Far have I travelled, and much have I seen

Dark distant mountains with valleys of green

Well, folks — it’s Tuesday, the clock is ticking down toward the end of one, uhh, hell of a year and I’m back in New York after a Florida Christmas trip, as per tradition (I love to ring in the New Year in NYC). Yet, my mind is in another place, or places, as we close out the last 2020 edition of The Style Guide In Brief (thanks for following along as I cover music, menswear and craft beer!). Yes indeed, my mind is somewhere as described in today’s featured song, the lovely and Paul McCartney-penned track from Wings, “Mull of Kintyre.” Much like last Tuesday’s featured song, it’s a Christmas favorite across the pond, one that claimed the Christmas No. 1 slot upon its release in the 1970s (more on that in a second).

McCartney sings of the beautiful Scottish peninsula Kintyre where he’s kept an estate since the 1960s, and it’s got me dreaming of mid-to-late 2021 and beyond, when hopefully, travel, lovely scenery and live music are once again part of our lives. Until then, well, perhaps today’s newsletter can inspire you to close the year the right way and plan for the future. Here’s to things looking up next year!

What To Listen To This Week: “Mull of Kintyre” By Wings

This song is technically a holiday song (although it never mentions Christmas), and yes, I’m aware that we’re past Christmas on the calendar. But I’ve still found myself playing this lovely, lilting and inspiring folk song, bursting with bagpipes and carried by Paul McCartney’s wonderful lyrics. In fact, this song is so beloved that it became the first single to sell more than two million copies nationwide. The lyrics are sweet and nostalgic (“Carry me back to the days I knew then/Nights when we sang like a heavenly choir/Of the life and the times of the Mull of Kintyre”) and the guitar, which was apparently recorded outside in the process of making this song, is classic McCartney. As fate would have it, the song was even recorded at McCartney’s High Park Farm. It first came to my attention when I sat down with my mom (lifelong Macca fan!) and dad to watch the “Wingspan” documentary earlier this summer, so when the holiday season rolled around, I knew I had to add it to our family playlist. Enjoy it this week, while we’ve still got some time through the holidays.

What To Wear This Week: Todd Snyder Colorblock Cable Fisherman’s Sweater

It’s from the breezy, rollling hills of High Park Farm that we’ll draw style inspiration for today’s newsletter (of course, you can check out full menswear blog offerings seven days a week at The Style Guide). NYC-based designer Todd Snyder cut his teeth a long way from Scotland, but I know the modern menswear designer respects the wilds of Europe (and in this case, the fisherman’s sweaters roots — not from Scotland, but from Ireland’s Aran Islands). Either way, this is a rugged-yet-refined sweater you can layer up with ease once it’s time to head back across the pond, and in the meantime, you can assuredly layer up this sweater over a thermal shirt as you stoke the fire this week. Of course, you already know your soundtrack (Paul McCartney!).

What To Sip This Week: The Balvenie 12-Year Old DoubleWood Scotch

Let’s keep the Scottish style and imbibing inspiration flowing this week, shall we? Sip on an iconic Scotch from The Balvenie to honor the holiday season, toast a new year and close out 2020 the right way (Lord knows we need it, ehh?). You can get The Balvenie Scotch sent right to you via alcohol delivery service Drizly, yet another fitting reminder that 2020 flipped things around in plenty of different ways. For cold winter nights with a classic record playing, this Scotch is a mighty fine introduction to the category if you’re a newcomer, or an excellent addition to your bar cart if you’re a seasoned vet.

The Final Pick: Todd Snyder Sutton English Herringbone Trousers

To team up with your rugged-yet-refined sweater and your glass of premium Scotch, I think I’ve found the best pair of men’s trousers for winter, the sort that even one Sir Paul McCartney might approve of (heck, just glimpse throwback pictures of The Beatles for a bit of proof). These Todd Snyder herringbone trousers are some of the best men’s dress pants on the market, featuring a tailored cut, classic styling potential and winter-ready fabric. And yes, you can (and should!) wear ‘em at home with your fisherman sweater, a glass of Scotch handy and of course, “Mull of Kintyre” ringing through the halls of your home. ‘Tis (still) the season after all, folks.

Who’s ready to keep the holiday spirit rolling just a little while longer? Just a bit longer before we close the curtain on 2020, a glass of The Balvenie Scotch in hand, that is. To me, the time between Christmas and New Year’s is a time to take stock of the year that was and the year that soon shall be, as difficult as that is this year. Being safely with family and listening to a reflective and lovely song like “Mull of Kintyre” these past few days has helped me do that, if briefly, but much like you, I’m ready to turn the page (preferably in style wearing a new Todd Snyder, of course!). Until 2021, stay healthy, stay safe, shop in style and let’s raise a glass to new beginnings.