#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.
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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!
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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!

Online Shopping Picks: The Best Gifts to Buy For Mother’s Day This Year

OK, guys — remain calm. If Mother’s Day crept up on you this year — or you just didn’t know what to buy for the occasion, The Style Guide is here to help today. And luckily for all of you shoppers out there, we’ve got not only a little bit of time before Mother’s Day (it’s this weekend!), but also plenty of options in this year’s Mother’s Day gift guide. Read this post, and I guarantee you your gift-giving conundrum will be solved. Just as with buying a Christmas or birthday gift, it pays to dig a little deeper, past the ordinary — simple and beautifully made gifts with character are the way to go, no matter the mom you’re buying for. And we’re making it even easier this year, with categories ranging from fashion to jewelry. So with all of that being said, I won’t waste another minute of your time. Unless, that is, you feel like shopping for yourself and perhaps crossing an item off your spring style wish list … in that case, procrastinate away! In the meantime, good luck finding that perfect Mother’s Day gift — tell me how it goes over on Twitter or via The Style Guide Facebook page.

Greats

Jewelry: Julia Szendrei Horizon Diamond Slice Necklace — $99

Julia Szendrei

A simply stylish, understated addition to Mom’s jewelry collection.

You know what’s the great thing about shopping frequently via Huckberry? You get well-acquainted with the fact that they’ve got a neat, unique and well-curated selection of women’s gifts — including the Julia Szendrei Horizon Diamond Slice Necklace.  It provides just the right amount of visual interest, and certainly looks more unique than other necklaces Mom might have in her jewelry rotation. Simple, understated and classic.

Accessories, Part 1: Sofia Ramsey Silver Coco Bracelets — $16

Made with hand-painted coconut wood and bright metal beads, these would be a unique, thoughtful gift.

Less a statement piece of jewelry and more a thoughtful accessory, these Sofia Ramsey bracelets blend a spring and summer-friendly color with carefully constructed quality and the type of chic looks that the mom — or moms — on your gifting list might appreciate. Perhaps even better than the eclectic style of these bracelets? Supporting two local businesses in the process (one of ’em being my favorite Brooklyn shop, Upstate Stock!). Plus, you can combine this gift with a little more personal touch — thoughtful flowers, a nice candle or a great book. Speaking of books …

The Combination Gift: Elizabeth W. Aromatherapy Candle — $23.98 AND a Great Book [“Days Without End” by Sebastian Barry, $26 on IndieBound.com]

The unbeatable combo of a great book and a nice candle.

What better way to welcome spring and summer than with an intriguing beach read? If you’ve got a book lover on your list, they very well might appreciate “Days Without End,” a richly crafted, fascinating tale of immigration, the old American West and in short, a momentous time in American history. It’s got a lot of buzz behind it, and it’s certainly among the best books for Mother’s Day (I think). It should be a gripping read — and that’s where the relaxing Lavender Aromatherapy Candle comes into play. See, two great gifts and an easy one-two punch.

Clothing: Taylor Stitch Catherine Buttondown — $118

Taylor Stitch Women's Apparel

A simple, well-made buttondown — match with your gift receipient if you wish!

Lest you thought Taylor Stitch only made your favorite clothing, think again. They make a nice selection of finely textured, well-made and understated pieces for the woman who values effortless style. Whoever that might be on your list, a premium shirt like the Taylor Stitch Catherine Buttondown could be a nice complement to something like a day of pampering or her favorite flowers — see, it’s the little things that count. And seeing as Taylor Stitch has thought of all the details possible with its Catherine Shirt, that’s great news as you shop for Mother’s Day.

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Footwear: Nisolo Sofia Slip-on — $188

Nisolo

A clean, well-made slip-on perfect for the mom who loves — I mean, LOVES — shoes.

