The Friday Read: The Best Fall Style Staples from Filson & More

Filson x Chris Stapleton 2023.

Folks, let’s close out this work week the right way and head into a proper fall weekend outfitted accordingly. I’ve been back in Brooklyn and taking care of my many freelance writing pursuits this week after last weekend’s jaunt to Cincinnati to try out local craft beer and of course, dress in style to see my favorite band, the ever-stylish and elegant Ohio-born rockers The National. If you followed along with all the fun on my Instagram, well, thanks for passing by!

Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket review.

Now though, I’ve got my mind squarely on even more fall style essentials, especially from a brand like Filson. That should come as no surprise to you if you pass through the blog on the regular, but it’s especially worth highlighting today, now that we’re officially into fall (the best season for menswear).

In fact, if rugged menswear essentials are your thing, I think you’ll enjoy a touch of reading with your shopping over at the legendary Pacific Northwest outfitter. For my friends at Maxim, I covered the standout new Filson x Chris Stapleton Traveller Collection, a series of hard-wearing, road-ready essentials designed in partnership with the country rocker. Talk about a match made in heaven, right?

I’d urge you to give that collection a good long look before you hit the road, and I’ll also leave you with my Filson review of the legendary Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket. It’s an indispensable fall style classic, as with much of the rest of the lineup from one of my favorite brands. Wear it well, shop carefully this weekend, and enjoy a local beer from your favorite brewery for me. Until tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, cheers and thanks for reading, my friends!

The Friday Read: The Best Menswear for Early Fall & The National’s Homecoming Festival

Best early fall menswear from Huckberry.

Some weekends, it seems that just about everything tends to come together. For me, that revolves around a few key things consistently: For one, there’s the best fall menswear (or at least, early fall style essentials), which you can rely on in rugged fashion time and time again — the denim jacket seen above from Huckberry is a prime example of what might be in your rotation sooner rather than later.

Be it some of the best Chelsea boots on the market (perhaps a pair you’ve not yet tried!), or something like the Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket, those picks really help jumpstart most of my early fall weekends.

How about yourself? Now, fall’s best men’s style essentials are just one element to the equation. If you follow me on Instagram or keep up with my many freelance writing pursuits, you’ll know that I dabble in everything from watches to the best whiskey for your bar cart to music.

Topo Designs x The National

So, each of those themes tends to make one of the best fall weekends a reality for me, but again, it all starts with the best fall menswear. From there, you can usually throw in a healthy dose of live music, as I’m doing this weekend — and this one is an extra special occasion.

I’m once again hitting the road to see The National (as I’ve done this summer in Nashville, New Haven and Philly!), but this one might take the cake. Keep on scrolling…

The National Homecoming Fest.

It’s the second-ever edition of The National’s Homecoming Festival, a celebration of the famed Ohio indie band’s uniquely cerebral, deep, introspective approach to indie rock. It’ll also be my second time in Cincy, and I can’t wait to explore more of the city.

Now, I know this is primarily a style blog, and The National aren’t quite everyone’s cup of tea — but if you so happen to be into the band, into the stylish onstage antics of lead singer Matt Berninger, and in attendance at Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, drop me a line by all means or give me a follow on Instagram!

If you so happen to be in attendance, you’ll hear two of the best albums in full from the past decade-plus, and even more beyond that.

All of which is to say: Again, when I can bring it all together, when I can enjoy the best fall menswear from a site like Huckberry alongside delicious Cincy craft beer (from a brewery like Rhinegeist), all serenaded by the music of my favorite band, well, that makes perhaps the best fall weekend imaginable for me.

The Friday Read: A Pure Michigan Weekend & The Best Labor Day Sales from Huckberry and Taylor Stitch

Best Huckberry menswear for 2023.

It’s hard to believe I’m typing this, but welcome to the last Friday Read of summer — or at least, the last “unofficial” weekly roundup of summer. There’s good news on the horizon, as early fall is one of my favorite seasons for menswear, and perhaps you feel the same way.

It’s really the undisputed champion among the seasons, and as prime a time as any for lacing up your new favorite chukka boots, layering up one of the best shirt jackets and enjoying a nip or two of whiskey (to name but two of my favorite pursuits).

Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket.

