Tag / travel style

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Trek to Rabbit Hole Distillery & Huckberry Summer Menswear Classics

We’re launching into another action-packed Brooklyn summer weekend and getting back down to business after plenty of time on the road — join me, won’t you?

As you might have seen if you follow me on Instagram, and if you keep up with my many freelance writing pursuits, I spent the better part of last week in Louisville, Kentucky, the heart of American bourbon country and a place I’ve trekked to quite frequently this last handful of years as I cover spirits, gear and more for outlets like Maxim.

Follow my travels on Instagram

Of course, it goes without saying that this Brooklyn style blog keeps me plenty busy as well, as I scour the market for the best menswear essentials from tried-and-true brands — several of which I get to review and write about as I crisscross the country! More on that in the weeks ahead as my summer travel schedule ramps up.

Read more of my freelance work

The occasion for the trip was a rather special one – as tends to be the case when I head to the heartland of stellar bourbon, and one I’d had on my bucket list for some time now. I had the chance to visit Rabbit Hole Distillery alongside a group of fellow spirits pros and writers, not to mention distillery founder and bourbon innovator Kaveh Zamanian.

It’s among the finest whiskey I’ve had in some time (particularly the Boxergrain expression), although I’d also count Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farms — as seen below! — as another winning selection in my quest to taste the best bourbon on the planet.

He founded Rabbit Hole a little more than a decade ago after a career as a therapist, a fascinating pivot that lends itself nicely to experimentation and a sense of attention to detail. After humble beginnings building the distillery from the ground up, Rabbit Hole now makes some of the most innovative American whiskey out there, with an equally innovative distillery design to match (it’s situated in NuLu, a buzzed-about and up-and-coming neighborhood with plenty of character).

The distillery, now owned by Pernod Ricard, uses extremely distinct malting processes and mash bills to produce several whiskies exclusive to its distillery, situated not far from the excellent Hotel Genevieve — for now, let me say that if you find yourself in Bourbon Country, U.S.A, put Rabbit Hole Distillery at the top of your list to visit.

As luck would have it, these spirits-focused trips — and even the many events I attended this past week as part of annual spirits extravaganza Bar Convent Brooklyn — are the perfect opportunity to test out the best summer menswear from companies like Huckberry.

Luckily, durable denim, rugged leather boots and breezy summer shirting prove mighty helpful when going from a distillery tour to a dinner at one of The ‘Ville’s finest establishments (allow me to recommend Bob’s Steak and Chop House at the Omni Hotel, plus Southern-meets-Japanese fusion establishment Enso).

What sort of gear do you bring to hit the road? Hopefully, this style blog proves helpful in those many pursuits, but as ever, you can expect two weekend style posts in the days ahead. Beating the heat in style, whether in Kentucky or back in Brooklyn, is the name of the game, my friends. In fact, might I suggest this stylish Billy Reid linen shirt or else a travel-ready Huckberry blazer to cement your next summer #OOTD?

Shop the best new gear at Huckberry

You can expect more where that came from in the days and weeks ahead — as ever, stay stylish, thanks for reading, thanks for following along and imbibing with me! Here’s to a Brooklyn summer weekend — cheers, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Fall Weekend in New Orleans with 1800 Tequila

My friends and fans of The Style Guide, welcome back and let’s embark on another jam-packed fall weekend, shall we? If you’ve been following along on my Instagram, consider this a nice supplement (with a few shopping tips thrown in the mix).

You see, in addition to the usual slate of must-buy fall menswear essentials covered on your favorite Brooklyn style blog, I’ve certainly been keeping busy these past few days and weeks with my many freelance writing pursuits — spirits, menswear and music chief among them. In fact, lately, I wrote about a new gin from Monkey ’47 over at InsideHook — it’s curious, it’s delicious and it’s worth tracking down.

Learn more about my writing here

And of course, a big part of the job involves getting out in the field and going to work with my favorite gear close at hand. Just this month, I’ve had the chance to test out some of my favorite rugged fall menswear during a Pennsylvania cabin weekend, I had the rare opportunity to put my Scotch sipping & fly fishing to the test in Wisconsin, and I’m once again off on another adventure as we speak.

That adventure? A visit to parts unknown, or at least, a city I’ve — rather shockingly — never visited… the Big Easy, New Orleans! A city of culinary delights, intrigue, mystery and a series of jam-packed, arts-focused celebrations for 1800 Tequila’s latest Artist Series offering (debuting next month). I also had the chance to stroll the city, grab a cold one on Bourbon Street and enjoy a muffaletta and Zapp’s chips (bingo!).

