Tag / the national

by Beau H.

Sleep Well Beast: A Northeast Weekend Seeing The National

Enjoying a relaxing brew at Brooklyn’s Sycamore and preparing to see The National in New York last Friday. Dressed in a classic Mott and Bow Oxford, a sharp Timex watch and my Levi’s 505C denim for rock-ready style!

Folks, I’d say the headline says it all when it comes to my latest Style Guide trip. This past weekend — a long weekend that’s still going, in fact — I hit the road to do one of my favorite things: Take in not one, but TWO stellar shows by my absolute favorite  banded, lauded American indie rockers The National. A favorite of mine from my days back attending Michigan State University, this sharply dressed band just released “Sleep Well Beast,” one of the year’s best albums, back in September. And the six albums prior to that release? All packed with extraordinary gems. They’re in the midst of a tour that started overseas and is swinging through the States as we speak, so it was essential that I catch two Northeast shows. It was even more essential that I dress in my favorite #menswear! If you want a dash of travel style tips, a few Boston travel tips and of course, some great music, come along. Plug in, turn up the band’s latest album, and let’s dress for a rock concert in style … refined style, that is.

Style that’s refined enough for the office, ready for travel and still able to work at a concert by a band known for tailored style!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years of following The National, it’s that this is a band that — in addition to writing my favorite tracks — can wear the heck out of a suit (especially lead singer Matt Berninger). His years spent working at an ad agency likely carried over to his classic on-stage style, so to go from my office to a Boston-bound train to a show at the handsomely appointed Wang Theatre, I had to dress the part. That started on my top half with the comfortable-yet-sharp Old Navy Garment-Dyed Built-in Flex Canvas Blazer in a fitting charcoal color. With casual patch pockets, it helped me haul around my everyday carry essentials, as did my Whipping Post Large Leather Messenger Bag.


I completed the day-to-night combo with sharp navy Oxford from Mott and Bow, a brand that’s as wearable at a concert as at the office. For style that was at once crisp and yet rock concert-friendly on my bottom half, my dark blue Flint and Tinder All-American Jeans in the brand’s Slim Tapered fit offered up versatility and mobility.  And as has become custom when heading to a rock concert, I had to throw on durable, stylish leather boots — specifically, my Viberg Service Boots, which proved as hard-wearing and rugged as ever.

Contemplating an emotional, meaningful and hard-rocking show from The National in Boston. Dressed in refined rock style with an Old Navy blazer and a Mott and Bow Oxford!

With stylish gear in tow and my trek up to Boston complete, pre-show refreshments were crucial. If ever you find yourself near Boston’s South End and want a gourmet meal paired with an excellent local craft brew, be sure to hit up the Tip Tap Room. With more than 40 taps, this upscale pub delivers when it comes to rich IPAs and flavorful farmhouse ales in equal measure. It was, in short, a great place to kick off an excellent evening with  my favorite band. The Wang Theatre is a unique venue, with the beauty of a space that’s a national historic landmark and the capacity (3,500) to host a major rock show.

It was certainly a show I’d been looking forward to for a long time. I’d heard the band debut some new tracks during a spirited performance at Panorama 2016, and I’d also had the pleasure of hearing them debut their new album in full (twice!) during an upstate trip earlier this summer, but this tour presents a new, well, beast. With a discography spanning seven albums and plenty of fan favorites, The National are a truly masterful band that keeps you guessing — in the best way possible. From the spare, beautiful opening track “Nobody Else Will Be There” to the hard-charging “Day I Die,” material off “Sleep Well Beast” was met with as much joy as deep cuts like “Son” (one of the first tracks they ever wrote), plus hard-charging numbers like “Don’t Swallow the Cap” and fan favorites like “Mr. November.”

The stellar set list was filled out by 10 — yes, 10 — incredible tracks off “Sleep Well Beast,” plus amazing renditions of “Terrible Love,”Fake Empire” and classic mid-aughts numbers “Secret Meeting” and “Apartment Story.” It’s tough to put into words how much of an impact this band has had on me, from Michigan all the way to Brooklyn, but their emotional, meaningful and nuanced rock music is a consistent force in my daily life. Their consistency and work ethic are also admirable — you don’t go from playing shows across the Midwest to five people to writing an exceptional album like “Sleep Well Beast” overnight. And with that being said, it was very fitting that the next stop on a country-spanning tour took them to their original home of New York and the elegant Forest Hills Stadium in Queens! And so, I hopped on a southbound train to head back to the Big Apple — dressed in style, of course.

Dressed in style for day two of a Northeast tour by The National. Utility Blazer by Abercrombie & Fitch. Oxford by Mott and Bow.

