Summer jackets of 2019: Gloverall Hawthorn blazer and Collins donkey jacket

The summer of 2018 in Europe was an absolute disaster for both farmers and garmsmen. Crops failed massively in the dry heat and menswearists that usually can’t stop blathering excitedly about layering their clothing were struggling to cope with the fact that even a single layer was one layer too far. So far it looks like 2019 is a different tote of terror, hence a short run of reviews of Summer jackets that wouldn’t have worked in 2018, but are potentially spot on for more varied weather. So, first out are a couple of fine offerings from Gloverall, the Hawthorn blazer in Moon tweed and the Collins donkey jacket in wool melton. Handily, you may appreciate that both are currently on sale.

The brothers showing three ways to style the Gloverall Hawthorn blazer in Moon tweed.

The Hawthorn tweed jacket is a handy, more traditional style blazer for when it’s too warm for heavy tweed, but not warm enough to have to avoid wool altogether. The tweed used is a lovely Moon Tweed, from a traditional supplier of tweed, Abraham Moon & Sons in Yorkshire,  in a wool herringbone. Fully lined in viscose, which avoids any itchiness from the wool and ensures it hangs nicely over whatever you wear underneath and is easy to get on and off. The styling is more straightforward workwear jacket than traditional tweed jacket. Just the three front pockets really, no inside pocket. A versatile and very usable jacket.

The brothers showing three ways to style the Gloverall Collins donkey jacket.

The Collins donkey jacket is actually from last years autumn/winter and while it arrived too late in the year for me to enjoy it then, it has proved to be a really great jacket for Spring use. The styling is based on the classic Donkey Jacket, vintage workwear classic jacket enjoyed by outdoors workers for decades. The classic would be made from a heavy boiled wool blend, along the lines of a duffle coat, and have either leather or vinyl protection on the shoulders. This version of more lightweight and is made from an Italian wool blend melton with dry wax cotton patches from Halley Stevenson. Unlined, but the wool is very soft and pleasant to the touch and all the seams are bound and tidy. In addition to the two outside pockets, there is a buttoned inside pocket.

What I really enjoy about this jacket is that with the fully buttoned front, it can both hold the wind out when cycling, but also works just as well as a wool layer under a windproof jacket. A true dual nature jacket and highly recommended.

Both made in England and available in the Gloverall sales now, the Hawthorne blazer and the Collins donkey jacket.