Spring Check – How to Do a Sport Coat

The temperature rising is no excuse to skimp.  While everyone has the year-round appropriate  navy blazer – Spring appropriate sport coats aren’t that tricky.  Not including the seersucker or chambray choices, go for something that has a check.  Treat it like a work coat – wear it often, use the pockets, and keep it clean (that means a cedar hanger).  Most good Spring sport coats are a blend of lightweight wool, silk, and/or linen, making them bearable during the heat.  So swap out your winter tweeds for something like this:

THE GRAYS (L-R):

H. Freeman Silk/Linen Summer Check Sport Coat: Colorful – not for the faint of heart.  
Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald Fit Wool/Silk Plaid Windowpane Sport Coat: The fit here is key.  Not to mention the great pattern.
Peter Millar Wool Check Sport Coat: These folks have been making a splash lately – look at those soft shoulders…looks like you’ve had it for years.

THE TANS (L-R):

Polo by Ralph Lauren Silk/Linen Tweed Sport Coat:  The leather buttons and the flap pocket are nice touches – this is a great option for an outdoorsman.
Peter Millar Wool/Silk/Linen Check Sport Coat:  There isn’t anything this coat won’t coordinate with.  Perfect style. 
Ben Silver Wool/Cashmere Glen Plaid Sport Coat: Ben Silver might have the best selection of these Spring/warm weather sport coats.  This one is tan with blue and orange details – outstanding. 

Shirting under these sport coats is a bit tricky, but here’s a rule of thumb: Bold sport coat = bland shirt.  Bland sport coat = bold shirt.  Here is a good spectrum:

(L-R):

Rugby by Ralph Lauren Yellow Skull University Oxford:  Yellow – the most neglected of the OCBD colors.  Give it a run.
Brooks Brothers Extra Slim Fit Worn-in Oxford in Pink:  Take every opportunity you can to wear a pink shirt, and wear it like a man.
Faconnable Plaid Sport Shirt:  A muted plaid won’t distract from the sport coat.
Billy Reid John-T Blue & Green Sport Shirt:  A bold design – it’ll be the centerpiece of the outfit, so pick something nice.

The great thing about warmer weather?  It’s A-OK to be a little less formal.  There’s always a place for gabardine trousers and foulard ties with these sport coats, but put together something like this for a great look:

(Clockwise from top left):

Randolph Engineering X Michael Bastian Aviator II Sunglasses: Feast your eyes…these won’t be available until May.
Levi’s 501 Jeans in ‘Natural Black Fill’:  Not quite white.
Filson 258 Briefcase in Otter Green: Tough as nails.  
Smathers & Branson Dancing Bears Needlepoint Belt: From the good folks at The Fine Swine in Maryland.  Keep it fun, folks. 

Finally – the shoes.  This is a no-sock look.  Embrace it.  Buy cedar shoe trees to preserve your shoes and your friendships. Pick shoes that you can wear with anything – jeans, khakis, and shorts.  Wear them in:

(L-R):

Sid Mashburn Snuff Suede Penny Loafers: Remember – they aren’t ‘rules’, they are guidelines.  If you want to wear suede – wear suede.
Russell Moccasin Camp Mocs: Straight from Wisconsin.  A step up from boat shoes.

Top to bottom – there you have it.  Get out and enjoy this great time of year.