Tag / the thursday buy

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.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: Upgrade Your Off-Duty Wardrobe with This USA-Made Polo from American Giant

There’s something to be said for upgrading the way you dress from A-to-Z, from day to night, on the clock and off — one of the best men’s polos can help you nail the perfect balance between polished style and laidback cool, and many of the best men’s polo brands are making shirts that are more leisurely than stuffy.

Take American Giant and the brand’s new USA-made polo: It’s made more like a T-shirt than a traditional polo shirt, from the fabric to the construction to the easygoing way you can wear it (a far cry from polo shirts that might have been part of your summer uniform in years past).

No sir, in my experience, the American Giant Premium Slub Polo is changing the game as far as the best polo shirts for men are concerned, in much the same way the brand has remained fiercely committed to USA-made menswear.

Learn more now at American Giant

That goes for the brand’s focus on making one of the best henleys for men as well as the best T-shirts for summer, each of which deserves place of pride in your seasonal wardrobe. But let’s take a closer look at the polo shirt you’re going to be wearing all summer, the American Giant Premium Slub Polo.

As the name would suggest, premium slub cotton gives this shirt a super-soft feel, texture and substance — it should prove lightweight and breathable without being overly thin.

Best polo shirts for men.

The steadfast USA-made fashion brand bills this shirt as a “modern take on the classic polo,” and I’d have to agree (my other American Giant reviews surely show I’m a big-time fan of the brand over the years). American Giant buttons grace the three-button placket, with a collar that should frame the face nicely.

And yet, the fabrication of the American Giant Premium Slub Polo means it has more in common with a laidback T-shirt, yet the collar gives it more polish — whether paired with dark blue jeans, tan chino shorts or even drawstring linen lounge pants.

The American Giant Premium Slub Polo is made in Los Angeles — a fine place to shop some of the best knitwear on the market at the moment — and comes in both two limited-edition colors and the timeless, flattering black for a crisp look and feel. The fit should fall below the belt line without proving overly long, a problem I’ve had with some polos in the past — but with American Giant, classic looks and a proper fit are the name of the game, at least in my experience.

Shop USA-made menswear at American Giant

No matter how you choose to style the American Giant Premium Slub Polo, you’re getting a standout blend of great looks, expert design and USA-made construction — what more can you ask for from one of the best polo shirts for men?

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: These American Optical Aviator Sunglasses are the Perfect Retro Shades for Spring and Summer

Preparing for the high heat of spring and summer in style — which we’ll talk about plenty in the weeks and months ahead on this Brooklyn style blog — starts with building what you might call a sort of menswear toolbox of essentials. Ensuring each and every part is in place — from leather loafers to lightweight stretch chinos, breezy shirting and your everyday carry essentials — goes a long way when you pack for your next getaway or plot your next weekend BBQ #OOTD.

And so it goes for scoring a pair of the best sunglasses for men — a pair of all-American, USA-made aviator sunglasses, at that. The aviator sunglass silhouette, originally developed and worn to great effect by real-life pilots, is an accessory that’s stood the test of time, worn by everyone from Tom Cruise in Top Gun to Daniel Craig as James Bond, and found just about everywhere stylish sunglasses are sold nowadays.

And a pair like the limited-edition American Optical AN-6531 (truly another rendition of American Optical aviator sunglasses, technical jargon aside) goes the distance in matters of stylish looks, a quality build, durable construction and long-lasting appeal.

How’s that for checking every box as far as the best sunglasses for men are concerned? Consider them a crucial addition to your toolbox, the type of shades you can dress up or dress down with ease.

The American Optical AN-6531 take a 1930s archival style from the famed brand, then soup it up for modern times (with a splurge-worthy price tag to match — your average beach store bargain bin sunglasses, these are not). They pay homage to WWII aviator styles, right down to the double-level nose bridge and cable temples to prevent slippage.

And while they get all the details right, they really are a modern update to a classic: The use of materials like Calobar™ green glass lenses and monoblock hinges — for enhanced visibility — speak to the perfect blend of form and function.

Plus, the fact that the American Optical AN-6531 are sold by Huckberry — and are perfectly ready to pair with American made T-shirts and blue jeans as well as a knit polo and stretch chinos — is a major added bonus.

