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New York Times
05-08-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
30(ish) Wirecutter Clothing and Accessory Picks for Going Back to School
Made from smooth, medium-weight Supima cotton, this surprisingly well-priced T-shirt is polished and nicely constructed. It comes in a good range of sizes, from XXS to 3XL, though some testers found it a bit too long. This light- to medium-weight cotton tee — available in sizes XS to 5XL from some retailers — is soft, cozy, and priced for stocking up. But some testers found it too long to wear untucked, and it shrinks quite a bit in the wash. A plain white tee is a year-round essential — and these are two of our favorite men's white T-shirts, both of which are under $25. The Uniqlo tee is medium-weight and comes in sizes from XXS to 3XL, while the Bella + Canvas option is lighter weight but super soft. This classic, budget-friendly crew-neck shirt is surprisingly solid: It's soft enough, substantial, and available in a wide range of sizes. It's cut longer and more relaxed than our other picks — but it also shrinks more in the wash. This T-shirt from Uniqlo has a slim fit and is made from a soft cotton with just the right amount of stretch, so it works as a first layer or on its own. In our guide to the best women's white T-shirts, we recommend some looser-fit tees, including the budget-friendly Hanes Perfect-T. But if you prefer something a bit more fitted, editor Maxine Builder recommends the baby-cut Uniqlo Mini T-Shirt, which costs just $5 more than our Hanes pick. Perhaps you're prone to spills or white just isn't your favorite color. We understand. Writer Alexander Aciman loves these unisex, super-soft plain cotton T-shirts. The Comfort Colors tees come in more than 30 hues. This well-priced oxford shirt comes in five cuts and a wide array of colors and prints. It's made from soft cotton that feels comfy and lived-in, yet it still looks sharp. A basic buttoned shirt is a nice option for days when you have to present something to the class. The Broken-In Organic Cotton Oxford Shirt comes in five silhouettes and a variety of colors and prints, so you're sure to find one that works with your wardrobe. The fabric is soft from day one, too, so it feels about as comfortable as a tee. This slim-cut shirt is sturdy, attractive, and affordably priced. The material is on the heavier side and feels a bit stiff and rough until it gets broken in. If you're looking for a slim-cut shirt on a budget, you can't go wrong with the Uniqlo Oxford Slim Shirt. The fabric is sturdy (but a little tough), and the value is unbeatable. Drapey, flattering, and super soft, this sweater is half the price of our (already well-priced) value cashmere sweater pick. It pills fairly easily, and we have questions about its longevity, but it's still a terrific bargain. Simple yet stylish sweaters can be hard to find, but we've done the research for you. Affordable cashmere sweaters do exist. The $50 price tag of the Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater makes it a sweater worth considering. It's ultra-soft, flattering, and surprisingly high-quality, though it's not heirloom material. This 100% cotton sweater is slightly oversize and heavy, yet it's especially breathable, so it's virtually seasonless. Style writer Hannah Frye spent years hunting for the perfect rollneck sweater before she found a winner in the 1988 Rollneck Cotton Sweater. It works for nearly any season or occasion, and its slightly oversize fit allows for layering, creating more styling opportunities. These well-made, versatile straight-leg jeans are comfy, booty-flattering, and nicely priced. They come in a wide range of sizes and three inseams, but in plus sizes the wash and length options are more limited. An American classic, these jeans have a long, slim-straight shape that never gets old. Plus, they're sturdy and comfy, and they come in lots of sizes — though finding the right fit can take some trial and error. Levi's straight-leg jeans got a lot of love from the panelists in our testing for our guide to women's jeans. The Levi's Premium Wedgie Straight Fit Women's Jeans earned the highest score in testing because we found them comfy and flattering across a wide range of body types. The 501 Original Fit jeans also tested exceptionally well with our panelists. Plus, for just under $100 a pair, these durable jeans are more than fairly priced. These jeans have a long, lean '90s cut, and they come in three inseams. They're not as high-quality as our other picks, but they're priced right, and they go on sale often. The slim, curve-hugging Gap High Rise '90s Straight Jeans look and feel great, even though their construction isn't as high-quality as what we've seen on some of our other recommendations. But they cost less than $100 and are often on sale, so they're one of our most budget-friendly picks. Thanks to their ultra-high rise and floor-grazing length (they come in three inseams), these wide-leg jeans are dramatic and visually elongating. They're an exceptional value, too. Just note that they run a bit large in the waist and are likely to stretch. If you like a wider-leg jean, we also have a Levi's recommendation for that. Enter the Levi's Premium Ribcage Wide Leg Women's Jeans. It comes in three inseams, so it should work for a variety of heights, and it's made of the same, durable material as our other Levi's Premium picks. Made from soft, midweight 100% cotton denim that feels broken in from day one, these high-rise jeans have a subtle, flattering