The Friday Read: A Nashville Trip & Monterey Car Week with The Macallan

My friends, thanks as ever for joining me as we close out another week here at The Style Guide and look ahead to the weekend, to another Style Pick of the Week and to choice menswear purchases from some of the best online menswear shops, like Huckberry (of course).

But first, let’s start with a quick departure from the usual. Now, if you follow me on Instagram, you’re well aware I’ve been jetting across the country once more as part of my many freelance writing pursuits — that includes writing about spirits for Maxim, naturally, among many other topics.

And this week in particular, it included a little bit of everything, in very memorable fashion. First, I took a pre-planned jaunt down to Nashville to A) Stay at the excellent Hutton Hotel and B) See my very favorite band, The National (a rather frequent occurrence this summer!). I’ve become an even bigger fan of the Music City in recent years, with so much more to see and do beyond just Broadway (although that’s a trip in and of itself!).

When opportunities such as these present themselves, I’m of the mind that it’s a wise bet to buy the ticket, take the ride: Roll with the punches, make it happen, get to the show and get on the road! And I certainly did that this week (all the while staying busy with this blog!).

My quick Nashville picks: Get the incredible focaccia pizza at the newly opened St. Vito Foccaceria (they live up to their name!),and be sure to grab a cold pint afterwards at Marble Fox Brewery nearby. And beyond that? Well, I had the exceptional privilege and good fortune to hop a surprisingly smooth flight out to San Francisco, followed by a ride through rolling hills and rugged dunes to Monterey Car Week.

It’s there that perhaps my favorite Scotch distillery on the planet, The Macallan, launched an epic Monterey Car Week activation (the stunning House of Macallan, among other highlights)). Now, I can’t share any details about what I tasted as of yet, but if you watch my work for Maxim.com (and follow me on Instagram!) in the months ahead, you’ll get a better idea. In the meantime, you can certainly add The Macallan to your collection from the comfort of your home.

As to menswear and other pursuits: Be sure to watch this space (as they say), check out yesterday’s guide to the best men’s jeans from Todd Snyder, and then stick around for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week. Slàinte Mhath, as The Macallan says!

The Thursday Buy: Todd Snyder Is Now Making the Perfect Casual Pair of Men’s Jeans

Todd Snyder men's denim review.

In my experience, there’s not a whole lot that a designer like Todd Snyder (one of the best menswear designers in the country) can’t do when it comes to designing menswear essentials that work well in a variety of situations. That’s likely an understatement, as the famed designer and J. Crew alum makes everything from the rugged (like his Todd Snyder x Champion collab) to the refined (like his stylish suiting), plus pieces in between — like your new favorite pair of blue jeans.

And that brings us to today’s spotlight, which is worth checking out if you’ve never taken a closer look at Todd Snyder denim. There’s plenty to love about Todd Snyder’s denim offering, which expanded in 2019.

That lineup now includes everything from rich selvedge denim to the Todd Snyder Straight Fit Stretch Jean — between the stretch fabric and the agreeable straight-leg cut, they could be the perfect everyday jeans for most guys.

Todd Snyder men's jeans.

They feature a rich medium indigo wash for a casual look that does well in virtually any season (especially when worn casually with a rugged trucker jacket, I’m of the mind that faded jeans look great even outside of summer). The Todd Snyder Straight Fit Stretch Jeans get all the details right, from the agreeable 12.5oz. denim weight (again, with plenty of stretch via elastane!), plus the vintage-style fading and classic five-pocket construction.

Right down to the antique copper rivets and the chain-stitched coin pocket, the Todd Snyder Straight Fit Stretch Jeans are about as cool as it gets. It’s also hard not to appreciate small touches like a suede-embossed back patch for a premium touch, and these stylish light wash blue jeans can even dress down a lightweight navy blazer as the weather turns chillier.

For $158, the Todd Snyder Straight Fit Stretch Jean is a heck of a deal in terms of casually rugged-yet-refined, perfectly cool style. Try ’em out and see for yourself.

