Manresa Oysterman Sweater
I’ve been in Mexico City for a few weeks now, foolishly lugging around a hoodie and sweater that haven't seen the light of day. Turns out, winter isn't really a thing here. Meanwhile, my inbox is full of winter clothing emails. Clearly the algorithms don't know my location. Despite the disconnect, I can't stop thinking about the Oysterman sweater from Manresa.
I probably should have led with the fact that I'm a big fan of Manresa. I have this sweet denim coat and fleece from them--or rather, from him, since Manresa is a one-man operation run by a cool dude from New England. The fits lean a little oversize, which is the style of the day, but they're also well-made and solidly in my rotation.
If I were not window shopping, I’d jump all over this sweater. I’ve mentioned before that I can't deal with itchy animal fibers. I'm in luck because this beauty is 100% cotton. Sure, it doesn’t have quite the same texture as wool, but the chunky cable knit cotton still does the trick--without the itch. The unfinished collar, pockets, hem, and sleeves give it this easy, laid-back vibe, like you're the most relaxed person in the room. Sure, it's cotton, so you won't be the warmest, but life's about trade-offs. And then there's the Manresa label. It's just cool. I keep misreading the cursive ‘N’ as a ‘V,’ but the horse logo is unmistakable. I'm not sure what horses have to do with New England, but it’s a common thread through Manresa designs.
Those low pockets are a vibe. With a name like Oysterman, I assume they're meant for your catch, or maybe your oyster knife or other oystering tools (not that I'd know; I grew up in the desert). But then I saw a photo on the site highlighting another use for those pockets--they’re a perfect alternative to a hoodie kangaroo pocket. I love a good pocket, especially for my hands, and I'm all about that functionality. Sure, the pockets are separate so your hands won't be quite as warm, but I'd still love to try it out.
I'm also not sure if the waist is cropped. Cropped looks are in, so maybe it is. But in the photos, it doesn't look particularly short. The description mentions it'll stretch over time, so maybe the model is wearing a well-worn version. I'm clearly overanalyzing, so if you're actually considering buying, and worried about this, maybe size up or just ask them directly.
If you do buy it, I'd pair it with jeans and a T-shirt, the Window Shopping uniform. Their model's wearing it with light-wash denim, which isn't my favorite. I’d go with dark denim, but it does look great on the model as a mid-layer with a rust colored jacket, so definitely try that. And, if you've been reading my earlier posts--surprise--don’t ruin the look with sneakers. It's boots all the way. In honor of Manresa’s New England roots, Bean Boots are the obvious choice. If that’s a little too on the nose for you, work boots or moc toes will never lead you astray. Just make sure they’re brown leather, and you’re ready to stroll the shore--oyster knife optional.
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