Tag / tretorn nylite sneakers

by Beau H.

Hitting the Beach: A Memorial Day Weekend in Florida

Equal parts preppy, classic and laidback. Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt by Criquet Shirts. Surf n’ Turf Hybrid Shorts by Volcom. Leadbelly Sunglasses by Electric. Bransen Dive Watch by CHAPS. Shot on an iPhone 7 Plus.

As the week dawned rainy and a bit chilly in NYC,  my mind turned immediately toward sunny Florida –I knew I needed a vacation. And that’s just what I got, as I spent these past few days celebrating Memorial Day weekend in style. I always relish the chance to hop a quick flight south to my parents’ adopted home of Fort Myers, that much is true.  Close to pristine beaches and blue water, near to a great craft beer brewery or two, and surrounded by great times, close friends and family and a hearty helping of gourmet home cooking — it’s always a treat! Of course, if you follow me on Instagram, you’re familiar with my visits. And if not? Settle in for a few tips on men’s travel style from my trip. I last trekked down to Florida with my favorite #menswear during a Style Guide spring break visit this past March, and that came not long after I celebrated Christmas in style in Fort Myers. That being said, it never gets old ditching rugged spring outerwear for a bit of much-needed sun! And as always, this trip put my packing mettle to the test.

From NYC to Fort Myers, menswear in tow. Trucker Jacket by Levi’s. Striped Pocket Tee and Cropped Stretch Cotton Chinos by JACHS NY. SYD Leather Watch by Nautica. Havana Sunglasses by Component. Nylite Sneakers by Abercrombie & Fitch x Tretorn. Brass bottle opener and Flight Brief by Owen and Fred. Fillmore Headphones by LSTN Sound Co. Explorer’s Cap by Huckberry.

My last major trip took me to Pittsburgh to see Local Natives — needless to say, conditions were a little bit different (in a great way!), as I hopped a quick flight to Fort Myers. To take on a breezy NYC day and travel thereafter, my Levi’s Trucker Jacket in a seasonally friendly light wash was an easy-to-wear outer layer — and it was just as easy to cram into my trusty Owen and Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender when getting off the plane in Fort Myers. Thanks to my casual office dress code, I was able to sneak in two great pieces from my pals at JACHS NY — the breathable, comfortable Striped Pocket Tee and sharp Red Cropped Stretch Cotton Chinos, featuring a single pleat for modern style. Be on the lookout for similarly easygoing pieces for your next jaunt to a warm-weather locale — and perhaps bring along your own pair of the Abercrombie & Fitch x Tretorn Nylite Sneakers, as I did. When teamed up with my rugged-yet-crisp Nautica SYD Leather Date Watch and my reliable Huckberry Explorer’s Cap, the combo worked for the plane ride … and then grabbing a Corona shortly after arrival.

Beach essentials for a sunny Florida day. T-shirt by Flint and Tinder. 311 Boardshorts by Birdwell Beach Britches for Todd Snyder. Calypso Watch by MVMT Watches. Legend Sneakers by SeaVees. Sunglasses by Component. Pomade by Fatboy Hair.

As it so turns out, Friday was a bright, beautiful and sunny day in Florida — the absolute perfect day to hit the beach and kick off a mini-vacation. No matter where your travels take you, you should start the day with men’s grooming essentials — as it were, I styled my ‘do for the day with the clean and sharp Sea Salt Pomade from Brooklyn’s own Fatboy Hair. And on the apparel front: Simple style always starts with the basics — like a stylish Flint and Tinder T-shirt, made in America with marled fabric. It was a classic complement to my new favorite pair of swim trunks, the beach-ready 311 Boardshorts from the excellent Birdwell Beach Britches for Todd Snyder collaboration.

Oxfords under $50 CAD_120x90

Stylish beach gear (Corona not included) from the Birdwell Beach Britches for Todd Snyder collaboration and my new Component sunglasses. Shot on an iPhone 7 Plus.