horseshoe shape that's on trend without being over the top. Unlike most barrel-leg styles, this pair comes in three inseams, so you can nail the just-right length. $90 from Gap (price varies by color) If you're interested in the barrel jeans trend, editor Ingela Ratledge Amundson recommends the deliciously soft Gap High Rise Barrel Jeans. For Ingela, they have a forgiving fit and a not-too-exaggerated barrel shape, so they're her perfect pair. These barely tapered straight-leg jeans have a fit that's easy but not baggy, and they come in five inseams. Made from 100% cotton selvedge denim that's soft and easy to care for, this pair is a comfortable choice whether you're mowing the lawn or hitting the town. Not too slim and not too wide, these gently tapered jeans have a just-right straight leg that's flattering and versatile. They contain a bit of stretch, so they're super comfy, but they are also prone to stretching out. $138 from Madewell (price varies by color) For a roomy straight-leg look in a classic, beloved men's denim cut, we recommend opting for the relaxed Levi's Premium 505 Regular Fit Selvedge Jeans or the straight Madewell Slim Jeans. These two picks did well across the board with our testers, and they're two of our more affordable recommendations from our guide to the best men's jeans. For $50, these slim-fit straight leg jeans are absurdly great. They're lightweight and made with a bit of stretch, so they're not as tough to break in as traditional raw selvedge denims. But the material does feel a bit slick. These jeans have remained largely unchanged over the past 50 years, and they have several thoughtful, unique design details. $30 from Walmart May be out of stock If you really want a bargain pair of jeans, we have those, too. In our guide we recommend the Uniqlo Stretch Selvedge Slim Jeans, which are unusually comfy for selvedge jeans and have an appealing straight-leg cut. We also recommend the Wrangler Cowboy Cut Jeans, which have a unique straight-leg cut that fits over boots but are not bootcut jeans. These roomy pants cut a different figure than most men's pants and can be easily dressed up or down across seasons. Jeans are tried-and-true. But maybe they seem a little tired to you, especially if you're going for a more preppy look. In that case, we recommend writer Evan Dent's favorite pants: the Giant-fit Chino Pant. These wider-cut pants look refreshingly clean and relaxed, rather than comically large. They're breathable, they break in over time, and they have big pockets. The least expensive of our picks, these iconic canvas low-tops go with everything, and they look cool whether they're worn in or squeaky-clean. But they may not offer enough support for everyone, and they tend to make feet look longer. $60 from Amazon (price varies by size) The least expensive of our picks, these iconic canvas high-tops go with everything, and they look cool whether they're worn in or squeaky-clean. But they may not offer enough support for everyone, and they tend to make feet look longer. $60 from Amazon (price varies by size) For a timelessly cool back-to-school look, it's hard to beat a classic pair of Chuck Taylors — especially when they're crisp and clean on your first day. Whether you get them in white or another color, low-top or high-top, these shoes work with just about any look. They may not offer ample support, and they tend to visually elongate feet, but we love these shoes anyway. These tried-and-true leather shoes have a storied history, both on the court and on the street. They're heavier than most sneakers, but they're also comfortable, and they make a statement. $115 from Urban Outfitters These tried-and-true leather shoes have a storied history, both on the court and on the street. They're heavier than most sneakers, but they're also comfortable, and they make a statement. The iconic Nike Air Force 1 sneakers are well-known for their chunky, confident profile and their ultra-bright white leather. The AF1s are big and bold, with extra-cushy padding inside, and they can last years with some extra care. These well-priced leather tennis shoes serve up loads of old-school style. Their lightweight foam padding and delightful terry lining make them comfy for casual wear, but they don't offer much arch support, and they might be too narrow for some feet. The Reebok Club C 85 Vintage Shoes may not be as iconic or as bright-white as AF1s, but they're another favorite from our guide to the best white sneakers. They're sturdy, light, comfy, and low-profile enough to wear every day. With its padded mesh straps and back panels, this sporty-looking pack makes carrying heavy loads lighter and comfier. It also has the easiest-to-use water-bottle pockets of any bag we've tested, as well as a removable laptop sleeve, but it could use more interior organization. A sleek design and utilitarian features (such as a luggage pass-through and a magnetic top closure) make this sophisticated laptop carrier feel pricier than it is. But unlike our other picks, it isn't backed by a warranty. If you're looking for a backpack that will last well after graduation, we have a few recommendations. You can go sporty with the Patagonia Refugio Daypack 26L, or you can opt for something a bit more chic, like Everlane's The ReNew Transit Backpack. Simplicity is what makes this bag cool, and it comes in a plethora of colors and patterns, whether you're looking to stand out or blend in. It has a roomy laptop sleeve, but you won't find any fancy protection or organizational features inside this pack. This compact, durable