The Obtainer - 12/12/22, Monday
↦ This Sweater Is Definitely in Its King Era
Monday, December 12th Edition
Love blankets but can’t wear them to work because it’s frowned upon? A cozy shawl collar cardigan is the next best thing, and if you don’t have one (or two or three) yet, make sure you grab one before the holidays.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
BuyingGuide
The Best Shawl Collar Cardigans at Any Price
If crewnecks are commonplace and rollnecks feel too fussy, then don’t overlook the shawl-collar cardigan. This hard-working sweater puts all others to shame—adding comfort, warmth and style, not to mention the insulating option to flip up that oversized collar whenever the temperature dips below freezing. They've been around for decades, and all your favorite movie stars have worn them, but if you've been overlooking them, now's the time to get in on this luxe winter staple.
They're often chunky, knit from thick, durable yarns and many of today's best ones come in some funky patterns. But that's the point. These are boss sweaters—there's a subtle power to them, but they're as comfortable as wrapping yourself up in a blanket. And best of all, they highlight your shoulder and chest, which means they work with any kind of body type.
Some shawl cardigans are light enough to wear underneath a topcoat, and others are thick enough to style like a jacket—it's easily adaptable for any weather and occasion as well. It looks as good with a pair of jeans as it does a pair of wool trousers. There's no wrong way to wear it. Feeling bold? Size up and put a denim trucker jacket underneath—it's a warm and unexpected look. We've selected some of the best for the season—take your pick before it gets too cold.
4 of Our Favorites
A classic fit shawl cardigan knitted from a yarn-dyed blend of merino wool and cashmere, which sits softly on the skin without feeling itchy. Garment-washed for a lived-in feel, this cardigan is comfortable right out of the box.
Herdsman shawl collar cardigan, $228 by Buck Mason
A cozy shawl cardigan that's soft and features marled stitching from a chunky cotton yarn for durability. This sweater is ideal for lounging around the house with your favorite sweats or for running weekend errands.
Marled shawl collar cardigan, $80 / $56 by Abercrombie & Fitch
A hefty cardigan that feels like a coat thanks to a four-end 100% wool fabric and custom corozo buttons. Patch pockets, waxed canvas elbow patches and accent buttonholes create a rugged yet refined cardigan.
Shawl collar sweater coat 2.0, $425 by Dehen 1920
Made from 100% virgin wool—which is the highest quality you can find. Inspired by mountaineers who ascended to the Bernese Alps, this cardigan works just as well resting by the fireplace.
Eiger shawl collar cardigan, $355 by Heimat
5 Stylish Items to Buy This Week
This isn't the first AirTag keychain, but it's probably the best ($34.99). A durable stainless steel alloy body securely holds the AirTag while the rest serves as a lightweight multi-tool with nearly a dozen different uses. Of course, there are hex wrenches and a bottle opener built in, but there's also a handy phone stand, along with a bike tool and carabiner. Basically any and everything you might need, in a compact and stylish keychain that ensures you never misplace your keys ever again.
Test Drive
A Minimalist Knife Set
Cooking has always been a creative outlet for me, but sometimes it can be challenging, especially if you have dull knives. I recently picked up the knife-set trio from Material and am kicking myself for not copping it sooner. The set includes a daily driver chef’s knife, another knife for slicing bread and a paring knife for smaller items that may need a steady hand, all for under $200.The two knives that I use the most are the chef’s knife and the paring one. Each blade includes a three-layer Japanese steel construction and a grippy composite handle to help keep your grip tight while slicing and dicing. I’ll use the larger knife to cut up apples and mince onions. The paring knife is used to cut up strawberries and lemons to throw in my water. My father-in-law would always say, “If you had a sharper knife, onions wouldn’t make you cry”—he was right, and you’re less likely to cut yourself because you’re not adding unneeded pressure to cut something like you would with a dull knife.To help maintain the knives, I hand wash them and bought the knife sharpener from the brand—it’s a lifesaver. It’s handheld and dummy-proof—I’ve never used an electric sharpener before, but I like how tactile this one is. I’ll sharpen the chef’s knife every other day since I use that the most, and I’ll typically put the blade through about 15-20 times to maintain the sharpness. I like Material’s approach of only providing three types of knives, unlike other kitchen brands that bombard you with a 16-piece set that’s attached to an unattractive piece of butcher block that takes up half your counter space.
The trio knife set,$185 by Material
The Launch
Crescent Down Works for 3Sixteen
3Sixteen is teaming up with Seattle-based outerwear brand Crescent Down Works for their fifth collaboration. Back in 2019, they produced a custom version of a hooded pullover jacket with repurposed military surplus fabrics—this year, they've produced the same jacket, only in a full-zip version.
The jacket is cut from a full-bodied 5 oz. water-repellent aviator satin—a highly durable fabric that's typically only found on military bombers—and it's lined with a yellow streak-free nylon. And the interior is filled with about eight ounces of ethically sourced 700+ fill power goose down for serious insulation. The jacket will be available in three colorways—slate, olive and black for $660.
Available on Tuesday, December 13th, at 12pm EST at 3sixteen
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
The North Face makes a cozy pair of joggers based on some old school sweats, and made of 100% recycled materials with an adjustable fit.
$59 / $41by The North Face
The ultra-plush fleece of this jacket insulates without weighing you down. And reinforced elbows and shoulders allow you to wear the jacket for a long time.
$109 / $89.99by L.L. Bean
Need instant film to help capture those holiday memories? These are compatible with instax cameras and smartphone printers, so you can print photos on the spot.
$90 / $72(for 100 sheets)by FUJIFILM
Hold up! This tailoring nerd wants to sell you really amazing vintage blazers. On December 10th and 11th, I’m going to be at @leisure__centre on the [Lower East Side] from noon to 6pm with a super rad lineup of vintage blazers I’ve been sourcing for the past few months.
November 28