The Modern Man’s Guide To The Safari Jacket

by Jeeten K. Digital Marketing Blog

Modern renditions of safari coats are not the first fashions that come to mind for the majority of us. Instead, we often revert to 1970s film precedents, when actors like Roger Moore frequently appeared as James Bond, the nation's favourite British spy, wearing a belted four-pocket jacket.

The garment has acquired a retro, nostalgic air thanks to iconic pictures of Ernest Hemingway wearing one in Africa or Clark Gable sporting one in Mogambo, but contemporary styles are actually very sophisticated, elegant, and modern. The safari jacket is a terrific piece of equipment, and not just for the summer, as we are about to inform you.

The Modern Safari Jacket

Although the current premium Mens Shirt overall design hasn't evolved significantly from the original, the fabrications have. The desire to wear tough heavyweight cotton drill in an urban setting is somewhat decreased given that the majority of us won't ever find ourselves scrabbling through the African bush pursuing huge wildlife.

Lightweight cotton and linen fashions are therefore much more acceptable and popular nowadays, and the "jacket" has frequently changed into something that is more akin to a four-pocket overshirt. Depending on the brand, the belted feature may or may not be present; premium labels frequently retain it, whereas more modern brands do not.

Over time, the colour scheme of the safari jacket has expanded, moving beyond the khaki playbook to include a larger range of neutral tones, as well as black, navy, ivory, and the occasional bolder hue.

Given that the safari jacket's belted design and pocket features assist generate sharp outlines that go well with fitted pants, certain high-fashion firms have dressed it in a more current sartorial approach. In contrast, manufacturers with a more relaxed approach have included the safari jacket more like a classic blouson for work that can be worn in the summer with chinos, jeans, or shorts.

Buying Considerations

Materials

The modern versions are much more opulent than the original versions, which were constructed to last and cut from heavyweight cotton drill. Lightweight cotton twill, cotton gabardine, linen fabrics, or a combination of these, are frequently used to create summer fashions.

Due to its slubby texture and dry handle, linen works incredibly well and seems to enhance the safari jacket's natural toughness. For the fall and winter, you may also find lovely variations made of merino wool, cashmere, shearling, and even leather, but be prepared to pay top money for these designs.

If you like an edgier or more athletic style, modern technical fabrics like nylon (and whatever else is branded as "performance" these days) are another progression away from the original yet can look incredibly contemporary.

Style

As discussed earlier, many historical companies, including Turnbull & Asser and Anderson & Sheppard, produce safari jackets that largely maintain the original silhouette but use far more opulent materials. The four front bellow pockets and the belted waist are thus the key features.

Modern versions frequently do away with the belt and streamline the pockets, or even eliminate parts of them, giving the jacket a look between between a safari jacket and a work/field jacket.

Lightweight cotton and linen versions also tend to wear more like an overshirt than a jacket, which isn't always a bad thing and probably makes for a more functional summer layer in any case.

Colour

You cannot go wrong if you stick to neutral colours. The entire khaki colour family will serve you well and is a flexible colour palette to style. If you want to pair the safari jacket with sharp tailored trousers, ivory and off-white are an excellent choice because they have a tendency to be a little sharper.

Another stylish option is navy, which complements sophisticated metropolitan appearances like a navy suit or dark tailored separates.

How To Wear A Safari Jacket

You can dress up or down classic styles in cotton and linen as you like. For a tough, off-duty look, they mix nicely with cotton chinos or jeans and a pair of chukka boots. Smarter belted safari jackets, on the other hand, can be worn with slick cotton pleated trousers and loafers for a more sophisticated appearance.

We advise against wearing a rigid stand-collar shirt underneath the jacket since it is one collar too many. Instead, consider a linen shirt with a soft-roll collar, a plain crew neck tee, or a fine-gauge knit.

Can a safari jacket be worn over a suit? Yes, especially if the suit is a casual neutral linen design. In the fall, a lightweight navy safari jacket will also make a nice contrast when worn over a navy suit.

Best Safari Jacket Brands

ISTO

In addition to offering you a clear conscience as a consumer, the sustainable brand ISTO also produces an incredible line of contemporary safari jackets made of durable cotton ripstop in the colours navy, military green, and white.

The traditional four-pocket layout is still present, but ISTO has done away with the belt in favour of a hidden drawcord, making it look even more modern.