The holiday season is here, and with it comes a lineup of festive gatherings — from office parties and family dinners to New Year’s Eve celebrations. Each one calls for a little more style than your everyday jeans-and-sweater combo, but not so much that you look like you wandered out of a black-tie gala.

That’s where smart casual holiday style comes in. It strikes the balance between laid-back and polished — the kind of outfits that feel at home around a dinner table, under string lights, or clinking glasses at midnight.

Our buddies at Huckberry have put together three holiday smart casual looks to keep you covered for every event on the calendar. Each outfit blends seasonal texture and warmth with timeless pieces you’ll wear long after the decorations come down.

Check out Huckberry’s full lineup of holiday smart casual gear in their Smart Casual Shop.

The Office Party

For a holiday office party, start with a khaki blazer. It keeps things professional without feeling stuffy. Pair it with pleated cords for warmth and texture, and a brushed shirt for a soft, relaxed feel. The braided belt and loafers add polish, while the watch gives it just enough edge to feel festive without trying too hard. If your office leans formal, the blazer has you covered; if it’s more casual, lose the jacket.

1. Wills Classic Blazer
2. Wills Brushed Woven Dress Shirt
3. Wills Pleated Cord Trouser
4. Flint and Tinder Braided Leather Belt
5. Huckberry x Citizen Promaster Tough Watch
6. Jacques Soloviere Alexis Loafer

Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner

A cable-knit sweater is cozy, classic, and built for seconds (and thirds). Layer it over an Oxford shirt for a bit of structure, and pair with green 365 Pants for some festive pop. The scarf looks good for family photos, and the chukka boots keep things grounded and sharp.

1. Wills Easycash Cable Knit Sweater
2. Flint and Tinder Oxford Draftsman Shirt
3. Flint and Tinder 365 Pant
4. Flint and Tinder 365 Core Belt
5. Howlin’ College Fun Scarf
6. Luca Moc Toe Chukka Boot

New Year’s Eve Party

For a refined New Year’s look, pair a tailored blazer with matching trousers — it’s elevated without going full tux. Swap the dress shirt for a cashmere polo to keep things relaxed but polished. A clean leather belt and Derby shoes finish it off, giving you a sharp, modern outfit that moves easily from dinner to midnight toast.

1. Wills Classic Blazer
2. Wills Easycash Long Sleeve Polo
3. Wills Rosedale Trouser
4. Flint and Tinder 365 Core Belt
5. Timex Marlin Manual Watch
6. Sanders Athens Plan Gibson Derby

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Having a signature scent is a great way to express your personality, but no single cologne is ideal for every situation, or even every time of the year. Just as your clothing changes with the seasons, your fragrance “wardrobe” can too. In fact, fragrance experts suggest having three go-to colognes: one for spring/summer, one for fall/winter, and one versatile scent you can wear year-round. Different fragrances mix more or less well with the distinct atmosphere of each season — both its literal weather and its intangible mood — and choosing the right one ensures your scent acts as an ideal complement to the time of year.

Below, we break down what to look for in each seasonal category, plus a bonus pick for the holidays.

Spring & Summer

When the temperature rises, heavy colognes can turn sour fast. Heat both amplifies and breaks down fragrance, which is why richer scents often smell muddy in the heat. So in the warmer months, you want something light and clean.

Look for citrus, herbs, green leaves, or a hint of floral. Those give off a fresh-air brightness that fits the season.

Spring & Summer Fragrance Notes to Look For

• Citrus: bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, neroli
• Greens & herbs: basil, mint, green tea, violet leaf
• Light florals: lavender, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley
• Marine notes: sea breeze, salt, wet wood

Spring & Summer Fragrances to Try

• Bluegrass by EastWest Bottlers. This is my personal spring/summer signature scent. Smells like a fresh field after mowing, with a dash of mint julep.
• Acqua di Giò. Citrus and ocean air. A summer standby since the ’90s.
• Tom Ford Neroli Portofino. Smells like stepping off a sunlit terrace on the Italian Riviera. Starts with a bright burst of citrus and orange blossom, then mellows into a green wood note. It’s crisp, clean, and effortlessly elegant.
• Nautica Voyage. A long-time favorite for its crisp apple, green leaves, and marine notes.

Fall & Winter

Cool weather calls for richer, deeper scents that would be too strong in summer but now feel just right. Think of the cozy, robust smells of autumn and winter: warm spices, wood smoke, leather, and amber. They project better in cold air and last longer on heavy winter fabrics, enveloping you in a seasonally on-point aura.

Fall & Winter Fragrance Notes to Look For

• Spices: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper
• Woods: cedar, sandalwood, pine, vetiver, patchouli
• Leather & smoke: tobacco, birch tar, incense
• Amber & vanilla: tonka bean, amber resin

Fall & Winter Fragrances to Try

• Sportsman by EastWest Bottlers. My personal signature fall/winter scent. Has notes of leather, musk, flint stone, red clay, and pine. Outdoorsy but still polished.
• Tom Ford Oud Wood. Smoky, dry, refined.
• By the Fireplace by Maison Margiela. Sweet chestnut, smoke, and vanilla. Smells like sitting by the fire after coming in from the cold.

The Year-Rounder

Every man needs one scent that fits any season. One that’s balanced and dependable. An option B for when you don’t feel like wearing your seasonal scent and want to mix things up.

Your year-round fragrance should open clean and end warm. Nothing too bright, nothing too dark. Think citrus or aromatic herbs up top, and woods, musk, or amber underneath.

