5 QUESTIONS WITH Askov Finlayson's Zach Dolinaj

How was your weekend?! I capped off a Saturday trip to Stillwater with wine & crostini at Toast, a show at Acme and a late-night bite at 112 Eatery. A tip from today's interviewee inspired me to finally try the latter—and I'm glad I took his word for it! The cheeseburger was top-notch and the candle-lit atmosphere cozy—a safe haven from all the undead swaying through the streets outside. The kitchen stays open 'til 1AM (I love a late dinner) and the food tasted even better washing down a couple hours of Wyatt Cenac's wittiest quips.

Judging by his exceptional taste in gourmet ground chuck, you're going to want to pony up and pay attention to what Zach has to say about Minnesota menswear Mecca Askov Finlayson in this month's guys' style feature—dude knows what's up!

My favorites from the current online assortment. LOTS more in store at 204 North First Street in Minneapolis!
Sneakers | Keychain | Oxford | Sweatshirt | Backpack | Cap | Bitters Set | Belt | Candle | Boots

WHO: Zach Dolinaj
WHAT: General Manager, Askov Finlayson
HOMETOWN: Cedar Rapids, Iowa—"The City of Five Seasons"
HANG: 112 Eatery for burgers, Marvel Bar for cocktails. I had an Agricole Manhattan with Mezcal last night. It blew my mind.
FOLLOW: @insta_zach

BREAK IT DOWN 

How would you describe the Askov Finlayson aesthetic? 

Our aesthetic circumvents trend in a way, and in doing so, demonstrates our desire to prioritize quality and the story behind our products and brands over buzz-worthiness. Classic shapes and fabrics and clean, do-it-all designs that go from the city to the woods and back are what we do best—and we're sticking to it! 

HOT BUY

Must-have for the season? 

The HAN Kjøbenhavn Bankers Trench (in-store exclusive) is the fall/winter wool trench every man needs in his wardrobe. Designed in charcoal this season, it's minimal and unassuming, letting the tailored cut and fabric do the work.

KEEP 'EM COMING
Will there be more products introduced to support the Keep the North Cold campaign?
Later this season, we'll add a crewneck sweatshirt and a few tees to the current assortment of hats, mittens and water bottles. We're also releasing an updated NORTH ball cap that's pretty rad!

IN GOOD COMPANY
You like to share photos of people sporting North gear on your social channels. Any famous faces spotted wearing your brand? 
We've had some great people excited to show support for Keep the North Cold. We'll feature some fun portraits of them in our North gear in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

HUMBLE PEEPS
Best thing about working at Askov Finlayson? 
Interacting with the vibrant North Loop community and the greater Minneapolis/Twin Cities area is the best part. The talented designers, businesses and other creatives in the neighborhood continually set the bar higher for all of us.

GET MORE GUYS' STYLE: casse-croute archives!

September | July | February

December 2014 | November 2014 | October 2014 

September 2014 | July 2014 | April 2014 

men's fall essentials with lands' end's alex kirwan

Coming in hot on a Monday with my first casse-croute interview! After working in men's apparel for three years prior to my current job, I have a full-blown thing for guy style—browsing Askov Finlayson or just passing a masculine button-down/dark denim ensemble on the street makes me feel warm 'n fuzzy. While I'm no longer writing copy for Lighthouse Chinos or Squall Jackets, I maintain a healthy hobbyist interest in the field. And with October around the corner, it's time to start surveying your cold-weather wardrobe and filling in the gaps! Rather than curate my own list of fall essentials, I enlisted my former coworker, Alex, to share what's on his radar this season. As both a male and a menswear merchant, he offers a smart and stylish insider perspective that has me beat on both counts!

Get to know Alex then shop his must-haves for a handsome fall!

NAME: Alex Kirwan
TITLE: Associate Merchant, Men's Knits at Lands' End
HOMETOWN: Rochester, NY
LANDS' END IS RIGHT OUTSIDE MADISON, WI. FAVORITE MADISON RESTAURANT? Too many, but my top three are Forequarter, Grampa's Pizza and Natt Spil.

