Fall 2016 Style Wish List

Editor’s note: For other seasonal style wish lists, click here.

Can you believe it’s (nearly) here already? Fall? Me neither. As always seems to come up with these seasonal style wish list posts, it feels as if I just sat down to write the last one — did you manage to pick up everything from your spring style wish list, while we’re at it? Making what can feel like the rather abrupt transition from style built for the heat of summer to style geared toward cooler climes is a luxury for some of us, but it can be just as much of a struggle if you’re looking to add transitional pieces to your wardrobe. And of course, it might still be a bit warm in your area. But fall is coming, and we’ll get to that in the coming weeks. For now, we’re still in Wish List mode here at The Style Guide. So, the below pieces are picked (sometimes) with budget in mind, but they more likely represent the best of fall style out there — according to this #menswear editor, that is. That means we’re looking for pieces that more often than not exude rugged, versatile and exemplary fall style — it’s a time for crisp breezes, crunching leaves, walks in the park, some football-viewing and beer-drinking … it’s, in short, the most wonderful time of the year (wink, wink). Don’t believe me? Read on for the below Style Wish List picks, and follow along on Instagram for more transitional style inspiration — you won’t be let down, promise!

#1. Flint & Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket — $198

A durable new piece of outerwear that's built for darn-near anything.

A durable new piece of outerwear that’s built for darn-near anything.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls — step right up, because the good folks at Flint & Tinder have done it again with this stunning waxed trucker jacket. The makers of your favorite domestically produced boxer briefs and a stupendously great hoodie have really outdone themselves this time with a beautiful piece of outerwear that’s practically tailor made for fall. The Whiskey color is rich and should look great with dark denim and a rugged henley, and the herringbone flannel lining should keep you nice and warm through all sorts of fall festivities. Feel free to rock this guy into winter, too — the Martexin 7oz. waxed sail cloth can handle a little inclement weather.

#2. Todd Shelton Classic White Oxford — $200

The ideal Oxford to offset the ideal fall jacket -- right?

The ideal Oxford to offset the ideal fall jacket — right?

This Oxford shirt right here is another Wish List-worthy piece, if only based on price alone. Every guy needs an essential Oxford shirt in his closet — we’re talking one that pairs with everything from chinos and crisp white sneakers in the summer to that durable waxed trucker jacket in the fall. Well, this Oxford fits that bill beautifully. It’s made from a substantial but breathable 100/2 ply cotton (that’s two fine yarns twisted together), and the made-in-America construction and customizable fit are huge bonuses to a piece that’s investment-worthy in every sense of the word. It’s a great piece year-round, but it would add an extra touch of crisp refinement to your favorite fall style essentials, like a shawl cardigan and sturdy dark denim.

#3. Johnston & Murphy Eldredge Wingtip Boot — $275

Italian-made leather wingtip boots that you won't want to take off? Sign me up.

Italian-made leather wingtip boots that you won’t want to take off? Sign me up.

From my recent travels to Michigan to  a Labor Day weekend in Asbury Park, Johnston & Murphy has certainly won over this style writer for blending comfort, quality and affordability. With that spirit in mind, it’s easy to see why a dependable, durable-looking and just plain handsome pair of wingtip boots makes the cut on this list.  Handcrafted in Italy, these tan calfskin leather boots are the ideal mix of rugged and refined, able to add a bit of flair to faded grey denim or a pair of slim wool trousers — try out either combination from one day to the next if you don’t believe me.  Oh, and don’t forget stylish socks that add a bit of color and comfort, will ya?

#4. Flint & Tinder Marled Long-Sleeve Henley — $62

The answer to your search for the perfect fall henley, made right here in America.

The answer to your search for the perfect fall henley, made right here in America.

