There are a few things one cannot miss out on when visiting Hawaii– the spam musubi, macadamia nuts, and last but not least, Hawaiian shirts. And if you were to purchase a summer shirt that will last for many summers and vacations by the beach, there is none other than heritage Hawaiian shirt maker, Reyn Spooner, founded in 1956 to spend your money on.

Always inspired by Hawaii and the surf-lifestyle, Reyn Spooner has successfully re-engineered itself from being just a vacation purchase into a contemporary line worthy of the urban streets– beach or no beach. Reyn Spooner dips in to its archives and prints from the fifties and sixties and reworks the prints with a modern and slim cut, and a signature reverse print (basically for the outside of the shirt to look like the inside of the shirt for a sun-drenched, naturally bleached look) to appeal to the contemporary men.

French label Zadig & Voltaire has attained an iconic status in defining contemporary French chic alongside other key labels such as Jean Touitou’s A.P.C. that even in travel guides, the label has been highlighted as one of the must-visits on shopping trips. However, don’t expect whatever you see from A.P.C. to repeat itself at Zadig & Voltaire because both labels have rather different styles and specialties. Zadig & Voltaire, named after the French philosopher Voltaire’s Zadig ow la Destinee, surprisingly purveys a collection of ultra-soft cashmere knits designed with rock and roll in mind. Skulls, butterflies, and rock motifs such as guitars and catch phrases are classic images that have become Zadig & Voltaire cashmere staples alongside buttery leather jackets and accessories.

For Fall/Winter 2010, Zadig & Voltaire have returned to touch base with its rock n’ roll roots by featuring their advertising campaign on musical duos such as Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl, Mark Ronson and Josephine de la Baume (previous key advertising campaign spokesperson). This season, Zadig & Voltaire have enlisted the help of Purple magazine’s creative master and photographer Olivier Zahm to shoot the rocking duo from The Kills, Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince.

Soon to hit Proenza Schouler in September is a short film created by Harmony Korine, named “Act Da Fool”. The short film was shot in Nashville, Tennessee and is styled by Mel Ottenberg whose recent work includes fashion spread “Heat Index” on Elle’s May 2010 issue. The film will feature Proenza Schouler’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection. Thus far, the only other available information is the painterly film poster rendered in splashes of dreamy colors. Stay tuned for additional material to be launching on Proenza Schouler as we near the official launch date in September!

As Henry David Thoreau would champion, utility precedes style in the great outdoors, and this should be even more so when one is out trekking the unexplored trail instead of chilling in a log cabin. However, LA-based Aether would beg to differ as the company prides itself on filling a niche for outdoor enthusiasts who are unwilling to compromise on modern design and form. The brand’s masterminds, Palmer West and Jonah Smith started out in the film industry but decided to change their career paths when they discovered how limited options for outdoor gear are. As such, instead of creating films they wanted to see, they started creating clothes they wanted to wear. By using highly technical and advanced fabric and working them in modern and relevant forms, Aether created sportswear that do work as well as they look.

For a while now, Aether has been available at some of the finest retailers around, but this season, the label expands its retail scope and will be moving into select J.Crew stores. Some key pieces from the Fall 2010 collection such as an insulating ripstop poly and primaloft fill Space Hoodie and a heavy duty, slim fit Stormy Jacket will be made available and more accessible at The Liquor Store and The Men’s Shop in New York City, as well as online on September 1st.

This doesn’t just attest to J.Crew’s ability to scout out some of the finest labels and craftsman in the world, but also of Aether’s dedication to quality and design.

For those who are fans of Woolrich Woolen Mills‘ great American outdoor workwear style and have been following the brand, they might lament the departure of Creative Director Daiki Suzuki from the label. However, one thing to rejoice is that North Carolina-born designer extraordinare, Mark McNairy (veteran of J. Press and founder of Mark McNairy New Amsterdam) will be succeeding Suzuki at the label as creative director.

However, some may still miss the handiwork of Daiki Suzuki, and hence, this upcoming season’s release is not to be missed. The Fall/Winter 2010 season is still created by Suzuki, and it continues to champion the sense of effortless masculine rugged sensibility Woolrich Woolen Mills is known for– just with a more contemporary, updated cut that is fit for the city as well as the woods. This season’s collection “Dark Hunting” features a line-up of simple button downs and outerwear in a somber palette which explores the concept and imaginative land of hunting in a dark forest.

The collection is currently available for purchase online at colette.

For most men who feel like the closet is a byzantine maze, they should enlist the help of a guide known as A.P.C. With Jean Touitou’s casual French contemporary chic executed to pitch perfection in terms of both cut and styling, getting on board with A.P.C. is perhaps the most effortless way to look pulled together and relevant without worrying about flamboyance or having to refresh the wardrobe every three months according to the tireless fashion calendar.

For Fall/Winter 2011, A.P.C. once again delivers a winning collection of staples tailored with A.P.C.’s meticulous skills, that give timeless shapes a modern silhouette. Suits are cut slimmer for a more youthful feel, and mixing and matching are fully encouraged. Outerwear continues to stand out as blazers are now rendered in monochromatic velvet, and biker jackets have been trimmed with this season’s very popular shearling. Mackintosh, duffel coats are worn with A.P.C.’s popular plaid button downs, at times topped with a cardigan for a learned look and a bow-tie. Pants are cut slim but not too restricting, and the focus is on adding pops of colors such as blue or red into the outfit. No loud patterns are needed, just a touch of subtlety and energy makes the whole outfit that will last for seasons to come.

There is no complicated silhouette or trimmings with A.P.C., and it is not difficult to see why Touitou is one of the contemporary men’s favorite designers, and its style continues to be celebrated season after season. And, if you didn’t already know, even the men whose favorite haunts are divers and still live in their college t-shirts on weekends, most often love the A.P.C. denim they have invested in.