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.)


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).
As always great ACL look. Love the new bags. The canvas and subtle branding is so crispy, brah!
mad handsome.
easy breezy… please keep this series coming
For a while, I was decidedly on the fence about elastice waistbands. Then I went commando in my pair from the goodwill. Sold.
Camo shorts? Check yourself, homey.
Check yourself Pierre and get back to work at that Disney store you are logged in from.
I’m buying that sharp sharp shirt.
Except I’m not seeing the flap pocket option at the site. What’s with that?
If you want the flap pocket you should call them…
I work in a dream factory. And I keep my knees covered.
The vans and coal bag are flavor. As usual.
“Even the park rangers complimented me on these RE Sportsmans.”
State or National?
National. Sandy Hook, NJ.
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.
Vans are great for the beach! MW what kind of sunscreen do you use?
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.
So ah, can regular humans get those Mark McNairy shorts in tiger stripe, or are mere mortals relegated to digi camo?
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.
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.
Ernest Hemingway is a good touch.
tigerstripe is boss as hell. pierre is too busy eating baguettes.
I’m getting the glasses
Hattan kills. Just bought two, Pearl grey solid and Blue check.
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
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.
You are the PR guy for everyone lumped into the same scene in which I like to call NERDS TO MEN!!!!!
I thought I was the only one still wearing camo shorts, sweet.
@Jason
No, it’s Mark McNairy who’s in the wrong business.
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!
i want a cap and a bag please!
trade you for a mister freedom p coat!
Gotta roll with some Piz Buin sunscreen. That stuff smells fine.
@Allen
I agree to a certain extent. Don’t really see a load of originality and that’s sad.
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.
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?
Anyone got suggestions for good classic beach towels?
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
Erick,
I have a big head and wear the 61mm Frames w/ 160mm cable arms, gold w/ amber lenses.
the cap’s a little twee, but the sun soaked vans more than make up for it
I find myself returning to the site lately for the comment rapport more than the content.
Either way, keep up the good work.
This post is like a lil vacation in itself.
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!
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?
Wavy, Brah.
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.
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.
that shirt is TIGHT. would love to know your reasons for saying flap pocket is the only way to go.
perfect packed back for the day
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.
Where do i buy those Hattan caps online?
http://www.hattannewyork.com/#/home
sorry my bad no online, they are in store in NYC at Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman
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.
So when you say amber Brett, do you mean agx??
Michael: are these your ‘six items or less’?