Fragrance Notes to Look For in a Year-Rounder

• Top notes: light citrus or aromatic herbs like bergamot, lemon, lavender, or sage; keep things bright and open
• Heart notes: green florals or soft spices to add texture without heaviness
• Base notes: woods, musk, or amber; gives your year-rounder a masculine backbone that works in any weather

Year-Round Fragrances to Try

• Bleu de Chanel. Grapefruit, cedar, and incense. A modern classic.
• Dior Sauvage. Crisp, peppery, and easy to wear anywhere.
• Old Spice Classic Aftershave. Clean, spicy, familiar. Easy to wear year-round and immediately recognizable.
• Rich ’90s Dad by Ranger Station. This has been my go-to year-rounder. I discovered it this year. Bergamot and lemon give it a fresh opening, while lavender, sage, and geranium add sophistication in the middle, all grounded by a rich base of musk, sandalwood, and amber. Plus, the name is great. I love how this cologne doesn’t take itself too seriously yet still delivers a quality fragrance.

Bonus: A Holiday Scent

Not required, but nice to have. Around Christmas, reach for something that smells like the season: pine, spice, and smoke, with a hint of sweetness.

Holiday Fragrances to Try

• Burberry London. Port wine, cinnamon, and leather. Smells like a Fezziwig party.
• Angel’s Share by Kilian. Cognac, vanilla, and oak.
• By the Fireplace. Already mentioned as a fall/winter scent, this one’s especially good around the holidays.
• Stetson. When I think of Christmas and cologne, I think Stetson. And it’s all because of its epic holiday commercial campaign from the ’90s. Easy for you.

Fresh scents when it’s hot. Warm scents when it’s cold. Something steady you can wear year-round. That’s an ideal set of fragrances for a man.

Whichever colognes you decide on for your signature scents, make sure to apply them correctly!

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Note: I first published this post back in 2020. Five years later, I keep busting out this jacket each fall, and it’s still going strong, so I thought I’d give the article an update.

While the links in this post are affiliate links to Huckberry, through which we earn a commission should you purchase something, this endorsement was neither paid for nor solicited. I am a genuine owner and appreciator of the Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket.

Fall is here, and that means crisp, cool mornings and evenings. For this season of chilly-but-not-yet-cold weather, you need a casual fall jacket — a segue piece that keeps you feeling warm and looking good before you start needing a heavier overcoat.

My recommendation is the Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket. I’ve had mine for over ten years now, and it’s only gotten better with age. I’ve re-waxed it several times, and it’s developed a great patina. It’s still one of my go-to jackets when the temps dip. When it gets really cold, I’ll wear a pullover hoodie underneath it. That combo kept me warm and dry during a near-freezing, drizzly OSU-BYU football game that went into overtime a couple of years back. 

Below I’ll share a bit of history behind the trucker jacket style, as well as why the F&T version is my own go-to jacket for fall.

The History of the Trucker Jacket

A trucker jacket is a style of workwear jacket. You’ve seen a trucker jacket if you’ve seen a classic denim jacket. The first iteration of the trucker jacket was made by Levi’s way back in 1905. The “Type 1” jacket was made of denim (natch) and featured a single pocket on the left breast and sturdy metal buttons. Because trucking wasn’t a thing in 1905, this jacket style wasn’t originally called a “trucker jacket.” It earned that moniker as the years went on, automobiles replaced horse-drawn carriages, and the jacket became a go-to piece of outerwear amongst truck drivers and long haulers. 

Over the ensuing decades, Levi’s modified the original Type 1 style by adding pockets (another pocket on the right breast and two hand pockets on the sides) and changing the breast pocket and stitching styles on the front of the jacket. They also started making trucker jackets with sherpa collars. Cowboys working in colder climes took to this modification, and you still see ranchers sport denim jackets with wool or cotton sherpa collars today. Other denim companies like Wrangler and Lee started creating their own version of the trucker jacket, and workwear companies like Carhartt put their mark on the garment by swapping the denim for more weather-resistant materials like cotton duck. Today you can find the trucker in a variety of colors, styles, and fabrics. 

Why the Flint and Tinder Trucker Jacket Is the Perfect Fall Jacket for Dudes

Flint and Tinder has made their contribution to the storied history of the trucker jacket with their own iteration of this classic piece of outerwear. They took the old school Type 1 style with the single breast pocket, made it with flannel-lined waxed canvas sailcloth, and updated it with a modern fit. Both the canvas material and the jacket itself are made in America.

Here’s what I like about the F&T Trucker:

• Classic, rugged, masculine style. It just looks great.
• Warm and weather-resistant. The canvas fabric is waxed on both sides for warmth and insulation. The material resists water and wind, and keeps me comfortable down into the 50s, maybe upper 40s (depending on what I’m wearing underneath). You can re-wax the jacket to keep the water resistance strong over time.
• The flannel lining is super soft and comfortable, even (and especially!) when wearing short sleeves underneath. 
• Quality construction. After 10 years of heavy use, the jacket is holding up nicely.
• Gets better with age. The more I wear the jacket, the better it looks. It takes on a nice weathered patina over time.

I wear the jacket with jeans + tees, short- and long-sleeved henleys, and sweaters. It’s the perfect casual coat.

The Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket is available exclusively on Huckberry, and they’ve got a bunch of different colors to choose from; my favorites are the field tan and the moss. Check ’em out — a decade in, I can honestly say this jacket is the real deal.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

The rugby shirt is an underrated menswear staple. Like denim or the leather boot, it started as tough, utilitarian gear and evolved into a style icon. Equal parts rugged and refined, rugby shirts straddle the line between athleticism and leisure, work and play, tradition and rebellion.

If you’ve never considered owning a rugby shirt — or thought they were just for Ivy League types or actual rugby players — it’s time to reconsider. They seem to be on the cusp of a comeback. Here’s why you should add a rugby shirt to your wardrobe and how to wear one with style.

A Brief History of the Rugby Shirt

This iconic shirt traces its origins to 19th-century England, when students at elite schools like Rugby, Eton, and Cambridge began codifying the game of rugby football. To endure the sport’s rough-and-tumble nature, players needed shirts that were hard-wearing and practical — a garment that could hold up under plenty of tackling, scrums, and rain-drenched pitches.