laptop backpack is big on nostalgia and aesthetic appeal. But while its straps are lightly padded — a significant upgrade from the original Kånken — it still isn't ideal for carrying extra-heavy loads. All of our picks are great for carrying a laptop alongside your other belongings. Some of our options lack internal organization, which you may see as a positive or a negative, depending on your preferences. The Herschel Classic Backpack XL and the Fjällräven Kånken Laptop have laptop sleeves but otherwise have one big roomy pocket for storing your stuff, while our other picks have more pockets and features. This tough yet polished laptop tote bag is thoughtfully designed, with features such as internal pop-out bottle pockets and leakproof zippers. But its durable fabric shell is abrasive and may cause pilling on some sweaters and blouses. The good-looking, well-made Bellroy Tokyo Tote represents a happy medium for those who want a professional look, without going overboard. This laptop tote is durable and water-resistant, ideal if you need something that can survive scuffs, drops, stains, overpacking, and rainy commutes. This pack of eight matte plastic hair clips includes two styles — a standard curved claw clip and a straight clip with a rectangular cutout — and they are surprisingly durable for the price. The clips hold many hair types well, but some people might find them too large. $8 $7 from Amazon (deal on beige/color multipack) If you have long hair that you need to sweep up and out of your face, we suggest the Tocess 8 Pack Big Hair Claw Clips. Editor Catherine Kast loves them, as do many of our staff members (myself included). They are truly big, and they can hold lots of hair. They're also surprisingly durable and especially cheap, so you likely won't be too upset if you lose one along the way. This article has been edited by Maxine Builder and Hannah Rimm. What I Cover I cover lifestyle topics such as getting the stink out of workout clothes and packing for travel. I also assist with our deals coverage during special deals events.
New York Times
11-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
12 Kitchen Tools That Make Wirecutter Staffers More Confident Cooks
There's a common kitchen adage that a dull knife is a dangerous knife. Using a dull knife can contribute not only to careless accidents but also to poor, sloppy knife cuts. Yet you don't need to shell out big bucks to score a quality chef's knife, as Wirecutter writer Alexander Aciman can attest. He has been the proud owner of a Victorinox Chef's Knife, the budget pick in our guide to the best chef's knife, for nearly a decade. This great knife is durable, comfortable to use, and pretty sharp. And it costs less than $75. 'It can glide effortlessly through meat and vegetables,' Alexander wrote in an ode to the Victorinox knife. 'The blade feels far more nimble than anything in this price range should.' In fact, he said he occasionally finds himself chopping twice as many potatoes and onions, simply because he enjoys the task so much. We love this knife because the grippy handle helps you get a good grasp, and the strong blade holds a sharp edge for a long time. Mise en place — a French culinary term that roughly translates to putting everything in its place — is the process of prepping ingredients and your workstation so everything is ready to go before you start cooking. Mise en place spares me from having to make last-minute, mid-recipe grocery runs (no more forgotten ingredients) or from chopping a clove of garlic while the food in the pan burns. I rely on Libbey Small Glass Prep Bowls with Lids to keep everything neatly separated until I'm ready to toss it all into the pan or incorporate it into the recipe. These small, durable bowls come in a pack of eight and are dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is easy. They're big enough to hold about ¾ cup of prepped ingredients (think eight plump cherries or a handful of shredded cheese). And they come with lids, so you can stash any leftover ingredients (if you miscalculate how much you need). Before I worked in the restaurant industry, I was a much messier cook. Then I discovered a bench scraper, which I've been known to call a 'chef's best-kept secret.' And ever since, this tool has helped me navigate cooking tasks much more efficiently, nimbly, and tidily. This multipurpose bench scraper has a wide, flat stainless steel surface with a sharp edge that's ideal for a number of kitchen tasks, from slicing to scooping. A bench scraper is a flat, sturdy multipurpose tool that's helpful for scooping, slicing, and portioning ingredients. The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Scraper & Chopper — my prized possession for over eight years — has a flat, stainless steel surface (about the size of a large index card) and a nonslip handle for extra stability. When I'm preparing my mise en place, this tool helps me efficiently move piles of chopped ingredients from my cutting board to a bowl without making a mess. Its sharp edges are strong enough to pierce through soft ingredients, including when I portion out pizza dough or bake biscuits. I can also use the flat surface to smooth out any streaks or bubbles when I'm frosting a birthday cake. No other tool offers such an array of skills. If you don't have the right peeler, removing the skin of a potato can be a tedious task. Yet with a lightweight, sharp Y-peeler, you can swiftly work through a sack without breaking a sweat (or accidentally nicking a knuckle). Before editor Tracy Vence discovered her