The only jacket you need this summer – the unstructured blazer
Words: Alex Woodhall
Whilst battling balmier days and trying to stay cool despite the sun’s relentless onslaught, the style-conscious can often suffer, falling foul of the form over function maxim. The casual end of the style spectrum has it easy during the summer’s peak – a pair of tailored shorts, loafers and a linen shirt and you’re good to go – the smarter side on the other hand doesn’t get it quite so easy.
Suiting up as the mercury inches ever higher is rarely a welcomed prospect; shirt, trousers and a jacket seem counter intuitive when everyone else is paring back – as only seems natural. Thankfully, there are a couple of tricks to remaining as rakish in the summer as you’ve managed through the winter, chief among them the unstructured blazer.
The name kind of gives it a way, but these jackets have been stripped of all the pomp and padding that underpins your usual blazers. The shoulder is softer, more natural and relaxed in comparison to your suits. Lining is often dispensed with all together, leaving very much the shell of a jacket, but that’s all you need when the temperature is 20 and up.
Layered over an Egyptian cotton shirt or thrown over a simple linen t-shirt, this lightweight savior is the ultimate summer style solution. They may not be boardroom appropriate, but they fit the bill for every other occasion, from an evening meeting to a weekend jaunt. The lack of padding and bulk also makes them an ideal travelling companion, packing away easily and offering the freedom of movement you want on a flight.
Here are our 5 recommendations:
UNIQLO
Linen Cotton Jacket – £59.90, from Uniqlo
MANGO
Textured Unstructured Blazer – £29.99 (sale), from Mango
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(Photo Credit: Tommy Ton)
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