The Obtainer - 6/23/23, Friday
↦ The Shoes We Want Now
Friday, June 23rd Edition
Wales has been in the limelight recently thanks to the series Welcome to Wrexham, but it’s also where today’s featured shop hails from.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
The New Shoes on Our Radar
Is it time to re-evaluate the shoes in your closet? Maybe this list will help get you going in the right direction. There are so many great shoes dropping these days, we thought we would pull a few of our current favorites to showcase. From an adidas collaboration and water-resistant sneakers to some classic boat shoes, these are the shoes our team can't stop talking about.
Our Picks
If you're looking for something more unique than the standard Wallabees, Yuketen's moccasins are the way to go. These are hand-cut and sewn from only two pieces of leather sourced from a luxe full-grain Italian leather. The hide is reversed “flesh out,” meaning the full grain faces outward, so it's not only more durable, but the smooth grain side of the leather is comfortable to wear against the skin. The authentic moccasin construction also gives it an understated beauty while the natural crepe rubber sole provides extra comfort and additional support.
$385 by Yuketen
Wales Bonner and adidas have delivered yet another great collection. The most recent drop continues to build off of reinterpreting soccer apparel and shoes, taking influence from Jamaican sport style. The iconic SL72 sneaker silhouette comes in a rich brown and bright orange colorway, finished with a cream outsole—reminiscent of the kind of shoes you'd see in the '70s. A textured knit mesh on the upper is accented with aged leather and contrast stitching for added throwback style, but the modern EVA midsole adds softness for all-day wear.
$180 by Wales Bonner x adidas
Nike looks to regain the woven space it once occupied more than ten years ago. Keen has dominated the last few years, but I think these monochromatic ACG kicks will be the next best thing. The shoes are made with a quick-drying Watercat+ material on the upper, and the wicker weaving is perfect for summer. Take these off-road, and the undulating lugs add extra grip whenever the shoes are wet—plus, the thick rubber sole molds to the shape of your foot for extreme comfort. Get super tech and wear these with nylon shorts or relaxed-fitting cargo pants.
$125 by Nike ACG
Lusso Cloud has executed the comfy house shoe for the outdoors. Their Esto silhouette gets an all-leather treatment and can double as a dinner date option. Inspired by a classic loafer, the smooth leather and the brand's patented triple stack technology mean you'll never want to take these slides off. From backyard cookouts to grabbing drinks with friends, these will take you every step of the way without ever having to lace up.
$155 by Lusso Cloud
Call it a trans-Atlantic partnership. New England's Sebago teamed up with legendary British brand Drake's to deliver a series of classic styles. The standout, for us, has to be the Docksides, Sebago's signature boat shoe beloved by everyone from Paul Newman to Pharrell Williams. The perennial shoe is reinterpreted with contrast hand-stitching, white eyelets and color-blocked leather. Featuring 360-degree rawhide lacing, cross-stitched moccasin vamp and rubber soles, these are the perfect boat shoes to chill in for summer.
$225 by Drake’s x Sebago
Checking in With …
TOAST
If you don't know TOAST, the Welsh brand was founded 26 years ago with a focus on relaxed loungewear. They’ve since grown into a full lifestyle brand, but remain true to their commitment to craft comfortable clothing that’s designed to be worn, washed and repeated for years to come. That approach has never wavered, and the brand’s long-lasting functional pieces—be it clothing, housewares or accessories—has earned them diehard fans worldwide. What’s more, every product is still produced in small batches by local artisans, weavers and fabric mills. We spoke with the brand’s head menswear designer, Catie Palmer, to discuss what their team is excited about right now, what their customers have been wearing lately and how the brand continues to evolve in an ethical way.
Sea kelp print short-sleeve shirt, $260 by TOAST
What items are you guys most excited about at the moment in the shop?
The current collection was inspired by open water, specifically the clothing worn by Dutch fishermen. We looked to nautical adventurers for inspiration, referencing shawl collars from Navy jackets, while fisherman smocks inspired the wide plackets and hip patch pockets. One of the standout pieces is an organic cotton shirt featuring a sea kelp-inspired print, screen printed in India.
What have your customers been wearing lately?
Our Alfie trousers are one of our most popular shapes at the moment. The relaxed, tapered style has an elasticated drawstring at the waist, so they’re very comfortable, especially for warmer weather. And it’s interesting to see how different guys wear them.
Alfie garment dyed linen trouser, $220 by TOAST
So many of your pieces are made by local artisans. Why is this important to the brand?
Handmade pieces created by skilled craftspeople become treasured items to keep and pass on. We continually evaluate our impact on people and the planet … and supporting traditional craftsmanship is a vital tenet of our social conscience commitments. We want our customers to enjoy our clothing and homeware for years and years to come, and part of that durability and emotional connection comes from knowing where these items come from and the hands that have crafted them.
Check Ikat short-sleeve shirt, $365 by TOAST
What are some current staff favorites?
Each season we design a new, hazy pattern to be handwoven into Ikat fabric in the Indian village of Yellanki, which is famous for their fabric. The artisans work under master artisan Bikshapati Kolaan, who has been weaving for over 40 years and now passes down his expertise to his son. We’re proud to be helping preserve this age-old technique.
How do you ensure that the brand evolves in a gradual yet ethical way?
We have long-standing relationships with many of our suppliers. We continually explore new techniques in textiles, looking at innovative and responsible ways to produce our garments. It’s important for us to ensure our pieces are durable, and we are interested in new technologies, whether recycled cashmere or a new dyeing processes. We choose our suppliers based on their expertise.
As we grow, we prioritize our responsibility to drive change through our clothing care, repair and community initiatives. Every year our team produces a Social Conscience Report outlining progress toward our commitments and our next steps.
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
A fun camp collar shirt can take you from poolside lounge to breezy sundown cocktails. This mana shirt is made from a lyocell and linen-blend twill for a lightweight, summery feel.
$255 / $178.50by Manaaki
Persol shades are rarely marked down this much. Take advantage and pick up these throwback frames. Made in Italy from premium materials, they’re at once modern and timeless.
$307 / $153.50by Persol
Carhartt WIP is having an impressive sale at the moment, so now’s the time to pick up some everyday staples. These workwear-inspired shorts have bartack stitching for additional reinforcement and a hammer loop that you may never use (but looks cool).
$115 / $81by Carhartt WIP
The three best stories from around the web.
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There’s nothing efficient about fly fishing. There are easier ways to catch a fish. But you wouldn’t ask a person why they drive a vintage Jaguar when the latest model has cruise control.”
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It’s just a soup of garbage in my brain. I’m just ladling out bowls week to week. I love writing. I just love having fun.”
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The space, designed by the Swedish design studio Halleroed, hosts everything from formal tailoring, jackets cut from blends of cashmere and baby camel, silk and cashmere knitwear, and, looking ahead to the autumn, even outerwear.”
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@poloralphlauren photographed in California
June 22