Product Review: Oxley Pants

Manufacturer: Bonobos (www.bonobos.com)
Price: $98.00

A couple of weeks ago, Bonobos sent me a sample of their Oxley pants in mint green (pictured), but they come in several different colors. The sample I was sent was too small for me so I haven't actually been able to wear them, but I can tell you a little bit more about them after having seen them in person, and felt them.

This casual pant is from a lightweight, breathable fabric (100% cotton), so it is perfect for the warm summer months. The fabric is high quality, and very soft; they felt  very comfortable in my hands, and I really wished that I had a sample in my size. The pants have a straight leg opening, with a medium-rise waist.

Product Review: iPopper

Manufacturer: iPopper
Cost: $19.95 (www.theipopper.com)

Back in March, I introduced you to the iPopper. About two weeks ago, I got the chance to try out this iPhone case with a bottle opener attached.

Much to my surprise, as I carried my phone around, and for once, actually had a bottle opener, it seemed that I never needed one. I finally did come up with a reason to use it, and I can report back that it does work in opening bottles without damaging your phone. However, the metal bottle opener is not attached to the case, so it does fall out of place without your phone holding it in.

My biggest concern when I saw this product online was its bulkiness. I don't like bulging pockets, and I typically look for the most slim phone cases that I can find. I was pleased though, that although this case was thicker than the bumper case that I'm used to, it was not as bulky as I was expecting from the pictures, so I don't have too big of a complaint there.

Personally, I will be alternating cases depending on the situation. If I'm going more formal, I will use a slim case on my phone to eliminate the pocket bulge. If I'm going out casually, or any event that I feel may merit the use of a bottle opener, I will be bringing the iPopper with me.

Product Review: Screenporch Check Sport Shirt

Manufacturer: Southern Tide
Price: $99.50 (www.southerntide.com)

Smooth. Crisp. These were the first things that came to my mind when I first tried on Southern Tide's Screenporch Check Sport Shirt. I have worn it multiple times now, and simple ironing before putting it on brings it back to the like-new crispness that every man strives for in a sport shirt.

A key feature of this shirt is its versatility. I wore it to the office, church on Easter Sunday, and out on the town, and the shirt fit in all settings perfectly. This shirt looked great tucked in, and untucked, and I got many compliments on it.

Being tall and lean, I often struggle to find sport shirts that are long enough for my torso, without looking like I'm swimming in the chest, shoulders, and sleeves. This shirt fit me great in all areas. When tucked in, I could sit down, grab something off the floor, and reach for items on the top shelf without the shirt coming untucked. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone.

Special thanks to Rachel at Southern Tide, who helped make this product review possible.

Product Review: 8" Thinsulate Bean Boots

Manufacturer: L.L. Bean
Retail Price: $99.00 (www.llbean.com)

I did a post a few weeks ago about the L.L. Bean Bean Boots, better known as the Duck Boot. Prep Essentials: LL Bean Duck Boots. I got my first pair this year, and New England did get a couple of snowy days this year that I was able to try them out.

First off, these boots are extremely comfortable. At first they were a little stiff, but when I took them out of the box, I laced them up tight, and the leather broke in pretty quickly after that. Not only that, but they are also warm. Even on the days that I wore them into work with only my dress socks under them, my feet stayed warm. I felt like a little kid again, as I would trample through snow piles, or walking through rain puddles, just to see if my feet would stay warm and dry--and they did.

Driving in these boots was a little shaky at first. Obviously, these boots are stiffer and bigger than shoes, so it took me a little while to get a feel for the pedals. Nothing too major, but my stops and starts were a little quicker than most passengers would prefer a driver to have. I can only assume that this gets better as the boots break in more.

The boots are available in a wide variety of styles, colors, and insulation materials to choose from. As spring is upon us, and it will inevitably rain, the moccasins could come in quite handy for keeping for feet dry this spring. To see the full selection, head on over to LL Bean and take a look.

Product Review: Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Sport Shirt

Manufacturer: Brooks Brothers
Retail Price: $88.00 (www.brooksbrothers.com)

Available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and fit, the Brooks Brothers Non-Iron sport shirt is a must-have for any prep wardrobe.Pictured is the regular fit double-check sport shirt. Brooks Brothers has regular fit, slim fit, extra slim fit, and country club & luxury fits available.

