Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style
  3. Legacy Archives

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

What’s In Your Bag – July 4th Weekend

Tomorrow, or perhaps tonight, begins the ultimate July 4th Weekend.  Why ultimate you ask –for many people across the country, it’s a 4-day holiday weekend. So that means more activities or events to attend, fun to have, and yes, more to pack. With limited space, and maximum need, here are a few options to inspire your packing, and ensure you’re prepared for a great weekend.

Filson – Since this isn’t your typical summer weekend, you might need a bit more room.  The Pullman is ideal for the travel-savvy traveler that seeks efficiency–the two large compartments open fully and lay down flat for easy packing.  It’s rough good looks are an additional benefit.

Recommended Videos

Gant – Slightly shorter in front, this tapered trim fit shirt is perfect to leave un-tucked, for a dinner out, or a BBQ at the neighbors. What’s for dinner?

Gitman Vintage – For over 70 years in Ashland, Pennsylvania, Gitman Bros. have been churning some of the coolest shirts and shorts in the U.S. These slim, but never tight, oxford relief shorts, fall just above the knee.

Jack Wills – This British classic brand is now a favorite on this side of the pond.  The Barberry Slim Chino pant brings some color to the party.

G.H. Bass – It’s not summer without a pair of white bucs !  Whether fresh or scuffed, the Buckingham is a classic. They feature rich suede leather uppers with a lightweight rubber blended outsole for maximum comfort and flexibility.

L.L. Bean – They are sure becoming an authority on performance! This t-shirt featuring a pill-resistant exterior quickly disperses moisture so you stay dry. It’s perfect for the weekend.

Vilberquin – Started in the 1970’s, this Saint Tropez found brand is a favorite across the U.S. and around the world. The Okoa print transports anyone to a tropical paradise. The Tapa board short length is a great beach or pool attitude.

Brooks Brothers Red Fleece – With a more youth take on the classic Brooks style, this stripe is very on-trend. A flip-flop, made with a waterproof leather foot bed, is right, from beach to BBQ.

Coach – The fedora makes a comeback with texture. The timeless packable silhouette is accented with a pair of bold stripes, a bonus for packing.

Ray-Ban – The Ray-Ban Folding Aviator takes the original Aviator and dips it in luxury. The tubular metal temples have a hinged curve that allows you to fold your sunglasses into a compact Ray-Ban case.  Here, smaller is better.

Champion – Reversible, yes, this tank means a different look for your run or playing softball every other day this weekend.  DoubleDryTM fabric finish wicks sweat, controls moisture buildup, and keeps you cool and dry.

Fila – Another reversible! The Essenza short is perfect for travel. Windowpane that reverses to a solid, this short provides 2 looks, meaning, less to pack.

Nike – Nike Free are different than traditional athletic shoes. They’re designed to let your feet move more freely and naturally, which means your muscles will be doing a bit more work than demanded of them in some other athletic shoes. Comfy too!

Adidas – With large compartment with drawstring closure complete with air mesh ventilation, the Alliance Sackpack has a front zippered valuables pocket. The two side mesh pockets are deep enough to fit water bottles. Perfect bag for the beach or pool, and day on your bike.

So no matter where you may be headed, or having a ‘stay-cation’, stay cool, have fun, and enjoy your long weekend!

Tom Handley
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Tom Handley is a contributor for TheManual. As a professor of public relations and social media strategy at Parsons The New…
Weiss Teamed Up With a Nashville Denim Brand on a New Watch
imogene + willie tapped fellow Nashville maker Weiss Watch Co. for a hand-built, made-in-USA automatic.
Wristwatch, Watch, Strap

Nashville watchmaker Weiss Watch Company has teamed up with fellow Music City residents imogene + willie on a limited-edition release. It's snazzy, it's automatic, and it is officially up for sale.

The i+w x Weiss 38mm automatic 002 is a clean, classic-looking field watch with a single complication — a date window down at the 6 o'clock position — and is the second collab between the two brands.

Read more
Why you should be wearing the biggest underwear brand you’ve never heard of
Pair of Thieves is the third biggest underwear brand and they think your balls will love their fabric
Person, Body Part, Finger

I talk a lot about the importance of style. Fit, function, and fashion come together to make your personal appearance a reflection of who you are and who you intend to be. The value of quality over brand names. The importance of good tailoring over fast fashion. Wearing a suit the right way. The best shoes for your look. The way you can send a message without ever opening your mouth. But you know what I don't ever talk about? Skivvies. That's right, I don't talk about underwear. You know why? Because it is something that I (and I reckon you too) just don't think about. But, in ten minutes with David Ehrenberg, CEO of Pair of Thieves, that all changed. I started thinking about underwear. And he convinced me to try his brand, because he was certain that my balls would love it. He was right. But what is it about Pair of Thieves, and underwear in general, that made them skyrocket to the top of an industry most men don't think about?

Our goal isn't to make underwear some aspirational luxury item– it's to make it the best part of getting dressed. That's reflected in our fabric, our fit, and how closely we listen to real customer feedback. We see underwear as part of personal care, and upgrading it should feel easy, accessible, and genuinely worth it. - David Ehrenberg CEO Pair of Thieves

Read more
Peserico drops spring and summer looks in their backyard during Fashion Week
Italian staple makes news at Milan Fashion Week with their SS27 collection
Sewing, Body Part, Finger

Milan Fashion Week showed out as usual, with designers from around the world coming together to showcase what they have in store for us purveyors of menswear. Of course, the usual suspects were in attendance with the ability to continue legacies and further movements. The big ones are the ones I have been reporting here for a while now. Browns and more browns seem to remain the industry's call. Canali took it further with a spice theme, which doubled down on the color theme while deepening it. Prada took the simplistic classic aesthetics we've been seeing to what I assume is their logical conclusion. "Doing more with nothing." Continuing a theme we saw at Pitti Uomo last week, Brioni focused on the ideas of personalization and customization, bringing out the personality of your looks. And finally, Dinhill wrote a love letter to the blue blazer, calling into focus their love for the English gentleman. Out of all these campaigns, one that stood out to me was the SS27 launch from Peserico. An Italian classic with decades of quality showing off in its own backyard.

A timeless aesthetic

Read more