Tag / the thursday buy

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Todd Snyder Cashmere Crewneck is A Luxe Fall Style Essential

Best sweaters for men to wear this fall.

It’s often the little details that make the biggest difference in an #OOTD or a selection of the best menswear essentials — things like the soft touch of the right fabric, or a fit that’s just right. Of course, those can also prove to be the big details, which so often do indeed make a difference as you layer up for the season at hand.

And with award-winning menswear designer Todd Snyder, both details large and small are all carefully thought of with each passing collection — that certainly includes a luxe rotation of the best sweaters for men, which you’d do well to start thinking about as we inch ever closer to fall.

The good news for you and me both is that Todd Snyder’s assortment of the best men’s cashmere sweaters is well-stocked indeed, and that means the Todd Snyder Midweight Cashmere Crewneck Sweater could just become the style splurge your layering rotation needs this fall (and beyond).

The Todd Snyder Midweight Cashmere Crewneck Sweater offers what the designer calls “an elevated take on the essentials,” with a flattering fit, versatile crewneck construction — able to be worn on its own or over a crisp dress shirt — and an array of color options to suit every taste and sense of style. Details like ribbed stitching at the armholes and bottom hem give the handsome cashmere sweater an eye-catching appeal — that makes it visually interesting and appealing to wear on its own alongside dark blue jeans and burnished leather boots.

The Todd Snyder Midweight Cashmere Crewneck Sweater could even serve as a replacement for a traditional dress shirt beneath a charcoal suit at times this fall, particularly in the rich shade of plum (known as “Winestain”) shown here.

And I’d wager you’ll want to get plenty of wear out of the Todd Snyder Midweight Cashmere Crewneck Sweater — it’s a pricier investment at $328, but one you can assuredly make entirely your own this fall and winter.

Shop fall menswear essentials at Todd Snyder

Colors like Navy and Heather Grey offer versatility and reliable style with just about any other shade in your rotation of fall’s best pants and outerwear, but colors like Winestain represent the season most readily.

And as with other Todd Snyder menswear, although the Todd Snyder Midweight Cashmere Crewneck Sweater isn’t cheap, it’s most certainly worth the investment if you want a base layer — and indeed, a fashionable men’s sweater — that really isn’t so basic after all.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Lace Up these Rugged Danner Logger Moc Boots from Huckberry for Every Fall Pursuit

Danner men's boots review.

As we inch ever closer to Labor Day weekend and the unofficial closing round of summer, what menswear and gear picks have been on your mind (and perhaps, in your digital shopping cart)? Slightly cooler days and nights lend themselves to preparing for a new season — the right way, as we so often talk about on this Brooklyn style blog.

Naturally, I’ve found the best gear and menswear tends to come from Huckberry, the Americana and adventure retailer that has a penchant for stocking some of the most stylish selections on the market from a host of brands.

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That list certainly includes the good folks at Pacific Northwest footwear maker Danner, a heritage brand that’s taken a modern turn (and not for the worse!) in recent decades.

They’ve carefully curated their lineup to include lightweight hiking boots, tactical boots, handsome leather lifestyle boots and rugged leather boots for men that fall somewhere in between all three of those categories, which is all the better if you love shopping the best boots for men.

And among that crop, the Danner Logger Moc 917 GTX fits the bill quite nicely indeed in terms of rugged throwback good looks and modern performance. The Danner Logger Moc 917 GTX boasts all the hallmarks of classic Danner boots, harkening back to the days when the Portland-based company first made boots for loggers in the 1930s using… you guessed it, GORE-TEX fabrication.

The Danner Logger Moc 917 GTX carries on that lineage in handsome fashion, using a sturdy, thick yet supple leather upper bolstered by a waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX liner. The impressive combination rests atop its namesake Vibram 917 outsole, boasting a small lug rubber outsole design for traction and a wedge sole with added support at the heel.

The two-tone design of the Danner Logger Moc 917 GTX is a handsome touch, particularly when the brand uses contrast stitching across the moccasin upper. In my experience, boots like the Danner Logger Moc 917 GTX tend to wear well with durable classics, like indigo blue selvedge or perhaps light olive chinos or slate grey canvas work pants.

And you can certainly style the Danner Logger Moc 917 GTX in off-duty fashion, but the waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX construction in the liner means you can take these boots off-trail and out into the field if need be.

