A Jacket fit for Anywhere... Anytime. 🎯

Happy Thanksgiving Week Gents,

And ladies as well. It’s always exciting to read your feedback on each newsletter, so I’ll start by sharing some of your comments from last week’s post. My goal in writing these style columns, is not to suggest that you need everything that’s presented, but instead to help with product discovery & styles, that resonate deeply with your personal taste and individual lifestyle. In a world filled with noise, endless marketing and fleeting trends, it can be quite difficult and overwhelming to sift through all the bullshit. Good style means that a Gentleman has an arsenal of timeless quality pieces, that’ll not only stand the test of time, but also gets him excited to jump out of bed and tackle each day!

Let’s dive right into today’s topic, and precisely the beauty and simplicity of The Quilted Overshirt. Perhaps you already own one of these or something similar. If you’re unfamiliar however, you’re about to discover why this has been considered a menswear staple for ages, by numerous style experts. The simple truth is that it all lies in its classic pattern. Otherwise known, as a ‘shacket’ (shirt jacket), an Overshirt is essentially, a padded, heavy-weight, button down shirt, allowing you to layer it with anything from a simple tee, to a turtleneck sweater, hoodie or Oxford shirt. Similar to an Overcoat, this outerwear piece is extremely comfortable and easy to wear, but versatile enough to take you anywhere, from the office, to any weekend gathering…but of course without the lengthy drape of its aforementioned counterpart.

Now it’s important to note here, that the downside of the Overshirt, is that it tends to come off rather boring, at least without proper styling. And hey boring is good, but the quickest way to alleviate this, is to choose one in an interesting pattern, like a plaid flannel lumberjack style or unique Aztec pattern.

However, and in efforts to bring you Gents the most value, I’ve opted for a solid grey Overshirt to illustrate how a few strategic pairings, can bring the best out of such a simple garment. Not to mention, a solid color is even more versatile, and with a pair of loafers, it’s a better fit for the workplace or an upscale dinner.

When it comes to ‘casual’ Overshirt styling, you simply can’t go wrong with a solid pair of leather or suede boots. Doing so gives a sense of classic, grown man vibes, and provides a solid foundation for the entire outfit. One that’s rather impossible to screw up.

During my styling session, for this shoot with Troy (5’10, 175 lbs, 38 chest), I made the decision to go with a hooded sweatshirt, simply because a nice fluffy hood adds a ton of character, when layered over the collar of the jacket. In addition, it’s typically a good idea to implement some element of contrast when working with solid colored Overshirts, and so the combination of the black trousers and sweatshirt was an easy choice. Denim would have worked fine, but I’m never quite able to resist the military appeal that these tailored cargos offer.

As always, headgear is totally optional, but since we are off of work and on our own time, it’s a perfect opportunity to rock a nice lid. With our strategic combination of the Overshirt and a pair of boots, every style of headgear is fair game. The soft brim Miller Ranch Fedora was a fitting choice, thanks to its understated design and chocolate tone. And finally, a functional travel sized duffle, to add a little more swagger, while carrying some personal belongings in style. If you happen to be hitting the gym before the day starts, or heading out on holiday travels and you’re in need of a lightweight carry on, a camouflage or contrasting leather strap bag, can do wonders for your style.

And well, there you have it! A style playbook to bring the best out of any solid or patterned Overshirt. As a quick summary, when in doubt, pair your Overshirt with a classy set of boots, and implement a bit of color OR neutral contrasting with your trouser, under layer and/or headgear. You may click here to watch a video recap of this outfit.

I hope you Gents have plenty of outfit ideas for this upcoming Thanksgiving weekend and holiday season. Remember, you don’t always have to acquire a bunch of new pieces to look your best. Invest in signature pieces as needed, and in accordance with your lifestyle. Then simply pair them with stylish pieces you already own. With a little strategy…and a little digging, you’d be surprised the brilliant outfits you could whip up, from your own closet. 😎 Until next time Gents. Cheers & Happy Holidays! ✌🏾

Sincerely,
F. Lawson

Creative Director

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