What can I wear with this tweed sport coat? (I need adult garanimals.)
April 23, 2013 6:55 AM Subscribe
I bought this sport coat about a year ago, but can't figure out what to wear with it. Usually, sales people help me out by showing me some possible combinations, but I made the mistake of buying this item over the internet. It looks a little brown to me in those pictures, but is actually a black and white herringbone pattern. I think it is tweed. If you could suggest what types and colors of pants and shirts might work well this jacket, that would be very helpful. I'm not good at this sort of thing. I've tried it with black pants and that didn't look so great and it doesn't have any brown to match with brown pants (but maybe that's not how it works?) Thanks.
I'd second jeans. Any boot cut jeans are extra nice.
As for shirts, anything black. It could be a plain v-neck black tee, or a black turtleneck, or black button-up shirt.
If black doesn't do it for you, I'd go with a nice orange or blue. There are many different shades of orange and blue, so pick one that you like, but say away from pastels.
posted by It is better for you not to know. at 7:18 AM on April 23, 2013
As for shirts, anything black. It could be a plain v-neck black tee, or a black turtleneck, or black button-up shirt.
If black doesn't do it for you, I'd go with a nice orange or blue. There are many different shades of orange and blue, so pick one that you like, but say away from pastels.
posted by It is better for you not to know. at 7:18 AM on April 23, 2013
I really don't understand how it wouldn't look good with black pants. Can you post a picture with the jacket and black pants together?
posted by Dolley at 7:19 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Dolley at 7:19 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Maybe it did look good with black pants. I get very self-concious when I'm not sure about fashion and just sort of freeze up and start to think everything looks bad. I'm not at home, so I can't post a picture of it with black pants.
posted by Area Man at 7:21 AM on April 23, 2013
posted by Area Man at 7:21 AM on April 23, 2013
This guy makes it work really well
JGL has a good thing going on here
This works too
Mix and match with whatever is in your wardrobe and see what looks good. It's a pretty versatile piece so you can get creative.
posted by greta simone at 7:25 AM on April 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
JGL has a good thing going on here
This works too
Mix and match with whatever is in your wardrobe and see what looks good. It's a pretty versatile piece so you can get creative.
posted by greta simone at 7:25 AM on April 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
Yeah, I was gonna say, black trousers and that jacket were made for each other. That said, I think the fabric and cut of the trousers will be factors in how pulled together the look is, so not your basic old black poly pair that are starting to wear in the knee, IYKWIM.
posted by catch as catch can at 7:28 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by catch as catch can at 7:28 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Previous question about the almost that exact same type of blazer.
posted by deanc at 7:29 AM on April 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by deanc at 7:29 AM on April 23, 2013 [3 favorites]
A lot of it depends on your style and whether you want to wear it businessy or casual. A quick way to get ideas is to do a Google images search for "herringbone sport coat" and see what catches your eye. Here is a charcoal jacket with khakis at J. Crew and here with a down vest and jeans. And with a bright sweater underneath.
posted by payoto at 7:30 AM on April 23, 2013
posted by payoto at 7:30 AM on April 23, 2013
Grey trousers if they don't match too closely to the jacket would be my first choice, and it would work decently with jeans. If you've got a pair of navy trousers that would also look good. I wouldn't wear it with black pants, but then I've more or less given up on wearing black pants entirely because they're really hard to pull off without looking like a waiter. I would wear it with khakis as well. I wouldn't wear it with anything with too much texture, like corduroys.
For shirts, I'd go with solid colors because of the herring bone pattern, but other than that, pretty much any standard dress shirt color would work. I like grey with light pink, personally, but it's really versatile.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:33 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
For shirts, I'd go with solid colors because of the herring bone pattern, but other than that, pretty much any standard dress shirt color would work. I like grey with light pink, personally, but it's really versatile.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:33 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Black and white are both neutrals. Black and white combine to make grey (when people are not looking at you close up they will see a grey coat) which is also a neutral. You know what's cool about neutrals? You can mix them with any color in the rainbow. Including other neutrals.
I would avoid two things:
-Similarly small patterns that blend into a solid from afar, because that's asking for trouble
-Clothes of similar brightness - that coat seems to be a relatively middle-toned grey, so go darker or lighter with the clothes right up against it. (Middle-tone coat, dark vest or sweater, middle-tone shirt would work well, though.)
Both those things are liable to make you look kind of flat or clashy.