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Complete with tonal laces to match the lower part of the moccasin upper, every detail has been properly thought out as far as the newly iconic, ultra-comfortable and assuredly hard-wearing Danner Logger Moc 917 GTX is concerned. Slip into a pair this fall season and let me know how they treat you.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This RRL Denim Trucker Jacket from Huckberry is a Stone-Cold Classic for Transitional Weather

There’s never quite a bad time to add something utterly classic to your menswear rotation, or to keep refining said menswear rotation, particularly as the weather shifts ever-so-slightly from summer’s high heat into the cooler climes of early fall.

This, of course, is where one of the best denim jackets for men comes into play, often made with tough, sturdy construction and an impeccable eye for detail — at least, that’s the case with the RRL Lot-271 Denim Jacket, a heritage-focused take on the timeless, Western-inspired men’s denim trucker jacket. And per modern tradition, you can expect one of the best online menswear shops — Huckberry, in this case — to stock and sell as fine an example as any on the outerwear market.

Find out more and shop now at Huckberry

As past RRL reviews have pointed out on this very Brooklyn style blog, the brand — a rugged and historical, Western-inspired offshoot of Ralph Lauren — doesn’t do things half-speed. Attention to detail, heritage quality and remarkable construction are all points of pride for RRL, and that certainly carries over when it comes to the RRL Lot-271 Denim Jacket.

Fashioned from 100 percent premium Japanese cotton denim, the build of this jacket should prove sturdy yet supple, as vintage-inspired stitching and detailing nicely complements contrasting hardware.

The RRL Lot-271 Denim Jacket is pleasingly broken in (at least in its expertly worn-in Leland Wash), and that should make it all the more wearable with everything from black selvedge jeans to burgundy corduroys or a pair of the best chinos for men.

And the rugged nature of the RRL Lot-271 Denim Jacket makes it a natural fit atop staples you already own, be it one of the best men’s henleys, a white Oxford shirt or a simple, casual pocket tee for a sense of effortless cool. As the good folks at Huckberry note, this timeless denim jacket was “inspired by the details found on vintage workwear,” and should wear as stylishly as jackets favored by its namesake designer himself.

Of course, these exceptional details mean the RRL Lot-271 Denim Jacket comes at a hefty price tag compared to other variations on the best denim jackets for men, but in my experience, RRL is surely worth the price tag. If you end up bolstering your style rotation with this must-have investment, let me know in the comments below — happy early fall layering, and stay stylish, my friends!

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Buck Mason Free Flows Linen Polo is a Refined Summer Classic for the Season’s Heat

Best polo for men this summer.

There comes a time every summer — particularly right now, as the thermostat climbs without end in sight — where a guy needs to find the right balance between staying ultra-cool and looking, well, ultra-cool. How to dress stylishly in the heat is a main concern in my neck of the woods, especially if everything from rooftop happy hours to coastal getaways remains on your calendar in the weeks ahead.

One of the best men’s polos can help nail the delicate balance between comfort, style and crisp looks — make it a breezy, fashionable polo from the classic menswear purveyors at Buck Mason, and you’ve got yourself a winning upgrade as far as the best summer style essentials are concerned.

Find out more now at Buck Mason

In fact, I’d go so far as to say the Buck Mason Free Flows Linen Polo takes an already-versatile silhouette and makes it even more wearable for the days and weeks ahead. It’s part of the new Buck Mason Free Flows Collection, an assortment of the best lightweight menswear that blends effortless cool, dependable good looks and breezy, textured fabric across the board.

And while the brand also excels at rugged menswear like one of the best Western shirts, the Buck Mason Free Flows Linen Polo is a touch more refined and plenty easy to style with linen trousers, soft-shouldered summer suiting and the brand’s utterly classic chinos.

There’s an air of retro cool to the Buck Mason Free Flows Linen Polo, which is billed by the iconic modern American brand as a “fully fashioned slim fit polo made from an airy blend of textured Italian cotton and linen,” (the blend is 70 percent seeded cotton and 30 percent linen, for the record). It forgoes a traditional button placket in favor of an on-trend yet timeless open V-collar, while the handsome Buck Mason Free Flows Linen Polo features a chest pocket for some added visual appeal, plus ribbed cuffs at the sleeves and bottom hem — not unlike one of the best sweater polos on the market.

The colorway of the Buck Mason Free Flows Linen Polo is crisp and classic, with a Natural shade that pairs well with everything in your wardrobe, from rolled light wash denim to olive chinos, tobacco-hued linen trousers, even grey or navy utility shorts.

