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Affordable Men's Style

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In Review: The American Eagle Field Jacket/Blazer

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American Eagle Field Jacket – $69.99 ($89.95)

Upscale rugged? Refined outdoorsy? As snotty as those terms can sound (what, are we glamping?), there’s a well established pattern of dudes being attracted to stuff that blends good looks with the functionality of something made to be used “in the field”.

Pricey Red Wing work boots. Even more expensive aviation or dive watches. That kind of stuff. And it’s not usually a matter of playing “let’s pretend“… but instead the aesthetics and functionality are just too good to ignore. Besides, much of traditional men’s “sportswear” is based on a “sporting” (i.e. hunting/shooting/riding) lifestyle. Long before guys put on their finest blaze orange to head off into the woods, they wore tweed.

American Eagle doesn’t seem like the kind of place to look for this kind of thing, but their new Field Jacket is a plenty acceptable, affordable option for those who took a shine to 007’s Barbour in Skyfall:

It’s outerwear, but shaped like a 3-Button sport coat (or, as Barbour puts it, it’s a “blazer style button through“). That thing is waxed, has plenty of patches at stress points, and costs…. $600.

The American Eagle option is not waxed, comes in a rich looking Khaki (obviously lighter than 007’s while being much more saturated than your Uncle’s Dockers), and clocks in at just 10% of the Barbour’s total price.

Comparing Oranges and Orangutans here, but they’re in the ballpark…

American Eagle Field Jacket reviewed on Dappered.com

The AE is 100% cotton and unlined. No poly in the sleeves or anything like that. The tail is short, but that just adds to the “this is really a jacket, not a sport-coat for indoor wear” type of look. The lower patch pockets and upper chest patch pocket have a good amount of room for things like small notebooks, pens, sunglasses, iPods, mobile phone, jerky, signal flare, etc… No pockets on the interior. None. Just a tonal camo print. There’s a barely-there peak lapel which will tend to stay standing up if the wind picks up and you want to keep the breeze off your neck. Sleeves have two functioning buttons at the cuffs.

AE Field Jacket details - reviewed on Dappered.comSlight peak lapels. Branding is minimal.

Nicely trim through the sides and the armholes are high. Stitching at the waist might make it look like there’s a drawstring inside for cinching down, but there’s not. Size shown here is a medium, and it’s borderline too small for a 5’10” 180 lb frame (layering a thick sweater underneath might be a real challenge). If you’re in doubt, size up, but expect the sleeves to be a bit long.

Oh, and as far as American Eagle’s usually ever present logo goes? The only visible, exterior branding is on the buttons… and it’s awfully tough to see.

Comfortable to hike in, comfortable to drive in. And unless MI6 is picking up the tab on your wardrobe expenses, this’ll do fine in place of the Barbour for a casual lightweight Spring/Fall jacket.

Dappered.com review of the American Eagle Field Jacket

Comments

  2. I haven’t, because personally, it’s a keeper as is, and while adding a wax finish to cotton can be hugely rewarding, it can also be hugely messy. I’m good with how it is myself, but I can see others going that route with this thing.

  3. This one looks great, but you mention that it is rather casual. I am looking for a water resistant spring/early fall coat that is more formal than say a chore coat, but less formal than a trench. Something that I could wear over a blazer, but could also wear with jeans. Does such an elusive creature exist (at a reasonable price point)?

  5. Hey Joe, I’ve just taken up trap shooting and this would be a great way to look Dappered while doing it. Tell me though, could I fit 25 shells in the pockets?

  6. Really wish it was green/olive…just have too much in khaki already. Still a good find!

  11. Yep. Might be able to get 25, 12-gauge shells in just the lower pockets. Top pocket might be needed for a few perhaps.

  13. BR seems to have bought a polyester factory.

    Edit: didn’t read OP wants water proof. Polyester is it then.

  14. I do love the look of M65 Field Jackets, but was under the impression that they were too casual to, say, wear over a blazer. Was I wrong with this assumption?

  15. I don’t own this particular jacket, but I do own a very similar vintage Saf-T-Bac jacket that I use for skeet shooting and quail hunting. I can very easily fit a box of shells in a pocket so I think you’ll be fine with this one. Also, it’s a fantastic choice.

  17. I would recommend using Camp Dry. I have used it on many things, including a uniform (I’m in the army) I was going to be wearing in the field for a week while in North Carolina. I haven’t used it on any civilian clothing yet, but I imagine it would work and its not messy at all.

  20. Yeah, normally I’d avoid poly, but it’s desirable when the weather turns nasty.

  23. I . . . I don’t know who I am anymore. I don’t really comment all that much, I just snagged this name because that’s what I was identified as when I was given credit for the J.Press York Street clearance a while back and I figured I’d answer any questions I could after procrastinating for quite a while and doing some shopping on there.

  24. Snagged this in XS for around $50 shipped a month ago and found the sleeves to be waaaay too tight, so consider sizing up

  26. Some Otter wax (or craft store beeswax/paraffin) and a hair dryer and you might have something special on your hands.

  27. This is beautiful. However, as a Canadian, I will get dinged with duty if I buy it. It’s so frustrating.

  29. I ordered a size large, which arrived in the mail today. Measurements are:
    * Shoulder-to-Shoulder (top): 19″
    * Pit-to-Pit: 23″
    * Waist: 21″
    * Sleeve (shoulder seam to cuff): 26″
    * Back length: 29.5″ from bottom of collar, 31″ from top of collar

    I usually wear 42R in a suit or sport coat, and the fit seems pretty good for me. There is enough room to wear a non-bulky sweater underneath, and/or to allow for a little shrinking if I decide to “tumble dry low.”

    I hope this helps someone wondering about the size.

  30. Just stumbled across one of these at the local AE; I found one in size XS while perusing the clearance racks. When I asked how I might find one in my size, the lady told me that it was an online-only item that had been returned to their store, but that she could have one in my correct size shipped to my house while honoring the 60% clearance discount & free shipping…how could I pass it up? My question is regarding the size. I’m 6’/195/44″ chest/broad shoulders/no gut, and I went for the XL. I will find out for sure when it arrives next week, but I’m wondering if the XL will be too big…

  31. Well the XL arrived in the mail, and the sizing definitely runs small. Looks great, however I kind of feel like the Incredible Hulk when I reach straight ahead with both arms–tight in the shoulders for sure. I’ve never worn an XL shirt/jacket/anything that’s felt too snug. The missus is generally critical with regard to fit, and since she says that visually there’s no hint of tightness at all, it stays. The $29 w/ free shipping on this was the deal of the century…