So as I mentioned in a few other posts, I've been hunting over the past few months for the ideal midweight field jacket--something to bridge the gap between a light spring jacket and full-on wool topcoat. (I don't think peacoats look as good on me, so I've excluded them from this search, as badass as the Boondock Saints look is.) I've checked out a lot of different brands, and I figured I'd post my findings on here to help out anyone in a similar search, as well as to see whether I've overlooked anything.
A couple of notes: While Barbour and Belstaff are awesome, I've been forced to limit my search to the $100-$200 range. Also, I'm using the term "field jacket" pretty loosely, and it includes the original M-65 army field jacket, as well as more hunting- and moto-inspired looks. But I do have some limits to my definition. Basically, the following traits are what I'm looking for, with the realization that some of them will have to be negotiable. Still, if I could design my own "ideal field jacket," it would have:
- Rugged, durable build
- Cotton construction, preferably waxed
- Front flap pockets, preferably four but at least two
- Mockneck collar, but not a super-high one
- Either stowable/detachable hood or none at all
- Fairly warm lining; I don't want to sacrifice function for style.
- Slim fit for a 5' 9," 155 lb. build
(I have looked at a few quilted style hunting/moto jackets, but this would be the only exception.) So that's the gist of what I'm looking for. Finding a jacket that fits, still looks good, and meets these requirements has been extreeeeemly difficult, but here's what I've found out so far:
- Xios: small brand with some cheap, rugged, warm field jackets, but I ended up being between their European sizes. I might give them another try, though, now that I see how tough the search is.
- H&M: I expected more, since I've had a very light field/moto hybrid jacket from them for a few years. But nothing seemed to fit right. They have a rugged cotton mockneck jacket, but the waist seems extremely short.
- Uniqlo: Almost got lost searching their massive 5th Ave. flagship, but their jackets were almost all parkas, puffers, or wool coats, and the fit seemed boxy.
- Zara: had some interesting quilted hunting (or maybe moto) jackets, but the quality and construction seemed questionable at best. Too much fashion; not enough function.
- A&F: checked out their rugged mountain jacket, but I was in between sizes, and their mockneck collar is giant, dwarfing my small head and neck.
- AE field jacket: rugged and warm, but I fell in between small and medium. Shame, because it was a good price.
- Dockers utility jacket: fit and price are good, and it's warm and durable. Around $80 at Kohls. But the nylon/poly blend gives it an overall "cheap" look. I bought it, but not sure I'll keep it.
- Express waxy cotton military jacket: warm and very utilitarian, but the massive double-layer collar is just too much for me.
- Marc New York military jacket: too boxy, and not very warm. Felt flimsy.
- J. Crew: tried their light green field jacket, but something seemed off about it. Maybe this is purely subjective haha. Wish I could afford the Barbour To Ki To, though.
Anyway, I hope this helps anyone on a similar hunt. Also, have I overlooked any workable options? And what are people's thoughts on the Docker's utility jacket? http://www.kohls.com/p/dockers-hoode...cket-men.shtml. Does the synthetic material look really bad?
Also, I just noticed that Kohl's put up this Levi's trucker jacket: http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstor...crosssell=true. Never seen it online or in stores before, and it looks like they only have XXL. Can anyone comment on the fit of the small or medium?
Thanks in advance!
A couple of notes: While Barbour and Belstaff are awesome, I've been forced to limit my search to the $100-$200 range. Also, I'm using the term "field jacket" pretty loosely, and it includes the original M-65 army field jacket, as well as more hunting- and moto-inspired looks. But I do have some limits to my definition. Basically, the following traits are what I'm looking for, with the realization that some of them will have to be negotiable. Still, if I could design my own "ideal field jacket," it would have:
- Rugged, durable build
- Cotton construction, preferably waxed
- Front flap pockets, preferably four but at least two
- Mockneck collar, but not a super-high one
- Either stowable/detachable hood or none at all
- Fairly warm lining; I don't want to sacrifice function for style.
- Slim fit for a 5' 9," 155 lb. build
(I have looked at a few quilted style hunting/moto jackets, but this would be the only exception.) So that's the gist of what I'm looking for. Finding a jacket that fits, still looks good, and meets these requirements has been extreeeeemly difficult, but here's what I've found out so far:
- Xios: small brand with some cheap, rugged, warm field jackets, but I ended up being between their European sizes. I might give them another try, though, now that I see how tough the search is.
- H&M: I expected more, since I've had a very light field/moto hybrid jacket from them for a few years. But nothing seemed to fit right. They have a rugged cotton mockneck jacket, but the waist seems extremely short.
- Uniqlo: Almost got lost searching their massive 5th Ave. flagship, but their jackets were almost all parkas, puffers, or wool coats, and the fit seemed boxy.
- Zara: had some interesting quilted hunting (or maybe moto) jackets, but the quality and construction seemed questionable at best. Too much fashion; not enough function.
- A&F: checked out their rugged mountain jacket, but I was in between sizes, and their mockneck collar is giant, dwarfing my small head and neck.
- AE field jacket: rugged and warm, but I fell in between small and medium. Shame, because it was a good price.
- Dockers utility jacket: fit and price are good, and it's warm and durable. Around $80 at Kohls. But the nylon/poly blend gives it an overall "cheap" look. I bought it, but not sure I'll keep it.
- Express waxy cotton military jacket: warm and very utilitarian, but the massive double-layer collar is just too much for me.
- Marc New York military jacket: too boxy, and not very warm. Felt flimsy.
- J. Crew: tried their light green field jacket, but something seemed off about it. Maybe this is purely subjective haha. Wish I could afford the Barbour To Ki To, though.
Anyway, I hope this helps anyone on a similar hunt. Also, have I overlooked any workable options? And what are people's thoughts on the Docker's utility jacket? http://www.kohls.com/p/dockers-hoode...cket-men.shtml. Does the synthetic material look really bad?
Also, I just noticed that Kohl's put up this Levi's trucker jacket: http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstor...crosssell=true. Never seen it online or in stores before, and it looks like they only have XXL. Can anyone comment on the fit of the small or medium?
Thanks in advance!
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