What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. It’s still too cold in some areas for shorts, but that time is a comin’. And that’s when the BBQs get pulled out, and friends get together for no reason other than to eat outside and enjoy the sun’s reappearance. But those things are usually casual affairs. Doesn’t mean you have to show up in cut offs & flip flops. Here’s our suggestion for a slightly sharpened up casual look that should work for grilling, Frisbee, or whatever else the lazy Saturday/Sunday afternoon brings.
The Polo: Banana Republic Luxe-Touch Contrast Trim – $29.70 w/ BRBIRDIE ($49.50). It’s that contrast trim that really gives it the retro vibe. Almost a Mad Men quality there. Super smooth luxe-touch cotton is much sharper looking than a squishy pique or a dressed down jersey polo. Pocket gives you a place for your sunglasses when you head inside. Always on sale.
The Sunglasses: A.O. Original Pilot 55mm Black Frame with Bayonet Temples – $48.59
The Watch: Seiko 5 SNK809 – $49.50
The Haircut: Shorter. Anyone else looking forward to their annual shorter-than-normal cut?
The Shoes: Converse Jack Purcell Canvas Sneakers – $54.95
The Beer: A lighter ABV IPA like Lagunitas Daytime (4.65%). The proliferation of craft beer in the U.S. sparked something of an arms race in terms of Alcohol Content. But it’s no fun being sleepy drunk at 3:30 in the afternoon (well, some of you may disagree). Look for offerings from craft breweries under 5%, but still have been reviewed to have a good amount of taste. Laguinats delivers with “Daytime“, so does Payette’s “Rodeo Rye“, and “Bitter American” from 21st Amendment brewing is another terrific pick. Puts plenty of standard light American Lagers and Pilsners to absolute shame.
The Shorts: Merona Men’s Chino Shorts in Green – $9.00 ($17). Some color without getting outrageous. Wear a white polo or light colored shorts and you’re guaranteed to spill something on them within 10.25 seconds of entering the party. You still might spill, but that stain will blend in better with these.
The Belt: Wheelman & Co. Thomas belt in navy – $29.00. Nice thing about web belts compared to leather belts is that you don’t feel compelled to match leathers with your watch band. In this case, they’re both textile materials, but the colors don’t match. Doesn’t matter.
Happy burger flipping/tri-tip roasting/beer brat grilling/etc… Don’t forget to keep the coals going for s’mores.
Absolutely. Just not a plimsoll guy myself. By “used to be” what do you mean? I haven’t tried a pair on in a couple years, although I used to swear by em’ before I got a pair of Keds Royal Lo in suede. Have they really changed that much?
I’ll toss in a recommendation for Stone’s Go To IPA. I think it’s ABV is around 4.5% and it tastes great.
There has been some discussion about the changes over on the Threads recently: http://threads.dappered.com/showthread.php/13776-Jack-Purcells-Old-versus-new
There is a link to an interesting comparison of the old vs. new (leather) model posted by someone over on Reddit.
I have an old pair in canvas and love ’em.
Controversy! I honestly had no idea about this, but yes, on closer inspection they do look less like the pairs I was used to picking up (with a greater indent to the “smile” etc…)
When they came out with the low profile option, and then the worn in option (was J. Crew selling those?) I sorta switched to PF Flyers and Keds, because I could keep all the models straight. Crazy.
the shorts are a gem. btw does anyone else find BR polos not that well fitting?
I’ve found that in some models you have to size down if you’re inbetween. But I’ve made the switch for myself, personally, to UNIQLO as of late. Not the MB collaboration, just their reg. button-down collar polos. Figured you guys were tired of seeing those.
Or the Adidas Rod Laver. I think that’s a great summer sneaker.
Its true that Jack Purcells are not as good as they were several years ago but the outrage in the forums was way overblown. I’ve had many pairs of the older version and several of the newer. JPs are still far superior to the majority of canvas sneakers.
Founders All Day IPA would be another good beer choice. Also, Victory Prima Pils, while it comes in just over 5% (5.3 according to the brewer) is delicious and summer-friendly.
Funny that you mention the shorter haircut. I have been tossing around the idea of getting my hair cut short for a while and I finally made my appointment with the barber. Any suggestions on classic styles?
Whats with the sudden dislike of the MB collab polos? I’m a big fan.
