Nice jacket but what to wear with it?

[NickN]

I am in the process, after many years of procrastination, of trying to improve my wardrobe with some decent traditional, even vintage, attire suitable for the gentleman who wishes to dress well when out and about.
I found a jacket which I rather like the look of, but am having a little trouble imagining what one would wear with it (what colour shirt, trousers, shoes) - the photo has a yellowish fabric shown underneath but I am not convinced, plus I don't own a single item of yellow clothing at present, anyway.
The jacket itself appears to have grey and dark blue as well as the yellow colours throughout it. I do think the yellow pocket square a nice touch.
Any ideas welcomed (or even "avoid it at all costs, it looks horrendous"). If it helps at all, I have dark brown hair, blue eyes, fair skin.

 

[dieworkwear]

Not feeling that jacket and think you can find something better.

 

[NickN]

The more I look at it, the more I am inclined to agree, actually. I am very open to suggestions as to what might suit - as have not had much luck searching for sport jackets and the like, but maybe am looking for the wrong thing.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

The more I look at it, the more I am inclined to agree, actually. I am very open to suggestions as to what might suit - as have not had much luck searching for sport jackets and the like, but maybe am looking for the wrong thing.

start with the very basics. Do you have a navy blazer or sportcoat?

 

[TheIronDandy]

start with the very basics. Do you have a navy blazer or sportcoat?

This.

The safest purchase you can make is a well fitting navy jacket. I would say flannel if you live in a temperate zone, basket weave if you're in warmer climate. Combine with grey trousers, again flannel for warmer climate (or maybe cavalry twill if you want something different), fresco for warmer. That gives you a basic, well dressed look that will work with a dress shirt and tie, a oxford button down or a knitted sweater, and any kind of footwear from dressy sneakers to calfskin loafers or derbies.

It's easy to get carried away with patterns, especially when many people on styleforum and IG will gush about various patterned jackets, but a classic navy is much easier to pull off for the inexperienced dresser. I made this mistake when I started building my wardrobe, I spent too much money on flashy things and not enough on the basics. If I may be so bold, I would suggest you read a couple of guides on "capsule collections"; this one could be a good start. Always take these with a grain of salt as I find many style bloggers tend to lose a bit of touch with the reality most people live in (if you read enough Permanent Style, you can get the feeling that the only way to be well dressed is to wear nothing but Saville Row suits and Loro Piana knitwear), but read enough of these and you'll see some staple items showing up in most of them:

Navy jacket.
Grey flannel trousers.
A pair of tailored chinos.
Suede loafers.

These things are a great starting point for building a more classic, timeless wardrobe.

 

[NickN]

start with the very basics. Do you have a navy blazer or sportcoat?

Sounds a good idea, so, yes, I have a navy cotton blazer, and a couple of Harris Tweed jackets, grey and earthy brown/grey.

This.

The safest purchase you can make is a well fitting navy jacket. I would say flannel if you live in a temperate zone, basket weave if you're in warmer climate. Combine with grey trousers, again flannel for warmer climate (or maybe cavalry twill if you want something different), fresco for warmer. That gives you a basic, well dressed look that will work with a dress shirt and tie, a oxford button down or a knitted sweater, and any kind of footwear from dressy sneakers to calfskin loafers or derbies.

It's easy to get carried away with patterns, especially when many people on styleforum and IG will gush about various patterned jackets, but a classic navy is much easier to pull off for the inexperienced dresser. I made this mistake when I started building my wardrobe, I spent too much money on flashy things and not enough on the basics. If I may be so bold, I would suggest you read a couple of guides on "capsule collections"; this one could be a good start. Always take these with a grain of salt as I find many style bloggers tend to lose a bit of touch with the reality most people live in (if you read enough Permanent Style, you can get the feeling that the only way to be well dressed is to wear nothing but Saville Row suits and Loro Piana knitwear), but read enough of these and you'll see some staple items showing up in most of them:

Navy jacket.
Grey flannel trousers.
A pair of tailored chinos.
Suede loafers.

These things are a great starting point for building a more classic, timeless wardrobe.

Thank you, some good advice there and I will read the link you kindly provided.
I do indeed have a navy jacket, my first purchase, as well as chinos of various colours and a handful of dress shirts, so hopefully off to a good start.