After a holiday season of eating far more than our share, we are still making up for lost time in the gym. For many of us a workout serves a number of purposes. Not only, are we getting in shape, that hour or so at the gym tends to be one of the best stress relievers there is. Instead of worrying about bills, or project deadlines, the goal is simple, work up a sweat and burn off some calories. Whether you are heading out to meet up with friends, or just going home to relax after a tough workout, the Muscle Mend Set ($65) from Jack Black has everything you need for a great recovery.
Spring is just around the corner, and if you haven’t started building up your wardrobe, now is the perfect time to start. Along with boatshoes, loafers, and cap toes, a must have for any warm weather wardrobe is a great pair of bucks. Traditionally worn in lighter colors and featuring a brick red sole, a simple pair of bucks will serve you well for years and years as long as you treat them well, and buy a well made pair from the get go. If you are looking to really blow it out, take a look at the Derby Classics ($225) by Walk-Over.
When it comes to ties, you can never go wrong with a simple tartan print paired with deep, rich, colors. While solids are fine for some occasions, a pattern or print is normally our preference, and with some tartan prints dating back to nearly 400BC, you can’t get much more classic than that. A recent addition to the Bows & Boats tie collection is the Vintage Tartan Plaid Tie ($24.50) by Nautica.
Every once in a great while, we wake up on a Saturday with absolutely no plans. Sometimes those days lead to a random adventure for the ages, and other times they end up as a relaxing day of doing absolutely nothing. Even if you aren’t planning on leaving the house, that doesn’t mean you should look like you just rolled out of bed all day. Because comfort is key, you are going to need a good pair of slippers. While the tasmanian devil pair you wore as a kid may have been comfortable, we hope there is something a bit more refined in your closet these days. If not, take a look at the Bison, Shearling-Lined, Slippers ($69) by L.L. Bean.
It’s casual Friday here at Bows & Boats, and one of our favorite pieces for a casual afternoon is a simple crew neck sweatshirt. Over a simple t-shirt for uber-casual days, or over a polo or button down for a bit more style, a comfortable sweatshirt is always a nice addition to the wardrobe. Of course, we like to keep things simple, so you normally won’t find much more than a simple logo, if that, when when we do decide to breakout the sweatshirt. Our friends over at Anchored Style have a great option with their Signature Fleece Crew Neck ($62).
Though it is still too cold for golf here in Annapolis, the fact that the PGA season is finally getting underway has given us hope that we will be able to get back on the course sooner rather than later. Since we can’t go out and play, we are going to have to live vicariously through the pros who are teeing it up in warmer climates all over the world. Not only do we enjoy watching golf, we enjoy seeing what some of our favorite brands deck out their sponsored players in. Since the weather was a bit chilly for last Sunday’s round at Torrey Pines, a number of players broke out their cold weather gear. One of our favorite choices was the V-Guile Sweater ($149.95) by Travis Matthew, worn by tournament winner Bubba Watson.
With the weather the way it is across most of the country right now, leaving the house without bundling up just isn’t an option. Even if you aren’t planning on being out for more than a few minutes, some quality cold weather gear is an absolute must. While layers are a great way to avoid huge coats, sometimes it is nearly impossible to not end up looking like the Michelin Man. Luckily, in recent years, a number of companies have introduced materials that are able to keep you warm without all of the extra filling. One such option is the Men’s Nano Puff Jacket ($179) by Patagonia.
Lately, we have been talking a lot about polo shirts. While it may seem like overkill to some, there are so many fantastic options out there, we feel like we have to keep spreading the word when it comes to some of our favorites. This time of year, it is a bit too cold for some of our “go to” polos, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t layering up and wearing them anyway. A great choice for those days when there is just no way you should be wearing short sleeves is the Skipjack Men’s Long Sleeve Polo ($79.50) from Southern Tide.
When we were young, every purchase we made was precluded by a loud ripping sound. Why? Because we had sweet velcro wallets, that’s why. From the time we realized that we could buy “whatever we wanted” with our own money, we never left the house without a wallet. Of course, the velcro wallets have long since been retired, but along with keys and a cell phone, the wallet is still on the “must have” list whenever we walk out the door. If you are still rocking the old school velcro, it is time to join the world of adults. We recommend the Waterbuffalo Compact ID Wallet ($128) by Coach.
Every once in a while, an unplanned adventure is just what the doctor ordered. Maybe it is an impromptu trip to the mountains for a day of hiking, or a trip to the coast for lunch at the place you have been thinking about since your last visit 2 years ago. Wherever your weekend adventures might take you, versatility is key when it comes to your clothes. No matter what comes of your adventure the Original Mountain Pant ($72.95) by Mountain Khakis will never be a bad choice.
