The Thursday Buy: This Le Alfre Shirt is a Refined Seasonal Buttondown for Any Occasion

It’s always helpful to have a rotation of style essentials you can reach for at any given moment, almost with your eyes closed. I’m talking about the sort of picks, like one of the best men’s buttondown shirts, that take an outfit from good to great.

I’ve found this to be true whether pairing said shirt with expertly faded jeans and leather chukka boots or dark tan stretch chinos and black Chelsea boots. The right buttondown shirt, like the Le Alfre Tartan Shirt shown above, certainly qualifies, particularly in business casual style situations — or for holiday occasions on the horizon.

The brand specializes in elevated yet accessible buttondown shirts, mostly of the classic Oxford shirt variety and this time done up in a fall-friendly hue. Yes indeed, the Le Alfre Tartan Shirt is an autumnal take on the upstart NYC brand’s roster of crisply cut, well-made men’s shirts.

You might even go so far as to call it a new secret weapon in your wardrobe of men’s fall style essentials.

Perhaps you’re familiar with Le Alfre flannel shirts from my Le Alfre men’s shirting review earlier this year, but the new Le Alfre Tartan Shirt takes a slightly similar and yet different approach to the tried-and-true men’s buttondown shirt.

An English Tartan pattern in a suitably autumnal shade shines through when worn the right way (with blue jeans and burnished brown leather lace-up boots, for instance).

And it’s the lightweight custom fabric that gives the Le Alfre Tartan Shirt even more versatility — it can be worn on its own untucked or tucked in beneath a wool blazer without causing you to overheat, for example. And that same lightweight fabric gives the Le Alfre Tartan Shirt the ability to pair up with a thick-knit fisherman sweater or shawl cardigan, another ultra-classic seasonal move.

100 percent Portuguese cotton and best-in-class construction make the handsome, slightly rugged-yet-refined Le Alfre Tartan Shirt worth its $175 price tag, especially with plenty of seasonal fun on the way. Let me know in the comments below how you’d wear yours.

The Thursday Buy: This Filson Short-Sleeve Shirt is a True Summer Style Essential

Best men's short-sleeve shirt for summer

Even in the heat of summer, cutting corners is no way to go about building your menswear wardrobe, and I’m speaking from personal experience as I look to stay cool in style. What does that mean for you? Well, it means that there’s a way to look polished yet casually cool, even when the mercury rises, and you can do that by opting into brands you can trust.

Head towards a brand like Filson, which just launched the Filson Warm-Weather Shop, featuring an entire lineup of rugged-yet-breezy, heirloom-worthy summer men’s style essentials.

Whether you find yourself on the trail or back in town, visiting a log cabin or touring a brewery, staying cool in style is the name of the game: The Filson Short-Sleeve Lightweight Alaskan Guide Shirt is firing on all cylinders, and it’s time you picked one up.

This stylish short-sleeve shirt boasts a super-lightweight 4oz. cotton twill construction, but better still is the fact that it’s garment-washed for plenty of additional softness out of the box.

Of course, it’ll only get better the more you wear it, and you’re going to want to wear the Filson Short-Sleeve Lightweight Alaskan Guide Shirt a whole lot this season. The two large front button chest pockets provide EDC storage space, but the sharp plaid pattern makes it ideal to wear more casually alongside your favorite chino shorts or a trusty pair of light wash denim.

When the time comes to stay cool in style this season, the Filson Short-Sleeve Lightweight Alaskan Guide Shirt is your new go-to menswear move.

The Thursday Buy: Amberjack Chelsea Boots Are the Most Comfortable Boots To Buy Now

Most comfortable Chelsea boots for men.

Do you ever feel in need of a style shake-up at times — a new take on a tried-and-true classic, or else for example, perhaps just… a mighty fine pair of the most comfortable Chelsea boots on the planet? In that case, meet Amberjack, makers of some of the best Chelsea boots and the best men’s dress shoes on the planet — all made with wildly comfortable technology to give you some lightweight spring in your step.

Unfamiliar with Amberjack as of yet, or with the Amberjack Chelsea Boots? Fear not, because we’ll give you a style crash course in good time. Amberjack boots and dress shoes blend the experience of its entire team at brands like Cole Haan and Allen Edmonds to make what you might call a better dress shoe (and yes, perhaps some of the best Chelsea boots for men on the market), using sustainably certified leather and Portuguese craftsmanship to deliver stylish boots and shoes that are a cut above the rest — I should know, I’ve tried ’em myself.

