Shop the Shades of Indigo sale on Gilt >>>

We swear he's smiling on the inside.

Haven’t you heard? Golf is a sport now. And a lot has changed. The classic polo shirts and cardigans donned by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have morphed into NASA-friendly “technical” apparel (wait, are those collar perforations?) that—too often—values functionality over form. Fortunately for you, there’s still plenty of great gear out there. Shop Callaway on Gilt for plenty of stylishly functional options, but first, a few tips to help you make sure your look is as sound as your game (or better).

1. Keep it Street Legal
If you wouldn’t wear it off the course, you can’t wear it on. That cuts out those all-over, loud patterned prints, semi-flammable-seeming fabrics, and those massive belt buckles too many young pros are wearing these days. If you have to ask, “Is this too Del Boca Vista?” it probably is.

2. Join the Cotton Club
You’ll likely be buying shirts that are made from a blend (cotton and a moisture-wicking synthetic). This is a good thing. But for comfort’s sake, look for a fabric that looks and feels like the real thing.

3. Show Them ‘Bows
If someone tells you to emulate Davis Love III in his heyday, they’re talking about his golf game, not his style. Burn all the golf shirts in your closet that go below your elbow — seriously, 1994 is gone. And while we’re at it, skip the pleats, too.

4. Invest in These…
A pair of slim chinos, a v-neck merino sweater, and a slim-fit polo (like the ones golfers in the ‘60s wore) — these are the foundation of a great golf wardrobe.

5. Casual Fridays… and Sundays
The younger generation that’s invaded the game of late has brought their gear with them, which means it’s not uncommon to see flat-brimmed ballcaps and sneaker-style golf shoes at even the stuffiest of private clubs. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this look, provided you balance it out with the classic items we’ve covered to avoid catching any flak on the first tee.

Shop Callaway on Gilt >

From software engineers to stylists, virtually everyone here isn’t just great at what they do, they’re also incredibly plugged in to what’s going on outside the office. In our ongoing series designed to tap into that knowledge base, here’s what’s on the weekend docket of Public Relations Director, Lance Lin.

Did Someone Say Fried Grits?
Man…times have changed. It wasn’t so long ago that I used to countdown the days until Friday, where I would proceed to throw on my party hat and dance the night away. Now by week’s end, I am perfectly content with some great food with my best buds. Right now I’m loving Maysville, the new joint by restauranteur Sean Josephs (Char No. 4), so we are all heading there to catch up over bourbon and good ol’ southern food.

Biking + Wine…Sign Me Up!
In an effort to take advantage of the long summer days, my incredibly sweet and outdoorsy boyfriend Jared got us tickets to the North Fork Bike Tour (through Gilt City, of course). Saturday morning we’re heading upstate and going on a five-hour guided bike tour, which includes two winery tours. And while I approach the multi-hour bike challenge with some trepidation (read: my lack of endurance is laughable), I’m definitely stoked for a good wine tasting amidst beautiful scenery. I will power through.

Thanks…Dad.
Happy Father’s Day! To celebrate, we are going to take him to his favorite Japanese restaurant, Ootoya. This isn’t the California roll and chicken teriyaki variety — it’s all about Teishoku there, traditional home cooking in set-meal style. It’s definitely an experience worth trying. As a surpise, I picked him up the Garmin Approach S1 GPS Golf Watch, which I know will only amplify his obsession with all things “golf.” Hey…whatever makes him happy…right?

For more Weekend Plans, click here >>>

Peoples Choice

In Gilt MAN Essential No. 52, Michael Dougherty made a strong case for a classic pair of aviators, and that’s an apt description of the shades you’re looking at here. Well, actually, let’s call them a neo-classic pair. I doubt the brown lenses would’ve passed muster at Bauch & Lomb labs when their scientists were developing the original aviators for, you know, actual aviators. But if your day-to-day is more about the walk from a long, leisurely brunch to the latest exhibit at the New Museum, rather than scanning the skies for Fokkers on the attack, these will suit you quite well indeed.

Shop Oliver Peoples on Gilt >

Breaking Bad, Season 2
After a long week, Fridays are my time to unwind. This rain has had me wanting nothing more than my couch, a glass of wine, and Breaking Bad. I just finished the first season and can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get hooked!

Exploring Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Saturday, I’ll start my day out right with chicken & waffles from Pies ‘N’ Thighs. The weather is looking perfect right now for some day drinking, so I’ll make a stop at one my favorite biergartens, Radegast, before heading to my friend’s rooftop nearby to soak up the sun.

I’m playing my Saturday night by ear. Who knows? Maybe I’ll just end up at Randall’s Island for Governors Ball to catch the Kings of Leon set.  I’m all for some spontaneity.

Jersey With A Side of Meatballs
Sunday, I’m headed to New Jersey for a best friend’s bridal shower. She’s my very first friend getting married, so this is all very new to me. By the time I return to the city, I’m sure I’ll have the Sunday blues. No better way to cure the blues with some meatballs from The Meatball Shop. I’m hoping that the special balls will be the buffalo chicken balls!

