At times, I have thought that I could probably get through life with only blue jackets and medium grey trousers. I know it sounds perhaps boring, but it does have its appeal. It's an extreme position, I know, but one not without its own merits. Most men probably have at least a couple of blue blazers or odd jackets and perhaps a few pairs of grey odd trousers that function as a more casual alternative to suits. It's almost embarrassing to admit, but I have seven navy blue odd jackets and blazers of various weights and ages. That said, I'm sure I'm not the only one that sees the utilitarian merit of this kind of jacket that bears such repetition in the closet. From winter weight flannel and solid navy tweed jackets, to tropical wool and wool blend jackets, to linen and silk blends, there are many choices from which one can form a core working collection of blue jackets. Since we are in the hottest part of the summer, and there are often times when a jacket (even if it is without a tie) is called for, it's probably not inappropriate to revisit the topic of summer weight blue jackets.
Blue odd jackets are a great warm weather alternative to blazers, particularly when they are wool and silk or linen blends. I have one from Brooks Brothers Japan in a breathable fresco blend of wool and silk that I probably wear more than any other jacket during the warmer months. I've worn it so much that I would really like to get another, but they aren't available anymore, or at least not currently. I would have thought that this sort of jacket would be offered year in and year out, but alas it isn't. J. Press has offered a navy linen and poly blend jacket in the past, but over the past couple of years it also hasn't been available in my size. I have another 100% wool fresco navy odd jacket (again, BB Japan) but it just doesn't have the same shoulders as this one, and isn't as cool either, which counts for a lot.
This jacket has a minimum of lining and extra fabric on the inside. The pockets are all patch pockets, which also cuts down on unneeded inner pocket fabric and the lining to hide them, thus keeping the jacket lighter and cooler. It's also probably one of the nicest natural shoulder jackets I own - it's very comfortable. If all jackets were made according to this pattern it would be a better world, indeed.
As I said earlier, I am a fan of medium grey trousers, and the J. Press wool and poly blend ones pictured here have become favorites over the past couple of years. I have a couple of pairs that I wear in rotation and have found that they are cooler and lighter than 100% tropical wool. I have no problem with poly blends for warmer weather fabrics for they have a long history in the Trad canon. These J. Press trousers are well made, not terribly expensive and hold their shape well in the heat and humidity.
As long as we're on the subject of cooler clothing, it would be a shame not to mention end-on-end madras shirts. They are not as easy to obtain today, and I am fortunate to have several that are still very presentable. The thin porous weave of this fabric keeps the air circulating, and when they are starched from the cleaners, they stay crisp and cool looking all day in the heat. Why Brooks Brothers no longer makes this kind of shirt is really very hard to understand, because this type of fabric is an absolute summer classic.
This combination of blue odd jackets, medium grey trousers and end-on-end madras shirts is a winning combination in the heat. It's a pretty simple summer strategy that works well for me.
My idea of only blue jackets and grey trousers may seem a little extreme, but of course there are a variety of takes on the blue jacket theme that will work. The guys below all look cool and collected in blue jackets and classically colored white, ivory and grey trousers. All of which means that staying cool in the summer heat doesn't always need to involve cargo shorts, t-shirts and flip flops.
My idea of only blue jackets and grey trousers may seem a little extreme, but of course there are a variety of takes on the blue jacket theme that will work. The guys below all look cool and collected in blue jackets and classically colored white, ivory and grey trousers. All of which means that staying cool in the summer heat doesn't always need to involve cargo shorts, t-shirts and flip flops.
Images: Zino 6/2008; Snap Leon, vol. 1 and vol. 3; Luel (Men's Club 8/2011).
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
