Tag / the thursday buy

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.

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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.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Todd Snyder Hemp-Cotton Overshirt Is an Expert Spring Layer for Refined Style

Is the quest for the perfect spring wardrobe ever complete? Not quite, at least not if you want to find the best possible versions of a few key men’s style essentials, like the ever-reliable shirt jacket — an expertly cut layer in the right hands, thanks to the design vision of award-winning menswear designer Todd Snyder.

The New York City-based expert tends to put his own refined spin on even the more rugged classics, especially like the humble shirt jacket, or “shacket.” When you want a new outlook on old favorites, consider Todd Snyder — and consider making the carefully developed construction of the Todd Snyder Hemp-Cotton Overshirt a part of your seasonal layering rotation.

Learn more now at Todd Snyder

While his tailoring and even footwear selection tends to lean more elegant, there’s a certain dashing, casually cool and rugged-yet-elevated outlook when it comes to pieces like the Todd Snyder Hemp-Cotton Overshirt.

Best spring shirt jackets for men.

Think of this like the overshirt you wear when you want to lend a dash of effortless cool to a chambray shirt or even a henley — the Todd Snyder Hemp-Cotton Overshirt can effectively elevate even slightly more casual pieces. But with the best shirt jackets for men, it’s best to not overthink it — the brand has already done that for you, and it shows in the comfortable, performance-minded yet polished construction of the shirt jacket itself.

The Todd Snyder Hemp-Cotton Overshirt gets its mix of structure and breathability from a blend of hemp, cotton and merino wool, an ingenious touch that gives it softness and a touch of warmth. The chest pocket is a handy design feature you can put to good use for stashing an EDC pen or small field notebook, making this a casually cool weekend shirting option.

In a deep shade of Brown or a lighter shade of Tan, it teams up rather nicely with shades of olive and indigo, made all the better by pairing it up with a grey henley or pocket tee. The Todd Snyder Hemp-Cotton Overshirt can even be worn atop a grey crewneck sweatshirt — a way to dress up a casual staple. With the right blend of lightweight fabric, durable structure and ever-so-slightly refined good looks, this shirt jacket is a surefire spring style upgrade, no doubt about it.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: These Filson Dry Tin Cloth Pants are Up for Just About Anything This Spring

Best work pants for men this spring.

The right gear for the task at hand — spring cleaning, a day hike, a trip to your local brewery (or all three in one day) makes all the difference, as the good folks at Filson know. The legendary Pacific Northwest outfitter delivers dependable, durable style from head to toe (and in your accessories rotation, as well — its tough-as-nails bags are the stuff of legend).

Shop new spring workwear and more at Filson

And when it comes to the best work pants for spring — better known here as the right gear for the task at hand — the iconic outfitter has been delivering for years, to say the least. Filson Dry Tin Cloth fabric is arguably the backbone of the brand, the type of material trusted for decades, and found trucker jackets and the five-pocket work pants shown above, to name but a few style staples that get a workwear edge for the spring season (and beyond).

Designed with just about anything you can throw at ’em in mind, the Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants are some of the best pants for spring for a reason, and it all starts with the company’s iconic, hard-working 100% cotton dry finish Tin Cloth fabric. It’s as supple and sturdy as waxed cotton, ready to take on the elements by repelling wind, rain, debris and abrasions of all sorts. The key is, it’s not waxed, yet tightly woven and durable as can be.

The Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants are also finished with details like rivets at key stress points, reinforced rear patch pockets for your everyday carry, and a front watch pocket for further storage space. Another crucial design detail that elevates the sturdy Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants? A metal shank button waist closure — no need to worry about key hardware failing you in the clutch. The famed outfitter notes that the Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants were designed “with the cut of a favorite pair of jeans and the legendary durability of our signature canvas,” and that makes ’em sound like a truly terrific pair of work pants for spring, at least in my experience.

For pursuits on duty and off, the Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants also come in richly crafted, classic colors like the aptly named Whiskey — ideal for pairing with an indigo denim jacket, a henley and lace-up leather boots for sipping, well, some whiskey around the campfire this spring. And when the time comes to dial down and really get to work, well, the Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants are up to the job — and then some. Would you expect anything else from Filson? No, sir.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This Flint and Tinder Western Shirt Puts a Modern Spin on a Rugged Classic

Best Western shirts for men.

