The Obtainer - 7/18/22, Monday
↦ Pants That'll Keep You Cool
Monday,July 18th Edition
Not a fan of shorts or flip-flops? Me neither. We don’t need a support group, just some smart alternatives. Oh yeah, and there’s only 65 days of summer left. After that, we can *really* start dressing come fall.
- Leon Hedgepeth, Shopping Editor ⋯ @leonhedgepeth
BuyingGuide
Pants That’ll Keep You Cool
Welcome to the dead of summer. Out of necessity, you have probably been wearing shorts more frequently, and who could blame you? It was not until a few years ago when I started wearing shorts again. I could never find the right pair that fit the way I wanted them to. Plus, giving into shorts felt like giving up somehow. I still gravitate towards pants during the warmer months. I'm not sure what it is, I just love how secure they feel. Plus, they also prevent sunburn.
You might think I'm crazy for wearing pants during the sweltering summer months, but the key is knowing your fabrics. You need the right lightweight options. Linen or a breezy woven cotton will keep you cool, but you want the pants cut in a relaxed or wider silhouette to give them room to breathe so they don't stick to your legs whenever the temps get out of hand.
And one upside to climate change is that plenty of brands are now making these pants. Relaxed-fitting chinos or fatigues will always keep you cool. A nice drawstring pant with an elasticated waist works wonders, especially after one too many beers or hot dogs. Then there is the travel-ready pant that looks more like dress pants (which never require any ironing). To help you pick, we've selected a few of our favorite brands in various fits and price points that will keep you looking and feeling cool through the fall.
4 of Our Favorites
This straight-fit chino has a bit of stretch for added comfort and is super versatile to travel in. Perfect to wear on vacation, a business trip or around the house.
$135 by Buck Mason
A chino that is on the more relaxed side with a stylish two-tone stripe print. The chambray-esque texture will be sure to keep cool whenever the heat is too hot to handle.
$188 / $131.99 by Wythe
These are made in India (where they know how to beat the heat). The rainbow weave adds a soft texture and provides ultimate breathability. These are the ultimate vacation pants.
$225 / $135 by Corridor
The perfect pull-on pant in light ripstop cotton. The cut is relaxed yet tapered for a smart look and the drawstring waist keeps it nice and easy.
$145 by Alex Mill
I need a tote bag that can double for work, but also for the weekend. Quick-grab handles, detachable shoulder strap, laptop pocket, can stand on its own and a few pockets outside?
- Sumeet
Thanks for your question, Sumeet. We think this bag from Makr ($210 / $126 w/code CLASSIFIED ) has all the bells and whistles needed for your do-it-all bag. Made in America from a sturdy cotton duck fabric with reinforced stitching, this bag is as tough as they come. The two large exterior pockets are open for easy visibility and access, while inside there’s plenty of room and a sleeve for your computer. The handles are double rolled for comfort and the detachable webbed shoulder strap has hidden interior attachment points to keep everything streamlined.
If you want something even more secure, Filson makes a zippered briefcase tote made from water-repellent Cordura nylon. This one’s ideal for travel, since the back panel is a trolley strap that slips over your carry-on’s handle. The straps are made with bridle leather and the interior is fully equipped with a large, divided stow pocket and a padded pocket for laptops. This bag is perfect for long days at the office, nights at the gym and weekends away.
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Test Drive
The Forever Mules
Footwear during summer can be tricky. You’ve got your basic flip-flops, canvas shoes that will make your heels bleed and leather sneakers that are great, but will not let your feet breathe. When it’s hot out, I love for my feet to breathe, but I'm not wearing flip-flops. And look, it’s not toxic masculinity—I just don’t like my piggies out. I think flip-flops strictly belong on the beach and maybe in a college dorm room after your evening shower.
The perfect in-between footwear for me is a type of clog or mule. A few years ago, I hopped on the Birkenstock Boston clog wave and haven’t looked back. The Birks are great, but some of the colorways they offer are not available in a narrow fit, and sometimes they run a bit big for my liking.
I got a chance to try out Viberg’s noix eco grain mules and I’m happy to report they are my holy grail of summer slip-ons. You might’ve seen a similar pair featured in a past ‘5 Stylish Items to Buy This Week’. While the mule will definitely get softer with each wear, there’s really no break-in period—there are no blisters, even right out of the box. The unique heel construction provides extra comfort for daily wear. The leather stitching of the shoe cannot go unnoticed either. You can tell how meticulously crafted these are and that they were built to last a lifetime. My favorite part of the mule is probably the outsole, which has a faint detail of a crepe finish that also helps the wearability of the shoe. Because the leather on the mule is so substantial, I’ll definitely be wearing these past summer.
Besides the quality construction, they’re extremely versatile too. I wear them pretty much every day and they’ve only gotten easier and more comfortable with each wear. However, I would recommend sizing down a lot (especially if you have a narrow foot). I wear a size 9.5-10 in sneakers and a size 7.5 fits perfectly in these. They pair nicely with some straight-fit denim or slouchy fatigue pants and would look great with a khaki-colored suit. I get that the price point is steep, but if you’re looking for an investment pair of well-made mules, look no further.
Noix eco grain mule,$585 by Viberg
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
An updated wayfarer frame with a nod towards the ’50s. Stylish sunglasses with UV protection and AR coating.
$385 / $173 by Garrett Leight
A soy wax candle with a scent that evokes ocean air and sea salt. Once the candle is done burning, the glazed stoneware dish vessel can be saved and reused.
$30 / $20by United By Blue
A handsome wireless charging station that allows you to put multiple devices on at once.
$79 / $67.15by Courant
The three best stories from around the web.
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The humble workwear garment became a signifier of easy-going Gallic style, adopted by everyone from Coco Chanel and Picasso to Brigitte Bardot and Jean Seberg.”
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While it may not be his main profession, Ford has proven himself to be a bit of a menswear maverick off-screen.”
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Woodworker Samuel Alexander began creating wooden spoons and vessels as a form of cathartic therapy around seven years ago.”
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@steveyeun makes minimalism seem revolutionary. Hit the link in bio for more on the actor's recent easygoing fits. #NOPEMOVIE
July 15