Versatile, casual and cool, a sports coat should be the cornerstone of a discreet outfit. Whether you want to wear a sports coat for a formal occasion, or combine a plaid coat with a rock band t-shirt, a sports coat can be worn on a variety of occasions. Learning to choose for the right blend, pair it with your outfit, and learn to wear it just right isn't complicated. Dressing neatly is cool.
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Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Sport Coat
Step 1. Learn the difference between sport coats and other coats
While these coats are commonly combined, a sports coat is neither a blazer nor a suit. A sports coat doesn't need to be matched with the material of the pants, as you would a jacket. The biggest difference between a sports coat and a blazer is the patterned sports coat, while a blazer is made of solid material with contrasting button colors.
- Stylistically, sports coats are sometimes looser than other coats, so they can be used for outdoor activities and are "in style." This sports coat is a little less formal than a suit or blazer.
- Slightly more material variety for sport coats too. Wool, linen, cotton and other materials are common materials for sports coats. One thing a sports coat should have is pattern.
Step 2. Match the coat properly
Because sports coats aren't as formal as blazers or suits, they can change shape and should look (and feel) a little looser. For jacket sizes, the length of the coat is usually standard. To learn about the cut that's right for you, find your size below:
- The short size is usually worn by people under 5'7, with arms up to 32 in.
- Regular size for people between 5'8 and 5'11, with sleeves 32-33 in.
- Measures length for people between 6'0 and 6'2, with 34-36 in sleeves.
- Extremely long size for people taller than 6'2 with arms longer than 36 in.
Step 3. Choose the right weight for a season
Sports coats come in both summer and winter weights, and are common for all seasons where a bit of formality is required to be paired with a little fun. Getting a sports coat that can be worn for different seasons will help keep you comfortable.
- Use a summer time cotton sports coat. When it's hot outside, you don't want to wear a wool jacket. Cotton breathes well and will help keep you cool, even when wearing relatively heavy types of clothing.
- Wool jackets should be worn in winter. This jacket retains heat and will be worn frequently without the need for a long coat.
Step 4. Check the slits on the coat
This slit is on the back of the jacket or on the side, it is used to make the jacket hang loosely and make the trouser pockets easy to reach for the jacket wearer. While the slit-free jacket is snug and stylish, it's a little less comfortable on a sports coat, which is a little less formal.
Jackets with side slits are popular in Europe, and have a cool and subtle modern vibe. The back is more traditional and comfortable
Step 5. Look for a versatile pattern
Sports coats can vary greatly in style, which makes them so versatile. You'll find pockets, buttons, and even leather patches on different elbows. The pattern of a sports coat will be the biggest and most attractive element of a sports coat, making it important that you choose one that will be able to be worn in a variety of ways.
- Look for subtle colors. The purple and orange plaid pattern might look cute on a mannequin, but how often will you be able to wear it? Think of a good color that matches your outfit.
- What do you plan to do when wearing a sports coat? If you move a lot, look for a coat that allows plenty of movement and even panels or folds that can be stretched to give you more ability to swing a golf club or throw a fishing rod.
Part 2 of 3: Matching Your Sport Coat With Your Outfit
Step 1. Match the coat to your pants
While not everyone likes to pair a sports coat with jeans, this is completely permissible to do. The trick is to wear jeans in good shape and also wear a neat belt. Also, make sure the coat and jeans fit well.
- For an alternative, wear trousers. The most casual and smart casual trousers will go well with a sports coat.
- If the coat is patterned, choose neutral colored pants such as beige, gray, fawn, and others. Pants should not compete with coats.
- For a light colored sports coat, match it with dark colored pants. For a dark sports coat, match it with light colored pants.
Step 2. Wear a sports coat with shirt and tie
Classic always stays in style. Match a patterned sports coat with a solid-colored shirt for a casual yet stylish look. If you want to look sophisticated and uncluttered, combining a patterned sports coat with a solid color shirt and a neat tie will get people looking at you. Match a busy jacket with a solid color shirt and tie, and vice versa. It would be hard to go with three patterns.
- In cold weather, try a sports coat instead of a sweater and collared shirt combination. This can be a great way to keep warm without needing a long coat. It looks nerdy but stylish, like a student at Oxford studying avant garde poetry.
- Be creative with your tie choices. Pattern ties may not be an option, but think about wool ties, short ties, and other types of ties that will work well with your jacket pattern. As an alternative, undo some of the top buttons and wear just the shirt and coat together. This can be a powerful display.
