The Obtainer - 3/10/23, Friday
↦ Go Tonal or Go Home
Friday, March 10th Edition
I typed this up wearing all-black. Hopefully I can help you avoid looking like a stage crew member on Broadway whenever you want to dress in a head-to-toe tonal look.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
WhatWe’reWearing
Monochromatic Styling
Although men are having fun experimenting with style nowadays, there's always room in the fashion realm for a subtle monochromatic look. Dressing this way is calming, almost beneficial to the psyche—it frees up time that you would spend picking out what to wear for other important daily tasks.There's been a lot of talk about vintage Armani lately, and for us, some of the best looks are the brand’s tonal layers. One of the all-time kings of monochromatic dressing, Giorgio Armani—the man, himself—has his own signature all-navy look. A few style pointers to take from him are that all the blues complement one another. They don't have to match perfectly. You want to achieve a textured and juxtaposing outfit casually. Another person to pull some inspiration from is Pierre Mahéo, founder of Officine Générale. He debuted his AW23 collection this past January, and it was tonal, minimal and dialed in—all the recipes for an excellent solid-colored look. He went full-on grey, taking a bow on the runway. The greys play off one another, and when finished with a clean white T-shirt and sneakers, the look is quite pulled together.We've chosen the all-navy route today. Why? It's sophisticated and sharp enough to look dressy without coming off as austere. After all, there's a reason why navy suits are preferred over black. Since spring is around the corner, start with an unstructured three-button blazer—two is a tad too business-y, but three feels utilitarian, almost like your favorite chore coat. When dressing tonal, feel free to have fun with accessories—black optical lenses look sharp with navy, and tobacco suede loafers look great with anything.
Your Solid-Colored Kit
Clockwise, from top left:
Washed tee, $78 by Billy ReidUnstructured indigo-dyed cotton blazer, $695 by Officine GénéraleGarment-dyed crewneck sweatshirt, $120 by Alex MillClassic cuff beanie, $18 by Los Angeles ApparelClassic 180 glasses, $140 by J!NSCamden lug-sole loafer, $248 by J.CrewBamboo socks, $20 by CDLPO'hare 2.0 Italian nylon shopper tote, $316 by Want Les EssentialsCavalry pant, $268 by Noah
Making the Case for ...
Elevated Sunglasses
SoCal independent eyewear brand Rose & Co. uses some of the finest materials in the world, sourcing acetates and metals from Japan and adding the finishing touches from Germany and Italy. The label’s goal is to make design-driven and lasting lenses for a reasonable price point. I understand $350 for sunglasses is a hefty tag, but it’s not double the price like other high-end retailers, and the premium components make them worthwhile.The A6 frame in “vintage umber” is part of the brand's latest collection, and they’ll be your go-to shades for all seasons. It’s an ideal shape that would look great on anyone’s face—equal parts cylindrical and square, meshing up a retro design with a modern touch. The frames are manufactured from a fiber-based acetate made with raw materials such as cotton and pulp, the lenses have UVA and UVB protection (of course) but also a handy anti-reflection and anti-smudge coating which eliminates glare and fingerprints. The functional pins on the front temples offer stability and durability, but the custom-designed filigree etched wire in the arms? Well, that just looks badass. Also, each frame has a one-of-one numerical “ghost” imprint authenticating the completion of your frames in the production run. If you travel often the shades come with a handsome, heavy-duty box and a custom-designed microfiber cleaning cloth to keep them dust-free. If you are content with your closet, moving on to investment-worthy accessories is the next stop, and with spring on the horizon, I can’t think of a better time than now to splurge on a pair of shades.
A6 sunglasses, $350 by Rose & Co.
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
This double-breasted overcoat is made from an Italian wool and cashmere blend with Prince of Wales patterns. A smart investment at more than half off.
$615 / $245by Harmony Paris
Looking for some relaxed-fitting cargo pants for spring? Ralph Lauren's interpretation has military-inspired pockets and drawstring cinch-ins at the ankle.
$148 / $99.99 byPolo Ralph Lauren
Besides the elegant walnut-print design, this canteen has a three-layer stainless steel construction and retains hot and cold drinks for six hours.
$69 / $40by Sophnet
The three best stories from around the web.
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The original bar was still intact, down to the bourbon bottles, and the little neon sign in the window: Liquor Store. Even the old cash register was still there.”
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The immediacy and energy of his line–his radiant babies and dancing dogs in super-bright colors–are as much a part of the ’80s lexicon as the first MTV logo planted on the moon by an animated spaceman.”
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The reason why, however, has been lost with time, but a few sound theories explain the sartorial switch between sexes.”
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Browse New Balance’s models for men and women in boutiques and online for a complete look from head to toe.Available online and in stores excluding the U.S.
February 24