now-beloved Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler — a super-sharp, lightweight Y-shaped peeler — she believed there was no worse kitchen task than peeling raw beets, preparing potatoes, and removing the skin of an uncooked squash. Now she can't live without this tool, and she even wrote about how it makes her look forward to a meal-prep step she once vehemently dreaded. A Wirecutter top pick for 12 years and counting, the Kuhn Rikon peeler is a superior tool for easily stripping the outer layers of every type of fruit or vegetable, including eggplant, carrots, and celery root. This tool's unique Y shape makes it easier to rotate around an object when you're peeling, versus using a straight swivel peeler, which might feel limited in range. Although this tool is incredibly inexpensive, it's highly durable and beloved by most professional chefs. Wirecutter staffers say it can retain its sharp edge for several years, even with consistent use. While a Kunz spoon bears an uncanny resemblance to any ordinary spoon, it was specifically designed with cooks in mind by internationally renowned chef Gray Kunz. Its unique dimensions make it the perfect tool for drizzling sauces, serving creamy dips, and basting a juicy steak with hot butter. And the spoon's slightly pointed tip helps to guide runny sauces with precision and accuracy when you're plating food. This sturdy stainless steel spoon is much larger than a standard one, and it makes kitchen tasks, like basting and plating, more efficient. I first discovered Kunz spoons during an early gig as a line cook, eight years ago. And since then, I have found that this spoon's versatility readily supersedes the capabilities of any other spoon in my kitchen — and, frankly, of almost any other tool. I often use a Kunz spoon in place of a tasting spoon, a measuring spoon, a plating spoon, a ladle (for small amounts of sauces or liquids), and a spatula. But it's clear I'm not the only Kunz spoon–obsessed cook: Step foot in a professional kitchen and you're bound to encounter at least one of these spoons hard at work. A fish turner (or fish spatula) is a spatula designed with a thin, long surface for easily scooting underneath food and nimbly tossing and turning it. But as editor Katie Okamoto points out in an ode she wrote to her beloved fish spatula (our top-pick, all-purpose spatula), you shouldn't let the name fool you — a flexible fish spatula can do much more than flip fish. Its long, stable, flat surface is big enough to transfer piles of roasted veggies and oversize cookies from a sheet pan, and it can ferry skillet-size pancakes without causing rifts. This affordable, lightweight spatula can be used for a multitude of tasks, including turning delicate fried eggs, fish fillets, crepes, and pancakes. Katie also uses the Victorinox Swiss Army Slotted Fish Turner's stainless steel edge to scrape the fond from the bottom of a cast iron pan, so she can incorporate it into a pan sauce or gravy. And the spatula's slotted design allows grease to fall through and steam to escape when seared foods are being transported from pan to plate. Chopping is an essential skill but a time-consuming task. Fortunately, with the help of a mini food processor, you can cut corners on a busy weeknight. And for practical, daily cooking needs, appliance writer Rachel Wharton swears by the Cuisinart Core Custom 4-Cup Mini Chopper. In her story on the Cuisinart chopper, Rachel details how it helps her quickly dice an onion for a marinara or puree four garlic cloves for a curry. Its small size has even motivated her to make more from-scratch dinners on weeknights, rather than ordering in, because cooking is quicker and less messy, and cleanup much easier than if she were using a full-size processor. In the piece, Rachel also explains how this mini food processor handles smaller-scale tasks (like mincing a few jalapeños or shallots) faster and more easily than a full-size processor. In a full-size processor, small quantities of food often get wedged under the larger blade or pushed to the edges. And the Cuisinart chopper has a compact, lightweight footprint, so it's simple to clean and a boon for smaller-batch weeknight cooking. A digital scale helps take some of the guesswork out of cooking. Rather than portioning ingredients by volume using measuring cups (a less accurate form of measuring due to differences in ingredient densities), you could use a digital scale, which calculates weight down to the exact grams, ounces, or pounds. Professional bakers swear by digital scales, and that's understandable since a few extra grams of baking powder can completely throw off the ratios in a cake, causing the batter to potentially overflow while it's cooking. When she was working as a baker, editorial director Marguerite Preston quickly realized how much more efficient and reliable it is to use a kitchen scale for any measuring task. Now, the Escali Primo Digital Scale is one of the first items she recommends to any aspiring home cook. In a story she wrote about the scale, Marguerite puts it high on the list of the 'Tools I Don't Want to Live Without.' The Primo scale is inexpensive, durable, and accurate. And, as Marguerite wrote, it's 'dead simple to use.' Plus, it's been our top pick since 2017. When Marguerite isn't using her digital scale to weigh ingredients for baking, she uses it for everyday tasks, like measuring coffee beans, portioning dog food, or weighing shredded cheese. It's also a terrific time-saving tool, and by using the 'tare' function, you can easily weigh ingredients