Style Debate: Windbreaker vs. Field Jacket

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.