Best casual dress shoes for men.

With Amberjack, things are both simple and subtle yet technologically advanced. The brand offers just two styles of shoe right now — crisp Oxford dress shoes and stylish leather Chelsea boots, my personal favorite. Take your pick from four versatile, rich leather or suede colorways among the Amberjack Chelsea Boots, and then be amazed at the light and airy yet durable construction they’re delivering.

The key is the dual-density TPU outsole for incredible cushioning, plus a memory foam, heat-activated arch support design — the technical specs are more than up to snuff with the Amberjack Chelsea Boots, to say the least.

Better still is the fact that the Amberjack Chelsea Boots feature soft sheepskin lining, so no break-in time is needed out of the box — seriously, no break-in time at all. The profile on the Amberjack Chelsea Boots is slim and sleek enough to wear with your favorite chinos or even with dress trousers, but these are also highly stylish Chelsea boots you can wear with jeans.

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The hits keep coming, too: The Amberjack Chelsea Boots retail for the agreeable price of $195, while its hybrid, sneaker-like dress shoes will set you back just $179. At those prices, it’s more than worth getting accustomed to the style, versatility and affordability of the modern footwear being offered up by Amberjack — shop accordingly, my friends.

The Thursday Buy: Wellen’s Quilted Sweatpants are the Best Men’s Sweatpants to Buy Right Now

If you ask me, we’re still in the midst of the holiday season, or at the very least, we’re still in the midst of the perfect time of year to stock up on some of the best men’s sweatpants. I’m talking, in this case, about the best men’s sweatpants to buy now, especially as we head into what should be a very laidback, very relaxed post-holiday, pre-2022 weekend. Of course, the Wellen Quilted Sweatpants will still serve you mighty well through the rest of winter, and that’s why you’d do very well to pick them up right now. They’re part of an entire line of sustainable style essentials delivered to you courtesy of Wellen, the in-house brand at Huckberry that focuses on using regenerative fabrics to craft the coolest menswear around. The fact that Wellen menswear is also often ideal for laidback lounging and luxury is an added bonus in my book. When it comes to the Wellen Quilted Sweatpants, the difference is in the details, and in the best way possible.

And those details are every bit as exceptional as you might expect, including the use of soft organic cotton that results in a comfortable fit and feel like no other. Yes indeed, the Wellen Quilted Sweatpants are just about perfect in every which way, and it helps that the quilted design itself is both visually interesting and a step up from athletic logo sweatpants. You shouldn’t be surprised, because Wellen menswear is different in the best possible ways.

As Wellen says, the Wellen Quilted Sweatpants are “endlessly comfortable, effortlessly cool,” and one glance should prove that quite handily. The garment-washed finish makes ’em comfortable and easy to wear right out of the box, especially with your favorite henley and some cozy house slippers. Of course, the tapered cut and elastic cuffs turn the Wellen Quilted Sweatpants into a pair of sweatpants you can actually wear out of the house, and that’s no joke. When it comes to these, some of the best men’s sweatpants, take your pick from the crisp Navy option or a breezy Moss version, each of which should wear well with neutral style staples like a grey crewneck sweater or a thermal shirt.

Even the smaller points on the Wellen Quilted Sweatpants are admirable, including recycled polyester buttons to really drive home the brand’s trademark sustainability. No matter which option you select when it comes to the Wellen Quilted Sweatpants, you’re getting one of the very best pairs of durable, sustainable and stylish sweatpants on the market, and that’s just a fact.

The Thursday Buy: Mott and Bow Is Making the Best Fall Jeans for Men

A great wardrobe, or at least a wardrobe in progress, is packed with men’s style essentials for situations aplenty. Take the best jeans for men. It’s no easy feat to find the right pair to begin with, let alone a pair that works for changing seasons. Here’s where Mott and Bow comes into play (NOTE: First-time customers can get 10 percent off with the code beau10). The NYC-based retailer, a favorite of mine on the blog over the years (and a brand also found in my Style Guide Shop) is now making some essential jeans for fall (to go along with the best jeans for summer). Meet the Mott and Bow Mercer Slim-Fit Jeans, made with a medium-weight 10oz. cotton and available in a particularly seasonal Olive color. These are jeans you can wear with your favorite pocket T-shirt right now (also from Mott and Bow), and then jeans you can readily style as you layer up with a waxed trucker jacket and a rugged henley on chilly fall nights. Consider it the tip of the iceberg, because these could be your new favorite jeans.