in the same bowl without having to scoop, level, or wash a ton of extra dishes. Using a meat thermometer to check doneness early and often helps to avoid overcooking food, and it could spare dinner guests from a bout of food poisoning. It's also small enough to stash in an apron pocket so it's easily accessible. Our top pick, the ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2, is wonderful because it offers a combination of speed, reach, and reliability, and its display is easy to read. While working in restaurants, kitchen writer Lesley Stockton once used other cues to determine doneness (like prodding the surface of a steak). But she discovered that a thermometer is a much more accurate form of measurement (and she's never looked back). In an ode she wrote, Lesley explains that she now reaches for her Thermapen to check the doneness of roasts, poultry, fish, steaks, chops, and meatloaf, or when making candy and jam, and it has yielded better results. Recently, while testing gas grills, Lesley and other kitchen staffers used the thermometer to examine doneness of more than 140 pounds of meat cooked over the course of two weeks. Baking sheets are a kitchen staple. They're ideal for evenly roasting vegetables, baking cookies, or preparing sheet-pan dinner recipes. They're also terrific for tasks like carrying ingredients from the kitchen to an outdoor grill or transporting dirty dishes from the table to the sink. A Wirecutter pick since 2013, the Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet is top-tier. We love it for many reasons. It's versatile and inexpensive. And It's made with bare, heavy-gauge aluminum: During testing, this sheet baked cookies more evenly than sheets that were twice the price, and it didn't warp at high heat. If your current baking sheets are banged-up, warped, or flaking nonstick coating from years of cooking, take that as your sign to invest in a new, dazzling (high-quality) set that'll last for many years to come. Stainless steel cookware offers superior durability and performance, and it can handle higher temperatures than nonstick cookware. Also, compared with cast iron cookware, it produces better searing and tends to heat food more evenly, ensuring that it's consistently cooked through. Kitchen writer Michael Sullivan, the author of our best cookware set guide, said stainless steel cookware is not only critical for getting a good sear on meats, but it can go from the stovetop directly into the oven. Though stainless steel cookware requires a bit of extra care and maintenance — like hand-washing and an occasional scrubbing to remove some tougher stains — Michael said it can last a lifetime if it's properly cared for. These pans continue to impress us with their even heat distribution. Each piece is extremely durable and an ideal weight to hold. All-Clad's D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Set is a pricey, buy-it-for-life essential that we think is worth the investment. All-Clad's 10-piece set includes a variety of pieces, including skillets, saucepans, a sauté pan, and a stockpot. This set covers a wide range of cooking needs and offers superior durability and heat distribution (since aluminum is a good conductor of heat and stainless steel maintains it). Editorial director Lauren Sullivan has been using her set for over a decade. If you're not ready to take the leap on the All-Clad set, writer Abigail Bailey said the Tramontina Gourmet 12-Piece Tri-Ply Clad Cookware Set — our top-pick cookware set — is a more affordable alternative. And it performed just as well as the All-Clad set during testing. Nonstick skillets tend to have a short life expectancy — about three to five years — but well-maintained cast iron cookware can last generations. When these pans are properly cared for, they tend to get better with age as the seasoning builds up and makes them naturally more nonstick. Cast iron skillets are equipped to handle high heat. Unlike other nonstick-coated pans, they're safe to use past 500 °F or under the broiler (ideal for optimal searing and browning for deeper caramelization and flavor). They can also be used outdoors over a campfire or when grilling — a surefire way to level up your alfresco dinner plans. You don't need to spend a fortune to score a quality cast iron pan. The high-quality Lodge Chef Collection 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet — our top pick — is affordable and made to last. Editor Ben Keough has written about how this pan can be used for a lifetime if it's properly cared for. We put 16 cast iron skillets through six tests to find the best one, and the Lodge skillet fried bacon, baked cornbread, and seared steaks most effectively. You can use it to make anything from eggs to pizza and stir-fry dishes. Plus, it's lightweight and has a comfortable handle, so it's easier to maneuver around the kitchen — especially when you're removing it from a piping-hot oven. You're only a few tools away from finding the professional chef within you. With these 12 reliable and efficiency-promoting items, you'll start cooking more like an expert in no time. This article was edited by Megan Beauchamp and Maxine Builder. These buy-it-for-life Wirecutter picks will pass the test of time thanks to durable materials, solid construction, and generous warranties. We've gathered a list of essential gear to get cooking in a new kitchen, all for around $200 total. They have one job, and they get it done! From our favorite cherry pitter to a leak-stopping peanut butter stirrer, here are the one-trick ponies we recommend.