Make no mistake, The National still brought plenty of unexpected surprises to the stage on Friday night — that’s the beauty of a band with a bevy of standout tracks (including a surprise cover of Queens rock heroes The Ramones!). And for travel, a rock concert and a day of exploration in Brooklyn — including a stop at neighborhood watering hole Sycamore — I knew had to dress with function and comfort and top of mind.  With casual patch pockets, a comfortable unstructured build and  a sharp navy color, my Abercrombie & Fitch Utility Blazer was a versatile top layer over another classic Oxford shirt from Mott and Bow. To finish off my ensemble with rugged and rock-ready style, my  Viberg Service Boots again came in handy — and my Levi’s 505C denim, with roots in rock heritage, were also a perfect concert style move.  The next time you need to dress for travel and a rock concert, pick some rock n’roll denim,  stylish leather boots, and a classic utility blazer to take you from point A to point B.  Oh, and if you get the chance to see The National on this upcoming tour, I’d strongly urge you to take it. On the best nights, you might be fortunate enough to hear lovely deep cut “About Today,” or a rousing acoustic rendition of the soaring “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks,” which they closed the show with in Queens. A show beyond words!

The next time you head to a tailgate of your own, grab durable sneakers, a stylish team sweater and slim denim in a casual wash.

With two excellent, life-affirming and joyous rock shows in the rearview mirror, the weekend wasn’t over yet. In fact, it was just getting started, as my beloved Michigan State Spartans took on the hated Michigan Wolverines  in a college football duel for the ages (sorry, U-M fans). It’s a rivalry with roots going back long before my time at Michigan State — from 2001’s “Clockgate” scandal in East Lansing to 2015’s incredible, last-second Spartan victory in Ann Arbor, it’s given me my fair share of fond (and at times agonizing) memories over the years. It was with similar excitement and hope that I dressed to cheer on the Spartans to a 14-10 win! Even when heading to a tailgate of your own, there are definitely ways you can still look great. I layered up with a retro-inspired, casual Michigan State Hillflint Sweater, crafted in breathable cotton and featuring a neat design. It teamed nicely with a pair of DSTLD Slim Light Wash Jeans and my fall-ready Danner x New Balance miUSA 585 Sneakers, made with rich leather accents and featuring a comfortable, hiking boot-inspired fit. And to stay on time while heading to watch the game with fellow Spartan fans, my Electric California Carroway Leather Watch provided function and casual, crisp style. It’s not every weekend that you get to see your favorite team play a competitive rivalry game after seeing your favorite band play twice, but I was glad to have that opportunity this weekend.

Casual, essential menswear for exploring Brooklyn with my Wildsam Field Guide — led by my Original Penguin Brushed Cotton 5-Pocket Pants and a classic Huckberry Explorer’s Cap, plus my durable Timex Waterbury Watch featuring Red Wing leather.

If you know me, you know I like to pack as much as possible into my weekends — it was with the spirit of adventure in mind that I took on Sunday with help from some goods in the Bespoke Post Scout Box (like the cool Wildsam Field Guide as seen above).  For a bit of transitional fall style, I threw on a reliably durable and well-fitting Abercombie & Fitch Garment-Dye Oxford Shirt and my tailored Original Penguin Brushed Cotton 5-Pocket Pants. If ever you’re looking for a change from your favorite pair of dark denim, crisply cut brushed cotton pants provide visual interest and fabric that’s ready for fall weather. With other casual fall style essentials in tow in my Whipping Post Large Leather Messenger Bag, I finished off my look with a vintage-inspired Huckberry Explorer’s Cap and stylish leather sneakers from Frank and Oak. On the accessories front, my durable and rugged Timex Waterbury Watch in Red Wing Leather was more than up to the task of a casual Sunday. One of my destinations? The cool Bushwick outpost Montana’s Trail House. With a rugged & aesthetically pleasing design and plenty of gourmet burgers to go around, it was a neat place to relax on a long weekend.  Another destination? The seriously cool DIY venue Silent Barn for a Sunday evening of refreshments and live music.