If you’ve been keeping score at home, I was fortunate enough to travel to Mexico with 1800 Tequila earlier this year, as I wrote about at Maxim. So when this invite came across my inbox, I could scarcely say no.

These past few days have brought a group of writers, myself included across the city to sip on 1800 Tequila expressions — like the Reposado shown above — as well as a series of imaginative fall-centric cocktails that reinvent what you think tequila can become. Along the way, we were immersed in the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and stayed at the lovely Hotel Henrietta.

The weekend was framed around both a new release from 1800 Tequila (again, more to come soon!) as well as the New Orleans’ contemporary art triennial, Prospect.6 — a fitting meeting of the minds celebrating the art and craft of both pursuits.

Discover Prospect.6 now

Of course, you can view past examples of the 1800 Tequila Artist Series above. Tequila that drinks (and looks) like a work of art? Sign me up, and I’ll be there wearing my favorite Huckberry menswear. A black tie gala awaits tonight — time to break out my best suit — and of course, more 1800 Tequila sips and spirits are on the horizon.

My freelance life takes many twists and turns (as you can see by the wide scope of my writing at Maxim), but I’m filled with gratitude along the way — and ready for a weekend of rest afterwards! As always, thanks for reading, thanks for shopping via The Style Guide and thanks for tuning into a duo of weekend style posts! Cheers, my friends!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Vermont Getaway with Darn Tough Socks

Best men's socks for fall.

My friends, my question today on this fine fall Friday (say that five times fast) is a simple one: What’s in your sock drawer? Hopefully, more than a pair or two of the best socks for men to wear with, well everything else in your footwear rotation, be it a pair of rugged men’s boots or streamlined leather sneakers.

For me, the answer as to which pair of the best men’s socks I’m wearing just got a whole lot more simple. How so? Well, I’m coming off yet another media trip, a trek to lovely Vermont with the one and only Darn Tough Socks.

Darn Tough socks for men.

Perhaps you’re already familiar with Darn Tough Socks, which is due to celebrate 20 years next year and currently makes some of the very best men’s socks across three facilities in Northfield, Vermont. I trekked north to see the entire process and meet the team, of which there are plenty of dedicated people making sure your socks are made precisely (using machines with 168 needles and guaranteed for life).

Learn more now at Darn Tough

Yes, that’s right: Darn Tough Socks guarantees its products for life, and that includes everything from its comfortable hiking socks to stylish lifestyle socks that I’d say you’ll love. Of course, I had the time to stroll the lovely shores of Lake Champlain back in Burlington, and I enjoyed sipping on famed The Alchemist Heady Topper and visiting Foam Brewers in my spare time.

But for rugged, stylish men’s socks, I found there’s hardly anything better than a pair of Darn Tough Socks. I’ll have much more to say as part of my freelance writing pursuits, but for now, you’ve just set your sights on a new favorite pair (or pairs!) of Darn Tough Socks. Cheers and thanks for reading!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Long Weekend in Las Vegas & A Trip to the Twin Cities

My friends, travel is the name of the game this weekend, as I’m in Las Vegas for a longtime college friend’s bachelor party. I’ve traveled to Las Vegas to visit the likes of the Tao Beach Club, but this one isn’t a business trip (wish me luck at the blackjack tables!).

It also comes on the heels of a busy travel schedule for yours truly as part of my many freelance writing pursuits, which also took me to Minneapolis this spring to sample the city’s many culinary delights and plenty of whiskey. As luck would have it, my guide to the city was published this week at Maxim, and I hope you like what you find therein.

I’d encourage anyone to take a trip to the Twin Cities, all part of the process to rethink what you thought you knew about the city. It certainly offers something for everyone (particularly for myself as a major fan of The Replacements). And if you check out my byline today at Maxim, you’ll see another recent travel guide from a whirlwind trip I took to Dublin and Wicklow with Glendalough Gin, also in April. So, once again: Travel is the name of the game.