The Sunday Sale: Save Up to 70 Percent At the Todd Snyder End of Summer Sale

Todd Snyder Summer Sale 2023

As hard as it might be to believe, that headline is no joke: The end of summer is on the horizon (if a bit far off, admittedly), but that’s not the real reason we’re here today. That headline is true in another way: Todd Snyder really is running a standout summer sale filled with some of the best menswear deals on the market, and the award-winning designer is making it easier than ever to get in on the fun.

What’s the catch? Well, when it comes to this particular sale, there really doesn’t seem to be one (take it from me). The Todd Snyder End of Summer Sale is giving you the chance to get up to 70 percent off some of the designer’s most essential pieces, be it one of the best Oxford shirts or an expertly cut pair of chinos.

There are also picks like linen suit jackets, breezy camp collar shirts, corduroy shorts and classic polos and striped tees. All you need to do to unlock these savings? Use the code ENDOFSUMMER20 to unlock some serious savings. My friends, go forth and stock up at the Todd Snyder End of Summer Sale while it’s still around.

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Garment-Dyed Favorite Oxford Shirt – The Perfect Everyday Oxford Shirt

Best Oxford shirt for men.

When a designer as acclaimed as American menswear expert Todd Snyder puts his own stamp of approval on an item (in this case, the “Favorite” tag), there’s a very good chance it more than lives up to the hype. I’d say that certainly holds true with this shirt in question, which is as reliable an everyday Oxford shirt as you’re apt to find (more on that in a moment).

It’s all the better that it’s a stylish Oxford shirt you can wear now in the high heat of summer, and then reliably all through fall. What really makes the Todd Snyder Garment-Dyed Favorite Oxford Shirt so essential? There’s plenty of premium quality and thoughtful design that elevates this particular number, from the garment-dyed Portuguese 100 percent cotton (made by a family-owned factory), to distinctive details like a button chest pocket.

Todd Snyder Oxford shirt.

The Todd Snyder Garment-Dyed Favorite Oxford Shirt also hits on other hallmarks of the designer, like a logo tag at the bottom hem and a locker loop for ease of hanging (and display, perhaps). What really turns this handsome Oxford shirt into a winning four-season buttondown shirt has to be the Tent Green color (although it also comes in rich colorways like Hickory).

The Todd Snyder Garment-Dyed Favorite Oxford Shirt comes in an array of timeless colors, all the while boasting Snyder’s consistently flattering fit. And for the price tag, it’s reassuring that it hits on all of those details.

At $168, the Todd Snyder Garment-Dyed Favorite Oxford Shirt doesn’t come cheap, but it’s one shirt you can style easily with everything from expertly faded denim to natural linen trousers (or tobacco corduroy pants this coming fall). Invest in the very best and wear it with pride, as Mr. Snyder himself would do.

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Midweight Popover Hoodie – The Best Men’s Hoodie for Summer

Best summer hoodie for men.

Today’s Style Pick of the Week is sort of the ultimate 2-for-1 deal: A chance to shop one of the best hoodies for men (you might say the perfect lightweight hoodie for summer), and a chance to save some money in the process. It’s the Fourth of July weekend after all, and there’s a plethora of the best menswear deals on the market.

Of course, that includes Todd Snyder, the famed NYC designer, and the Todd Snyder Fourth of July Sale. That sale offers an additional 20 percent off sale styles, for a grand total of 50 percent off the best men’s style essentials on the market.

And the even better part is, these are selections you can wear right now, including the Todd Snyder Sun-Faded Midweight Hoodie — part of the excellent Todd Snyder x Champion partnership. It’s the kind of expertly crafted hoodie that wears like you’ve had it for years, the sort you’d unearth from the closet at a summer beach house. Throw it on with faded blue jeans, lounge shorts or chino shorts any day of the week, even as you work from home.

Todd Snyder x Champion hoodie.

Beyond that, it’s just a finely made, stylish hoodie with super-soft fabric — it’ll work well around a summer bonfire or layered up beneath a durable trucker jacket come fall. And of course, it comes with that Todd Snyder guarantee of standout quality, to say the very least.

There are also multiple color options on sale, and that’s even more of a reason to shop now for one of the best menswear deals on the market. The rest of your summer awaits, and you’ve just found your new favorite hoodie to make it even better (and more stylish).