Shop the best everyday carry gear ASAP at Huckberry

For utterly classic style on the daily, no matter the ensemble you choose to pair ’em with, there’s no doubt (at least in my experience) that the American-made, truly timeless American Optical AN-6531 sunglasses belong in your menswear toolbox this spring and summer. Invest in the best now, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: These Astorflex Boat Shoes are a Subtly Stylish Footwear Upgrade

When the chance comes to step into a new season in style, by dipping your toes into something that’s ever-so-slightly fresh, a slight departure from the ordinary, we here at this Brooklyn style blog say: Take it wholeheartedly, especially if the opportunity arises to try out a new shoe silhouette from a Huckberry-approved brand.

And if you’ve kept up with the blog on the regular over the years, then you’ll know it’s hard to pass up a chance to slide into some Astorflex boots and loafers. The family-owned Italian brand uses sustainable production methods in crafting its best-selling chukka boots and the recently launched Astorflex Derby Shoes, and the Astorflex Loafers are also a refined yet easy-to-wear summer style favorite.

Best boat shoes for men.

And now, that strong stable of stylish footwear gains another member with the addition of the Astorflex Hestaflex Boat Shoes — not a moment too soon for easygoing summer soirees aplenty. These low-profile boat shoes are a touch more streamlined than traditional boat shoes, with moc toe detailing throughout and a chunkier sole that calls to mind sneakers or chukka boots.

Best boat shoes for men to buy now.

And yet, like all great pairs of Astorflex shoes sold by our good friends at Huckberry, the handsome Astorflex Hestaflex Boat Shoes feature that same Northern Italy handmade construction, plus richly crafted bovine suede uppers in either eye-catching Olive Green or more classically styled Brown. A memory foam footbed bolsters comfort, yet it’s covered in leather for a soft, supple and ultimately, stylish finish.

The crepe cup sole is another handmade touch that should quite literally provide a spring in your step, whether you style the Astorflex Hestaflex Boat Shoes with rolled light wash jeans, navy chino shorts or olive lounge pants. Keep in mind that your new favorite boat shoes are also unlined within the shoe itself, meaning you can slide into them comfortably right out of the box.

And as Huckberry sagely notes, “when Astorflex introduced their take on a boat shoe, we had to get our hands on it.” I’d say the same holds true for your stylish casual wardrobe this season, particularly when reviewing the rest of Huckberry’s summer style lineup.

Shop seasonal style must-haves at Huckberry

In fact, boat shoes are practically begging to be paired with a knit polo and stretch chinos, to name but one way you should rock the Astorflex Hestaflex Boat Shoes. When the time comes to switch up your style rotation just ever-so-slightly, turn to a new boat shoe from a trusted brand.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Laco Pilot’s Watch from Windup Watch Shop Is Your Next Wrist Game Upgrade

The best watches for men, at least in my experience, do much more than just tell time: They add a sense of perspective, style and purpose to many an ensemble, even ones that are simple and subtle on the surface. And the best field watches for men, like the Laco Augsburg 42 Watch shown above, add some flair and functionality in rugged, heritage-minded fashion.

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Is there a better accessory to add to your next #OOTD than one of the best men’s field watches, especially with the assortment available from the good folks at Windup Watch Shop? I’m willing to bet your outlook on wrist game upgrades will change in spirited fashion once you’ve had a chance to check out the offerings at Windup Watch Shop specifically, as I had the chance to do recently — let’s dive in, shall we?

The handsome, highly durable and carefully crafted Laco Augsburg 42 Watch — which I’ve had the chance to check out lately thanks to Windup Watch Shop — boasts heritage style in every stitch, with a durable 42mm build and a highly legible, cleanly designed pilot watch dial. The design of the

The Laco Augsburg 42 Watch from Windup Watch Shop harkens back to the 1940s, but it wears just as well today — I’ve paired mine with a chambray shirt and an olive blazer here in New York City for evening outings and an Old Fashioned or two.

The Laco Augsburg 42 Watch features a matte black dial with lumed indices and crisp markings across its face, and the brushed steel case is at once slightly dressy and also rugged. I especially appreciate the riveted leather strap and its contrast stitching: The Laco Augsburg 42 Watch is an homage to “Type A” pilot watches from days gone by, and it wears just as well with chino shorts and a polo as it does with a pocket tee and classic blue jeans for men. I’ve also found that the 42mm case size wears nicely on my wrist, as you might have seen if you follow me on Instagram.

Better still is the fact that you get all of this — the versatility, variety and durable build of the Laco Augsburg 42 Watch from Windup Watch Shop — for well under $400 ($370, to be exact). It’s a watch made to be dressed up slightly or dressed down in rugged fashion, and it stands out in elegant, refined fashion on the wrist.

