Skip to main content

Channel Classic Sailor Style with the N-1 Deck Jacket by Freemans Sporting Club

N-1 Deck Jacket
You may recognize the design of the deck jacket from cracked and yellowed pictures of men in the armed forces during the middle part of the last century. It’s the type of jacket you’d see on dudes who’d only ever had one type of haircut (flattop), and only one type of shirt (white crew neck t-shirt). And somehow they still looked cooler than anyone alive today.

The MIL-SPEC N-1 Deck Jacket ($1,495), the newest adaptation of this iconic design by Freemans Sporting Club, is steeped in that old-fashioned aesthetic perfect for any man in need of throwback winter wear.

Related Videos
shearling-deck-front-2

Because this unique piece was made in New York and uses extremely high quality materials, it has a price to match. But FSC got so many of the details spot-on, this has become one of the most striking high-end jackets of the fall.

To start, this jacket is absurdly warm. Don’t even bother with it if the temperature outside is over 60 degrees because you’ll just end up sweating out your shirt. When it does get windy or cold or wet, you may as well be on the other side of a brick wall for how well the N-1 Deck Jacket blocks the elements. The mid-length waist gives you a lot of mobility and freedom of motion, which would be perfect on a motorcycle in less-than-ideal temperature, too.

The shell is cut from raw 8.25 oz MIL-SPEC TexWax that has a somewhat rough, but pliable texture, and it comes in a natural chestnut color or forest green camo pattern. Because the cotton is treated with wax, it also shows marks and wear in interesting ways, meaning this thing will age into an appealing distressed look over time. The interior, on the other hand, is lined with dense Uruguayan shearling that’s as warm as it is soft. If it gets really windy, you can fold the wide collar up around your neck for extra protection.

camo-deck

Hidden wool storm cuffs keep your wrists warm and prevent drafts from going up the sleeves, while a waist drawstring allows you to tighten the jacket down to your specific body shape. The main zipper is a two-way Ideal zipper, which is a little sticky brand new, but may wear in with time. Covering the zipper is an extra storm flap which is held closed by horn buttons.

One of the best features of the coat are the two deep pockets on the front. Since they are sewn onto the outside, you don’t have to worry about tearing out the pocket linings, and they are wide enough to accommodate gloved hands if it’s really cold out.

camo-deck-cuff

This design was popularized back in the 1940s, when the Navy understood that if they wanted to keep sailors fighting Nazi U-boats and Japanese battleships, they had better keep them warm. It was so effective in cold and wet weather, the Navy used it another 20 years before being decommissioned.

If the design worked for the armed forces all those years, it will probably serve you well, too. 

Editors' Recommendations

Transition to Fall with Huckberry’s Style Essentials
Huckberry

Stowing away your summer style favorites can be hard to do, but Huckberry is making it easy to transition to fall with seasonal style essentials. We’re talking about everything from a rugged jacket to slim denim to crisp sneakers. In short, it’s all the gear you need to go from time spent at the beach to time spent strolling over falling leaves. If you’ve been prepping your fall style wish list, then you’re a few steps ahead. If not, check out Huckberry’s seasonal style essentials and get excited for what just might be the best season in menswear.
Lum-Tec Huckberry Combat B33 Watch, $499

Who better to come up with a rugged-refined watch fit for anything than the team at Huckberry? They worked hand-in-hand with the Lum-Tec team on a custom-designed watch -- seen at the top of the page -- that’s built to withstand “the challenges of a life well-lived in the field.” With a 43mm stainless steel case, the option to wear it with a brown leather or black NATO strap, and a handsome design, it’s up to all your fall adventures.

Read more
How to tie your shoes and make any pair in your closet slip-on shoes
YouTube videos with genius ways to tie your shoes so you never have to tie them again
man tying sneakers outside

It turns out that learning to tie your shoes in Kindergarten may not have been the win you and your parents thought it was. Men’s slip-on shoes are all the rage these days. Call them ugly all you want — they’re easy to slip on when you’re in a rush and cozy to boot.

Maybe you’re a resident sneakerhead, or perhaps you simply don’t feel like splurging on a pair of designer men’s slip-on shoes. You might simply not be able to get passed the “ugly shoe” label of Birkenstocks (or the more budget-friendly dupes). Still, the ease of slip-on shoes is a massive perk.

Read more
The 10 most expensive men’s watches in the world
These are the best watches to invest in to upgrade your collection — if you're a millionaire, of course
best rolexes for men rolex suit

If you want to get an insight into a man's status without delving deep into his finances or work history, or without asking any awkward questions, look at his wrist. Men's watches are the easiest way to show class, elegance, style, and status. While there is a wide variety of brands, price points, and styles to choose from, only some watches will instantly elevate your status the moment you slap it on your wrist. Though rolex watches and Cartier watches are easily recognizable and suggest sophistication and class, you might be surprised to find they don't dominate our world's most expensive watches list.

If you find yourself ready to drop the kind of money needed to buy a private island, here are the most expensive men's watches that will put you in the rarified status of having only nine other men on your level. These aren't watches you can get your hands on by walking into a jewelry store and pointing at the glass counter. These are watches you can only get by putting on your best tux, grabbing a number, and bidding against some pretty stiff competition.

Read more