Our regularly scheduled programming will take place this weekend with our Style Pick of the Week and the Sunday Sale, so go forth, get that credit card at the ready to score some new menswear essentials, and we’ll See You Out There.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Weekend on the Road in Minneapolis

Folks, welcome back to another Friday Read, and another dispatch from the road by yours truly. I recently trekked up to Boston with Randolph Engineering, and I’ve also gone upstate in the past few months — and as luck would have it, I’m in hot pursuit of another story this weekend as part of my many freelance writing ventures! I’m in the lovely (and surprisingly warm!) city of Minneapolis this weekend, a trip that’s been in the works for some time now.

The reason for my visit? Among other restaurant and bar excursions in the city — and among my own personal exploration of music heritage in Minneapolis — I’m taking in the revamped, reopened Butcher and the Boar, a Minneapolis institution known for its smoked meats and of course, its extensive whiskey list. If you ask me, those are two of the best things in life, yet the rest of the trip should prove just as stellar (and delicious).

Also on the docket? A cold beer or two at Surly Brewing, plus a visit to the newly opened and much-hyped North Loop restaurant Demi. While I’m no gourmand (and not exactly a stellar cook!), I know what I love when it comes to dining (as I noted when I visited Reyna in NYC), and this trip should certainly fit the bill nicely. It’s a trip I’ve been anticipating for weeks, and it’ll be my first time in the Twin Cities in 9 years, no less!

Of course, I’ll have a full dispatch on the way for Maxim.com sooner rather than later, but you can keep up with all the fun on my Instagram in the meantime. And naturally, we’ll return to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow with my latest Style Pick of the Week. As always, thanks for reading and stay stylish!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Mid-Winter Break in Florida

Best travel shirt for men.

My friends, the headline says it all in today’s Friday Read: I’m off to Florida for a quick but much-needed mid-winter break after #NYFW, a quick but relaxing jaunt to Fort Myers. As the photo above suggests, you might say it’s “time” to get away, and when I hit the road this Friday, I’ll be dressed in style in some of the best travel clothing from Huckberry. Specifically, I’ll be wearing my Proof Passport Shirt, a durable and stretch-filled shirt made from sturdy fabric and packed with plenty of pockets for your everyday carry (and mine!). Is it the perfect travel shirt? Follow along on my Instagram to find out.

Learn more at Huckberry

In the meantime, you should head on over to Huckberry to shop plenty more of the best travel gear on the planet, and of course, you should — again! — give me a follow on Instagram to keep up with my fun in the Florida sun and my freelance writing pursuits. Believe it or not, my boss (me!) gave me the day off today and tomorrow, and I’ll be using that time to kick back by the pool, catch up with family and watch Michigan State basketball. Cheers to that indeed, right? And cheers to you — thanks for reading, as always!

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: A Journey Across the Pond to… Morocco

In the course of my freelance writing pursuits (as you well know if you follow me on Instagram!), I’m presented with the opportunity to do some pretty remarkable things, be it writing about luxury watches, sampling opulent bourbon or traveling to London to try the world’s best Scotch. Of course, this blog and my other writing pursuits keep me plenty busy and present opportunities all their own, but none quite like the journey I’ve undertaken this week.

Over these past few days, I’ve had the lifetime chance to hop on a plane and hop across the pond — not to Europe, but to the famed city of Tangier, Morocco, where I’ve hunkered down for the week at the new Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier. A review will follow on Maxim.com, but again, my Instagram has an inside look at the stunning accommodations!

Talk about an opportunity for a “work trip” not to be passed up, particularly as a chance to start the new year and escape the cold grey of New York City. Myself and my fellow journalists have explored the city on foot, sipped on cocktails throughout the resort, and generally enjoyed (an understatement!) this iconic destination. I won’t spoil it all, but it’s been stunning.

While I don’t write travel reviews on the daily, I’m becoming more acquainted with jetting from one destination to the next, honing my writing skills and eye for detail along the way (a never-ending quest!). And to get the chance to do that in such a historic city, and in such a luxurious locale, is nothing short of remarkable, frankly. Again, you can look for a full review in the days ahead at Maxim.com, but for now, I think I’ll take in the sights and sounds of the city one last time before heading home. As always: Thanks for reading and for your support!

by Beau H.

Across the Pond, Part 1: A Family Trip to Ireland, Scotland and England

Layered up in an Abercrombie & Fitch coat to down quite a few pints at the historic Guinness Storehouse!

