Classic · From the Tryoom app
The Sport Coat with Jeans Formula
Done right, this is the most useful outfit in modern menswear. Done wrong, you look like you forgot the matching trousers.
The Sport Coat with Jeans Formula
Done right, this is the most useful outfit in modern menswear. Done wrong, you look like you forgot the matching trousers. Three rules below, and one killer mistake at the end.
The sport coat (not the suit jacket)
A sport coat is built differently than a suit jacket. They're not interchangeable.
- Texture: tweed, hopsack, flannel, linen. Not fine wool worsted (that's a suit jacket).
- Pockets: patch pockets read more casual. Flap pockets are slightly dressier.
- Pattern: houndstooth, herringbone, glen plaid, donegal speckle. Solid is fine if the texture is interesting.
- Buttons: horn or leather, never plastic.
The jeans
- Dark indigo or true black. Light wash kills the formula.
- Straight or slim straight. No skinny, no relaxed.
- No distressing. No rips. No fade lines from the dryer.
- Properly hemmed. Quarter-break or no-break, like trousers.
The shirt
- Cotton oxford button-down or fine knit (merino, cashmere).
- White, light blue, or soft solid color.
- No tie unless the rest of the look is dressed up. Then a knit tie, never a silk one.
The shoes
- Brown leather. Loafers, derbies, or chelsea boots.
- Not sneakers. Not in this combination.
- Belt should match the shoes.
The killer mistake
Wearing a suit jacket with jeans. The jacket is built to hang against matching trousers; without them it looks orphaned. If you only own one jacket and it came as part of a suit, leave it as part of the suit.