J. Crew Factory Moleskin Blazer – $100 – $130ish
JCF got a lot of things right with this sportcoat. It’s unconstructed, the non-functioning sleeve buttons make for easy tailoring, the tail is a good length, the button stance is perfect, and the price can dip to as low as $100 depending on the code or promo that’s running. It’s also a bit different in terms of color and fabric. That dark olive shade can look more green or brown depending on the light, and it’s easy to work into a fall/winter wardrobe. Here are a few ways to do just that.
With Black Leather Boots & Belt
- Shirt: GAP “Clean” Chambray button down (sold out, but Jack Threads has something similar)
- Pants: Old Navy Built-in Flex Athletic Jeans in Rinse – $19 ($39.94)
- Belt: GAP Basic Leather in Black – $39.95
- Boots: Billy Reid Kieran Horse Leather Boot – $149.99 ($495) review here
- Watch: Standard Issue Instrument Pilot Mission Timer – $149.98
- Gloves: Cole Haan Driving Gloves (sold out, but consider these from Nordstrom)
Yes indeed you can wear black leathers with a greenish brown sportcoat. Sure, brown leathers would be the default, but here’s visual proof that you can wear this with your favorite black boots. Working grey in (via the shirt and watchstrap) helps make that transition from the earth tone of the blazer, to the clean and mean black of the boots. And by the way, those Billy Reid boots are a steal at that price.
With a Camel Sweater and Jeans
- Sweater: J. Crew Factory Merino V-Neck – $39.50
- Pants: Old Navy Built-in Flex Athletic Jeans in Rinse – $19 ($39.94)
- Belt: GAP Basic Leather in Dark Brown – $39.95
- Boots: 1901 Barrett Chukka – $125
- Watch: Hamilton (discontinued)
- Sunglasses: Suncloud Polarized Motorway – $59.95
Same basic outfit, but it looks quite a bit different thanks to the lightness of the sweater and the richness of the brown suede boots. Good for the especially cool to cold fall days. Review on the boots can be found here.
With Light Grey Pants (flannel, chino, or cords)
- Shirt: Ledbury (sold out)
- Sweater: Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino in Color #69 Navy – $39.95
- Pants: Lands’ End 5-Pocket Flannels – $79
- Belt: Perry Ellis – $20.99
- Shoes: Allen Edmonds for Brooks Brothers Warwick – $149 via Shoebank
- Watch: Hamilton (discontinued)
Breaking away from jeans here. Light grey doesn’t get nearly enough credit for its usefulness in the fall and even winter. Yes, the mud and grime of the wet seasons can easily stain pants this light, but if your commute isn’t too atrocious, you should be able to work them in without frequent trips to the dry cleaner. Shown above is the outstanding, super soft, Lands’ End straight fit flannel 5 pockets.
With a Knit Tie and OCBD
- Shirt: Brooks Brothers OCBD (shown is the previous, non made in the USA version, which did not cost anywhere near… $140)
- Tie: (similar) TheTieBar Wool Knit – $25.00
- Pants: Old Navy Built-in Flex Athletic Jeans in Rinse – $19 ($39.94)
- Shoes: Allen Edmonds for Brooks Brothers Warwick – $149 via Shoebank
- Watch: Armogan Spirit of St. Louis – $225
Work in a dressed down workplace, but you still like to dress up every now and again? Here’s how. Yes you can wear a tie with jeans. Just make sure it’s a super casual one, like this knit wool option from TheTieBar. A shined up, standard silk tie would look way out of place here. The more casual fabric of an Oxford Cloth Button Down also helps you sit on the fence between casual and dressed up. And don’t worry about buttoning the top button. Is this look a little “cool social studies teacher?” Yes. And that’s not a bad thing.
Want more “how to wear it” posts? Head here for the archive.