Esquire

A fashionable set of frames is a pivotal piece to any wardrobe. So much more than a mere accessory, the perfect pair can add a personal touch to your entire ensemble and seamlessly pull together your look. And since sunnier days are offcially in full swing, the launch of Montblanc’s Spring/Summer 2024 Eyewear Collection could not have come at a better time. Elevating the art of eyewear, the Hamburg-based luxury Maison’s latest range of sunglasses and optical frames pairs its centuries-long legacy of luxury with state-of-the-art engineering. Each piece reflects a commitment to superior craftsmanship and innovation, which is showcased most notably with the brand’s latest limited-edition capsule honoring the 100th anniversary of the iconic Meisterstück. Specially designed for the Centenary, the rectangular rimless design features decorated temples that re-create the…

JOHN MULANEY, OF ALL PEOPLE, BUSTED ME. THE COME-dian (who appeared on Esquire’s cover in October 2019) and his soon-to-be wife, Olivia Munn, were sitting to my right at the Hermès fashion show in Paris in June. When it was over, he leaned across Munn’s lap and said to me, “Were you. . . Shazaming songs during the show?” Okay, guilty as charged. But in my defense, it was just one song. Also in my defense: They play good music at fashion shows. When I don’t recognize a song, I open the Shazam app—which can identify most music by hearing only a snippet—while shielding my screen so no one can see. I’m self-conscious about it. But no one seemed to notice, or at least said anything, until Mulaney. He has a…

Stylist CHLOE HARTSTEIN (01) knows the clothes don’t make the man, but her clothing choices do make the man stand out. For our “Mavericks of Hollywood” shoot (page 65), she brought that ethos to bear, selecting clothes that let the people wearing them shine through. Hartstein has styled the likes of Michael J. Fox, Chris Rock (for Esquire), and Steve Martin, and she remains astonished at where her work has taken her: “If you’d told little Chloe that she’d get to meet and work with all of these incredible people, she wouldn’t have believed you!” In 2011, Esquire launched the Politics Blog with CHARLES P. PIERCE (02), promising he would cover “perhaps the craziest time of our lives” with his signature wit and historical perspective. Good thing we hedged with perhaps,…

AMONG THE MORE PERPLEXING TRENDLETS we’ve scrolled past this year is “rawdogging,” the act of denying oneself all forms of entertainment for the length of a long-haul flight. No books or games or movies or naps for our rawdoggers; instead, the guys—always guys, only guys—stare straight ahead at the flight map or the seat back of the person in front of them, spending the whole time lost either in thought or in search of a good one. As with all trendlets, there’s no way of knowing whether it’s real or just six goobers on TikTok with the same dumb idea. But it gained traction because it feels real. In a year when guys tried to out-guy each other via Cybertruck purchases and diss tracks, isn’t it more plausible than ever…

YOU CAN’T TALK FOOD AND DRINK IN CHICAGO WITHOUT a nod to The Bear. The FX show about the life of a restaurant and its dysfunctional family—with heart!—has included a number of cameos by Windy City restaurants and the people behind them. Chicago has always had a strong restaurant and bar scene, but now it seems everyone wants a slice at Pizza Lobo or a reservation at Ever, the fine-dining institution featured in the brilliant “Forks” episode in season 2 and the finale of season 3. The series has been a boon to gastro-tourism in the city. Even the namesake restaurant of The Bear is symbolic of what makes Chicago such a perfect place for hitting the town. A line forms for humble Chicago beef sandwiches by day, and an ever-changing…

MAXWELLS TRADING Chef and partner Erling Wu-Bower has parents who are Chinese and Creole. Executive chef Chris Jung is Korean. Both grew up in diverse cities, and Maxwells Trading features an eclectic menu that reflects that, executed with great refinement. Don’t miss the French onion dip with griddle bread, a cross between naan and a scallion pancake. JOHN’S FOOD AND WINE The name is simple. The food and wine are not. Little revelations happen here, whether it’s an inexpensive grower Champagne you’ll want by the case or the best potato salad you might ever have. (It comes with the octopus.) CHEF’S SPECIAL COCKTAIL BAR It’s all about Chinese American classics with cheffy finesse here. Think egg rolls with a shu-mai-like filling or a bonein pork shank with black-bean sauce. And the drinks, like the lemongrass…