And it wouldn’t be a day of exploration without my Legend Sneakers from the fine folks at SeaVees — effortless style finely accented by the durable, handsome and functional MVMT Watches Calypso Watch.  And for kicking back on the beach, I needed a few more items. Step one: Enter the stylish headphones via the Vibes Box from Bespoke Post. Step two: Enter my wearable and sharp Component sunglasses . The next time you head to the beach, don’t leave behind your stylish beach gear. And with a day of beach-going and pool relaxation in the books, it was time for a classic Hayhoe family cookout. I’d tell you all about my dad’s ribs, but that recipe is a secret!

Functional picks that mix the preppy — my Criquet Shirts Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt — with the utilitarian (my Volcom Surf n’ Turf Hybrid Shorts). Reazer Drive Loafers by Clarks. Leadbelly Sunglasses by Electric. Bransen Diver by CHAPS.

Of course, no trip to Florida would be complete without a Saturday trip to Fort Myers Beach — teamed with seasonal style that fit right in, of coruse. In this instance, that meant my new Volcom Surf n’ Turf Hybrid Shorts were a comfortable, transitional style move — able to move seamlessly from water to land thanks to quick-drying technology. The tailored fit also nicely complemented my slim, tailored and classic Criquet Shirts Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt in a crisp shade of white. You might recognize the Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt from a recent Style Pick of the Week entry — I can vouch that it performed admirably in the heat as I soaked up the sun and sipped a few Coronas.
Sutro Shoes Inc.
And the next time you want to inject a bit of continental style into a polo-and-shorts combo, take the Clarks Reazor Drive Loafer in a bright shade of Blue Nubuck — mine proved quite comfortable and very easy to slip on and off. And when matched up with stylish accessories (specifically, the Electric Leadbelly Sunglasses and the well-priced CHAPS Bransen Diver, courtesy of the brand), I was more than set for a full day of exploration in the Florida sun. A dive watch and versatile shades will work anywhere you travel this summer — especially Florida.

Greats

Gear that doesn’t compromise style in the heat. Wenlock Chambray Shirt by United by Blue. Linen trousers by Bridge and Burn. Penny loafers by Sebago. SYD Leather Watch by Nautica. Brass bottle opener by Owen and Fred. Sunglasses by Component. Pencil by Delfonics.

It should come as no surprise that a day of rest and relaxation — along with another backyard BBQ — was in order on Sunday following two busy days in the sun. I still took on the heat in style though, starting with my slim-fitting and uniquely designed United By Blue Wenlock Chambray Shirt. You might recognize this United By Blue summer essential from my Style Pick of the Week series — with a tailored fit, soft fabric and a cool pattern, the Wenlock Chambray Shirt proved a Florida winner. Particularly when matched up with my cotton-linen blend Bridge and Burn Roark Olive Trousers, I stayed quite cool in the sun. Getting around was also made easier thanks once again to my Component sunglasses, mixing vintage inspiration and a modern edge. I was pleased once again with the tough functionality of my Nautica SYD Leather Date Watch, and I injected a bit of dressy detailing into the ensemble with the Sebago Legacy Penny Loafers in a head-turning shade of red leather. Look for similar day-to-night, transitional pieces the next time you’re searching for a full-day, warm-weather outfit.

Plenty of #menswear to pack into my Owen and Fred Voyager Waxed Weekender, from my Criquet Shirts Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt to my Ministry of Supply Going Places Shorts. Waterbury Chronograph by Timex. Sneakers by Gola. Leadbelly Sunglasses by Electric. Steno Book by Field Notes Brand.

Monday so far promises a full day of Florida relaxation — and a crucial day off work — before heading back to NYC. I brought more on-point gear to fight off the heat, starting with another Criquet Shirts Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt — the organic cotton  of the Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt is breathable and comfortable. My Ministry of Supply Going Places Shorts also do a fine job at wicking sweat in a tailored silhouette. And my Gola Classics Comet Plimsoll Trainers add a dash of sporty style to this classic look. Of course, my durable and rugged Timex Waterbury Chronograph (in a cool matte black) has so far paired up nicely with my Electric Leadbelly Sunglasses for one last day in the Florida sun.