The Friday Read: The Best Fourth of July Weekend Sales & A Pure Michigan Vacation

Best Fourth of July menswear deals 2023

Folks, thanks so much for joining me as we roll into another weekend — another weekend in Pure Michigan for yours truly, and the start to an excellent Fourth of July holiday weekend, at that. I’ve got long-awaited plans with my family to head “Up North” for a lovely weekend on Lake Michigan, complete with bonfires and beach beers aplenty.

How about you? I’ll still be checking in from time to time here on the blog (especially with tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week!), and there’s a dash of additional business at hand before the holiday weekend can begin in earnest.

Best summer weekend travel bag.

That additional business? A quick look at the best Fourth of July sales, as curated by yours truly and featuring picks from brands like Satchel & Page (shown above). Now, I’ve done my best to keep this list relatively short, so as to give you time to shop the very best of the best.

Yes, it’s a wild and well-stocked world out there, but these are the best Fourth of July sales for my money’s worth. I’ll be back in action with a Sunday post, as well as entries on Monday and Tuesday — so be sure to swing back by! And grab me another cold one while you’re by the cooler, will ya?

Summer calls, and it calls frequently: Take the Huckberry x Coors Collection for a spin, along with a few more of my favorite menswear deals to shop now.

  • American Giant: Get free shipping on American-made menswear on orders of more than $100.
  • Bespoke Post: Get up to 40 percent off the best menswear, home goods, tech and EDC gear.
  • Bonobos: The well-stocked Bonobos Sale section has deals up to 50 percent of your favorite menswear and chinos.
  • Devil-Dog Dungarees: Get up to 20 percent off your first purchase from the historic denim brand.
  • Eddie Bauer: Get 50 percent off the best men’s outdoor gear and more this weekend (and beyond).
  • Everlane: Take up to 60 percent off swim and summer essentials for men.
  • Filson: Take 30 percent off select goods from the rugged heritage outfitter.
  • Herschel Supply Co.: Take 30 percent off classics from the Herschel Supply Co. Archive and save on the best travel gear.
  • Howler Bros.: Get free shipping on orders over $99 from the Austin-based brand.
  • Huckberry: Save all weekend long on the best men’s gear and menswear, including the new Huckberry x Coors Collection.
  • HELM Boots: Get free U.S. shipping and returns from the rugged, Austin-based bootmaker.
  • Mack Weldon: Get up to 35 percent off sale items at a rare online sale for the DTC retailer.
  • Mott and Bow: Get savings of 30 percent or more on the best men’s jeans, sweatshirts, T-shirts and more.
  • Outerknown: Get 20% off your first order at the sustainable menswear brand founded by surfer Kelly Slater.
  • PAIGE: Get up to 40 percent off stylish men’s denim and more at its Semi-Annual Sale.
  • Peter Millar: Save on refined, sporty menswear, with deals starting at 25 percent off.
  • RAEN: Save as much as 60 percent on stylish men’s sunglasses.
  • Satchel & Page: Shop the Satchel & Page Warehouse Sale for the best travel bags and leather goods for men.
  • Shinola: Get free shipping on orders of more than $125 via the famed watchmaker and lifestyle brand.
  • Taylor Stitch: Take 20 percent off select menswear at the fan favorite retailer.
  • Tecovas: Look for deals of more than 40 percent off the best men’s shirts, boots and more at the Tecovas Last Call section.
  • Toad and Co.: Use the code POPSICLE to get an extra 50% off sale items from the organic menswear brand.
  • Todd Snyder: Use the code SUMMER20 to get up to 50 percent off sale styles and the best seasonal menswear.
  • Topo Designs: Get free shipping on orders of more than $150, plus savings on the brand’s Archive Sale collection.
  • Wolverine: Save on rugged work boots, apparel and the famed Wolverine 1000 Mile Boots at the Michigan retailer.

For now, that’s going to wrap up my overview of the best sales for the Fourth of July — how’s that for a great start to the weekend, right? I hope you find something to add to your wardrobe, your everyday carry or your footwear rotation, but beyond that, thanks as always for reading! Enjoy the holiday, enjoy time with family and friends, and a big cheers from me to you!

