The Obtainer - 5/22/23, Monday
↦ The Best Work Shirts at Any Price
Monday, May 22nd Edition
I always feel more productive whenever I have a proper shirt on—today’s shirts are perfect for work, especially in the literal sense.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
Buying Guide
The Best Work Shirts at Any Price
Late spring or early summer might be the ideal in-between season for weather. The sun is out, and the air is warm, but there's still a steady breeze in the morning and evening. Although the temperatures feel amazing, sometimes figuring out what to wear is annoying. It's too hot for sweaters, and winter coats are finally packed away for the season. The work shirt is the ideal option.Now, you may be asking yourself, what is a work shirt? We'd categorize it as a simple shirt with chest pockets in a substantial cotton twill fabric. The kind—no surprise here—typically worn by workmen of all stripes. The guys who aren't afraid to get their hands (or their shirts) dirty. The shirts are also offered in other practical materials like denim and canvas. By definition, these are built to withstand the toughest conditions, so feel free to wear them over and over again. And you will, because their versatility is virtually unmatched—some even fall into the “shacket” spectrum.What's more, this modern classic isn't going anywhere any time soon. And stylish guys are now wearing them in refreshing ways, like sizing up one to create a flowy silhouette and leaving it open with a tucked-in tee or buttoning it up for a militant/punk look. You'll find they go as well with your pleated trousers as they do with some relaxed shorts or just your favorite pair of jeans. We've rounded up over a dozen work shirts from the originators to Japanese brands reinterpreting this iconic piece. Whether you want to work it in or not is your choice.
4 of Our Favorites
We dare you to find a better work shirt for the price. There’s a reason why they have been the gold standard for over 100 years. They’re hardwearing, reliable and actually get better with age.
Relaxed work shirt, $29.99 by Dickies
A light and comfortable shirt designed to be layered. The asymmetric pockets provide ample storage space and the tonal stitching gives it a sophisticated feel.
Great pocket work shirt, $150 by Frizimworks
Made of a 13-oz. denim fabric, this is heavier than some denim jackets. Throw this over a T-shirt or oxford button-down whenever it's too chilly. Either way, this will only get better with more wear.
Denim work shirt, $495 by Drake’s
Crafted from a durable yarn-dyed twill, this shirt has a weather-resistant finish for added protection. The large front chest pocket and hidden drop-in pockets with a zip closure make this ideal for travel.
Storm stopper work shirt, $198 by Buck Mason
5 Stylish Items to Buy This Week
Another week, another great T-shirt option. J.Crew keeps tinkering with old archival designs and this one ($59.50), based on a popular pocket tee style, ticks all of our boxes. The relaxed fit is on point, the pocket is neither too big nor too small and the fabric is hemp-cotton blend that has a subtle textured knit feel. Plus, it's breathable and naturally antimicrobial so it's perfect for this time of year. And since the shirt is garment-dyed, the fabric will get softer and develop a patina with each wear and wash.
Test Drive
Incense Cone Trio
Lighting candles and incense are some of my first morning to-dos before preparing coffee—smelling some calming fragrances is somewhat meditative for me before I jump into the rest of the day. This incense cone trio set is a must-have and what I’ve been burning each morning for the past month. I usually burn incense sticks, but this set caught my eye because I haven’t tested incense cones before, and I like the thought of traveling with them, and it’s more of a hassle to do so with the traditional sticks.You can purchase each tin and scent individually, but I love a variety as seasons change. In this set, you have Palo Santo, Desert Kush and Cactus Flower—all made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There are 25 cones in each tin, so 75 for $60 isn’t too shabby, especially when you consider that it gives you roughly 55 hours of a well-scented home.What I really appreciate about these is that they’re travel-friendly. Whenever you open the tin, set down the lid with the face open, put a cone on and light it. The burn time is quicker than the usual incense sticks, but the scent is more fragrant, even after it’s done burning. And you don’t have to worry about picking up after them because the cones are small enough, so debris won't get on the floor. My favorite scent out of the bunch is the Cactus Flower. The scent notes are mandarin and bergamot with smoky redwood—a smell that makes you feel like you’ve just woken up in Sedona or by a campfire in Joshua Tree.
Incense cone trio,$60 by Dilo Home
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
This perforated tray is ideal for grilling vegetables and meat alike. It's carbon steel with cast iron handles and is both corrosion and stain-resistant. All you need is fire and charcoal.
$59.95 / $47.97by BK
Want another option for summer besides your denim jacket? A Harrington jacket is the next best option. This is made of 10-oz. cotton twill and has been washed for a soft yet lived-in feel.
$133.99 / $66.99(w/code SHOPEARLY)by J.Crew
The devil's in the details, and an excellent belt can be the unsung hero of the entire outfit. Bleu de Chauffe's version is made in France from a vedge-tanned leather with a burnished gold-tone buckle fastening.
$100 / $70 byBleu de Chauffe
The three best stories from around the web.
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A wristwatch is the one piece of jewellery every man can wear. Plus, it’s the mechanics squeezed inside such a tiny space, which always, with a quick shake, spring to life and keep on working.”
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The growth in luxury spending is tied to a renewed appetite for artisanship in India, driven by a group of designers who are shunning mass production in favour of slow, handmade–and more expensive–fashion.”
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Rather than launch basics in three or five colors, Yarish has concentrated on finding the precise right fabrics to fit his vision for each.”
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SS24 Development
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