As with other weekends spent exploring Brooklyn and traveling to see live music — from Portland to Nashville and Boston — I’m reflecting today on how grateful I am to be able to pursue my passion for great tunes, great menswear and yes, the occasional craft brew or two. And to be able to see my favorite band twice in two days? That’s a banner weekend. Being able to travel in style is something that takes work from situation to situation and city to city, as I’ve learned, so I hope you find these travel style tips helpful. If ever you’re headed out on the road and want to travel in style, let’s connect on Twitter or Instagram. For now, I’ve got to revisit a terrific set by The National. Check back tomorrow for a new #OOTD post — we’ll see you then!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Men’s Shirt Jackets, The National and New Sneakers from CLAE

My friends, it’s another big Friday at The Style Guide — as seems to be the case lately. It’s been a busy fall of travel for your #menswear author and editor already, what with stylish trips to Portland and Nashville already in the books. And as luck would have it, I’m en route back from yet another #menswear and music-centric trip as we speak! Last night, I made the relatively quick hop up to Boston from NYC to see my favorite band, lauded indie rockers The National, kick off their fall U.S. tour! I took in a great, great show — nearly beyond words — and even grabbed a few craft beers at the excellent Tip Tap Room, too.

As if that wasn’t incredible enough, my trip back to Brooklyn comes just as the band arrives in New York City for an evening show at the elegant Forest Hills Stadium in Queens — where you’ll find me this evening! You can look for full details on both shows and the weekend itself in a #menswear post coming to the blog on Monday, and in the meantime, you can follow along on Instagram for up-to-the-song updates.  Need something to read while you kick off your own weekend? We’ve got you covered below, and we’ve got you covered with your shopping, too. You can — and should — shop the best men’s jackets for fall, pick up stylish travel gear via the Bespoke Post Wander Box  and perhaps add to your fall wardrobe with the stellar Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker before the weekend kicks off. So, that’s taken care of — onto the reading picks below! Cheers and rock on.

  • An easy-to-wear, easy-to-layer, rugged shirt jacket is a fall style essential — pair it with a slim striped henley and tan chinos, plus leather boots … or take it to the next level and slide it on underneath a field jacket. Those are just two of my suggestions, though — if it’s a stylish shirt jacket you seek, you’d best get started with my picks for the best men’s shirt jackets from GearMoose.
  • I love the work being done on the sneaker front by CLAE — if you followed along with my fall trip to Nashville, you know that I brought the Gregory Mid with me, and you know that the brand blends the sporty and the classic with comfortable technology. Such is the case with the High and Lows x CLAE launch — the brand teamed with the lauded international retailer on a cool Chelsea boot revamp known as the Richards Zip Vibram Boot. Available in two color options, we’re talking water-resistant, sporty style and details like a heavy-duty pull tab for extra durability. Not a bad job at all by CLAE! (And to see how I style the rest of my sneaker collection — from CLAE and beyond — head to my Instagram).

Lastly, you can head back here tomorrow to check out the latest Style Pick of the Week — and on Sunday, we’ll get into an all-new See Now, Buy Now entry covering more rugged menswear for fall. It’ll be great, folks!

Thanks for reading,

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Fall Style Wish List, Young the Giant and J. Crew

Alright, folks — welcome back to the Friday Read and the capper on another week here at The Style Guide. From our Fall Style Wish List to a look at the best denim jacket to wear for the season — plus, a look at a stylish hooded sweatshirt for fall — it certainly was a busy, jam-packed week. And these busy #menswear times are set to continue this weekend, as it were; I’m on the road to Nashville to take in a full weekend in and around a great Southern city. You can expect a full recap coming Monday — from checking out spots like Pinewood Social to seeing what should be a great rock show by Young the Giant and Cold War Kids, I’m absolutely thrilled to take in the city. Any tips on things to do or places to go in Nashville? Feel free to hit me up on Twitter! And in the meantime, there’s more music on the way — my favorite band, indie rock heroes The National, dropped an incredible new record today in “Sleep Well Beast.” I won’t spoil it if you haven’t had the chance to listen, but it’s …. absolutely expectional. And with that, I have a rock show to prepare for! Stick around for the below reads today — have a great one, and cheers!

  • And last but not least, because we’re keeping this one brief today — have you seen the latest edition of The List by your Style Guide author? In short, it covers all the rugged gear to shop for fall — I guarantee you that you’ll enjoy it.

OK, folks — I’m signing off early today! Enjoy the weekend and we’ll talk to you soon.

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Menswear Trade Shows, Stylish Men’s Sunglasses and Allen Edmonds

It’s with a much-needed weekend ahead of me that I’m writing today’s Style Guide missive in our ongoing Friday Read series — perhaps you feel the same way? We’re closing out an incredibly busy week on the #menswear front in NYC, including two whirlwind days for yours truly at style trade shows like Liberty Fashion & Lifestyle Fairs and Capsule Show. This week’s schedule also included a stop to view the contemporary and slightly edgier mix of brands found at MAN-WOMAN show (think tried-and-true favorites like Apolis and upstart brands like Alps & Meters — as seen in this Midwest fall style post).