A TYPICAL DAY AT LANDS' END LOOKS LIKE: This is cliché, but almost every day is different. We're constantly collaborating with Design, Creative, Sourcing and Planning, so one day we might review key looks for the season, and the next, analyze financials.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING AS A MERCHANT? Someone might be surprised at the level to which we're involved in product development. When I tell people what I do, most say they thought merchants just bought fabric or placed factory orders.
WHY IS NOW AN EXCITING TIME TO WORK AT LANDS' END? Our new CEO has a lot of exciting ideas about evolving and growing the brand while staying true to our classic, nautical roots.

WHAT FALL TRENDS ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT? I'm just excited about layering in general. I love outerwear, too, so I'm ready to break out my coats and jackets.
WHAT MENSWEAR PIECE NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE? Jeans. Denim in general, actually.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO SHOP FOR? Shoes and outerwear.
LAST THING YOU BOUGHT FOR YOURSELF? A garment-dyed Gitman Vintage Oxford shirt from the Unionmade seasonal sale.
FAVORITE BRANDS? I can't afford them, but currently love Officine Générale and AMI.
STYLE ICON? Ariel and Shimon Ovadia, the twin brothers behind Ovadia & Sons.

Abraham Moon Wool Topcoat

This coat is made with a beautiful wool donegal from Abraham Moon, one of the most famous woolen mills in the UK. The little colored neps in the fabric give it great texture and dimension. 

Slim Fit Chambray Shirt

Chambray shirts are a staple in my closet. I wear the light-wash one with dark jeans and the darker with faded denim. 

Tipped Mesh Polo

The tipping detail on this polo reminds me of vintage Fred Perry polos, and gives it a bit of a mod feel. 

Serious Sweats Striped Crewneck Sweatshirt 

The Serious Sweats crew and full-zip are the most comfortable sweats I own—seriously. I like the nautical update the Breton stripe gives this one. 

Vans Premium Leather Sneakers

I love the look of indigo and navy with white leather sneakers. These are classic and a great solve if you like the look of Common Projects, but not the $400 price tag.

his style: short suit

Short suits are on my mind today! I was unsure how I felt about the stylish man's summer-occasion uniform when it started popping up at popular retailers last year, but you can now consider me a big fan. The combination of casual shorts and a crisp sport coat is seemingly such a paradox, but having the savvy and self-assuredness to wear something from the fashion frontlines is hugely appealing. This time of year, it's really only practical to cut the pants off a bit above the knee. And as street style star Nick Wooster proves, you don't have to be twenty-five to go short. If you have weddings ahead yet this summer, it's definitely worth picking up an "abbreviated" pantsuit at 30% off. Swirling a Scotch as the happy couple cuts the cake, you'll be cool and comfortable, and the ladies will be captivated. ;-)

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Ludlow Suit in Fine-Striped Cotton (Scarlet)

Ludlow Suit in Italian Cotton Piqué (French Navy)

30% OFF with code GOSHOPPING

—J.Crew Suit Shop—

his style 7

Since I dedicated yesterday's post to J.Crew womenswear, it felt only fair to give the guys some love today. While I haven't taken a spring break since 2012 (Barcelona!), years of family vacations will always trigger an internal desire to pack up and fly south mid-March. With that just weeks away (and the bitter cold steamrolling us to insanity) it's high time to start scooping up shorter sleeves and breezier fabrics in anticipation of warmer weather—even if that's just a few days in Florida for now. While a few super summery pieces, like tanks and trunks, are necessary for south-of-the-border escapes, don't overdo it on that stuff too soon—most of the country is, after all, still covered in snow (and -11º when I woke up this morning!). A lighter long-sleeve sweater, freshly striped Oxford, fun floral shorts and bright Birks are great investments for early spring. This pieced nylon A-2 bomber is oozing cool, and I love the sporty appeal of a classic cap, Chino joggers and high-top sneaks! Reserve a spot for these in your suitcase now.

