Here I Stand

Here I Stand

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sport Coats - a brief introduction:

After my post a few weeks ago on 3 button suits, and how they are dated, but can still be worn if you know how (to recap: make sure it fits you, and NEVER button the bottom button) a friend of mine asked me to enlighten him on the subject of Sport Coats.

Sport coats are the essential transitional garment in any man's wardrobe. Someone who thinks they may never have need of a traditional suit can quite often find themselves in want of a decent sport coat. A sport coat is probably the most versatile piece in one's closet. It can dress up jeans and sneakers, or dress down slacks and a tie. It can take it's wearer from a business meeting, to a bar, to a casual event, and back again, with nothing more than a slight adjustment to the undershirt.

Sport coats traditionally have a few qualities that set them apart from a suit jacket – most noticeably, they typically do not come with a set of matching slacks. Sport coats are not just the traditional blue blazer that has been a mainstay of yacht clubs and alumni events for generations. They have evolved into a sleeker, transitional design that can bring together an outfit. Typically they have “shank” buttons – buttons that attach to the coat through a loop on their back rather than being sewn on through holes in the button, like on suit coats. Sometimes these can have crests or logos on them (for more personalization) and while traditionally done in bronze or gold colors, they are available in more subdued designs for the less garish among us. Another characteristic of a sport coat is a “Patch” pocket – or a pocket that is sewn onto the coat, rather than cut into it like found on suits. These can also be slanted to the outside, something the British call a “Hacking” pocket that is not typically found on a suit jacket. Another quintessential British characteristic to the coat would be leather reinforced elbows. These are less common these days, and I think lean far more to the casual side – really putting the “sport” into a sport coat. These are all just examples, and while any of these would immediately identify a jacket as a sport coat, none are required for it to be classified as such.

The ubiquitous Navy Blazer and a plaid sportcoat best worn with khakis or dark slacks

As far as how to wear a sport coat, that is entirely dependent upon both the wearer, and the occasion. Like a suit jacket, the bottom button, whether with a two or three button jacket, should always be opened, and while I very rarely open all the buttons on my suit, this is far more appropriate while wearing the more casual sport coat.

I personally think that sport coats are best when paired with slacks or khakis and decent shoes. Blue is a good go-to color, but there are many options to go through – just remember to keep your basic style rules in place. No mixing browns and blacks, shoes must match with belt and socks (you'd be surprised how often this is overlooked) etc. Depending on the weather, they can be worn with a vest or a sweater underneath, and typically a dress shirt. A tie is purely dependent on personal preference and the formality of the occasion.

An example of how a sport coat can be a very elegant business look. Take away the tie, add jeans and boat shoes, and you have a classy but still casual feel.

A sport coat with jeans can be great for casual Fridays, or any casual occasion where one just cannot bring themselves to wear a t-shirt or a hoodie – and again, these are more common than one might initially think. Street shoes or deck / boat shoes are an excellent choice with this look – especially if matched with the coat. If worn with a t-shirt of sweatshirt, make sure it is a solid color, or something unobtrusive. Your swagger should make the statement, not the logo.

On more formal occasions, even those without a tie, a pocket square can be an interesting addition. While in a suit I typically like clean, smooth lines, and keep mine squared off over the pocket, but in a sport coat, you can get away with far more interesting colors and styles. Try a peaked fold, or have the edges splayed out of the pocket. This works especially well with a bordered pocket square.

If you are still building your wardrobe, start off with something blue – it can go with everything, and can easily be built upon, but don't shirk the idea of a gray or tan coat. The more you use them the more you will find ways they are useful. Don't get caught up with one look or style. Experiment and play around with it, and it helps to keep your options open. Like I have always been told, “if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” This old adage can be applied to everything from tools to tactics to fashion. Use what you have, but don't become too attached to your methods.

Sportcoat and hoodie? Don't be that guy. Seriously, you're better than that.


Monday, January 16, 2012

Kindle

So for Christmas / Birthday, I received an Amazon Kindle. It is one of the earlier versions, so there is nothing fancy like a touch screen, or full color, or ability to surf the net or anything like that - just an Ereader, and link to the amazon webpage... That being said, it is still pretty damn cool. I can download books, and read stuff at my leisure, and it keeps my place.

The frustrating part, however, is that I havn't read for pleasure in quite a while. Grad School, a full time job, and the California Army National Guard kinda see to it that I don't get a whole lot of down time. Secondly, even though the prices for Kindle books are typically reduced, they can still get pricey. $10 for a digital book is better than $20 for a hard copy... but it is still $10. For the most part I have used it to download free items - really neat old books that are now Public Domain, to include things like the works of Rudyard Kipling, the Rough Riders, by Theodore Roosevelt, and the like. I have also taken advantage of the PDF reader and downloaded a considerable amount of Military manuals to increase my library. My major issue with this is that it does not allow any interation - like flipping between chapters or things like that - just a page by page flip that might prevent me from using them as a reference as easily as I had hoped. If there is a way around this, or some type of TTP (tactic, technique, or procedure) that someone out there knows and wishes to share, then by all means, inform me. I'm always open to learning new things. I'm also looking for more free PDF's and books to download - even things like weapons manuals, or training aids would work well for me, so please, let me know.

Right now it is mainly being used as a training aid, and I will certainly bring it to drill with me and see if there is a way to get the most out of it, but once things settle down I anticipate getting quite a bit of use out of my new Kindle!

Again, anyone more experienced with it than me, by all means let me know whats up!