It’s a fresh week and a fresh start as we move past Labor Day Weekend and inch ever closer towards fall, soundtracked by the deep indie rock musings of Bombay Bicycle Club (keep reading for more!). My mind has been on the best season in menswear for some time now — heck, I might even go so far as to say it really IS fall right now, if not on the calendar — and I couldn’t be more excited to be back in Brooklyn starting this week. I’ll be planning and getting organized for what’s up on the road ahead, and I’d urge you to do the same. For me, that means swapping in fall shirting and outerwear, taking stock of my fall boots, cueing up a great fall record or two (“Alligator” by The National, anyone?) and plotting a fall road trip. Another good place to start?
Head on over to Cool Material to get organized with the best home goods (as seen above) and home office picks. We’ve got lots of ground to cover today, from a new favorite flannel shirt to a new favorite fall beer to sip this week. How about it? Scroll through and get to work below.
What To Listen To This Week: “Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You)” By Bombay Bicycle Club
Hey, remember these guys? If you don’t, or if you’ve not yet experienced the introspective indie rock (at times more folks-y, at times much more synth-y) of England’s own Bombay Bicycle Club, it’s time to plug in and catch up. For me, this band has quite the story, starting with 2009’s incredibly clever “I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose.” The North London band were darlings of the indie rock scene and the blogosphere in those days — and ever since — and they had a major impact on me (and plenty of others) during my days at Michigan State’s student radio station. They made earworm tunes, you might say: Smart, introspective and layered rock music with an intellectual bent — kind of like an across-the-pond version of Vampire Weekend, in some ways.
This band was a fixture in my headphones right up until 2014, when they released arguably their best album, the diverse “So Long, See You Tomorrow” (helped along by buoyant singles like “Carry Me,” of course). And after that? Well, radio silence. They announced an indefinite 2016 hiatus before returning last year with the very single you see above. It was a fitting and much-hyped reunion of sorts that culminated in a standout Brooklyn show last October, followed by the January 2020 release of the group’s first release in years, the full-length “Everything Else Has Gone Wrong.” I’m very much enjoying the album — I hear new things with every listen — and singles like “Eat, Sleep, Wake …” have been on solid rotation recently. And you know what’s even cooler? Lead singer Jack Steadman is something of a craft beer enthusiast — I can’t think of a better pairing for early fall than cold craft beer and the soulful tunes of Bombay Bicycle Club.
What To Shop This Week: The Bespoke Post Layers Box
There’s no better way to add to your fall wardrobe in a hurry — an affordable hurry, mind you — than with the Bespoke Post Layers Box, an easy way to get one of the best flannel shirts for fall. It’s coming at you via Bespoke Post’s lineup of monthly subscription boxes, which you should certainly recognize if you’ve kept up with this newsletter. In fact, this particular box offering delivers as much bang for your buck as you might expect when it comes to the best monthly subscription boxes, and then some. In addition to a stylish flannel shirt, you also get some cozy boot socks — it’s the perfect pairing for a chilly fall evening, a day hike or a casual day at home. Naturally, the best part about the whole deal is that you can get the Bespoke Post Layers Box for just $45 when you sign up for Bespoke Post (believe you me, the flannel shirt and socks should be of much higher quality than the price tag). Gear up for fall, put on some Bombay Bicycle Club and get ready to enjoy your new favorite flannel shirt (and boot socks!).
Shop Bespoke Post
What To Sip This Week: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale via Drizly
There’s a time and place for breaking into a rich and roasty stout or a super-boozy IPA, and as you might expect, that time and place doesn’t always present itself on the daily. Of course, if you use Drizly, you can get your favorite beers and spirits delivered to your door with ease (provided it’s available in your area). Seeing as we’re slowly but surely crossing over into colder temperatures, I’m of the opinion that a classic pale ale is a solid way to bridge the gap between summer-friendly pilsners and lagers toward the deep, dark stouts of winter.
And of course, my pick today couldn’t be more classic: The Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was a pioneering style in years past, and its quality and taste holds true today. It’s one of the best classic beers you can buy, and the great thing is, you can enjoy a couple on a Tuesday night without it knocking you out the next day. It’s no pumpkin ale, but there’ll be a time and a place for those. Cheers, my friends.
The Final Pick: P.F. Flyers Sandlot High-Top Sneakers via UNCRATE
Just as it’s not quite time to go full-on fall and winter with your craft beer selection, the same approach holds true with your footwear rotation. Which is to say: Don’t break out your snow boots just yet, because there’s never been a better time to get some high-top sneakers for fall. They work just as well as rugged leather boots, and you could certainly do worse than the P.F. Flyers Sandlot High-Top Sneakers. They’re a tried-and-true classic as sold by UNCRATE, featuring a durable outsole and cap toe, to go along with a rugged canvas fabric upper. You should certainly wear them with faded blue denim and your new favorite flannel shirt for fall days at home and fall weekends aplenty.
Feeling ready for the week ahead? Sometimes, all it takes is the promise of a new season (and some new gear?) to set you on the right path for the days to come. Even the little things, like swapping in high-top sneakers for loafers, or a lightweight flannel shirt for a short-sleeve buttondown, help me make sense of this day and age. And when your soundtrack is none other than the inquisitive Bombay Bicycle Club, I’d say big things are on the way for September and beyond. Again, that’s just me. Thanks for reading and subscribing, and feel free to check out my daily writing at The Style Guide, too. Cheers!
Got me ready for a Sam Adams Octoberfest!