The Obtainer - 5/8/23, Monday
↦ The Best Anoraks at Any Price
Monday, May 8th Edition
Presented by
Presented by
If you don’t like carrying around an umbrella, today’s roundup is for you.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
BuyingGuide
The Best Anoraks at Any Price
When it comes to choosing your outerwear for the unpredictability of spring, you're often forced to side with either fashion or function. But anoraks meet you in the middle. They're lightweight, easy to throw on and excellent at shielding you from the wind while keeping those raindrops at bay. Think of them like your favorite hoodie, only waterproof.An anorak is a sporty yet casual piece that somehow works with nearly everything in your wardrobe. Throw one on over your work outfit or tie it around your waist on the weekend as the temperature fluctuates—this thing can work in nearly every situation. As vintage '90s fashions continue to surge, this is one of those pieces from that era that's worth bringing back. They come in a slew of colors and patterns, but the real question is going to be what shade and style best suits your style (and budget)?Typically, you'll have a hood, some zippers or buttons to protect your neck and a large kangaroo pocket to store your necessary essentials. Some brands have recontextualized the jacket by substituting bungee drawstrings to adjust the neck and instead of one oversized pouch, two separate but subtle pockets at either the chest or waistline. If it's been a while since you've pulled one on, we suggest giving it a try. You'll be surprised at how much you end up wearing it. Here are some of the best options for the season. Take your pick.
4 of Our Favorites
This is made of a hardwearing hemp ripstop that's excellent for outdoor adventures and the fabric will age beautifully, developing a unique patina.
Shoreline anorak, $211 by Jungmaven
A version modeled after mountaineers and WWII-era troops. The waxed cotton is weather resistant, and the snap chest pocket is the perfect way to help keep your daily essentials dry.
Ranger anorak, $275 by Filson
Inspired by preppy jackets in the 1970s and ’80s, this waxed cotton jacket is light enough to keep you cool, but still protect against the raindrops.
Waxed cotton surf cagoule, $760 by Drake’s
A classic-looking anorak with an adjustable drawstring at the neckline and a kangaroo pocket. Plus, it’s deeply marked down, so get another color.
Pullover hooded anorak, $74.99 / $37.49 (w/code GOSHOP) by Gap
Partner
You Still Have Time to Send Mom Some Beautiful Blooms
Think about it ... she doesn't get enough fresh flowers, does she? This is her day and sending a beautiful bouquet of blooms is an easy and impactful way to show how much she means to you. UrbanStems has long been our go-to for unique and stylish floral arrangements—they have a reputation for sourcing the freshest flowers and creating one-of-a-kind arrangements that you won't find anywhere else. And this year, for Mother's Day, they have an amazing assortment of flowers to choose from. There are natural garden-like arrangements, stylish monochromatic bouquets, big bunches of peonies and more. Which one would suit your mother's tastes?
The Unicorn bouquet of roses and purple lilacs, $55 from UrbanStems
The Firecracker bouquet of fiery roses, craspedia and thistle, $70 / $68 from UrbanStems
The Portia bouquet of purple scabiosa and roses, $85 from UrbanStems
The Springtime bouquet of radiant pops of pastel roses, $65 from UrbanStems
The Buttercream bouquet of delicate lisianthus and vanilla roses, $68 from UrbanStems
Test Drive
Laundry Basket
Storing dirty clothes away can cause a multitude of problems: it’s usually an eye-sore and depending on the laundry basket, there can be an odor problem as well. To help alleviate this unsightly laundry dilemma is Mo’s Crib, a South African-based home décor design company specializing in manufacturing sustainable, handmade items. The brand uses upcycled and eco-friendly goods like natural grasses, palm leaves and even recycled PVC water pipe for everything from wall art, planters and—you guessed it—laundry baskets. I recently scooped up the brand’s handsome PVC laundry basket, and wish I’d gotten it sooner.It’s so sleek and looks so unlike a practical dirty hamper that we can happily leave it out in our bedroom. That’s the beauty of a laundry basket this good-looking—you can place it anywhere, no need to hide it away. It’s got a unique shape and the generous size fits more than I originally thought. What I appreciate most is the lid. It hides dirty clothes (or whatever else you’d like to store away neatly) and genuinely makes this look like a stand-alone design piece for your house and not a simple receptacle for soiled linens. The PVC weave also allows breathability for dirty clothes, so it’s not enclosing the scent, making it more potent. If you don’t need this as a laundry basket, it’s also excellent for a large pot plant holder, toys (if you’re like me and have a kid), or blankets to stow away from your couch.Another bonus is that since this is literally made up of old water pipes, it’s pretty durable. You can knock it over or bang it against a washing machine and it still looks great. It rarely requires any cleaning, but if you want to keep it looking its best, you just take a damp cloth, wipe it down and then follow up by polishing it off with a dry cloth. No muss, no fuss, just the sexiest hamper on the market today.
Recycled PVC waterpipe laundry basket,$135 by Mo’s Crib
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
Crafted from a lightweight corduroy, these relaxed shorts are perfect for summer and pair well with a hoody for chilly mornings.
$188 / $107by Universal Works
This ruggedly handsome side table weighs a hefty 40 lbs and is made of reclaimed pine, so the natural grain and markings are unique to each piece.
$499 / $250by Pottery Barn
This six-panel cap is made of herringbone in a beautiful indigo blue and will patina beautifully out in the sun during the warmer months.
$65 / $46 byRaleigh Workshop
The three best stories from around the web.
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Coggins is not a watch collector, per se, but he is a man who wears watches and who very much likes to wear the appropriate item for the appropriate activity or event.”
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As one of the biggest athletes in the world, Sylvester has built an enormous network of talented friends, even referenced by Jay-Z on Frank Ocean’s 2017 track, ‘Biking’.”
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As menswear’s wild-style era gives way to a new sense of elegance, Nighy’s particular brand of docent swagger feels oddly prescient.”
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“Dressing up the Workwear”
April 5