With the incredible amounts of rain falling from the skies these days, it’s obvious that something seasonal is going on. And a change in seasons means a change of wardrobe, at least if you’re listening to what the fashionistas are saying.
Anyhow, be it as it may be, if you are actually looking for something new this season, I thought I’d lay out a few of the jackets that have caught my eye while idly browsing the offerings. Purely for research, of course, honest!
This time I’ve divided the jackets into two categories, which should basically cover the weather you hope experience over the coming months, and the weather you will experience over the coming months.
We have blazer-style jackets for those days when it’s not blowing gale force with a worry about getting wet, and we have parka-style jackets just to make sure you’re never caught unawares. To get in the mood a bit, we’ll start with the blazers:
Our Legacy Two Button Unconstructed Blazer
To start things of with about as basic a blazer as a blazer can be, this is a classic 2-button style from Scandinavian hipsters Our Legacy. Nothing too innovative or unsuspected going on here, very much in the traditional way of things with 3 outside open pockets, horn buttons, slim notched lapel and an internal vented pocked. The 50/50 wool/linen blend fabric looks very nice and the unconstructed styling will work for both casual and more formal situations. Bonus points if you can pronounce Our Legacy with a faux-swedish accent. Made in Portugal.
Folk Tailored Blazer
Quite similar to the Our Legacy effort is this Tailored Blazer from British brand Folk. The fabric in this one is a wool/cotton blend with a pleasing textured pattern. Again, the classic 2 buttons, 2 front pockets and an internal pocket, but with a rear central vent and a cotton lining providing a little more comfort. Not tailored, as I see it, but more constructed than Our Legacys blazer. No word on where it has been made.
Beams Plus Seersucker Shirt Jacket
From Scandinavia to Britain and onwards to the Land of the Rising Sun, we find this take on the traditional blazer by Japanese brand Beams Plus. If there are two areas where the Japanese brands really shine it is in quality of production and well, quality of reproduction. This is their interpretation of a 1960’s vintage American Seersucker jacket. In 100% lightweight striped cotton it has the obligatory notched lapel, two lower pockets and single patch chest pocket. 3 horn buttons to ensure we find closure. Simple, light and perfect for a sunny summer evening. Made in Japan.
Link to Beams Plus Seersucker Jacket
Engineered Garments Bedford Jacket
Staying with the Japanese theme for another jacket we have this one from Engineered Garments. One of the classic designs by Japanese EG designer,
Daiki Suzuki, it is very much in the classic workwear and heritage style, but with a modern cut. A staple from season to season this one has evolved slowly. The outside is in herringbone 100% wool, 3 buttons and a throat latch so you can really snug up, 4 patch pockets on the outside and another 2 buttoned internal pockets. This one is good for those nippy, yet dry, Spring days, plus you know it will be good for many years. Made in the USA.
SEH Kelly Herringbone-twill indigo-cotton SB1 jacket
One of my favourite brands, London based SEH Kelly, have a new jacket out for the Spring. I almost hesitate to mention it, as numbers are so limited that by the time you go to look, it may already be gone, but it’s so nice it deserves to be included. A single-button variant (which does mean you don’t face the logical conundrum of leaving a button undone) it is made from hand-woven rope-dyed indigo cotton, from the one man mill in London. It has a horn button fastening, and is lined with off-white cotton. The jacket is fully documented in the included 16-page newspaper, showing it’s entire production process, starting as a pile of wool in London and returning back to the SEH Kelly HQ as a superbly constructed jacket. A modern heritage item and certain to be collectable. And reasonably priced to boot. Made in Great Britain.
Carhartt Dock Blazer
Almost at the end of the blazer-style section I’d like to include a couple of less formal style jackets. Carhartt is one of the original hipster workwear brands and keep evolving their classic heritage styles. Known for good quality and attention to detail, this jacket has a modern fit with three button fasteing, three open front pockets, notch lapels and a rear vent. Plain and simple, in durable canvas. You can tell this will just look better and better as it is used. No word on where it is made.
Hansen Rolf workers jacket
Evolving from Carhartts workwear style we arrive at Danish brand Hansen Garments take on the workers jacket, the Rolf. Rather more rugged and complex, with the great detailing and innovation that Hansen is known for. 5 buttons and a throat latch ensure that this will withstand wind, and three properly buttoned pockets on the front mean your travel documents will remain safe. Made in 100% Japanese high density cotton and with the expected real horn buttons. Made in the EU.