See Now, Buy Now: This Todd Snyder Utility Shirt is the Ideal Overshirt for Breezy Spring Days

Best men's shirt jacket for spring.

There are times where, perhaps when you least expect it, the tides turn, the weather shifts and you need to shift gears in your wardrobe. That tends to happen pretty frequently during spring, when sunny days unexpectedly give way to blustery breezes — so, what’s a guy to do? Layer up accordingly for spring with one of the best men’s overshirts, of course.

For all those days when it’s not quite T-shirt weather, yet not quite breezy enough to wear, say, a stylish puffer jacket, that’s where your new favorite overshirt comes into play. Of course, you can leave it to one of America’s best menswear designers to come up with a rugged-meets-refined take on the stylish men’s shirt jacket, and that approach is fully on display with the Todd Snyder Two-Pocket Utility Shirt.

As with most things Todd Snyder, the inspiration is simple and classic — old-school overshirts — yet the final product is an upgrade in every way, especially in terms of fabric, durability and a crisp, utilitarian design.

Best rugged shirt jacket for men.

The Todd Snyder Two-Pocket Utility Shirt has some helpful bells and whistles, as its name implies, including two large front flap patch chest pockets. Those pockets turn the Todd Snyder Two-Pocket Utility Shirt into a handy layer for storing your everyday carry, and the double-needle construction ensures durability at key stress points.

Todd Snyder shirt jacket.

But again, this isn’t quite your average workshirt. You see, the Todd Snyder Two-Pocket Utility Shirt is made with 100 percent Italian cotton — and it’s made in Portugal, which makes this a casually rugged shirt jacket made for more leisurely pursuits than long days in the yard.

It’s the kind of versatile layer every guy needs, one that can be worn unbuttoned over your favorite T-shirt or one of the best men’s henleys. Plus, this rugged-meets-refined shirt jacket comes in a surprising array of colors (six total), delivering something for every sense of personal style. And while the Todd Snyder Two-Pocket Utility Shirt is an investment at almost $180, it’s the kind of durable overshirt you can count on in the clutch, time and time again.

The Friday Read: A Northeast Trip with Randolph Engineering

Randolph x Todd Snyder Sunglasses

My friends, here’s to Friday and a bit of an early start to the holiday weekend. I’m looking forward to a bit of time to rest and recharge back in Brooklyn, along with the chance to stay in hot pursuit of my freelance writing ventures. Of course, if you follow me on Instagram, you know it’s been a busy week around these parts — and elsewhere, as I trekked up to Boston for a quick overnight trip with one of my favorite sunglasses brands, the USA-made, military-approved premium eyewear makers at Randolph Engineering.

I’ve been wearing the brand since 2015, and I’m an especially huge fan of its classic men’s aviator sunglasses, but that’s not all: I’ve lately taken to wearing another stellar pair from a fitting collaboration. Randolph Engineering teamed up with Todd Snyder on the Randolph x Todd Snyder line of sunglasses, an all-American collaboration that plays off the designer’s penchant for updating timeless classics with a touch of modern flair.

Best aviator sunglasses for men.

Those were just one of the pairs we chatted about as myself and my fellow journalists toured Randolph’s factory and spent some quality time with the team there (including a Boston stay on the waterfront at The Envoy Hotel Boston). I particularly appreciate the brand’s approach to precise craftsmanship and extreme attention to detail, be it the Todd Snyder x Randolph line or its fan-favorite aviator sunglasses.

And to get the chance to go behind the scenes of a classic brand — making accessories in America, the hard way — is always a pleasure. I was already a big-time fan of Randolph, and this trip further cemented them as an all-time great in my mind. Be sure to check out pairs from the Todd Snyder x Randolph collection (or the rest of the company’s offerings), and I’ll see you out there, sunglasses on, this season. Cheers, my friends!