Looking back on this weekend, it absolutely brought with it everything I had hoped for — relaxing beach time, some much-needed sand and sun (as always), and plenty of meaningful time with family. In the hustle and bustle of New York City (and in the hustle and bustle of planning for these trips!), life can sometimes fly by very quickly, and yet … this weekend was simply the ideal way to kick off summer. I hope you experienced much of the same on your end this weekend. Know that there’s plenty more travel and plenty more menswear to come on The Style Guide, including a look tomorrow at what to wear to a music festival.

Thanks, as always, for reading!

-Beau

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Abercrombie & Fitch x Tretorn, Oars + Alps and LCD Soundsystem

Is it tough to believe we’re kicking off another edition of The Friday Read here at The Style Guide? If your answer is “Yes,” then we’re in the same boat. We’ve had a lot going on here in Brooklyn, from exploring the borough in style to getting you prepped to dress for your next Sunday brunch (we really do love our brunch here, tell ya what), plus busy times at my day job in fashion PR. It’s all fun and games though, and the fun is set to continue this weekend — I’ll be dressed in spring road trip style to head to Indiana to visit my best friend from college, Mr. Stephen Brook. Check out his work covering Notre Dame football and area sports, if you’re a fan of the Fighting Irish. And if you want to keep up with all the action, follow yours truly on Instagram or check in with The Style Guide on Facebook. Know that in other #menswear matters, I just finished a rather extensive — and I mean, extensive — feature for GearMoose covering the best men’s backpacks; keep your eyes peeled for that one.  For now though, let’s start the weekend nice and early with a few choice men’s style (and music!) reads. Enjoy!

  • Upgrade your grooming game in a big way with Oars + Alps and the brand’s handy, easy-to-use and nearly essential Athlete’s Grooming Kit. I’ve had the chance to test it out over these past few weeks, and I’ve been quite pleased with the results — check out my recent feature on the Oars + Alps Athlete’s Grooming Kit for yourself!
  • We love talking all about spring style essentials here at The Style Guide — and when it comes to your new favorite sneakers for spring and summer, Abercrombie and Fitch x Tretorn might just take the cake. It was excellent to learn about the new collaboration’s updated take on the classic Tretorn Nylite Sneakers for The Manual, and I’d urge you to pick up a pair while they’re around.
  • If you haven’t gotten around to listening to two (two!) new LCD Soundsystem songs, please take this chance to do so. The eclectic NYC indie rockers helped define a new era in the resurgent NYC rock scene thoughout the 2000s, and they’ve returned to the fold with festival appearances in recent years, plus an April residency at new venue Brooklyn Steel to boot! So, it’s nice that new music is here — with more to come, if our luck holds up!

One last thing before you go:

  • In need of a new favorite everyday carry piece? Namely, an essential and slim wallet? The TGT Army All Over Deluxe Wallet could be just the wallet to buy for you — and it’s with that durability and versatility in mind that I wrote about it for GearMoose. Enjoy, and let me know in the comments if you end up picking it up!

We’re all finished up for this week, folks. Time for the weekend! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Style Pick of the Week, and check back on Monday for more #menswear.

by Beau H.

#OOTD: What to Wear with Your Favorite Classic Sneakers

OK, so you’ve got a new pair of classic sneakers — wondering what to wear ’em with? That’s what today’s #OOTD is all about, and I think you’ll like the results. Much like wearing a classic henley or upgrading your casual shirt, the difference comes in the pieces you accessorize with alongside your sneakers; in this instance, that means a slim Criquet polo and classic Flint and Tinder chinos are the way to go.  Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without those classic, affordably priced and great-looking summer sneakers. So, the brand-new Abercrombie & Fitch x Tretorn collaboration — celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Tretorn Nylite Sneaker and the 125th anniversary of A&F — are the way to go. They’re sleek, they’re simple and they’re easy to buy right now — let’s show ya how to wear ’em, yes? For more daily #menswear inspiration, follow yours truly on Instagram.

Clean sneakers that are easy to wear with other essentials.

