Perhaps you don’t have a million fittings like your bride-to-be, but shopping for your wedding tux or suit can still be an ordeal. The suit has to look good, it has to be photographed well, it has to be comfortable, and it gets bonus points if it’s something you can wear again. The below suits and tuxes all fit the bill—and have plenty of nice details sure to impress on your big day. FYI: These days, many websites have “fit guarantees” to ensure the suit looks perfect on you, making online shopping for The One, a lot more appealing than you may think.
Does it get more timeless than a black tuxedo? Proper Cloth allows you to create custom suit sizing with their Smart Size Quiz in just minutes, and the suits come with the brand’s “perfect fit guarantee,” so you get a complimentary remake from the company if needed or reimbursement up to $125 if you have the suit altered at a local tailor. Along with tailored sizing, you can also choose from various lapels, buttons, jacket monograms, pants hem style, types of pockets, and more.
Another superb buy from Proper Cloth is great for slightly less formal weddings. Made of merino wool, it’s not too heavy so it’s comfortable in any season and looks particularly sharp with dark grey horn buttons (pictured); conversely, the mother-of-pearl buttons make for a nice contrast. Whichever route you go, rest assured you’ve still got Proper Cloth’s proper fit guarantee. In other words, you don’t need to sweat if the suit doesn’t fit like a glove.
If you’re in the market for a tux or suit rental, it’s hard to outshine the offerings at Generation Tux (the brand’s YouTube how-to series led by snowboarder Jack Mitrani on topics like tying bow ties and putting on cufflinks is also winning). They’ve got 25-plus suits and tuxedos you can customize with suspenders, pocket squares, cuff links in a variety of colors, fabrics, and lapel styles. After completing their carefully created size survey, your purchase will arrive 14 days before your event so you don’t have any last-minute fiascoes. FYI: The company offers free color swatches so you can coordinate colors together with your suit or tux and accessories.
Is comfort the name of the game for you? Well, you still gotta be formal for this most special of days. The good news is xSuit, purveyor of super-stretchy, fashionable suits is here. Their more formal suits that are popular for weddings feature a smart design that wards off wrinkles, doesn’t require ironing, and is anti-stain. These are three factors for which we think your groomsmen, in particular, will be grateful for. To order, take a quick survey with the brand’s Find My Size AI feature. You’ll also have the ability to return or exchange the suit if it doesn’t fit.
Can we just take a minute to talk about the Rose Pink Venice Suit by Midnight Blue (rent it for $230)? It’s safe to say you’ll be the most stylish groom in this dusty rose ensemble that pairs wonderfully with brown dress shoes and a neutral tie (like champagne or grey). In this beautifully curated collection of suits and tuxes, you can also customize all the rentals as you desire with pocket squares, vests, suspenders and more. They’ve also got a helpful customer service team. You can schedule a virtual style appointment with one of their stylists to select suits, tuxedos, shoes, and accessories like cufflinks, vests, and pocket squares for your wedding day. Be sure to arrange for an At Home Try-On to test-drive everything a few months ahead of time.
For upmarket formal wear, you can’t go wrong with The Black Tux. The company’s suits and tuxedos are made with natural silk, velvet, and Merino wool sourced from Italian mills. Customers can easily determine their size by answering a few questions online, or by visiting one of their showrooms nationwide. To help cut back on wedding stress, rest assured that orders arrive early, and the right fit is guaranteed, with free shipping and free returns on both rentals (rent from $149) and purchases (buy new from $475). You can also knock off selecting vests, shoes, neckwear, formal shirts, and cufflinks for your groomsmen and yourself in one fell swoop, and perhaps throw in a plum shawl jacket tuxedo.
If you’re having a hard time finding a stellar fit, to Bonobos you go. Bonobos’ tuxes and suits are available in a wide range of sizes and styles. There are three different fits for jackets and pants: slim, standard, and athletic. We’re particularly big fans of their tuxes—made with Italian wool (from $900)—and the fact they offer a dedicated Groom Shop service on their site. From there, you can make a fitting appointment at a Guideshop location across the country for a personalized fitting appointment for you and your groomsmen, if applicable. They even offer a 20% discount for group orders for weddings. They’ve got great socks, ties, and belts so browse those, too.
Feel your best in this elegant Wool Barathea Tuxedo ($1,498) from Polo Ralph Lauren. It has standout specs like rolled lapels and hand-sewn natural shoulders, all in a timeless navy blue. Or, perhaps you’re partial to the Wool Peak-Lapel Tuxedo ($1,395) in black. Either way, pair both of these looks with flat-front trousers and you’re ready to start the party.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
Courtesy image
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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