BR polos do not fit me well – have a few non MB arriving today… (white polo w/button down collar)
Buzzcut, #2
or
Buzz #2 on the sides with slightly longer styling on top
I just don’t like the styles on this run, for me personally. Never said anything more than that.
What size do you wear in the Uniqlo button-down polo?
I’m a medium in most off the rack casual stuff, and I’m a medium in those button down polos. Measurements here: http://dappered.com/2011/07/joes-measurements/
Second the suggestion to size down.
Love those BR contrast trim polos – definite retro feel to them. If it were me, I’d go with light khaki for the shorts instead of green.
Any suggestions for a comparable shoe for someone who would normally wear 10.5 EEE?
Those beers are both good. Also, personal new summer favorite – Harpoon’s new summer beer is called “The Squeeze”, and is phenomenal. It’s a 4% grapefruit shandy, so it’s not “beer”, but it’s a damn good change of pace.
If you are looking for a cheap pair of canvas sneakers, look at WalMart, I picked up a pair last week and tossed in some leather laces to replace the plain white ones they had. Looks pretty sharp. I don’t typically wear sneaks so if they don’t last through too many wears, I won’t be heartbroken.
I get a classic side part with a 0-3 fade on the sides, blend the top to match. Think Don Draper but not as much product and a slight bit longer.
^ this. WM’s faux Chuck’s and Vans are a great steal. They will last a while too, and once they start to wear out, they become great yardwork shoes
I’m still pissed they don’t make them in the USA anymore. Yes, I know that was like 15 years ago.
I don’t think I could bring myself to do it. When I was a kid, I wore Chucks all the time, partly because they were made in the USA. Wearing Wal-Mart knock-offs – likely made in the sweatiest of sweatshops – would just be too ironic.
What are the lenses on the AO’s like? I like my BR Corbin’s, but ever since trying my wife’s RayBans its like going back to normal TV after trying HD. I didn’t think it would make a difference that I’d really appreciate but it does.
Andrew on Primer has featured those a couple times on his blog.
+ 1 for the PF Flyers. I have two pairs of low top Bob Cousy’s (natural and navy) and the black-on-black center hi. Have had them for a couple years and, in my opinion, are more comfortable, stylish, and durable than either Chucks or Jacks by Converse.
Huge fan of Prima, here
AO’s military neutral gray lenses are excellent. Not the same color vision as Ray-Ban’s G-85s, but not inferior either. Just a little more gray-bluish.
BTW, for those who wear prescription sunglasses, the AO aviator frame is a super-affordable bargain deal. Just have your optician (I like 39dollarglasses.com) throw away the plain lenses.
Older AO aviator frames, if you can find them, are gold-filled (not gold-plated or goldtoned). It’ll be stamped on the temples if that’s the case.
Chucks are made overseas now
Tried to give you some suggestions, but the Mod deleted it. Oh well.
I know. Haven’t bought a pair since. I’ve still got an off-white pair of USA made Chucks at my parents’ house. Wonder what they fetch on Ebay . . .
probably more than you think. Some folks have been adamant about boycotting the Nike-owned Chucks.
Joe, how about an “Easter dinner with the in laws” style scenario? Not that I bring this up for any reason . . .
My go-to canvas sneakers are Tretorn Nylites. They are retro and very comfortable.
I got a pair of the new Converse Jack Purcells back in March and they are really good. You can get them for around $30-40 at Converse outlets too. My go to sneaker now.
Just got the the short summer haircut today – my hairdresser was feeling adventurous!
I am wearing an undercut with a lot less at the sides now. Not quite Olivier Giroud but as short as his on the sides although I wouldn’t call that classic.
That is precisely where I got the idea, except my WM didn’t have plain white when I went so I got navy.
Do you find the Uniqlo polos to be a bit large around the waist? I am almost the exact measurements as you, and was debating between buying a small and a medium. The measurements for the medium though make me wonder if they won’t be a little boxy in the body.
the problem is medium fits very loose, small fits well, but too well, almost like the high-tech moisture-wicking shirts worn by baseball players under their jerseys, not to mention nipples showing so badly.
