The Obtainer - 3/25/24, Monday
↦ What Stylish Men Say You Need for Spring
Monday, March 25th Edition
We’re kicking off Spring 2024 with a new package to bring you everything you need to pick up to look great this season. First up, we’ve invited some of the most stylish guys around to help us out.
- Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief ⋯ @coryohlendorf
What Stylish Men Say You Need for Spring
It’s the start of a new season. As we transition out of the heavy wool knits and calf-grazing coats we've been swaddled in for the past few months, it's time to prepare for longer days and warmer weather. Which means it's now the perfect time to do a little spring cleaning and start thinking about ways to freshen up your wardrobe.Of course, you'll always have the basics. But what about the new garms that take your essentials and elevate them—making your run-of-the-mill jeans and T-shirts feel modern and a whole lot more interesting? Sometimes it's a splurge. Maybe it's a design-forward jacket or a shirt cut from a unique fabric that drapes perfectly across the body. Other times, it's the perfect take on a classic sweatshirt or a reimagining of a vintage pair of pants.We asked a few menswear guys for the items that they're buying themselves. We wanted a list that could work like your most stylish friend showing you what they just bought and where they got it. Because they don't mind if you pick up something similar. Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing more seasonal staples—the key pieces that you will want to add to your wardrobes for the new season—but to get things started, we're letting these stylish gentlemen help steer you in new sartorial directions.
One of the most interesting new brands is last year's LVMH prize winner, SETCHU, a Japanese designer who lives in Milan. He embodies the spirit of both countries and his double-breasted origami jacket is my most favorite spring purchase last week in Tokyo. Unfortunately, I don't think it's available to buy online. But because I think a double-breasted jacket is the newest and most interesting style right now, this blazer from Kapital is one of the coolest ones I've seen.Also, I'm obsessed with these derbies from Sacai. Not only do they make me three inches taller (thanks to these monster Vibram soles), they work really well with shorts and with oversized pants. And we all know that the key to wearing fuller, bigger pants, is the right shoe.
I feel like most of the shorts available on the market these days are made from some kind of stiff and/or crinkly cotton fabric. Which, to me, just never looks quite right. Particularly if the shorts are slimmer fit. But it's not like you can wear mesh shorts all of the time either. That's why I like these from Mfpen—they're basically nice and flowy, with a relaxed fit. Like pleated proper trousers in short form, they'll lend themselves well to being slightly more dressed up. But they'll also elevate something as simple as a T-shirt and sneakers.
Classic short in taupe grey stripe ($190) and midnight stripe ($190), both by Mfpen
How much is *too much* to pay for jeans?
- Chris
I’m afraid the answer is more philosophical … like “just a little more than you’re comfortable paying.” Because there are amazing jeans out there at the moment. Ones that are cut from high-quality cotton denim with interesting washes that give them a cool, lived-in look. These better brands take more care when tailoring the jeans, too. Sunflower is a Danish brand that makes their jeans in Italy and the straight-fit is incredibly flattering. They’ll run you a little more than $200. Then there’s OrSlow, which makes some amazing denim that’s based on classic Levi’s 501s. So, if you’re looking for a deal, just go for secondhand Levi’s. A good pair of used or vintage 501s will have a straight-leg fit, some nice patina and will always look classic and cool. All for about 50 bucks. You can pick them up at a local shop, eBay or via Levi’s secondhand site.
⋆ Have a style question you'd like answered? Ask The Obtainer
It's not always easy to get excited about functional and practical home goods. But when they're this cool, the excitement just comes naturally. Cliik is a new line of storage containers with lids ($59 for three-pack) that snap on with a satisfying click—meant to store everything from food to everyday home and office supplies. The modular system utilizes magnetic tops (that close with a satisfying namesake *click*), and can be stacked both horizontally and vertically. They're crystal clear, air-tight and stain-proof. They also come with a labeling system that integrates into the lids. Each kit of three containers offers 16 premade labels, along with several blanks.
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
These popular teeth whitening strips go the extra mile and now they’re on sale. The enamel-safe, dentist-recommended formula brightens your smile by several shades in as little 22 days.
$45.99 / $30by Crest
Right now, Design Within Reach has a code that gives you an extra 20% off marked-down items. It makes it so that much of the high-end furniture actually is within reach now.
$1,345 / $753.20(w/code EXTRA20)by Case
You know it, you love it. You just can’t often find it on sale for less than a hundred bucks. But right now, Huckberry has a big selection of sizes up for grabs. But they won’t last long.
$135 / $94by Birkenstock
Abercombie’s shirt jacket is cut in a modern cropped shape from a cozy twill fabric, featuring chest pockets with flap closure and a classic fold-down collar—all for just $40.
$80 / $39 byAbercrombie & Fitch
This handsome hopsack blazer is cut and sewn in Italy with a natural shoulder and a boxier, vintage silhouette. It comes unlined, and two flap pockets enhance the Neapolitan vibe.
$698 / $284by Todd Snyder
Designed for the outdoors, but just as composed in casual surroundings, Penfield’s tapered cargo pants are the perfect base from which to build a stylish, textured look.
$105 / $77by Penfield
The three best stories from around the web.
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I am definitely a window person—I like to look out, and I don’t like to be stepped over. I’m not one to get up and wander around.”
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It seems like it’s not complicated to do, but if you know, you know that it’s the most complicated thing in the world to distill parts into a singular entity.”
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The more it began to surface, there emerged the TikTok explainer videos labeling the Baignoire the next big thing, fueled only by the fire of its cameo in the SS23 Aimé Leon Dore lookbook.”
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Honestly my go-to office/work outfit
March 21
