The Friday Read: New SPECTRE Trailer, Italian Fashion and Jake Gyllenhaal

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.

What a week it’s been, to say the least! I kicked things off by attending the excellent Capsule Show, an international fashion and lifestyle brand exhibition  — I snapped a nice photo montage of the best brands I saw here. I also had the chance to attend a preview for a new industrial design project by Apolis launching later this year. The brand is partnering with Chivas Regal to turn excess glassware from the spirits company’s massive factories into sets of glass tumblers – very cool stuff. You can read more about the preview and catch a glimpse of yours truly (hint: navy floral shirt) in the brand’s blog post on the event. And now, I’m heading back to Michigan for the weekend to catch up with college friends. But enough about all that — onto this week’s reading (and watching).

  • We start things off not with an article, but with a video. If you haven’t seen the trailer for the new James Bond film SPECTRE yet, stop what you’re doing and go watch. Suffice to say — it looks stunning.  And the #menswear contained therein looks stunning as well. The classic cream dinner jacket. The chunky turtleneck. And those Tom Ford shades. Wow. While opinions on  Mr. Craig have been divisive sometimes, you’ll find no such talk about that from this writer.
  • On a bit calmer front, Cool Material thinks your phone is missing some apps, and they rounded up the eight best apps you don’t know (or do you?)
  • The New York  Times reports that Italy is planning to use its significant fashion industry clout by investing in the U.S. as a major future fashion market, to the tune of more than $20 million in investments.
  • GQ.com has the scoop on what Jake Gyllenhaal has been wearing to promote his latest movie, Southpaw (hint: the dude likes the air tie a lot).
  • Long Read of the Week: This week’s Friday Read, like last week’s post, eschews the Long Read portion — giving you more time to go back and watch that SPECTRE trailer.

That’s all on the Friday Read front here — but if you insist on reading something else…

Ernest Alexander

Ben Sherman US

The Friday Read: New York Fashion Week: Men’s, J. Crew Mercantile and Rob Gronkowski

Ben Sherman US

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.

First of all — based on that headline, this Friday Read should  be pretty good, eh? And with the arrival of  this post comes the end of a pretty momentous week around these parts (these parts being NYC). The first-ever New York Fashion Week: Men’s rolled right on through, bringing with it some stellar shows and epic street style. I myself had the chance to go to Todd Snyder’s outstanding SS16 collection preview as well as spend time with industry contacts at GQ’s The Gent Lounge. This was, as always, on top of other writing pursuits – definitely no better way to experience parts of fashion week than by doing a little bit of everything! Check out a recap of most of my activities over at my Twitter account, if you’re so inclined. And as always, start your weekend off right with some style reads.

  • As part of its partnership with #NYFWM, East Dane (the #menswear arm of Amazon Fashion) caught up with a few key style influencers ahead of the shows.
  • Near the middle of the week, industry publication Business of Fashion reported that J. Crew is set to launch J. Crew Mercantile, a lower-priced line of shops targeted toward budget-conscious consumers
  • Ever wondered what it’s like to party with notoriously wild Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski? No? Esquire shares an excerpt from what should be an, um, insightful memoir?
  • Long Read of the Week: Bloomberg Businessweek explores the many cultural and media-driven factors that shaped the rise of the modern political campaign logo – including a certain very recognizable letter logo

Still got your eyes peeled for more style reads?

    • Check out five great swimsuits that would be best to hit the water with during this big beach month
    • Read up on a brand you should be pretty familiar with if you check out this site – United By Blue, the latest company I profiled for VOUCH Mag (for a full Q&A) with the company’s founder, head here).

Ernest Alexander

The Friday Read: The Apple Watch, Brunello Cucinelli and Tictail

Ben Sherman US

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.

