Light Outerwear – Spring 2011
Spring jackets, short jackets, whatever you want to call them we all know what they are. Usually cotton or maybe a nylon windbreaker, just about waist long or a little longer, and not leather. They’re the jackets we grab on cooler nights when we go out for a quick bite, or the outwear we take with us on not quite warm afternoon hikes.
Are they as versatile as a great fitting well proportioned trench? Nah. But you’d look like a wayward Inspector Gadget if you geared up in your trench on the trail. A few options follow, none more than $200. Many much less…
Penfield Russell Jacket in Fawn
, Navy, or Red – $145.00 ($95 for 1st time Bonoboers)
It’s all about the contrast. Retro without looking costumey. Heritage New England brand. James Dean-ish only faster. (Take $50 off if you’re a 1st time customer by clicking here.)
Banana Republic Fatigue Jacket – $97.50 w/ code BRSUNNY (reg. $130.00)
Looks better in person than on the web. Deeper in color than the pic you see at the top of the page, with really nice dark silver hardware. Semi-epaulets that are more straps sewed at the ends. Collar looks great standing up or laying down. Fitted through the sides and comes equipped with hand warmer pockets.
Spiewak Khaki Cypress Jacket – $119.00 ($69 for 1st time Bonoboers)
52% Cotton / 48% Nylon means it’s water resistant without feeling like a garbage bag. And considering the description says: “Contemporary fit. Cut to fit snug” it won’t fit like one either. (Take $50 off if you’re a 1st time customer by clicking here.)
French Connection Egyptian Cotton Jacket – $51.99 (reg. $150)
For the colder climates for sure. Drops lower than a standard spring jacket, and comes with the drawstring waist. Might be worth packing away till fall. A warning: It’s a final sale item.
Ben Sherman Striped Nylon Jacket – $139.00
Tough to find online (translation: impossible to find online) but check Macy’s if you’re looking for a dark nylon jacket with a little more character than usual. Stow away hood in the collar, stripes at just the banded waist, and no elastic banding at the cuffs.
Lands’ End Canvas Grey Chambray Harrington – $55.65 (reg. $79.50) w/code
Use the code BLOOM30 and pin 2892 through today (Tuesday May 3rd) and you’ll get 30% off the highest priced item in your cart. And if you’re going to go so old-school you’re wearing a Harrington? Might as well merge it with the chambray trend. But not in the standard denim blue, a cool grey.
J. Crew Cadet Jacket – $118.00 (reg. $128.00)
Your standard military inspired cotton jacket, with less pockets than their “can we fit another pocket on here?” fatigue jacket. Actually on sale. For only $10 off, but still.
Ralph Lauren Grange Poplin Tartan Jacket – $198.00
Yeah… blending in is completely out with this one. Expensive too. Teflon coated cotton twill. So not only is it as loud as an air raid siren, it’s non stick too.
Filson for Levi’s Oil Finish Trucker Jacket – $198.00
Most Filson stuff is cut pretty big. Not the case here. The notes tell you to “order two sizes up for a generous fit.” Nice. Brushed Moleskin at collar and cuffs, adjustable side tabs. Made in the USA.
Got a favorite throw and go light jacket it? Feel free to add your picks below…
two or three weeks ago, i walk into my LEC Sears store to find the newly stocked blue Harrington was on sale for $27 dollars…The woman at the register said “you must be the luckiest man today”. My response “Im just winning with my Tigers blood, thas all” lol This jacket has made its way into my rotation.
I got a jacket from Lands End Canvas that I really like. I’m not crazy about the pattern, but it is one of the most practical things I own. It’s comfortable, thin enough that I can wear in the morning of even a hot day, and then light enough that I can fold it up and fit it into my backpack so it doesn’t get in the way on my bus ride home. I highly recommend this, and right now it’s down to $27:
http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/CottonJacket~203386_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::GPG&CM_MERCH=IDX_Men-_-Outerwear&origin=index
FWIW, that Ben Sherman jacket is called the “Trophy” based on the MA2411 on the tag: http://www.amazon.com/Ben-Sherman-Trophy-Bomber-Tipping/dp/B002ZCYIMM
It’s widely available on webpages under that name, but hard to find in stock anywhere. The name comes in handy if you’re looking on eBay though (there’s at least one available there now, it seems).
I picked up this Lands End Canvas khaki peacoat (http://canvas.landsend.com/pp/HeritagePeaCoat~219430_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::LKH&CM_MERCH=IDX_Men-_-Outerwear&origin=index) during the 40% off code posted a while ago and really like it. My only beef is the sleeves are a bit long so I’ll need to have a tailor fix it up.
As a bit of a country boy, that Filson jacket is pretty tempting. Too bad about the price… I wonder if Filson ever does discounts? Given their typical clientele, I’m guessing my size small might even survive to a sale….
That J Crew fatigue jacket looks sweet. I don’t have a fatigue jacket, but I may pick one up…at a military surplus store. The French Connection jacket would look nice while on my motorcycle, but the only size available is XL, which I’m not. *le sigh*
Just ordered the Spiewak Khaki Cypress Jacket from Bonobos (w/ coupon code). Ordered an L, their size guide wasn’t very informative. Hopefully, it works. I’ll follow up on fitment once it ships, if anyone is interested.
I haven’t worn a windbreaker since sixth grade. I mostly stopped wearing field jackets when I left the Army. The Cypress coat looks like it would match a pair of farmer Carharts. The Harrington looks like something my father would wear.
However, I did purchase a $15 coat at 15dollarstore.com the other day. i’ll let you know how it looks. http://15dollarstore.com/p/mens-ezekiel-stretch-mulholland-cargo-jacket-dark-charcoal-/5611676862148998
I just got my Spiewak jacket from Bonobos. It’s nice- simple, clean lines, certainly not cut like a garbage bag, although it could have been cut a tad wider. Once again, another Dappered-inspired purchase I know I’ll be proud of (although I was really drooling after the Filson/Levi’s jacket).