Coats and casual jackets are one area we have yet to coverour Wardrobe Building series. That’s mainly because it’s such a big topic – there are tons of styles, from workwear to blousons to wild jackets, and the choice is very much down to personal style.
But, we tried to separate those stylesherethen he put them in mostly casual jacketshere. So if someone wants a framework to think about their style, they can read those.
And I know readers find it equally useful to hear what I wear and like, and something complete. So today I’m going to do that on casual summer jackets – suede, canvas, linen – including original pieces that I can buy from different brands.
1. A work jacket
The first thing I can think of is a casual jacket, in the summer it can be work. That’s because it’s the most practical in terms of the pockets it comes with – a great blazer holder – and because it’s also great for storage.
The point of layering is what makes the activity versatile for all seasons. Unlike a short coat like a blouson or windbreaker, the long length and work-specific cut means you can wear it with just a T-shirt, or layer a cardigan or sweater underneath and make a change.
As with all these options, the limited wardrobe means we want a versatile color – one that can go with many things. Duck cloth, dark brown, blue or white denim can be good.
Recommendations:
2. Windbreaker or Harrington
I’ve always had a weakness for short jackets like this, I think because the design is too flattering or too boyish – to give us a chest we don’t have otherwise. It’s great to slip on in the summer, even in shorts (one area where the work falls down).
Cotton is the obvious material for Harrington, but synthetics and synthetic blends can be really useful for their lightness and weather resistance, and linens like the PS version are great.
Color wise the classic navy works very well, but there is also a chance to be adventurous given the historic red or yellow Harrington.
Recommendations:
3. Suede to wear
Both of these first two options are free. It’s nice to have one that you can push into a more discreet position if you need it, or just wear a pair of slacks and a soft boat shoe. Switching to suede is the best way to do that.
Then usually the question of length: do you want a bomb, aValstarino suedestyle, or you want something longer, like a shirt. Both can be cool or warm depending on the thickness of the suede, the looseness of the fit, and the lining.
Color-wise we’re looking mostly for marine or earthy tones like brown, beige and tobacco. They offer excellent suede clothing.
Recommendations:
4. An episode of real heat
All of these decisions make assumptions about lifestyle and location, but none of these so far are for the hot spots. For some students that will be an absolute necessity; for me in London, it’s something I find that I use on or off in the summer, but it’s more than I used to..
For maximum air circulation a long style is probably best, and probably in linen – although I mixJacket Junglein this category because cotton is not so heavy. Most of the time these will be worn open, again to increase airflow.
In terms of color, you’re probably looking at something like the suedes above.
Recommendations:
5. Something very interesting
Let’s face it, this list is much easier than the winter one, because most of the time you don’t even need a coat in the summer. But if we save the pride that you have five in each half of the year, the fifth here is an opportunity to add something unusual.
In that category I would put things like fishing/utility vests (very practical, but very specific style), souvenir jackets (basically a bomber but with some excuse for more color) and mandarin collar jackets like forestiers – I have a linen version now of my Bores from Chateau Lufsen and it fits very well in the summer curtains category.
Or you may particularly like canvas or denim, in which case it’s an opportunity to add a Type 2 jacket or a Carhartt Detroit jacket (both old is better than new). Or indeed a leather jacket – usually tricky to fit into these categories.
Recommendations:
Things will be very difficult if we try to fit everything on this list in the fall/winter. We never faced rain this time….
