The beach has been my number one priority of the summer, you know, on my attitude adjusted priorities list. So after a particularly relaxing day at the ocean I decided to document some of my preferred beach attire. Obviously, you need to consider swimming and sand, but also post-beach drinking. For this look I mostly focus on the post beach drinking part. Actually, this is everything I wear with the exception of my swimsuit. So think of this as my real life ‘That Summer Look” (just like the autumn looks I have done in the past) and use it for inspiration. If you see me at the beach chances are I’ll be wearing some variation of this. And don’t forget the sunscreen — you don’t want to literally be “crispy,” just figuratively.
- Vans Original Classic in Navy
- Hattan Navy Hopsack Hat
- Alexander West Custom Shirt (Made from Thomas Mason fabric)
- Mark McNairy Expo Shorts
- ACL & Co. Large Canvas Coal Bag
- ACL & Co. waxed canvas bag
- Ernest Hemingway: To Have and Have Not
- Randolph Engineering Sportsman Sunglasses
(Please note that I do press for McNairy and Alexander West. That said, they didn’t pay me to wear this to the beach.)
Flap pocket is the only way to go.
Even the park rangers complimented me on these RE Sportsmans.
Nathan
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 1:38 PM:
I have to say that I don’t like the new Randolph Engineering “RE” logo that they’re putting on the lenses. It’s a bit to big for my taste, and done in a poor font. I bought a pair a year or so ago that had “RANDOLPH” in small, all-caps, sans serif font on the edge. It’s fairly unobtrusive (although personally, I’d prefer no logo at all).
Jake Davis
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 1:39 PM:
As always great ACL look. Love the new bags. The canvas and subtle branding is so crispy, brah!
nick
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 1:46 PM:
mad handsome.
sam c.
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 1:48 PM:
easy breezy… please keep this series coming
John Lugg
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 2:03 PM:
For a while, I was decidedly on the fence about elastice waistbands. Then I went commando in my pair from the goodwill. Sold.
Pierre
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 2:32 PM:
Camo shorts? Check yourself, homey.
Michael Williams
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 2:33 PM:
Check yourself Pierre and get back to work at that Disney store you are logged in from.
vanderleun
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 2:49 PM:
I’m buying that sharp sharp shirt.
vanderleun
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 2:53 PM:
Except I’m not seeing the flap pocket option at the site. What’s with that?
Michael Williams
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 2:54 PM:
If you want the flap pocket you should call them…
Pierre
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 3:02 PM:
I work in a dream factory. And I keep my knees covered.
Pierre
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 3:03 PM:
The vans and coal bag are flavor. As usual.
Tintin
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 3:12 PM:
“Even the park rangers complimented me on these RE Sportsmans.”
State or National?
Michael Williams
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 3:15 PM:
National. Sandy Hook, NJ.
Jordan
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 3:24 PM:
I know I wouldn’t be able to pull off the elastic-banded camo shorts, but that shirt is piquing my interest. Reminds me of a Ben Sherman.
Timothy_Elliott
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 3:29 PM:
Vans are great for the beach! MW what kind of sunscreen do you use?
Hilton
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 3:59 PM:
I like the gingham shirt a lot. Why is a flap pocket the only way to go? Is it more trad? Do you wear short sleeves in the summer? Thanks.
Jay
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 4:02 PM:
So ah, can regular humans get those Mark McNairy shorts in tiger stripe, or are mere mortals relegated to digi camo?
Kyle
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 4:34 PM:
Well technically they are digital. This digital tigerstripe pattern is current-issue for the Airforce, so I imagine it wouldn’t be difficult to find a pair and have tailor cut and hem them for you.
Ammar
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 7:35 PM:
Those digi camo shorts are so boss. I was thinking of buying the McNairy camo pants but now I’m in a full on debate if I should get the shorts instead.
PChris
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 7:47 PM:
Ernest Hemingway is a good touch.
pat
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 8:06 PM:
tigerstripe is boss as hell. pierre is too busy eating baguettes.
Ted
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 9:41 PM:
I’m getting the glasses
The Dude
on Jul 23rd, 2010
@ 11:14 PM:
Hattan kills. Just bought two, Pearl grey solid and Blue check.
Calabreezy
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 12:07 AM:
Hey Michael, next time you are at Sandy Hook, you have to stop by the barber shop. I’m fifteen minutes north on Rt. 36.
Chris Calabrese
Jason
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 12:17 AM:
As pant, those shorts cost $40. Hem them, throw a black belt through the loops, add a McNairy tag, and mark them up $60. I’m in the wrong business.
bryant
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 9:31 AM:
You are the PR guy for everyone lumped into the same scene in which I like to call NERDS TO MEN!!!!!
Danny
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 3:29 PM:
I thought I was the only one still wearing camo shorts, sweet.
allen
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 3:35 PM:
@Jason
No, it’s Mark McNairy who’s in the wrong business.