These early rugby jerseys were first made from wool, which was then swapped for thick, heavy-gauge cotton for greater durability. The shirts featured rubber buttons (to prevent the abrasions harder buttons could cause during collisions), long sleeves, and a contrasting twill collar that resisted stretching out during play. Over time, horizontal stripes, known as hoops, were added to distinguish teams.

By the mid-20th century, rugby shirts had jumped the fence from pitch to campus, a shift that grew out of school/team pride; initially they were like wearing a sports jersey, but they looked good enough that they grew into a bona fide style staple. Ivy League students adopted them as part of the burgeoning preppy look. In the decades since, they’ve become a wardrobe staple for everyone from punks and skaters to J.Crew models and Silicon Valley CEOs.

Why a Man Should Own a Rugby Shirt

They stand out without showing off. In a world where ordinary sweatshirts and sweaters predominate, rugby shirts, with their distinctive styling and colorful stripes, turn heads; they’re not loud, but they are different.

They balance rugged and refined. The rugby shirt’s athletic heritage gives it a certain ruggedness, but its collar, sturdy structure, and classic details add polish. It’s sporty without being sloppy, masculine without trying too hard. Rugby shirts elevate your casualwear while being as easy to throw on as a sweatshirt.

They’re versatile. You can dress a rugby shirt up or down. Toss it over jeans and sneakers for a fall tailgate or pair it with chinos and chukkas for a date with your gal.

They age well. Rugby shirts are genuinely durable, and with time, their fabric breaks in and develops real character. Like a good Oxford shirt or pair of jeans, it only gets better the more you wear it. Fraying cuffs, faded stripes, and softened collars tell a story.

When to Wear One

Transitional Weather. With their thicker but still breathable cotton fabric, rugby shirts thrive in spring and fall, when it’s too cool for a tee but too warm for a jacket.

Office Casual. Paired with chinos and boots, a rugby shirt anchors a smart-casual look suited to relaxed office settings.

Weekend Errands, Casual Dinners, and Coffee Runs. They’re comfortable enough to throw on and go, but refined enough to not look like you just rolled out of bed.

Outdoor Events. Tailgates, hayrides, early-morning soccer games, apple-picking — anywhere flannel might feel too lumberjack and a hoodie too juvenile.

Travel Days. They’re cozy for the plane, yet presentable for arrival. Plus, that twill collar means you don’t look like a slob when grabbing dinner after a long drive.

What to Look for in a Rugby Shirt

1. Heavyweight Cotton Jersey. Traditional rugby shirts are made from thick, durable cotton knit — something with enough heft to stand up on its own, but soft enough to feel broken in. Avoid synthetic, thin, or clingy fabrics.

2. Twill Collar. The hallmark of a classic rugby shirt. Usually white or off-white, this woven cotton collar contrasts with the knit body and gives the shirt structure. Bonus points if the collar stands up on its own without looking stiff.

3. Rubber Buttons or Hidden Placket. Original rugby shirts used rubber buttons, and that remains an authentic touch. Some modern versions hide the buttons altogether under a placket, which lends a cleaner look. Either option works.

4. Stripe Pattern (or Not). Bold horizontal stripes, or “hoops,” are a classic rugby shirt style detail. But solid versions or subtle patterns can be equally handsome — and sharper and more “formal.”

5. Proper Fit. Traditionally, rugby shirts were roomy for ease of movement. But too oversized and you’ll look like a kid wearing Dad’s clothes. Aim for a modern, athletic cut: fitted in the shoulders, a bit of room in the torso, and sleeves that stop at the wrist.

6. Reinforced Cuffs and Elbows. If you find a version with these details, you’ve got yourself a true workhorse. Not necessary — but nice.

7. Crests and Logos. Traditional rugby jerseys often carried a team crest on the chest. A small emblem can add authenticity, but oversized logos risk making the shirt look more chintzy than classic.

Dressing the Rugby Shirt Up or Down

Wearing a rugby shirt is stupidly simple.

For a casual look, pair it with dark or light denim and a pair of sneakers, and you’re good to go.

If you want to dress things up a bit from there, swap the jeans for chinos, tuck in the rugby shirt, add a leather belt, and swap the sneakers for chukkas, leather boots, or loafers. You’ve now entered smart casual territory.

Go ahead and add a rugby shirt to your wardrobe. They’ve got a rough-and-tumble pedigree, are durable and distinct, and with no more effort than donning jeans and a sweatshirt, will give you a more put-together look. 

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

The Oxford cloth button-down — OCBD, for short — is a classic men’s style staple.

Born on Ivy League campuses, it’s got a preppy pedigree that’s been adapted and refined by musicians and artists, students and professors, craftsmen and architects. The OCBD is the rare piece of clothing that straddles the line between polished and casual, rugged and refined.

The Oxford button-down is stupid easy to wear — throw it on with jeans and nice sneakers, and you’ve got a look that couldn’t be simpler, yet still lands a cut above average casual. But if you want to expand your OBCD style repertoire, here are five tried-and-true ways to wear an OCBD with style.

1. Ivy League Classic

OCBD + Khakis + Loafers

This is the OCBD in its native habitat.

The Ivy League look pairs your Oxford with flat-front chinos, loafers, and, optionally, a navy blazer. Tuck the shirt in. Skip the tie for everyday wear, or add a knit one if you’re headed to an occasion with real napkins.

Keep the color palette light and collegiate: blue or pink OCBD, tan chinos, brown leather. It’s the kind of outfit that makes you look like you read The Great Gatsby and actually understood it. But it doesn’t try too hard.

When to wear it: Date nights, office settings without a dress code, fancy Sunday brunches.

2. Rugged Casual

OCBD + Dark Jeans + Leather Boots

The OCBD is built from thicker, textured cloth, which means it can hold its own in a workwear-inspired outfit.