1 | Lightweight Sweatshirt 2 | Colorblock Oxford Shirt

3 | Bomber Jacket 4 | Tie-dyed Floral Shorts 5 | Cotton Jogger Pants

6 | Denim Cap 7 | Birkenstock Sandals 8 | High-top Sneakers

20% off RIGHT NOW with code SHOPPINGTIME

Shop all New Arrivals

his style 6

I got majorly sucked into a Vanderpump Rules marathon this weekend, and oh-em-gee that show is pure gold (in a ridiculous reality-show way). It's hard not to laugh at Stassi's insane insults and even harder to turn away from the lying, cheating, general debauchery and rampant life-destroying that is every storyline. In one episode, the boys get their eyebrows threaded—which is a little too femme for me—but indicative of a larger trend: habits and products once reserved for women are now very much coed. Bracelets are right there with moisturizer, slim-fit jeans and Sumowax. I'm not interested in seeing dainty Tiffany chains draped around a guy's wrist, but a few leather wraps or colorful cords are handsome details—and well-established accessories in the world of men's style. Many have a nautical feel, giving your look a carefree, just-docked-the-boat spirit whether worn with a sweatshirt or a suit. Shop my top picks below—great last-minute gifts—then enjoy these gems from SUR's very own Regina George.

SHOP THE BOARD

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*HURRY! 5 and 9 are almost sold out!

his style 5

This time of year, guys in vests are as important to me as peppermint mochas and an apartment lit up with pine-scented candles. Something about looking like you're ready to chop down a tree and haul it inside for a fire is just RIGHT. In all seriousness, vests have three-season staying power and high versatility: they offer that extra warmth you need from late fall to early spring, and look as smokin' layered over a shawl collar sweater as the compression tee you spent five miles sweating in. My preferences aside (wink), they're easy, comfortable and casual—three qualities I'd think are high on a guy's list as he gets dressed in the morning. And when you oversleep or have to run out the door with barely time to brush your teeth, throwing on a vest makes you look a bit more pulled together, even if it's the wrinkled shirt you rolled out of bed in hiding underneath. If you're late to the party or need to restock on fresh colors and patterns, here are six key styles to light the way. Colorblock for general weekend shenanigans—errand running, tailgating. Quilted for huevos rancheros at your Sunday morning spot. Rich wool with textured details for your work commute or a nice dinner. A pop color for nights out and a flash of fashion cred. A lightweight, slim running vest (this one's also packable) to keep workouts going through winter, and fleece for easy hikes and your touch football league. All work great for wood chopping.

SHOP THE BOARD:

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A few favorite sweaters and tees to layer underneath: 

his style 4

If you're a regular around here, you know I like to pepper menswear posts throughout my female-focused content (lately: here and here). As much as I love shopping for myself, it's sometimes more fun (or pressing!) to buy for a guy. The options are comparatively limited, making focusing in and finding something great more manageable. And it's easy to be stylish while keeping the overall look simple and effortless; something as small (and low risk) as a contrast collar shows you're up to speed. Casual button-downs are wardrobe essentials all year, and a transitioning season signals it's time to reel in new recruits. The J.Crew "secret wash" gingham shirt was the star of summer, and for good reason: it's classic, ageless and easy. But as the weather gets cooler, layering warmer fabrics into the fold becomes a priority. And gingham isn't the only pattern that—to quote Crew—"every guy needs in his arsenal." Blackwatch and denim are foolproof. Unexpected horizontal stripes and pieced panels are fresh. Contrast piping and elbow patches hint of swagger. A small-scale floral print is surprisingly masculine and confident, and a bright pop of color gives a dark lumberjack flannel urban appeal. Any of these styles could be the "J.Crew Gingham Shirt" of fall. Get ahead of the Instagram feed and stock up now.

