The Item: Saturdays NYC Grant Boardshort

Nothing says summer than a great pair of board shorts. And nothing makes a better pair, in my estimation, than classic design. Saturdays NYC definitely hit that nail on the head with their sweet "Grant" board shorts. This summer, leave the crazy prints to the ladies and opt instead for this handsome, minimalist stripe. With such a great cut and silhouette, it's all you'll need to look sharp on and off the shores. That GQ "Best New Menswear America" award? Definitely well-deserved.

Time for a swaggin' new player in the board shorts game.

The navy and blue pairs tops on my book. My fave color combo.

The basic black board shorts made interesting with a shade of grey.

The kind of black and blue that doesn't hurt anyone. 

The Fit: Stops above the knee and gives your boys some ample breathing room.

The Item: Fred Perry Swim Trunks

Our trip to Boracay's coming up fast, and yet (as of Saturday) I still didn't have a nice pair of swim trunks to show for. That's why I came running when I got a text from the Fred Perry peeps, saying that their new drops at the Authentic shop in Megamall Atrium included swimwear. What better than a Fred Perry pair to put on at the beach, right?

Needless to say, my favorite brand did not disappoint. When I got there, I found this mid-thigh navy blue swim trunks staring at me, begging me to purchase it. Didn't take me long to decide. It was exactly what I was looking for from the shorter and slimmer cut, to the subtle base color, to the flashes of aqua at the front and the back. It comes with a bag too in case you're not convinced, and if that doesn't do it for you, I don't know what on God's green earth will. Yours for P3,198! (A bit pricey, yes, but if count the years of head-turning appeal, it's a bargain!)

Look at how the lovely pair flatters! A perfect cut, I'd say!

Front: The minimalistic base color with the pop of the Laurel logo

Back: Ditto, but with the aqua buttons and hole details

The sweet bag you can keep your awesome swimwear in!

The Guide: Beachwear Essentials

In exactly two weeks time, I'll find myself in Boracay, away from work and spending time with the people I love most. I'm so excited for the trip that as early as now, I'm already thinking of what clothes to pack. Sure, people will be wearing less at the beach, but don't let that be your excuse to put just anything on. With fewer options to work with, now's the time to get it right, son. Who knows? You might even get that summer fling you've always wanted! Wishful thinking, of course, and with that dose of reality, here's a headstart.

1. Shorter Slim-fit Swim Trunks
You did go to the beach to swim, right? Well, leave your baggy board shorts behind and wear something that actually fits. We're not talking cycling shorts or Speedo briefs here, bruhs. Just one that's cut more closely to the body and a bit above the knee, you know, just like Grandpa wore his.


2. Rubber Flip-flops
I realized quite late that flip-flops were only meant for two places: the house and the beach. Well, here's your chance to bust out the thong slippers you've probably worn everywhere you're not supposed to. Rubber slippers are best for the beach because they're easy to clean and are so, so comfortable. (Optional: You can always wear espadrilles too, but with the weather in this country? Your call.)


3. Lightweight Casual Button-down Shirt
Girls have it easy. They have their dependable cover-ups for their bikinis but what of men? How do we cover up? Well, I'd advise you to go for a super soft casual button-down to pair with your short swim trunks. It's more convenient than a t-shirt because you can unbutton it as the temperature rises and it gives you that giving-a-shit award when everybody else doesn't. Make sure to get the lightest of fabrics and give it a little rumple before you head out the room for added swag.


4. Khaki Bottoms
There's just something about khaki and the beach that fits. Maybe it's because the khaki blends well with the color of the sand? Reasoning notwithstanding, you'd want to have some khaki shorts and pants for the trip. They're the perfect I'm-not-going-to-swim attire and needless to say, they'll fit with just about anything you brought. Just give those bottoms a roll to show some ankle or knee. You are allowed to show a little skin after all.


5. Straw Trilby
With all those rays beating down on your noggin', a hat is just what the doctor ordered to keep you a tad bit cool. Truth be told, nothing beats a straw trilby here, folks. Shorter brim = more dopeness. Just be sure to just drop it on your head without pressing down. You're just looking for a little shade after all, not a helmet to protect your head from the harmful elements. Also, a word to the wise: hat hair is never, ever cool.