At any rate, it was great to catch up with brands familiar and unfamiliar, many of whom you see regularly on this blog — from the standout sneaker makers at SeaVees to perennial Style Guide favorite Frank and Oak. I got around in style with my Timex x Todd Snyder Military Watch and made sure to rock some stylish men’s sunglasses, too. And as it were, that busy week of trade show action capped off an even busier weekend, if you can believe it. Incredibly and unexpectedly, I had the chance to see my favorite band, indie rockers The National, play not one, but two breathtaking shows in the small upstate town of Hudson last weekend. They debuted tracks off their upcoming new album, “Sleep Well Beast,” and I can assuredly say after hearing it twice that it’s on track to be one of the year’s best — no joke. I won’t give away too much, but you can read an excellent write-up at Vinyl Me, Please of the two emotional, powerful shows at converted factory Basilica Hudson. In short, I was so very glad I went — no regrets at all! With that being said, I’m very much looking forward to some much-needed downtime this weekend — and on that note, I’m going to leave you with today’s #menswear news. Happy reading, enjoy the weekend and keep up with my Brooklyn explorations over on Instagram.

  • We’ll start with the menswear world here — and specifically, the world of stylish men’s dress shoes. Among American purveyors of your favorite dress shoes, Allen Edmonds has got to rank high on the list — right? This week, CEO Paul Grangaard announced he’ll be assuming an advisory role as longtime industry vet Malcolm Robinson joins the brand’s parent company as president of its men’s and international divisions. I, for one, am excited to see where the brand continues to go — after checking out the Allen Edmonds Fall 2017 line last month, I can tell you that the brand has some great product — including plenty of stylish men’s boots — on the way this next season.
  • Upgrading your everyday carry is something we talk about frequently here on The Style Guide — and it’s with that in mind that I’m recommending you pick up the Grovemade Walnut and Leather iPhone Case via my latest GearMoose feature. Ehh?
  • Last but surely not least, it’s imperative given my *ahem* “job” as editor of The Style Guide that I direct you to the latest blog series here, called The List, chronicling the best new men’s gear to buy this week, this month … heck, this year? Happy shopping!

OK, loyal readers — we’re closing up shop early today! Have a great weekend, join us for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week from site  favorites Mott and Bow, and we’ll catch you on Monday.

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: The Best Gear to Shop in July, The Best Men’s Running Shorts and Amazon Prime Day

It’s another Friday here at The Style Guide, and a particularly momentous one at that.  For one, we’re capping off another hectic, fast-paced and incredibly fun New York Fashion Week: Men’s, the twice-yearly event that allows America’s top menswear designers — Style Guide favorite Todd Snyder among them — to showcase next season’s wares. Held at a mix of intimate studios and the cavernous shipping center-turned-exhibition site Skylight Clarkson Square, it’s a great week to catch up with industry pals (like my pal Jamal of StyleSocietyGuy) while taking in the season’s coming trends. It’s, in short, an excellent reminder of why I love menswear — the diversity, the modern takes on classic styles and more importantly, the great peole who make it all happen. It’s often a whirlwind of a week — that’s why I’m excited for the coming weekend and the festivities to follow.

That’s because it’s not quite your ordinary weekend exploring Brooklyn (as much as I do love those!). No, I’m heading north this afternoon to the quaint upstate town of Hudson — I took a November trip upstate to Hudson just last year, and I thoroughly enjoyed the town’s focus on excellent gourmet food, arts and culture. My trip has a bit of a different purpose this time around, though.  Famed indie rock heroes The National are hosting what should be a very special evening at former factory and current rustic performance space Basilica Hudson on the edge of town. It’s not quite your average concert, either. Dubbed “Guilty Party” — a direct play on the band’s latest single — the evening features a collaborative performance “in the round,” all taking place not far from where the band recorded said album. It promises to be an incredibly unique, heartfelt and meaningful evening — as any evening curated by your favorite band should be. So, that’s where Friday evening will find me.


And that’s not at all — in a crazy and quite busy turn of scheduling, Saturday brings the fun, quirky and eclectic New Belgium Tour de Fat to NYC. The craft beer festival and all-around extravaganza blends a circus-like atmosphere (think vaudeville performers and trick cycling races) with live music — as it were, an all-time favorite band, New Zealand indie rockers The Naked and Famous, are capping off the night. In short, it’ll be a jam-packed weekend to cap off a jam-packed week. But right now, I couldn’t be more excited. Before you start your own weekend of adventures, stick around a bit longer for our weekly #menswear news recap. Thanks, as always, for reading! Rock on!