The even better news? You can score all of these casually cool menswear essentials from Buck Mason alongside the elegant, rakish Buck Mason Free Flows Linen Polo. Your summer deserves a lightweight upgrade, and the accessible, retro-inspired Buck Mason Free Flows Linen Polo is the right way to go this season.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Shinola Ceramic Monster Automatic Watch is a Rugged Summer Wrist Game Essential

Shinola Monster Watch review.

While we’ve talked plenty about the best summer gear across the board — from stylish boat shoes to breezy T-shirts, versatile buttondown shirts, stretch chino shorts and even canvas sneakers — it’s high time we considered another crucial addition to your summer gear rotation. Take a look at your wrist: Are you a fan of watches? A budding watch enthusiast or a seasoned veteran?

Or perhaps somewhere between the two, but with a knowledge of and appreciation for the finer things in life, like Shinola men’s watches? Then you’ve come to the right place today as we consider one of the best watches for men — especially as you look to plot out your next summer adventure.

Learn more now at Shinola

Wearing a wristwatch in this day and age isn’t quite for everybody, as we’ve learned over the years, but if you’re into the style, intentionality and classic looks the right timepiece can provide, then I say again: You’ve come to the right place as we consider the adventure-ready delights of the Shinola Ceramic Monster Automatic Watch.

When it comes to Shinola reviews, we’ve talked about refined watches for everyday wear, as well as complementary pieces like one of the best leather duffel bags for men, and the Detroit-based brand has the market cornered as far as blending the best of the past with the present as far as the best men’s watches are concerned.

The Shinola Monster line of watches is also a personal favorite for that reason, boasting larger case sizes than typical dress watches and featuring more bells and whistles made to take on the deep waters of the Great Lakes (or the dust of the hiking trail, or somewhere in between the two).

The rugged Shinola Ceramic Monster Automatic Watch gets its good looks from the use of a black ceramic material for its case and outer bezel — the material is strong yet lightweight, and made to resist the elements.

The company also finished off the crown of the Shinola Ceramic Monster Automatic Watch with a stainless steel coating for further durability — it’s like the brand has taken the best stainless steel dive watches, then lightened them up across the board with cutting-edge ceramic.

It doesn’t hurt that its minimal black build is complemented nicely by an integrated black rubber strap — this strikes me as the sort of watch that looks as at home with a short-sleeve henley and blue jeans as it does with swim trunks and a pocket tee on the shore. Even the caseback is adorned with red detailing, a touch one can’t help but love in terms of rugged, functional looks.

The wave-edged dial of this handsome yet sleek watch reminds the wearer — yourself included — of the depths of the Great Lakes, tastefully accented by red dial details. And you can be sure accuracy is top of mind as you wear this watch day in and day out, from city to shore, thanks to its SW200-1 Automatic movement.

Shop men’s watches and more at Shinola

If you want a hard-wearing adventure watch that packs in plenty of bells and whistles in a subtle manner, then the latest Shinola Ceramic Monster might just be for you — and if it’s your first introduction to a legendary modern brand with hard-working Detroit roots, I say for a final time: You’ve come to the right place.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: These Frye Leather Sneakers are a Refined Set of Summer Sneakers for All Occasions

Best leather sneakers for men.

It seems that anything goes these days in the menswear world — well, not just anything, but there are more options out there for stylish guys than ever before, and that certainly includes the availability and wearability of the best sneakers for men across the board.

Think of it this way: While dressy occasions were once only the domain of, well, dress shoes and perhaps loafers in the summer months, there are options aplenty for the guy who wants an elevated pair of sneakers he can wear with business casual looks, and Frye (Northeast-based footwear purveyors for well over a century) certainly delivers.

Learn more and shop men’s shoes now at Frye

Yes, that’s correct, my friends: When done the right way, a pair of leather sneakers like the Frye Astor Leather Sneakers can get the job done with chinos and a lightweight blazer as readily as they can pair with linen lounge shorts and a breezy short-sleeve polo. Let’s dive in further, shall we?

Best known for rugged lace-up boots for spring (as well as stylish shoes for fall and winter), the brand’s sneakers are worth a closer look — particularly given the fact that they blend form and dressy appeal with comfort.

The Frye Astor Leather Sneakers use a classic court sneaker design, swapping out canvas for rich tumbled leather in handsome shades like Caramel seen above. The leather itself should patina nicely over time, but these fashionable men’s leather sneakers also come in shades like crisp White — the ultimate pair of leather dress sneakers, if you will, especially when worn with olive chinos and a white Oxford shirt, for example.