We’ve reached another Friday and summer’s starting to hit its stride – it’s getting pretty hot and muggy out there, too (by the way, did you catch this post earlier this week covering how to beat the heat?).  I’ve got an exciting weekend planned after a  busy time last weekend — I was fortunate enough to have my parents in town for the 4th, whereby we promptly set out on a Brooklyn beer tour. And my college friend (and extremely talented photographer) Khoa Nguyen is coming to town this weekend — so expect more of the same (plus some photos most likely, if we get around to it!). Now please, crack open a brew yourself (or just grab an iced tea), kick back and check out this week’s Friday Read post.

        • MarketWatch reports and surmises as to the how and why behind a dramatic plummet in sales of the Apple Watch.
        • Esquire Fashion Director Nick Sullivan explains his ultra-stylish wardrobe choice for an ultra-stylish Milan Fashion Week dinner hosted late last month by the ultra-stylish Brunello Cucinelli.
        • And for more on that stylish evening (because why not, while we’re at it?), the New York Times takes a deeper dive into other fashionable choices made by some of the party’s noted industry luminaries.
        • Style Read of the Week: Switching things up from the typical long read that normally populates this last bullet, Get Kempt brings everyone’s attention to Tictail, a site that recently upped its menswear game incrementally.

Still got a hankering for more style content?

  • Read up on the shades you should purchase this summer – the Randolph Engineering Concorde series, as written about by yours truly on GearHungry.
  • Take a gander at an extremely interesting crowdfunded #menswear concept, the Vincero Collective, over at VOUCH Mag – had the good fortune to connect with co-founder Sean Agatep earlier this week on the company.

Ernest Alexander

Florsheim

The Friday Read: Fourth of July, Shake Shack and Paris Fashion Week

Ernest Alexander

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.

With one day left ’til the Fourth of July, have you made it where you’re going for the weekend yet? Know what you’re going to wear? If you still haven’t picked out an outfit, look here. And if you’re just throwing together a bag last-minute — hold your horses, partner, best to pack in style with these tips. It’s a shortened week at my office, but yet another busy one. Thankfully, we’ve got the weekend here — and some stylish reads with which to kick it off. Check out the below picks this week, featuring a double dose of Esquire style content and the best burgers around. And if you do happen  to be in the Hamptons on the East Coast this weekend or anytime before July 11th, be sure to swing by the Steven Alan x GREATS Pop-up Shop at 75 Main Street; the two brands will be offering up a specially-curated selection of GREATS kicks in a truly lux environment. Now, onto this week’s reading picks.

  • As tomorrow is everyone’s favorite patriotic holiday, Thrillist put together its list of the most American … Americans. Yep, you read that right. A fun little list, though.
  • For those watch nerds out there,Esquire examines whether a vintage Patek Phillipe actually inspired the pricey, futuristic-leaning Apple Watch — it seems likely the more you read that piece, although design inspiration certainly comes from many different places.
  • And continuing to roll right through the esteemed publication’s digital offerings, Esquire made note of an important trend throughout Paris Fashion Week — that of slim suits. While silhouettes have run the gamut from baggy to severe across past seasons, that’s still good news for those of us who prefer a trimmer-cut suit.
  • Long Read of the Week: As the “better burger” explosion continues, Fast Company takes a look inside the success — and commitment to detail and quality — that’s made Shake Shack such a fast-growing (and delicious) success.

Shopping for some new summer gear anytime soon?

    • Check out five excellent T-shirts to get you through the hot weeks ahead as part of my latest post for VOUCH Mag.
    • If you’re also in need of some stylish slip-ons, check out a quick-hit spotlight I wrote up for GearHungry on the outstanding GREATS Leather Wooster Slip-on (full TSG review coming in mid-July!)

Ben Sherman US

Florsheim

The Friday Read: Epaulet Sneakers, GAP Closings and the Most Stylish Men Alive

Florsheim

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.