Greetings, Style Guide readers! Welcome to the first of two posts covering a pretty momentous occasion — a Hayhoe family trip all the way across the pond to Dublin, Edinburgh and London! It’s something of a family tradition to take a big trip every year, from a 2015 cruise to Greece to more recent trips to Disney World and Universal Studios, and the first leg of this trip has once again brought the opportunity to travel in versatile fashion, complete with spring style essentials galore.  It kicked off with a Friday evening flight out of NYC (leg one brought the rest of the Hayhoe family up north from Florida), and I had to dress in comfort for the long flight across the Atlantic. So, I aimed to pack light in a stylish weekender bag — again, versatility is key when hitting the road.

With cold weather on tap, some of my picks for the first leg of this trip (starting with a Saturday morning arrival in Dublin) centered around grab-and-go style. My WP Standard Leather Messenger Bag proved a nice carry-on, and among other outerwear picks, the Abercrombie & Fitch 2-in-1 Lightweight Jacket (as seen above) helped me go from the office to the airport easily. I also packed my waterproof Thursday Boots Wingtip Boots in Cognac Suede, complete with functionality and sleek, refined style (ideal for packing light in that regard). I’d recommend other easygoing essentials for travel and post-travel transitions, too. For instance, I layered up with a classic Todd Snyder x Champion Crewneck  andSweatshirt, my exceedingly comfortable, mobile Proof Nomad Pants (shop those here), the durable Todd Snyder x P.F. Flyers Ground Hi-Tops and my excellent Timex for J. Crew Field Watch. I topped it off with my trusty Huckberry Explorer’s Cap that I frequently bring with me on my travels. It was an early start to the morning in Dublin, but we made it a point to tour this excellent city via bus (complete with requisite enjoyment of Dublin’s food and drink scene). Of course, a trip to the famed Guinness Storehouse was very much in order — it’s been a dream of mine to visit this hallowed brewery, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Our late afternoon took us everywhere from Trinity College to the famed Temple Bar, complete with dinner at rollicking rock bar Darkey Kelly’s (get the bangers-and-mash for the full experience!).

A waxed cotton jacket from Grayers proved the perfect outer layer for a day at the blustery Cliffs of Mohe, as did a trusty cap from Goorin Brothers.

Sunday once again dawned early, taking us out to the famed Cliffs of Moher for a lovely, breathtaking day trip (complete with cold, blustery winds off the sea). I wrapped up in my Grayers Edgeware Coated Cotton Moto Jacket atop a classic shawl-collar cardigan from Original Penguin, along with the Grayers Arrowcrest Thermal Stitch Crew — these picks were warm and classic for a day in the rugged countryside. On my bottom half, a pair of JackThreads Donegal Trousers nodded to Ireland in a subtle and stylish way, while my Thursday Boots Wingtip Boots in Cognac Suede offered up durable, all-day comfort and style. My Timex for J. Crew Field Watch was tough, sharp and field-ready — nothing better that you might need in a timepiece. The combination proved ideal for venturing around the cliffs and taking in the Gaelic sport of “‘hurling” (via an afternoon in a Galway pub, accompanied by a good number of pints of Guinness, of course).

A cotton mac coat and easy-to-style Chelsea boots were critical for getting around Edinburgh.

Monday brought our stint in Dublin to an end, but it also brought with it the next stop on this grand Hayhoe family adventure — Edinburgh! To hit the road, I grabbed my Abercrombie & Fitch 2-in-1 Lightweight Jacket and paired it accordingly with a pair of crisp five-pocket trousers from Original Penguin. For a dash of refined travel style, I stepped into the sleek Allen Edmonds Liverpool Suede Chelsea Boots, a perfect pair of footwear for slipping on and off to get through security. To mix things up on the accessories front, my sporty-yet-classic Timex x Todd Snyder MS1 Maritime Watch was a versatile move.  Exploring Edinburgh on foot proved to be quite the adventure, from stops at Edinburgh Castle and a stroll down the Royal Mile to an underground ghost tour. Yes, the vaults under the South Street Bridge are quite haunted … if you ask me. The haunted tour called for a few much-needed and revitalizing stouts at the famed BrewDog Edinburgh, a great brewery and quickly growing brand that champions beer for the people with a no-frills attitude. With rock music on the speakers and industrial furnishings throughout, it was my kind of place. We capped off the day with dinner at No. 1 High Street, a traditional Scottish pub that served up an excellent steak and ale pie and sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

