Have we moved on from sport coats? I don’t think so, but I think the reimagining of ‘business casual’ and even ‘business formal’ allows us to think outside the box. The classic sport coat will never go out of style. There will always be room in any room. However, let’s think about some stylish alternatives. Jackets that are functional and stylish, and pieces that can be interchanged with anything from a blue sport coat to a tweed tank.
Here’s what I like:
From Top Left:
1. Peter Millar Indigo Chore Coat: Chore coats started taking residence before COVID, and for good reason: the functionality can’t be beat.
2. Faherty Inlet Knit Blazer: Knit blazers are light sweaters cut in the form of a sport coat. The wear the same, but are much less stiff. Good options.
3. Res Ipsa Crochet Bomber Jacket: Want to knock it out of the park? BE BOLD when the time is right.
4. Rivay NYC Correspondent Overshirt: I’ve talked about the Correspondent Overshirt for a while, and for good reason. I wear this ALL THE TIME. It looks great over an OCBD or dress shirt. Very shell cordovan-friendly.
5. Todd Snyder Long Sleeve Cashmere Button Sweater: We’ve been enjoying sweaters like this for as long as #menswear has been around, but I’d argue these never got enough play.
6. Sid Mashburn Military Jacket: See #1 and #4. Functionality is first, but the incredible fabrics make these military jackets a cut above.
7. J. Crew Full Zip Cashmere Sweater: It looks like a track jacket on the hanger, but is much more formal when worn. Pair with wool trousers, a Bengal-striped dress shirt, and tassel loafers for the full effect.
8. Todd Snyder Suede Dylan Jacket: Suede, baby. A good look for after lunch to midnight. And don’t spill any mustard on it.
9. Peter Millar Shawl Collar Cardigan: It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…
What did I miss?
I’m leery of “transitional” pieces. Post-Covid, brands have tried to force clothes that can “go from the frat house to the clubhouse” and that’s just not so.
These are nice pieces for casual wear or traveling (and they’re head and shoulders above the polyester quarter zips that I see worn as nauseum), but if I showed up to work or dinner at the club wearing any of these, I would feel underdressed.
I like the looks of that knit blazer.
None are bad for casual wear., and some are quite attractive. However, I recently went to a funeral where I was one of two attendees even wearing a necktie. And there were not many more in blazers or sport jackets. Men’s appropriate attire in this country is in true double hockey sticks territory. Personal opinion only, but anything that makes that downward slide easier or more acceptable is just making the overall problem worse. First CEOs, then pro and college sports coaches, and now funeral and wedding attendees. It’s outrageous. At my church, time after time I see nicely dressed women who care about their appearance walking beside sloppily dressed husbands who care only about their own comfort. May we return to a time when appropriate respect is shown for the occasions of life, including how one dresses for the office, sanctuary, and boardroom, rather than the copout of “But I don’t have to.” And may we be a country of men who do far more than only what we have to do. We owe our predecessors that much, and we owe our sons even more.
Amen to JDV! 100% agree.
Amen.
I wholeheartedly agree, and I wonder what that anecdote about menswear at church really means for our society and culture. On one hand, I am thankful that folks are still going to church. On the other hand, I wonder if men, in general, care less about church and spiritual leadership than women in today’s world. While dress is important, men, and especially fathers, must be a strong spiritual presence in the family in order for our society to function kindly, justly, and generally.
Nothing wrong with any of these, but I see these as alternatives to the quarter zip pullovers. If we’re still trying to “up the dress code by one level in all situations” we need to incorporate real sport coats into everyday wear more often. Perhaps a knit blazer can be a gateway to the sport coat ?