Paul
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 4:14 PM:
I go for the shirt and the glasses… great stuff – a summer read for me is great mystery novel — and if the location is near the shore/beach/coast… all the better.
Great post Michael!
greg chapman
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 4:25 PM:
i want a cap and a bag please!
trade you for a mister freedom p coat!
Dave
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 4:30 PM:
Gotta roll with some Piz Buin sunscreen. That stuff smells fine.
Jason
on Jul 24th, 2010
@ 7:15 PM:
@Allen
I agree to a certain extent. Don’t really see a load of originality and that’s sad.
Matt
on Jul 25th, 2010
@ 12:17 AM:
Re: Pierre. MW – so wait, people who work at Disney stores can’t be well dressed or question camo shorts? Agree those shorts, well made as they are, with aviators especially — that’s perfect encapsulation of mid-90′s fratboy, yikes. BTW, if everyone “got back to work” instead of reading your blog you’d have no readers, be careful when you diss the fans. Love the blog and the comments, just sayin.
Michael Williams
on Jul 25th, 2010
@ 12:41 AM:
Yes people that work at a Disney store can’t be well dressed – that is a proven fact. And thanks for the advice on how to best operate this site. Do you mind if I am in charge for a little while?
Simon
on Jul 25th, 2010
@ 1:47 PM:
Anyone got suggestions for good classic beach towels?
Erick O.
on Jul 25th, 2010
@ 4:50 PM:
Hey Mike,
I know the sunglasses are color gold, but what did you get for the temples and lenses?
http://www.randolphusastore.com/sportsman.html
Also, for the size, what would you recommend? I have a pretty big head ( a 7-7/8 hat size), so should I go for the biggest size?
Thanks
Erick
Brett
on Jul 25th, 2010
@ 9:54 PM:
Erick,
I have a big head and wear the 61mm Frames w/ 160mm cable arms, gold w/ amber lenses.
jbjones
on Jul 26th, 2010
@ 10:22 AM:
the cap’s a little twee, but the sun soaked vans more than make up for it
Justin
on Jul 26th, 2010
@ 10:47 AM:
I find myself returning to the site lately for the comment rapport more than the content.
Either way, keep up the good work.
Excellent Joe
on Jul 26th, 2010
@ 12:20 PM:
This post is like a lil vacation in itself.
Brian
on Jul 26th, 2010
@ 4:38 PM:
This stuff is rad but I’m just about done with this summer!!! after 70 inches of snow in a week in the winter … and multiple 100 degree days this summer you can understand a guy wanting a nice fall afternoon!
Ryan
on Jul 26th, 2010
@ 6:25 PM:
Digging everything outside of the shorts and the hat…
Didn’t know folks still rocked the camo shorts these days. Maybe it’s a Jersey thing?
JP
on Jul 26th, 2010
@ 7:00 PM:
Wavy, Brah.
Flocker
on Jul 26th, 2010
@ 11:19 PM:
The two dudes that live next door wear camo shorts, abercrombie tees, and polo logo baseball hats. This will be my “homage” outfit to those great guys. I hear their pool parties are awesome.
Tony
on Jul 27th, 2010
@ 8:55 AM:
I like the camo shorts! I have a pair of Wrangler camo shorts that I got at Target for $14.99 that have developed a nice layer of baby spit up and fish guts from my week down the shore. Cool blog you have here.
latino lover
on Jul 27th, 2010
@ 5:29 PM:
that shirt is TIGHT. would love to know your reasons for saying flap pocket is the only way to go.
mat buckets
on Jul 27th, 2010
@ 5:37 PM:
perfect packed back for the day
Johnny Rocket
on Jul 27th, 2010
@ 5:42 PM:
I realize that it is much easier for suppliers to offer hats in one adjustable size only, but I for one much prefer the “old fashioned” actual sized hat. The adjustable hats look nice for women with pony tails, but they are also one of the worst things ever to happen to haberdashery, right up there with polyester.
Fred
on Jul 27th, 2010
@ 6:04 PM:
Where do i buy those Hattan caps online?
Daniel
on Jul 28th, 2010
@ 9:50 PM:
http://www.hattannewyork.com/#/home
Daniel
on Jul 28th, 2010
@ 9:53 PM:
sorry my bad no online, they are in store in NYC at Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman
Aaron
on Jul 29th, 2010
@ 2:31 PM:
How about the sunscreen? Check out the natural mineral formula and classic packaging of Glacier Creme – http://www.glaciercreme.com
A non-chemical 30+ SPF Sunscreen with origins from the beginning of sunscreen in 1938.
Erick O.
on Jul 30th, 2010
@ 6:17 PM:
So when you say amber Brett, do you mean agx??
Daniel
on Jul 30th, 2010
@ 11:46 PM:
Michael: are these your ‘six items or less’?