Before we can embrace a brisk breeze, crisp leaves underfoot and the warmth of the Flint and Tinder Trucker Jacket from Huckberry, I’m taking a moment to reflect on a momentous summer — including two trips back to my lovely home state of Pure Michigan.

I’ve spent the past week with family on iconic Mackinac Island, a longtime resort destination set across a small 8.2-mile island that outlaws transport by anything but bike or horse-drawn carriage. It’s a wrinkle in time with plenty of charm. Fascinating, right? I found it an ideal time to test out some early fall menswear from the likes of Billy Reid, Sea Culture and more, as you might have seen on my Instagram.

Taylor Stitch menswear 2023.

And of course, we took our time enjoying bright, blazing sunsets, cold local beer (and wine!) and panoramic views of the Great Lakes. What a way to close out summer among family, yes? I also took advantage of the chance to wear gear from Taylor Stitch (although the above jacket remains on my wish list!).

Elsewhere, I’ve got #NYFW events in my sights next week back East, but for now, I plan to enjoy a spirited Labor Day back in the Lower Peninsula watching Michigan State football and sipping on my favorite Michigan beer from the likes of Bell’s Brewery (Oberon is still going strong, in my book at least!).

I’ll leave you with two last Labor Day weekend recommendations: You can get 15 percent off the Huckberry Sale section for Labor Day, and you can enjoy 20 percent off the Taylor Stitch Last Call section, too. How’s that for a proper end to summer? If you score any stellar deals this weekend, let me know in the comments below. Cheers to a long weekend, folks!

The Friday Read: A Doubleheader with The National & The Best Summer Weekend Menswear

Best summer weekend menswear.

My friends, thanks for joining me today for another Friday Read. It’s been a whirlwind of a week, as the headline implies, as I’ve trotted out my best summer menswear from brands like Buck Mason (as seen at the top of the page). I also hit the road for two quick train rides to see my favorite band: Yes, of course, The National.

Naturally, if you happen to follow me on Instagram, you’re well aware of my admiration for this longimte favorite, inspirational band (and perhaps, you followed along with my travels this week).

I’ve talked about them a fair amount here on the blog over the years, from their elegant indie rock to their poetic lyricism and the band’s knack for dressing very well (chambray shirting and dark trousers at the ready). In fact, I’ve got a feeling the band very well might be fans of one of my favorite menswear brands — Buck Mason, naturally. But onward we go today.

It all comes together for me when the band hits the road to debut a new album — which I just so happened to review over at Atwood Magazine earlier this spring.

The album is a stunning achievement, and the band’s vaunted and ever-improving live shows are an ideal chance for me to explore favorite East Coast cities like Philadelphia (Victory Brewing is a must-visit). That also goes for well locales I’ve only visited once (like the stately university town of New Haven, home to classic New Haven-style pizza and the nearly brand-new Westville Music Bowl).

And from summer stretch denim to the aforementioned chambray shirting, I think you’ll find plenty of inspiration for your own summer road trip (and your next outdoor concert!) in the pages of this blog. For now, I’m off to catch my train home, so join me for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week — thanks for reading, thanks for listening and stay stylish!

The Friday Read: A Rugged New Filson Jacket & The Huckberry Summer Sale

Filson Cruiser Jacket review.

Folks, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover in this Friday Read, so let’s hop right to it. Let’s start by talking about one of the best new jackets for men, courtesy of my friends at Filson. It’s a new take on the Filson Rugged Twill Cruiser Jacket, available in a vibrant exclusive color and made with all the bells and whistles you might expect from the legendary heritage brand.

Filson, in fact, has been a brand on my mind lately, as I’ve spent most of this week in lovely Portland, Oregon — while the brand’s home base is Seattle, it seems Filson fits right in with the breezy, rugged climes of PDX.

While out West, I managed to do my fair share of brewery and bar-hopping, visiting acclaimed spots like Gigantic Brewing & fun locations like Lucky Labrador Brewing, plus award-winning restaurants like Higgins, which boasts an extensive beer list and a focus on fine Belgian ales.

Gerber Knives review.

That’s all in addition to an extensive visit to the Gerber Gear knives factory, where I’ll be diving into a story on making the best USA-made knives and everyday carry gear on the market. It’s just part of my many freelance writing pursuits, and on that note, you should certainly stay tuned for that story!