Toss it on with a pair of well-fitting dark-wash jeans and lace up some leather boots — Red Wings, Wolverines, or similar. Roll the sleeves. Leave the collar unbuttoned. Maybe even let the shirt wrinkle a bit. You’re not on campus anymore.

If the weather’s chilly, add a canvas trucker jacket or a wool overshirt. This look works best when everything has a little weight and texture to it.

When to wear it: Grabbing coffee, casual Fridays, anywhere flannel might be a bit too much but a t-shirt’s not quite enough.

3. Smart Summer

OCBD + Shorts + Boat Shoes

The OCBD isn’t just a cool-weather staple. It earns its keep year-round — especially when you treat it like a lightweight summer layer.

Start with chino or linen shorts — nothing too baggy, nothing too tight. Roll up the OCBD’s sleeves or cuff them just below the elbow. Tuck or untuck depending on hem length and occasion. Finish with boat shoes or canvas sneakers.

Stick to lighter colors — white, pale blue, soft pink — and let the fabric breathe. You’re going for a look that says “off-duty architect” not “overdressed dad at the cookout.”

When to wear it: Lake days, summer dates, backyard barbecues.

4. Layered and Literate

OCBD + Crewneck Sweater + Wool Trousers

When the temperature drops, the OCBD slots neatly under thicker layers. Think of it as the intellectual core of your fall and winter fits.

Choose a mid-weight crewneck sweater in wool, cotton, or a blend — heather gray, forest green, navy. Let the collar of your OCBD show above the collar of the sweater. Add some tailored wool trousers or cords and a pair of suede chukkas or brogues.

The effect is clean but comfortable. You look like you know how to change a tire and recite some Frost from memory.

When to wear it: Casual business meetings, reading at the coffee shop, dinners where people light candles and use coasters.

5. Modern Minimal

OCBD + Neutral Chinos or Jeans + Clean Sneakers

Minimalism is about stripping things down to what’s essential and doing those few things really well. You can do that with an OCBD by putting together a look that’s crisp, quiet, and composed.

Start with a classic OCBD — white or light blue — and pair it with slim chinos or jeans in a neutral tone like navy, gray, or olive. Leave the shirt untucked for a more relaxed vibe, or tuck it in for sharper lines. Roll the sleeves. Skip the belt. Keep the palette tonal — no patterns, no pops of color.

Finish the look with a pair of clean, minimalist sneakers. White leather works best, but canvas or off-white suede can also get the job done. The effect is effortless, but intentional. Understated, but sharp.

When to wear it: Casual office days, dinner out at a spot that’s nice but doesn’t require a reservation, weekend get-togethers where you want to look sharp without trying too hard.

Final Notes on Fit & Fabric

You can’t wear an OCBD with style if it doesn’t fit. It should be trim but not tight. The collar should roll softly when buttoned. The sleeves should hit at your wrist bone, not hang over your hands like a wizard’s robe. And if it looks like it came from a shrink-wrapped plastic package at a department store, you’re doing it wrong.

Good OCBDs get better with age. They soften, they fade, they mold to you. They earn their patina like a leather briefcase or a cast iron skillet. So wear yours often. Wash it. Wear it again. Let it become your signature.

A man can get a lot of mileage out of a single shirt — especially when he knows how to wear it.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

I’ve noticed something you’ve probably noticed too.

Grown men dressing like boys.

In a typical American restaurant, you’ll find 30- and 40-something men dressed like their pre-teen or teenage sons: Air Jordans, a graphic tee, and an oversized flat-brimmed ballcap.

The puerility of men’s clothing is on full display at an American airport. You’ll see men my age shuffle toward TSA in elastic-waist joggers, video game t-shirts, and Crocs. Their kids are wearing nearly identical outfits.

I make the Clint Eastwood Gran Torino grimace at the sight.

Before you peg me as a middle-aged curmudgeon, my 14-year-old son notices the sad state of American grown-man style too: “Hey, Dad,” he’ll say, “that guy over there dresses like I did in 6th grade. He does not mean business.”

Are we just uptight squares who can’t let people enjoy themselves?

Maybe.

But I also think there’s a visceral recognition in both of us that your exterior appearance often reflects the state of your interior character. When a man dresses like a boy on the outside, there’s a chance there’s some stunted development on the inside.

Until very recently, cultures across the world — from sophisticated civilizations to remote tribes — connected a man’s dress to his development into maturity, sometimes even making a wardrobe change a rite of passage into manhood.

In ancient Rome, for example, where the toga was the common form of dress, there was a difference between a boy’s toga and a man’s toga.

At around 16, Roman boys swapped their purple-trimmed toga praetexta for the plain white toga virilis in a public rite of passage that marked their entry into manhood. The father led the boy to the Forum to register as a citizen and make sacrifices. Back at home, the boy dedicated his toys and protective amulet to the household gods. He was now a man.

Past cultures understood something we’ve forgotten: that how a man dresses shapes how he sees himself, how he acts, and how others treat him, and these dynamics in turn influence the culture at large.

So let’s take a look at the history of the distinction between boyswear and menswear, why it vanished, and why it’s worth reviving.

What Happened to the Tradition of Men Dressing Differently From Boys?

Across the last two centuries of Western male dress, boys’ clothing tended to be looser, brighter, and more utilitarian — made for getting dirty and handling rough-and-tumble play. Men’s attire, by contrast, was more tailored, sober, and symbolic of dignity and responsibility.

From the 1800s through the 1940s in the West, boys typically wore short pants with knee socks, paired with buttoned jackets or tunics in the late 19th century, and with blazers or pullover sweaters in the early 20th. White-collar men, on the other hand, wore full, formal suits. Short pants signaled boyhood; full-length trousers signaled manhood. When boys got their first long trousers — or received a watch or tie as a gift — these were signals that the young lad was joining the ranks of the men.

Headwear also marked the age divide during these eras: in the 19th century, boys wore flat caps, while adult men wore top hats or bowlers; by the early 20th century, men had shifted to fedoras, trilbies, or homburgs.