Otherwise it depends on how you want to present yourself, but it really seems like a versatile coat that will play well with others.
posted by Mizu at 7:35 AM on April 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
I would avoid two things:
-Similarly small patterns that blend into a solid from afar, because that's asking for trouble
-Clothes of similar brightness - that coat seems to be a relatively middle-toned grey, so go darker or lighter with the clothes right up against it. (Middle-tone coat, dark vest or sweater, middle-tone shirt would work well, though.)
Both those things are liable to make you look kind of flat or clashy.
Otherwise it depends on how you want to present yourself, but it really seems like a versatile coat that will play well with others.
posted by Mizu at 7:35 AM on April 23, 2013 [2 favorites]
Instead of black twill pants, perhaps black denim or cords. Black wool, might look better than twill.
Regular jeans would be nice.
A sweater vest, button shirt and tie would look spiffy.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:36 AM on April 23, 2013
Regular jeans would be nice.
A sweater vest, button shirt and tie would look spiffy.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:36 AM on April 23, 2013
I say this all the time, but Nordstrom is a great place to go for this type of question.
And actually, I said it in that previous thread, along with some other stuff that I think is relevant to you.
First, the fit of the jacket. Does this jacket that you bought online fit you immaculately? The answer to that question is important. Because if it does not, then nothing you pair it with is going to look good.
So first, take yourself to a tailor to figure out the fit. Then, hie thee to Nordstrom to have someone dress you in a few outfits of varying ridiculousness. Buy one shirt, or otherwise set a budget for yourself. Keep in mind other clothing items that you will wear your purchases with. Don't buy anything that you will only wear with the jacket, unless you happen to be made of money.
posted by bilabial at 7:37 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
And actually, I said it in that previous thread, along with some other stuff that I think is relevant to you.
First, the fit of the jacket. Does this jacket that you bought online fit you immaculately? The answer to that question is important. Because if it does not, then nothing you pair it with is going to look good.
So first, take yourself to a tailor to figure out the fit. Then, hie thee to Nordstrom to have someone dress you in a few outfits of varying ridiculousness. Buy one shirt, or otherwise set a budget for yourself. Keep in mind other clothing items that you will wear your purchases with. Don't buy anything that you will only wear with the jacket, unless you happen to be made of money.
posted by bilabial at 7:37 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Check out those guys: tweed blazer+white shirt+redish tie+grey cardigan+blue pants+brown shoes&gloves+hat&glasses=meow!, Kenneth Cole's with a plaid shirt+jeans, plaid shirt+grey pants
posted by travelwithcats at 7:41 AM on April 23, 2013
posted by travelwithcats at 7:41 AM on April 23, 2013
This is a good non-stupid men's fashion blog (but I'm a woman, so I might be wrong...)
This is David Beckham wearing something similar.
It's really versatile, you can wear it with shirt and tie or with jeans, tee and scarf... Good buy!
As a rule, if I'm wondering how to wear something I try and picture someone whose style I admire wearing it. I try and picture how I think they'd style it. If I can't imagine them in it, I consider staying away from it.
posted by billiebee at 7:43 AM on April 23, 2013
This is David Beckham wearing something similar.
It's really versatile, you can wear it with shirt and tie or with jeans, tee and scarf... Good buy!
As a rule, if I'm wondering how to wear something I try and picture someone whose style I admire wearing it. I try and picture how I think they'd style it. If I can't imagine them in it, I consider staying away from it.
posted by billiebee at 7:43 AM on April 23, 2013
A primer...
Yours is a more casual sport jacket, so if you're trying to dress it up with a crisp white dress shirt and black or brown pants, it's not going to work so well. Sport jackets like that aren't suit jackets, and despite having the two colours in it, it's not the bridge between a plain shirt and plain bottoms that you'd think it would be. But it's really nice. I love men's sport jackets like that.
I'd say a merino wool or cashmere v-neck sweater over a tee or shirt, with our without tie, would look good with it. mrgood wears merino wool polo-collared sweaters with such jackets too. Your bottoms should also be dark neutral - gray flannel; or a dark neutral twill. Dark jeans work too. Your sweater can be pretty much anything, but colour would be nice.
It may not go with either black or brown dress pants without another colour between it and them if you want it to look modern - like, put a lightweight merino or cashemere charcoal gray sweater; or a heather gray or brown layer over your shirt (if you like neutrals) - or a nice burnt orange or some other colour if you like colour. Your tie, if wearing one, should be chunkier, or a slubbier silk rather than a sleek dressy tie.
