The Daily Valet. - 8/25/21, Wednesday
✔️ Carry On ...
Wednesday, August 25th Edition
How many tote bags are currently in your house? Are you brave enough to count them all?
Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s edition is presented by
Today’s Big Story
Cotton Tote Crisis
Have you accumulated this many tote bags too?
Look around the next time you’re out and you’ll see them slung everywhere. That’s because we’ve been drilled in the superiority of tote bags. Reusable bags are good, we’re told, because they’re friendly for the environment.
As a result, the canvas tote has become ubiquitous—and has a reputation for multiplying like rabbits. But are they really better for the environment? Or just a salve for consumerism guilt, while projecting a planet-friendly mind-set and marketing message?
According to Quartz, a cotton tote is pretty much the worst replacement for a plastic bag. That organic cotton tote needs to be used 20,000 times to offset the energy and materials needed to make it. That equates to daily use for 54 years—for just one bag.
And most of us have more than one canvas tote. A lot more, right? After all, they’re given away with purchases and used as free advertising. As one business owner told the New York Times, “they let you use your customers as mobile billboards ... any brand that claims otherwise would be lying.”
Unfortunately, because of their ubiquity, tote bags that have been used very little (or not at all) can be found piled on curbs, tossed in trashcans in city parks, in dumpsters, everywhere. Their abundance encourages consumers to see them as disposable—defeating their very purpose.
That’s not to say cotton is worse than plastic. They’re certainly stronger and can be be much more comfortable. But ecologically speaking, experts agree the best practice for tote bags might be one of two extremes: use them all the time, or not at all.
↦ Dig Deeper: Do plastic bag taxes or bans curb waste? Vox examines the 400 cities and states that tried it out.
House Approves $3.5 Trillion Budget Blueprint
They also aim to vote on an infrastructure package by late September
House Democrats approved a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that could enable sweeping changes to America's health care, education and tax laws—overcoming their own internal divisions that threatened to derail progress on the vast majority of President Biden's domestic agenda.
Tuesday's 220-to-212 party-line vote came after days of delays as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi scrambled to stave off a revolt from her party's moderate-leaning lawmakers, reports NPR.
What's this mean, exactly? Democrats now will be able to use the budget reconciliation process to pass a bill—likely later this fall— by a simple majority, without support from Republicans, who have already voiced their opposition.
There is still a long road ahead, of course. The working date to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill is Sept. 27. But with the frenzy resolved, the chamber averted what would have been a political embarrassment for the White House. However, the Washington Post says the debacle foreshadowed much tougher fights among Democrats still on the horizon.
Partner
Are you ready for a change? A change in seasons that is. Prep your wardrobe for the approaching cold-to-hot-to-cold days.
Disney vs. Netflix
The streaming wars are heating up
There are a lot of streamers out there. But the Walt Disney Company is closing the gap to behemoth Netflix in the subscription-based streaming war.
According to DigiDay, the House of Mouse has nearly 174 million total subscribers across its portfolio of streaming services. Netflix, by comparison, closed the second quarter with just over 209 million subscribers.
And while it's still trailing Netflix's overall number, Disney saw a 71% increase year over year and the subscriber base continues to grow thanks to a combination of Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu. Unlike Netflix, Disney's streaming business isn't limited to a single service.
In just eight years, prestige streaming programs have become the most critically acclaimed of any video platform. Next month, streaming programs will dominate the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards. In total, Netflix ranks second in nominations at 129 (behind HBO’s 130) and Disney+ ranks third with 71.
↦ FYI: According to Forbes, over 75% of U.S. homes pay for at least one streaming service.
A Delayed Fall?
Why autumn won’t be the same this year
Sure, the Pumpkin Spice is flowing freely, but does it feel like Fall where you are? Even as we approach September, warm temperatures and extreme weather could hinder the traditional autumnal feeling of crisp mornings and cool, comfortable days.
The Climate Prediction Center's extended three-month outlook for September through November is showing a similar story for most of the country—above average temperatures.
Weather experts say the effects of climate change will also bring more hurricane activity and fewer leaves changing color, further delaying the feeling of Fall.
So when it comes to enjoying sweater weather, it sounds like you'll be relegated to indoor activities or forced to wait until the tail-end of November.
↦ FYI: The autumnal equinox is September 22, marking the first day of Fall, but the outlook puts warmer weather on tap through at least November.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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Partner
Time for Transitional Dressing
Grab an outfit that will take you into fall
Climate change or not, dressing for the unpredictable weather of September, October and November can be tricky. You know those cold-to-hot-to-cold days of early fall. Seemingly sweltering and almost shivering all in the matter of days or sometimes hours.
So how do you handle such dubious meteorological scenarios? By pulling on a few smart, cozy and altogether versatile layering pieces. They're the kind of items that mix and match with much of what you already own. They also make killer travel essentials. Like rugged, versatile pants and a cotton shirt that layers nicely under a lightweight jacket. Finish off the look with items that will get you through the whole season—from vintage-inspired sunglasses to a hard-wearing ripstop tote bag.
Waffle 2 SP suede-trimmed sneakers, $90 by Nike
Printed poplin shirt, $210 A.P.C., NSW tapered twill pants, $65 by Nike and suede chore jacket, $1,035 by Mr P.
Chalton square-frame sunglasses, $165 by Cubitts
Jungle ripstop tote, $250 by Porter-Yoshida & Co.
↦ Get It: More early fall looks at MR PORTER
Jackets on Sale, Just in Time
↑ The chore jacket is often considered the quintessential fall jacket, and for good reason. Lightweight and durable, the style is easy to layer and provides the right amount of comfort during those windy fall days. Todd Snyder's rendition ($348 / $154) is everything we're loving this fall—a unique knit, rustic color, and vintage inspired design.
Today’s Deals
Ongoing Sale
Ongoing Sale
Ongoing Sale
↦ Want More? See all 34 sales
Morning Motto
You may not be there yet. But you’re closer than you were yesterday.
↦ Follow: @humbler
That’s all for today...
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