6. Sunglasses
One of the few times when you can wear shades all day and not be a douche. The beach is the perfect place to showcase your just-bought sunnies to the fullest. I'm partial toward Ray-Ban classics like Wayfarers, Clubmasters, and Aviators now and not much else. Only problem is, no money, no honey. By the way, shutter shades are a never ever. Of all the things Kanye endorsed, they are by far the worst.


7. The Basics
I mentioned casual button-downs as the perfect tops for trunks, but I have to give some love to the basics too. If you're going to wear a basic shirt on the beach, make it a v-neck. Not only will you avoid that uneven tanning around your bronzing neck, you'll also tease with some much desired skin. As for sleeveless options, don't go for those juvenile shirts which look as if their sleeves were cut-off. Instead, go for baggier tanktops which give your gut some room to grow. No wifebeaters, please. Unless of course you're Eminem.


With all these essentials in tow, I think you may be in store for your most awesome beach trip yet. Summer fling or not, at least you will have made your impression on the beach as the man who looked coolest when everything else was ablaze.

Photos coutesy of Esquire, Marc Jacobs, J Crew, Gap, Quiksilver, Ray-Ban, and Topman

The Item: Speedo SS 2010 Collection

A little over a year ago, I wrote a post about wearing the right shorts for the beach. Being that summer's setting us all ablaze again, there really is no better time than now to revisit said post and, quite honestly, see its embodiment in Speedo's Spring Summer 2010 Collection. Yes, the brand is not about those D.O.M. trunks no more; they've updated their look and are now more flattering than ever.

Take a gander at their shorts and you'll know what I'm talking about. The length as I've mentioned is key and if you want something a little bit shorter (and why wouldn't you?), Speedo's definitely got you covered. Cropped at just above the knee or a even a tad higher, they give you that charming vintage look without looking at all dated. The designs are tight too. They feature clean lines and colors which constitute a more modern vibe. Sorry, no hawaiian prints 'ere!

I guess the folks at Speedo were listening when I was writing my post last year. That, or maybe they just made a conscious effort to appeal to all you dashing young folk who are too shy to don their trademark briefs. Either way, the collection has me convinced. I'm packing three to use on my long overdue trip to Boracay!

Love the combination of the vintage cut with modern detailing!

The white shorts are definitely a keeper! So, so versatile!

Those red shorts don't look bad at all! A closer view would be appreciated, however!

The green stripe across the bum is a fine touch

Photos courtesy of Speedo

The Guide: The Skinny on Swimwear

As I've been saying for some posts now, summer is here! And with the coming of this oh so warm season, it's the perfect time to pull off some swag that you normally couldn't at any other time of the year. The quintessential example: swimwear, gents!

Now there's nothing I hate more than going to the beach and seeing men wearing basketball shorts or even worse, boxers (!) to walk the shores. First of all, they're not aesthetically pleasing. Secondly, the material they're made of was not made to hold water. And lastly, the potential for see-through is tremendous. Do me a favor please, put that away.

Good God almighty. Do you want to look like these 'tards?

While board shorts usually do the trick for most of us, I'd like to go a step further. Much like how shorts should fit the right way, so should our trunks. Now, I'm not talking Speedos here. No, no, no, no. I'm talking about the proper fitting that is neither gangsta or DOM. That perfect in-between that seems to elude most swimwear makers nowadays.

I'm talking about above the knee shorts to up about a quarter of the thigh up, fitted just right along the leg and not baggy nor tight by any means. It has that vintage feel to it, but feels modern because of the added breathing room. Ralph Lauren makes it. Lacoste used to. And F&H has some in stock, which I recently copped for only P599.

Now, don't you worry about showing some leg now. If you got it, flaunt it, I always say. And hey, it is summer after all, tan those babies and go live a little, 'ya heard.

Hairy region aside, these are great shorts by Ralph Lauren

A vibrant pair from Original Penguin

Sundek Rainbow Suits - wish we had these here!

A perfect fit just might get you the perfect girl

Photos courtesy of Ralph Lauren, Urban Outfitters, and GQ.