  • Equally as important as your prep for the weekend is your weekend shopping strategy — at least, I think so. That’s why I’ve had quite the fun time putting together The List, an ongoing Style Guide series covering the best men’s gear to buy this month.  From the handsome and surprisingly affordabe Newgate Pimlico Wall Clock to the rugged and handy Line of Trade Waxed Canvas Watch Roll, I’d wager that this is gear you’re going to want to buy as soon as you can.

  • I’ll be the first to tell you I enjoy a nice, head-clearing jog through the quite streets of Midwood here in Brooklyn. It’s all the more helpful that the next time I pound the pavement, I’ll have a few ideas on how to do so in style — that’s because I covered the best men’s running shorts for GearMoose! Effective AND stylish, all at once.
  • Amazon Prime Day — the famed shopping portal’s offering of a bunch of deals through its Prime membership service —  flew by this week (Julu 12th, actually). Did you shop any deals? Let me know in terms comments!

And with that, my fellow Style Guide fans … I leave you to the weekend! Feel free to follow me on Instagram to check out Friday and Saturday’s music-filled fun, and be sure to join us tomorrow for our Style Pick of the Week.

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: How to Upgrade Your Everyday Carry, Summer Style Tips and The National

OK, Style Guide readers — how was everyone’s Fourth of July? Productive? Relaxing? Ideally filled with quite a few of the best summer beers? I sure hope that was the case. I spent mine relaxing in Brooklyn, hitting up some of favorite coffee and craft beer spots, and putting in some light work on The Style Guide (hey, gotta hustle). At any rate, it’s been a quick, shortened week, what with the holiday falling on a Tuesday. But lest you think nothing’s gone down lately in the #menswear world … think again.

We’ve got plenty of ground to cover before we roll into the weekend. If summer shopping remains a priority for you, I’d urge you (strongly!) to look for affordable men’s style essentials and pick up one of the best men’s polos to buy now.  I’d also urge you to pair said polo with some stylish shorts for the season — two foolproof moves that work for your next summer BBQ, your next beach trip or a casual stroll in your favorite park.  Before you spend all your budget in one place, though … take a look at a few prime men’s style news items below, will ya? And with that, it’s nearly time to kick back for Friday happy hour — isn’t it? Follow along with me through the weekend on Instagram, and thanks for reading!

  • Among other #menswear writing pursuits, I’ve been doing some work for The Menlo House, the blogging arm of personalized style service and E-commerce shop FiveFour Club. As with so many men’s fashion matters, the devil is in the details — so my latest post covers how to upgrade your everyday carry in style. It’s as easy as that!

Timex

  • Looking for a minimal, sharply designed pair of shorts that function in more situations than you can count? That’s what SPUDS is aiming to produce — the brand says that its shorts (launching on Kickstarter on July 11th!) are meant to “redefine men’s activewear,” what with a blend of performance fabric and easily wearable colors. Learn more here, and look out for that launch next week.
  • While we’re on the subject of upgrading your everyday carry, I reckon that myself and the GearMoose team might have found the stylish wallet to buy now. It’s the Hitch & Timber Flat Jacket Wallet, and it’s a handcrafted, rugged beauty of a piece. Go get that wallet now!
  • In other everyday style tips, Esquire.com has a simple — yet quite important — missive for you to follow. Namely, the site’s fine style team wants you to, quite simply, stop buttoning the bottom button of your suit jacket. That’s it! That’s all!

  • Let’s close this week out with some stellar new music — agreed? If you haven’t caught on by now, Brooklyn-bred indie rock heroes The National are masters at crafting subtle, simple and yet detailed and complex songs. The band’s latest release, “Guilty Party,” is a multi-layered, multi-faceted song about love and loss — in short, it’s beautiful and it’s been on repeat here at The Style Guide HQ. Listen away!

Those quick-hit menswear and music items will wrap up today’s Friday Read. I think we’re on track for a great weekend, yes? Let me know on Twitter if you’ll be doing any shopping for summer style essentials, or if you’ve got any style-minded questions. With all that being said, I’ve got a happy hour to look forward to later — cheers and enjoy the weekend!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Shinola, Spring Travel and The National

Hey there, folks — it’s time to wrap up the week once more and jump right into The Friday Read on this fine Brooklyn day. How was your week? Tough to believe that we’ve rolled past Mother’s Day and we’ve now got Father’s Day on our radar in terms of shopping (that is, in addition to the other #menswear shopping recommendations we’ve made on this site). Time’s positively been flying by, especially considering that I traveled to Indiana in style last weekend to catch up with old college friends, try out some craft brews at Goshen Brewing Company and take in the quiet tranquility of the Midwest — if you follow me on Instagram though, you know all about that trip. And back in NYC, we’ve been busy on the blogging and writing front — you’ll see a few handy spring travel tips and more men’s style news to know below.

