At first glance, the jacket may seem reserved for formal occasions. However, there is an increasingly large offer of so-called casual jackets, surfing on the trend of soft tailoring and a masculine wardrobe that tends to be less formal. The casual jacket meets a need for both comfort and elegance. These jackets are distinguished from more formal jackets by their textures, colors, details or even their cuts.
In this article, we'll walk you through the different options for wearing a jacket casually, starting with the different types of casual jackets.
The sports jacket
At the risk of disappointing you, the sports jacket is not really intended for practicing a sporting activity. We speak of a sports jacket when the jacket is mismatched with the pants, as opposed to the suit jacket. The term comes from the use that was made of it at the beginning of the 20th century , for more casual activities such as hunting, holidays by the sea or even just watching certain sports as a spectator.
Often called a blazer (which is actually a navy jacket with gold or silver buttons), the sports jacket is most often distinguished from the suit jacket by its more textured fabric. In winter, the queen material is wool flannel , a sturdy brushed wool fabric that has the merit of keeping you warm and adding a nice texture to the garment. Tweed is also a popular fabric for casual jackets in winter.
In summer, linen is an excellent choice for a casual jacket because it is the most suitable fabric for high temperatures. It is breathable and dries very quickly. And for those who do not like the wrinkled look of linen, clothiers have developed very beautiful blends of wool, linen and silk over the last ten years that give a very nice texture to the jacket while maintaining its breathable side.
Finally, there is the cotton which gives a very casual look to the jacket with an undeniable charm.
The unstructured jacket
At Hast, we have reworked the traditional jacket in a deconstructed version. The construction of the jacket is very flexible, very fluid, which makes it absolutely comfortable, easy to wear with a wide variety of pieces in your wardrobe. This jacket is intended to be more casual while keeping some formal markers. Thus, the collar is resolutely tailored in spirit. It has been reworked to have a nice volume and give allure to the jacket. For the casual side, we have two patch pockets on the sides but also a patch pocket as a chest pocket.
The work jacket
Brought back into fashion a few years ago, the work jacket is a good way to wear a jacket in a casual way. Originally, this piece was a work garment worn by workers. Since then, it has been modernized and has become part of the wardrobe of men looking for a garment that can add a touch of style to their outfit.
In wool, velvet, cotton or linen, the work jacket comes in different materials to accompany you throughout the year.
With the different styles of casual jackets presented, let's move on to how to wear them.
One of the easiest ways to wear a sports jacket is to pair it with a wool shirt and pants. In this look, the ecru shirt is a great alternative to the traditional white shirt.
While the double-breasted jacket may seem very formal, it is worn here with a turtleneck that gives a more casual side to the outfit, as well as with ecru velvet pants. Mixing the wool of the jacket with the velvet of the pants allows you to harmoniously play on the textures to give relief to your outfit. Ecru pants are increasingly worn by men who like the luminous aspect they bring and the fact that they go with everything. Initially rather confined to the summer wardrobe, they are now an essential of the winter wardrobe, in velvet, flannel or cotton moleskin.
The unstructured jacket brings a more casual side to this formal look, it is an interesting alternative to the suit jacket.
The work jacket is a piece that goes with everything. So in these two looks, it can be worn with a sweater and cotton moleskin pants as well as with a shirt and tie. One of the great strengths of the work jacket is indeed its versatility.
The final word
As you can see, the casual jacket, whether it's a sports jacket or a work jacket, can be worn with almost anything. It can also be paired with jeans on the bottom and a t-shirt on top. It's therefore a great piece to add to your wardrobe, if you don't already have one.