You know that theory that the offspring of mixed race couples are the most beautiful? The same applies here, but for, you know, shoes. Not quite a hardcore boot, not quite a dress shoe, Chelsea boots are the amalgam of two of our favorite staples, and a perfect bridge between them. Typically they’ll be above the ankle with either a side zip or stretch fabric. Black is certainly the color of choice here, and steer away from anything with patterns or embellishment. Simple is better.

The Samuel Hubbard 24 Seven is the perfect beginner Chelsea. You can find examples of these boots that are very pointy and feminine, or terrible versions that are mostly a work boot with a side zipper added on for flair. The 24 Seven stays masculine while giving you an easy slip-on and a deep grip pattern in the sole to keep you flat footed and right side up.

In 2023, when it comes to timeless and versatile footwear, you’ll want to explore the best Chelsea boots of the year. If you’re interested in discovering some top recommendations, check out this insightful guide on the best Chelsea boots in 2023 over at Stridewise.com.

Certainly you need your go-to pairs to get you through life. But there’s nothing wrong with expanding you collection a bit and upping your foot game. Besides, the more pairs of shoes you have, the longer they’ll all last. So in a way, NOT buying more is going to cost you more…

The post Why You Need Chelsea Boots appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

ONEHOPE California Pinot Noir opens with a nose of reminiscent of slightly tart cherries and hints of strawberries that quickly leads to a palate layered with earthy subtext and fresh fruit overtones that show a bit of spicy richness. Every bottle of this Pinot Noir helps place loving shelter animals in to their forever-homes.

ONEHOPE California Merlot is an exceptionally drinkable barrel aged wine with notes of peat and fig. This Merlot pairs best with rich protein-laden meals such as red meat and hearty vegetables. California Merlot benefits the End Global Disease campaign which strives to serve the 1 in 6 people around the globe suffering from under-treated tropical diseases.

As leaves turn to rich golden hues and the weather cools wine lovers everywhere are moving from light summer wines to dark and complex fall favorites. Take it from a avid beer and whisky lover that these ONEHOPE wines will hold their own with any beverage in the coming cool months. Treat yourself to some exceptional wine while at the same time helping make the world a better place.

The post ONEHOPE: Creating a Better World One Bottle at a Time appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Hornitos La Man-Za

• 1 part Hornitos Spiced Honey Tequila
• 1 part apple cider
• ½ part lemon juice
• 4 parts Mexican lager

Preparation: Combine all ingredients except Mexican lager in a shaker, shake vigorously, strain over fresh ice and add Mexican lager.

The La Man-Za is built atop a the perfectly crafted Hornito’s Spiced Honey Tequila that gives Hornito’s already superb tequila a slight honey sweet edge that creates a tremendously accessible sipping tequila. The apple cider lends slight notes of spiciness as well as natural sweetening while the Mexican Lager (I used Modelo) creates a refreshing finish that adds to the already easy drinking nature of this cocktail. Drinking the La Man-Za evokes images of cool summer afternoons wrapped in a sweater, this is one of the greatest drinks of fall.

901 New Fashioned

• 2 parts 901 Tequila
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 part maple syrup
• Blueberries for garnish

Preparation: Stir all ingredients over ice in rocks glasses. Garnish with skewered blueberries.

The New Fashioned is once again a new and invigorating take on an old classic that I have been experimenting with a lot over the weeks; the Old Fashioned. The 901 tequila that serves as a base gives the cocktail a strong and crisp agave base that is far different from its bourbon-based counterpart while the 100% maple syrup sweetens the New Fashioned perfectly without overpowering the drink. The Angostura bitters give it a hint of rooty-ness while the fresh blueberries make a welcome sweet garnish that are best enjoyed between sips. The 901 New Fashioned is an incredibly clever take on an old favorite of my that will satisfy anyone even on the coldest of autumn nights.  
Be sure to pick up one or both of these tequilas for a fantastic chilly night in with some of the best fall cocktails I have had to date.  

The post Fall Tequila Cocktails: Move Beyond the Basic appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

First off, just what the hell is cashmere? You can think of it as sheep wool’s cool foreign cousin. It is finer, lighter, and softer than your typical wool sweater. It has all these superior qualities because it is  not a sheep’s wool at all – cashmere comes from goats. The humble Cashmere Goat produces this fine hair that can be woven into some the best winter sweaters and scarves around.

As long as you are getting real cashmere – and make sure that you are – you’re going to be happy with your purchase. If you want the best of the best however, eschew the overpriced household brands like Gucci and Burberry and instead head over to Kaufmann Mercantile. This online brand has an eclectic and varied mix of products that all feature the same unifying characteristic – they are all best-in-class products built to last a lifetime. You won’t find a sweater here good for only one fashion season. Their cashmere sweaters are meant to be generational purchases. This is the kind of cold weather wear you pass down to your kids.

Say goodbye to heavy wool sweaters this winter and slip into cashmere. You’ll look less like an overgrown bundled up second-grader and be able to haul around less layers. Sure, cashmere is more expensive than cotton or wool, but then an Aston Martin is more expensive than a Toyota.