When I first put this shirt on, the high quality of the fabric stood out right away. The shirt was very soft, yet still held the crispness of a nice, new shirt. Also impressive about the shirt was how breathable it was. I wear mine to work, but also when I am just going out with friends. The temperature in my office is set higher than I would prefer, and I feel much more comfortable on the days that I'm wearing one of these shirts.

Many shirts can also be purchased at the price of 3 for $219, which is a savings of $45. I would highly recommend the Brooks Brothers Non-Iron Sport Shirt to anyone. Some of the shirts have the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece logo, and some do not, which allows you to go more a more formal (no logo) or more casual (logo) look. You will look good and feel good--or feel good and look good. Either way, all is good.

Product Review: J. Crew Factory Bootcut Jeans

Manufacturer: J. Crew
(www.jcrew.com/factory)
Retail Price: $59.50

In high school, I had a go-to brand for my jeans. Feeling that I had outgrown that brand a bit, this past fall, I decided it was time to go on the search for a new denim brand. I landed on J. Crew for their reputation, and the good price at the factory store. Shopping at J. Crew Factory is available every Friday-Sunday.

I actually got these jeans at the start of October, and when they arrived, I found them to be a bit tighter than the other bootcut jeans I was used to. If I had written this review back then, it probably would've been negative.

However, the jeans broke in quite nicely (the washing machine helped), and now I really like the way they fit. They're still a little tighter than I was used to before, but I suppose that's how style changes as you grow up. I'm sure my next pair of jeans will be from J. Crew Factory.

Product Review: Costa Del Mar Caballito

Picture from Costa's website.

Manufacturer: Costa Del Mar (www.costadelmar.com)

Retail Price: Starting at $129.00

For months, I'd been hearing about how great Costa Del Mar sunglasses are. I saved up some money, and finally bought a pair for myself. Let me tell you, they certainly lived up to the hype. Costa teamed up with Kenny Chesney, promoting his 2011 Goin' Coastal Tour, by manufacturing limited edition Kenny sunglasses. Since he is my favorite singer, I got a pair of the limited edition in this model, which was a little pricier.

The clarity of these sunglasses is amazing. I've used them for just bopping around town, driving, and to the beach. Even when facing the sun, there is no glare (and I got the cheapest lenses), and the color quality is amazing. At first I thought it was funny that when looking at my iPhone's screen, there was a hint of the color spectrum on the screen, but a buddy of mine later explained to me that this happened with any pair of polarized sunglasses. So, yeah, this is the first pair of polarized glasses I've owned.

These sunglasses were designed with fishermen in mind, and I think they have satisfied their primary clientele. When wearing these, the water was easier to see in, and it kept the usual glare off sun off the water, out of my eyes. I wasn't fishing when I had these on, but many consumers report being able to see fish in the water that their peers can't. My experience would certainly lead me to believe that they were right.

I would definitely recommend these to anyone looking for a pair of quality sunglasses. They were a huge step up from Oakley and Ray-Ban, which I had been wearing before.

Side note, they're also great in that they are shaped in away that allows you to wear croakies and a backwards hat comfortably.

Product Review: Shep Shirt

Photo from the Vineyard Vines website

Manufacturer: Vineyard Vines (www.vineyardvines.com)
Retail Price: $98.50

This weekend, I tested out this shirt on Long Beach Island, New Jersey--at night temperatures dropped to the low 70's with a cool breeze coming in off of the ocean. I wore it around town and on the beach that night, and the shirt was great.

The Shep Shirt is extremely comfortable--much like that of the softest crew neck sweatshirt available. It fit great and was extremely comfortable all over. I'm 6'1" with a 34" waist, and a medium fit me perfectly. The small zipper lets air get to your body so it is great for summer nights--especially if you are going to be out on a boat. My only complaint was that I kept wanting to put my hands in the pockets of the Shep Shirt, which don't exist. If the retail price of $98.50 seems a bit steep for you, be patient; Vineyard Vines frequently has sales, so be sure sign up for their mailing list.

Also, if you're going to buy this shirt, be particularly careful of your girlfriend stealing it. I was constantly making note of where I had taken the shirt off so it didn't "accidentally" wind up in her luggage. However, ladies, Vineyard Vines now makes a female Shep Shirt so you won't have to keep trying to steal it from the man in your life. I would recommend this shirt to anyone.