Just as with Taylor Stitch, Nisolo does far more than make stylish gear for guys (like the Emilio Chukka Boot). Indeed, the Sofia Slip-on is yet another unique, refined and understated pair of footwear to consider buying for the mom who considers herself a fashionista. And regardless of her footwear tastes, a chic pair of leather slip-ons should work reliably well through the warmer months — so while you buy the Nisolo Leon Weekender for yourself, buy the Sofia Slip-on for her, will ya?

Sutro Shoes Inc.

Accessories, Part 2: Bellroy Carry Out Clutch — $168.98

 

Bellroy

For the mom who appreciates refined, essential accessories — here’s the gift to give.

Who doesn’t appreciate a great addition to their everyday carry  — right? While Mom’s daily carry might look a bit different than yours — I’d wager she doesn’t carry around a small pocket knife, for example — there are still additions to be made. And one of those additions should likely be the Bellroy Carry Out Clutch, a subtly stylish clutch that should be easy to slip into a tote bag or carry on its own. Hey, maybe check out some other Bellroy leather goods for yourself? You know, as a reward for your shopping prowess.

And with that … we’ve reached the end of this year’s Mother’s Day gift guide. Was it helpful? Useful? Or was it a complete waste of time and you’re still scrambling to find a gift? In that case … I do apologize. But if you found a simple, timeless and classic gift to give — like the Bellroy Carry Out Clutch or the Sofia Slip-on — that’s what we’re going for! Indeed, it all comes down to playing toward Mom’s tastes and interests; in that case, something more unexpected, yet well-made — like the Taylor Stitch Catherine Buttondown — could be a prime gift to give. Don’t forget small touches, like an engaging book or a nice candle. So, what do you say? Let me know what you’re buying for Mother’s Day this year in the comments below.

Good luck, stay stylish and thank you for reading — as always!

-Beau

The Friday Read: Young the Giant, Star Wars and Cole Haan

Editor’s note: Expect these posts once a week on Fridays — consider this a jumpstart on reading for your weekend downtime. Expect a mix of style and non-style content. For more entries, click here.

Where did the time go since last Friday? It was a beautiful three-day weekend here in NYC, so that certainly contributed to it. And with spring-like temperatures Saturday through Monday, it definitely got me planning ahead — I tried to enjoy the Brooklyn weather (plus delicious coffee and great menswear at Williamsburg’s Upstate Stock) as much as I could, but I couldn’t help but plan for this site’s Spring Style Wish List. Don’t worry — it’s on the way.  In the meantime, hopefully the team of one here at The Style Guide has given you plenty to read. If you didn’t catch this week’s brand profile on the inimitable Todd Snyder, do so now — and maybe pick up a great piece like the Todd Snyder x Champion Pocket Sweatshirt in the process.
Frank & Oak
Know that we’ve also got a new way to wear a cardigan via this week’s #OOTD series, and of course, another entry in the Style Pick of the Week series. As for me, I’m taking a (slight) break from menswear writing for a quick road trip to the famed town of New Haven, home of Yale University and, perhaps more importantly, this weekend’s Young the Giant show at College Street Music Hall! I kid, I kid — Yale is quite the big deal, but I’m excited for the show nonetheless. Of course, I’ll be dressed in travel style, too. It’s definitely been pretty neat to go on East Coast adventures, explore new cities and see great shows in the process — from seeing Local Natives in Providence to catching The Head and the Heart in Baltimore, I’ve been quite lucky to be able to hit the road this past fall and winter! Of course, you can follow along with my travels via Instagram and Twitter. For now, let’s kick of the weekend with some #menswear fun, shall we? Read on and see you for tomorrow’s Style Pick.

Beckett Simonon

  • Speaking of Young the Giant, this next bit of news caused me to yell out loud in excitement at my desk at work this week — Cold War Kids are touring with  Young the Giant later this summer! Who’s pumped? And the tour includes an NYC stop in September — crucial for all of us city slickers. But seriously … how exciting is that??
  • If you’re a Star Wars fan — and a fan of the many planned offshoot movies — then you’re likely aware of this already, and yet … the new, as-yet-untitled Han Solo film started shooting this past week, and that’s reason for fans of the character and the Star Wars universe to get excited. See, we’re about more than just menswear (wink, wink).
  • Esquire tells us all about how the ’90s are back in style — in a big way — and how you can dress like the era without going too far back in time.