Yet another piece from Flint & Tinder on this list? Believe me, the brand’s new fall collection really is that on-point. We here at The Style Guide (ahem *just me*) love a rugged henley, and it looks as if the newest addition to the Flint & Tinder line takes the cake in terms of the designated henley spot on this year’s Fall Style Wish List (only partially kidding). While it’s also available in versatile colors like Navy and Olive, you really can’t go wrong with  a classic white henley. It’s another made-in-America piece that’s going to have you covered for all sorts of style situations, particularly including pairing with a certain tough trucker jacket (can you see a theme here?). Of course, it’ll also set you right for layering under everything from a wool blazer at the office to a navy field jacket at your next rock concert.

#5. M.Gemi Netto Leather Sneakers — $228

Low-top leather sneakers in the fall? If you know how to style them, yes indeed.

Low-top leather sneakers in the fall? If you know how to style them, yes indeed.

Yes, we’re going with another pair of footwear to round out this list (although it was mighty hard to narrow it down to just five!). These sneakers are certainly a worthy Wish List — or wait list — addition, as they’ve sold pretty quickly (that seems to make them even more covetable, however). A pair of rich brown leather sneakers is a pretty underrated style accessory in fall — it’s still sneaker weather, even if at first it might not seem like it. The color of this particular pair makes them as versatile as leather chukka boots — style them with a white Oxford and navy chinos for a high-low office look, or pair them up with a crewneck sweater (and yes, even that waxed trucker jacket) for a dash of slightly dressy weekend style. What are you waiting for? Hop on them before they sell out!

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

Are you fully on-board with the above Fall Style Wish List picks? I certainly hope so. There’s plenty more fall style-centric content to come in the weeks ahead, particularly focused on pieces you’ll love to wear, like leather chukka boots, slim henleys and yes, a trucker jacket or two. If tackling the changing seasons at first feels daunting, look for investment-worthy pieces you can wear across all seven days of the week — dependable boots and a crisp white Oxford should certainly be on your shopping list if you don’t have ’em already, and a reliable long-sleeve henley is a must-buy (at least in the mind of this author). Everyone should splurge — truly — on a staple piece of outerwear that you can wear all season long, and that waxed trucker jacket is Exhibit A. Heck, the longer it takes me to write this post, the more ready for fall I get. If you’re in the same boat, or if you feel I missed any fall style picks, give me a shout on Twitter.

Back in the Mitten: A wedding weekend in Michigan

Editor’s note: To recap my last trip (earlier this week!), click here.

A wedding weekend -- and a bit of bar crawl action -- to boot. Denim Shirt by JackThreads. Slim Italian-made denim by Mott & Bow. Sand Suede Chukkas by Blu Kicks. Watch by MVMT Watches. Backdrop by Lansing Brewing.

A wedding weekend — and a bit of bar crawl action — to boot. Denim Shirt by JackThreads. Slim Italian-made denim by Mott &; Bow. Sand Suede Chukkas by Blu Kicks. Watch by MVMT Watches. Sunglasses by Tom Ford. Backdrop by Lansing Brewing.

If it seemed like the last week was fast, it felt like the weekend flew by even faster — boarding your fifth flight in six days (including those pesky connections) will do that to you. But Friday’s early, early morning flight brought me once again back to my home state of Michigan, and my hometown of Mason for my great friend Andy’s wedding weekend (and a tip o’ the cap to my pal Chris for hosting me this weekend). It felt strange yet fitting to be back in the Mitten so soon — I was just in Grand Rapids for the bachelor party at the end of July, after all.  But it was an honor to be in Andy’s wedding, and the trip back also presented the all-too-rare chance for me to spend just a bit of time in a town I really do love. Seeing as I was in Las Vegas for a work conference just a few days before, I also felt pretty confident I could dress, and pack, for the trip with style and attention to detail. Nothing like unpacking, then repacking almost immediately, to teach you about versatile style, ehh?

A casual, comfortable Friday travel outfit. Slim Mailbag by Satchel & Page. T-shirt in Heather Grey and Colorblocked Socks by Richer Poorer. Slim Staple Denim by Mott & Bow. Tan Suede Chukkas by Blu Kicks. Hawker Hunter II Watch by AVI-8. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Brothers. Leather lanyard by Tanner Goods. Sunglasses by Steven Alan Optical. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks.