- Your collared shirt should always be tucked into your pants, and the collar should be inside your jacket if you're going to wear it with a sports coat. It's not 1974! Don't let the collar hang outside.
Step 3. Rock it with a t-shirt or polo
If you want to look like you're hosting the MTV Movie Awards, or you're commuting to work at your tech start-up, this is a great look, less formal but still fantastic. Just make sure the undershirt is in good quality and in perfect condition. The shirt should not be see-through or wrinkled.
Wearing a printed t-shirt with a sports coat communicates a bit of being subversive, artistic and corporate at the same time. Think of the artist at a gallery opening, hoping to sell a variety of works. Stylish sports jackets, designer jeans and Rolling Stones T-shirts? Always cool
Step 4. Choose the right shoes
If you incorporate a sports coat into your look, shoes can help or break it. It will depend on the outfit you are wearing, but you want to get a complete look in general.
- If you're wearing jeans, it can be tempting to wear casual shoes too, but overly casual or Converse sneakers can make you look like a teenager in his dad's shirt. For a more elegant casual look, go for leather shoes, Oxfords or casual brogue shoes with jeans.
- If you wear more elegant pants, it would be better to wear casual shoes. For a finishing touch, consider wearing boots, or even fashionable cowboy boots for added extravagant access.
Step 5. Build a complete style
Conservative thinking might suggest that brightly patterned sports coats should be paired with as many solid, harmonious-colored bottoms as possible. This is certainly a good way to pair your coat with your other outfits. But you are free to experiment. Maybe your purple plaid jacket would look great in a gray pullover, with the collar of the pink shirt sticking out all the time. Look for colors and styles that complement each other. Break the rules and see what works.
Consider adding a handkerchief. More and more handkerchiefs are returning, offering a few complementary accents of color that can make your jacket stand out. Match the color of the handkerchief to the color of your shirt
Part 3 of 3: Wearing Your Coat
Step 1. Unbutton the coat when you sit down
Sport coats come in two and three button variations. The more buttons, the longer the line formed by buttoning the whole thing. In general, it is recommended that you button your jacket when standing and unbutton your coat when sitting. For some people, unbuttoning while walking is also common.
How you choose to wear your coat is entirely up to you. You don't have to button it or take it off every time, but it usually looks better and helps to streamline your silhouette when you button your coat when you're standing. Top buttons only, if There are multiple buttons on the coat
Step 2. Use a long coat, if necessary
In very cold weather, a long coat may be necessary, even if you are wearing a sports coat. Do not forget to consider the weather and avoid shortage of clothes worn. Long wool coats, pea-coats and raincoats all go well with sports coats. Usually, you'll want these coats to be a solid, dark color: black, gray, dark green, or cream.
Step 3. Use a sports coat for semi-formal events
Sports coats are versatile for everyday wear, but also good enough for formal events. Depending on where you work, you may be accepted to wear a sports coat to work and to the bar afterwards. If you're somewhere that needs a jacket, a sports coat should still be okay.
- Sports coats are perfect for at home, in restaurants, in bars, in pubs and when taking friends out to dinner. Colors that are good for social events include beige, brown, khaki, fawn and white. Lighter colors are always less formal.
- For formal events, sport coats, especially those with bright patterns, will not be suitable. Choose a suit or blazer over a sports coat.
Step 4. Take good care of the sports coat
Don't wear a sport coat that's dirty or wrinkled, or you might as well wear a polo with the collar out. Sports coats need to be kept in good condition, dry-cleaned regularly to keep them looking good. In general, you don't need to dry-clean your jacket more than once every six months.
Budget tip: In Thornton Wilder's Theophilus North, the main character has only one set that he has to press every night between the bed and the mattress, to keep it looking uncluttered and clean. While you may not need to go that far, ironing your sports coat regularly will help keep the coat in good condition
Tips
- Balance the defaults well. Don't put excess stuff in the pockets on your coat on one side that makes the coat fail to hang properly. Organize your wallet, iPod, keys and other items until the coat stands up straight.
- Accessories you can add to your sports coat include a pocket watch, an expensive pen (name of the pen is facing outward), or a fancy handkerchief. If you smoke, it would be ideal to show your cigar as well.
- Sports coats have two or three buttons. Only the topmost buttons on a coat with two buttons; for a coat with three buttons, button the bottom two buttons and leave the top button open.