For a chilly Tuesday and a small group day trip to St. Andrews (home to the famed Old Course and many legendary British Open moments), tough style proved to once again be quite helpful. We stopped along the way in the village of Fife and the Falkland Palace, then capped it off with an afternoon in St. Andrews (helped along by fish and chips, plus Guinness — yes, even in Scotland). Stops at both the famed golf course and the stunning St. Andrews Cathedral were definitely in order on a chilly but sunny day. My Grayers Edgeware Coated Cotton Moto Jacket was the perfect outerwear move, especially when layered atop the Fitted Merino Turtleneck from Knit Project. I complemented the ensemble with a stretch-filled pair of the Abercrombie & Fitch Langdon Slim Denim, alongside my reliable (and still kicking!) Thursday Boots Wingtip Boots in Cognac. Both my Timex for J. Crew Field Watch and an excellent, warm Goorin Brothers cap complemented my outfit — packing with  versatility in mind is helpful even when it comes to your accessories.

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So, that wraps up parts one (and OK, two) of this trip! How about that? It’s admittedly been a challenge so far dressing with a lighter packing list than normal — tough outerwear has been the name of the game, as have versatile trousers and ultra-dependable, weather-ready footwear. Oh, and as to the sights, sounds, food and beverage we’ve enjoyed? Nothing short of world-class. We’ve still got plenty more in front of us — as we speak, we’re en route to London for the final leg of this European adventure. You can expect our regular Friday Read coming up on Friday (of course), followed by the good ol’ Style Pick of the Week and then, a full trip recap of our third leg on Monday. Get excited!

Thanks for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Road Back Home: A Winter Trip to Grand Rapids

Hitting the road to catch up with old family and friends is assuredly of my favorite things to do — although I do appreciate the hustle and bustle of NYC, it’s always nice to get back home. That’s the case whether it’s my adopted home state of Florida, the site of my last #menswear trip, or my native state of Michigan, which still plays host to plenty of beloved family and friends. Yes indeed, just as with a February 2017 trip back to Grand Rapids, I packed up my favorite winter style essentials this past weekend and got ready to see my brother and his family (hi, guys!), plus my lifelong friend (and groom-to-be), Mr. Chris Spyke. There was great craft beer to be had in Beer City U.S.A., to go along with rugged layering of pieces like my Grayers Edgeware Coated Cotton Moto Jacket and classic suede chukkas from Astorflex. It was certainly an early Friday morning getting out of NYC, but it was well worth it — and I did my best to travel in style, of course.

Getting there was quite easy, all thanks to my dependable Voyager Waxed Weekender — packed with plenty of travel style essentials — from Boarding Pass NYC (always a road trip favorite).  The classic, comfortable Langdon Slim Denim from Abercrombie & Fitch helped me stay comfortable and yet stylish through my flight, while Astorflex came through once again with comfortable suede chukka boots that managed to go from airport to airport and the Grand Rapids beer scene quite easily. To fight the cold (and stay on point in terms of style) the Grayers Edgeware Coated Cotton Moto Jacket proved a handy travel jacket — gotta love those handy front snap pockets — and teamed nicely with an easygoing-yet-sharp, classic men’s shirt from my pals at Todd Snyder. Seriously, you can’t top a tailored weekend shirt in a soft fabric — it works for travel, the office and yes, happy hour brews.  And on the watch front, my Timex x Todd Snyder MS1 Maritime Sport Watch was durable, versatile and travel-ready. When traveling on quick weekend trips, find pieces you love wearing — like classic slim denim and dependable chukka boots — and wear them time and again. Oh, and don’t forget the accessories — my reliable-as-always Huckberry Explorer’s Cap rounded out my ensemble for a laidback day hanging with my nieces and nephews (four in total!), plus catching up with Mr. Spyke and company  later in the day for the first weekend of the incredible (and well-timed) Grand Rapids Beer Month! An absolutely tremendous occasion, and a perfect way to kick off the weekend, complete with stops at spots like Mitten Brewing Co. to get Friday going.

As one might expect, Saturday proved an ideal occasion to break out some of my favorite winter style essentials, pieces that layer up nicely and work for on-the-go brewery-hopping (and some shopping). I layered up with my durable-as-ever Taylor Stitch Yosemite Shirt, a highly coveted piece that I’d recommend you snap up before it’s gone. I also simply had to break out the Taylor Stitch Slim Chinos for style that was polished and able to work all day long.  Again, Taylor Stitch consistently proves its value as a brand, whether grabbing brews in Beer City, U.S.A or hopping from the bar to a show in NYC. And on the watch front, it was easy to reach for the Timex x Red Wing Waterbury Chrono, a consistent favorite that I find myself wearing more days than not — it can be tough to find a stylish leather watch at an affordable price, and Timex consistently delivers.

