The Obtainer - 10/14/22, Friday
↦ 20 Under $20
Friday, October 14th Edition
Did you miss out on the second round of Prime Day this week? No worries, we found 20 great deals all clocking in under 20 bucks. Plus, I recreate a look from a movie that’s based on a classic ’70s novel.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
20 Under $20
Look, sometimes you feel the need to buy something just to feel that rush of dopamine. And I’m certainly guilty of it. But who said that to find something nice you have to spend a lot? We’ve rounded up a few items that are budget approved and all under 20 bucks. These cost-conscious picks will have you smelling good and feeling good while keeping plenty of money in your pocket.
In Our Carts
Mome beads necklace, $12 by imogene + willie
HEATTECH ribbed beanie, $19.90 by UNIQLO
Handblown Mexican drinking glass, $15 by Front General Store
Magnetic spray bottle, $12 by Yamazaki
Flowknit ultra-soft performance tee, $19.90 by Quince
Rejuvenating bath powder, $9 by OFURO
Get the Look
Stephan James in‘If Beale Street Could Talk’
Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk have been two of my favorite films in the last ten years. They’re compelling stories and stylistically some of the best-shot movies. I remember a scene in If Beale Street Could Talk where two characters were sitting around a record player listening to Miles Davis’s: A Kind of Blue in silence—the camera stayed on them for about a minute, but it felt like an eternity. It’s like the director, Barry Jenkins, wanted that moment to feel like you were there, in the middle of this intimate scene. Jenkins, who directed both movies, is one the best-dressed directors in Hollywood today, so it makes sense that his movies look good too.
A quick synopsis of the film: It’s based on the 1974 novel by James Baldwin. Set in Harlem of the early 1970s, daughter and wife-to-be Tish recalls the passion, admiration and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since they were adolescents, the devoted couple’s dreams of the future together are disrupted when Fonny is detained for a crime he did not commit.
Costume designer Caroline Eslin had her work cut out for her by trying to find references to authentically achieve the mood of that era. She studied New York photographers of ‘70s: Gordon Parks, Camilo José Vergara and Kamoinge—a collective founded in 1963 devoted to capturing the African-American experience.
Since Ivy/Prep is gradually reemerging at the forefront of men's fashion, finding similar items today that get Fonny’s look isn’t all that difficult. We’ll start with the long-sleeve polo from Beams Plus. With its mid-century pattern and shape, the rich brown color is perfect for the autumn season. Layering a long-sleeve knit polo underneath is an ambitious style move, no doubt. But it adds extra texture and warmth—and really, when it looks this luxe, you really can’t go wrong. Ground the look with a deep contrasting pair of pants in a rich chocolate tone. These pieces can fit into any wardrobe because of the versatility in cuts and fabrics. It makes sense why Jenkins would want to pick stylish yet practical items since this is what he typically reaches for in his own closet. Sure, the wardrobe is rooted in the ’70s, but we’re still drooling over the same style of clothes today.
Striped knit polo, $205 by Beams PlusStretch chino suit trouser, $148 / $139.99 by Polo Ralph LaurenCashmere sweater polo, $448 by Todd SnyderBraided leather belt, $95 by Buck Mason
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
A chic quarter-zip sweatshirt that looks good for a date night dinner or for early morning errand runs. Pair this with your favorite 501s or heavyweight fleece sweatpants.
$200 / $105by Beams Plus
An update to a classic western-style overshirt. Rinsed raw Italian denim constructed with an exaggerated collar, layer this over a thermal or throw on a suede jacket to go full cowboy mode.
$221.14 / $132.68by Séfr
This classic workwear-inspired silhouette is made from washed cotton sateen and is garment-dyed for a lived-in look. Pair these with canvas sneakers or some derbies.
$140 / $105 by General Admission
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September 29