As I write this edition of the Friday Read, I’m kicking off day two of a much-needed and long-awaited trip to Florida to see my family! I was previously here on a little Style Guide spring break of sorts back in March, but given the Memorial Day weekend holiday, it’s even better to be back. That also begs the question — what are you wearing this weekend? Hopefully, you’ve got a stylish pair of spring sneakers in tow for wherever your travels might take you. Of course, you’d do well not to forget stylish accessories, like essential grooming accessories or a great pair of headphones. In that case, the Bespoke Post Vibes Box would probably be of interest — trust me. As it were, I’ve got all of those essentials with me here on this trip (but if you follow me on Instagram, you know that already). In any case, let’s look back on this past week. In addition to keeping up with all things menswear, I also had the stunning, nearly unheard-of chance to see British electro-pop rockers The xx play two incredible shows (back-to-back!) last weekend at the lovely, iconic Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. Touring behind one of the year’s best albums — the beautifully crafted “I See You,” they’ve come into their own more than any time before — the result is a poignant, moving and emotional show. In short, go see them on their expanded North American tour! It’s worth a listen as you kick back on Friday evening, absolutely. And with that, I’ll leave you to this week’s #menswear news.
Via the Stitch Fix styling service, you can get pieces like the Cole Haan Grand Pro Sneaker delivered right to your door — as easy as it gets. Cotton jersey blazer and white chinos by Johnston and Murphy. Striped T-shirt by Bourbon and Blue. Watch by Nautica. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks.
- Ever feel like your wardrobe could use a seasonal refresh? Same here. Yet, there are other — even easier — Stitch Fix ways to get expert style advice. Namely, the good folks at offer personalized styling services that result in a sharp selection of menswear for your enjoyment (like the sharp, easy-to-wear Cole Haan Grand Pro Sneakers seen above — my favorite from my own box!). Seriously, it’s all customized to your tastes after a series of simple questions. And what’s more, you only pay for what you keep. Yes indeed, it’s that great. I’d encourage you to sign up for Stitch Fix now — you won’t regret it!
- Let’s talk more menswear, shall we? When Sunspel puts its stamp of approval on a collaboration, you can be sure it’s got the goods — the brand made James Bond’s polo shirt in Casino Royale, for goodness’ sakes. So that’s what makes the brand’s approach on its Sunspel x Iffey Road collaboration so neat. The heritage knitwear maker teamed up with the British running gear aficionados on pieces like the functional, breathable and technical Stanton Pique Polo, for instance. It features Iffey Road’s drirelease fabric merged with the same silhouette as the brand’s Riviera Polo. That’s a winning combination. And if you’re a track fan, you might recognize the name Iffey Road — it’s the site where Sir Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile mark in 1954. In short: That should be more than enough performance pedigree (and style!) to keep you cool all summer long.
- Alright, let’s keep it moving here toward the weekend — shall we? I had a heck of a fun time pulling together an extensive — and I mean, extensive — list of the 25 menswear essentials you need to own for The Manual. You’ll recognize picks from Style Guide favorites like Abercrombie & Fitch, Todd Snyder, Apolis and plenty more. How many of those picks do you have? Let me know over on Twitter, if you please.
We’ll wrap things up early today — for now, I’ve got to hit the beach! I’ll catch you on the blog with our regular Style Pick of the Week tomorrow, followed by a full travel style recap incoming on Monday.
Thanks for reading — surf’s up!
-Beau
The Style Guide 