The Obtainer - 10/31/22, Monday
↦ The Best Hoodies at Any Price
Monday, October 31st Edition
A great hooded sweatshirt is a ride-or-die wardrobe staple. It will never go out of style, or out of season, for that matter. But during the breezy days and chilly nights of autumn, there’s nothing more comforting than pulling on a relaxed sweatshirt.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
BuyingGuide
The Best Hoodies at Any Price
There will always be debates on what some of the most foundational garments are in someone’s closet, and the hoodie is arguably at the top of my list. No matter your interests, financial status or personal style, everyone looks good and feels good in one. Like a sturdier version of a trusty T-shirt, they go with everything and can be worn year-round, but now’s the perfect time to layer with them. Since the autumn breeze is in full effect, pulling on a denim or leather jacket over a hooded sweatshirt is always a go-to style move. Other ways of styling would be underneath a topcoat, or even a thick Cowichan cardigan sweater—my only advice on what not to wear hoodies with is underneath blazers, this was such a horrific way to style them back in the early 2000s—it shouldn’t have happened then and let’s never bring it back, okay?
About ten years ago, it seemed like every great hoodie was made with French terry cotton—and they still are today. But vintage-inspired heftier fabrics like 14 ounce fleece, sturdier wool and loopwheel cottons suddenly feel very cool. There are also more contemporary takes like color-blocking, garment-dyed styles and front-split pockets (which is actually an ode to vintage hoodies as opposed to the often-seen kangaroo pockets). A garment like the hoodie has been around for a long time, so it’s seen many iterations from slim-fit styles to boxy streetwear silhouettes, from heavy-duty fleece to refined knits. Your task now is to find the one that suits your tastes. And, luckily, it’s my job to help steer you in the right direction.
4 of Our Favorites
Madewell calls this color 'antique plum', which reminds us of autumn. This hoodie pulls no punches and is as classic as they come. Wear it by itself, under a denim jacket or a topcoat.
$82 by Madewell
A hoodie with split pockets, a crewneck collar, and contrasting colors all come together to pay homage to this postwar garment. Made from a 12oz fleece with a boxy fit, this hoodie will keep you warm throughout the cold season.
$125 by Paratodo Co.
This pre-washed hoodie is cozy from the jump. Super minimal with the usual features like a kangaroo pocket and strings to tighten the hood—from the color to the fit, you can't get more straightforward than this.
174 by A Kind of Guise
A lightweight raglan-sleeve pullover influenced by the '60s. The cotton used for this sweatshirt is constructed from a loopwheel technique—a way of producing fabric through a toothed-wheel process that knits the cotton yarns around a cylinder. This gives the hoodie a softer feel, making it a great option to wear now and during the warmer months.
$218 by The Real McCoy's
5 Stylish Items to Buy This Week
If you like to cook, you need a Dutch oven. An old school piece of kitchen equipment and an investment item, for sure, but it's one of the most versatile and longest lasting tools you'll ever buy. And the cast-iron option from Smithey is heavy, stout and efficient as hell.
Their new 7.25 quart model ($375) was designed with a wide base that provides extra surface area for searing and browning meats or vegetables for up to five people (or two, with ample leftovers). Featuring Smithey's signature polished interior surface that is naturally non-stick and easy-to-clean, this slick surface will never crack or chip. In fact, in means this will only get better with use.
Test Drive
Mother Military Pants
Mother knows best is a phrase I’m sure we’ve all heard at some point in our lives, but would you ever think to see that phrase stitched in a pair of pants? Mother is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle brand that offers super-soft denim washes in excellent fits and fabrics. Much of their playful sayings can be found in all of their garments, and it’s reflective of the brand—the casual Cali label doesn't want to take things too seriously, being trend-heavy or creating huge collections—their main focus is making a great pair of jeans. Everything is produced in Los Angeles, and I believe their denim is some of the best-kept secret in menswear right now.
The brand’s latest collection is full of alternative basics, but the commando pants are what I can’t live without at the moment. It’s a vintage military-inspired straight-leg fatigue pant that checks all the boxes. It’s the brand’s roomiest men's fit—the rise, the leg opening, and the seat are relaxed-fitting, but the frayed 27” inseam gives the pant a contemporary feel. Cut from 100% cotton, the fabric feels like a mix between denim and a hearty twill. You can easily wear these in the colder months—they are that substantial.
I’ve washed them once and then air-dried, and they are starting to get a bit softer and maybe just a touch lighter. The fraying at the unfinished hem is becoming even more dramatic, but I don’t mind. I’ve been styling these with a denim jacket, black hoodie, desert boots and chukkas. I’m 5’9, so I typically have a 29-30 inseam, but with these, they hit a touch above the ankle, and I love it. There’s something about a pant that is rugged and worn-in but also tailored—I’m planning on freaking these with a tweed blazer just because I can.
Commando pant,$238 by Mother
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
This deep-cleansing bar will buff away dead skin cells while replenishing your skin, allowing whatever body moisturizer you use to hydrate even better.
$15 / $12.75 by Kiehl’s
These well-reviewed earbuds offer intelligent noise control, rich sound and a comfortable fit. And now you can get them at the lowest price of the year.
$179.99 / $99.99 by Jabra
Formulated with soothing sesame oil and rosemary extract, this hinoki wood-scented shower gel is excellent for cleansing, nourishing and soothing skin.
$30 / $24(w/code US2022) by Le Labo
The three best stories from around the web.
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After consulting with Kim, customers have three fittings–one after two months, another after three, and a final one after four, before the client receives their suit.”
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I’ve kept so much stuff from back then, but also have mixed that in with what we do. Which is a lot of what I was wearing when I first got into clothes: loafers, military stuff, oxfords, et cetera.”
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The legacy of the furniture may precede the legacy of the man himself, but he put so much of himself into his work that it’s hard to separate the two.”
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@toneloki smock action.
October 3