The sports jacket - tradition and modern age
The sports jacket invaded the world of fashion in the 19. Century. At the very beginning the right to wear sports jackets was exclusively for British nobility. The jacket was combined with a sturdier coat and separate trousers during the day, when riding for example or while hunting. Shortly after, it started its triumphal fashion procession all over the world.
But in all this time it has not forgotten its roots. Almost all fabrics made into sports jackets are still ‘English’-inspired even though they are manufactured in Italy. This combination is ‘very British’ and the Mediterranean influence contributes to the rafinesse of the different fabrics. The skillful disruption of tradition prevents the sports jacket from looking old-fashioned.
Fabrics such as Shetland or Harris Tweed are rugged, resistant and very comfortable especially in the cooler autumn days. Lamb wool, the soft wool from the first shearing of the sheep, is distinctly lighter and slightly more elegant just like wool with an admixture of cashmere. All these fabrics qualify for the typical British patterns such as Oxford, chicken print, Herring’s bone and Glen check. For the perfect finish to a nice sports jacket are cord or flannel pants either smart or sportive.
The diversity of the sports jacket allows many different combinations. It does not always have to be the shirt and tie – instead a button down shirt or a turtle neck also make a good impression.
The booming jeans industry has also nominated the sports jacket to one of its best companions with light pre-washed wool fabric, in cotton-satin or cord. Combined with washed out jeans you have the perfect ‘young’ outfit that is not a question of age but of attitude. In spring/summer the same elegant and fine-threaded fabrics dominate the scene. Wool/silk, twirled “crespinos” or smooth, canvass new wool patterns are the magical words for this season. Black/white are classically interpreted as the Pepita-pattern or more modern: the micro pattern. Stripes loosed up the design, linen and cotton give it its fresh, Mediterranean lightness. Like the sports jacket, the blazer was also invented in the 19. Century. British marine officers wore their forefather. It apparently became the typical ‘club jacket’ with emblem and metal buttons. Only in the middle of the 20. Century it became a generally accepted and elegant piece of wardrobe.
When the suit is too elegant and the sports jacket too sportive the blazer is the best alternative. With anthracite colored wool trousers it has a great similarity to an official suit; with cotton slacks, or a polo or even jeans it complies with the ideal of a smooth and sportive appearance.
Blazer or sports jacket, inspired by classical styles or modern interpretations, we offer a wide selection of manufacturers: Kaiser Design, BRADFORD, BURBERRY, Eduard Dressler, Carl Gross, DANIEL HECHTER, JOOP! |
