Fall Jacket Roundup

Do you ever have those mornings where you look in your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear?  Cold mornings, hot afternoons, and warm evenings make it tough on outerwear decisions.  Layering is starting to be a part of the conversation, but by lunchtime that extra sweater puts your Right Guard to the test.

My suggestion?  Keep a couple Fall Jackets available.  By “Fall Jacket”, I mean a something that provides a thin layer of warmth, and some protection from the elements, but nothing heavy duty.  An updated Baracuta (if you remember those). Another suggestion: keep two.  One that is the fleece/outdoorsy/active version, and one that is dressier: something quilted or wool.  This covers just about all your bases.  There is quite a spectrum; here are some options:

1. Marmot Hawkins Jacket:  Marmot doesn’t get much copy, and I don’t know why.  They make a GREAT selection of jackets and are very affordable.  Their fit has gotten much better as of late, and their color choices are spot on.  This Hawkins jacket looks outstanding – the front flap pockets dress it up quite a bit.
2. Orvis Men’s Fleece Full Zip Jacket:  I saw this one in the Buckhead Orvis store not too long ago, and am convinced that Orvis makes some of the best fleece jackets out there.  Not to mention that the “oregano” green color is just right for this time of year.
3. Peter Millar Chesapeake Quilted Jacket:  Peter Millar does a great job with “executive casual” – great design, patterns, texture, and colors that look great for C-level folks on the weekends.  This quilted jacket is a little jazzy, but not so much that you look like a clown.
4. Onward Reserve Highlands Quilted Jacket:  Ahh, the quilted jacket…Onward Reserve has been releasing their own line lately, and hit it out of the park with this quilted Highlands jacket.  Simple, no frills, and a good price point.  And it’s Navy – it’ll go with everything.
5. RRL Valdez Wool-Cotton Jacket:  For the dryer climates…this wool zip cardigan is a great option for Fall.  Wear it like a sweater, but be conscious of what’s underneath.  The wool will provide warmth, and the cotton will breathe well.
6. Penfield Brunswick Fleece Jacket:  For those that are really into the 80’s ski ads, this Penfield is for you.  You know what, even if you need to add a little something extra, fleece is a great way to add some fun color to your Fall pallet.  Penfield rocks.
7. Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan:  The do-all fleece jacket.  Arc’teryx is really nice stuff, and their Covert cardigan will fit the bill for years and years to come.
8. Victorinox Bernhold Quilted Jacket:  I rarely recommend any black article of clothing, but a black quilted jacket looks sharp.  This looks great with charcoal wool pants, a white dress shirt, and black cap toes.
9. Barbour Rowe Quilt Jacket:  Tough to leave Barbour out of any jacket list.  We’re very familiar with the Bedale and the Beaufort, but Barbour makes an entire line that is out of this world.  A lot of isn’t available in the US, but thanks to websites like End, we get access to the goods.

What are you sporting this time of year?