By the 1950s, boys began wearing jeans, t-shirts, baseball jackets, and Chuck Taylors for play, while still dressing in nicer trousers and button-down shirts for school. Adult men might throw on a GI-issue undershirt for chores around the house, but they didn’t wear t-shirts in public. During their leisure time, they opted for sport shirts, chinos, and cardigans, which were casual but still distinctly grown-up in cut, fabric, and styling.

The distinction between boyswear and menswear began to erode in the 1960s. The counterculture rejected the older generation’s values, including their fashion mores. Youth culture became the ideal. “Don’t trust anyone over thirty,” they said. And the subtext wasn’t subtle: “Don’t act like anyone over thirty. And definitely don’t dress like them. What are you? Your old man, man?”

Sociologists see this moment as the start of a broader shift in American culture. The idea that age brings dignity felt outdated. It became less desirable to seem respectable than cool, and grown men began to dress more like those who represented the locus of cool — the young.

Accelerating this shift was the growing casualness of culture overall. Dress codes loosened in workplaces and schools, and the expectation that you would, say, wear a button-down shirt and tie to a baseball game fell to the wayside. And it’s a lot easier to build generation-signaling style distinctions into more structured clothing than it is leisurewear; a t-shirt is a t-shirt.

Nonetheless, up through the 90s, boys and men still looked at least a little different — even when they wore similar things. There were Dad jeans and boy jeans. Dad sneakers and boy sneakers. Dad was more likely to be in a polo, his son in a tee.

But even those subtle distinctions faded in the 2000s. A lot of why men had continued to look different from boys is that they had to dress up and wear a different kind of clothing to work. But now offices further loosened their dress codes, and hoodie-clad Silicon Valley entrepreneurs became the new models to emulate. Then, when remote work exploded during the pandemic, men had even fewer reasons to even own anything but the most casual clothes — the kind least distinguishable from what young people already wore.

Add in the rise of athleisure — clothing least suited to signaling any age-based distinctions — and the result is this: boys and men alike now spend most of their time in joggers, sneakers, and t-shirts and look very much the same.

The Cultural Cost of the Flattened Age of Dressing

While changing style mores might be chalked up as a neutral, inevitable cultural evolution, there is a cost both to individuals and society as a whole when the sartorial line between boys and men is erased:

Men take themselves less seriously. Even when a culture’s formal rites of passage didn’t involve a wardrobe change, simply beginning to wear grownup clothes helped young men psychologically transition into manhood. Wearing clothes associated with being a mature man helped shift their mindset into the role they were stepping into.

A large body of research has shown that clothing impacts not just performance but also self-esteem, confidence, and mood. People wearing formal or “professional” attire report feeling more competent and authoritative. Those in casual or athletic wear tend to describe themselves as less assertive.

If people worry that men don’t seem very mature anymore — that men don’t act like men — at least part of the reason may be that they no longer dress like men. When men spend most of their time in sweatpants and t-shirts, in clothes that are indistinguishable from what their children wear, they may take themselves a little less seriously, have less of a sense that they really have arrived firmly in adulthood and need to find the solid traction attendant to that stage, and have less confidence in what they’re capable of.

When men are wearing the same clothes at 35 that they wore at 15, it may add to a feeling of being in developmental limbo and of all the life stages running together.

People take men less seriously. Research also shows that how you dress influences how other people perceive you. For example, job interview studies show that applicants in adult-coded attire — dress shirt, well-fitted trousers — score higher on perceived competence than equally qualified peers in casual gear. Teaching assistants earn more authority points with students when wearing a tie. When you look like the grown man in the room, people treat you like a grown man.

It’s hard to take a 40-year-old guy in Nike hi-tops and a flat-billed ball cap very seriously, and when men dress like boys, they may diminish their influence.

As a WFH dad who dresses most days in jogger pants and a t-shirt, I do wonder sometimes if my getup diminishes my sense of authority with my kids and the level of respect they have for me. Certainly, for better and worse, they bring a much greater level of casual familiarity to our interactions than I ever did with my parents, and how I dress is likely one reason for that.

Culture loses its grown-ups. If the erasure of the line between boyswear and menswear makes men feel less secure in their status as adults and diminishes their influence, that not only affects them as individuals but impacts the culture as well. Sociologists note that rites of passage serve both the initiate and the tribe; the individual receives clarity about identity: I was X; now I am Y. The tribe gains reliability — We know what to expect from Y. When rites disappear, both parties drift.

In a society where men never stop dressing like they did in high school, they may lack the confidence to step into leadership roles. And when men don’t look like leaders, it further erodes public trust in the institutions they’re supposed to represent.

Young people also miss out on the comfort and ballast that comes with entering the orbit of a man who seems grounded and mature — someone who signals, even without saying much, that adulthood is a real, distinct territory, and it’s worth arriving there. Youth crave contact with adults who carry gravitas — who are accessible but exude stability, wisdom, and welcome authority. But it’s harder for young adults to lend trust to would-be mentors when they’re dressed identically to their peers.

Why Men Should Dress (at Least a Little) Differently Than Boys

Despite the sweeping arguments above, I’m not advocating for men to return to wearing three-piece suits on the daily. I don’t even live out the “men don’t dress like boys” maxim very strictly myself. As mentioned, most days, you’ll find me wearing jogger pants and a t-shirt while working from home or running errands.

But, I do always try to dress a little nicer — and a little more maturely — any time I’m doing something that rises above grabbing groceries. And I do think it would benefit individual men, and the culture as a whole, if men dressed differently than boys — even just a little.

