The Obtainer - 1/6/23, Friday
↦ What We're Wearing to the Gym
Friday, January 6th Edition
It’s the new year, and prioritizing health is at the top of a lot of people’s lists. Whether you’re going to your first or 100th exercise class, I’m proud of you and here to help you look good while moving your body.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
What We’re Wearing
To the Gym
It’s the first week of the new year, and do you know what that means? Gym memberships and hot yoga classes are increasing this month in attendance (like every January). But honestly, we're here for it. Maybe you’re recommitting to your health as a resolution or training for a half marathon; either way, workout culture can be intimidating, so pulling on a performance-based kit can ease your mind and give you some confidence.One of the keys to a great workout is wearing clothes that support you and allow for optimal movement. I think gym attire should be subtle and understated, like any other outfit. The last thing you want to do is draw attention to yourself as you're trying to set a new PR in pull-ups or adjust the weight on the bench bar. Great shoes are a must for a productive workout, especially if you're doing cardio or body-weight exercises. And a lightweight hat comes in handy to keep the sweat out of your eyes while boosting the incline on the treadmill.Other essentials in our recommended gym bag? A reliable water bottle and some sleek earbuds. Because if you don't work out with headphones, that's like driving without music. And that gives off serial killer vibes—we don't want that for you. They're a necessity to get through any circuit. These pieces will have you looking the part as you move your body, and remember, you've already won if you're at the gym.
Your Fitness Fit
Clockwise, from top left:
Aloe long-sleeve T-shirt, $110 by District VisionTrackhouse sweatshirt, $120 by TracksmithBlack AZ70 earphones, $290 / $102 by TechnicsMinimalist hat, $32 by VuoriZoom Fly 5 sneaker, $160 by NikeDaily Stride crew socks, $38 (for three pack) by lululemonPorter insulated bottle, $30 by W&PHelix roller, $49 by RADGym bag, $95 by RainsTraining short, $105 by Reigning Champ
Making the Case for ...
The Lifetime Service Boot
There’s a quote that’s been rephrased many times but remains true to this day, “Spend good money on the things that separate you from the ground: tires, shoes, mattresses, and if you have a desk job, the chair you sit in all day.” That’s certainly true of shoes. And during this wild winter—as temperatures fluctuate between below-freezing and teasing spring weather—one reliable footwear option that will never disappoint is a well-crafted pair of boots.
While we’ve highlighted the Canadian shoemaking brand before in our Test Drive column, Viberg makes some of the best hand-made shoes I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing, and they’ve been doing so since 1931. Their Service Boot 310 is a standout and essentially exactly what you think of when you picture a boot in your head. The 310 is a custom silhouette from the brand that dates to 2007 and pulls inspiration from an archival piece and a British army boot.
The boot is made from Culatta, which is a premium steer hide from C.F. Stead. The Culatta is a specific cut-off side leather deriving from the bend and belly. This part of the animal has a high oil content, allowing the leather to patina with a smooth, metallic shine, and the eco-tannage is fully certified as biodegradable. The brand’s signature stitchdown construction features a double row that binds the upper to the sole and forces water and mud to be wicked away from the boot, keeping your feet warm and dry in any condition.
The boots have everything you want in hard-wearing footwear: Leather laces, antique brass eyelets and a durable Dainite sole that’s able to be resoled again and again. While they’re not cheap, this pair is worth the investment if you only want one pair for the next 20 years. There are similar silhouettes available online, and one that comes to mind is the Brigadier boot from Visvim that retails for $1,398—twice the price of the Viberg pair. While Vsvim has its unique processes like hand-dyeing and custom textiles, their price would take my breath away before swiping my card. The Viberg cost is steep but much more palatable, and this is a pair that will only get better looking as the years go on.
Service boot 310, $785 by Viberg
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
A 100% wool polo that looks just as good under a blazer or by itself. The cable knit and stripe on the collar elevate this winter staple from Japanese brand Beams Plus.
$178 / $124by Beams Plus
Alex Mill is currently hosting a rare sale. And a garment-dyed corduroy blazer is perfect to dress either up or down. The deal is so good, you might as well get the matching vest and pants and make it a suit.
$195 / $117by Alex Mill
This pair of light-washed jeans is made in Italy from 12 oz Italian canvas and features a slight taper for a contemporary feel. It also doesn't hurt that they come in under $100.
$195 / $94by Harmony
The three best stories from around the web.
“
Wearing a shirt solely based on the ‘coolness’ of the graphic is not the move, though. Although I am sure Travis Scott listens to a lot of early Metallica in the Lamborghini truck.”
//
“
SeaLegacy calls itself ‘an agency for the ocean’—a small collective of elite photographers and filmmakers who use the power of their platform to shape legislation, enact change, and grant a voice for oceans, upon which the survival of our planet depends.”
//
“
Let’s call these what they are: bootlegs. But they are a bit savvier, a bit more artful, than a standard sidewalk-hawked knockoff.”
//
I used to have a series on my Tumblr called “In Medias Res” which means into the middle of things in Latin. It’s typically a literary term for a work that begins its narrative mid plot. For me, it meant photographing someone as I caught up with them. Bringing it back here sporadically to catalogue NY style.
January 2