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There’s a lot to love about the Mott and Bow Mercer Slim-Fit Jeans as we head into fall, including the ways in which the Olive tone (one of 10 versatile colors available) fits in with the colors of the season. Add in the Slim fit, and you’ve got yourself a clean pair of jeans to wear to the office or at home (they’re also available in Straight and Skinny fits, though). Let’s keep talking about these stylish men’s jeans, shall we?

SHOP: The Mott and Bow Mercer Slim-Fit Jeans

Get 10 percent off at Mott and Bow with the code beau10

First-time customers, score this deal now

It can certainly be mighty tricky to find your new favorite jeans, what with so many options out there (some, a bit too pricey, some far too cheap). Mott and Bow toes that fine line quite nicely, using that medium-weight twill denim with a hint of stretch to give you plenty of bang for your buck in a well-executed pair of jeans. They’re comfort stretch jeans perfected with the family knowledge of founder Alejandro Chanin, whose family has been involved in the denim industry for decades.

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The result is a pair of the best jeans for 2021, available in a suitably rich, fall-ready color that pops nicely against a white Oxford shirt or your favorite chambray shirt, for starters (something that Mott and Bow also makes, as luck would have it). Customize the Mott and Bow Mercer Slim-Fit Jeans to your liking with fit, sizing and try-on options, layer them accordingly with a thermal henley and a rugged trucker jacket, or better still, wear them starting right now with a classic T-shirt. They’re guaranteed to deliver all the standout early fall style you need. Happy shopping, my friends.

Get 10 percent off at Mott and Bow with the code beau10

The Thursday Buy: Faherty Brand’s Short-Sleeve Henley is the Best Summer T-Shirt to Shop Now

Best short-sleeve henleys for men

If you’ve been hunting for a summer shirt for men that strikes a happy balance between rugged, casual and versatile, then I’m here to tell you that the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley is your new seasonal style move. If you’ve read the blog, you know Faherty Brand makes rugged winter shirts as well as spring bomber jackets, but the NYC-based, coastally inspired brand also does a bang-up job of making the best summer menswear, too. They’ve got plenty of options for style enthusiasts and newfound fans alike, including the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley, which toes the line between overly casual and overly rugged quite nicely.

Think of it this way: As we all ease back into the world, you’re going to need casual menswear staples that are cooler than a T-shirt but not as buttoned-up as a dress shirt. One of the best men’s henleys is here to fill that gap quite handily. Now, Faherty Brand has something of a specialty in this area — witness the fact that it makes both stretch Oxford shirts (to wear with your favorite blazer) as well as rugged flannel shirts (to layer atop a Faherty Brand henley when the weather takes a turn). And although it’s more casual than both of those categories, the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley isn’t to be trifled with. It’s as solidly built as it gets, and the fact that it retails for $78 is a nice bonus, too.

SHOP: The Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley

Best short-sleeve henley for men

Like all of the best short-sleeve henleys for men, it meets some crucial criteria. What exactly are those criteria? I’m glad you asked, my friends. The Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley is made from a blend of cotton and polyester, both ideal for comfort and breathability on hot summer days. It also features a more relaxed, rather than skintight, fit. This is also ideal for breezy summer style. Faherty built this shirt from the ground up with all the proper considerations in mind.

This is very good news for all of us eager summer style shoppers. Of course, a great summer shirt isn’t much without great looks, right? Helpfully, the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley comes in six colors, ranging from Faded Denim to a crisp White. Each option provides more than enough wearability for the modern man about town (that’s you!). And the Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley really is a henley you can wear all around town, be it with chino shorts and white leather sneakers or a rugged denim jacket and olive chinos. When the time comes to head to the beach, your new favorite henley is an ideal layer to team with your favorite swim trunks, cold beer in hand. It’s clear that hopefully, you need this classic men’s henley in your wardrobe. Choose wisely, folks.

SHOP: The Faherty Brand Short-Sleeve Henley

The Thursday Buy: The Buck Mason Slub Pocket Tee is the Best Pocket Tee On the Market

Best men's white T-shirts

The coolest white T-shirt on the market? Possibly.