A casual, comfortable Friday travel outfit. Slim Mailbag by Satchel & Page. T-shirt in Heather Grey and Colorblocked Socks by Richer Poorer. Slim Staple Denim by Mott & Bow. Sand Chukkas by Blu Kicks. Hawker Hunter II Watch by AVI-8. Vintage ballcap by Goorin Brothers. Leather lanyard by Tanner Goods. Sunglasses by Steven Alan Optical. Adventure Log by Word Notebooks.

As I was in the wedding — held at the picturesque English Inn  in the rolling Michigan countryside — my grey tuxedo was taken care of, other than my shoes; the crisp Johnston & Murphy Duvall Wingtip  more than got the job taken care of there (more to come on the wedding shortly, but it was an amazingly beautiful and fun night!). So with formal wear out of the way, my focus was on packing some casual style essentials into my dependable Owen & Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender, along with my sturdy Satchel & Page Slim Mailbag.  As I’ve talked about before on these (digital) pages, great luggage can keep your gear safe and stylish no matter where you go, and those two bags will set you right. To meet the challenge of traveling in comfortable-yet-crisp style, I grabbed one of my favorite tees, the Richer Poorer T-Shirt in Heather Grey, and topped off the look with a personal favorite, a vintage ballcap from Goorin Brothers. Now, we’ll be talking more about stylish pocket T-shirts on the blog on Wednesday *cough, cough* but know that this particular tee fits and breathes well while looking visually different than a plain crewneck. It offset my Mott & Bow Staple Denim in rather classic fashion — the dark wash and significant stretch in this pair of denim is ideal for travel. Comfortable footwear was also a must — for lightweight, casual style and a pop of color, I threw on the Blu Kicks Sand Chukkas, which I’ve been testing out with positive results these past few weeks. The unlined suede upper is ultra-comfortable, particularly with a pair of Richer Poorer cotton socks, and you can feel good about the fact that they’re handmade in Mexico from local materials for a great price.

And on the watch front, I picked a timepiece that’s as dependable and durable as any — I’m talking about the AVI-8 Hawker Hunter, a rugged, aviation-style watch with a case diameter that clocks in (pun intended) at a beefy 45mm. It still manages to come off understated thanks to the neutral beige leather strap, and it was the ideal travel companion as far as watches go — smart, functional and not fussy. The head-to-toe combo of comfort and style worked quite well for an afternoon spent in my hometown of Mason — as I said before, it’s not often I get to go back there, and it’s always a treat when I do. In this case, that meant a stop at Mason institution Bestsellers Cafe for a gourmet coffee. An early start to the day also meant that the afternoon was high time for some extra sustenance — cue up a stop at BAD Brewing Company, a stellar and relatively recent craft beer outpost that’s been drawing rave reviews for its homegrown brews and gourmet bites. Yes, I’d recommend a stop there if you ever pass through Mason — and it was the perfect way to cap off an afternoon stroll around the beautiful campus of my alma mater, Michigan State.

Inside Mason's own BAD Brewing, a definite highlight of the trip.

Inside Mason’s own BAD Brewing, a definite highlight of the trip.

That tasty spot of lunch was the perfect way to tide me over until a post-wedding rehearsal stop at another highly regarded craft beer spot, the Lansing Brewing Company. It’s made major waves in the local craft beer scene for reinvigorating the city’s hops culture, and its three signature brews — including the cleverly named Angry Mayor IPA — do a fine job of holding down the fort alongside a rotating seasonal selection. From the Best Coast Pale Ale to the Ain’t No Drama Imperial Red, it’s representative of the atmosphere and quality of Michigan’s best breweries — and Lansing Brewing is just getting started (if you couldn’t tell, I’m a big craft beer fan). For the rehearsal itself and that much-loved trip to the brewery, I switched out my Richer Poorer pocket tee for a reliable favorite, my JackThreads Denim Shirt — it’s the perfect casual summer outfit topper, and it’s selling fast. It was my own slight variation on how to dress for a warm-weather bar crawl, if you will.