When you want to make it easy to pack your favorite accessories on the road, reach for a stylish timepiece (and other essentials) that you already love wearing.  Oh, and when it comes to getting around Grand Rapids, even in the snow? My CAT Footwear Abe Canvas Boots (as seen above) got the job done, blending durability with crucial style points. And we certainly had a busy day — there are absolutely some stellar spots you simply have to hit in Grand Rapids on a Saturday, from new brewery City Built Brewing to the Nordic-inspired Sovengard, an excellent spot for cocktails.

Sunday once again called for more citywide exploration, and a terrific brunch at soccer-themed bar SpeakEZ. I also loved the quiet tranquility of the city’s Grand Rapids Art Museum, always a pleasant weekend stop (and a nice way to relax on Sunday after a busy night out and about in GRA). We also grabbed coffee at the excellent Madcap Coffee, followed by beers at the always-tremendous (and continually growing!) Founders Brewing, a Michigan favorite. For a final day braving the G.R. chill, I again turned to CAT Footwear and the brand’s Chronicle Boots, featuring tough plain-toe construction and stylish brown leather that gets better with age. They worked more than admirably on a cold Grand Rapids day — I’d recommend similarly stylish winter boots enough for the remaining weeks (or months) of winter.

I had to complement my outfit yet again with a travel-friendly timepiece, the absolutely fantastic Timex x Todd Snyder MS1 Maritime Sport Watch, featuring welcome new design touches like a domed crystal case, INDIGLO lighting and a sporty NATO strap, calling to mind throwback diving timepieces. In short, it provided some nice visual interest when it came time to layer up for the day — I again threw on my Mission Workshop Bridgeman Peacoat atop a rugged crewneck sweater from my friends at Pistol Lake, complemented by my classic Flint and Tinder denim. The combo helped me kick back, relax and enjoy a few more hours in one of my favorite cities (and it’s not just because of the beer!). When you want to get around a favorite city in the cold weather, layer up with a tough jacket, a sporty NATO strap watch and expertly faded denim for comfort on the road. 

It was unfortunately time once again to head back to NYC — all too soon, if you ask me. I’m grateful to be able to hop a quick flight back to Grand Rapids to see my family and friends, all the while exploring and finding out new things about one of my favorite cities. It’s also a plus to be able to pack and dress in winter style essentials, from made-in-America denim to tough leather boots, a stylish casual watch and a warm thermal shirt.  It’s not all about the packing list, though — I also find that Grand Rapids has something for everybody, from excellent coffee to great beer to a cool shopping and museum scene. Add in great company and times with lifelong friends, and you’ve got a recipe for success.

Are you heading to Grand Rapids soon? Let me know via the comments below, and feel free to say “Hi” via E-mail or The Style Guide Facebook page!

Thanks for reading,

-Beau

by Beau H.

A Happy Birthday in the Happiest Place on Earth: Disney Road Trip Style

Now, if that’s not the cheesiest headline to ever appear on the pages of The Style Guide, then I’m not sure what is. But it just about sums up this past weekend — I hit the road down to Florida for a great birthday weekend with my family, trekking around Walt Disney World in the process! The Florida sunshine was a welcome retreat from chilly New York City, where I spent a Brooklyn birthday last year (did time really fly that fast!?). The weekend included days spent at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios — a particular Disney World favorite — plus, a topsy-turvy afternoon drinking around the world at Epcot (yes, they serve beer at every “country” within Epcot!). Talk about an action-packed weekend, filled with travel style and just enough warm-weather #menswear to keep me powered up for my return to a cold NYC winter today.

The right casual gear for a casual weekend in Florida. Bring on the sun!

With warm weather on the horizon, I packed up my  Saddleback Leather Rounded Leather Duffel with lightweight gear aplenty, a welcome change from the rugged style essentials I’ve had to break out in the snow around Manhattan and Brooklyn these past few weeks. Unlike my January trip to Philadelphia to see The Killers, it was all about warm weather style, thankfully — so, I layered a Mack Weldon Silver Pique Polo underneath my Life/After/Denim Collegiate Cardigan for a day at the office and a Thursday evening flight to Orlando. As has proven the case with past trips to Florida — including a December Christmas trip — my classic suede chukka boots from Astorflex worked quite well at both the office and the airport. The next time you need comfortable-yet-polished travel shoes, reach for timeless suede chukka boots. Oh, and on the denim front? You’ll hardly find a better pair of classic men’s jeans out there than the perfectly faded Abercrombie & Fitch Langdon Slim Denim, a true four-season staple in my book. And if you tend to wear a ballcap when you travel, as I do, there’s really nowhere the casual, well-designed Huckberry Explorer’s Cap can’t go.