Agreed. A signup-wall goes great with a bbq.
http://i.imgur.com/fCKITy8.png
Note for anyone who hasn’t had a Shandy style ‘beer’ before – DO NOT GO IN EXPECTING A BEER. A Shandy essentially part beer, part fruit juice or fruit punch. Most are very sweet and syrupy (and a lot of them play around with very weird flavors). If that’s your thing, rock on. If you’re a beer drinker and you’re not looking for something sweet, you won’t make it more than 2 sips into a Shandy before you dump it or pawn it off on someone else. I’ve seen too many people make the mistake of thinking “I like an orange slice in my Blue Moon, so I bet I’ll like a Shandy!” – that logic doesn’t hold; they’re completely different animals. I’ve tried a number of different types and I still haven’t found one I can stomach.
I’m going to hazard a guess that Lagunitas is probably a more widely available brand. I say that because I’m in a kinda small rural area and I can get a couple types of Lagunitas, but I don’t recall ever seeing Founders or Victory.
Picked up those exact Merona shorts last week, and received a pair of navy Jack Purcells for my birthday over the weekend. It’s like we’ve got ESPN, Joe..
I’m with you. IMO, the MB stuff is preeeetty out there. I’d much rather something more subdued.
Joe
I’m a bit concerned by the description of those shades on Amazon.
“This pair has Black frames and 52mm lenses. Larger 57mm lenses are also available, as are gold or silver frames.
Think it’s just a typo?
Dead on. Made that exact mistake last weekend. Had the Harpoon Shandy and did not like it at all. On the other hand, I had Harpoon’s Raspberry UFO and really enjoyed it.
Yep, and unfortunately more and more places release a shandy each year. It’s annoying because inevitably someone who has never had a shandy winds up buying them for a get-together. If people happen to be at my place, I end up with a bunch of leftover shandy because everyone drinks anything but the shandy. I imagine you’ve probably tried it already, but Harpoon’s regular UFO is great too!
Could be the part of the country you live in. Founders is a MI brewery but they distribute to parts of the East coast (I live in the DC area and they’re here). Victory is in the Philadelphia area so they can be found on the east coast and I’ve seen them as far west as Michigan but don’t know whether they distribute nationally.
What about polarized vs. non-polarized on the AO’s. Any experience or thoughts there?
Yeah I am not a fan of shandies at all. In fact, I don’t really like fruit beers more than the citrus of wheats and hefeweizens. They have radler in Germany, which is just beer and lemonade mixed together, pretty gross.
I like the shorts, but I actually went with the pair in the lighter, mint green.
Johnny Collar + pasty white flesh + dark chest hair = kinda nasty. I just can’t do it. And the patterns this year ain’t my thing. But, that’s just my personal taste.
They’re not super tapered, but they don’t seem to billow. Measured 32 inch waist (not vanity sizing) measurement here.
I haven’t had those problems Li.
“The 55-mm frame with bayonet temples is perfect for smaller faces”
What the feck is going on here? 52? 57? MAKE UP YER MIND AMAZON. (I, don’t know which it is)
I know exactly what you mean about the leftover shandys. My buddy’s girlfriend bought a case of them on vacation last summer. By the end of the trip all the beer was gone except a cooler full of shandys.
UFO and UFO White are they are two of my favorites. Harpoon’s summer beer is really good too. Harpoon is a local brewery so I end going there quit often. Nothing beats a growler of fresh beer straight from the brewery.
Gonna throw in a hat tip for the Founders’ “All Day” IPA. Perfect for lunchtime drinking.
Agreeing with Mark, (and sorry for the following obvious comment) depending on where you’re purchasing as well, some stores carry a wider variety of microbrews from smaller companies where others solely carry large brands. I’m sure you’ve probably tried a few microbrew brands I’ve never heard of. I see Victory, Founders, and Lagunitas at the local butcher shop, but only Victory at the chain grocery store. Boston Metro area, FWIW.
I second the motion to go PF Flyers over Chucks. I’m especially fond of the Cousy Lo (the vents are a really nice touch). Wouldn’t have thought it, but they’re noticeably more comfortable than Chucks.
Nice! Keep the summer suggestions coming. I’ve recently moved to a much warmer climate and have been struggling with finding summer wear that doesn’t make me look like a teenager or grandpa.
I do like those polos. I tried one on the other day in store and loved it. Will definitely be picking one up. I love that they have the pocket.
I recommend a nice Ale 208 from Grand Teton. Or any session ale for that matter. Also, I thought the razor in the picture was a bluetooth and was going to put Joe in timeout.