Okay folks, let's talk jackets!
As the temperatures swing here in the Pacific North West and we like to small talk about weather, it’s come to my attention that I’ve got lots of opinions on outerwear. Surprising to me, a number of men have been very interested to get my suggestions, which is in stark contrast to my wife’s sighs of exasperation when I talk about napoleon pockets!
While I neither seek to be nor consider myself to be stylish, I do really enjoy nerding out on clothing design, especially outerwear. It’s a lot of fun learning about innovations in apparel and discovering the range of interpretations in this category by brands around the world.
This post spotlights a handful of my personal picks from the journey of researching, trying, and analyzing 100s of different jackets hailing from the major fashion brands to obscure niche clothiers. Over the years, I have also stopped using umbrellas because I’ve found that modern jackets offer sufficient rain protection and it is nice to be handsfree. To that end, I have definitely developed biases to technical materials which I find most suitable for the PNW city dweller lifestyle. So, grab a cuppa and let's dive in!
The ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ (GADA) Hooded Jacket:
First up is the ever important grab-and-go jacket. To me, this piece must combine functionality, versatility, and simplicity. This is your practical jacket that is easy to pair with whatever you’re wearing and fit almost all settings you’ll potentially venture into. I have two picks in this category are on opposite ends of price point and both can be styled to fit snug or sized up to fit over more layers.
For my budget pick, I recommend Uniqlo’s BLOCKTECH 3D Cut Parka. The jacket checks all the boxes, is offered in a dozen colours, has a coat-length option, and is available at Uniqlo shops around the world. MSRP is ~$100 CAD and I’ve regularly seen it discounted up to 50% off. I have not seen a better value pick on the market.
For my premium pick, I recommend the Arris Jacket by Veilance. For me, the Arris represents a jacket nerd’s wet dream and every time you look closely there is something to be delighted by (materials, paneling, design of notches/cuts, cinching…). One note is that the garment runs small and fits a slim frame, so it’s important to try sizing in store. MSRP is $750 and there is limited inventory on the market. No jacket has given me butterflies quite like this one.
The Mid-Layer / Transitional Weather Jacket:
In shoulder season, the versatile mid-layer reigns supreme. Throw this standalone jacket on over a t-shirt / dress shirt and know you’ll be set for the day. Add a sturdier waterproof outer shell, and you can tackle any forest, lake, and mountain. In this category, a jacket that is lightweight, breathable, and able to shift up/down temperature are the key factors for me.
As my pick in this category, I recommend the MerinoLoft Helix Jacket by Icebreaker. Ounce for ounce, I’ve found it to be the highest performing among all the options out there (even the famous Arc’teryx Atom). MSRP is ~$400, with a variety of options for hooded, unhooded, and a vest.
The Long Coat:
Sometimes you have to suit up for formal occasions or it is pouring rain sideways, and in these instances more coverage from the elements is highly desirable. Say hello to the trusty long coat! I’ve had so many coats over the years with a huge diversity of materials, cuts, and colours, which have all experienced the gamet of city life to international travel.
My pick for this category is the Partition AR Coat by Veilance. With its sleek and structured silhouette, technical capabilities, and a detachable hood, I’ve found it to be the perfect long coat that delights with each wear. Seriously, this jacket is absolutely bombproof when it comes to weather- I wore for hours through a rainstorm and my body was bone-dry underneath.
Two notes here: 1) the intention for this coat for layering and knowing Veilance pieces tend to run slim, try for sizing as you might need to go up by even a couple sizes, and 2) there is a similarly named jacket by Veilance called Partition LT Coat which is a completely different garment that is not waterproof.
MSRP is ~$900 and I’ve noticed a solid second-hand market because folks bought on sale or found the styling more formal than they prefer.
Conclusion:
So there you have it, folks – some of my picks for men's jackets that'll keep you looking sharp and feeling cozy across the seasons here in PNW. It’s a lot of fun for me to discover jackets and there really is something for everyone to love. So go ahead, step up your outerwear game and embrace the chaotic weather in style. After all, life's too short to settle for boring jackets, wouldn’t you say?