Can you believe it’s almost July? Unbelievable, truly! Have you done any traveling yet this summer? I’ve been in the midst of starting a new job this past month while mixing in a family wedding and a music festival; both have made it a great summer to date. Now, we’re almost on the Fourth of July, and on that note, we’ll have a style suggestion coming up for your reading pleasure next Monday. In the meantime, I suggest you check out my weekly roundup below of only the best pieces fit for weekend reading — and let me know what you’ve been reading yourself on Twitter or via the Contact page!

  • Design and style website Selectism details Epaulet’s stunning new line of made-in-America unfinished leather trainers (sneakers, to us common folk)
  • My buddy Joe over at the always-stylish Dappered reflects on the news earlier this week that GAP will close a quarter of its stores by recapping 10 of the best pieces from the brand in recent years (including one item that also appeared in this site’s Style Pick of the Week series)
  • NBA superstar LeBron James made GQ’s list of the 20 Most Stylish Men Alive and talked to the menswear magazine briefly about his style choices and inspiration (on that note, anyone else have some qualms about that list?
  • Long Read of the Week: In a fascinating set of entries, 10 New Yorkers share their most memorable “dusk to dawn” nighttime memories of the city that never sleeps

Need more of The Style Guide?

  • My latest piece for Effortless Gent, covering five ways to wear slim shorts this summer, was published on Thursday; check it out here!
  • Might I also suggest an earlier Style Guide entry this week detailing stylish men’s dress shoes on a budget?
  • Lastly:  If you’re shopping for some new denim, you might want to give Mott & Bow jeans a whirl after you check out this product review

 

Ernest Alexander

The Friday Read: Father’s Day, Street Style and NYC Real Estate

Ernest Alexander

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.

Can you believe we’re three weeks into June already!? Time truly does fly. I’ve been keeping busy as of late with a trip to Charleston, SC for a family wedding (more on how to dress for your next occasion here) and some writing for VOUCH Mag. I’m also going to be penning some pieces for my good friend Pat Evans’ excellent Michigan-based features and lifestyle site Grand Conversations, so be on the lookout for that work as well. In the meantime, if you feel like reading even more, check out some quick hits for your weekend reading perusal.

  • If by chance you STILL haven’t picked up anything for dear old Dad, Gear Patrol compiled a positively massive Father’s Day gift guide filled with 80 options for all you last-minute gifters out there (this site also did the same, earlier this week).
  • Four-Pins broke down all the street style (some good, some bad) you could ever want to feast your eyes on at London Collections: Men, the start of fashion  ‘month’.
  • A very rich someone is about to pay the ungodly sum of $250 million for a prime piece of real estate (in NYC terms) in the city.
  • Long Read of the Week: Not a Long Read in and of itself (but leading to longer reading…get it?), Esquire delivers a list of 21 books fit for every type of dad out there this Father’s Day.

What’s on your reading list this weekend? Let me know via Twitter!

Florsheim

The Friday Read: Bonobos’ Future, Summer Travel and the Triple Crown

Ben Sherman US

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.

So as I mentioned earlier this week (did you catch the latest post on travel style?), I’m heading down to Charleston, South Carolina for a family wedding — the forecast calls for temps above 90 degrees, so I’ll be doing  my best to stay cool (and dress stylishly, of course). Are your summer travel plans heating up yet? Or are you just looking forward to some much-needed down time this weekend? If that’s the case, get a look at four pieces worth your valuable reading-focused downtime. And before you hit the road, perhaps consider entering this stunning giveaway opportunity from eco-friendly retailer United By Blue — worth more than $1,300 in hardy and stylish travel gear from like-minded brands.

  • Racked put together a positively fascinating and fun piece on my former employer Bonobos (Editor’s note: Full disclosure, I worked there as a PR intern there last summer) and the history — and more importantly, the future — of the disruptive menswear company.
  • A shorter read packed with some stunning photos, Selectism takes you instead a perforated brick house in Vietnam. Unusual and yet filled with some neat shots.
  • As part of its guide to getting through the summer, InsideHook offers 14 items, from accessories to footwear, worth packing for summer travel. (For all the great grooming and travel-related add-ons you might need, head here).
  • Long Read of the Week: Sports and pop culture site Grantland waxes poetic on American Pharaoh winning the Triple Crown last weekend.

