I was thinking today about how I’ve been very pleased with my most recent set of work boots today and thought it could be interesting if anyone else had any particular favorite clothing items that they have really been enjoying.
Clothes are a very personal choice, as we’re all built differently and do different things, but I’m curious to see if any trends show up in what we like.
I got the Keen Braddock Low Tops almost a year ago. I had a previous pair of Keen’s imported boots a while back, and my new job makes us go through their provider instead of me getting reimbursed for buying my own boot of choice, and I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of buying safety toes without getting to try them on first, as some can be pretty uncomfortable. I saw they had the US made Braddock though, which I had been wanting to try to see if it was an upgrade from the now discontinued boots I had from them.
I like Keen’s because my old ones held up tremendously well. The thick rubber toe may look a little odd, but it doesn’t scuff up like a leather cap boot, and it’s asymmetrical so it fits my big foot better than many safety toes where both caps are the same shape. They feel very sneaker like, which is nice since my feet don’t need serious protection from a super stiff and tall boot. I like the design is enough to be interesting, but nothing too wild.
These have been holding up very well, though I have 3 pairs in my rotation now, I also have a pair of leather CAT steel toe low tops and a pair of Carhartt composite toe fabric low tops. They each have their ups and downs, but the Keen is my all-arounder. It’s not as light as the comp toe, it’s a little bulkier than the leather boot, but it’s the most comfy and feels to be the best built of the 3.
Edit: Just noticed the rules say the post needs to end with a question mark…
What is your favorite clothing item and why?
Bought an old navy denim jacket when I was 8, I desperately wanted one but they only had men’s large and I decided I’d grow into it. I did, 6 years later. Now is 22 years later and it still my favorite jacket. I’ve dyed it every 10 years to a match my current style and it still fits me like a glove. Doesn’t even look a year old, I guess old navy used to be a lot better quality.
You know, I came into this thinking I didn’t particularly like clothes, but now I think it’s just clothes shopping I don’t enjoy.
I got a Starter windbreaker type jacket around 98-00 and I still wear it every spring and fall. I got a new and upgraded zipper on it a few years back and I just rewaterproofed it last year and it’s still awesome. That is probably the oldest clothing item I have and it’s something I enjoy at least as much, if not more, than when I bought it since it’s been through so much of my life with me.
An aquamarine dress.
Pajama pants. I have many pairs, but only 3-4 have characteristics that make them a pleasure to put on. Cuddl Duds makes some really nice pjs.
I have Cuddl Duds flannel sheets, and they really surpassed my expectations, considering how inexpensive they were. If the PJs are as comfy, I may have to get the girlfriend some for Christmas this year!
I needed a white karate gi for a Street Fighter Halloween costume, so I went to the local school and bought one, and while I was at it I bought a black one too, in case I ever wanted to be a ninja. Then I started wearing the black karate pants as pajamas.
That was over twenty years ago. Those same black karate pants are still my favorite pajamas. In-fucking-credible.
Somewhat boring, but I just love my merino wool t shirts. They don’t have any logos or swag, but they are incredibly comfortable, don’t smell and you just air them out every evening instead of constant washing. They are also expensive as he’ll for those considering them
I have an old light green neck Buff made from bamboo fiber. It’s like three times the normal size so you have to wrap it multiple times around your neck which is great in cold weather.
And it’s so soft! I love wearing it the moment autumn turns cooler.
It’s getting a few holes so I hope it’ll still last a couple more years. They don’t sell this design anymore 😞Are you able to darn it to fix up the holes? I learned to darn my socks, and I just do it while I watch tv since it doesn’t need to be pretty since no one will see it. I do it in random colors for some fancy wabi-sabi and it reminds me of how long the items have been with me. I’m a person of simple pleasure… 😜
I don’t know if this can be darned, the threads are very very thin. I might give it a try if one of those holes becomes too big.
When I do, I’ll definitely use different colors. I like your idea :)The distinct colors make anything look intentional, so it’s a good way to pass off imperfect repairs and uneven stitches as intentional if anyone asks. 😅
I have gray stretchy cargo joggers from athleta that I like so much I found a pair on their resale site (they sell off returned items cheaper) when mine wore out and I am babying this pair.
Also bought almost every color of Unbound Merino V neck T shirt, became my work uniform because they are so ridiculously good and comfortable in many temperatures, so walking to work then sitting in the FL air conditioned office is reasonably comfortable. They are cool when it’s warm, warm when it’s cool, and never stink. Sweat wicking fabrics don’t work here (humidity), these come the closest though and dry right away once indoors.
I’ve been rediscovering wool as a year round material recently. Haven’t gotten to try any merino yet.
I’m so thankful the wicking stuff still works up here, I am always hot all year, and being able to be significantly dryer than with most other clothing and it’s made such a difference!
