We can't repeat it enough: summer is a season full of stylistic challenges , since the heat prohibits us from a whole section of our wardrobe.
That's true ! Are we condemned to walking around in a t-shirt , without any additional layer to enhance our look? Hopefully not !
Did you think all jackets were too heavy and thick? Not sure... BonneGueule blazer
This is why today I propose to answer a delicate question: which jacket to choose during the summer?
Obviously, it becomes necessary to give up on certain parts and certain materials to avoid sweating from the forehead
Let's take a look at the options available to you.
The summer jacket, a paradox?
This is perhaps the first remark that will come to your mind: “what an idea to want to wear a jacket when it’s hot!”
Let's be clear: no clothing, even the lightest, has the magical power to cool you down.
If you sweat profusely in just a t-shirt, adding a jacket won't keep you cooler.
Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images
On the other hand, having a jacket in summer can be useful in several situations :
- When the heat remains moderate, around 20°
- If the temperature changes during the day. And yes, you can go out during the day when it's hot and still be out at night, when the temperature drops again
- If you need additional storage for your personal belongings, use the jacket pockets
- If wearing a jacket is expected, I am thinking of the particular case of marriage for example
Not always essential, wearing a jacket is often appropriate for a wedding. Credit:Brunello Cuccinelli
The feeling of heat differs depending on the person and the environment (in the shade, in the sun, wind, etc.) but to give you an idea, I would say that a good summer jacket is worn between 20 and 30°.
Of course, if the weather is scorching, if it's 33, 35° or more, having a jacket, whatever it is, is likely to keep you warm.
Choosing the right summer jacket
The right material
The crux of the matter is the material.
You need a jacket with light, breathable material.
Here are the options available to you.
1. Flax
Of course, 100% linen is a completely suitable material.
On a jacket, it has the advantage of covering you minimally while being very breathable and drying quickly.
Its slightly irregular texture is interesting and brings a little character to your outfit.
2. Cotton
Cotton is not the most breathable material available but is suitable if chosen lightweight.
The idea here is to aim for a material weight that is close to that of a shirt.
A cotton that appears light on this Universal Works jacket
3. Cotton/linen blend
We regularly see summer clothes in a cotton/linen blend (or linen/cotton, depending), including jackets.
This type of mixture helps reduce the wrinkling of the garment while leaving it fresh.
Mr.P zipped jacket 57% linen, 43% cotton
4. Cold wool, tropical wool, fresco wool
“Wear a wool jacket in summer, and then what?”
Contrary to what one might think, wool can be a suitable material when it is hot.
Indeed, wool is thermoregulatory and retains little odors, so if it is also chosen sufficiently light and airy, it is an option to consider.
To make a comparison, a cold wool jacket will be lighter and more breathable than a denim jacket.
This is what an airy wool fabric looks like up close. Not bad is not it ? Source: Milanese Special Edition
This is the kind of material you typically find on blazers, but not only.
Suitsupply Tropical Wool Jacket
5. Hemp
We are not talking about a recreational substance here but rather a textile fiber.
We have dedicated a complete article to hemp to find out everything about its origin and its properties: → click here ←
COS Bomber 100% hemp ( hemp is the English term for hemp)
6. Ramie
It is a plant with properties similar to linen : light, breathable, with an irregular appearance on the surface.
You will rather find it mixed with other fibers, such as cotton or linen.
Our 50% linen, 50% ramie safari jacket : fresh and textured
7. Tencel / lyocell
These are artificial fibers with very interesting breathable properties.
We are seeing more and more of it from brands in cotton/tencel, wool/tencel, linen/tencel or even 100% tencel blends.
Want to know more ? It's happening in → this article ←
Officine Générale jacket 100% tencel. Lighter and breathable than cotton
8. The case of synthetic
Synthetic materials should be avoided as much as possible.
The majority of synthetics are not very breathable and even in the case of a synthetic that would be breathable (for example in more technical clothing), you still risk being very hot, especially above 25°.
The synthetic harrington is an interesting garment but not suitable when it is hot. Save it for mid-season. Brand: Harrington
The right cut
I advise you to choose your jacket slightly looser than usual . Nothing is more unpleasant than feeling the fabric of clothing sticking to you when it's hot.
Having a little space between the fabric and your skin will be a big help with breathability.
It's not Boras who will say the opposite!
Be careful, I'm not telling you to buy clothing that's too big, but rather to allow yourself a little more ease if you're used to fitted cuts.
If you're daring, this might even be an opportunity to try out a little oversize .
Seeing all the colors?