The Sneakers: Abercrombie & Fitch x Tretorn Nylite Sneakers, $70 — Designed in-house by Abercrombie & Fitch, this collaboration updates the classic Tretorn Nylite silhouette with a garment-dyed upper, easily wearable all summer long.

The Polo: Criquet Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt, $79  — Featuring the crisp collar and excellent fabric for which Criquet is known, the Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt is a great upgrade to your summer polo game.

Sutro Footwear

The Pants: Flint and Tinder 365 Pant in Light Khaki, $98 — The good folks of Flint and Tinder & Huckberry excel at making excellent gear for every season and nearly every occasion — the 365 Pant in Light Khaki is a prime example of that approach.

The Socks: Darn Tough No Show Ultra-Light Cushion Socks, $29.98 — When you slip on classic, high-quality sneakers, you need nice no-show socks to protect both your feet and the sneakers themselves. That’s where the Darn Tough no-show socks come into play.

The Belt: La Matera Corbina Belt, $145 — When is it worth it to spend $145 on a belt? When said belt is made by La Matera and adds a welcome shot of color and pattern into an outfit.

The Accessory: Tres Cuervos Flint Leather Bracelet (Available via Upstate Stock), $40 — Want to add some visual interest to your look? Reach for a well-made leather bracelet from the excellent menswear purveyors at Upstate Stock.
Oxfords under $50 CAD_728x90
The Watch: Orient USA Ray II Watch, $229.98 — In classic “McQueen” fashion, we’re pairing stellar sneakers with chinos, a polo and  a tough dive watch. In this instance, the Orient USA Ray II Watch is a stellar pick.
The Sunglasses: Raen Optics Wiley Sunglasses, $135 — Leave it to Huckberry to stock and sell an excellent mix of classic accessories — such as the handsome-looking Raen Optics Wiley Sunglasses. Done deal!
NORDSTROM.com
It’s a testament to the fun of changing seasons that it can be enjoyable to get dressed in the spring and summer without piling on a bunch of layers. And there might not be anything better than grabbing a classic pair of sneakers such as the  Abercrombie & Fitch x Tretorn pair seen here. When paired up with versatile essentials like the  Slim-Fit Player’s Shirt from Criquet, you’ve got a winning combination. And slim trousers like the 365 Pant in Light Khaki help get the job done, too. Lest we forget accessories, I’m confident you’ll be pleased with a neat-looking leather bracelet from Upstate Stock, plus the Raen Optics Wiley Sunglasses (a classic silhouette) and the tough Orient USA Ray II Watch. OK, folks — that’s all we’ve got today. Enjoy and stay stylish!

by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Men’s High-Top Sneakers for Fall

Editor’s note: Click this link for more essential menswear shopping picks.
Seasonal style transitions can be awfully fun, right? There’s something exciting (at least for your Style Guide author) about stowing away certain #menswear pieces — like lightweight summer shorts or a short-sleeve chambray shirt — for more durable, rugged and hard-wearing items. However, there are still four-season pieces that you can make work in chiller temps — like the ever-crucial, ever-stylish, ever-so-retro high-top sneaker. Just like with a tough pair of chukka boots, the higher cut of a … high-top sneaker (get it?) lends itself to a look and feel that fits right in with fall. The right pair of high-top sneakers can be worn just as you would wear fall boots — so, think selvedge denim and henleys galore (plus, a classic crewneck sweater wouldn’t go amiss). It can be fun to keep high-tops in your footwear rotation before switching over to hard-wearing winter boots, too. And if you live in a warmer climate? High-top sneakers are still something you should have you in your rotation. Are you with me on that? I sure hope so, because what follows is — dare I say it — a rundown of the best high-top sneakers for fall. Chime in with more suggestions on Facebook, and get high-top sneaker styling tips from time to time on Instagram.
A much-needed way to ease the transition from summer to fall -- a great-looking chukka sneaker.

A much-needed way to ease the transition from summer to fall — a great-looking chukka sneaker.

