Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Choosing a jacket
• Part 2 of 3: Match jackets with your wardrobe
• Part 3 of 3: Wearing your jacket
• Tips
• Warnings

Versatile, casual and cool: a jacket should be a basic element of a well-thought-out wardrobe. Whether you want to wear a smart jacket for a formal occasion or a checked jacket with a rock band T-shirt, jackets suit every occasion. It doesn't have to be difficult to choose one that fits well and learn how to wear it properly. It's cool to dress smartly.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Choosing a jacket

1. Learn the difference between a jacket and other jackets. Although they are often confused, a jacket is not a blazer or suit jacket. Blazers don't have to match the fabric of the pants, as it should with a suit jacket. The main difference between a jacket and a blazer is that a jacket has a pattern and a blazer is a solid fabric with a contrasting color button.
   • Stylistically, jackets often have a slightly looser fit than other types of smart jackets, making them suitable for "sports" and outdoor activities. They are sometimes slightly less formal than a suit or blazer.
   • The variety of fabrics is also slightly greater with jackets. Wool, linen, cotton, and other types of materials are all common in jackets. The only thing a jacket should have is a pattern.
2. Make sure the jacket fits properly. Since a jacket is not as formal as a blazer or a suit jacket, it can give a bit and should look (and feel) a bit looser. The length is usually standard for jackets. To find the best cut for you, search for the right size below:
   • A short size is mainly used for people under 170 cm, with sleeves up to 81 cm.
   • A normal size is for people between 172 cm and 180 cm, with sleeves from 81 to 84 cm.
   • A tall size is for people between 182 and 188 cm, with sleeves from 86 to 91 cm.
   • An extra long size is for people taller than 188 cm, with sleeves longer than 91 cm.
3. Choose a suitable version for the season. Jackets come in summer and winter versions and are just in any season where you need to combine a little formality with a little fun. You will stay comfortable if you buy jackets that can be used in different seasons.
   • Wear a cotton jacket in the summer. When it's hot outside, you don't want to wear a woolen jacket. Cotton breathes well and helps you stay cool, even though you are wearing a relatively thick garment.
   • Wool coats should be worn in winter. These retain heat and can often be worn without having a jacket over them.
4. Check the splits. The split is the open seam in either the back of the jacket or the side, so that the jacket can hang loose and the trouser pockets become accessible to the wearer of the jacket. While jackets without splits are form-fitting and fashionable, they are a little less comfortable than jackets, which are a little less formal.
   • Side slit jackets are popular in Europe and look cool and sleek. Back splits are more traditional and comfortable.
5. Look for versatile patterns. The jacket can be very different in style, which is why it is so versatile. You will come across various pockets, buttons and even leather elbow patches. However, the pattern will be the largest and most striking element of the jacket, making it important to choose one that can be worn in many different ways.
   • Choose subtlety out of certainty. A purple and orange check may look nice on the mannequin, but how often can you wear it? Think about which colors go well with what you already have in your wardrobe.
   • What do you plan to do when wearing the jacket? If you move a lot, look for a jacket with a lot of movement or even stretches or pleats so you can hit your golf club better or cast your fishing rod.

