Home, let me come home
Today’s post here on The Style Guide In Brief has got, well, a little bit of everything. A nostalgic favorite song, nostalgia in general, nostalgic craft beer — you name it, it’s covered here today on this fine Saturday. The other night, I revisited my high school football team highlight DVD with my dad (also one of my coaches back in Mason, Michigan!) — at the urging of friends, I dug it up at my parents’ house in Florida (my home for the next few weeks of a winter getaway!). It’s only fitting: The “88” in the URL of this very newsletter stands for my high school football number — you’ll never guess how many URLs have the name Beau in them!
It was a blast watching this film and reliving the games, including (and not to brag, this is just a fact!) my school record-breaking touchdown catch. That doesn’t feel all that long ago — I remember the catch like it was yesterday — but it’s a long way from Mason, Michigan to Brooklyn, sometimes, in my mind. Heck, I hadn’t seen this DVD in years, either. It’s felt like quite the journey from then until now (a vast understatement), but watching that film got me thinking of, yes, home, and how grateful I am for my upbringing (and the opportunities I have now in New York!). Needless to say, I definitely didn’t know as much about menswear back then. And I’m certainly glad my friends urged me to find that tape! So naturally, I put on today’s featured song, “Home” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, and relived some old memories while plotting for the future (ideally including forthcoming stories on Esquire.com, Maxim, et. al!). For now, let’s take a Saturday trip down memory lane, with classic menswear and a timeless late aughts indie track soundtracking the day.
What To Listen To This Weekend: “Home” By Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
Although Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes are just now, well, The Magnetic Zeroes, I’m really thinking of the iteration of the band that put out this song more than a decade ago (officially, January 2010 — that pivotal senior year!). It was a favorite song then — I also played it on my drives down from Mason to my newspaper internship — and while it’s certainly not an indie chart-topper now (unlike music by, say, Phoebe Bridgers), it’s a fun and nostalgic listen. It’s a duet between Alex Ebert and former singer Jade Castrinos, sung between a couple, but the focus on — say it with me — home & finding a certain peace of mind holds true. Speaking of nostalgia, the video is definitely sepia-tinged, literally and figuratively. And of course, the timing of the song’s release couldn’t have been more perfect. What a time to be alive, ehh? Now, Alex Ebert’s personal fashion is a bit bohemian, so for today’s menswear inspo, we’ll keep it pretty “late aughts indie rock,” if you will (what else is new??).
What To Shop This Weekend: Outerknown Blanket Shirt via UNCRATE
Outerknown shares some qualities, in my mind, with the down-home stylings of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes. Crazy? I hope not. The band’s music always seems really earthy, if you will, tapped in to larger forces and sounding pretty timeless. How does that connect to a menswear brand founded by surfing legend Kelly Slater? Stick with me: Outerknown takes a seriously epic approach to the sustainability, sourcing and production of staples like the Outerknown Blanket Shirt, the kind of piece you can wear for years and years. Kind of like wearable (sustainable), earth and sea-conscious nostalgia in a way — still with me? That’s more like it.
Shop Outerknown
What To Sip This Weekend: Bell’s Bright White Winter Wheat Ale via Drizly
When it comes to the state of Michigan and fond memories, the legendary Bell’s Brewery, out of Kalamazoo, comes to mind. Bell’s was my first favorite craft brewery as I grew to learn about great beer (and the Thursday night Bell’s specials at Crunchy’s didn’t hurt, either!). They might still be (although Brooklyn’s Threes Brewing is a close contender for the top spot, too). It was only fitting to kick things back over to Michigan for today’s featured sipper, where the beer is cold, the times are great and there’s hopefully a cold Bell’s waiting for you in the fridge of an old friend. For that, I raise my glass from afar this weekend! To join me, get it delivered to your door.
The Final Pick: Shinola Runwell Watch
For today’s featured final pick, could it be anything other than Detroit’s own Shinola? From watches to leather goods to travel accessories, the Detroit-based brand focuses on fine craftsmanship (Swiss-made parts built into tough Motor City watches). Of course, as I learned more about menswear, I had to have a Shinola watch on my wrist — one day, that is! I even put the brand on my 2014 men’s style Christmas wish list, believe it or not. I finally got mine courtesy of my parents for my birthday back in 2019, and I couldn’t love it more. These are tough, durable and stylish watches, the kind you can wear with home state pride — or just pride.
Thanks for taking a Michigan-centric (or Pure Michigan-centric) stroll down memory lane with me today, from an 83-yard touchdown run to home state gear from Detroit’s own Shinola and beer from the lauded Bell’s Brewery. Your Outerknown Blanket Shirt is going to carry you through in style, no matter where home might be. Cue up that track, pour a fresh pot of coffee and consider sharing this one with your friends, ehh? Thanks for reading!