Link to Hansen Garments Rolf jacket
Barbour Heritage Fishing Standen Jacket
Moving even further away from blazers and into the more inclementally inclined jacketry it would be a little odd not to include a Barbour in the mix. A stone cold British classic for the rugged outdoor use every man should have a green waxed cotton jacket. The question is: Should every man have almost exactly the same variant? Looking at the quite extraordinary selection of quite similar jackets on offer from Barbour this spring, I like the look of this one, and the details that make it a bit different. Said to celebrate their connection to all things fishing, it has the traditional waxed cotton outer, the expected tartan lining and corduroy collar, but ups the detail game with functional pockets, detachable hood with proper closing, leather trimmed cuffs, D-rings and fishing net detailing. No word on where it has been made.
Monitaly Hooded Mountain Parka
I included the AW version of the Monitaly Mountain Parka in my previous guide to winter jackets, and I’m including their SS version in this guide. It just is that good. Plus this version is in a really nice colour, which only makes things better. Monitaly is another example of Japanese design and US production, which as we know means design with a nitpicking attention to details, and solid production. And lots of pockets. Though this one appears to have only 3 pockets. Can a real man manage with only 3 pockets? The fabric on this one is 100% nylon, unlined. Sturdy zip and stud closing, leather detailing, adjustable hood and waist and high stance collar. At least the two front pockets are large, and adjustable. Made in the USA.
Nigel Cabourn Canadian Jacket
Just as my seasonal guide had to include Monitaly, it also has to include Nigel Cabourn. The British master of heritage-styled outerwear introduces new styles for each season, some become classics (such as the Cameraman and Mallory jackets), others only last a season we have the new Canadian jacket, a nice simple parka or windbreaker design. Don’t be fooled by a first glance though, as usual this one has plenty of nice design details. The outer is lightweight beeswax cotton from Scotland. Nice details include the asymetrical zip closure, drawstring hood with leather stoppers and decent pockets. The hood and hood details look especially nice. Available in different colours, though orange is the one. Made in England.
Link to Nigel Cabourn Canadian jacket
ÆTT ISDAHL ANORAK
Nanamica Gore-tex Cruiser Jacket
Moving further into the world of properly prepared parkas we arrive at Nanamica. The Cruiser is considered to be their most recognisable and definite design, another example of a garment that is allowed to keep evolving, season after season. This one is in 3-ply composite fabric with a Gore-Tex membrane layer and a nylon backing. Trimmed in 100% cotton corduroy with branded taped seams and embossed leather zip pulls. Windproof, waterproof and breathable, perfect for that summer that just didn’t happen. Two front pockets with pop stud closure and side-entry to allow for warming of chilly hands. Two flap pockets on the chest and interior chest pocket, all with either pop stud or zip closure. Plenty of pockets! Adjustable cuffs with strap and leather bound buckles and corduroy lining wherever you need a little comfort. This jacket is totally next level. Available in a range of colours. No word on where it is made though.
Mackintosh Hooded Dunoon Jacket
I’ll finish up this guide with a more classic piece of parkaism. Mackintosh is one of those almost painfully British companies, doing their own thing, preaching to their converted, stiff upper lip and keep on keeping on. And most of the time they are just a little boring. Ok, tradition and heritage is good, but it doesn’t hurt to have a little fun once in a while, right? Last seasons Clisham was a good example of Mackintosh going for a more rugged and contemporary design. This season they are more formal again.
I do quite like this one though, the Dunoon. The body is very formal, but it has a detachable hood that gives it a more mountain parka upper. This would work well for someone that would like to add a bit of covert style to an otherwise traditional look. The fabric is the traditional Mackintosh bonded cotton, so waterproof that you could probably make canoos of it. The waterproofness means it’s also totally windproof, aided by the full button placket fastening. Lovely detailing on the buttons, as per expectations. Available in a few different colours, though this blue is the one to get. And it’s made in Scotland. Aye!
Oh, and finally, in closing, I just noticed SEH Kelly still have an old favourite from last year available. The Tour Jacket, one of my top three favourite jackets ever. No one else does anything quite like it, and it’s truly one of SEH Kellys signature pieces. That dusky green corduroy, the cashmere collar, the horn buttons and singular style. Find it here.
[…] Jacket tips for spring and summer […]
[…] Jacket tips for spring and summer […]
Evening well dressed dad, hope you are well and the weather in Norway is better than the lashings of rain we are getting in Newcastle! Anyway, I went into Endclothing to try on the above Cabourn jacket on Saturday and I have to say I was very disappointed with the fit. I am always a XL but this jacket most definitely felt like someone had cut a couple of inches off the arms and the bottom of the jacket. I was a bit gutted really because I love the colour and the material….never mind tho, there’s always something else. Pedrotoon.
Sad to hear it didn’t work out, Peter. Cabourn fits can be hit and miss.
[…] Jacket tips for spring and summer […]
[…] Jacket tips for spring and summer […]