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Waxed Dylan Jacket – Spring’s Perfect Jacket for Breezy Days

Best men's waxed jacket

Some brands tend to hang their hat on certain styles, finding a magic formula that just keeps working — and working, and working. In the case of designer Todd Snyder — and specifically in the race to craft one of the best jackets for spring — the famed Iowa-born creative seems to have nailed that formula precisely with the Todd Snyder Dylan Jacket.

Perhaps you’re familiar with the ultra-cool Todd Snyder Dylan Suede Jacket, which offers a luxe spring style upgrade, but when the weather turns breezy and perhaps a touch rainy, there’s another take on the Todd Snyder Dylan Jacket you need in your life, and that’s the Todd Snyder English Waxed Dylan Jacket.

It’s like I said: When a designer lands on a formula that works, it’s a wise bet to stick with that formula, and perhaps even improve upon it a bit in the race to find one of the best men’s jackets for spring. There are, of course, plenty of editions of one of Todd Snyder’s best-selling jackets out there, but the difference is in the details, and indeed, the Todd Snyder English Waxed Dylan Jacket rises to the occasion when you need hard-wearing yet premium spring outerwear.

Best waxed jacket for men this spring.

Naturally, the fabric puts the Todd Snyder English Waxed Dylan Jacket a cut above the rest, quite literally. It’s crafted with 100 percent cotton from British Millerain, a trusted company for decades on end, and it’s updated with a moleskin collar for a luxe finish (and you can also turn that collar up against the wind and rain this spring). The Todd Snyder English Waxed Dylan Jacket also boasts a handsome navy color, plus design inspiration drawn from vintage trucker jackets.

The end result is a style that’s a touch vintage and just a bit modern, and it’s complemented nicely by Todd Snyder logo shank buttons in contrasting hardware, with a fit that’s true to size. So, if you’ve worn a Todd Snyder jacket before and love the look of the Todd Snyder English Waxed Dylan Jacket (or if you’re a fan of the designer’s stylish Oxford shirts), you might have found the perfect (and perfect-fitting) spring jacket to really nail the perfect balance of form and function this season.

The Todd Snyder English Waxed Dylan Jacket might seem like a stylish splurge, but it’s one your wardrobe will be all the better for this season.

Style Pick of the Week: Todd Snyder Summerweight Favorite Shirt – A Must-Buy Shirt for Warm Weather

Best men's shirt for spring and summer.

There are times when you want to hit it right down the middle of the fairway, so to speak, in terms of your spring style essentials. Times when you want to look polished and crisp without overdoing it, without looking sloppy and without veering too far away from pieces that you know and love.

Take one of the best Oxford shirts, for instance. So named for the iconic fabric that makes up its design, the classic shirt is one that’s tough to improve upon — unless, of course, you’re Todd Snyder. And that’s where the Todd Snyder Favorite Shirt does its job so handily.

The all-American designer already specializes in modern updates to rugged classics, like one of the best field jackets, and something as timeless as the Oxford shirt is a ready target for the New York company to take on — and improve, for that matter. As the brand itself says, it just might be time to “say hello to your new favorite shirt,” and the Todd Snyder Summerweight Favorite Shirt steps right up to the tee and knocks it down the middle of the fairway.

Best summer shirt for men.

It’s so named because the Todd Snyder Favorite Shirt features the kind of details the designer himself appreciates, from small touches like the perfectly rolled collar and the front-button chest pocket to larger details, like soft and breezy cotton construction. Plus, the Todd Snyder Favorite Shirt features cool details like a locker loop — you could easily see this shirt hanging on a wooden peg in a cool menswear shop, right? That’s all the better, because the Todd Snyder Favorite Shirt is exactly the kind of effortlessly cool piece the namesake brand has perfected over time.

Plus, it’s available in nine color and pattern options, from a simple sky blue number to some distinctive stripes. Best of all is the fact that you can wear the Todd Snyder Favorite Shirt untucked with expertly faded blue jeans, or else tucked in underneath your favorite blazer alongside crisp navy chinos this spring and summer.

And yes, the Todd Snyder Favorite Shirt is an investment at nearly $150, but if you’ve tried Todd Snyder menswear, you know that it’s very much worth the price. Go on then — your new favorite shirt awaits.