Huckberry Summer Sale 2023.

In the meantime, here’s another recommendation for you (which I’ll cover in greater depth this coming weekend on the blog). That recommendation? Head on over to Huckberry to shop the outstanding Huckberry Summer Sale, which features some of the best menswear deals around. It’s the kind of sale on menswear essentials that’s quite tough to pass up (I’ll say!).

Since that sale is so extensive, well, I’ll certainly leave you to it. Head into the weekend the right way, shop the best rugged menswear at Huckberry, and as always, we’ll See You Out There. Cheers, my friends!

The Friday Read: The Best New Huckberry Menswear & A Summer Upstate Trip

It seems it was scarcely a day ago I was talking about a Brooklyn weekend and my experience making one of the best custom hats on the market. And yet, time marches ever forward and we find ourselves on the brink of another sweltering summer weekend.

Best vintage menswear.

In addition to talking about cool vintage menswear curated by the likes of Buck Mason (like the picks above), I’ve stayed plenty busy this week writing about the best necklaces for men over at AskMen, and I’ve also been thinking about how to beat the heat in style. Luckily, it seems easier than ever to do that (or at least, relatively easy) thanks to the likes of Relwen. Let’s take a quick look at the brand on this fine summer Friday, shall we?

Hopefully, you’re acquainted with Relwen from this blog, or from shopping the Columbus, Ohio brand’s particular strain of all-American menswear. The Huckberry-approved brand is a favorite of mine, with an emphasis on rugged, classic gear often inspired by throwback designs (particularly military staples like field shirts, jackets and streamlined cargo pants and chinos).

And they’re certainly worth a look this summer, especially if you want a durable hybrid blazer like the Relwen Linen Trap Blazer as seen at the top of the page — it’s fit for travel, a short Friday at the office or a summer wedding.

Hotel Kinsley, Kingston.

That’s one brief summer menswear recommendation for you, and that Relwen jacket in particular is the sort of summer travel style essential I can’t go without. To be more specific, I brought some Huckberry gear (including my Forty Five T-shirt and Proof Rover Pants) on a quick upstate jaunt to the lovely town of Hudson, where I sipped on delicious local beer at Kingston Standard, dined at the Hotel Kinsley (as seen above!) and of course, capped it all off with a stellar rock show by beloved indie folk band Big Thief.

Consider each of those menswear picks and destination stops as just a few of my recommendations for your next online shopping spree or New York State visit. For now, I’m signing off and enjoying a bit of downtime (and a bit of time in front of my A/C unit). Thanks so much for reading, and here’s to a summer Friday!

The Friday Read: Heads of State Custom Hats, The Best Summer Suits & A Huckberry Sale

Best custom hat for men.

If you’re a regular reader of the blog (and I certainly hope you are!), then you’re well aware that I believe in the power of stylish accessories to really elevate an #OOTD. And as much as I love my casually rugged rotation of ballcaps, there’s something about an ultra-sharp hat — one that’s made just to your liking — that really goes a long way.

I’m talking about the sort of custom men’s hat you might find at Brooklyn’s Heads of State, a chic-rustic spot in the fast-rising neighborhood of Greenpoint. I visited the shop and met with founder Gwen Rahn earlier this spring, and I was ever so impressed by the company’s approach (both online and at its recently opened retail location).

If you’ve been on the fence about adding a more luxe, premium hat to your rotation — perhaps to wear with a summer suit, or perhaps to style with hybrid pieces like a field jacket or shacket in the colder months — fear not, because Heads of State makes it easier than ever to find your perfect fit (as I found out, of course).

Best custom hat for men.

Online, you’ll find a very helpful Hats 101 section, but the experience is even more personalized in store, as Gwen walks you through every step of the process, from which hat shape is right for your noggin to which fabrics and colors might pair well with your wardrobe. There are also customization options aplenty, including various richly crafted trims for your hat, and you can start the process off by selecting from one of four very sharp, Oppenheimer-esque hat silhouettes.

From there, the hats are crafted and finished in-studio in Greenpoint, and then shipped out in well under a month — just in time for your next summer wedding, right?

