Summer Sport Coats - harder to do than winter?

[tim_horton]

So I'm realizing that I tend to wear sports coats more often than suits, in both professional and personal life. But I'm finding that for some reason it's easier to have good ideas for winter/fall sports coats than it is for summer ones. Maybe because I tend to like my odd jackets dark and my pants light, and that clashes with the vibe of summer.

I guess I have the basics covered - a lightweight navy blue sports coat (no metal buttons) and a cream colored linen jacket. I really like my fall-weight brown sports coats but can't seem to find any equivalent in summer weights. Any suggestions?

 

[Jermyn]

I picked one of these up BNWT on B&S for $400 a couple of weeks back:

http://www.bluefly.com/Brunello-Cuci...301/detail.fly

It looks absolutely fantastic and feels light as a result of only being half lined. It fits in to the brown spectrum in a summery way. Look for beige, tan and olive in the summer instead of a deeper chocolate brown.

 

[DoTheGrownup]

I picked up a Brooks Brothers hopsack jacket in a tan/brown with a red and green overcheck last summer, and along with a navy blue linen sportcoat it was pretty much my go-to jacket for hot days. I think any of these would be nice in summer: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...=&sectionsize= http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...=&sectionsize= http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...=&sectionsize=

 

[tim_horton]

Originally Posted by Jermyn

It looks absolutely fantastic and feels light as a result of only being half lined. It fits in to the brown spectrum in a summery way. Look for beige, tan and olive in the summer instead of a deeper chocolate brown.

Yeah, I think dark olive will be the way to go for me. I usually like the SC darker than the trousers, and olive still feels like a summer color. It's a hard fabric color to find though, at least for me.

 

[phxlawstudent]

Its so hot outside, I fail to see the desire for adding a second layer if unneeded.

But, I see the problem. What about a real light brown herringbone linen? Slightly darker than khaki.

 

[Knucklehead]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

Its so hot outside, I fail to see the desire for adding a second layer if unneeded.

But, I see the problem. What about a real light brown herringbone linen? Slightly darker than khaki.

I guess it depends on where you live. I grew up in the Southeastern US where you'll pretty much want to be naked during the summer, even at night. If you're in New England, where I live now, a SC or suit is usually an option in the evening. Thats about the only good thing about New England weather. So far I've worn worsteds, linens, cotton, and wool-silk blends (all unlined).

 

[phxlawstudent]

Originally Posted by Knucklehead

I guess it depends on where you live. I grew up in the Southeastern US where you'll pretty much want to be naked during the summer, even at night. If you're in New England, where I live now, a SC or suit is usually an option in the evening. Thats about the only good thing about New England weather. So far I've worn worsteds, linens, cotton, and wool-silk blends (all unlined).

True.

I submit the additional colors for SF's consideration:

Light grey and a light taupe.

 

[Achilles_]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

True. I submit the additional colors for SF's consideration: Light grey and a light taupe.
I like light gray myself. What about a softer brown? Darker than tan but not dark brown either.

 

[phxlawstudent]

I like the look of this fabric. http://images.jcrew.com/erez4/erez?s...if&tmp=prdDtIm Its J.Crew if anyone's wondering. Personally don't think its worth the asking price, and I doubt I'll see it on sale for a price I'd snatch it (didn't last year), but its a nice pattern and color.

 

[Preparatory]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

I like the look of this fabric.

http://images.jcrew.com/erez4/erez?s...if&tmp=prdDtIm

Its J.Crew if anyone's wondering. Personally don't think its worth the asking price, and I doubt I'll see it on sale for a price I'd snatch it (didn't last year), but its a nice pattern and color.

I like this one too but it seems a bit warm for the summer.

 

[Hans Cater]

Originally Posted by Preparatory

I like this one too but it seems a bit warm for the summer.

Yeah maybe just a little, but I think it is OK on the overall.

 

[epa]

My summer sport coat to suit ratio is 5:2, while the winter one is "only" 4:3.
I have two blue and one dark brown summer sportcoat and they are all lighter than the trousers I usually wear them with. The other two ones I teng to wear with darker trousers and it looks OK.
Only one is pure wool, the rest have mixed cloths, including stuff like cotton, linen, silk and wool. To different extents.
I do not find summer sport coats hard to do at all, and there is an additional advantage: in summer, when it is hot, I often go sans tie, and I prefer to do it with a sport coat than with a suit.

Now, I agree that the choice of colours and patterns may be larger and with more variety when it comes to winter cloths.

 

[RogerC]

^ I would say that choice is only limited by budget and practical considerations. Just looking at the Hardy web site, the Riviera bunch has a number of absolutely brilliant fabrics in different colours and patterns. But on the other hand, the sheer variety of winter tweeds that can be had should also show that there's no reason to remain limited to navy jackets and grey herringbone...

 

[Eddyb]

I really like this pink sportscoat from Kiton (http://www.kiton.it/).

 

[tim_horton]

Originally Posted by RogerC

^ I would say that choice is only limited by budget and practical considerations. Just looking at the Hardy web site, the Riviera bunch has a number of absolutely brilliant fabrics in different colours and patterns. But on the other hand, the sheer variety of winter tweeds that can be had should also show that there's no reason to remain limited to navy jackets and grey herringbone...

The Riviera book is pretty nice. A lot of good stuff in there:

7506 Gun Club
7557 Black/white herringbone
7559 Light grey barleycorn
7563 Mid grey herringbone

Some nice navies too. I tend to steer away from loud sports coats but these are cool. Thanks for pointing this out.