New York Times
03-06-2025
- General
- New York Times
The Most Affordable Packing Tool Is Also the Best
Although even the most haphazard fill-'em-and-squish-'em technique will help you save space, there is an art to making each parcel as small as possible. Roughly three days' worth of clothes. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter While it might not be advisable to squish down some of these items, such as the denim shirt, here are those same three days' worth of clothes in a small, backpack-ready parcel. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter While it might not be advisable to squish down some of these items, such as the denim shirt, here are those same three days' worth of clothes in a small, backpack-ready parcel. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter Roughly three days' worth of clothes. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter After a few trips, I've learned that these bags work best when I haven't egregiously overstuffed them. For example, you can save more space in your suitcase by splitting up 10 T-shirts into two bags with five shirts each rather than putting all 10 into one bag. Overstuffing can make it hard to get all the air out, which defeats the purpose. I've also learned that it's easier to compress these bags when I don't mix categories of clothes — socks, for instance, compress into tighter parcels with other socks than when packed with underwear and T-shirts. I've come to rely on the various sizes for different tasks, too. After an airline lost my suitcase in 2019, I became somewhat paranoid about being stuck in any one place without a change of clothes in my carry-on. I now use the very smallest size of compression bag (about as big as a gallon-size freezer bag) to pack an extra day's worth of clothes into my backpack. Compressed, this parcel comes out to the size of a banana. I like to use one of the extra-large bags as my dirty-laundry bag on longer trips. Finding ways to pack dirty clothes at the end of a trip can be a hassle, but compression bags make easy work of it. I neatly fold every dirty item of clothing flat into a single bag, which I then compress at the end of my trip. The mega bag of laundry fits perfectly into my suitcase and also quarantines the dirty from the still-clean. (Having extra bags also makes it easy for me to pack clothes I might have purchased while on vacation.) And if you, like me, are paranoid about bedbugs, having vacuum-sealed dirty laundry allows you to dump your clothes straight into the dryer when you get home, minimizing the risk of letting critters loose in your home. Thanks to these compression bags, eight days' worth of clothes fit neatly into one half of my smaller Away Carry-On. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter These bags have one major downside: wrinkles. Fabrics such as thick cotton knits, polyester, and merino are fairly good at shedding creases on their own, so they weather the bags well, but I definitely wouldn't recommend using these bags for thinner, finer fabrics or any formal clothes you might want looking crisp ahead of an event, especially if you won't have time to iron. A dress shirt or dress would most definitely come out of compression looking rumpled. The other, smaller inconvenience is that unlike packing cubes, which have a defined shape, compression bags can often shrink into irregularly shaped parcels. As a result, they don't necessarily fit neatly into a suitcase, and it may take some Tetris-ing to figure out the right layout. However, they are pliable, and you can fold them or lay them flat depending on which way they'll fit better into your suitcase. These compression bags have not solved all of Vacation Alex's afflictions. I am still generally (though less) afraid of bedbugs. I still become overly maudlin upon departure from basically anywhere. I still completely fail to track my spending when using foreign currencies, even (or especially) those with unfavorable exchange rates. I still manage to catch zero hours of sleep on any red-eye, and I still cannot keep myself from bringing home half a dozen books. Most notably, I still end up filling my suitcase with stacks of clothes I will probably never work up the nerve to wear, even half a world away from my usual routines. But that is okay. It is the dream of wearing them that matters most — the act of packing visions of a different self into my suitcase with the hope that it will blossom far from home. Usually, the place for dreams in my suitcase is superseded almost entirely by essentials, such as sunscreen and underwear. That is no longer the case. Now, my vacation dreams are bigger and more unfettered than ever before. And so is my bag. This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder. The simple, well-built Eagle Creek Pack-It Reveal Cube Set is our choice to keep your luggage organized for either a week or a weekend. If a free carry-on isn't included in your ticket, don't pay extra for it. Here's how you can pack a personal item for a weekend trip. Struggling to pack for your weekend away? The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L fits so much more than you'd expect.
New York Times
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
I Don't Golf. But I Love These Surprisingly Stylish Golf Shorts.
