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Style Debate: Windbreaker vs. Field Jacket

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Penfield Russell Jacket – $57.60* ($72) | L.L. Bean Signature Warden’s Jacket – $99.00 ($195)

*Use code DAPPER for 20% off to get this price.  Also available in brown.  Both the Penfield and LL Bean ship free.

Because as much as some of us would like to, you just can’t wear a trench or pea coat every time the weather calls for outerwear.  Sometimes you have to go casual and a little bit shorter.  Both windbreakers and field/utility jackets can look terrific, and both have produced jackets that are just terrible.

The case for Windbreakers:  Windbreakers can absolutely look grown up.  Just find a simple one that doesn’t have too many details, is a bright but not neon color, and fits close to your sides.  This is the kind of jacket for making an early Saturday morning early autumn coffee run.  They’re lightweight and more city friendly.  Wear a big thick field/utility jacket in a major metropolis and people will expect you to be lugging around an axe looking for wood to split.

The case for Field Jackets:  Yeah well, go ahead and try to split wood in a windbreaker.  Most windbreakers are mainly nylon or some other synthetic material.  It’s like you’re covering your torso in a fanny pack.  You can find plenty of field jackets that fit close at the sides.  Look at the L.L. Bean Signature above.  Completely authentic but has a trim fit.  Some might find it a little ugly, but it’s the kind of ugly that comes from your Grandpa’s closet.  Wear a windbreaker and you risk looking like the closet you raided was actually your 8 year old nephew’s.

 Your thoughts?  Again… both types can look great, but both have produced some real eye sores.  Leave your vote (or a write in perhaps?  Anyone prefer the Harrington?) in the comments section below.

Comments

  3. ‘It’s like you’re covering your torso in a fanny pack’ – Awesome.  Have to agree, field jacket is the way to go if you’re over the age of 12.

  4. I went with the Scottevest Pack Windbreaker. It is great for commuting, as I do everyday. It rolls up nicely to fit inside my bag when not needed, and works well for on the go when the weather breaks from sun to rain and cool to warm. I do reserve a field jacket for colder days and more dressier occasions though. The right windbreaker adds a punch of color and lightheartedness to an outfit.

  6. The nice thing about windbreakers is that most of them can be folded and rolled up enough that they’ll fit in a briefcase, messenger bag, or definitely a backpack. So if, once high noon rolls around, you don’t need the extra layer, it’s easy to ditch. The field jacket, however, gets the style props. Especially this offering from Signature. That’s nice. But there are some fairly good-looking windbreakers whose portability would more than make up what they lack in styling.

  7. Here’s a question:

    Outside of sportcoats/blazers, what kind of jackets do most people wear in early spring / late fall when it’s chilly out but you don’t need a full winter coat?

    I’m mostly concerned with mon-fri workdays, when I’m in gray pants and a buttondown shirt for work.

  8. I think the field jacket gets the slight edge, although the windbreaker can look great over a cardigan or sweater. 

  9. One more point–a nice mid-weight wool mock neck cardigan can also serve this duty well.

  10. I’ll go with a windbreaker 99 out of a 100 times. The 1 time being if I’m camping, I’ll go with the field jacket.

  11. I go with a trench and look forward to wearing it when given the opportunity.  Not your Dad’s London Fog type of trench, but a double breasted (or single breasted mac) fitted number that still has room for a suit jacket underneath:  http://dappered.com/2010/07/the-perfect-trench-for-140/  That’s last year’s model, but it’s in my top 3 articles of clothing that I own.  Really, really like it.  I wear it without the belt and it looks just fine.  Haven’t seen this one in store yet, but, would like to: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=32658&vid=1&pid=851008&scid=851008002  With sales, it can get pretty affordable.

  12. I go with a trench and look forward to wearing it when given the opportunity.  Not your Dad’s London Fog type of trench, but a double breasted (or single breasted mac) fitted number that still has room for a suit jacket underneath:  http://dappered.com/2010/07/the-perfect-trench-for-140/  That’s last year’s model, but it’s in my top 3 articles of clothing that I own.  Really, really like it.  I wear it without the belt and it looks just fine.  Haven’t seen this one in store yet, but, would like to: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=32658&vid=1&pid=851008&scid=851008002  With sales, it can get pretty affordable.

  13. I wear my dad’s old army field jacket. I need to get it tailored a little bit, but it’s almost 50 years old, is still in great condition, and is the most comfortable jacket I own. Oh, and it comes with instructions for how to wear it sewn inside, in case I forget.

  14. Windbreakers are ok (although I prefer a sleek black affair over a coloured one personally) but I much prefer my field jacket. I disagree about the perspective of the field jacket being worn in the city, you won’t get odd looks at all. At least not right now. Most are very utilitarian and military inspired, something that is pretty “in” right now. 

    My field jacket is easily one of my most complimented jackets, and I wear it in the winter (with a sweater) more often than my pea coat right now.

  17. I worked at Express for 4 years, so I’m scarred by douchey customers/managers buying track jackets. Plus, there’s something a little more manly about field jackets, so I’d go that route.

  19. I like my wind breaker. It’s black with a tad bit of bright green accents. Paired with the right choice of pants/shoes, it can look dressed up, casual, and even bad-ass. Other pluses are that it dries very fast if you get caught in the rain, and can be rolled up and stuffed into a bag (backpack for us students) if you walk into hot room.

    But I’m not saying the field jacket is bad. It is a bit more stylish, keeps you much warmer, and definitely more durable.

    Basically I’d wear a windbreaker for around the town (such as coffee) and just hitting the shops, but I’d wear the field jacket when I wanted to look a bit more serious (at work, meeting friends, etc).

  20. I’ve got both.  I’ve kinda shied away from the harrington style.  It seems everyone at my high school had the defacto Polo Ralph Lauren harrington jacket from 2001-2005.

  21. I own both, but am probably partial to a stylish field jacket… Really depends what you’re wearing under it. A variety of wind breaker can have cleaner lines and be better if you’re dressed up a bit.

  22. I think they are for different occasion/activity.
    Windbreaker is a must for sports activity like jogging or even just walking in a park. While the field jacket might be too dressy for a sporty place, but definitely fits going to a bar or restaurant downtown. I like military style field jacket or something similar, with dark green or navy color; I think it exudes certain macho look.

  23. Anyone know if all/any of the Penfield gear is made in USA? It used to be, but I admit I haven’t kept track.

  25. Don’t much like windbreakers for anything but training.
    And field jackets are great for casual travel thanks to all the pockets.
    But a harrington is sleek enough for a more dress casual vibe.