Of course, I’m particularly excited about what’s to come in the days ahead. Specifically, I’m looking forward to exploring the lovely borough of Queens today in advance of what should be an incredible show from acclaimed British electro-pop band The xx. The band really defies any categorization though, and the group’s new third album — “I See You”— features some of the strongest musical work of 2017, hands down. Yes indeed, it should be a magical evening at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. What are your weekend plans? Standby for tomorrow’s new Style Pick of the Week, as it were — and feel free to join the conversation on Twitter if you’ve got a style query I can answer. Hopefully, I can help — let’s start with these items below, shall we?
Florsheim

  • Who doesn’t love a simple-yet-stylish spring and summer T-shirt? Better yet, how about one that supports a great cause? That’s exactly what Waves for Water is doing with its Artists for Water series, which applies the brand’s trademark focus to upgrading something we all know and love — The T-shirt. That means these T-shirts feature one-of-a-kind artwork from designers and artists alike, including Shawn Stussy (yes, the Shawn Stussy) and Nautas Kapas, the famed skateboarder, designer and now creative director at Birdwell Beach Britches. What does this mean for you, stylish reader? It means that now through July 3rd, you can keep your eyes peeled on the site for new weekly T-shirt launches.
  • OK, so how about upgrading your leather watch? If you happen to be in NYC, or visiting, you should absolutely check out the new Shinola Brooklyn store. They absolutely make some of the best men’s leather watches out there, and it was a treat to catch up with Shinola Creative Director Daniel Caudill for The Manual in advance of the opening, and I’d daresay you’ll be more than pleased with the brand’s handsome accessories and home goods.Greats
  • The summer is no time to let your outerwear game slip, especially on breezy nights — I’d suggest you pick up the Goldwin Packable Windbreaker, one of my recent entries for GearMoose, and let me know where you’re headed.
  • Now, let’s talk music. If you missed it last Saturday, you can — and should — watch the lovely ladies of California rock trio HAIM play two new songs on Saturday Night Live! Who else is excited for the group’s new album this July?  I sure am.


Last, but certainly not least ….

  • While we’re taking new music, it was with joy and surprise that I first listened to the new single by The National last week. If you haven’t heard the latest from the indie rock heroes, listen to “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” as soon as you can. Trust me.

OK, loyal Style Guide readers. That’s it — that’s all we’ve got! Unless, of course, you haven’t listened to that new single by The National. You should do that, ASAP.

Now, we’re ready for the weekend — stay stylish!

-Beau

by Beau H.

Standout style: Rocking out at Panorama 2016

Editor’s note: Start here for personal style #menswear coverage.

The heat didn't stop me from rocking out in style. Linen-blend shirt by Old Navy. Silm Light Mercer Denim by Mott & Bow. Natural Diplomat Boots by Thursday Boots. Millbrook Sunglasses by Steven Alan Optical. Mod Watch from the Timex x Todd Snyder collab.

The heat didn’t stop me from rocking out in style. Linen-blend shirt by Old Navy. Silm Light Mercer Denim by Mott & Bow. Natural Diplomat Boots by Thursday Boots. Millbrook Sunglasses by Steven Alan Optical. Mod Watch from the Timex x Todd Snyder collab.

Here at The Style Guide, I’m pretty thankful to get to write about what I love every week. But it’s even better when I get to combine my passions into one post, as I did this weekend when I headed to the first-ever Panorama festival in NYC rocking some great men’s style gear and rocking out to excellent tunes along the way. Panorama was a unique merger of music, art and technology, curated by the same team behind Coachella – and Saturday’s lineup, featuring luminaries like Kendrick Lamar, Sufjan Stevens and The National, was stellar. The festival blended the buzzing atmosphere with some premium food and beverage curated in part by the great folks at Eater.com, too.And of course, the day presented the perfect opportunity for me to combine those aforementioned passions into one heck of an afternoon (although if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you’re aware of that!). Now, attending an outdoor festival in the heat of summer might seem like the opportune time to ditch decorum and dress to stay cool, but yours truly thinks just the opposite — bear with me.