A light coloured shirt in a thicker, textured material is better than a white dressy shirt. A black casual shirt would work too, with jeans or twills. A chambray shirt under it would be nice too. I like how this combination looks. This combination is a bit much. This isn't the right herringbone jacket - but it's a good colour combination. This herringbone jacket is sharp like this because it's a darker, finer herringbone pattern and it fits phenomenally well and he's a model. Make sure yours fits well!
posted by peagood at 7:43 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yours is a more casual sport jacket, so if you're trying to dress it up with a crisp white dress shirt and black or brown pants, it's not going to work so well. Sport jackets like that aren't suit jackets, and despite having the two colours in it, it's not the bridge between a plain shirt and plain bottoms that you'd think it would be. But it's really nice. I love men's sport jackets like that.
I'd say a merino wool or cashmere v-neck sweater over a tee or shirt, with our without tie, would look good with it. mrgood wears merino wool polo-collared sweaters with such jackets too. Your bottoms should also be dark neutral - gray flannel; or a dark neutral twill. Dark jeans work too. Your sweater can be pretty much anything, but colour would be nice.
It may not go with either black or brown dress pants without another colour between it and them if you want it to look modern - like, put a lightweight merino or cashemere charcoal gray sweater; or a heather gray or brown layer over your shirt (if you like neutrals) - or a nice burnt orange or some other colour if you like colour. Your tie, if wearing one, should be chunkier, or a slubbier silk rather than a sleek dressy tie.
A light coloured shirt in a thicker, textured material is better than a white dressy shirt. A black casual shirt would work too, with jeans or twills. A chambray shirt under it would be nice too. I like how this combination looks. This combination is a bit much. This isn't the right herringbone jacket - but it's a good colour combination. This herringbone jacket is sharp like this because it's a darker, finer herringbone pattern and it fits phenomenally well and he's a model. Make sure yours fits well!
posted by peagood at 7:43 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'd second both the suggestion to treat this as grey, which is pretty much how it looks unless you look really carefully, and to go to Nordstrom. I've gotten better and more consistent customer service at Nordstrom for these sort of questions that I have even at places that are technically fancier.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:43 AM on April 23, 2013
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:43 AM on April 23, 2013
I always need help and encouragement before I'll try styles that I'm not used to, and I empathize completely with your uncertainty. You can take the jacket with you to some stores, and ask for suggestions to go with black pants and jeans. What you wear under the jacket is the key to making it all look good. Go ahead an try on different t-shirts, shirts, and sweaters. Look in a three-way mirror if they have one, and notice weather a particular color helps bring more attention to your face. That might sound odd to you, but colors and shades of color can wash you out or flatter you. You can even take pictures if you think it'll help.
Also, shoes make a huge difference, so wear the shoes you plan to wear with your ensemble. You can also ask how to make the jacket work with other specific shoes you like. You might end up with a shirt to wear with a canvas sneakers and another to wear with loafers. And t-shirts in a few colors can give you more variety.
posted by wryly at 9:47 AM on April 23, 2013
Also, shoes make a huge difference, so wear the shoes you plan to wear with your ensemble. You can also ask how to make the jacket work with other specific shoes you like. You might end up with a shirt to wear with a canvas sneakers and another to wear with loafers. And t-shirts in a few colors can give you more variety.
posted by wryly at 9:47 AM on April 23, 2013
It's springtime, try cream/light khaki pants.
posted by rhizome at 11:15 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by rhizome at 11:15 AM on April 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Give yourself an easy range of light grey to charcoal for the pants, and wear a white oxford shirt with a classy muted tie. For how the tie should look, check out what J Crew offers in seersucker for inspiration.
As usual, wear brown leather shoes or brown leather boots.
Make yourself look interesting with a primarily red silk pocket square.
posted by oceanjesse at 4:40 PM on April 23, 2013
As usual, wear brown leather shoes or brown leather boots.
Make yourself look interesting with a primarily red silk pocket square.
posted by oceanjesse at 4:40 PM on April 23, 2013
As far as pants go, you could try what I’m wearing under this keyboard.
posted by oceanjesse at 4:41 PM on April 23, 2013
posted by oceanjesse at 4:41 PM on April 23, 2013
bilabial: First, the fit of the jacket. Does this jacket that you bought online fit you immaculately? The answer to that question is important. Because if it does not, then nothing you pair it with is going to look good.Nonsense. Utter nonsense. All of my jackets are off-the-rack; I've received unsolicited compliments from strangers on all of them while out&about.
The OP does not need to worry about this ludicrously high bar of fashion acceptability that you've created. Ir it generally fits in the shoulders, has sleeves and hems at an acceptable length, and doesn't strain when buttoned (which doesn't really matter too much if you never button it!), it's fine.
posted by IAmBroom at 8:08 PM on April 28, 2013
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