The Obtainer - 10/23/23, Monday
↦ A Cool Cardigan Is a Boss Move
Monday, October 23rd Edition
You can’t have fall without cardigans—you just can’t. Or rather, you shouldn’t.
- Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Buying Guide
A Cool Cardigan Is a Boss Move
For as classic a reputation that the cardigan sweater has, it sure attracts a wide range of guys. Sure, it's a soft layer embraced by traditionalists (think Mr. Rogers and Logan Roy), but it's also the same sweater worn by guys like The Dude, Kurt Cobain and Tyler the Creator. In the pantheon of knitwear, the cardigan has an undeniable ability to take an otherwise standard outfit and turn it into a look worth of talking about.How you wear a cardigan in 2023 (or 2024) is slightly different than in the past. These aren't simple, slim-fitting layers skimming a dress shirt. These are more boldly colored and richly textured—some feature statement-making prints and graphics. So treat your new cardigan like a flannel replacement and layer it over a lightweight T-shirt, push the sleeves up, and pair it with some nice work pants. Wear a big, chunky one over a denim shirt or a cozy oxford button-down with your favorite boots like a genuine tough guy. Go ahead and mix colors and prints. There's an easygoing elegance to wearing a cardigan—even if said sweater is loud and made to stand out. Make sure your cold-weather wardrobe has at least one good one—you'll get more use from it than you think.
Our picks
The shaggy dog sweater has been trusted for over 70 years. Made from hand-brushed Shetland wool, this will put a prep in your step and keep you well-insulated.
Shaggy dog cardigan, $265 by J. Press
This high V-neck cardigan is knitted from a wool/mohair blend complemented with sturdy corozo buttons. Throw over a worn-in denim or fresh-pressed poplin shirt.
Wool/mohair cardigan, $425 by Toast
You don’t see camo and wool together often, but Todd Snyder has done it. The double-knit material and four buttons ensures a durable yet refined modern look.
Camo mohair cardigan, $498 by Todd Snyder
This cardigan features a ribbed, button-less placket spun from Italian yarn. NN07 has taken inspiration from the elegance and simplicity of the Japanese kimono to create a cardigan with a distinct and sophisticated style.
Bradley kimono cardigan, $240 by NN07
I’m looking for a gentle face wash, but I don’t know what kind to use? I’m curious what a guy like you uses?
- Christopher
By “guy like me,” I'm assuming you mean someone who takes this stuff way too seriously? A guy who has access to a wide range of brands? Or just a really vain guy like myself? You know what, nevermind. Probably best not to dwell on it. Let's just get down to business. I use CeraVe's Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($15.48), a gentle formula that only mildly foams up and rinses off easily. It's affordable, effective and easily found in any drugstore.
I've tried fancier cleansers, but have found that this just does the job—the formula contains ceramides to help maintain your skin's natural barrier, along with hyaluronic acid to further moisturize the skin. This means that after toweling off, your skin feels hydrated and soft, not dry and tight. Plus, I've had both dermatologists and facialists tell me that there's no need to pay for pricey cleansers. Why? Because they're only on the skin for a few seconds. You're better off paying a premium for serums and creams that can really sink into your skin and save your money with a well-vetted drugstore cleanser.
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I like a lamp that's affordable enough to double up. There's something about the symmetry of matching lamps—flanking a bed on your nightstands or on the ends of a media cabinet or console table. It looks so put-together and well, rich. This small lamp ($59) is made from powder-coated metal (available in three colors) and features a cylindrical silhouette with a tall, mesh-textured drum shade that lets out just enough light.
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
This high-top canvas shoe has all the attributes of a go-to rain boot. Conquer any weather in these thanks to a water-resistant ventile cotton canvas, along with a cozy memory foam footbed for breathability and comfort.
$126 / $88.20(w/code EXTRA30)by SeaVees
A retro-looking flannel is a fall must-have. Noah's is cut from lightweight brushed twill and is the ideal layering piece for the colder months ahead.
$198 / $119by Noah
HAY's design ethos is sleek, minimal and timeless, and is on full display with this side table. Crafted from oak veneer with three squared legs—style it with a beautifully made lamp or show off your favorite design books.
$265 / $133by HAY
The three best stories from around the web.
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I think that originality and individuality come as a byproduct of trying to be good and figuring out what speaks to you.”
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With his Los Angeles–based label, Jerry Lorenzo has bucked business wisdom to build a homegrown brand that’s staring down the European behemoths.”
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JJJJound was an education for the internet. It was a visual guide to the rules and patterns of good design that Saunders has lately been employing with the products he’s developed.”
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Ralph’s Complete Look from Spring 2024 Runway.
September 9