Of note, stepping out on Saturday put me right smack-dab in the middle of some very hot weather — it was sunny, beautiful and in the 90s here in the Big Apple.  Even still, I was glad to be there as Panorama took over Randall’s Island, the site of this summer’s Governors Ball festival, (a similarly spectacular weekend). It was exciting to know that a quick subway trip brought me mere feet from (among others), The National, supremely talented purveyors of emotionally substantive music … but more on that in a second. Just know that for now, if you get the chance to see them, it’s a must. And if you manage to get as close as I somehow did, it’ll be even more astounding (just check out this video here, for one!).

Join Frank & Oak Elevate - Enjoy FREE Shipping, Cashback + more at Frank + Oak! Try it now for 90 days, risk free!To tackle the festival in style, I reached for a new pair of Thursday Boots — they’re a big Style Guide favorite for the way they blend price, quality and styling potential, and I tested out the rugged-refined Natural Diplomat Boot this weekend. It’s made from durable Horween leather that provided just the right amount of toughness, edge and style, plus excellent grip and plenty of durability for playing a little air guitar during a high-voltage afternoon set from British rockers Foals. Of course, they had to be able to fight for a spot in the crowd during a visually stunning show by Sufjan Stevens — and before that, I did plenty of rocking out to The National, one of my all-time favorite bands and the group behind one of my all-time favorite albums (that would be Boxer …. or perhaps it’s Trouble Will Find Me …. or maybe Alligator…). The band’s incredible, emotional show came after a blisteringly hot day out and about, and it’s a good thing I had apparel that stood up to the test. Challenges with the heat started early, even during a high-energy, engaging set from British duo Oh Wonder to kick off the day (note that if you dig what you hear from them, they’re working on a new album!).

Ready for a full day of rocking out. Linen-Blend Shirt by Old Navy. Slim Light Mercer Denim by Mott & Bow. Natural Diplomat Boots by Thursday Boots. Troubadour Socks by Richer Poorer. Hudson Belt by Arcade Belts. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks. Wristband by Panorama NYC.

Ready for a full day of rocking out. Linen-Blend Shirt by Old Navy. Slim Light Mercer Denim by Mott & Bow. Natural Diplomat Boots by Thursday Boots. Troubadour Socks by Richer Poorer. Hudson Belt by Arcade Belts. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks. Wristband by Panorama NYC.

Attending a great music festival often feels like multiple shows within one large, high-energy show — it’s fitting then, that my style blended multiple elements. To fight the heat (and yes, I’m aware I chose boots and denim), a linen-blend short-sleeve shirt courtesy of Old Navy worked quite well. Although the Navy color is now sold out, the white Flax Linen option on the site would be a reliable stand-in at your next music festival, with a much-needed linen blend and utilitarian chest pockets. It really was crucial to have versatile style, as the day shifted from a eclectic, mellow vibes of Oh Wonder  to a high-energy set put on Daughter. The quickly changing scenery called for durable accessories, too — no busted watches or sunglasses left behind here. Plus, my Tread for Men Traveler Sunscreen was a big help in protecting me from the sun.
Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

Chief among the rest of those accessories was a new personal favorite, the outstanding Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch. It reliably updates a vintage style for the modern man. I accentuated that crisp watch with a fun-to-wear pair of Millbrook sunglasses via Steven Alan Optical, which clock in at an agreeable price on top of great looks ($165). Certainly, every cent helps when cooling down with some nice refreshments and powering through a day of great shows.

Keeping track of time during the day with the Mod Watch from the Timex x Todd Snyder collab. Natural Diplomat Boots by Thursday Boots. Slim Light Mercer Denim by Mott & Bow.

Keeping track of time during the day with the Mod Watch from the Timex x Todd Snyder collab. Natural Diplomat Boots by Thursday Boots. Slim Light Mercer Denim by Mott & Bow.

Lest we think the day was all about the big-ticket items (and bands), small touches really do go a long way in completing an outfit, such as the Hudson Belt from Arcade Belt Co. It’s made with stretchy, comfortable and durable navy smartweave fabric, and the color worked well alongside my socks, the lightweight, breathable, teal-and-grey color-blocked Troubadour from the team at Richer Poorer. Those socks paired with my boots for an added touch of comfort, and that was crucial — it felt like a long run-up into the evening, but it really was worth it.

That brings us back, once again, to The National. While I certainly looked forward to dressing for the day in style and checking out other great acts, I’d been looking forward even more to seeing the hallowed indie rockers return (relatively close) to their home turf. Seeing them two years ago at Calvin College back in my home state of Michigan was, to be quite honest, a lifechanging show (right up there with seeing Lucius at Daryl’s House Club in upstate New York earlier this year). And this time around, The National absolutely didn’t disappoint. Although the entire set was stellar, early renditions of “Don’t Swallow the Cap” and “Afraid of Everyone” were huge crowd-pleasers, as was an uptempo take on “Sea of Love” off of the acclaimed Trouble Will Find Me. Being that close to the stage for those songs was epic, seriously. The Dessner brothers are one of the tightest guitar duos around, and the Devendorf brothers reliably carry the rhythm section, too. What more can you ask for?

