The Obtainer - 12/16/22, Friday
↦ What We're Wearing to Holiday Dinners
Friday, December 16th Edition
Now that it’s the end of the year, I have to send y’all off with a big fit. Thanks for inviting me into your inbox, and I hope everyone has a happy holiday! We will be back at the top of the new year.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
WhatWe’re Wearing
Holiday Dinner
The holidays offer plenty of opportunities to get dressed up—from family dinners and work events to seasonal date nights and even a New Year's Eve. And since you will be gallivanting around town, you need options that are smart, comfortable and interchangeable. It’s better to be prepared, and look ready for where ever the night may lead you.The base of this fit is a good T-shirt. It’s not the star of this look, but the unsung hero—it’s crisp and helps insulate the heat. A dark navy suit is always a smart choice, and our pick is cut from cozy, seasonally appropriate wool. Instead of the standard dress shirt, opt for a sophisticated sweater—it’s a neutral tone and allows you to layer, and the white T-shirt peeping through the neck collar always looks great. Ground the look with a luxurious pair of derbies, cut from a beautiful suede in a warm tobacco color that complements the suit and has a heavy-duty sole, so you will be able to wear these all winter long. Lastly, a great topcoat is the gentleman’s choice of outerwear. The length should hit right at your knee and this one has plenty of pockets for accessories. Feel free to flip that collar up—gotta protect the neck from the winter chill, right?
Your Holiday Dining Fit
Clockwise, from top left:
T-shirt, $50 by ASKETMerino crew neck jumper, $260 by SunspelTailored blazer, $300 by PercivalDaniel Castorino suede derby shoes, $700 by Tricker’sDiary scarf, $205 by A Kind of GuiseTailored trouser, $165 by PercivalRibbed dress socks, $19.50 by J.CrewMusk oud, $370 / $314.50 by Kilian Paris
Making the Case for ...
A Luxury Fleece Jacket
It seemed like a few seasons ago, but everyone was heavy on the Gorpcore and tech trend, and that’s because menswear is a little fickle at the moment. However, there have been some pieces that have endured—and for good reason. The fleece jacket has gone mainstream, from eco outdoor brands to full-fledged fashion labels. What’s not to love about this technical outerwear piece? The fabric is typically as comfy as it is durable, not to mention warm and weather-resistant. They also run the entire gamut of pricing from UNIQLO and Patagonia (the OG) to heritage company Woolrich.Over the past few years, I’ve had my share of fleeces, but a lot of times they sat in my closet. Some were too boxy, others were cheaply made and weren’t as functional as I’d hoped. I was able to get my hands on this one from the British brand Sunspel and it checks all the boxes. Their take on the classic cold weather staple is utterly luxurious. It’s made from exceptionally soft Italian recycled wool. The inside of the collar is lined in a smooth jersey fabric, so it’s soft against the skin. And an understated chest pocket, secured with a YKK zipper, along with two welt pockets, will store all your daily essentials or winter accessories.I thought I’d be wearing this casually just with a long sleeve tee or as a mid-layering piece, but it’s warm enough to wear when it’s super frigid outside—like 30 degrees cold. And I can’t forget to mention how good the fit is as well. The jacket sits right below my waist, which is nice because I know some fleeces come with a drawcord to give you a tailored look—with this, that isn’t necessary. It just looks cool and contemporary.I get that $595 is steep, and you’re thinking you could probably buy two or three fleeces from another brand, but we don’t subscribe to buying more rather than investing in one item that you can have over a decade. If you can splurge on a fleece, I highly recommend this one. Because if you end up wearing it as much as I do, then you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
Wool fleece jacket, $595 by Sunspel
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
Everyone needs a pair of relaxed, straight-fit denim that looks like you've had them for decades—especially when they're half off.
$230M / $115by NN07
If your closet is vestless, you need to change that. This one is made from a plush, insulated sherpa fleece with a funnel collar (and with code WINTER20, you get an extra 20% off).
$238 / $151.20by Todd Snyder
A 100% wool sweater for under $50 is absurdly good. Buy two or three for the price, and you'll wear them all winter with jeans, chinos, or even a double-breasted suit.
$138 / $44.50by J.Crew
The three best stories from around the web.
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Retail shops are places where Americans—both buyers and sellers—work out who we are and who we want to be.”
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Too Far East is a uniquely tight-knit workplace underpinned by a strong brotherhood and playful camaraderie–an environment that is both a testament to Yu and Kwok’s warm leadership, and starkly different to Yu’s work environment eight years ago.”
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We come across lost things all the time that have a real potency. They’re half-stories, and we make up the rest.”
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Drake’s in Seoul. On the ground in Dosan, our friend Jason Jules wears the the grey herringbone wool raglan coat and the Prince of Wales check Mk. VII Harris Tweed Games blazer.
December 4