Of course, if the Laco Augsburg 42 Watch from Windup Watch Shop isn’t quite your cup of tea, the famed retailer has a vast selection of watches from brands large and small within its site — your new wrist game upgrade is just a few clicks away, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: The Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt Takes on a Timeless Military Style for Spring

Buck Mason men's chambray shirt review.

Certain menswear essentials are so classic, so utterly timeless, that they tend to look great no matter the era or even the season. While fits and fabrics sometimes change, the best men’s chambray shirts certainly qualify as a time-honored men’s style staple — all the better if they’re made by a modern brand that has a healthy respect for the classics. In the case of today’s style selection that brand, of course, is Buck Mason, a perennial favorite of this Brooklyn style blog and a company that certainly delivers a true twist on an old favorite when it comes to the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt.

This particular shirt is a recent introduction to the brand’s lineup of the best shirts for men, which put a fresh twist on old-school staples like the Oxford shirt, the cotton twill workshirt and even the flannel shirt (in the colder months, of course). The Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt takes its cues from the sturdy cotton poplin build of the throwback US Navy N-3 button-up, which was worn as a tough workshirt in warm weather.

It’s quite the place to draw inspiration from, and the lightweight durability of the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt should speak for itself. It should ultimate prove softer and less densely woven than one of the best chambray shirts, with slightly different texture and character — and yet, that doesn’t make the highly durable cotton-poplin construction of the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt any less useful in your own style rotation this season.

Best workshirts for men this season.

In fact, the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt can be worn as a lightweight overshirt of sorts atop a crisp pocket tee or a short-sleeve henley, or else buttoned up and used to dress down a soft-shouldered navy or khaki cotton blazer. The indigo dye of the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt will shift over time and patina in its own way, while side seam gussets give you more room to move when wearing this as a workshirt.

Shop classic style staples now at Buck Mason

Consider the hard-wearing yet not overly bulky Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt a reliable style move with tan chinos and leather chukka boots, or else wear it properly as a streamlined workshirt with canvas work pants on cool spring mornings and summer nights — the Buck Mason Engine Room Shirt strikes the right blend between throwback durability and modern style in every way possible. Would you expect anything else from the Americana style purveyors at Buck Mason?

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Aether Apparel Half-Zip Sweatshirt is an Effortlessly Cool Spring Layer

There’s a right way and a wrong way to layer up for spring with the best spring style essentials, believe it or not. Or at least, that’s the case on this Brooklyn style blog, where I’m all about versatility in design, the right balance between performance fabrics and everyday style, and a dash of the unexpected. Take Los Angeles-based performance menswear brand Aether Apparel and the new Aether Apparel Spring 2025 Collection.

Learn more now at Aether Apparel

The company rests at the intersection of gear you can wear out of the city — on a day hike, a long flight or somewhere in between — and gear that looks crisp and stylish getting from point A to point B. Add in a dash of the unexpected, as with the Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt, and now, we’re getting somewhere, so to speak.

If ever you’ve been hesitant about wearing a zip pullover or sweatshirt someplace other than the golf course, now’s the time to put those thoughts to the side — a new way to layer for spring weekends and casual days on Zoom calls at home just arrived.

It’s got more going for it than your traditional sporty crewneck, starting with the fact that it’s made from organic French Terry cotton. The half-zip design also swerves from the quarter-zip design’s traditional look, and the overall appeal of this casually cool layering piece sits somewhere between a traditional crewneck sweatshirt (in material) and the OG quarter zip.

Taken all at once, the Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt checks every one of the boxes we talked about earlier, all while doing so in slightly unexpected fashion — you might even say the quarter-zip sweatshirt or pullover is back in a whole new way.

The design should prove thermal in nature, ideal for brisk spring mornings and cool summer nights in the field (in fact, Aether Apparel says your new favorite zip sweatshirt is “an uncompromising exercise in versatile comfort and warmth” — how’s that for performance?).

The Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt is even built with underarm eyelets for increased ventilation: While this zip sweatshirt might not quite be one to wear on long runs, it can certainly tackle day hikes and other, more leisurely weekend pursuits.

Even the notched offset chest pocket is a visual touch that shows that a serious level of design and thought went into the Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt. On the style front, rib cuffs give this a sweatshirt-like fit and feel (it’s right in the name, after all), and three crisp, neutral color options deliver easygoing style potential — that goes for everything from olive-hued joggers to faded light wash jeans as a leisurely weekend look. Don’t hesitate to layer up the Aether Apparel Monte Half-Zip Sweatshirt for work or play — it’ll assuredly deliver.