We can never say it enough: summer is a season full of stylistic challenges , since the heat prohibits us from wearing a whole section of our wardrobe.
That's right! Are we condemned to walking around in a T-shirt , without any additional layers to enrich our look? Fortunately, no!
You thought all jackets were too heavy and thick? Not sure... BonneGueule blazer
This is why I am proposing today to answer a delicate question: which jacket should you choose for the summer?
Inevitably, it becomes necessary to give up certain pieces and certain materials to avoid sweating your brow. all day long...
Let's take a look at your options.
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 magic power to cool you down.
If you're sweating profusely in just a t-shirt, adding a jacket won't keep you any 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.
- If you need additional storage for your personal belongings, using the jacket pockets
- If wearing a jacket is expected, I am thinking of the specific case of marriage for example.
Not always essential, wearing a jacket is often appropriate for a wedding. Credit:Brunello Cuccinelli
The feeling of heat varies depending on the person and the environment (in the shade, in the sun, in the 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, 33, 35° or even more, having a jacket, whatever it is, is likely to keep you warm.
Choosing the right summer jacket
The right material
The sinews of war are matter.
You need a jacket with a light and breathable material.
Here are your options.
1. Linen
Of course, 100% linen is a perfectly suitable material.
On a jacket, it has the advantage of covering you a minimum while being very breathable and drying quickly.
Its slightly irregular texture is interesting and adds a bit of character to your outfit.
2. Cotton
Cotton is not the most breathable material 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 we see as light on this Universal Works jacket
3. Cotton/linen blend
We regularly see summer clothes in a cotton/linen (or linen/cotton, depending on your point of view) blend, including jackets.
This type of blend helps reduce the creases in the garment while keeping it fresh.
Mr.P zipped jacket 57% linen, 43% cotton
4. Cold wool, tropical wool, fresco wool
“Wearing a wool jacket in summer, and what else?”
Contrary to what one might think, wool can be a suitable material when it is hot.
In fact, wool is thermoregulatory and does not retain many odors, so if it is also chosen to be 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, huh? 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 learn everything about its origin and properties: → click here ←
Bomber COS 100% hemp ( hemp is the English term for hemp)
6. Ramie
It is a plant with properties similar to flax : light, breathable, with an irregular surface appearance.
You will 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 them among 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 more breathable than cotton
8. The case of synthetics
Synthetic materials should be avoided as much as possible.
Most synthetics are not very breathable and even in the case of a synthetic that is 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 for hot weather. Keep 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 a garment sticking to you when it's hot.
Having some space between the fabric and your skin will help a lot with breathability.
Boras wouldn't say otherwise!
Be careful, I'm not telling you to buy a garment that's too big, but to allow yourself a little more room if you're used to fitted cuts.
If you're feeling daring, it might even be an opportunity to try something a bit oversized .
Seeing all the colors?
In addition to the material, there is another parameter that is important to consider: color.
I encourage you to try lighter colors.
Summer is a great time to add some color to your wardrobe .
So when the sun comes out, treat yourself to brighter tones: beige, cream, khaki, white, sky blue, light gray...
How about a nice 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:
The adapted jackets
Now that we've covered all the prerequisites for the perfect summer jacket, we can move on to the most interesting part: the pieces you can turn to!
1. The jacket
You will find many zipped jackets such as bomber jackets, harrington jackets or similar, in lightweight materials for sunny days.
This is an easy choice because these jackets are:
- Quite neutral so not very intimidating
- Versatile, fitting into all your casual looks
Arket aviator-inspired jacket , 66% linen, 34% cotton
Grey 100% linen harrington jacket at Private White VC
2. The military jacket
The family of military jackets is large: we are talking about Saharan 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 optic 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 100% linen jacket , 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 from rather thick fabrics intended to insulate the wearer, we are increasingly finding work jackets made from lightweight fabrics such as linen.
Hast 100% linen work jacket
Nigel Cabourn work jacket , also 100% linen
To learn more about this iconic garment, we invite you to read the two articles we dedicated to it:
Work jacket: history of this iconic garment and advice on how to choose the right one (1/2)
4. Noragi
The noragi jacket, inspired by the agricultural work jackets of the Japanese working classes, is often made from lightweight cotton fabrics.
Its loose fit and rather short sleeves will be your allies in hot weather.
A lightweight blue short sleeve noragi from Universal Works
This is the kind of light and contemporary outfit that can be made with this type of jacket with Japanese heritage. Source: Borasification
5. The blazer
How can you not sweat in your suit once you pass the fateful 25° mark?
The case of the blazer and the summer suit has been covered in depth in a dedicated article:
We talk about the importance of material, with some variations from what has been discussed here, but also 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 are looking for lightweight blazers, you will find some!
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 : Work jackets and blazers in cool wool 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 bit of sorting, but each season you can find models in light cottons or cotton/linen blends.
A linen and lyocell safari jacket at Gutteridge
Between 200 and 400€
- Universal Works : lots of jackets in a workwear style for sunny days. Workwear style
- Hartford : the French brand offers lightweight jackets in a slightly military-inspired style every season
- Mr.P : casual or chic, you will find pretty jackets, rather creative in fabrics or colors
- Suitsupply : blazers, safari jackets and lightweight 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-measure
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 each season rather light jackets, of all types. It does not really use linen but rather favors light cottons, tencel or cold wools
- Oliver Spencer : the British brand has a flair for jackets and offers models with original little twists each season: material, pattern, details, etc.
- Nigel Cabourn : high-end workwear, clothes with character
- Private White VC : some lightweight jackets from this English brand
- Pini Parma : elegant and lightweight 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 dressy (blazers) and casual (denim jackets, work jackets). In the lot, you will find models in lighter fabrics each season
Very nice Drake's houndstooth blazer . 82% linen, 18% silk