When it comes to finding the best menswear for spring and summer, I know one place I like to turn towards consistently, and perhaps you’re as well-acquainted with said brand as I am. The brand, ladies and gentlemen, is Ohio-born Buck Mason, makers of the best pocket T-shirt on the market (and plenty more, including rugged chore coats and a whole bevy of items well beyond that). In fact, the Buck Mason Slub Pocket Tee is well beyond what you’d expect from a simple T-shirt: It’s one of the best men’s white T-shirts, as well.

Although this classic pocket tee also comes in Black, we’ll focus on the classic white T-shirt version in today’s Thursday Buy. It’s fitting that this tee is well-stocked at Buck Mason as we roll into summer and ever closer to Memorial Day, because your new favorite T-shirt can be a seasonal workhorse for casual outings aplenty. And when it comes down to it, you need one of the best T-shirts in plenty of varieties, because the times in which to wear a tee this summer are practically limitless. It’s one of Buck Mason’s bestsellers for that very reason, too. And of course, it gets better from there.

SHOP: The Buck Mason Slub Pocket Tee

Buck Mason pocket T-shirt

Perhaps the perfect white T-shirt to wear with jeans.

And when it comes to one of the best T-shirts for men, especially from Buck Mason, you can be sure you’re getting high-quality construction and some great bang for your buck. Although this T-shirt retails for $40 at Buck Mason, I’d say it’s every bit worth it (heck, go right ahead and get one in white and one in black). The white T-shirt is, after all, a style staple beloved and worn with aplomb by guys like James Dean and Paul Newman in decades gone by.

Thick In A Box This Buck Mason T-shirt allows you to channel some of that same energy all your own, especially when you wear this T-shirt with your favorite pair of indigo denim or, better still, a pair of the best jeans for men from Buck Mason. You can even layer it underneath a denim shirt, a black moto jacket or a light wash denim jacket on breezy summer days. The slub cotton is textured and lightweight, breezy and breathable, made with a reliable and flattering fit. The classic hem is a departure from Buck Mason’s curved hem tees, but it’s no less cool or stylish. And last but not least, you can wear your new favorite T-shirt with swim trunks or Buck Mason Deck Shorts for spring and summer adventures aplenty — or you can wear it to kick back, cold beer in hand. Either way, you can’t go wrong with your new favorite T-shirt.

SHOP: The Buck Mason Slub Pocket Tee

The Thursday Buy: These Bonobos Pants are the Best Men’s Pants to Wear All Winter

Bonobos Off Duty Pant

A classic-yet-modern update of your favorite chinos, made for plenty of days at home this winter and beyond.

Folks, welcome back to another edition of The Thursday Buy, where, similar to last week’s feature, I’m going to tell you all about the best pants to wear at home this winter. This post isn’t a repeat, although the same standout brand is in fact featured. That would be Bonobos, makers of the Bonobos Off Duty Pants and the perfect company to put it all in perspective when it comes to hanging out at home in style. Don’t believe me? Well, you’re in for a mighty fine treat, seeing as these tailored men’s pants toe the line between sweatpants and chinos with ease and plenty of style.

Because all of us are still spending so much time at home, the right mix of versatility and comfort is key when you want to switch up your rotation of the best pants for men, ya dig? And that’s where the Bonobos Off Duty Pants enter the equation. It’s always a great idea to shake things up from time to time, and with a comfortable elastic waistband and yet styling similar to classic Bonobos chinos (think a tailored, flat front and a zipper fly), you’ve found the perfect pants to get the job done. Seriously, these are the pants to wear to work from home, starting right now.

SHOP: The Bonobos Off Duty Pants

Comfort plus tailored style for the win from Bonobos.

The Bonobos Off Duty Pants check all the right boxes when you want to be comfortable and laidback, yet not sloppy. That’s especially the case as you work from home, hop from Zoom call to Zoom call or enjoy a socially distanced happy hour. Go on, set up the computer so everyone can see your finely tailored yet utterly comfortable pants. These hybrid chinos give you everything you’d expect from a pair of Bonobos men’s pants, including a tapered-but-not-too-tight cut, plus a cotton and elastane fabric blend for maximum wearability.

