Wardrobe Essential – Lightweight Summer Jacket

British summer. Each and every year we look forward to it, yearning to break out our lightweight tailoring and warm weather footwear. Ultimately though, it never quite works out and we’re left with cloudy, humid days where rain is never far away. This means that dressing appropriately can be a hard ask, as it’s difficult to judge how many layers we should pile on. This is where the lightweight summer jacket comes into play though, as they’re thick enough to add warmth, yet thin enough to avoid being restricting. Here are five of the best styles.

THE HARRINGTON, , If it’s good enough for Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley and James Bond, it’s good enough for us. The Harrington is about as cool as it gets, and Baracuta produce some of the finest examples around. Pick one up in navy or stone for ultimate versatility.

Baracuta G9 Original Harrington, £279 from Baracuta

THE BOMBER, , Originally designed for pilots in open cockpits, the bomber is an enduring style that has recently enjoyed a menswear renaissance. Whilst it is a casual garment at heart, it can easily be dressed up if you pair it with tailored trousers and a crisp shirt.

Paul Smith Grey Faux-Suede Bomber, £825 from Paul Smith

THE DENIM JACKET, , There is arguably no garment more versatile than a slim fitting denim jacket. Equally adept as a layering tool as it is an outwear piece, a dark wash denim jacket like this will add an effortless twist to any outfit.

Maison Martin Margiela Dry-Denim Jacket, £221.50 (sale) from Mr Porter

THE MAC, , Every gentleman should have a lightweight raincoat in his wardrobe. Classic and timeless, this neutral A.P.C is suitable all year round, and will come in handy when the inevitable summer rain starts to pour.

A.P.C Faux Suede-Trimmed Cotton-Blend Raincoat, £325 from Mr Porter

THE LEATHER JACKET, , Whilst you may not want to don one in the blazing heat of the day, a leather jacket would be a slick choice once the sun sets. This Acne Studios biker jacket has an effortlessly cool, minimal aesthetic that would look great with dark jeans on a night out.

Acne Studios Gibson Slim-Fit Leather Biker, £1,050 from Mr Porter

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