Give me one more second

Smoke's in our eyes or in the distance

It’s with the soulful words of Matt Berninger — frontman of indie rock heroes The National — that today’s newsletter leads off (more on that song below!), so if' it’s an introspective start to the week that you seek, you’ve come to the right place. We’re barrelling towards fall on the calendar — officially — and I’ve been plenty busy when it comes to covering the best men’s fall style essentials for my blog (The Style Guide!), plus Maxim.com, GearMoose.com and TheManual.com. If you’ve got some down time to read and shop, I bet you’ll find something worth buying (kind of like the excellent Rhodes Footwear Dean Boots from Huckberry, as shown above!).

Yes indeed, it’s all in a day’s work. Similar to Mr. Berninger’s musings on the nature of creativity — he says he’s been writing “more than ever” — I’ve felt creative and quite productive, helped along by the fact that I’m refreshed from a few weeks in Florida this summer (as seen on my Instagram!). But now that I’m back in Brooklyn, I’m fully ready to tackle the season ahead, and I hope you are, too. For your listening and shopping pleasure as you prepare for fall yourself, check out today’s newsletter — and give my blog a read as well, will ya?

What To Listen To This Week: “One More Second” By Matt Berninger

If you follow me on any social media platform, from Twitter to Instagram and beyond, it’s pretty hard to miss the fact that Ohio-born indie rockers The National are my favorite band of all-time. A band with introspective emotional lyrics, powerful percussion and appropriately soaring guitars — and a cool sense of style all around, to boot — will do that to you. So imagine my surprise and excitment when the aforementioned Mr. Berninger announced his debut solo album, crafted in close concert with Memphis legend Booker T. Jones. Three singles have been released from the album as of yet, including the deeply emotional “One More Second,” where Berninger pleads with a loved one for “one more second” — it’s pretty similar to the lyrical stylings of The National, where Berninger’s lyrics explore fraught relationships and the pressures of trying to be a real-world adult and a working professional, all at the same time. This song has moved me deeply these past few days, and it’s got both that classic Berninger lyricism, accented by music that almost takes on a U2-like quality. Either way, I can’t get enough of it — and while The National likely don’t have any new music coming down the pipeline soon, I’ll take Berninger’s solo work any day of the week now, especially as we enter the colder climes of fall and winter.

What To Shop This Week: Filson Ultralight Jacket

The good folks at Filson, a favorite of my blog and this newsletter, do as stellar a job as any brand at outfitting explorers, adventurers and style fans alike for shifting seasons. The Filson Ultralight Jacket is truly a prime early fall layering move, packing in the kind of versatility that works well for weekend outings, day hikes, craft beer to-go pickups and much more. Would you have it any other way? Call it one of the best men’s jackets for fall, because it’s certainly got the specs to prove it, from the PrimaLoft insulation (designed to keep you warm on blustery fall days) to the ripstop shell for added durability. Moleskin collar lining adds another dimension of warmth and functionality, while the Dark Olive and Dark Spruce color combo (my personal favorite) should wear exceptionally well with your favorite blue jeans and rugged leather boots atop a Filson henley. When you see one of fall’s best jackets, you better strike while the iron’s hot — how about it?

What To Sip This Week: Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier via Drizly

For happy hour later today and later this week, get right on it and get one of the best beers for fall via Drizly. That’s right: As I’ve mentioned in the past via my newsletter, you can get one of the best Oktoberfest biers in just a matter of hours if you use delivery service Drizly (consider this an endorsement, because I’ve grown accustomed to using ‘em during quarantine). But back to the excellent Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier itself. The legendary brewery has been a crucial part of Oktoberfest in Germany for years — they’re one of only six breweries allowed to serve at the event itself, and Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier is the top-selling beer at the festival. That’s quite the pedigree, right? Even better is the fact that you can now bring a taste of this lauded and delicious beer right to your doorstep. I’ll raise a glass to that, and you should do the same.

The Final Pick: Buck Mason Cotton Sateen Alfa Military Shirt

Just in time for fall weather and just in time to pair up with your Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier for some weeknight happy hour sipping on your back porch, consider the Buck Mason Alfa Military Shirt one of the best men’s jackets for fall. In fact, when you want something to throw on over, say, a Buck Mason T-shirt without the insulation of the Filson Ultralight Jacket, this rugged overshirt is precisely the one you want to buy now. As you well know if you read my blog, Buck Mason is a tried-and-true style favorite, making everything from one of the best men’s everyday shirts to the best men’s field watch, and doing so at prices that reflect the quality and care with which the brand approaches its work.

To wit: This jacket is a modern interpretation of the US Army OG-107 Jacket, which makes it a rugged style staple for all your fall layering needs. The fact that it’s made from premium Japanese cotton sateen — for that slightly shiny finish — means it looks great when worn atop everything from a classic white T-shirt to a rugged Buck Mason denim shirt (it’s called an overshirt for a reason, people!). I hope you snag one for yourself to see firsthand the kind of rugged fall style it’ll bring to the table.

So, how about all that ground covered today? To me, today’s newsletter is sort of like a step-by-step guide to the perfect fall evening or weekend day. You’ve got the soulful stirrings of Matt Berninger’s solo record, you’ve got the Filson Ultralight Jacket to wear as a perfect fall layer on morning or evening walks, you’ve got the excellent Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier waiting for you in the fridge at home, and of course, your rugged Buck Mason Alfa Military Shirt is going to prove a very apt layer this season, too. If you need any more style musings or seasonal tips on fall style essentials, you know where to find me — feel free to comment below, follow me on Twitter or Instagram (or both!), and be sure to check out the blog, too. Thanks for being here, my friends!