They’ve got a discography that’s so deep and versatile, an hour isn’t nearly enough — even at a festival.  A soul-stirring rendition of “Bloodbuzz Ohio” played well off of two new songs, “The Day I Die” and “Find A Way” fit right in with the rest of the band’s live set, which also managed to work in “England” off of High Violet. The variety in their setlist means you might hear your favorite track at an unexpected time, and it means you might have to wait a bit longer, too. “Fake Empire” was distinctive and well-done, cueing up the crowd for an intense, loud version of the classic “Mr. November” (just ask the folks next to me how much I enjoyed that one). Although Mr. Berninger stayed on stage for that song, he made his way into the crowd for “Terrible Love” — I’m surprised the fans let him go! It was nothing short of emotionally stirring and incredible, probably worthy of a full blog post in its own right. It was a two-year wait to see them, but I can only hope less time goes by before I see them again.

If you get the chance to check them out at one of the many festivals they tend to play during the summer, please do. The same goes for their friend and a top-billed act in his own right, Sufjan Stevens. It was time to put away those sunglasses (and grab another round), as he powered through a visually stunning set — both The National & Sufjan could definitely play for twice as long, what with their deep discographies and high-energy stage shows. Of course, an act like Kendrick Lamar is a huge crowd-pleaser and puts on a high-energy stage show of his own, which drew by far the largest crowds of the day.

It was a heck of a day that really was packed top-to-bottom — bands like Oh Wonder and Foals also rounded out the day nicely with afternoon sets that fit with the festival’s more eclectic vibe. Attendance felt a bit light at times, but it provided the chance to grab some prime real estate during killer sets by some of my favorite acts (particularly, as we all know…. The National). And gear like my durable Thursday Boots Natural Diplomat Boot and the Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch was really crucial to taking on such a hot and busy day in style. It was such an honor and privilege to be able to see a renowned act like The National, and the rest of the lineup definitely didn’t disappoint. We’ll see if Panorama sticks around next year, but if they continue to curate an eclectic lineup packed with big names and solid variety, there’s a great chance it will be — and I’ll be there with my best menswear to rock out!

‘Til the next show,

-Beau

Huckberry

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: DETAILS, Bill Simmons and The National

Editor’s note: Expect these posts once a week on Fridays — consider this a jumpstart on reading for your weekend downtime. Expect a mix of style and non-style content. For more entries, click here.

To any new readers here: Welcome! And to you old regulars, welcome back. Can you believe it’s Thanksgiving already? The fact that it feels like it was just Labor Day (and the start of summer before that!), is pretty crazy! Next week, I’m looking forward to a relaxing trip to West Virginia to see family — where are you headed? And while we’re at it, what are you wearing for the holiday? It certainly won’t be long before Turkey Day — but prior to that, I’m actually hopping on a train this evening to Washington, D.C., where I’ll be re-connecting with some high school friends passing through the area. That adventure comes on the heels of a trip to Michigan last weekend, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what D.C. has on-tap (pun intended, wink wink). [P.S. Follow along with my style picks via Instagram and Twitter]. What are you most looking forward to this coming weekend? While you think on that, take a look at this edition of the Friday Read, which features a pretty monumental shake-up in the menswear editorial world.

  • The New York Times reports that men’s lifestyle magazine DETAILS (of which I suspect many of us know and read regularly) is being shut down by Conde Nast after its December issue; it should be noted that DETAILS.com will gradually fall under the umbrella of GQStyle.com, yet this is another sad day for the fashion publishing industry.
  • In happier news and in a welcome return to the stage, Bill Simmons sat down with President Obama for GQ’s Men of the Year Issue, and the interview is insightful and well-done.
  • This piece isn’t necessarily style-related, but it’s fascinating nonetheless — Vox revisits a series of ads released in the ’90s by AT&T that provided a pretty accurate picture of future technological advancements.
  • Long Read of the Week: In the most fascinating piece on a band I’ve read in a long time, Stereogum catches up with The National as the revered indie rock band transitions back into recording after time apart pursuing some incredible side projects. It’s a deep look at a band that’s one of my all-time favorites (it doesn’t hurt that they have significant Brooklyn roots near my old neighborhood, either).

Missed out on more menswear this week?

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