Want to really get a jump on your spring style?

With that, we’ll close the curtain on another Friday Read — see you in the front row!

-Beau

New York State of Mind: A birthday weekend in Brooklyn

Editor’s note: Click here to check out my last personal style post.

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Essential birthday weekend gear — and a birthday Bloody Mary, to boot! Maritime Submariner Jacket by Taylor Stitch. Indigo Plaid Oxford and Flannel-Lined Chinos by Abercrombie & Fitch. Sutter Boots by CAT Footwear. Waterbury Chronograph by Timex x Red Wing Heritage. Socks by Anonymous-ism. Glasses by Frameri.

It’s been some time since we stepped away from our  regularly scheduled programming to cover a bit of personal style from your Style Guide author, but this weekend seemed a fitting chance to get out with great new gear.  Namely, it was my birthday on Saturday (thanks for all the love, folks!), and a four-day weekend was in order! Unlike Michael Scott, I didn’t bring in donuts to the office for my own day.  However, I did get the chance to hit up my favorite spots in Brooklyn, spend time with great friends and test out some new #menswear from the likes of JackThreads, Abercrombie & Fitch and more (thanks for the gifts, family!).  And any time I get the chance to get out of the office and enjoy some time off, it’s always much welcomed. So if you didn’t follow along on Instagram … here’s what went down.

Essential Friday style. Munro Leather Biker Jacket by JackThreads. Scarf by S.N.S. Herning. 505C Denim by Levi's. Kimbo Chelsea Boots also by JackThreads. Red Wing Leather Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Glasses by Frameri.

Essential Friday style. Munro Leather Biker Jacket by JackThreads. Scarf by S.N.S. Herning. 505C Denim by Levi’s. Kimbo Chelsea Boots also by JackThreads. Red Wing Leather Watch by Timex x Todd Snyder. Glasses by Frameri.

Perhaps most importantly, it’s the height of menswear trade show season here in New York, so Friday proved a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of standout — yet busy — shows like Capsule and Liberty last week. After spending Thursday hustling around the shows, some quality Brooklyn time was in order. Of course, it’s always great to see what’s new and what’s next in the men’s style world. I definitely enjoyed catching up with Style Guide favorites like the Bridge & Burn team, along with my pals at Rivay, purveyors of stunningly rugged menswear. I’m particularly excited to working on a neat project with the classic prep-Americana clothiers at JACHS NY over the next few weeks, too.

A rock-inspired leather jacket, a classic henley, essential denim & Chelsea boots. Doesn't get more ready for Friday than that, ehh?

A rock-inspired leather jacket, a classic henley, essential denim & Chelsea boots. Doesn’t get more ready for Friday than that, ehh?

But all that action meant a relaxing Friday was pretty crucial. I was lucky enough to test out a unique piece of outerwear for the weekend, the JackThreads Munro Leather Biker, a sleek, classic and affordably priced take on the biker jacket silhouette. If you’ve been looking to switch up your style, I’d recommend you take a look at that jacket. I teamed it with some other rock-ready pieces, like my slim Levi’s 505C Denim — a new classic from a brand with tons of history. The denim proved a stylish and suitably rock-inspired move when matched up with my JackThreads Kimbo Chelsea Boots, too.  Plus, I teamed it with a personal favorite, the rugged Todd Snyder Classic Henley in Indigo, for a day spent around Williamsburg. I’ve written often about how I love the quiet atmosphere and beautifully handcrafted menswear at Upstate Stock, and they make an excellent Campfire Latte, too. In short, it’s a great place to post up, listen to some great music (The National, anyone?) and get some work done. The nearby Greenpoint Beer & Ale also proved the perfect place to grab a pre-birthday pint and some excellent “European comfort cuisine,” as they call it. Seriously, throw on your most rugged gear and belly up to the bar!

