Introducing the 100Hands X Andreas Weinås ‘Traveller’s Jacket’

Comfort comes easy to some clothing. Soft seams, loose fits and woolly fabrics see to this. Other garments go in a different direction — using drawstrings, storm flaps and tactical textiles to up their functional, practical credentials. But it’s rare to find styles that bring both together. And, to successfully fuse both fashion and function takes something particularly special.

Something like decades of experience and lashings of passion. Thankfully, Akshat Jain has both in stylish spades. The former investment banker and founder of Amsterdam-based shirtmaking brand, 100Hands, was raised by a family forged in the textile industry, with almost two centuries of spinning, stitching and weaving. And, this year, the outfitter has created perhaps the most practical piece of comfortable clothing we’ve ever buttoned up.

This ‘Traveller’s Jacket’ — trimly tailored and incomparably cosy — combines the sharp lines of structured suiting with the comfort of a cashmere sweater and the utilitarian touches of the classic ‘M-65’ military field jacket. It’s the ideal alternative to a sports coat, light jacket or blazer, and was crafted in collaboration with editor, style consultant and watch enthusiast Andreas Weinås.

Weinås, seen above modelling his traditional-yet-trailblazing design, has fostered an enthusiasm for modern menswear since his early twenties. As the editor of leading Swedish fashion magazine, KING, Weinås carries much style responsibility on his shoulders. But he wears it well, and is just as well-versed in the ways of wool, cashmere and cotton as Akshat Jain — having studied at The Swedish School of Textiles in the nation’s southern city of Borås.

And Weinås’ considerable capabilities (the Swedish style icon is a mainstay of many best-dressed lists) are evident in this new jacket. With its hand-embroidered pockets, fully-unlined construction and hand-sewn sides — 100Hands is named for the 50 craftspeople that create each shirt — Weinås has helped to develop a design that takes over 40 hours of dedicated handwork to finish.

“I like the garments’ simplicity without compromising on elegance,” explains Weinås. “Throw on the taupe cashmere version with cream flannels or keep it monochromatic and wear the black camel hair with matching black denim and a roll neck. It’s great when I’m travelling, since you have multiple pockets, and it’s easy to fold if stored in the overhead compartment”.

While the cut and construction of the jacket are exceptional, its stylish starting point is the use of those incredible fabrics. As valuable as they are rare, the two textile options are sourced from Loro Piana — and were both originally intended to be overcoat materials.

The first, a Mongolian cashmere in a subtle shade of taupe, is sourced from goats that shed their fine fleece underbellies in summer, yielding a fibre of extreme softness. The second is a black wool, from the undercoat of the Bactrian camel, which providing excellent insulation for winter, but also breathability for spring. And both fabrics are cut to patterns that bridge the gap between tailoring and casual outerwear, offering an elegant layering option.

“The pattern-making and knowledge from 100Hands are outstanding,” says Weinås. “To make the fit of the unstructured jacket flattering, you must understand anatomy as much as tailoring. The result is incredible”.

We’re inclined to agree. And, among the many subtle style touches of the new ‘Traveller’s Jacket’ are the hand-attached sleeves, a single concealed inner pocket and those four practically-minded bellow pockets. Yet, despite this ultra-utilitarian nod, the design retains its innate, dress code-spanning versatility — and Weinås recommends wearing it with almost anything else in your wardrobe.

“Due to the tailored cut, I would argue that the Traveller’s Jacket can be worn in the same fashion as a sports coat. I could go up or down in size, depending on the kind of silhouette and style I’m looking for. Personally, I prefer it with a heavy knit rather than a shirt and tie, but it works equally well with tailored trousers or jeans.”

Want more style advice? Here’s how to find the right boots for you this winter…

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