The Obtainer - 2/22/23, Wednesday
↦ Good/Better/Best: Zip Cardigans
Wednesday, February 22nd Edition
Somehow shorter weeks feel longer than regular ones—at least one of the year’s most anticipated collaborations drops this Friday.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
Good/Better/Best
Zip Cardigans
Few pieces make transitional weather easier than a cardigan. V-neck and shawl collar are the most notable, but I'm here to make a case for the zip-up cardigan sweater. As the harshest days of winter are slowly dwindling, a zip cardigan is the most underrated of the three styles. It's easier to layer underneath a topcoat or denim jacket, plus it's the more practical option during spring since it's lighter, sportier and more breathable. Is there a slight '90s normcore vibe? Perhaps. Is that a bad thing? Not at all.Look around and you'll notice stylish guys everywhere zipping up the knit and embracing the sweater's practical utility and flattering silhouette. The unsung hero of the garment is the zipper, of course—usually more durable than buttons and the brands that go the extra mile to feature a double zipper allow you to style this knitwear giant in a myriad of ways. But who makes the best ones? It all depends on what you're looking for and how much you're aiming to spend. We've selected three similar styles that are equally chic, yet available in a range of prices. How much you want to spend is entirely up to you, but these will always be in style and keep you warm.
Made of 100% organic cotton. Soft, but not as luxe as wool.
A thick, machine washable waffle-knit stitch adds weight and texture
Includes side pockets, so this could be worn as a main layer during the cooler evenings come spring
Although this is the most affordable of the three, it's probably the warmest
Organic cotton zip-up cardigan, $89 by L.L. Bean
Made of 100% traceable extra-fine merino wool in a two-ply, 12 gauge knit
Due to the extra-fine wool, the sweater is hand wash only
The shoulder seam is reinforced for a contemporary look. This is on the slimmer side, so size up for a looser fit.
The dressiest of the three, with understated folded cuff hems and double-folded bottom hem
Merino zip-up cardigan, $230 by ASKET
100% cashmere sweater, knitted in Italy with the fit and feel of the perfect sweatshirt
Lightweight and breathable, yet naturally warm and insulating
The two-way zippers have a heft to them since they're made of brushed nickel
Due to the cashmere, the sweater is hand wash only
Cashmere zip-up cardigan, $795 by Ghiaia Cashmere
Drop to Watch For
Stüssy & Levi’s latest collaboration celebrates both brands’ Californian roots. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Levi’s 501 jeans and the collection will feature a pair along with a modified type II trucker jacket—two classic Levi’s pieces reimagined with Stüssy’s signature design aesthetic. The jeans will be available in a worn indigo wash featuring an embossed Stüssy & Levi’s motif on the front left and back right legs, plus a custom co-branded back patch. The jacket will also be available in the same wash, updated in a boxy fit and a corduroy collar.
Friday, February 24 on levi.com and stussy.com
Stuff We Swear by
The Ultimate Workout Shirt
Exercising is hard enough. Make all that effort and sweating a little easier by investing in some high-performance gear. Workout clothes should fit like the rest of your wardrobe—not too ill-fitting and comfortable without restricting your body movements. Old raggedy T-shirts are not terrible to exercise in, but pull on a tech-focused performance shirt and you’ll notice all the ways it enhances your performance.
Ten Thousand’s Versatile shirt is the only workout top you’ll ever need. The R&D on this thing is impressive: Over 17,000 fit measurements, 4,000 fit preferences and 2,000 fit field tests. All this data was taken to make the best-fitting and most durable T-shirt on the exercise market. Made of a lightweight polyester and spandex blend, the shirt features a permanent silver ion anti-odor treatment, moisture-wicking technology to keep it dry, and perforation for ease and breathability to help cool you down post-workout. In short, it’s near impossible to be uncomfortable or stink while working out in this thing.
And because it’s so understated, it’s a shirt that’s appropriate for all athletes—cross-fit beasts, sports trainees and weekend yoga guys. I’ve been wearing it mostly to play basketball, and it’s become my new go-to active shirt. In fact, now that I’m sold on it, I need a few other colors. While $58 is steep for one T-shirt, there were no corners cut on the quality, and washing this is super easy. It’s incredibly durable and shrink-resistant. You can toss it in the washer and dryer and it comes out looking (and smelling) new every time.
Versatile shirt,$58 by Ten Thousand
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
You don't have to be an artist to own relaxed-fitting painter's pants. Todd Snyder reinterprets this pair with Japanese cotton fabric and has all the vintage components like a shank fly, hammer loop and tool pockets.
$298 / $184by Todd Snyder
If you take your pour-over coffee seriously, a quality kettle is a must. This one has a polished stainless steel body, built-in thermometer and the brand’s signature counterbalanced handle for easy pouring.
$85 / $63.75by Fellow
This handsome shaving kit comes with a badger brush for a gentle lather, a cream bowl and a Mach 3 razor. Besides keeping your face clean, the kit is also a lovely staple for your bathroom sink area.
$90 / $54by Petite Plume
The three best stories from around the web.
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The costar of HBO Max's 100 Places to Party Before You Die waxes philosophical on vintage clothes, stylish friends, and why you can't enter Miami without a lightweight suit.”
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Quickly realizing $100K still wasn't enough for my elusive moonphase, I started thinking harder about how to build a collection.”
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Goldin’s stuff is clearly aimed at a much younger demographic—not your patch-emblazoned-leather-vest wearing retiree, but a new generation of American style rebels, the kind who get around on CitiBikes but lust after Chrome Hearts.”
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Enjoying a cocktail on the Nile in my made to measure suit from @brunellocucinelli_brand This suit was put through its paces on this trip. Paired here with a Bretagne stripe and Venetian slippers (both always a standard packed item)
January 24