The Obtainer - 8/7/23, Monday
↦ A Fresh Take on a Classic
Monday, August 7th Edition
I don’t know if everyone irons their clothes in the mornings before the workday, but I’ve got quite the convenient steamer to get out those wrinkles before you head into the office. Have a great Monday!
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
Buying Guide
The Lightweight Button-Down You Need Now
I love my oxford shirts, and my closet is full of them, but for summer, I've had to give them a break and pull out my poplins. To the untrained eye, they may seem the same, but there are a few key differences. And while some associate poplins with stripes or some wacky prints, that's not always the case. Especially these days. It all comes down to the fabric—unlike the textured oxford cloth, poplin fabric uses a simple over-under weave. The yarns tend to be finer, and the weave is tighter, yielding a fabric with a smooth, crisp texture. It's soft, cool to the touch and drapes well against the body.A bonafide classic, a white poplin shirt is what Sean Connery's Bond wore under his suits and what Don Draper buttoned up in every episode of Mad Men. Most guys have one in their closets, but styling poplins today is what makes this staple feel so fresh. Although wearing them with chinos and suits is timeless, try sizing up to make the fabric a bit more more billowy. If you're going to go loose up top, make sure you have something a bit more tapered to create even proportions on the bottom. A go-to companion to the poplin is the A-tank—rock them underneath to help absorb sweat or as a light layer to flex that collarbone. But don't be afraid to go straight bare-chest with your poplins. It's the ultimate summer vibe, and they drape so well. You're guaranteed to feel the breeze, which isn't bad whenever it's 90 degrees. We've rounded up some of the best options that run the gamut in terms of sleeve length and price point. Take your pick, and remember to leave the top three buttons undone, but no more. We don't condone down to the naval.
Our Picks
Alex Mill's poplin has an easy, relaxed fit with paper-thin fabric that is perfect for vacation and looks even better a bit wrinkled.
Short-sleeve poplin shirt, $120 by Alex Mill
Engineered Garments work shirt features the label's signature asymmetrical chest pockets, and the hardy shirt now comes in a featherweight poplin.
Poplin work shirt,$252 / $126 byEngineered Garments
The Western shirt silhouette isn't usually seen in a poplin; however, Sid Mashburn has achieved this. The snap pockets and spread collar makes this a rugged yet handsome option for weddings and date nights.
Western poplin shirt, $250 by Sid Mashburn
ASKET's poplin is a classic dress shirt that's been updated with 100% Supima cotton to keep you dry all day. The fabric sits gently on the skin, and the cut-away collar is perfect to pair with a blazer.
Organic cotton poplin shirt, $170 by ASKET
Are there any brands that make pants for shorter guys? I’m only 5’6”, and I buy 30L pants, but it throws the rest of my fit off.
- @gabalamole
Short kings united! That wouldn’t be a bad MLS team name, right? I’m 5'8 (even though my ID says 5’9, but that’s between us) and let me just tell you that now would be the best opportunity to nurture your relationship with your tailor, or if you don’t have one, find one ASAP. They’re lifesavers in the garment department. But one brand that comes to mind is ASKET. They do quasi-custom sizing that’s the working man’s answer to buying bespoke. They do their best at narrowing in on sizing better than anyone without being too gimmicky. I know the brands that tailor to sub-six-feet guys tend to have stretch or “these pants will make you look taller” promises, but you get none of that with ASKET.
Even the brand’s T-shirts and dress shirts have three length options: short, regular and long. The pants have two options for regular and slim. Then you can choose your preferred waist and length. Also worth noting—your accurate inseam should be measured down the inside seam of the leg, from the crotch to the bottom of the leg. This will help you find what your literal length is. And you could have a tailor do it.Another brand that I frequent whose inseam is perfect with some wear and washing is Levi’s. Their selvedge denim is STF (shrink-to-fit) like several denim brands, but the trick with theirs is to size up two to three inches in the waist and the same in length. I’d advise wearing a few times before washing, but after they're done drying, they fit like you had them tailored. For instance, I buy a 32x32 in all of their jeans, and once I wash the STF denim, they fit like the ideal 30x30. Sometimes, there's a little sweat equity that has to accompany a perfect fit for clothing. But if you still need a little help, your tailor will ensure ever pair fits perfectly for around ten bucks.
⋆ Have a style question you'd like answered? Ask The Obtainer
Test Drive
The Spill-Free Steamer
Staying up late the night before or getting up early to iron is a hassle, especially if your ironing board screeches like a door opening in a horror film—which somehow, they all do, right? For this reason (and many others), we are now a steamer-only household. One advantage of using a steamer is the portability, and it doesn’t build up dirt over time as ironing does, minimizing your chance of getting your crisp white shirt dirty the day of a big meeting.
Any steamer is good, but the Steamery’s is particularly great. Let’s start with the water cup. It’s attached to the bottom of where your hand is and slides off like the back of the remote to your TV. There’s no fill line, which isn't helpful, but it can hold up to 90ml of water, which equates to less than half a cup of water. Sorry about the impromptu math. Once you turn on the steamer, the lit green button indicates it's ready to be used. You have to hold the button down while you steam, and once it turns orange, let it go so it resets each time. I'm not a fan of holding the button down while steaming, but I love that there’s no spitting water on the clothes. That’s where the price tag is justifiable. The steamer does an excellent job of getting out wrinkles, and the woven cord is perfect for business trips. Accompanying the steamer is a heat protection bag, which is where I place the steamer once I’m done using it to let it cool off.
Cirrus 2 handheld steamer,$130 by Steamery
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
Séfr's denim is constructed from 100% Italian cotton and features an exaggerated twisted leg detail for a more comfortable fit.
$230 / $92by Séfr
This lightweight linen shirt is single-needled stitched, and the spread collar makes for an easy option to throw on underneath a blazer.
$225 / $158by Drake’s
The Willow T-shirt is made of a customized jersey knit with a boxy, drapey fit. It's pre-washed for minimal shrinkage, and the wide ribbed collar gives the tee a relaxed look.
$70 / $49 byBody of Work
The three best stories from around the web.
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A camo-wrapped 5-panel might feel like an odd emblem of golf’s new swagger, but Metalwood’s canny merging of style tropes has struck a chord.”
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Because I studied French literature, I always loved the way French literary critics looked. They always had amazing style.”
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Some denim, some vintage, I like a pair of cowboy boots, it depends how I woke up that morning.”
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THE 80’s RINGER TEE, EXCLUSIVELY FOR @blackstockandweber — MADE IN THE USA BY @velvasheen 🇺🇸
June 14
