Stylistically, sport coats are sometimes a slightly looser fit than other kinds of dress coats, allowing for outdoorsy use and “sporting. " Sport coats are slightly less formal than a suit jacket or a blazer. [2] X Expert Source Tavia SharpCertified Image Consultant Expert Interview. 26 August 2021. The variety of fabrics is somewhat larger with sport coats as well. Wool, linen, cotton, and other kinds of materials are all common to sport coats. The one thing a sport coat must have, though, is a pattern.
A short is typically used on people under 5’7, with sleeves up to 32 in. A regular is for people between 5’8 and 5’11, with sleeves of 32-33 in. A long is for people between 6’0 and 6’2, with sleeves of 34-36 in. An extra-long is for people taller than 6’2 with sleeves longer than 36 in.
Wear cotton sport coats for the summertime. When it’s hot out, you don’t want to be caught in a wool jacket. Cotton breathes well and will help you to stay cool, despite wearing a relatively heavy article of clothing. Wool jackets should be worn in winter. These are heat-saving and will often be able to be worn without the need for an overcoat. Sports coats also come unlined, half-lined, and full-lined, which can make your coat warmer or cooler. An unlined or half-lined sport coat is a good option if you tend to overheat, as opposed to a fully-lined coat. [4] X Expert Source Tavia SharpCertified Image Consultant Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.
Side-vented jackets are popular in Europe and have a cool and sleek modern vibe. Back-vents are more traditional and comfortable.
Err on the side of subtle. Plaid purple and orange might look sweet on the mannequin, but how often will you be able to wear it? Think of good colors to match what’s already in your wardrobe. What do you intend to do when wearing the sport coat? If you’re moving a lot, look for a coat with plenty of movement and even expandable panels or pleats to give you more ability to swing the golf club or toss out the fishing rod. Think about when you’ll be wearing your sport coat, too. Do you plan on wearing it for formal occasions, or in a more business casual setting?[6] X Expert Source Tavia SharpCertified Image Consultant Expert Interview. 26 August 2021.
Alternatively, wear trousers. Most casual and smart casual trousers will match well with a sport coat. If the coat is patterned, choose neutrally colored pants in beige, grey, fawn, cream, etc. The pants should not compete with the coat. For a light-colored sport coat, match with dark-colored pants. For a dark-colored sport coat, match with light-colored pants. [8] X Research source
In cold weather, try out a sport coat over a sweater and collared shirt combination. This can be an excellent way of staying warm without the need for an overcoat. It looks stylishly bookish like you’re a grad student at Oxford studying avant-garde poetry. [9] X Research source Get creative with your tie choices. Patterns are probably out, but think about wool ties, string ties, and other types of ties that will complement your jacket pattern nicely. Alternatively, unbutton a few top buttons and wear just the shirt and coat together. This can be a great powerful look. Your collared shirt should always be tucked in, and the collar should be inside the jacket if you’re going to wear it with a sport coat. It’s not 1974! Don’t let the collar hang outside.
Wearing a printed t-shirt with a sport coat communicates a slightly subversive stance, artistic and corporate at the same time. Think of artists at gallery openings, hoping to sell a bunch of work. Nice-looking sport jacket, designer jeans, and a Rolling Stones tee? Always cool.
If you’re wearing jeans, it can be tempting to want to throw in casual shoes as well, but very casual sneakers or Converse can make you look like a teenager dressed up in dad’s clothes. For a more elegant casual look, wear loafers, Oxfords or casual brogues with jeans. If you’re wearing dressier pants, it might work well to go for more casual shoes. For the ultimate touch, consider some kind of walking boot, or even stylish cowboy boots for an added accent of awesome.
Consider adding a pocket square. Increasingly, pocket squares are coming back, offering a little complimentary accent of color that can make your jacket pop. Match the coloring of your pocket square to your shirt.
How you choose to wear your coat is completely up to you. You don’t have to button it or unbutton it any time, but it usually looks better and helps to slim your silhouette to have it buttoned when you’re standing. Button the top button only, if there are multiple buttons on the jacket.
The sport coat is at home in the restaurant, at the bar, down the pub and when calling on friends for dinner. Good colors for social events include beige, brown, cream, khaki, tan and white. The lighter colors are always less formal. For formal events, a sport coast, especially a brightly patterned one, might be less suitable. Opt for a suit jacket or a blazer instead.
Budget tip: In Thornton Wilder’s Theophilus North, the main character has only one suit that he has to keep pressed every night between his bedspring and mattress, to keep it unwrinkled and clean looking. While you might not need to go that far, ironing your sport coat regularly should help to keep it in good standing.