As you build out your spring style rotation and look to bolster your wardrobe with stylish menswear aplenty, perhaps you find yourself exploring a mix of both old and new styles, picks that seem familiar but also feel fresh. While the denim shirt is a tried-and-true style classic, all things Western are having a serious moment right now (thank you, Yellowstone!).

So while a stylish denim shirt seems familiar, picking up a new twist on the style — one of the best Western shirts for men from the good folks at Huckberry — seems to be a wise move heading into the breezy climes of spring, does it not?

It feels classic yet contemporary, and the latest and greatest edition of the Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt certainly checks the right boxes in terms of durability, rugged appeal, crisp style and even versatility. Let’s take a closer look at perhaps your new favorite shirt, shall we?

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Part of a refreshed rotation of stylish men’s shirts at Huckberry for spring, this on-trend take on the Western shirt still keeps the classic details front and center, despite its more eye-catching pattern.

With strong USA-made construction featuring 8oz. 100 percent cotton – light enough to wear on its own on hot days, sturdy enough to wear over a T-shirt or henley when it’s more breezy – I’d say the Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt is about as versatile as it gets in terms of casual shirting. In fact, you can even style this handsome Western shirt in slightly elevated fashion, as Huckberry showcases by teaming it with a Western-style blazer.

And recall what we said about those classic touches being front and center: The Flint and Tinder Bone Button Western Shirt boasts burnt cow bone button snaps, plus two angled chest pockets in timeless Western shirt fashion.

Shop the best gear for spring at Huckberry

Huckberry notes this shirt features durable stitching for good measure, and it comes in the company’s standard range of sizes — nicely tailored, but not overly tight nor too relaxed. When it comes to a slight style swerve from the norm, this tasteful Western shirt could be just what the (style) doctor ordered — and that’s a winner in my book for expert spring men’s fashion, folks.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: This USA-Made Waxed Jacket from Devium Is as Tough and Stylish As It Gets

Best waxed jackets for men.

When blustery spring weather rolls into town, as I often say on this Brooklyn style blog, it certainly pays off to be prepared in advance. One crucial step in that process as you shore up you rotation of men’s style essentials?

That’s an easy one: Finding one of the best spring jackets to take on rain and wind. And if you’ve got the chance to do so while supporting a rugged, made-in-America company, that’s all the better — as with Devium, a newfound favorite brand here on the blog and one doing things the right way when it comes to the Devium Overdrive Waxed Canvas Jacket (among other staple pieces made right here in the States).

Learn more now at Devium

Toughness and durability are the name of the game with the entire Devium lineup, which includes new twists on the classics, like hard-wearing flannel shirts, thick-knit henleys, sturdy T-shirts and of course, tough-as-nails outerwear like the Devium Overdrive Waxed Canvas Jacket. It starts with a dependable Oxford weave waxed canvas in a 10oz. weight, the kind you can comfortably wear over everything from a henley to a classic pocket tee or a reliable chambray shirt.

The Devium Overdrive Waxed Canvas Jacket is also lined in flannel (not unlike some of the best waxed canvas jackets from Huckberry and elsewhere), a touch I appreciate on brisk spring days and nights. Helpfully, the Devium Overdrive Waxed Canvas Jacket retains plenty of classic touches that give it some spirit and style, including flannel-lined handwarmer pockets, an interior chest pocket for your phone and everyday carry, and a chest pocket finished off with an American-made zipper for added durability.

If it seems like Devium went the extra mile with the Devium Overdrive Waxed Canvas Jacket, it’s because, well, they certainly did. In either the rich, whiskey-hued Buck color or a dark charcoal shade of Seaweed, the hard-wearing Devium Overdrive Waxed Canvas Jacket should prove its worth, and then some.

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The foldover collar can be turned up against the wind, while a fit that hits above the waist should prove ideal for styling in casually rugged fashion alongside a pair of the best blue jeans. And as with other stylish canvas jackets for spring, the Devium Overdrive Waxed Canvas Jacket will break in over time, molding to your body with each wear.

It can certainly prove hard to find reliable menswear made in America, but the newly iconic, strong-as-can-be Devium Overdrive Waxed Canvas Jacket gets the job done in fine fashion — and then some. Add some USA-made gear from Devium to your menswear assortment today, my friends.