The process is fun and engaging, and the possibilities are seemingly endless. In fact, if you follow me on Instagram, you’re going to see more of my own customized, highly stylish hat very soon. For now, consider making Heads of State your go-to spot for your next (or first!) hat purchase.

In the meantime, here are a few other choice menswear picks I recommend you check out as you roll into your summer weekend. Cheers!

Huckberry Summer Steals 2023
  • Here’s the right way to roll into your weekend: With a little shopping from one of the best online menswear stores out there, Huckberry. Now, I’ve talked about Huckberry’s Summer Steals on the blog recently, but a reminder is always in order when it comes to the best menswear deals. So, right now, you can get up to 35 percent off some of Huckberry’s Bestsellers, and those savings are seriously stylish. Go to it, my friends.
  • Speaking of your next look for a summer wedding, start with an essential — seriously, an essential you can’t go anywhere without. That’d be one of the best summer suits, something I covered over at AskMen. Shop accordingly and stay cool (in style!) out there, folks.
  • Beyond just the joy of crafting a custom hat, I also love the flair that a stylish timepiece can add to any ensemble. And to find a timepiece that’s inspired by the world of vinyl? Well, that’s a joy in and of itself, too. That’s why I was thrilled to learn more and write about VIEREN, a Canadian watch microbrand that just debuted a stunning gold, vinyl-inspired timepiece. Head over to Maxim.com to read more about it.

That’s going to drawn down the curtain on today’s Friday Read. Are any gears turning on your end about picking up a new custom hat from Heads of State, or trying out a new luxury watch or a stylish summer suit? If so, be sure to let me know on Twitter (or Threads), and in the meantime, have a great weekend and check back here for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week. See you out there, my friends!

The Friday Read: The Shinola Runlate Watch, Filson x Indiana Jones & New American Single Malt

As I roll into another Pure Michigan weekend — following a couple momentous yet relaxing weeks in my home state — I’m both grateful for relaxing time spent on the shores of Lake Michigan, as well as the chance to keep up with my freelance writing pursuits all the same.

It’s the best of both worlds if you ask me, complete with both tranquil lakeshore views and cold beer (along with more than a few dispatches to add to my freelance writing portfolio). Fireworks, food, fun and … menswear? Sure thing. Fair warning: You’ll also want to keep scrolling today to read about a sharp new watch from Shinola.

As to my time in Pure Michigan: In between fun in the sun and sand, I wrote about another partnership near and dear to my heart. That’d be the stunning Filson x Indiana Jones capsule, as seen at the top of the page and covered by yours truly at Maxim.com. It’s a set of rugged, Indy-inspired gear made for the outdoor explorer, and you’d do well to shop Filson x Indiana Jones heading into your weekend.

By the way, the Filson Summer Sale continues to roll on, so you’ve got more than enough reason to shop the legendary Pacific Northwest outfitter.

As to the rest of your plans over the next three days, use my helpful picks below as a guide to shop and sip your way through breezy summer days. Cheers, my friends.

American Single Malt whiskey.
  • Here’s a nice sipper to guide you into the weekend. Back in May, Jim Beam (known more formally as the James B. Beam Distilling Co.) launched its first-ever American single malt whiskey, and I had the chance to taste Clermont Steep Single Malt in New York City as part of my spirits writing for Maxim.com. It’s crafted from American malted barley from Clermont, Kentucky, then distilled at a single distillery (the same approach taken across the pond for single malt Scotch). It was a wonderful night, and I’m here to say that the first foray by Jim Beam into this new category is a winner. Oh, and here’s the kicker: You can get yourself a bottle of Clermont Steep at Drizly right now.
Shinola Runlate Watch.
  • If you thought the Filson x Indiana Jones capsule was fun, how about this: Shinola turned one of its April Fool’s jokes into a real-life, limited-edition watch. Meet the Shinola Runlate, a clever play on that friend who’s always running, well, late (even if that friend happens to be you). The design of the classic Shinola Runwell gets an update via “Late” hour markers, instead of the modern Art Deco design of the OG watch. Plus, the Runlate features a crisp white dial and tan leather strap combo. It’s playful, it’s limited-edition and it comes on the heels of a wave of customer requests for this ultra-fun watch. Don’t be late: Only 100 units of the Shinola Runlate are available.
  • Let’s shift briefly from whiskey and watches to outdoor pursuits for summer days ahead. Just yesterday on the blog, I wrote about some of the best hybrid shorts to wear now: These Free Fly Breeze Shorts are ideal for trail hiking, quick training sessions, evenings around the bonfire… the list goes on. Dive right in via my Thursday Buy, and we’ll see you out there.