SHOP THE BOARD:

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5 | 6 | 7 | 8

his style 3

I wore an Oxford shirt to work yesterday and regretted it all the way to five o'clock—tucking in, readjusting—so uncomfortable. I'd rather wear a sweatshirt any day, and given the dominance of sport in ready-to-wear, am unsure why I'm not! Comfort and practicality are key focuses in apparel and footwear design right now. And we should all be taking advantage of the loosened-up look. Lately I'm loving the casual incarnation of traditional athletic shoes for men. Lace-up styling and a tall shaft give these hightops vintage basketball game, while leather or canvas uppers elevate the look—and extend the ground they can cover. Sweats, Chinos, jeans? Nothin'. But. Net. Sneakers were a key player on spring Milan runways (so the trend isn't slowing down), and Esquire recommends a logo-less, leather hightop as the stylish guy's go-to fall shoe. As the weather gradually cools (September already half over?!), the extra coverage you get from these guys will only make you wear them more. And BTW: the whole mature-but-playful-jock-at-heart vibe won't be lost on the ladies.

SHOP THE HIGH-TOPS: 

1 // Frye Chambers // $138

2 // Frye Greene // $168

3 // John Varvatos Hattan // $248

4 // Kenneth Cole Big Brand // $158

5 // GUESS Truman // $98

6 // Kenneth Cole Double Header // $158 (my favorite!)

7 // Volcom Buzzard // $80

8 // Marc Jacobs Trainer // $555

9 // Tommy Hilfiger Kerman4 // $89


All photos via Zappos.com

his style 2

I'm really into men's style. I don't claim to have an extensive knowledge of designers and fashion history, but do appreciate a well-dressed gent. Maybe it's because of my job—or maybe I enjoy my job because of the interest—chicken or egg situation here. Either way, I like a man that has a little sartorial sensibility. If he doesn't, no biggie. But it gives a guy an extra cool factor if he knows Chambray from Oxford, spreads from straights. Justin of Scout Sixteen fits the profile. I like his blog not only for his on-trend ensembles, but his on-point writing. There's substance, and his word choice shows smartness, like when deftly using 'anchor' as a verb in a post about nautical style. And that takes me from casually scrolling through pictures during downtime to becoming an invested return reader. I rounded up some recent Scout snaps as inspiration for looks (for you or your man!) to wear now and as summer transitions into fall. Which is your favorite?

A tailored fit + modern stripes make a short sleeve buttondown instantly cooler than the
billowy version your dad wears. But the classic silhouette remains, giving the look a nerdy-ness that
actually ups the trendiness. A baseball hat keeps it young and adds athletic appeal.
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Sweats with a banded cuff give the traditionally sloppy style a more refined look—
so you can wear them to lunch and be as comfortable as when lounging.
The beanie gets a bad rap, but I like its relaxed, artistic attitude.
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A plain oxford shirt is a staple. So versatile. But colorful embroidery makes it
more special and shows personality. You can wear this version with all the same things
you would an ordinary oxford; it just makes a stronger statement.
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Casual. Timeless. Fresh. Perfection. The classic simplicity of the open cardigan
is balanced (and modernized) by sockless loafers and a v-neck tee.
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Suspenders. Find a way to work them into your wardrobe immediately.
Something about the old-school businessman vibe is distinctly attractive.
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his style 1

This week at work, I did a little research on cargo pants. The style has a seriously unfashionable rep, but it's gotten a facelift in the last few years that's swiftly leaving the boy band associations in the dust. (I can hear JT now...) The WSJ calls cargoes "one of the most stylish and versatile go-to pieces in a man's wardrobe." Intrigued? Me too. The new designs are slimmer and more appropriate for refined occasions—less wood chopping, more bar hopping. The pockets are flatter, the fabric is softer, and the attitude is modernized. Bastian suggests thinking of them as the midpoint between jeans and chinos: more polished than everyday denim, less pedestrian than plain twill trousers. The pants walked the fall runways (love this), so you're safe to wear them at least through 2014—and some say they'll never go away. I love that they offer an authentic utilitarian personality in an edgier, more mature form. LLBean Boyfriend + dapper city slicker? Sure, I'll buy some of that. If your own piece of burnin' Bean love isn't materializing as quickly as you'd hoped, read this. Carla Ciccone can relate. And she manages to put a positive spin on things. Have a great weekend!

SHOP CARGO PANTS: J Brand. Mr Porter. JCREW. h&m. Ralph Lauren. Revolve.

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