Sharp Saturday style. Slub Nep Jersey Polo by Grayers. Stringer Dune Shorts by Bridge & Burn. Daily Classic Nylon Sneakers from the Reebok x JackThreads collab. Brown leather watch by MVMT Watches. Scout Wallet by Andar Wallets. Leather bracelet by Bryer Leather.

Sharp Saturday style. Slub Nep Jersey Polo by Grayers. Stringer Dune Shorts by Bridge & Burn. Daily Classic Nylon Sneakers from the Reebok x JackThreads collab. Brown leather watch by MVMT Watches. Scout Wallet by Andar Wallets. Leather bracelet by Bryer Leather.

That casual style was similarly needed on Saturday for a bit of pre-wedding time spent around downtown Mason once again. To meet the summertime heat of Michigan in style, I threw on my trusty Grayers Slub Jersey Polo and my tailored-yet-comfortable Bridge & Burn Stringer Dune Shorts (you can grab a similar pair here); I finished the #menswear ensemble off with two everyday carry touches — my MVMT Watches Brown Leather Watch and the Scout Wallet from Andar Wallets. The polo was breathable and soft,  and the blue & khaki colors played nicely off a really standout pair of sneakers — the Reebok x JackThreads Daily Classic Nylon is a heck of a pair of kicks! They’re new as of this week, and they feature a premium blend of pigskin suede in a retro runner silhouette that’s sporty, classic and timeless. Oh, and did I mention they’re comfortable as heck? They were a nice pair of sneakers for a bit of pre-wedding fun (and if I were you, I’d check back on this blog later this week for a full Style Pick of the Week feature).
Huckberry
That casual ensemble played nicely into the wedding, where I put the Johnston & Murphy Duvall Wingtip to good use with a slim grey tuxedo and classic navy tie. Enough about Saturday’s outfit, though — the wedding itself was extraordinary and the atmosphere was second-to-none. It was such a great time to be there for my friends Andy & Courtney (if you made it this far in the post, Hi guys!), and you couldn’t ask for a better venue than the refined English Inn. A beautiful ceremony and an awesome time with close high school friends thereafter were huge highlights and made for memories of a lifetime — the perfect time and reason to be back in Michigan. It’s tough to see everyone in one place at the same time, to be sure, so I’m certainly glad I made the trip back.

Crisp classics for Sunday travel. White Oxford by Todd Shelton. Slim chinos by Old Navy. Duvall Wingtips by Johnston & Murphy. Notebook by Word Notebooks. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder.

Crisp classics for Sunday travel. White Oxford by Todd Shelton. Slim chinos by Old Navy. Duvall Wingtips by Johnston & Murphy. Notebook by Word Notebooks. Mod Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder.

With that being said, a quick trip often calls for a quick turnaround, and such was the case after a long night of revelry at the English Inn. To head back to New York — and finish up the blog post — I reached for reliable travel style essentials. My Todd Shelton White Oxford was chief among those picks — there might not be as reliable or high-quality an Oxford on the market, what with customizable fit options, a substantial fabric and a tailored fit. I wore it casually with a pair of Old Navy Slim Khakis, plus the sharp, travel-ready Johnston & Murphy Duvall Wingtip. Of course, my Timex x Todd Snyder Mod Watch was a necessary finishing touch. Like many recent travels, it was so worth it to be back — long journey, early flight and all. I know I’ll be back in the Mitten for at least one Michigan State football game this fall, but for now, I’m just grateful to have celebrated a great wedding weekend with lifelong friends. And it’s trips like this one that will take me out on the road again. Keep up with those travels here on the blog or at The Style Guide Facebook page, and I hope you pack up your bag with memories (and OK, some style) in mind the next time you travel.

‘Til the next post,

-Beau
Frank & Oak

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.