For most of my adult life, I've resisted the urge to wear shorts in the summer months. The thought of traipsing around New York in shorts — my bare skin rubbing against the sweat of a stranger on the subway, the accumulation of city dirt kicked up by the heat of mid-July clinging to my legs — seemed unbearable. And then there are the social implications of wearing shorts — as a man, you're told that bare legs are somehow unacceptable in almost any scenario except when you're working out or playing sports, or that shorts are not for men at all, but for children. That, along with the annual salvo of think pieces about the office-appropriateness of shorts, was enough to make me and many others shy away entirely. 'A don doesn't wear shorts,' you tell yourself as you put on black jeans in the middle of summer. But after I endured several consecutive summers of heat waves with the temperature piercing the 100-degree mark, something inside me broke. Something needed to change. It was, finally, time for shorts. What I wanted seemed impossible to find: a pair of shorts that I would feel as natural in as I did in denim. After an exhaustive search and a lot of disappointment, the only shorts I now reach for all summer are Puli Men's Golf Shorts. I am not a golfer, but these affordable 7-inch shorts allow me to feel the summer breeze on my legs while also looking good in just about any situation. When I've looked for shorts in the past, many of them have, well, fallen short. Cotton-twill chino shorts look good, but they can retain sweat and wear really hot, defeating the purpose of shorts. Linen shorts are great for days of high heat and humidity, but quality linen can be expensive, affordable linen can wear out quickly, and linen wrinkles in ways that can make it look sloppy on day two or three. Patagonia Baggies have been particularly popular as of late, but they swish loudly, have little stretch, and look more like swim trunks than shorts with the thoughtful, deliberate styling of something like jeans. Puli's golf shorts are made from a blend of polyester and elastane and combine the best qualities of each of those other options without any of their pitfalls: The Puli shorts have the appearance of cotton twill, the fast dry time of Baggies, and the airiness of linen shorts. Puli's golf shorts have a cotton-like appearance that makes them suitable for wear in a variety of settings. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The great thing about golf shorts is that by design they are made to abide by golf-course dress codes while also providing mobility and moisture management. Unlike most other golf shorts, however, which are often made from knitted elastic fabric, Puli's golf shorts look deceptively like woven cotton. That's what drew me to these shorts to begin with; I was looking for lightweight, twill shorts that still retained some features of athletic shorts to get me through the hottest days of August. And Puli's shorts were some of the very few I found in this category that did not have any water-repellent finish (which usually contains PFAS). They're also some of the most affordable golf shorts available. At roughly $25 on Amazon, these shorts are from half to a quarter of the price of comparable shorts from Bonobos and Lululemon, few of which hide their athletic nature nearly as well. In the right light, Puli's shorts have a subtle sheen that can betray their polyester composition, but in most settings they look indistinguishable from cotton. Their fabric creases like cotton, rather than forming fine wrinkles as athletic shorts often do. However, unlike cotton, which provides suboptimal sun protection, Puli's shorts are rated UPF 50+. Puli's blend of polyester and elastane gives the shorts a subtle flex. They are pliant enough that you can sit in them comfortably for long periods of time without feeling like you're wearing spandex. This fabric, in addition to the elastic-lined waistband, makes them suitable for more strenuous physical activity — I've worn them while kayaking and playing tennis. The shorts have a hidden zip pocket that keeps things like keys from falling out if you're moving around. The quick-drying material also makes them decent swim trunks in a pinch (though they lack a liner, so proceed with caution). The discreet zip pocket is large enough to store my iPhone 13. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter This smaller zipped pocket in the back is great for keys or small items. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The elastic waistband adds a subtle stretch that keeps everything comfortable even over long days. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The discreet zip pocket is large enough to store my iPhone 13. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter By far my favorite thing about these shorts is the pockets. Rather than going with the typical, fabric-lined pockets, Puli uses only mesh for its pockets. That creates a ton of airflow, keeping these shorts breezy even on the hottest of days. The mesh pockets keep these shorts airy. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter Puli's shorts have a higher, 10.5-inch rise and a relatively short, 7-inch inseam, which together make them look a little more stylish than standard-issue cotton chinos and athletic shorts. All of those features make Puli's shorts an excellent one-short for summer trips. Save for formal occasions, I have been able to use these shorts to put together a week's worth of outfits, and they look crisp even at the tail end of that week. If they ever get dirty, I can wash them in the sink, and they'll be dry by the next morning. Perhaps not all of my discomfort with wearing shorts has vanished, but thanks to these, I am hardly ever reminded of it. These shorts work just as well with loafers as they do with sandals by the pool. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The poly fabric is breathable but still suitable for wearing on cool nights with layers. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter These shorts go well with outfits that are half a step above athletic. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter These shorts work just as well with loafers as they do with sandals by the pool. