We tend to cover a lot of ground here at The Style Guide In Brief, which, if you’re just joining us, is my twice-weekly music + menswear + craft beer newsletter. Think of it like a listenable companion to my daily style blog, The Style Guide. And speaking of covering a lot of ground, well, that’s what today’s featured track does. “Rollercoaster” is a delightful throwback, all the way to 2014, from pop producer extraordinaire Jack Antonoff, formerly of smash-hit pop-rock band fun. Antonoff has worked with just about all the major pop and indie players of this day and age, from Lana Del Rey to St. Vincent to (most notably) Taylor Swift, and he’s also back this week with his main outfit’s third album, “Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night.”
All of this is to say, I thought it was as good a time as any to revisit the first Bleachers album in the run-up to his latest work, as one does. Today’s newsletter has a fitting supporting cast along for the ride, including some retro-inspired menswear and a terrific summer beer to go along with Antonoff’s big-time ‘80s rock. Join me on a journey through time, headphones plugged in. And if you want something else to read, sip on or shop, check out my work at Maxim or Fatherly.
What To Listen To This Week: “Rollercoaster” By Bleachers
When Bleachers debuted in 2014, they hit on a strain of music that wasn’t the most fashionable at the time. Bleachers opted for ‘80s synths and guitars, runaway choruses and big, epic songs, the kind that might not sound out of place in a John Hughes movie. I was instantly a fan, especially of tracks like this one — and seeing Bleachers way back at Outside Lands 2014 crystallized that even further. It’s tough to keep up with all the work Antonoff does, but Bleachers seems to be his personal sweet and the best personal expression of his work — it’s for that reason that I always enjoy revisiting the debut Bleachers album “Strange Desire.” How about you? Comment away! And it’s funny, because you know what pairs well with throwback-inspired rock? Throwback-inspired menswear, of course.
What To Shop This Week: Diadora Milano 1984 Sneakers
Maybe this pair of stylish retro sneakers is a little bit on the nose when talking about the retro-tinged music of Bleachers, but who said a little retro fun was out of the question every now and again? These aren’t quite like anything in your sneaker rotation, and that’s very good news indeed. Feel free to wear them with light wash jeans and a classic white T-shirt, Springsteen-style, to really drive home those retro style points. Best of all, you can also shop the Huckberry Semi-Annual Sale as you pick up these classic sneakers.
What To Sip This Week: Cape May Captain May IPA
You’ve got your coffee close at hand right now, but what will you be sipping on later? That’s easy: Sip on a beer that’s also an homage to Jack Antonoff’s New Jersey roots. Cape May is one of the more visible breweries in New Jersey, which now boasts dozens upon dozens of breweries. I’m looking forward to getting back over to New Jersey soon enough, for both concerts and brewery-hopping, and it looks like I’ll have to add Cape May to my list. For now, you can content yourself by getting this beer delivered to you via Drizly — in time for happy hour, of course.
The Final Pick: Forty Five Textured Tee
If you’ve already gone ahead and added, say, a pair of stylish retro sneakers to your shopping cart, you might as well pick up a fresh, clean T-shirt to wear alongside them. This straightforward tee looks like something our featured singer might wear on stage, sleeves artfully rolled and light wash jeans cuffed just-so. Aside from that, it’s one of the best T-shirts for summer, available at a solid price from Huckberry right now. It’s too good to pass up.
I’d wager that if you use today’s newsletter as a road map for listening, shopping and sipping picks, you’re going to have a stellar Tuesday happy hour. I always appreciate the chance to check out tried-and-true favorites, be it a throwback (and throwback-inspired!) track, some stylish retro sneakers or one of the best T-shirts for summer. If you’re new to any of the above brands, or if you’re new to the work of Jack Antonoff, let me know your take in the comments below. Last but not least: Be sure to tell all your friends and encourage them to subscribe… for free!