The Obtainer - 8/23/23, Wednesday
↦ How Much Should You Spend on Sweats?
Wednesday, August 23rd Edition
I don’t know what I’ve lost count of more: how many times I’ve typed the word oxford shirts or the actual amount of them I have hanging in my closet.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
Good/Better/Best
Navy Sweatpants
Even without the explosion of WFH relaxed workwear, sweatpants had already made the jump from the gym (and the couch) to the street, paired with everything from your favorite tees and cardigans to denim jackets and pullovers. Do they still make for great loungewear? Absolutely. But can you also wear them pretty much anywhere these days? Also true. And now's the time to re-up your sweats rotation, as the weather gets cool and crisp and nothing feels quite as cozy as wrapping your legs in twin tubes of fuzzy jersey fleece or French terry material.The real question is what makes for a good pair of sweats? The answer is a little complicated, because it all depends on the fit, feel and vibe you're after. These days, you can unearth a vintage pair from a secondhand store, grab a fancy pair of joggers that have some built-in performance features or simply opt for a classic, comfy pair of fleece pants. But after scouring the market, we found three well-made pairs that range from affordable to investment. The construction and materials have all been upgraded, making these ten times more durable than any pair you can get at big box retailers. Of course, a pair of grey sweats is a classic look, but navy feels fresh right now—especially going into fall.
Made in the U.S. from American-grown cotton, pre-washed to prevent shrinking
The material is a thick, heavy-duty 14 oz. fleece
Deep front pockets and a single rear patch pocket
The slim waistband and cuffs are snug, so size up from your usual size for a generous fit
Heavy fleece sweatpant, $67 by Los Angeles Apparel
Hand-stitched in Vancouver, Canada
A more tailored silhouette, with a structured fit, reinforced seams and subtle tapered legs
Smooth, jersey-lined slant pockets and single rear patch pocket
Designed to be less bulky, with a wide ribbed waistband and cuffs, flatlock seams and even a flat woven drawcord
Terry slim sweatpant, $125 by Reigning Champ
Made in Canada, at a factory that's been producing old school sweats for decades
Cut from a soft, 20 oz. French Terry cotton material that's already been broken-in
A relaxed silhouette inspired by vintage pair from the '80s allows for an intentionally “puddled” look at the ankle
Concealable drawstring at the elastic waist and embroidered Champion patch on hip
Relaxed sweatpant, $158 by Todd Snyder x Champion
Stuff We Swear by
The Old Faithful Oxford Shirt
When I opened my closet the other day to get dressed, my wife asked, “How many button-down shirts do you own?” Honestly, I've lost count. My daily uniform is denim, pocket T-shirts and an oxford shirt. Why mess up a good thing, right? I own several colors in the olive, navy, white and khaki family, but I’ve been reaching for a shoreline blue button-down recently, especially in the summer. I love the color for two reasons. One—it looks great with dark denim and a khaki-colored or even a seersucker suit. Two, it’s easier to keep clean than white. Getting ballpark mustard out of a blue shirt is less strenuous than removing it from a white one.
The brand that undoubtedly makes the best oxford shirts is Gitman Vintage. The label was created in 2008, but pays homage to shirting the Gitman brand has been crafting with pride since 1932. They cover all the bases, from classic staples to interesting cuts made from unique prints and fabrics. It's a fan-favorite from architects and creative directors to menswear aficionados. Why? The construction of the shirt is what keeps guys returning to re-up on essentials—from expertly stitched tailoring and original chalk buttons, to the softness and smoothness of the fabrics.
Their oxfords are made from 100% cotton Cambridge Oxford, a durable cloth that softens when washed but remains nearly indestructible. The fabric also happens to be the first stock shirt made in 1978 and is the same cloth they still use today. The anatomy of the OCBD is the ultimate chef's kiss where function meets style: the chest pocket is handy, the soft rolls of the button-down collar are relaxed yet sharp, and the cuff and gauntlet are there to adjust your sleeve length.
For almost $200, these shirts aren't cheap—but the price-per-wear is insane. Pro tip: they offer seasonal sales, so keep an eye out to stock up. I own a few, and I’ve washed and worn them repeatedly, still looking brand new each time. The shirts also go through a pre-washing process, which creates a softer look and helps minimize additional shrinkage. All you need is to wash them on cold, steam them, and voila—a brand new feeling oxford shirt emerges.
Blue oxford,$180 by Gitman Vintage
Drops to Watch For
JJJJound and Reebok team up once again on the classic Club C silhouette. The original release of the Club C was in 1985, and since then the tennis shoe has evolved into a lifestyle sneaker. Instead of white this go-round though, the two have teamed up with an all-black nubuck finish for a refined yet lived-in aesthetic. This iteration features the JJJJound logo on the windowbox and a heat transfer Reebok logo on the insole.
Thursday, August 24 at 12 PM EST and available at Reebok on August 30
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
Snow Peak's shirt is lightweight, quick-drying and made from recycled plastic bottles. It's the perfect combination of a camp collar and pullover shirt, yet you can wear it open thanks to the hidden placket.
$169.95 / $84.97by Snow Peak
The Latigo huarache moccasin from Malibu is handwoven from vegan suede leather with a firm crepe rubber outsole. These are comfortable for daily wear and airy enough to keep your feet cool and dry.
$170 / $102 by Malibu
An inflatable pool sounds pretty good right now. Especially when it's this cheap. With a two-step inflation/deflation valve, the setup is easy and the pool is spacious enough to fit two adults.
$75 / $38 by Wren
The three best stories from around the web.
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Luxury watch replicas have evolved over time due to advancements in tech, which now factor in 3-D printers and CNC machines for more accurate fakes.”
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Outfit repeat. And once you’ve filled out that core collection of basics, you can afford to swing for the fences a little bit more and try stuff.”
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Fewer men now need to dress up for work, so it makes sense that some formal items have shed their corporate associations and acquired a stylish edge.”
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It’s not just the ladies looking chic in Milano during these blazing hot days of July!
July 11
