As the title suggests, today we will talk about a sports jacket. Let's start with a little terminology. You probably know what a jacket is, but I'm not entirely sure if you know what a sports jacket is. Don't worry, sometimes even the manufacturers themselves are confused about it, it's almost as confusing a concept as sporty elegance in Shopping Mania. The difference is that a sports jacket really does exist. In English, this thing is called a "sport coat" or "sport jacket", in American English it's "sports coat", "sport jacket" and sometimes the name "blazer" is also mixed in.
Good luck with your sports and most importantly, stay stylish!
Rustman
Text and photo: Adam Rustman: The Overdressed Photographer
The adjective sporty was assigned to it in ancient times, when sports were mainly horse riding or shooting animals. Gentlemen needed something more functional than the suits they wore on a regular day, but giving up the jacket was out of the question. So the sports jacket was created, adapted to their outdoor gentlemanly pastimes. Since in those days they did not yet know fleece, goretex, neoprene or any similar plastic fun, traditional warm natural materials were used - tweed, corduroy, leather and later denim.
These materials are still used in the production of sports jackets today. In addition, this type of clothing usually has other specifics. Quite often it has so-called patch pockets. That is, those that are sewn in, not sewn in. If you don't understand, look at the photo and compare the pockets with your blue suit.
Furthermore, these jackets have patches on the elbows, which in the past was supposed to prevent them from wearing out, as it was probably assumed that athletes under steam... er, gentlemen, would be more likely to fall off their horses or rest their heads on their elbows when they fell asleep after their tenth cognac in their country residence.
In addition, a sports jacket can have other small functional or design features that you won't find on a formal jacket. This one from the Alain Delon fall collection, for example, has an interesting detail in the form of a loop on the fit and a sewn-in fabric strip in the breast pocket. So you don't have to bother with a pocket square in your jacket, but you'll still look elegant. The strips are even in the side pockets, which I think makes this jacket even more lively.
The most important thing about a sports jacket is that you can wear it with almost anything and it should always work. So, probably skip the latest Yeezy, although that might be interesting for some, but feel free to wear jeans and a t-shirt, for example. If the jacket has a distinctive pattern, which is quite common and desired for sports jackets, I recommend not to overdo it with the rest of the outfit in terms of color. I chose a dark blue t-shirt and jeans, also from Alain Delon. Yes, they also have jeans there. You can wear wellies or boots.
A shirt and tie go equally well with a sports jacket. Again, I would be sensitive with colors. Add a tie clip so it doesn't fly off your neck when you're riding a horse, or get soaked in wine when you're pouring.
For shoes, you can safely wear double monkstraps or, even better, brogue shoes. You can also go for something more formal, a sports jacket will do the trick. In such a more elegant variation, you are also ready for an evening tasting of young wine.
Such variability makes a sports jacket a great choice for trips where you have a variety of activities waiting for you. On a colder day, it will warm you up outside, and in the evening you will look elegant and well-groomed, not like in a baggy shirt or "God forbid" in a sweatshirt. Moreover, these jackets have hardly changed their appearance for several decades, so your son will inherit it from you. I even have a stylish one from my grandfather, I'm not kidding.