With a sturdy contrasting rubber outsole and a leather lining that should mold nicely to your foot over time, the Frye Astor Leather Sneakers blend luxury with an accessible price (try $148 on for size right now, ehh?). Other pairs of the Frye Astor Leather Sneakers, especially sleek Black atop a white outsole, are on sale for as low as $99 as well — not bad at all for sneakers you can (repeat after me!) dress up or dress down.

When your casual canvas sneakers aren’t quite the right move and when you want the comfort of sneakers at the office blended with the casually cool look of the right pair of lace-up kicks, I’d suggest — wholeheartedly — that you give the Frye Astor Leather Sneakers a shot this season.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: The Aether Apparel Emerson Buttondown Expertly Blends Form and Function All Summer Long

A well-rounded rotation of durable, dependable style essentials tends to have a little bit of everything: Picks made for more laidback pursuits, like linen trousers and soft-shouldered blazers, plus picks made for going far afield, like rugged canvas pants and the best combat boots.

And when an item falls seamlessly into both categories in matters of form and function — like the Aether Apparel Emerson Shirt — then it’s more than worthy of clearing some closet space as you build out a selection of summer style must-haves, my friends.

If you’ve read the blog and my Aether Apparel reviews over the years, you’ll know that the Los Angeles-based brand are experts at making gear as fit for the trail as it is for the city, including cozy picks like one of the best quarter zip sweatshirts, not to mention the hard-working yet stylish Aether Apparel Emerson Shirt.

The company are technical experts in terms of fabrication and design, balanced nicely with classic-meets-modern looks — as with the overshirt potential of the Aether Apparel Emerson Shirt. The Emerson is built like a timeless lightweight denim buttondown, garment-washed for a soft feel right out of the box and made to get better with age.

Learn more now and shop at Aether Apparel

And yet, its cotton build is reinforced with real self-edge (or selvedge) fabric detailing at the button placket that gives it more durability and structure — it’s both a handsome buttondown shirt made to wear on its own, and a stylish overshirt when topping off a pocket tee on a cool summer’s night around the bonfire.

Vertical snap-closure chest pockets round out the reliable Aether Apparel Emerson Shirt quite nicely when it comes to storage space for your everyday carry, and a split side seam also gives the Aether Apparel Emerson Shirt a dash of mobility and overshirt-like potential.

Its lightweight build should also prove highly packable, but the Aether Apparel Emerson Shirt might prove especially useful for summer travel, overnight camping and day hikes, what with its lightweight yet strong layering potential and helpful pockets.

Shop stylish, technical gear at Aether Apparel

Whether paired with canvas pants and lace-up hiking boots on the trail, or styled with black jeans and tan leather chukka boots back in the city, I’d wager you’re going to get plenty of wear out of the investment-level Aether Apparel Emerson Shirt, made all the better by its exceptional, technical construction and stylish build. Layer up and go forth this season, my friends.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: These Vans Authentic Sneakers are a ’70s-Inspired Summer Must-Have

Best canvas sneakers for men.

It’s always nice, at times, within your rotation of menswear essentials to really dial things back, keeping things subtle, stylish and often classic. That goes for easy-wearing essentials like the pocket tee or the chino short, or even an Oxford cloth buttondown — as we always say here on this Brooklyn style blog, the classics are the classics for a reason. It’s even more helpful you can find a full assortment of those classics at a site like Huckberry, one of the best online shops for men.

Shop essential summer gear at Huckberry

Take a pair of canvas sneakers, particularly pairs of Vans men’s sneakers: The silhouette and design is timeless, the inspiration often harkens back decades, and the good looks are paramount to casually cool, easygoing summer style. That’s a lot of boxes checked in short order, right? When you want to lace up a pair without thinking about it, when you want easygoing style to a T, Vans canvas sneakers tend to come in mighty handy.

And a pair like the Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers get plenty of the details right in a way that’s both old-school and modern, drawing on the 1970s and classic skate shoes for current-day inspiration. They’re based on Vans Style 44, used by pioneering skateboarders for their traction and grip.

And the Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers still retain that traction and grip to this day, with a waffle gum pattern that keeps you on your feet and your board. The Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers also feature a thick and durable yet breathable duck canvas upper, the kind that can take a beating and look even better all summer long.

A leather collar lining ensures a comfortable fit even with no-show socks, while tech-minded details like an improved Sola Foam All-Day-Comfort insole deliver rebound and crucial comfort.

Of course, they wouldn’t be a pair of Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers without a rubberized heel logo and contrast stitching across the upper. And in matters of style points, yessir, the Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers deliver laidback good looks, whether paired with chino shorts and a knit polo shirt or a short-sleeve henley and lightweight linen drawstring shorts.