If you needed another reminder that fall is perhaps the best time for menswear fans, look no further than these sneakers. A comfortable gum rubber outsole blends seamlessly with durable duck canvas and a classic SeaVees chukka silhouette for an immensely wearable fall sneaker. It’s the ideal blend of business-casual and well, regular casual in a sneaker — pair ’em with a fall blazer and a merino long-sleeve tee for high-low office style, or rock them with a tough chore coat for weekend explorations. Plus, the price ain’t half-bad either.
A very durable, stylish take on the high-top from an excellent collaboration.

A very durable, stylish take on the high-top from an excellent collaboration.

Who better to take on the classic high-top sneaker than a designer who constantly supplies great takes on heritage menswear? The latest iteration in the Todd Snyder and P.F. Flyers collaboration is a heck of a sneaker to buy now, wear now and keep in your rotation as long as you can. Featuring P.F. Flyers’ trademark approach to comfort and a durable 14oz. military-spec canvas upper, they’re easily wearable with everything from grey chinos and a twill shirt to dark blue denim — add a blazer or denim jacket as you please.
A touch of sports-inspired style mixed with premium materials -- you can't beat that combo for the price.

A touch of sports-inspired style mixed with premium materials — you can’t beat that combo for the price.

Brooklyn’s own GREATS has long been a Style Guide favorite for their premium approach to footwear that’s equally inspired by sports and tailored style. The GREATS Royale Court blends a bit of both, with full-grain leather in a stylish Graphite color atop a Margom rubber outsole. The result is a durable sneaker in a surprisingly sleek silhouette –they’re fit for wearing with a classic blue Oxford and dark denim, or an elbow-patch cardigan and slim tan chinos through the chillier months. And you might not get a better price for the quality, either.
 
#4. SeaVees Maslon Desert Boots — $108 (Available via East Dane)
A unique color for fall, with plenty of wearability in other seasons, too.

A unique color for fall, with plenty of wearability in other seasons, too.

Just as with the SeaVees Huckberry Chukka, this brand is one that can do more than just classic warm-weather kicks like the SeaVees Legend Sneaker. In this instance, the Maslon Desert Boot merges the brand’s laidback California cool with classic fall styling potential thanks to the higher chukka cut. The rich Army Green suede plays nicely off the contrasting leather heel cap, resulting in a sneaker that could team with everything from slim dark denim to navy chinos.  When cared for properly, you’re also looking at sneakers that could be worn through spring and summer with breezy linen chinos. Again, if price is a factor, these sneakers are also a great steal in that regard.

#5. Tretorn Leather Nylite Hi 2 Sneakers — $100 (Available via East Dane)

Super-crisp black sneakers for all sorts of style situations.

Super-crisp black sneakers for all sorts of style situations.

Tretorn is another brand that might turn some heads when it comes to fall sneakers — after all, they’re perhaps most well-known for classic styles like the Tretorn Nylite Canvas. However, the Tretorn Nylite Hi 2 is every bit as ready for fall as any of the other picks on this list, with a  sleek black color and an even sleeker silhouette to boot. A terrycloth sock liner should add to the extreme comfort of these sneakers, which you could seamlessly team up with black denim and a chambray shirt to wear to your next rock concert — or to the office with garment-dyed chinos and a slim crewneck sweater.

Buck Mason - Timeless Design. Made in America.

In the way of high-top sneakers, as long as you emphasize affordability, durability and style, you should be well-set for the season ahead. When paired up with similar cold-weather style staples — particularly items from your Fall Style Wish List — sneakers are every bit as versatile as your favorite pair of fall boots. And given that plenty of designers are emphasizing tough materials like canvas in their uppers, plus thick rubber outsoles, the right pair of high-top sneakers should last you through this season and into next spring … and summer … and fall. Whether you reach for a pair from a more established designer like Mr. Snyder, or a classic warm-weather brand like SeaVees, you should be set for any #menswear situation you can think of. Got questions or additions to this list? Drop a note in the comments, or catch up with yours truly via Twitter.
Until we meet again — stay stylish,
-Beau