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter There are a few things I'd change about these shorts. First, the stitching is a bit wonky in places, and the thread seems to have little flex. That, in combination with the somewhat stretchy fabric, means the fabric can stretch beyond the elastic limits of the threads holding the garment together, causing those threads to pop. That hasn't happened to me yet, but I would not be surprised if it did. Second, although these shorts come in about a dozen colors, they don't come in a true, dark olive or any fun, gaudy colors you might want for a tennis court, like teal. Those two colors, along with the black pair I already own, would probably be the end of all the shorts I need. These shorts are also a little less beefy than some of their counterparts. You won't find silky-smooth and robust YKK zippers or hefty buttons here. That isn't enough to put me off them, but those small things accumulate and detract from the overall feel, and I would happily pay slightly more for something just a touch more substantial. That said, something about their cheapness makes me feel like I can freely wear them without any care for what happens. The shorts have a cheap, small-toothed zipper and a lightweight plastic button, neither of which feels durable. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter Loose stitches that weren't trimmed are visible here and there. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter The shorts have a cheap, small-toothed zipper and a lightweight plastic button, neither of which feels durable. Alexander Aciman/NYT Wirecutter I am no longer fussy about wearing shorts when the weather begins to peak. It is an easy decision for me now, one that I can make in full confidence that I will be comfortable and look good and not feel less myself. After next season, my original black pair will likely be due for a replacement — something will rip or tear or fade, and I will hardly be bothered at the thought of parting with another $25 for the only shorts that have ever felt as effortless as jeans. This article was edited by Hannah Rimm and Maxine Builder. The right running gear can help you make the most of your training. After extensive research and testing with passionate runners, here's what we recommend. How a magical, kind of ugly pair of undershorts forever cured my chub-rub woes. Here are all the apparel and accessories you need to get through spring, from rain boots to sneakers and from rain pants to hip denim.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Shoppers spot Lululemon item dupe at Costco for $108 off… they even have the same zipper
Shoppers can save $108 on a Lululemon pants dupe at Costco. The Lululemon ABC 5 Pocket Pants are a beloved product which come in various sizes and colors. However, customers have to shell out $128 per pair at the athletic apparel retailer. The next best thing in shoppers' eyes is Costco's Kirkland Signature Men's 5-Pocket Performance Pant. Like the Lululemon bottoms, they come in various sizes and colors and have also received positive reviews from shoppers. Customers can snag one of the Kirkland-brand pants right now for only $20. 'When I held these two pairs of pants and inspected their construction, they looked almost identical,' wrote Alexander Aciman of the New York Times. Aciman managed to find some significant similarities between both pants, including their zippers. A substantial similarity is that both bottoms have a gusseted crotch, a small diamond-shaped patch replacing a traditional one that makes pants more comfortable to wear. Aciman pointed out that it can also help improve range in motion, which is convenient for flights or standing for 12 hours. 'The crotch is a defining feature of Lululemon's pants (ABC stands for Anti–Ball Crushing),' he revealed. 'The previous-generation Kirkland performance pants lacked this feature, and its inclusion in the latest version brings these pants much more in line with the ABC pants.' The shopper found that the Kirkland pants had the same kind of YKK zippers, a reinforced button, and seams sewn with about 11 to 12 stitches per inch. 'On most pants, this flat felled seam results in a flap of fabric inside the leg of the garment,' Aciman explained. 'Lululemon stitches this flap down, presumably for comfort; Kirkland's pants have the same sewn-down flap.' Geometric pattern similarities include watch pockets and a zippered back pocket that's 'too shallow for a regular-size wallet or a passport...,' according to the expert. But Aciman managed to tell the difference between the pants through their fabric. 'Lululemon's Warpstreme fabric is made from 53 percent elastomultiester and 47 percent recycled polyester, and Kirkland's is made from 74 percent polyester and 26 percent elastomultiester,' he said. 'That might sound similar, but the fabric is where Lululemon really sets itself apart.' Aciman admitted that he preferred the Lululemon fabric and claimed his Kirkland pants 'swished like old-school gym shorts.' Kirkland Signature Men's 5-Pocket Performance Pant No need to shell out the big bucks for Lululemon pants when you can pick up a lookalike pair from Costco for a fraction of the price. Beautifully designed to fit like a dream while providing all-day comfort coupled with peak performance, these bottoms are available blue, black, and grey. $15.99 Shop He insisted the Costco bottoms had a great design aesthetic and were comfortable to wear, but they still made him 'feel more like a schlub.' 'As a man who loves Costco, loves a deal, and has made a hobby of hunting down the factories that white-label clothing for designers, every fiber of my being wanted the Kirkland pants to be as good as or better than the Lululemon pants,' he said. 'My inherent skepticism of athleisure brands with flashy reputations left me with a hunger that could be sated only by the thought that a $20 pair of pants was just as good as pants retailing for six times that.' After weighing out the pros and cons, Aciman concluded that the pants were similar but 'definitely not the same.' Customers have been debating which pants are better for months on Reddit. 'Honestly thought the Kirklands were the Lulus at first,' a user wrote on a thread dedicated to the subject. 'Might just be my opinion but one thing I've found with Kirkland is that the cut just doesn't fit as nice and I can see it here too,' another customer wrote. 'It just looks a lot tighter and uncomfortable in the crotch area.' 'Costco definitely an option but I'll stick with my lulu. 'The difference is in the details,' another fan chimed in.