In addition to the material, there is another parameter that is important to look at: color.
I encourage you to try lighter colors.
Summer is a good time to add a little color to your wardrobe .
So when the sun comes out, treat yourself to brighter tones: beige, cream, khaki, white, sky blue, light gray...
Why not a beautiful light blue chambray?
Of course, wearing gray, navy blue or brown are still laudable solutions if light doesn't tempt you that much.
To learn more about choosing light colors in summer:
Suitable jackets
Since we have just covered all the prerequisites for the perfect summer jacket, we will be able to move on to the most interesting: the pieces you can turn to!
1. The jacket
You will find many zipped bomber, harrington or derivative jackets, in light materials for sunny days.
It's an easy choice because these jackets are:
- Fairly neutral so not intimidating
- Versatile, fitting into all your casual looks
Arket aviator-inspired jacket , 66% linen, 34% cotton
Gray harrington jacket 100% linen at Private White VC
2. The military jacket
The family of military jackets is large: we are talking about safari jackets, safari jackets, field jackets, M65, etc.
More than the shape, which can be multiple and mix several influences, it is the thickness which will have an importance in the summer perspective which interests us.
Of course, ditch the military jackets with an insulating or waterproof role and go for lightweight jackets.
Here are some examples :
Gran Sasso jacket 100% linen, halfway between military and sartorial style
This Hartford jacket is less dressy than the one shown above. Its more marked military aspect
3. The work jacket
Traditionally made in rather thick fabrics which are intended to insulate the wearer, we are finding more and more work jackets made in light fabrics such as linen.
Hast work jacket 100% linen
Nigel Cabourn work jacket , also 100% linen
To find out more about this iconic garment, we invite you to read the two articles dedicated to it:
Work jacket: history of this iconic garment and advice for choosing it wisely (1/2)
4. The noragi
The noragi jacket, inspired by the agrarian work jackets of the Japanese working classes, is often made from lightweight cotton fabrics.
Its loose cut and rather short sleeves will be your allies in hot weather.
A light blue short-sleeved noragi at Universal Works
This is the kind of light and contemporary outfit that you can make with this type of jacket with Japanese heritage. Source: Borasification
5. The blazer
How can you not ooze in your suit once you've passed the fateful 25° mark?
The case of the blazer and the summer suit has been covered in depth in a dedicated article:
We talk to you about the importance of the material, with some variations compared to what has been mentioned here, but also about the impact of the construction and lining of your jacket on its freshness.
In a summer blazer, you should also look for a light internal structure like here with this De Bonne Facture jacket
In any case, if you're looking for light blazers, you'll find them!
Where to find your summer jacket
Finally, here is a selection of brands offering beautiful summer jackets:
Less than 200€
- Uniqlo : you will find some cotton/linen blazers at affordable prices
- COS : the Scandinavian brand is quite relevant for casual mid-season and summer jackets.
- Hast : cold wool work jackets and blazers are good value for money at Hast
- Gutteridge : for blazers or light safari jackets
- Arket : the range of jackets is plentiful and you have to do a little sorting, but every season you find models in light cottons or cotton/linen blends
A linen and lyocell safari jacket from Gutteridge
Between 200 and 400€
- Universal Works : lots of jackets with a more workwear style for sunny days. Rather workwear style
- Hartford : the French brand offers light jackets each season in a slightly military-inspired style
- Mr.P : casual or chic, you will find pretty jackets, rather creative in fabrics or colors
- Suitsupply : blazers, safari jackets and light jackets in beautiful materials
- Craftman Clothing : some beautiful belted safari-style jackets in linen and even linen/silk from the Hong Kong brand
- Collaro : beautiful safari jackets dressed in half-measures
This so-called "liner" shape is rather reserved for winter clothing. It is offered here in a summer version (64% linen 36% cotton) at Universal Works
More than 400€
- Officine Générale : the Parisian brand offers rather light jackets of all types each season. She doesn't really use linen but rather favors light cottons, tencel or cold wools
- Oliver Spencer : the British brand has flair for jackets and each season offers models with little original twists: material, pattern, details, etc.
- Nigel Cabourn : high-end workwear, clothes with character
- Private White VC : some light jackets from this English brand
- Pini Parma : elegant and light dress jackets for summer
- De Bonne Facture regularly offers light jackets in linen or cold wool for example
- Drake's : a large selection of beautiful jackets, both dressed (blazers) and casual (denim jacket, work jacket). In the lot, you will find models in lighter fabrics each season
Very beautiful Drake's blazer with houndstooth pattern. 82% linen, 18% silk
