Whether it is medical, historical, or environmental, it seems like everyone has a cause that means more to them than others. For two friends in South Carolina, that cause is the conservation and preservation of the loggerhead turtle. Luckily for us, those two friends launched a clothing line aptly named Loggerhead Apparel. Their flagship product, the Bellwether Polo ($64), is helping spread the word about this threatened species one shirt at a time.
At Bows & Boats our love for koozies borders on obsession. Along with our keys, wallet, and cell phone, a koozie is something that we make sure to keep close by just in case the need arises. Of course, our collection has grown at an unhealthy pace over the years. Honestly, there is a chance that you could make a full wetsuit out of all the neoprene we have accumulated. That being said, the neoprene koozies have been staying home as of late. Why, you ask? Because we are using a Leather Koozie ($29.95) courtesy of Buffalo & Company.
It is hard work to successfully put a nautical spin on something that doesn’t usually show up on a boat. Yes, we are suckers for t-shirts with old charts and nautical flags, but beyond that there isn’t much in our wardrobe that shows our love for the water (excluding boatshoes, or course). Recently, our friends at Kiel James Patrick released a line of bowties, and to say they have succeeded in putting a nautical spin on one of our favorite things, a bowtie, would be an understatement. While the whole line is great, one that really stands out to us is the Kit Spinnaker ($65).
Whenever we travel, we make every effort possible to visit a few local menswear stores. While we have a pretty good idea what will be found at national chain stores regardless of the location, there always seem to be some hidden gems at more local establishments. Prior to a trip to Atlanta a few weeks back, we turned to Twitter and asked our followers where we should stop. We got a number of great suggestions, and checked out as many as we could. One store that really stood out was H. Stockton.
Whether it is fishing with friends, sailing, going for a short cruise, or simply sitting at our favorite dockside bar, spending time on (or near) the water is always high on our list of priorities. Even if we don’t know what the day will entail, you will be hard pressed to find a time when we turn down an invite to enjoy a little mist. For those times that you know you are going to be on the water, but not sure what you will be doing, a versatile shirt is absolutely key. You are going to need something that is comfortable, breathable, functional, and great looking. Luckily, our friend TJ down at Coast Apparel recently introduced us to their Marina Shirt ($98.50), it is all those things and more.
One thing that seemed to pop up at every event we attended over the holiday weekend was a dress from Lilly Pulitzer. Whether it was an Emily Crew by the pool, or something a bit dressier at dinner, Lilly was always in attendance. While some may only break out the Lilly for special occasions, we have a soft spot for the ladies who work it in to their everyday work wardrobe. One piece that we really like is the Avery Skirt ($118).
Hopefully you are out enjoying everything America has to offer today.
Happy 4th of July,
Ben & Ryan
Sunburn sucks. There is just no other way to say it. While it may feel great to bask in the sun for days on end, if you don’t make sure you are protected from the sun, you are going to be in some serious pain. Sure, aloe can be quite soothing for a bit, but the general uncomfortableness that comes from a serious sunburn is something we try to avoid at all costs. To make sure you get a great tan without the pain, check out the Sun Guard Sunscreen ($10 – $20) and Intense Therapy Lip Balm ($7.50) by Jack Black.
There is something very calming about sitting in the sand and getting lost in the expansiveness of the ocean. Whether you are daydreaming about lands far far away, pirates and shipwrecks from centuries ago, or even a singing crab made famous in a Disney movie, it is easy to drift away when you are relaxing by the surf. Of course, if you are thinking about life under the sea, odds are mermaids are going to cross your mind. That being said, is there a better #bowtiefriday bow for beach week than the Mermaid Mixer ($55) from Bird Dog Bay?
A long day at the beach can be pretty draining, so if you are planning on being there from dawn to dusk you are going to need to make sure to take some sustenance. While chips and most snacks will stand up to the elements, sandwiches and drinks don’t stand a chance against the hot summer sun. Since there isn’t much worse than a warm beer, a cooler is always on our list of beach necessities. While there are a ton of options out there, if you really want to go all out we recommend the Roadie 25 ($219.99) by Yeti Coolers.
