Watch the light become perfect outside

The song of the summer from Wild Pink, weekend menswear & cold brew coffee

As you read this newsletter, I’m currently listening to a soon-to-be-released album that’s part of a major story I’m working on this month… but that’s not why we’re here today with a new dispatch of The Style Guide In Brief. We talk music, menswear and craft beer (or cold brew coffee, or whiskey), served alongside gear for the season. While I was I could spill the beans on the album I’m listening to (you might find an Easter egg in my last Tuesday newsletter), today’s song of choice is one that’s been my personal song of summer: The calm-yet-soaring “Leferever” by Wild Pink, a truly great track off the New York-based band’s “3 Songs” EP, released earlier this summer.

I talked about this track in a June newsletter alongside a slate of stellar new music releases that particular weekend, so I think it’s worth diving in a little deeper. Or rather, quite a bit deeper: I’ve had the song on a loop a lot these days. It reminds me of upstate New York (where lead singer John Ross now resides), it reminds me of seeing Wild Pink way back in the summer of 2018 in Brooklyn, and it even reminds me a bit of my home state of Michigan, where I’ll be next week. All of that being said, I know what my soundtrack will be this weekend as I power through some writing — head to my regular blog, The Style Guide (the inspiration for this newsletter!) to see what else I’ve been up to, and join me in listening to one heck of a summer weekend track.

What To Listen To This Weekend: “Leferever” By Wild Pink

“Leferever” is one of those songs that just grips you right away (note the first line of the song, as teased in today’s headline). The title itself is enough to warrant a second glance, and it’s got the sort of folksy, upbeat warmth that’s found a rare few places these days (the work of the indie folk duo Big Red Machine comes to mind, as well). It’s one of my favorite songs for precisely that reason, and it’s a beautiful songwriting and singing effort from Ross on lead vocals. If you want to go a bit further into the world of Wild Pink, head to my Merry-Go-Round Magazine piece on the band’s stellar, expansive February 2021 album, “A Billion Little Lights” — it’s an album of the year contender for me! In fact, I even wrote a bit more about the album in this spring newsletter dispatch. I really can’t get enough of it. In the meantime, this is a wonderful, introspective track to pair with your morning weekend coffee (and more on that in just a second). And since it’s a summer weekend, it’s also an ideal time to shop for some menswear to wear as you stroll the great outdoors and listen to Wild Pink. What a combination, right??

What To Shop This Weekend: Billy Reid Denim Shirt

I’m all about the idea that some things go exceptionally well together. In the same way that you might wear comfortable, yet stylish, all-day sneakers to a grassy outdoor music festival, I myself would wear something a bit more rugged for, say, outdoor adventures or a Brooklyn indie show. If you read this newsletter on the regular (or if you check out my style blog!), that pick for me has got to be a timeless denim shirt. Timeless in the same way that Wild Pink’s music happens to be imminently listenable, for one. You’re also selecting a shirt that’s only going to get better with age (again, just as with tracks like “Leferever"). This particular Billy Reid Denim Shirt is a multi-season number and a personal favorite. I already know what I’m wearing the next time I see Wild Pink.

What To Sip This Weekend: Grady’s Cold Brew

I often start weekend days, and indeed, weekdays, with a fresh pot of coffee and, if not a new release, a tried-and-true favorite track on my Bluetooth speakers. And while I normally reserve this space for my favorite craft beer (more where that came from on my blog!), I’m switching it up a little bit: Right now, I’m sipping on Grady’s Cold Brew to give my weekend a nice jumpstart. This is a New York City staple that I first found out about when I moved here (seven years ago this past spring!), and I try to get my hands on this refreshing and strong cold brew any chance I get. It’s now even available in a “Spouch” — a pouch with a spout you can use to make cold brew overnight. Just add water, leave to steep and voila — fresh cold brew to go along with fresh menswear and music for your weekend. In fact, I recently had the chance to test out the brand, so thank you to Grady’s for the chance to review!

The Final Pick: Rhodes Footwear Darren Boots

Once again, if you read this newsletter on the regular, you probably had a sense of what my end up in this final recommendation slot today. When I head out on a trip (especially upstate) or when I set out to trek around Brooklyn in search of cold brew or a cold beer before a concert, there’s one type of footwear I’m rocking, and it’s a pair of rugged leather boots. To deal with inclement weather and to stay on your feet in style at a show, there’s nothing better than a pair of leather boots from Huckberry. Give these a look, be prepared to wear them a ton. Next step: Report back in the comments (or follow me on Twitter) and let me know if they fit what you need in a pair of the best fall footwear.

Ideally, your choices for this weekend are pretty clear, are they not? Yet again, join me in listening to the nuanced, seriously lovely track “Leferever” by Wild Pink, especially while you’re sipping on fresh Grady’s Cold Brew. That combo in and of itself is a nice weekend starter kit, but things can only go up, particularly if you fancy adding some leather boots from Huckberry to your collection ahead of fall. And while it’s rather splurge-worthy, you can’t go wrong with adding the Billy Reid Denim Shirt to your wish list or mood board as a go-to concert or daily style move. As always, we’ll see you back here on Tuesday for another dispatch. Be sure to subscribe and tell all your friends!