New birthday gifts from Abercrombie & Fitch, plus some old favorites from Timex and CAT Footwear. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

New birthday gifts from Abercrombie & Fitch, plus some old favorites from Timex and CAT Footwear. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

With some excellent Greenpoint brews in the books, it was time to kick off Saturday with some top-notch birthday gifts — and a crucial Bloody Mary — at another favorite Brooklyn spot, Fawkner. It’s a great neighborhood spot with a neat, rustic interior — like stepping into a Rudyard Kipling novel (think vintage posters, mounted animals and a neat blue color scheme, plus a plush study-like area in the back).  Of course, kicking the day off with a few gifts — and plenty of wishes from family and friends — was incredible, and made me feel very lucky! It’s not for nothing that those gifts included some stellar menswear. Namely  I was pumped to open an outstanding set of Abercrombie & Fitch Flannel-Lined Chinos and the very wearable, slim and stylish Abercrombie & Fitch Plaid Indigo Oxford Shirt — they both stylishly offset another personal favorite for perfect Saturday style, the Taylor Stitch Maritime Submariner Jacket (yet another birthday gift from the family!). I finished the look off with the durable, well-worn CAT Footwear Sutter Boots and my always-essential Timex x Red Wing Watebury Chronograph. The combination took me from brunch and around Brooklyn for a few brews with college friends at The Well, a cavernous, repurposed warehouse-turned-craft brew haven — what better place to celebrate a birthday in style??

Frank & Oak

Cheering on my Michigan State Spartans in style. Vintage-style sweater by Hillflint. Winter Denim by Abercrombie & Fitch. Field watch by Timex for J. Crew. Watch cap by Everlane. Karnes Captoe Boots by Johnston and Murphy.

Cheering on my Michigan State Spartans in style. Vintage-style sweater by Hillflint. Winter Denim by Abercrombie & Fitch. Field watch by Timex for J. Crew. Watch cap by Everlane. Karnes Captoe Boots by Johnston and Murphy.

With a remarkably fun birthday in the books, it was time to close out the weekend in relaxing — and athletic-inspired — style as I watched my Michigan State Spartans take on archrival Michigan in a much-anticipated home game. That meant reaching for a retro, warm and comfortable Hillflint Tailgate Sweater, a gift Santa left me under the tree this past Christmas in Florida. It’s the perfect way to upgrade your sports-centric style without spending too much. It layered nicely under my tough, weather-ready Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket — seriously, pick up that outerwear if you haven’t already. The rugged combo was stylishly offset by my casual Abercrombie & Fitch denim, featuring brushed cotton for comfort and mobility. Plus, my reliable Johnston and Murphy Karnes Captoe Boots helped me navigate the chilly Brooklyn streets in style. Of course, there’s almost no better locale in Brooklyn — for the excellent beer and the value — at which to take in a game than Keg & Lantern (get the beer-and-wings combo and thank me later). It was the perfect way to end Sunday — topped off with yet another stop by Upstate Stock. I’m telling you, that’s a must-see spot if you love tranquility and menswear wrapped into a serene environment.

It’s weekends like this past one that make me really grateful for a multitude of things — my amazing family and friends chief among them. And the opportunity to live, work and blog in Brooklyn & Manhattan, while taxing at times, is fulfilling, fun and really enjoyable. This past year has brought a lot — professionally and personally — and I’m hopeful the next year will continue to do the same! That goes beyond just this blog, but I really appreciate you reading, thank you to so many for the birthday wishes, and I hope these style tips and musings are helpful! Join us tomorrow for the next entry in our #OOTD series, and follow along on Instagram for real-world style.

Stay stylish!

-Beau