The Obtainer - 12/5/22, Monday
↦ Not Sure What to Give?
Monday, December 5th Edition
Presented by
Presented by
Unsure what to get your coworker or distant relative you see a few times of year for the holiday gift exchange? A coffee table book may be the answer—it says, “I know a bit about you, but not too much.”—and it’s okay to keep things that way.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
The Best Coffee Table Books to Give
Sure, clothes are always the hot shopping topic around the holidays (especially for the style set), but getting a book for someone shows that you pay attention to a person's interests. Take it a step further and opt for a coffee table book—excellent for interior decor and a great conversation starter for hosting. When you gift a coffee table book, you're giving a tactile item that's great for perusing with a cup of coffee and allows you to break up your screen time between flipping pages. Here are a handful of our team's favorites to spruce up someone's space and pique their intellectual curiosity.
Gift Ideas
Clockwise, from top left:
“Out of the Woods” $60 by gestalten“Smiley: 50 Years of Good News”, $60 by Assouline“Every Person in New York”, $24.95 / $15.29 by Jason Polan
Clockwise, from top left:
“Brioni: Tailoring Legends”, $195 / $146.25 by Olivier Saillard“Ruth Asawa: All Is Possible”, $55.40 by Ruth Asawa“Design of the 20th Century”, $25 by Taschen
Partner
Give Some Everyday Luxuries
Jewelry is inherently special. Which is what makes it such a dazzling gift to give. But few brands offer jewelry for any and everyone. John Hardy specializes in pieces that are at once beautiful, comfortable and hardwearing. They’re crafted from sterling silver, gold and adorned in pearls and yet, somehow remain easy to wear. Inspired by Bali and its time-honored jewelry-making traditions, the sustainable jewelry brand makes a range of designs, from timeless pieces to more modern interpretations. So whether you’re shopping for your stylish brother, your traditionalist mother or your significant other, there’s something on this list for them.
Clockwise, from top left:
Classic sterling silver chain necklace, $455; Heishi beaded sterling silver bracelet, $595 and Remix drop link sterling silver earrings, $450
Clockwise, from top left:
Remix transformable sterling silver necklace, $1,250; Classic 18k gold and sterling silver chain overlap ring, $795; Black pearl moon door necklace, $1,295
Stuff We Swear by
CPO Shirt
There’s something to be said about a piece you can wear season after season that gets reliably better with time. I have several items from Nashville-based imogene + willie, but my favorite is their wool CPO shirt that I got a few years ago. The ticket price doesn’t come cheap, but in full transparency, I had a gift card for my birthday to knock off some of the total—not by a lot, but it helped.
As an Obtainer subscriber, I’m sure you own or most definitely have seen a version of a CPO shirt—they’re typically heavy wool shirts with a single flap pocket, sometimes two, that were standard issue to the U.S. Navy’s Chief Petty Officers (hence the name CPO shirt). The shirt was not exclusive to the Naval Academy, however, and it quickly became a staple by any and all who needed a hardwearing and comfortable layering piece.
They come in all sorts of fabrics, but this one is cut and sewn in the U.S. from 13 oz. herringbone wool that feels like tweed’s cooler cousin. Because it’s 100% wool and unlined, I wear a long sleeve T-shirt or thermal underneath, so I don’t get itchy, and it’s warm enough to stay cozy through sunny winter days. For the colder months and evenings, this is the ideal mid-layer I wear underneath a sturdy chore coat or this field jacket.
I’ve owned this for about two years now and have not needed to wash it yet. Because you can’t just throw it in the washer if need be (and I don’t want to take it to the dry cleaners and risk them messing it up), I simply let it air out in between wearings instead. The two-front pockets are spacious enough to fit car keys or a passport in, and the fit of the shirt pairs well with a thermal but can be worn with an oxford shirt underneath. Honestly, this piece is so well made—from the substantial fabric to the sturdy buttons—it’s a piece that I aspire to own for 20-plus years and eventually hand down to my son. In that way, the $325 ends up being justifiable, especially if it’s something I plan to wear for a few decades.
Hall CPO shirt,$325 by imogene + willie
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
This patchwork-patterned overshirt is made from durable brushed cotton and includes handy utilitarian pockets throughout.
$279 / $185by Kestin
Fellow’s “cyber week” sale is still going strong, which means you can score their signature Stagg EKG (the one that comes with the electric base) for 25% off.
$195 / $146.25by Fellow
Todd Snyder has the perfect lightweight polo that's made in the USA, slub-spun for a soft feel and includes a full placket for endless styling opportunities.
$158 / $119by Todd Snyder
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It's a major, and unexpected, move from the brand at a time when Rolex watches are harder to get than ever.”
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Blue November
November 18