Because I like to stick with classic style staples, I also threw on my Timex x Form-Function-Form Horween Leather Weekender — that’s a watch that’ll take you from the office to the airport in casual travel style, no problem. I also had to bring along one of my favorite books as of late, the stellar and moving “Imagine Me Gone” — it’s an emotional read that’ll definitely stick with me, and I can’t recommend it enough. All of that gear left me more than prepared to enjoy a night in Orlando before heading to Disney World the very next day. Still with me? Good deal.

Friday proved a relaxing day to kick off the weekend, with an evening trip to Hollywood Studios on the docket — tal;k about a heck of a fun day! To get around in laidback style and kick off a warm Florida weekend, my trusty-as-ever Huckberry Explorer’s Cap and James Dean Eyewear Aviators kicked off my ensemble on the right note in terms of accessories, as did the Timex x Form-Function-Form Horween Leather Weekender, a stylish short-sleeve Taylrd Clothing shirt and a durable pair of chambray shorts from Canvas by Lands’ End. The combo kept me cool and stylish, while a pair of sporty Frank and Oak sneakers also helped finish off my outfit quite comfortably. From the fast-paced Tower of Terror to the fun-as-heck Rock n’Rollercoaster, Hollywood Studios has long been a huge favorite of mine! It never gets old — seriously! And when you dress well (or try to dress well), that’s quite the way to start off a weekend — delicious dinner at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano included, too. How could the weekend get better? Well, that’s where a great day Saturday comes into play — at Epcot, no less!

Saturday was a day I’d been looking forward to for quite some time — what’s better than a Saturday at Disney World, after all? Well, attempting to drink your way around the world at Epcot makes it even better, right? A fun day and a fun weekend was made all the better by delicious brews and beautiful weather — even if I couldn’t quite polish off a beer at every stop. In suitably fun and laidback fashion — as seen at the top of the page — I threw on an occasion-friendly vintage “drinks” shirt, featuring recipes of old-school cocktails — it’s a personal favorite when the weather hits the right temperature, to say the least. To stay cool as I hydrated in the heat, my Bridge & Burn Stringer Dune Shorts are a Florida style staple that I always throw on when the thermostat climbs, and Indigo Denim Sneakers from The Hill-side proved more than effective at helping me power through a long day on my feet (just as I wore on my Florida Christmas trip). On my wrist, I had to go with a new-yet-classic standby — the visually interesting Timex x Todd Snyder Blackjack Watch, featuring a neat design and a striking blend of colors, the ideal accessory to go along with a pair of cool Electric California sunglasses. Is there a better way to shield your eyes from the sun while knocking back brews than with a cool set of shades? Hardly. Was the day at Epcot — followed by a delicious Disney dinner in “Mexico” — a smashing success? I’d say it was! That brought the next round of this vacation up — my birthday itself!

Holiday 2017I spent Sunday at one of my favorite places, perhaps the best place (other than Disney or Brooklyn) to spend a birthday — the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I dressed for the day in a casual graphic tee from Banana Republic, plus my mobile Mack Weldon Active Shorts and my trusty brown leather sneakers from Frank and Oak. I topped it off with my Timex x Todd Snyder Blackjack Watch once again, along with my James Dean Eyewear Aviators — I left my Wizarding robes at home (kidding!), but still enjoyed the day. We capped it off with a delicious steak dinner at STK at Disney Springs, a suitably upscale way to close out the day (for dinner, I threw on my United By Blue Wenlock Chambray Shirt, of course).

Complete with some excellent men’s style gifts from my parents and family (including a few premium tees from Todd Snyder — coming soon to Instagram!), I was more than thrilled to spend an amazing birthday with my family in an amazing place. Spots like Disney World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter never get old or any less fun — at least, that’s what I think. Are you heading to Florida soon? How are you dressing for the trip? Let me know in the comments!

Check back tomorrow for a new #OOTD post — thanks for reading!

-Beau