Heads up, gentlemen! The season of prime layering is nearly upon us, with temperatures cooling down just enough to create the perfect conditions for some brilliant outfits. There isn’t any one way a man ought to dress for fall and winter, but if you ask us, the incorporation of casual tailoring is a sure way to stand out from the crowd.
It’s been a growing trend, really. More and more guys are opting for sport coats and blazers to complement their outfits – even combined with more casual aesthetics!
From preppy navy jackets with gold buttons, to academically-inclined tweeds made from Scottish wool, there are all sorts of sport coats you can go with, each with their own story, tone, and unique vibe.
To help you keep things smart this season, we’ve rounded up some of the coolest offerings casual tailoring has in store, spanning all types of budgets and brands. Read on to discover your new favorite layering piece!
Budget Buy: Comfort 2B Jacket by Uniqlo
To start off this list with something on the more affordable end of the spectrum, it’s no surprise we turned to Uniqlo. While the Japanese mega-retailer isn’t necessarily known best for their suiting options, they are known for their great basics on a budget.
And their Comfort 2B Jacket adheres to that philosophy while still giving off an effortless, relaxed elegance and a priority on comfort. With an unstructured build, soft material, and casual details like two large patch pockets at each hip, this is a solid option to step up your business casual game with little to no struggle. It even has a subtle bit of pattern to lend an extra dose of visual interest.
The best part is, you really can’t beat the price, as it’s under $80!
Casual at a Cool Price: Kenmare Relaxed-Fit Suit Jacket in Italian Cotton Blend by J.Crew
Just giving you fellas notice now – J.Crew is gonna pop up a couple of times on this list. Sorry, but their current casual tailoring options are just too damn good to just pick one. For starters though, we’d like to direct your attention to their Kenmare cotton-blend jacket.
For the uninitiated, the Kenmare is a slightly more recent addition to the J.Crew suiting shop, serving as a more relaxed, natural fitting option in contrast with their ever-popular slim-fit Ludlow.
And this jacket certainly does seem relaxed. It’s made from 97% cotton and 3% cashmere, a unique soft blend of fibers that is sure to feel great on you. It has classic features such as a notch lapel, a two-button closure, and a double vent at the back.
Oh, and if the cotton-based fabric wasn’t enough to “casual-ize” this one for you, get a load of those patch pockets. Not one, not two, but three, with one tastefully placed at the breast. With two colors (copper and navy), these are some pretty damn versatile pieces.
Toss it over jeans and an oxford shirt. Wear it with chinos and a tee. Or, snag the matching pants for a true casual suit.
For $398, this makes for a fine addition to any man’s wardrobe.
Structured Fun: Grant Blazer In Cotton Twill by Alex Mill
Alex Mill is a great brand for elevated basics at a fair price, with their own signature flair added for just about every piece. We particularly love their Grant Blazer in Cotton Twill, a sport coat that definitely leans more casual, but still offers up some nifty shoulder padding for extra effect.
Cut from a double-weave cotton twill and with three classic color options (surplus olive, anthracite, and dark navy), this is a great option to dress up an otherwise dull business casual outfit, or even something you can throw on for a weekend brunch.
We think they’d look as great with denim as they would with khakis. Or the matching pants, for a full suit that doesn’t feel too formal!
Oh, and it’s only $265. A steal, if you ask us.
Worth-It Wool: Crosby Classic-Fit Blazer in English Merino Wool by J.Crew
Not all wool sport coats are created equal. To look just right, they need to effectively look like something meant to be worn on its own, not like the top half of a suit you wore to your first internship.
Thankfully, this blazer by J.Crew gets the job done with more than enough style to spare. Made from 100% merino wool, its classic brown multi-check pattern has a ton of visual interest, and its casual leanings mean that you can get a ton of mileage out of it. Whether you want to pair it with an oxford cloth button down, tie, and tailored trousers, or just some jeans and a denim shirt, you can make it work in a ton of ways.
It’s got a slightly academic vibe, less so than the country tweeds you may see later on this list, but just enough that it feels right at home in settings both laid-back and serious.