That’ll bring today’s Friday Read to a close, and I hope I’ve covered enough bases for everyone. Of course, there’s the chance to shop the best hybrid shorts from a trusted apparel brand, along with the fun-as-can-be Shinola Runlate watch and new American single malt whiskey. Check back tomorrow for my Style Pick of the Week, and in the meantime, cheers to summer and thanks for reading!

The Friday Read: The Best Filson Menswear & A Pure Michigan Weekend

Best Filson summer gear for men.

My friends, thanks for swinging by The Style Guide for another weekend kick-off via the Friday Read. We’ll get into a little bit of everything today, starting with the best summer menswear from Filson. It’s a brand that’s never often far from my mind and ever-present in my wardrobe, and that’s especially true when I venture back to my home state of Michigan.

The Pacific Northwest might be more than a hop, skip and a jump away from Pure Michigan, but there’s just something about rugged Filson men’s gear that falls right in line with Michigan’s coastal shoreline and lush forests.

In fact, Michigan is where we’re broadcasting to you from today here on the blog, with a full slate of weekend fun ahead: It’s wedding day for my dear friend and talented writer Stephen Brooks, who just had myself and “the lads” out to Las Vegas for the bachelor party weekend of a lifetime.

Beer City U.S.A.

Now, I won’t be wearing Filson for the wedding itself, but you can bet a Filson shirt or perhaps a stylish Filson pocket T-shirt will be part of my #OOTD this weekend back in *ahem* Pure Michigan. I’ve also got a bit of time off built in this weekend, time sure to be well-spent exploring Beer City U.S.A. and its plethora of some of the best breweries in Michigan (and anywhere else, for that matter).

To keep up with all the fun, as ever, follow me on Instagram. Until tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, stay stylish and thanks for reading!

The Friday Read: Buck Mason’s USA-Made T-Shirts, Glendalough Gin & LCD Soundsystem

Folks, it’s time for another edition of the Friday Read, as we roll into what promises to be a lovely summer weekend here in New York City. What’s on your weekend shopping and reading list? Hopefully, that includes a healthy dose of perusing Buck Mason menswear, as I’ve found myself doing quite frequently. After all, the brand just started making its best-selling T-shirts in the United States, at a famed Pennsylvania factory, as I wrote about yesterday on the blog.

That’s certainly one way to kick off the weekend properly, and I’ve got another idea as to how to kick off my own weekend. Later this afternoon, I’ll be trekking up to Queens and to the lovely, historic Forest Hills Stadium for a momentous mini-music festival of sorts, headlined by none other than one of my favorite bands: New York synth pop and dance rock heroes LCD Soundsystem. I’ll assuredly be dancing my way into the weekend — how about yourself? In the meantime, here are a few other reads and style picks to get your own summer day started properly (led by Buck Mason menswear, of course). Cheers, my friends.

  • Speaking of rugged and expertly crafted T-shirts, here’s another one for. I find myself living in Filson pocket tees this time of year, and I wrote about a new favorite T-shirt over on the blog earlier this week. If you love the brand as much as I do, drop a comment below. Here’s to a major wardrobe upgrade, yes?
  • As part of my many freelance writing pursuits, I’m endlessly fortunate to be able to travel the world covering spirits, menswear and more. In fact, if you recall correctly, I visited Dublin and lovely Wicklow earlier this spring with Glendalough Gin. It was the trip of a lifetime, and I wrote all about foraging for gin botanicals with Glendalough over at Maxim late last week. Cheers, indeed!
  • And last but not least, you know what this weekend is, right? It’s Father’s Day weekend, and I’d also recommend you shop my picks for the best Father’s Day gifts from Huckberry right now, as covered over at Maxim. Dad deserves it, right? Yessir.

Well, my friends: That’s going to wrap it up from me today. Here’s to an eventful summer weekend, a wonderful Father’s Day and plenty of stylish shopping selections in your future. As always — thank you for reading!