The Obtainer - 7/10/23, Monday
↦ Camp Collars: Pro or Con?
Monday, July 10th Edition
Last week was so short, we forgot to celebrate a year of The Obtainer. Thanks to everyone for letting me into their inbox three times a week and I’m looking forward to the next year.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
BuyingGuide
Summer’s Laidback Staple Shirt
Plain and simple: A camp collar shirt looks good. With its flowy fabric and slightly boxy silhouette, the shirt is naturally nonchalant and designed to be cool. Unbuttoned poolside or loosely buttoned for a summer date night, it's long been synonymous with vacations but has been happily embraced by menswear aficionados for everyday wear during the summer. I know you might be thinking, “Not another camp collar suggestion,” and we get it, but maybe it's time to refresh the styles you already own. And if, for some reason, you've been avoiding them, allow us to make a fresh case. Because they don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.While I'm not the person to reach for a bold print, summer is the time to test the waters with wackier patterns—especially by the pool. If your shirt is unbuttoned to your belly button, you're already giving off the vibe that you don't take this fashion thing too seriously, so go headfirst with something crazy. But here's the beauty of this shirt: You can be as loud or as reserved as you want. Smooth and subtle, tucked in under a suit? We've got you. Prefer something embroidered or lacey, with a tank underneath? Those are big now, too. And with plenty of classic conversation-worthy patterns, there's a camp collar shirt for any style and situation. From your favorite swim shorts to some beat-up jeans, these shirts are surprisingly adaptable and can be worn with just about anything in your closet. Here, we've pulled together some of our current favorites in a range of prices and patterns.
Our Picks
This featherweight seersucker style has a vintage vibe and comes in three solid colors.
Seersucker camp collar shirt, $89.50 by J.Crew
Artist Charlotte Gosch created a new print for Sunspel in a soft cotton poplin. Pair with the matching trunks for a full-on poolside look.
Camp collar shirt, $275 by Sunspel x Charlotte Gosch
The perfect option to wear open with a requisite “wife pleaser”.
Ley lace camp collar shirt, $168 by No Maintenance
Tropical vibes don’t have to scream. These embroidered flowers say “I’m here for a good time, not a long time.”
Embroidered camp collar shirt,$180 by Bather
How do you style a lightweight chore coat in the summertime?
- @swohns
If you ask me, a light chore coat is the best layering piece for any season. First, I would make sure you’re not wearing hefty fabrics in the summertime, like twill or a duck canvas. Instead, swap those out for something lightweight like an all-cotton or linen. I’ve picked out four options—styled differently, and two of the picks happen to be on sale if you’re looking to refresh your current chore coats.
This one, from Nudie Jeans ($278 / $195), is styled perfectly because the khaki color is versatile enough to pair with everything. A crisp white T-shirt with some worn-in denim is always a great look. See how good they look with sandals? And here’s an option from Alex Mill ($175) in a rich navy, but it’s all linen. Avoid wearing dark denim with these because they may clash. Reach for some khaki-colored chinos or a pair of olive-green fatigues. Alex Crane’s ($195) chore coat is the most fun out of the picks, and I’d wear these with an oatmeal color nylon short and a navy T-shirt underneath. Since there are stripes in the jacket, make sure you stick with solids for the rest of your kit. Lastly, this pick from TOAST ($430 / $172) comes in a beautiful seafoam green. Feel free to dress these up with dark denim or a pair of navy drawstring pants for a laidback summer vibe.
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Test Drive
The Washable Rug
There are many reasons to have a rug. They add stability on hardwood floors, offer a place for your outside shoes and bring a decorative touch to your living space. The three categories are sometimes mutually exclusive; however, Ruggable’s needlepoint rug marries them together in function and style. I’ve had the solid caramel rug in my home for over a year, and the taupe color brings a strong and distinct wave of color to our neutral-toned space. And while I’d happily have this rug just for the aesthetics, we’ve got our money’s worth because it’s water-resistant, stain-resistant and machine-washable.We’ve spilled water on it, our toddler has dropped popsicles on it, and our dog has even puked on this thing several times. And it still looks like brand new. How? The rugs are secretly made of two connected parts: a washable, patterned cover with a water-resistant polyurethane barrier that lets you wipe up unfortunate spills before a stain forms, and the rug pad grips and holds the rug in place. The brand recommends spot-cleaning, which definitely works—especially with cleaning solutions—and even dark drips come out with relative ease.For bigger spills or if spot cleaning isn’t enough, you can simply detach the rug pad thanks to the brand’s “Cling Effect” technology, ball up your rug and throw the entire thing into the washing machine. Once it’s done, we actually put it in the dryer. Also, after washing, there are no problems sticking the rug pad back on—it never loses its grip. Even if you don’t have dogs and kids soiling your rug, you likely have dirt and other household grime. Having your rugs professionally steam cleaned sounds like a hassle. Refreshing this carpet is as simple as doing a load of laundry. One of my only complaints is depending on your washer size, the rug (ours is 5x7) makes a lot of noise, and I wish it was a bit more flexible or came with a bag to help with the washing process. But for the comfort and convenience, you can’t really beat this.
Needlepoint solid rug,$219 by Ruggable
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
Harrison Ford would approve of these swim shorts. They’re cool, comfortable and crafted from 100% polyamide, meaning they’re also chlorine and salt-resistant.
$210 / $105by Filippa K
Rugged and preppy, thanks to a durable Japanese jersey fabric, this contrast collar polo will be your workhorse item for the summer.
$135 / $94.50by Sid Mashburn
A trusty tote bag is a must for the beach and pool. All three S’s will fit in here as well: snacks, sunscreen and shades.
$48 / $28.80by Saturdays NYC
The three best stories from around the web.
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For his first haute couture presentation, Browne wanted to bring that gray suit into the rarefied world of Parisian high dressmaking.”
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'How Long Gone' podcast cohost Chris Black’s go-to oxford shirt is beat up, blown out—and absolutely perfect.”
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He cites brands like John Elliott and Todd Snyder as a few favorites, while describing his personal style as ‘grandpa chic’.”
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Creative direction, set design & props for @heath.skincareShooting the mens skincare and wellbeing brands latest advertising campaign which is launching next month.
May 12