For more Weekend Plans, click here >>>

John Gourley. The Man. Of Style

For the latest installment in our ongoing music series, we’re thrilled to be teaming up with Portugal. The Man singer John Gourley, whose sense of style is as sound as his musical chops. And speaking of those, the band’s Danger Mouse-produced seventh album, Evil Friends, is out now from Atlantic Records.

Tell us a little about Portugal. The Man. How do you describe your sound?

“Rock ‘n’ roll” is the easiest thing I could say. That doesn’t mean we’re loud or heavy all of the time. We just express ourselves—sometimes in a loud way, sometimes in a quiet way.

And how would you describe your look?
John: Satanic… [To manager] Sam, what’s our look?
Sam: Polished yet rugged.
John: Whoa, what??? Polished Satanism…

You know, I’ve always felt that Satanism lacked polish. On behalf of rock fans everywhere, thank you. [And for the record, he’s entirely kidding.] How has your look evolved over the past couple years?
I’m from Alaska. I come from a state that has a style to it, but it’s very practical. I’ll wear a jacket at Coachella because What if it rains? Is it going to be cold tonight? Who knows? It’s always about having everything with you. Alaskans aren’t better at dealing with the cold—we’re not all survivalists—we’re just prepared for it… You ask me how my style has evolved? I actually pick out jackets that I like the look of, instead of just the warmth that they provide.

So how do you expect to be dressing differently a couple years from now?
I think 2001: A Space Odyssey is going to be my look. It’s going to be sixties future. I just went to the Stanley Kubrick exhibit at LACMA the other day. There’s something so classic about his movies. You could watch a Kubrick film today—it will always work. That’s a genius director that can make something so timeless… By the way, my watch is one of the prototypes for 2001 that Hamilton made. They’re pretty hard to find.

What’s one thing every guy should be wearing this season?
Pants.

Wise man. How about something guys should not be wearing?
There’s one thing I can’t say, but I really want to. They’re label-mates. You know what? What everybody should be doing this year is the Wiz Khalifa Grammy outfit. That look was so on point! No shirt? Blazer? He was on. That should be the answer for both [what to wear and what not to wear].

You’re a regular Gilt customer. What’s on your shopping list right now?
A good summer hat. Summer hats are so important right now. People really don’t think about it a whole lot. You’ve got to pick up the right summer hat.

What is the best style advice you’ve ever received?
The style advice I always get is, “you shouldn’t wear that. Just don’t wear that again.” [Laughs.] Actually, our manager, when we first started working together, said, “find a good tailor.” I mean, it’s not expensive, and if you get a good tailor, everything you pick up fits well.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten, and why?
We were just talking about Burger Up, in Nashville. I mean, first of all, Nashville has the most beautiful people in the world. You almost hate going there, because everybody is so pretty. And they all seem to eat at this burger place, which is the coolest thing. That’s so punk—you look that good, and you’re out eating burgers? But this isn’t just any burger place.

Name the best concert you’ve ever been to (besides your own, of course).
Pantera. I was 14 years old. They played in Alaska. It was the first concert I’d ever been to. I’ve read interviews with them where they’d say, “We played for 100,000 people in Russia, and Alaska, in front of 6,000 people, was the craziest thing we’ve ever seen…” That was the craziest shit I’ve ever seen in my life. You have to imagine the biggest, meanest dudes in Alaska just letting it all out. It was—it was terrifying, and I wasn’t anywhere near the pit. The best front man. Phil Anselmo. Dimebag would go into a solo, and Phil would just take a step back and say, “Man that’s fuckin’ badass!” People don’t do that. You don’t see shows where the singer just takes a step back and points out how badass they are.

Who would you like to see featured as a Man of Style?
Justin Townes Earle. He is so on point. [To his manager, Sam, who told him they just made the top 10 on iTunes.] Fuck yeah, top 10! I did a press panel at Bonnaroo in 2009. That was a turning point for me in so many ways. The suit that he was wearing at Bonnaroo in 2009—I mean, he killed it. He’s just so cool. He’s got serious, serious style.

During his visit to Gilt’s Brooklyn studio, Mr. Gourley was kind enough to perform an impromptu version of “Sea of Air,” from the brand’s new record, Evil Friends. Enjoy…

Head to the band’s official site to find out more about Portugal. The Man; download a copy of the new record, “Evil Friends,” on iTunes >

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The mingling crowds at Northern Grade - San Francisco

At Gilt Man, we’re all about bringing you the best men’s brands. Sometimes that means the big ones, and sometimes it’s all about the up-and-comers. Northern Grade San Francisco, which went this past Saturday, celebrated brands in the latter category, including California brands like Rogue Territory, Triple Aught Design, and Black Sheep Postal Service, as well as indie labels from elsewhere, like Rancourt & Co. from Maine, Tennessee-based Cause and Effect belts, and more. Oh, and of course, Minneapolis-based Pierrepont Hicks neckwear, whose cofounders Mac and Katherine McMillan are the driving force behind Northern Grade. We were thrilled to come on as a sponsor, which meant that I got to spend the day meeting customers, talking shop with the men and women behind these brands, and generally basking in the good vibes that seem to be permeating San Francisco these days, which were only accentuated by the perfect, 75-degrees-and-sunny weather. The locals actually found it a bit hot, but given the heatwave back home I had no complaints. Check out a slideshow from the event, and be sure to click on the links found in each slide to learn more about each of the amazing brands featured.