I’m envisioning a world where Dad’s clothes are just a bit more tailored and structured than Junior’s. Where, even in casual settings, a man is more likely to wear jeans than sweatpants, more apt to reach for polos, camp shirts, and Oxford button-downs than t-shirts. And when he does wear a t-shirt, it’s a solid-color, classic-looking one. In nicer settings, where he can get away with putting his toddler in a polo, he still wears a suit himself. He doesn’t wear Air Jordans or flip-flops past age twenty-five. He finds subtle ways to signal that manhood is a different stage of life than boyhood — and that he’s entered into it.

For help dressing like a grown man — without having to don a top hat — check out our decade-by-decade style guides in the AoM archives:

• A Man’s Guide to Dressing Sharp and Casual in His 20s
• A Man’s Guide to Dressing Sharp and Casual in His 30s
• A Man’s Guide to Dressing Sharp and Casual in His 40s
• A Man’s Guide to Dressing Sharp and Casual in His 50s

For even more age-appropriate, casual style inspo that doesn’t involve elastic pants and Crocs, also take a gander at our smart casual dressing guides:

• A Man’s Guide to Smart Casual
• Summer Smart Casual: 3 Getup Ideas for the Office, Date Night, and Weddings

Clothing has always been part of the way young men have made the transition into manhood. When you act like a man, you feel like one. When you dress like a man, people treat you as such. And when enough men do both, the culture benefits from having a few more adults in the room.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

There’s an undeniable power in simplicity. Few garments embody this principle quite like the classic white t-shirt. Whether it conjures images of James Dean leaning casually against a wall or Marlon Brando radiating effortless cool in A Streetcar Named Desire, the white t-shirt remains a timeless sartorial staple for men.

Yet, because it is such a straightforward garment, wearing it with style requires paying attention to a few key details. Here’s how to make this understated icon a versatile part of your wardrobe.

How to Wear a White T-Shirt With Style

Distinguish It From an Undershirt

The original white T-shirt was designed as an undershirt and introduced as standard military issue for U.S. Navy sailors around the early 20th century. Today, you don’t want your white tee to be mistaken for its antecedent. You want it to read as an intentional, independent piece rather than an unkempt afterthought. 

To distinguish your white tee from an ordinary undershirt, make sure the fabric is thick and opaque (more on this below) and opt for a crewneck over a v-neck or scoop neck. Both of those styles read as more undershirt-like, and the latter has more of a trendy feel. Stick with a crewneck for a more timeless, classic look.

Fit Is Everything

The first rule for pulling off a white t-shirt is getting the fit right. Unlike patterned or colored shirts that can distract the eye, the white tee leaves little room for error. Here’s what to aim for:

• Shoulders: The seams should align with the edge of your shoulders, not hanging over or riding up.
• Sleeves: The shirt’s sleeves should hug your arms lightly without squeezing, ideally hitting about halfway down your biceps.
• Length: The tee should end around your belt line, allowing for some fabric to comfortably tuck in or remain neatly untucked without looking sloppy.
• Chest and Torso: The fit should skim your chest and midsection without clinging or sagging. A tailored, athletic fit typically works best.

Because you’re going to be washing your white tee on a hot/warm cycle (see below), get one that’s just a bit big to allow for shrinkage. 

Fabric Matters

Not all white tees are created equal, and the fabric impacts the drape, longevity, and comfort of your shirt. Select a shirt based on these factors:

• Material: Aim for high-quality, 100% cotton or a cotton blend with a medium weight. Avoid thin, translucent fabric; it should be opaque enough to maintain your modesty and present a clean, crisp look.
• Thickness: Reserve thinner, cheaper tees strictly for undershirts. Your outerwear white tee should stand firmly on its own.
• Texture: Opt for smooth, finely-knit fabrics rather than ribbed textures. Go for a classic crewneck; slub tees always look a little sloppy, and that’s especially true for a white one.

Even when you choose a quality white tee, don’t wear an undershirt underneath. It typically shows through, creating distracting lines. 

Keep It Clean

A white t-shirt is a bright, blank canvas on which any soil or stain will stand out. It’s only stylish if it remains crisp and clean. Here’s how to keep it pristine:

• Wash Separately: Keep white tees separate from colored garments to prevent color bleeding.
• Spot treat stains. If you get something on your shirt, hit it with a stain-treater like Shout right away. Then wash it in the water temp that’s best for getting out the particular stain: warm/hot for oil-based and sweat stains; cold for blood and protein-based stains.
• Address pit stains: White t-shirts will readily accumulate yellow pit stains. To treat them, apply a paste made from equal parts hydrogen peroxide and baking soda directly to the stained areas and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or soak the shirt in water mixed with OxiClean according to package instructions. Then wash it in warm or hot water with regular detergent.

Accessorize Without Overdoing It

The white tee is a canvas for subtle details:

• Watches and Bracelets: A simple watch or leather bracelet adds subtle personality without overwhelming the look.
• Necklaces: Keep necklaces minimal and refined. A thin chain or small pendant works best.
• Hats: A simple baseball cap looks great paired with a white tee. 

Building Outfits Around the White Tee

One of the greatest assets of the white t-shirt is its versatility. Here are several ways to style it:

The Classic Rebel

Channel the iconic James Dean look:

• Pair your fitted white tee with dark jeans. Indigo, black, and gray all work well.
• Add a rugged leather belt and boots.
• In cooler weather, finish with a timeless jacket, like a leather motorcycle jacket or denim trucker.

Casual Weekend

Relaxed but refined:

• Pair the white tee with chinos or well-fitting shorts.
• Choose understated white sneakers or classic canvas slip-ons.
• Add a woven belt or minimalist watch for subtle detail.

Smart Casual

Dress up without losing comfort:

• Layer your white tee beneath an unstructured blazer.
• Opt for dark denim or tailored trousers.
• Complete with leather loafers or clean white sneakers.

Layered and Functional

For cooler seasons or casual layering:

• Wear under a lightweight cardigan, a flannel shirt, or a denim button-down.
• Ensure the layers complement each other without overly competing.
• Pair with jeans, chinos, or even casual wool trousers for colder weather.

