Welcome to InsideHook’s Staff Picks, a compendium of what our editors are digging recently.
IKEA Frost Drying Rack
My ex-roommate used to joke that if our apartment were on fire and I had to save one thing, it would be this drying rack. He’s not wrong. For years I searched high and low for the perfect drying rack, but it proved a chimera; I needed something hardy but portable, expansive but discreet. In the Frost, I found it: going on eight years of weekly usage across five different apartments, the collapsible steel contraption is every bit as dependable as the day I bought it. Call it the Lamborghini of drying racks. — Walker Loetscher, Editor in Chief
Betabrand Dress Pant Sweatpants
It’s officially jean season, thanks to some early fall crispness in Manhattan. This morning I reached for a pair I remembered wearing last year. However, it’s abundantly clear that there’s a monster in my closet who washed these jeans a thousand times since, because I’m going on a six-hour wedgie. The first thing I do (after I donate these pants to Goodwill) will be to buy a pair of these dress pant sweats. Stretchiness, style, no need to readjust every 25 seconds … bliss. (Editor’s note: More sweatsuit sartorial goodness can be found here.) — Tanner Garrity, Associate Editor
Timex Hand-Wound Marlin Mesh
When I read about how watches have been trending much bigger, I don’t think much of it. Then I get on the subway. Look left: gargantuan G-Shock. Look right: humongous knockoff Rolex. Look down: a wrist-eating “minimalist” crowdfunded timepiece. In service of not being that guy, there’s the recently revived Timex Marlin. The timeless ’60s style is now available in a few different iterations, but after testing out the mesh, I can’t think of a better band pairing for the refined 34mm case. If you’ve never dabbled in hand-wound mechanicals, now’s the time. — Alex Lauer, Senior Editor
Jungmaven Hemp Long Sleeve Pocket Tee
No longer just the stuff of stoners and pirates, hemp makes for some pretty comfy clothing. The shirts from Jungmaven are 55% hemp/45% organic cotton, meaning they’re super durable and slightly heavier than your typical cotton tee while still being incredibly breathable. I wish I had a hundred more of these to shower upon my closest friends and family to make them love me forever. — Eli London, Director of Partnerships and User Acquisition
Todd Snyder Short Sleeve Sweatshirt
One of the best parts of the summer/fall overlap we’ve got going right now is that it’s prime season to break out what I believe to be a thoroughly unsung garment: the s/s sweatshirt. Keeps your core warm while allowing your guns to soak up whatever residual sunshine remains to us. Do it in a solid olive to channel some military vibes, add a raglan sleeve to make your shoulders look their brawniest, and throw on a jean jacket for those cooler evenings and you’ve got yourself an October winner. — Danny Agnew, Creative Director
Timbuk2 x Dave Ortiz Paper Lunch Bag
“Hey, Kirk, what’d you bring for lunch?” My co-workers are vultures. But the real problem with lunch is getting the food to and from the office — an issue solved by this new take on the classic brown bag, a co-design of NY artist Dave Ortiz and SF bag gurus Timbuk2. This one’s got a bit of technical prowess: magnetic/velcro closures, reflective logos and a wipeable synthetic fabric that means nothing’s gonna leak through. Pair it with an adult beverage tucked inside the like-minded brown beer bag, and maybe I’ll feel like answering some questions about my meal. — Kirk Miller, Nation Editor/Managing Editor
THE BEST THING WE DRANK THIS WEEK
Not a drink per se, but we got an early look (and sip) of a seasonal pop-up coming soon to a bar near you: Jeff ‘Beachbum’ Berry Presents: Sippin Santa, a holiday-themed cocktail experience (from the peeps behind the equally festive and boozy pop-up Miracle) hitting 80-90 bars around the country in November/December (Update: Actually, the Sippin’ Santa concept will be hitting 11 locations, and Miracle will be at 79 bars. A soon-to-be-launched website should explain all in due time). It’s your chance to experience the world’s best tiki drinks, like the Kris Kringle Colada, Hawaiian Milk Punch and (pictured here) Blue Christmas, during hectic, blustery times.
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