The post Cashmere Demystified appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The Bean Boot saw its first incarnation when Mr. L.L. Bean, feet wet and cold from a hunting trip, commissioned a local cobbler to sew leather uppers to a regular rubber workmen’s boots. No doubt impressed by his answer to the Maine wilderness, L.L.’s brother allowed our favorite shoe pioneer to set up shop in the basement of his apparel shop. One year of artful propaganda passes and every outdoorsman with a modicum of self respect is wearing the “Maine Hunting Shoe.” This is the original Bean Boot, and is still available for sale today. Cue the inevitable, and after explosive sales, L.L.Bean opens its doors officially.

The Bean Boot, in whatever model you were to choose, is made from only the highest quality materials, and is still made exclusively in the U.S. of A. by employees of L.L.Bean. The construction of these boots have never been outsourced or otherwise cheapened. And if that weren’t enough for you, they have just about the best warrantee that you can expect on anything, ever. If your boots ever wear out, break down, tear, or otherwise fail, they are replaced at no cost to yourself.

If you find functionality to be beautiful, then there should already be no doubt in your mind that these are a necessity for your high latitude adventuring, but if you see appearances as more important in a boot, then you should heed my disclaimer. These are not in any way, shape, or form, fashion oriented. That however, is not to say that they are unwearable in social situations. Bean Boots are unique enough to only work with a specific set of clothing, but when worn correctly can tie together an outdoorsy outfit.

Bean Boots are a black and white concept. Either you love them, or you hate them. Even though statistically half of you will think I’m insane for singing such high praises of them, they are perfect for what they are meant to be, that meaning a functional outdoor boot that has eaked out a niche in the world of fashion. Love or hate, this boot deserves the respect that comes with a century of designation and distinction. I know that I’ll be wearing these to survive the frigid tundra that is Upstate New York in winter, and for between one and two hundred dollars, why wouldn’t you want boots to last literally the rest of your life? It L.L. Beats me!

The post Bean Boots: Ugly But Lovable appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

My personal favorite fall fashion: boots. Whether you like dressier boots, rugged boots, or the iconic Bean Boots, the fall is nothing without boots. You probably remember Bean Boots from your parents or grandparents. Wear these in any weather and your feet will stay dry guaranteed. Wool socks are a must for fall fashion. Perfect for tailgating or a casual fall hike, wool socks will keep your feet nice and toasty. Stock up now for fall and winter and save your toes from the cold.

Fall outerwear is a close second for favorite fall fashion item. Parkas have risen in popularity in the recent years, particularly army green. To add to these, waxed coats from Barbour will last a lifetime. These are quite expensive, but luckily wax coating is cheap. My suggestion is find a military surplus store, grab a parka for cheap and wax it yourself. Plenty of YouTube guides show the step-by-step waxing process and only takes a few hours tops. Chore coats can be perfect for a chilly day as well. Check out our chore coat article for suggestions.

Finally, we have button downs and knitwear. I’ll refer you back to our button down write up for all your button down needs. Knitwear can be tricky with fall fashion because temperatures are often either too warm for knitwear or too cold to only wear knitwear. If you’re anything like me, you hate putting on and taking off all those layers. Cardigans will be your best friend. They’re easy to take off and can be worn with t-shirts or button downs.

Here is your warning! It only gets colder from here. Don’t be behind in your fall fashion. Now is the best time to get geared up for cool weather, hot cider, and layers upon layers. Be comfortable in the cold and enjoy the beautiful colors of fall.

The post Preparing for Fall Fashion appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

Chore coats are among my favorite pieces for cooler weather, similar to what you’d see in early spring and mid to late fall. Currently, I’ve been wearing my Apolis Indigo Wool Chore Jacket. What I love about it is the ability for the coat to grow with me as the indigo dye bleeda from the coat. The coat is a bit pricey, but the quality is impeccable from the vintage buffalo buttons to the hidden pocket on the right breast. For those budget conscious or those that just can’t justify paying that much for a piece of clothing, Pointer Brand has been consistently producing quality chore coats since 1913. As an added bonus, their chore coats are made in America, securing the American heritage atmosphere.

Styling chore coats are simple, which is perhaps the reason I love them so much. For a casual weekend, throw the coat on with a pair of jeans. For you office junkies, pair with your favorite chinos (colloquially known as khakis). A flannel or button-up are perfectly acceptable or for those late summer night grocery (alcohol) runs, a t-shirt can work just as well.

One option you can use is wool tshirts which never fail to disappoint for comfort and style, especially when mixed with a coat such as a chore coat. Not only that but they can be used in many different ways, with a versatility that is unmatched. Not only great for style, but they are also wicking and protect you from UV rays which can be harmful too. The chore coat with a simple tee combination can be a winner all round and something you will enjoy as a staple in your wardrobe for years to come.

Chore coats have a little something to offer for everyone. Add some versatility to your wardrobe – bring on a piece that you will wear for years, that your grandfather wore for years, and one day maybe your kids or grandkids will wear for years. Whether you’re a manly man looking for a space for tools or an urbanite seeking a piece to start an outerwear collection, the chore coat will be right for you.

The post The Chore Coat is Back appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.