For $498, it’s a solid deal on a timeless piece that’ll do wonders for your wardrobe.
Classic in Camel: Classic Fit Camel Hair Twill 1818 Sport Coat by Brooks Brothers
Ever wanted to give off the energy only seen in enigmatic old movie stars, wealthy granddads, and country club board members? On your next Sunday brunch, pull up in this sport coat from Brooks Brothers and say no more.
Made in Italy from 100% camel hair sourced from the famed Loro Piana mill, this is the stuff of movies and magic. It’s got a half-canvas construction and hand-tailored arm openings, not to mention a stunning lapel roll and leather shank buttons for a high-end, casual feel.
It comes in three fits with varying ranges of slim and trimness, but we dig the casual vibe of the classic fit. It keeps things from feeling too stuffy – if that’s even possible in a jacket this cool.
For $998, it’ll cost you, but it’ll also last you.
Terrific Tweed: Harris Tweed Tan Windowpane Sport Coat – Classic Fit by J.Press
J.Press is an old-school American clothier renowned for their high quality craftsmanship, which is on full display with this perfect tweed sport coat.
Tweed is a magnificent fabric for a lot of reasons – its warmth, country feel, and rich texture, to name some. But it also works incredibly well for casual wear due to its more rugged nature. You can dress it up to look sharp, to be certain, but it looks great with jeans and a fair isle knit sweater, too.
This particular jacket is made from 100$ Harris Tweed wool woven in Scotland, a natural, softer shoulder, with high end stitching and three-roll-two button closure. Its shades of brown make this a great piece to style in casual scenarios, but feel free to wear a tie with it should you feel so inclined!
For $895, it’s fairly-priced for something this well-made – and in the USA, as well!
British Cloth Meets Americana: Fox Air Fine Wool Graduate Blazer by Buck Mason
Made from a breathable, lightweight wool from famed British clothmakers Fox Brothers, this jacket from Buck Mason serves all sorts of great style points and can be worn just about all year round.
Its three-roll-two button closure is directly inspired by American ivy style, and features a full-canvas construction with a natural, soft shoulder line. It comes in a tasteful brown houndstooth check and a charcoal heather, both perfect for everyday outfits.
It’s not badly priced at $598, though it does go in and out of stock here and there, so keep it on your radar!
Cool in Corduroy: Classic Fit Patch Pocket Sport Coat in Wide-Wale Cotton Corduroy by Brooks Brothers
Brooks is back on the list, baby. This time, with a stunning corduroy sport coat that’s as timeless as it is vintage-adjacent. Corduroy is a great casual fabric to incorporate into just about any outfit, and this piece makes it incredibly easy. Effortless, even.
With its wider-waled cord cotton fabric, it’s got a bold pattern going on that’s sure to look smart paired with your favorite jeans, chinos, or anything, really. With three patch pockets, it’s got plenty of causal flair, as well as extensive sizing options to ensure a perfect fit.
And at $548, it’s not badly priced either!
Pattern Party: Italian Wool Sport Coat in Black Cream Herringbone by Todd Snyder
Herringbone is a great pattern and texture that provides a bit of sophisticated edge to any piece or ensemble. On tailored garments, the bolder it is, the more casual of a vibe it gives off. That’s not to suggest it doesn’t still look sharp as hell, though.
Just turn to this option from Todd Snyder, made in Italy with tons of great features. Its notch lapel is classic, as are its casual patch pockets, but the fit of the jacket is one that feels very sharp and put-together. Not to mention its awesome herringbone pattern.
At $698, it’s a decent deal for a whole lot of wow factor, and one that looks great with anything from jeans to trousers.
Layered Up
Hopefully, you found something you dig on this list. And hey, even if some of these jackets only intrigue you slightly, we encourage you to check out the many other options available from the brands mentioned, and to explore for yourself!
The thing is, it feels great to throw on a casual blazer. It can instantly make any outfit look ten times better, more intentional, and sophisticated – and with the right one, it doesn’t have to feel stuffy or pretentious. So go ahead, and get layered up!