Part 2 of 3: Match jackets with your wardrobe

1. Match the jacket with your pants. Although not everyone wants to wear a jacket with jeans, it is certainly allowed. The trick is to wear jeans that are in excellent condition with a neat belt. Also make sure the jacket and pants fit well.
   • Alternatively, you wear trousers. Most casual and smart trousers go well with a jacket.
   • If a jacket has a pattern, choose neutral colored pants in beige, gray, sand, cream, etc. The pants should not compete with the jacket.
   • You can combine a lighter colored jacket with dark trousers. You can combine a dark jacket with light pants.
2. Wear the jacket with a shirt and tie. Classic is always in fashion. Combine patterned jackets with plain shirts for a casual yet stylish look. If you want to look sophisticated and well-dressed, people will look at you wearing a patterned jacket, plain shirt, and smart tie. Combine busy jackets with plain shirts and ties and vice versa. It's going to be hard to get away with three cartridges.
   • In cold weather, try a jacket over a sweater and a shirt with a collar. This can be a great way to keep warm without needing an overcoat. It looks stylishly literary as if you were a student studying avant-garde poetry in Oxford.
   • Get creative in the choice of your tie. A pattern is probably not an option, but think wool ties, cowboy bows, and other types of ties that complement your jacket pattern well. You can also let go of a few buttons and wear only the shirt and jacket. This can look very powerful.
   • Your collared shirt should always be tucked in and the collar inside the jacket if you wear it with a jacket. It's not 1974! Do not let the collar stick out.
3. Wear a jacket with a T-shirt or polo. If you want to look like you're presenting the MTV Movie Awards, or like you're headed to your own tech startup, this is a great look, not that formal but still fantastic. Just make sure that the shirt is of very good quality and in good condition. It should not be see-through or wrinkled.
   • Wearing a printed T-shirt with a jacket indicates a slightly rebellious attitude, artistic and businesslike at the same time. Think of artists at gallery openings hoping to sell a lot of work. A nice jacket, designer jeans and a Rolling Stones T-shirt? Always cool.
4. Choose the right shoes. If you integrate a jacket into your look, the shoes can make or break it. It depends on the outfit, but you're generally aiming for something that complements it.
   • If you're wearing jeans, it can be tempting to wear casual shoes too, but very casual sneakers or Converses can make you look like a teenager wearing his dad's clothes. For a more elegant casual look, wear loafers, oxfords or casual brogues with jeans.
   • If you are wearing smarter pants, it may work to choose more casual shoes. As the ultimate detail, you can wear some kind of hiking boots or even stylish cowboy boots as a great addition.
5. Build up with additional styles. The conservative thought may be that jackets with a bright pattern should be paired with solid colors and softened as much as possible. That is certainly a good way to match your jacket with other clothes. But feel free to experiment. Maybe your purple plaid jacket would look great with a gray sweater, with the collar of your pink dress underneath. Look for colors and styles that complement. Break the rules and see what works.
   • Consider a pocket square. Pocket squares are increasingly returning and lending a splash of color that makes your jacket stand out. Match the color of your pocket square to the color of your shirt.

Part 3 of 3: Wearing your jacket

1. Undo the buttons on the jacket when you are seated. Jackets come in types with two or three buttons. The more knots, the longer the line that is created when you knot them all. In general, it is recommended to button your jacket when standing and unbutton when sitting. It is also common for some people to unbutton the jacket when they walk.
   • How you choose to wear your jacket is completely up to you. You never have to button it open or closed, but it usually looks better and makes you slimmer if you button it up while standing. Only button the top button if there are several buttons on the jacket.
2. Wear an overcoat if necessary. In very cold weather, an overcoat may be necessary, even if you are wearing a jacket. Do not forget to keep an eye on the weather so that you do not suddenly have too little. Wool overcoats, peacoats and trench coats are all suitable for combining with a jacket. Normally you want them in muted, solid colors: black, gray, dark green or beige.
3. Wear a jacket to semi-formal occasions. Jackets are versatile and can be worn every day, but also good enough for formal occasions. Depending on where you work, it may be acceptable to wear a jacket to work and then to the sports bar. If you've ever been in a place where a jacket is required, a jacket should be your thing.
   • The jacket can be used in a restaurant, a bar, a cafe and when you go out to eat with friends. Good colors for social events include beige, brown, cream, khaki, tan, and white. The lighter colors are always less formal.
   • For formal occasions, a jacket, especially one with a bright pattern, may not be suitable. Then choose a suit jacket or a blazer.
4. Take good care of jackets. Never wear a dirty or wrinkled jacket, otherwise you might as well wear a polo with a stand-up collar. Jackets need to be kept in good condition and steamed regularly to keep them looking good. In general, it should not be necessary to take a jacket to the dry cleaner more than once every six months.
   • Budget tip: In the book Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder, the protagonist has only one suit that he has to keep pressed between his mattress and bed base every night to keep it unwrinkled and clean. While you don't have to go that far, regular ironing should keep your jacket in good shape.

Tips

• Keep the load balanced. Do not put so much in your pockets on one side that the jacket no longer hangs straight. Move your wallet, iPod, keys, etc. until the jacket is straight.
• Accessories that you can wear with the jacket are a pocket watch, an expensive pen (with the pen name facing out), or a luxury handkerchief. If you smoke cigars, it is also ideal for displaying your cigar.
• The jacket has two or three buttons. Only fasten the top button on a jacket with two buttons; for a jacket with three buttons, fasten two and let go of the top button.

Warnings

• If you have to stuff yourself in and find that you can barely button it up, it's too small for you and more importantly, it looks too small to you when others see it.