to take in, from a stellar new tequila to stylish new menswear. See You Out There, folks.

Here’s one to really whet your whistle this weekend. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I also get the opportunity to cover the world’s best spirits (what a job!) as part of my many freelance writing pursuits. Those pursuits took me to lovely Tequila and Guadalajra last month, specifically with 1800 Tequila to sample a stellar new 1800 Tequila expression inspired by a Mexican historical heritage site. What a trip indeed! You can read more about the trip, and learn all about one of the best new tequilas on the market, over at Maxim.com.

Let’s step back into matters of spring style, shall we? In this case, quite literally — I tend to favor durable boots and high-top sneakers in my daily style rotation, but getting the best of both worlds is now easier than ever. That’s because dependable sneaker boots are now the name of the game for many top footwear retailers, including SeaVees as shown above. And accordingly, I covered the best sneakerboots for men for my friends at WERD. Lace ’em up and let’s get after it folks.
And now, we’ll keep it casual to close out my weekly rundown. The versatility and classic looks of one of the best T-shirts for men are nearly unbeatable, especially as you shed some outer layers on breezy spring days. And with that being said, the good folks at Huckberry and Flint and Tinder are now making one of the best American-made T-shirts on the market, as I covered yesterday on the blog. Give it a read here, then shop and stock up.

Shop classic style at Huckberry

On this fine spring Friday in Brooklyn, that’ll close the curtain on today’s overview of top-notch spring shopping, excellent tequila for your bar cart and of course, Taylor Stitch menswear. It all goes hand-in-hand when you really think about it, and that’s what we’re all about here at The Style Guide. As always: Thanks so much for reading, stay stylish and keep it tuned here for two must-have weekend style picks. Cheers, my friends!

March 22, 2024March 19, 2024 by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Spring Rain Jackets, The Best Socks for Your Favorite Boots and New Spring Menswear at Huckberry

If you ask me, things are really looking up in terms of spring menswear, plentiful spring style points and new essentials aplenty for your wardrobe. Just take the Huckberry Spring Preview for instance, especially as we roll into another lovely spring weekend.

You’ll find that your favorite retailer stocks a bit of everything to get you from point A to point B, be it lightweight spring sweaters, stylish and breezy buttondown shirting, durable-yet-stretchy chinos and denim and of course, an array of rugged, handsome leather boots.

The shot above is but, well, a preview of all of that, with much more to come. Yes indeed, if I were you, I’d dive into the Huckberry Spring Preview ASAP to refresh my wardrobe for the season ahead.

Learn more and shop now at Huckberry

That spring wardrobe refresh is certainly on my mind, but not before yet another getaway for the season from New York City. For as much as I love the Big Apple, I look forward to quality family time down in Florida — and in this case, it’s bookended by a spring Caribbean getaway (starting today!) to the lush, tranquil confines of Turks and Caicos!

You can follow along with all the fun on my Instagram, but it’s proven as great a place as any to go for a family getaway these past few years. The occasion? This time, my dad’s birthday — again, keep up with all the fun (and my spring break style tips!) over on Instagram. For now, here are a few additional spring style reads to get your weekend rolling the right way.

I’m all about being prepared for whatever spring throws your way, especially when it comes to blustery, breezy and rainy weather. The right tools for the job tend to start coming in handy as soon as you come out the door, and that’s no more true than with one of the best spring rain jackets (like the picks above from AskMen). And with all that being said, you should certainly head over to that esteemed site to check out my seasonal picks. Happy shopping and layering, folks.

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Tag / the friday read