My cashmere sweater from Nadaam. I have several and they’re comfy, stylish, and super warm. Their OG sweater (of which I own 3) are under $100, but the one I’m talking about is a recycled cashmere (made from leftovers of other products) which is thick and soft and fuckin amazing
Those look nice! I’m surprised the OG one is in the somewhat reasonable splurge price range. I was expecting closer to the price of the recycled one.
When I saw you say it was made of the leftovers, I was picturing something like the Cotopaxi Del Dia stuff, but it probably makes more sense what it actually is where it’s normal colors. 🤪
I guess my hair bandanna because it keeps my auburn hair from getting too neon red.
The one physical thing I took with me when I left the infantry in the '90s is a pair of really-new standard issue Canadian combat boots.
I wore them in the Calgary winters, walking to work with a looped cassette of Thompson Twins Cool World Play with Me, trimmed as a form of 1990s pre-CD-era ‘repeat’. I stomped all the way there for my 2-hour shift (fuck you conservatives and your shitty labour laws) and I’d stomp home or off to the other job.
When I went to America, 5 years after that, I had a chance to buy a really-new standard Canadian Navy ‘surplus’ overcoat with the zipped liner. There was no NJ winter that thing didn’t dominate. I’d gone back to sneakers for the years I was in America, but I was rarely cold.
But the sneakers hosed the bursa in my heels and now I’m relegated to sandals that are neither the boots I love nor fitting with the overcoat. Both sit on the closet pending a bilateral arthroscopic calcaneoplasty. whee. I’m on the list, and pre-covid the list was 2 weeks long but I wasn’t a suitable candidate. Now I am, but the indolent hillbillies, used during COVID as a cheap political tool - by the cons again - bullied the docs into rage-quitting; and the wait list is a year.
My hatred of our pseudo-aristocracy for their hatred of people aside, the navy overcoat that fit so well in new Jersey and the combat boots I could kill in a series of Calgary winters remain my favourite pieces of clothing.
I hope they’re able to fix your heels, and at least when they finally do, the birds will be ready for you.
I’m in the more populous part of Pennsylvania, but when I go to some parts of the state, it can almost feel like another place entirely with the lack of a lot of services.
ItemLabel Big Shirt.
Simple. Roomy. Big. Comfy. Has fantastic embroidered fish on the pocket.
10/10.
I found the nerdfighter!
Rude.
Oh, I have seen this somewhere before! I remember the fish very clearly! It is indeed fantastic.
It’s hard to pick just one! I have a pair of Todd Snyder x LL Bean “utility cargo” sweat shorts that are a nice soft texture and a pleasant heavy weight. They are one of my go-to pairs for wearing around the house or when doing errands. The quality of the fabric and construction really stands out to me and I enjoy them every time I wear them!
The other one that came to mind is a lightweight linen long sleeve button down shirt in dark blue plaid that I also got from Todd Snyder. It was my first linen shirt and as soon as I wore it I realized that linen is my favorite fabric for warm weather because it breathes so nicely and feels great on the skin.
I had a linen shirt once, and this super hot summer this year had me wanting to give linen another go. It’d be nice to have at least one for occasions that are a little nicer during the summer.
My favourite article of clothing is my pink cape by Review Australia. Since buying it we moved to the tropics so I never get to wear it, but I love it so much.
There’s just something about it.
I like the collar and bow! It looks very modern while still having some age of knights and damsels in high towers charm.
Compression leggings for my ashtanga practice. I have had them for years and the texture, grip and colors are still great.
I like how they don’t roll down at the waist and how their length is a tad above the heel of my foot while still covering the ankles.
They have a Wide range of sizes and designs. luleåmindulf is the brand.
You really nailed what kind of description I was hoping to hear: that specificity. A lot of things that make something great can be hard to put into words, but in your case it’s very clear what these leggings do that you love about them.
I prefer to be nude as much as possible, but when I’m forced to wear clothing, my favorite is definitely a nice sarong, as it’s as loose as possible while also being secure.
Our skin is the only covering we have coming into the world, and it’s with us the whole time, so we may as well enjoy it!
It covered us screaming on the way in, and will cover us screaming on the way out.
I had a grey pocket t-shirt I wore regularly for almost a decade, until it was finally too threadbare to go on.
It was comfortable like it was a size too big, but it actually fit pretty well. It was just the right length so it wasn’t too long but also I could raise my arms straight up without exposing any of my belly and causing sinful thoughts in others. The neck was loose and comfortable but didn’t sag in the front. It never really shrank or altered shape despite hundreds of trips through the drier. And somehow, in all that time, I never got any food on it I couldn’t get out.
It was the perfect t-shirt.
I always dread when it’s finally time to say goodbye to a cherished item like that. It never feels right putting them in the bin after all they’ve been through. Especially something where you can’t get a brand new one of the same type!