Worn with confidence and attention to the small details of fit, fabric, and style, the white tee needn’t be a boring default. It can serve as both a simple staple and a handsome statement. 

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Summer is unofficially underway.  

Besides busting out your camp collar shirts for relaxed summer vibes, you might consider changing up your footwear for the warmer weather.

Summer shoes put a premium on breathability so your feet stay cool and don’t get smelly during the hot days. They’re also typically more casual than fall and winter shoes and just look chill and relaxed.

When most men think of a summer shoe that’s breathable and relaxed, they usually think of sandals first. But there are other summer shoe options besides sandals! Footwear options that thankfully keep your toes hidden — because no one wants to see a dude’s toes.

Below, we’ll dig into these options (and when sandals are appropriate), offering a guide to the essential summer shoes every man should consider adding to his wardrobe.

Espadrilles

Espadrilles are lightweight, breathable shoes with canvas or cotton uppers and distinctive woven rope soles, traditionally crafted from jute.

They combine comfort, relaxed style, and excellent airflow, making them perfect for beach outings, leisurely strolls, or relaxed gatherings during warm weather. Since they’re lightweight, they’re great for vacation packing.

The two cons of espadrilles are that they absorb water easily and wear down quickly on pavement.

They pair nicely with linen chinos, shorts, and Guayabera shirts.

Canvas Sneakers

Canvas sneakers combine breathable fabric and casual comfort that’s just right for summer. Iconic slip-on styles like those from Vans and SeaVees, first favored by California surfers in the 1960s, deliver effortless, laid-back vibes. Lace-up classics, including Converse Chuck Taylors, offer timeless versatility.

Wear them with shorts or chinos for an easygoing outfit at backyard cookouts or city strolls.

While canvas is breathable, canvas sneakers can still get smelly. Make sure to read our guide on how to go sockless in the summer without stinking up your shoes. Your best bet is to wear a no-show sock with canvas sneakers to avoid the smell issue.

Boat Shoes

Invented by Paul Sperry in 1935, boat shoes feature siped soles for grip on wet decks. They’re typically associated with East Coast preppy dudes, but can be pulled off by guys from coast to coast.

Boat shoes seem to cycle in and out of fashion. They were popular when I was in high school back in the 90s (I wore them), and then they became uncool. But boat shoes are back in style.

Boat shoes up the class level just a notch above sneakers, so that they look best with an outfit that rises a bit above the ordinary t-shirt + jeans/shorts combo — think a polo shirt, button-down, short-sleeve henley, or guayabera on top, and nicer jeans, khakis, or shorts on the bottom. You can even wear them with a blazer — if you dress down the rest of the elements in your get-up.

See our full guide to boat shoes.

Boat shoes are typically worn without socks. Make sure to let them air out after each wearing.

Huaraches & Woven-Leather Shoes

Huaraches blend airy woven leather comfort with versatile style. Originating in Mexico, they offer excellent breathability and a custom fit, as they mold to your feet as you wear them regularly. No need to wear socks with them. They offer the breathability of a sandal while covering your toes.

Slightly dressier than typical sandals or sneakers, huaraches pair well with things like chinos and Oxford button-downs. You could even wear them with a lightweight summer suit.  

Mohinders City Slipper

My personal summer favorite is the Mohinders City Slipper. It’s basically a huarache slide. Handcrafted from water buffalo leather, they’re breathable, stylishly minimalist, and only get better with age. Whenever I wear them, I get compliments and questions about where I got them.

Mohinders aren’t great if you’re walking long distances. I’ve done that before and just ended up with blisters. Save them for cookouts or sipping drinks on the beach.

They pair well with khaki shorts, linen pants, and camp shirts.

Summer-Weight Loafers

Summer-weight loafers, particularly unlined leather or suede loafers and driving moccasins, provide an effortlessly refined option for warm weather. They seamlessly bridge casual and dressy outfits, easily pairing with everything from tailored shorts and polos to linen suits. They’re a nice addition to your summer smart casual wardrobe.

Keep them fresh with regular suede brushing, waterproof spray, and cedar shoe trees to manage moisture and maintain shape.

Sandals: Limited Use

One of Walker Lamond’s rules of life is “Men should not wear sandals. Ever.” My 14-year-old son spontaneously came to the same conclusion without any coaching from me. Why? Because dudes’ feet are just ugly.

Walker makes one exception for sandals: Sandals are allowed if you’re using them as gear for a specific water-based situation, like going to the pool or rafting. For all other situations, stick with one of the above summertime shoes.

Quick Decision Guide

• Near or in water? ➜ Sandal
• Smart-casual dinner? ➜ Unlined loafers or Huaraches
• Wet deck or rainy boardwalk? ➜ Boat shoes
• City exploration? ➜ Canvas sneakers
• Beach town evenings? ➜ Espadrilles or Mohinders

A solid summer shoe rotation — one breathable closed-toe, one dressy loafer, and one water-ready sandal — covers nearly every warm-weather occasion and will keep you feeling chill and looking sharp all season long.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

The polo is a style staple and one of the most versatile shirts a man can own. Donning one is an easy way to level up your look when the occasion calls for something a notch above a t-shirt.

But that ease can lead to complacency, and the polo often ends up in some very unstylish territory.

A guy needs a collared shirt for an event, grabs one off the rack at Kohl’s, throws it on thoughtlessly — and ends up looking like a middle manager at Acme Co.

Maybe that’s okay if you’re about to give a PowerPoint presentation on Q3 sales, but a lot of guys would like to look sharper in a polo for social occasions, and even at work.

If you want yours to read as more stylish and handsome than boring and corporate, follow these five guidelines:

1. Dial in the Fit

Middle Manager Move: Oversized polos with sleeves hanging past the elbow and bodies billowing like sails.