The fact that they more closely resemble chinos than sweatpants also means you can wear ’em with everything from a classic Bonobos henley to a tailored Oxford shirt and your favorite cardigan without needing to go too wild with new wardrobe additions. Color options ranging from Sapling (think classic khaki) to the dark olive Gnarled Pine shade (my personal favorite) provide so much versatility, I’d wager you’re going to want to buy multiple pairs, perhaps one for every work day. Yes, it’s true: The Bonobos Off Duty Pants are easily some of the best pants for men to buy now.

SHOP: The Bonobos Off-Duty Pants

The Thursday Buy: Layer Up The Right Way for Winter with This Classic Todd Snyder Jacket

Todd Snyder Menswear

A terrific way to shake up your winter outerwear rotation, no questions asked.

As we roll through a new year, perhaps you’re realizing that your rotation of the best men’s winter jackets could use a little kick. Something that’s unique, eye-catching, classic and versatile, but with a nice shot of personal style. My friends, that’s where the Todd Snyder Harris Tweed Varsity Jacket comes into play, and it’s here in time to shake up those winter blues. Rest assured, this isn’t anything like that old varsity jacket you have from your letterman days, however. This is a modern take on the classic Harrington jacket, done up in a way that only one of the country’s best menswear designers can do. Yes indeed, the Todd Snyder Harris Tweed Varsity Jacket checks all the right boxes when it comes to a winter-ready pattern, excellent fabric and the sort of hybrid looks that work in situations both casual and dressy. How’s that for your new favorite jacket, ehh?

SHOP: The Todd Snyder Harris Tweed Varsity Jacket 

Todd Snyder Harris Tweed Varsity Jacket

This jacket is also available in a seriously cool Olive Harris Tweed.

It’s seriously as cool as it gets (style-wise), given that the fabric is classic Harris Tweed, known around these parts as “the good stuff,” if you will. And the pattern is striking and classic, ready to be paired with slim grey wool trousers and your favorite Chelsea boots just as easily as you can wear it with a Todd Snyder henley and some Todd Snyder selvedge denim. Of course, this classic bomber jacket isn’t cheap, and it’ll run you nearly $650 at Todd Snyder. But the upshot of all of this is that you’ll feel like a million bucks every time you wear it, and you can even team it with casual style staples like a Todd Snyder + Champion crewneck sweatshirt. How’s that for versatility in action? Yes indeed, your new favorite jacket is here in time to shake up winter. Act accordingly, folks.

SHOP: The Todd Snyder Harris Tweed Varsity Jacket 

The Thursday Buy: The HELM Boots Zind Teak Boots Are Your New Favorite Fall Boots

HELM Boots Review

Possibly your new favorite boots for fall, no doubt about it.

Make no mistake, I’m certainly of the opinion that you should invest in the best of the best when it comes to your daily fall style staples, including, most crucially, your new favorite leather boots. In fact, that’s where HELM Boots comes into play. Based out of Austin, Texas and a favorite of the blog for at least a couple years (read more about them here, for starters), they take great care in handcrafting boots right in Austin using time-honored techniques and some serious attention to detail. What it all boils down to is that the HELM Boots Zind Boots are your new favorite fall boots, and they’re here not a moment too soon to save your fall and winter wardrobe. How’s that sound? Pretty great, right? It gets better, though. Not only are the HELM Zind Boots some of the most rugged leather boots for fall, they also happen to be available for $50 off when you order your first pair from HELM Boots. You really can’t top that mix of craftsmanship and (relative) affordability, can you?

SHOP: The HELM Boots Zind Boots 

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HELM Boots Zind Boots

A clean and classic profile make these some of the most versatile boots you can buy right now.

Of course, as you might expect from HELM Boots — and rightfully so — the specs of these handsome leather boots are on-point, from the construction to the craftsmanship and heritage. Despite the fact that HELM is just over a decade old, that’s mighty impressive. To be more specific, the Balthazar leather is rugged-yet-refined and should age quite nicely over time. What’s more, the narrow profile makes the HELM Zind Boots dressier, arguably, than others in your rotation. That means you should feel comfortable wearing them with everything from slim denim and a henley to a white Oxford shirt and tan chinos. Yes indeed, when opportunity knocks to pick up your new favorite leather boots, answer the call and get the HELM Zind Boots.

SHOP: The HELM Boots Zind Boots 

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