Tyler Thoreson and his kids Lucia, 6, Gunnar, 18 months, and Oscar, 5

Ask a dad what he wants for Father’s Day, and if he’s smart he’ll say something like, “Who, me? Why nothing—except for your ongoing awesomeness as a life partner and co-parent to our child and/or children.”

This, of course, is man-code for “Can you believe how thoughtful and considerate I am for pretending not to want anything for Father’s Day?! Surely someone possessed of such qualities deserves an amazing gift!”

Okay, I’m kidding (mostly), but one thing’s for certain: He wants a great gift. Shop the upcoming Father’s Day Event on Gilt for all kinds of fantastic ideas — from clothing and footwear to accessories and home gear — but first, here are a few tips and techniques for finding just the right gift for the dad in your life.

1. Give him an upgrade.
Has he let his style go a bit since becoming a dad? Father’s Day is your best chance to give him an upgrade disguised as altruism. Start with something you know he needs — a belt, a wallet, or a pair of sunglasses, say, — and surprise him with a much more luxurious version that he’d never buy for himself.

2. Start with what he likes (but don’t end there).
However much he may need it, no man wants an overnight style makeover. Us guys like to evolve gradually (if only to retain the feeling that we’ve got some control over the process). Does he wear a tie to work? Get him a slimmer knit version that’s more stylish than his standard neckwear, but still within his style comfort zone. Conversely, if he rarely wears jeans, don’t waste your time getting him into slimmer denim. Instead, go with a nicely-tailored pair of flat-front chinos as a stylish alternative to those billowy pleated versions too many dads are still wearing.

3. Know your talking points.
As you probably know, guys like to research their purchases. And when he finds you’ve done the same before buying, it’ll make the gift all the more special. So check out the specs in the “description” page, and repeat a few when he’s opening the gift.

4. Be wary of things designed to be “gifts.”
You know that section in the basement of your local department store where they sell those combination flashlight/tire pump/bagel slicers? There’s a reason they only trot that stuff out before Father’s Day: no man in his right mind would ever buy that for himself. So follow his lead and stick to things that are well made and have a single, legitimate use—like, say, a chef’s knife (which slices bagels just fine).

5. Help him stay on time.
Is the man in your life always running late? Perhaps this is just his way of saying he needs a vintage watch. Pick him up a Rolex or Omega and he’ll no longer have an excuse.

Shop Father’s Day on Gilt, June 3^rd and 4^th.

Thanks to our last-minute trip to Cannes last week courtesy of the folks at Chivas Regal, we may have found our answer. Scotch may not be the first thing to come to mind for a summer drink, but it’s certainly a heckuva lot more inspired than a $3 PBR (not that there’s anything wrong with that either). Plus, every guy defaults to the triad of liquor and tonics — gin, vodka, and tequila. There’s something to be said for a man who bucks the norm and breaks out his stash of blended scotch to make a drink worth savoring.  While we’re proponents of never tainting your sacred whiskey with anything but a dash of water or a few ice cubes because, you know, it’s manly and what not, suddenly we find ourselves second-guessing those masculine instincts.

With that in mind, we’d like to present to you what Chivas International Brand Ambassador Max Warner is hailing as the “drink of the summer” — the Jay Gatsby. Inspired by the scotch’s connection with old Hollywood (the Rat Pack was known to enjoy the scotch before, during, and after shows) and the premiere of The Great Gatsby, Warner went back to 1927 to find the perfect foundation for a 21^st century scotch cocktail — the Blood and Sand. Introduced in 1922, this is the quintessential scotch cocktail. But to make it a bit more of the moment — we were in Cannes after all — Warner subbed out the OJ and sweet vermouth for apple juice and Lillet Rosé, respectively (the French love their Rosé). If you’re looking for a drink that not only will both men and women alike enjoy, but one that conjures up images of linen jackets, white pants, and million-dollar yachts…well, look no further.

Instructions:
Build in a shaker. Pour in an ounce each of apple juice, Chivas 12 year, cherry heering, and Rosé. Fill shaker with ice, cover it, and give it a few hard, vigorous shakes. Pour over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a bit of orange peel.

For more on the Chivas Regal in Cannes, head to The Legend of Cannes >>>

A family that selfies together, stays together. (Mr. Jacobs is on the left.)

From software engineers to stylists, virtually everyone here isn’t just great at what they do, they’re also incredibly plugged in to what’s going on outside the office. In our ongoing series designed to tap into that knowledge base, here’s what’s on the weekend docket of Chief Information Officer, Steve Jacobs.

Saturday afternoon we’re headed up to Lake Oscawana where we’ve rented a house with a sandy beach near Fahnestock State Park.  Ruben loves to swim.  Sunday we’ll head up a little farther north to Dia:Beacon to see the contemporary art installations in the old factory space and let Ruben run through the Richard Serra sculptures.  For lunch will head into Beacon to Tito Santana Taqueria for some fresh veggie tacos and horchata.”