For retro-minded style you can count on — at a highly affordable price, no less — the iconic and newly revamped Vans Premium Authentic Duck Canvas Sneakers fit the bill quite nicely as far as summer style sneaker additions are concenred.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Billy Reid Linen Buttondown Shirt Lends Polish and Comfort to Your Summer #OOTD

Striking the right balance between style and comfort in the heat is the name of the game on this Brooklyn style blog this season, and that likely holds true in your neck of the woods, as well. It’s a tricky challenge at the best of times, but some of the best online menswear brands can help you get there in style — from beach vacations to rooftop dinner, weddings, BBQs and a little bit of everything in between.

And if you’ve perused the blog in recent months, you’ll know we’re all about the refined essentials being delivered by Alabama-based Billy Reid, one of the country’s top menswear designers and the makers of summer-approved essentials like the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Short-Sleeve Linen Shirt.

A personal favorite and a seasonal twist on the best-selling Billy Reid Tuscumbia Shirt (itself an Oxford-like buttondown with plenty of versatility. The brand updates that style throughout the year in luxe fabrics, fits and colors, and this summer edition is just what the doctor ordered if you want to maintain a sense of polished, crisp and even refined style without going overboard — and without overheating, no less.

For the warmer months at hand, the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Short-Sleeve Linen Shirt gets all the proper details right, as only a designer like Billy Reid can. Garment-dyed lightweight linen gives it a breezy, soft handfeel, nicely complemented by a standard fit that should allow for proper air flow in the heat.

The Billy Reid Tuscumbia Short-Sleeve Linen Shirt keeps all the right details that make the four-season Tuscumbia Shirt such a winner, including a buttondown collar, genuine Mother of Pearl buttons and small touches like Billy Reid’s signature heirloom ribbon detailing at the bottom hem.

It doesn’t hurt that the Billy Reid Tuscumbia Short-Sleeve Linen Shirt comes in a range of fresh, vibrant colors, all the better to lend some pleasant, tasteful flair to your summer wardrobe. It should also prove handy alongside everything from chino shorts and white canvas sneakers to linen trousers and leather loafers.

Comfort, easygoing style and a crisp look are all standards to be counted on this summer with one of the best shirts for men, and the refined linen option from Billy Reid fits the bill handsomely for the warmer months ahead.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: These Chukka Boots from Red Wing Heritage Are as Classic as It Gets for Any Summer Adventure

Red Wing Heritage Weekender Chukka Boots.

In my experience, it’s hard to go wrong with menswear classics — built from the ground up, of course — regardless of season or circumstance. And while the best men’s boots — particularly boots sold by our friends at Huckberry — span a broad range of categories (from lace-up work boots to sleek dress boots and stylish Chelsea boots), there’s something to be said for lacing up a pair of the best men’s chukka boots — again, regardless of season.

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There’s also a particular appeal to boots crafted in America by Red Wing Heritage, and while summer is certainly a time for stepping into a pair of the best men’s sneakers, it’s hard to go wrong with a pair of rugged, handsome leather chukka boots — particularly on those days when the weather or the occasion calls for stylish light wash denim, right?

Perhaps you’ve come across other Red Wing Heritage reviews here on this Brooklyn style blog, but just know that these boots are now back in stock and better than ever for the summer months. These Red Wing Heritage chukka boots boast a more lightweight, flexible and yet durable appeal than other pairs of chukka boots I’ve tested — the leather is supple, reliable and made to develop its own eye-catching patina over time.

That’s great news indeed for your wardrobe, as these Red Wing Heritage chukka boots — a longtime fan favorite — boast durable design and heritage detailing aplenty. The Hill outsole offers lightweight traction, while these boots also feature a supremely comfortable Ortholite® insole (a personal favorite of mine, as well).

And in the company’s signature Copper Rough and Tough leather, they tend to look better than ever (along a new lineup of fresh suede options delivers something even more lightweight for the season at hand).

Shop the best boots and gear for men at Huckberry

Huckberry can’t help but note Red Wing’s long-running Minnesota heritage and a history of making the best work boots for men, yet another reason to love these stylish leather chukka boots for men. Huckberry even calls this offering from Red Wing a “weekend Chukka boot built from workboot DNA,” and that’s about as great as it gets when it comes to the best chukka boots for men this season — wouldn’t you agree, my friends? Lace ’em up and we’ll see you out there.