Do you know what the most important coat you have in your closet is? Is it the big, warm coat that is super functional? Is it the stylish coat that goes really well for the man who wears the suit every day? Or maybe it is the leather jacket that screams Americana? Whatever you think the most important coat is, I promise you that, once you get one of these, you won’t look back. The field jacket is my most versatile coat. It looks great with everything, and since there is a design intent element towards this, it is highly functional. When I decided I needed a new one, I reached out to Hockerty and designed one for my own needs, a simple and easy process that gave me this red houndstooth.
Why you need one
Why do you need one of these? Because I am assuming that you, like everyone else, dresses up sometimes and dresses down sometimes. The silhouette of a field jacket lends itself perfectly to taking the place of a sport coat. If you are heading out on a date or a dinner, you can go for the trusty sport coat and look traditional, or you can reach for the field jacket and toss it over a shirt and tie for an edgy look that will help you stand out.
If that isn’t your vibe, you can wear this coat for the more casual outing. Hunting, shooting, hiking, or shopping, the chest pockets, hip pockets, and tabs on the shoulders and cuffs make the field jacket stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Where they come from
I bet, if you think hard for a few moments, you will be able to tell anyone where the field jacket came from. Sure, the overall aesthetic gives it away, but since three fourths of all menswear comes from similar origins, it is a pretty easy guess. That’s right, it came from military origins. More specifically, this look came from World War II, when the first versions showed up in 1941 and grew in popularity. Thirty years later, it became a symbol of rebellion, ironically worn by many protesters of the Vietnam War. Then, it exploded into pop culture when it showed up on the back of John Rambo when he rebelled against the police in Rambo: First Blood. Nowadays, it is one of the staples in a man’s wardrobe and will remain as long as men continue to love functional fashion.
Tips to wearing them well
Now let’s get down to it. You bought one, now what do you do with it? Here is the best part of a field jacket, it is a blank slate. Here are some options to get you started:
For a dressy moments, simply replace your sport coat with your field jacket to slightly dress it down and make your look a little more approachable. If you really want to throw caution to the wind and experiment with something a little more out there, replace the coat from a three-piece suit with the field jacket for something stylishly dressed down.
For the more causal, use the belt on your field jacket to close the front and make your jeans and polo, sweater, or button up feel a bit more interesting. You can also use the field jacket in league with some other elements like a neckerchief or chelsea boots to give your entire look a more eye-catching feel.
At the end of the day, the field jacket is now and will likely forever be one of the most important coats you will have in your closet. For me, this one from Hockerty accomplishes everything above and more.