Manly Upgrade: As with any garment, fit is king — and that’s especially true with the polo, where a loose, shapeless cut only adds to the shirt’s reputation as an afterthought. Instead of swimming in a sloppy shirt that hides your build, opt for a polo that flatters your frame with:

• A slim-but-not-tight silhouette.
• Sleeves that hit mid-bicep and hug the arm a little.
• Length that lands mid-fly — long enough to tuck, short enough to leave out.

2. Choose Classic Fabrics

Middle Manager Move: Shiny, synthetic polos with moisture-wicking sheen.

Manly Upgrade: Tech fabric exudes an air of the office and suburban-dad-dom. So save the shiny polos for the golf course, and choose polos made with traditional pique cotton or jersey knit. Jersey and pique cotton offer structure without stiffness and a texture that looks classic and inviting.

3. Dress It With Intention

Middle Manager Move: Wearing a polo as part of a generic business-casual getup — tucked into pleated khakis, paired with a braided belt and boxy dress shoes.

Manly Upgrade: You want to treat the polo like a grown-up essential, not a placeholder. Give some thought to how you wear it and what you wear it with by:

• Pairing it with tailored chinos, trousers, or well-fitting jeans.
• Adding refined-yet-relaxed footwear: loafers, chukka boots, clean sneakers.
• Accessorizing with a cool bracelet or watch (or both, like Clark Gable above)
• Tucking it in (if you want) but anchored with a leather or canvas belt.

4. Branch Out With Colors

Middle Manager Move: Wearing only safe colors — navy, black, or corporate baby blue.

Manly Upgrade: There’s nothing wrong with a polo in a basic color like blue, but when you’re trying to look more stylish and sharp than stiff and stale, branch into earth tones (olive, rust, cream), deep classics (burgundy, forest green), or even a light mint or pink for spring and summer.

5. Level Up With Layers

Middle Manager Move: Nothing but the polo up top.

Manly Upgrade: One-dimensional outfits are fine, and a necessity for the hottest months of the year. But when the weather allows, adding a layer adds visual interest to your getup. Polos can look great with a lightweight jacket, cardigan, or even a sport coat over them.

Don’t Let the Polo Phone It In

The polo shirt’s got plenty more potential than being the go-to uniform of the apathetic office worker or the off-duty regional manager. With better styling, it can look intentional and sharp — put-together but still laid-back. Wear it with some purpose, and it rises above the cubicle to become a sartorial statement.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

When spring rolls in, so do new adventures — whether that’s a weekend trip out of town, a fresh household or work project, or simply a walk through the neighborhood as the world thaws out. Wherever you’re headed, LUCA footwear has you covered from the ground up.

LUCA shoes are built for the man who wants clean, timeless style with all-day comfort and dependable durability. Our friends at Huckberry have put together three springtime looks centered around LUCA’s versatile lineup. From laid-back chukkas to modern slip-ons, these shoes are ready to step into whatever the season brings.

Outfit #1: The Spring Weekender

You’re headed out of town for the weekend with friends. You packed light, but dialed in the essentials — comfortable, casual clothing that keeps you looking sharp from breakfast in town to relaxing around a firepit at night.

1. LUCA Terra Moc Chukka Sneaker Boot. A hybrid of moccasin comfort and sneaker utility, these chukkas are your go-to for all-day wear on the road and at your destination.

2. Flint and Tinder Crochet Knit Polo Shirt. Light and breathable with a subtle vintage vibe, this handsome polo is the perfect piece for springtime smart casual.

3. Flint and Tinder 365 Pant. Stretchy, tailored, and endlessly versatile. Soft, comfortable, yet stylish, they easily go from workwear to weekend-wear.

4. Wills Cotton Cashmere Goleta Polo. Another option for a top to wear on your weekend away when you want to elevate your look beyond the t-shirt.

5. CAMP Eyewear Topo Smokey Bear Sunglasses. Classic frames that bring just enough personality, plus polarized lenses to cut the glare on the open road.

Outfit #2: The Urban Daily Driver

Your spring calendar’s stacked — coffee shop meetings, picking the kids up from practice, a quick hike when you can sneak it in. You want a kit that’s practical, unfussy, and can keep up without slowing you down.

1. LUCA Pebbled Leather Terra Low Sneaker. Minimalist and clean, these low tops elevate your usual sneaker game while staying rugged enough for spring’s unpredictable conditions.

2. Trumbull Vintage Wash Crewneck Sweatshirt. Washed to vintage softness, this crewneck hits the sweet spot between comfort and polish.

3. Flint and Tinder Stretch Selvedge Denim. Built like proper jeans, but with hidden stretch that makes them feel broken-in on day one.

4. Huckberry Waxed Canvas 6-Panel Hat. Blocks the sun, handles a little drizzle, and brings a utilitarian edge to your look.

5. GORUCK x Michael Easter 2% Bullet Backpack. A collab between GoRuck and Comfort Crisis-author and rucking-advocate Michael Easter. Bombproof, compact, and purpose-built — just like your daily schedule.

Outfit #3: The Office (or Date Night) Upgrade

You’ve got plans downtown — maybe a client meeting, maybe a dinner reservation. Either way, you need a fit that’s elevated but still easy to wear. This is spring layering done right.

1. LUCA Terra Slip On Chelsea Sneaker Boot. A refined slip-on with the silhouette of a Chelsea boot and the comfort of a sneaker — dressy, but not fussy.

2. Relwen Flyweight Flex Blazer. Tailored structure with hidden stretch. Wear it to the office or throw it on for a date with your main squeeze.

3. Flint and Tinder Linen Ripstop Mill Pant. Breathable, rugged linen for when denim feels too heavy and chinos too stiff.

4. Flint and Tinder Hemp Classic Long Sleeve Button Down. Lightweight, textured, and sharp — perfect on its own or layered.

5. Huckberry x Timex Titanium Automatic Field Watch. A rugged, lightweight automatic timepiece that bridges form and function with effortless style.

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.