That’s all for this week’s reading roundup — need more style content?

  • If you need a stellar timepiece at a stellar price, I penned a piece on VOUCH Mag covering a quick-moving Kickstarter campaign from Alberta Watches.
  • Catch up with Clay Chambers of the terrific  men’s lifestyle website Brothers and Craft as part of an ongoing Style Q&A series here on The Style Guide.

Ernest Alexander

Florsheim

The Friday Read: Mr. Porter Summer Sale, Governors Ball and Band-Collar Shirts

Ben Sherman US

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.

The first full week in June (always pleasing when a month starts on a Monday, right?) is in the books — pretty wild, yes!? My weekend plans include a little swing by Governors Ball on Sunday — really hoping the forecasted rain holds off! Have you laid out your weekend plans yet? If it includes in any online shopping, head here for some recent entries from menswear’s digital realm. And if it includes some light reading, check out what’s on tap below.

  • The ever-vigilant and always solid crew at Dappered waded through the #menswear madness that is the 2015 Mr. Porter Summer Sale and rounded up a list of affordable, heritage-focused picks.
  • Speaking of expensive menswear pieces, Brad Bennett of Well-Spent offers his picks for what he’d rather buy this month with rent money.
  • The Wall Street Journal takes an anecdotal approach as to why the band-collar shirt is this summer’s must-have style pick-up for stylish dudes.
  • Long Read of the Week: Stepping outside the realm of men’s style and fashion (for once), writer Adam Weymouth of Narratively takes us inside his life living afloat (literally) on the waterways of London.

Chomping at the bit for more menswear musings?

Ernest Alexander

The Watchery

The Friday Read: Summer Shirts, NBA Fashion and FIFA Corruption

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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.

We’re coming to the end of a four-day week that’s felt a lot longer than that (starting a new gig will do that to you — check out the About page for more on my transition!). But the holiday weekend was definitely a nice one, and hopefully things are going smoothly as you kick off summer. (Got your travel accessories covered, by the way?). Check out a selection of mostly style-related reading picks for your weekend going forward below.

  • The ever-stylish team at GQ tackles everything you need to know about rocking a short-sleeve shirt for the summer.
  • Know a college or high school graduate? Or a dad? A dad-graduate? Joe at Dappered dishes out his picks for twelve watches worthy of such a momentous occasion.
  • AskMen hands out its awards for the postseason’s best-dressed with the NBA playoffs in full swing
  • Long(ish) Read of the Week: The New York Times examines the somewhat underexamined side of the FIFA corruption scandal  — the reactions of the event’s many sponsors to the whirlwind of controversy surrounding soccer’s international governing body.

Got a hankering for more style content?

  • Our esteemed guest contributor Madhav Sekar of Wardrobe Domination offered up his pick earlier this week for the best  men’s sneakers to own right now.
  • I had the chance to take a pair of Taylor Stitch chinos for a spin — even wrote about it for GearHungry (Editor’s note: A full review with original photo content is planned for this blog next month; be on the lookout!).

 

Ernest Alexander

The Watchery

The Friday Read: Memorial Day, Summer Polos and Dark Denim

So how’s your week been? It’s another week that’s gone by fast here at The Style Guide HQ (need to think up a better name for this place, I think?). With Memorial Day on the way, here’s wishing everyone safe travels, whether you’re trekking across the country or just up the road. Wondering what to wear? Look here. Wondering what to pack? Got you covered there as well. Wondering what to read? As you hit the road, look no further than right here in this very post for some prime reading material. Without further ado…

That’s it for this week’s reading roundup — hungry for more style writing?

The Watchery

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