It all started with Loewe. Two years ago I was rotting in my bed enamored by Jonathan Anderson’s quirky genius existing in the form of a $3700 Loewe trapeze field jacket I adored, but could not afford. My field of dreams, my escape from reality and entrance to my charmed life running through tall grass and tending to my garden of perfectly bloomed flowers.
The object of my desire was out of reach, so I dreamt of a life worth living and explored normie alternatives in my price range all noted in my private depression diary. I have since come out of my depression and Loewe has released a denim version for a steal at only $1700–still largely out of my budget. I settled for a Barbour Beadnell Jacket in Army Green I’ve worn for two years now, and will stand the test of time. If it’s good enough for Alexa Chung, it’s good enough for me. I also frequently steal my boyfriends Filson wax jacket if I need something oversize.
As anyone who is immersed in the fashion side of Substack would have noticed, there has been an influx of posts on field jackets the past week, kicked-off largely by Jess Graves of The Love List speaking to the Prada Runway rendition and elaborated on by Sara Shaprio in The Retail Diary where she explores the history and types of military-inspired outerwear often categorized as ‘The Field Jacket’. Both are great reads and thorough examinations of the garment and trend as seen in real life and on the runway.
Per usual, Leandra was ahead of the curve back in March, tying the trend to its royal British roots featuring an image of Queen Elizabeth styling her Field Jacket with a silk scarf–another common thread on the fashion side of Substack lately–please see '20 Ways to Style A Silk Scarf’ by Jenny Walton, as well as part 1 and part 2 of an exploration in scarf styling on The Cereal Aisle. If we keep it up, we’ll all look like British aristocracy on a hunting excursion by November.
That said, what’s really interesting to me, is that the field jacket is not exactly a trend item–maybe in some executions or the way in which it’s styled–but the jacket itself has been a tried and true closet staple for a century.
When I think of Field Jackets I picture Princess Diana at Balmoral Castle, Alexa Chung at Glastonbury (remember her collaboration with Barbour?), or vintage J.Crew ads glamorizing a Connecticut sheep farm worthy of Marie Antoinette.
The truth is, we’ve been here before and we’ll be here again. It’s been a decade since the early 2010’s field jacket renaissance–a militaristic version that took on many forms led by Saint Laurent, Tumblr Girls, The Olsens, Jenna Lyons, and of course, Alexa Chung. Who could forget the era of the ‘J. Crew Downtown Field Jacket’ and paparazzi photos of Alexa walking hand in hand with Alex Turner wearing the elusive outerwear garment. I certainly can’t. It was iconic.
Today we are seeing a high fashion take on the British sporting jacket from the likes of Prada, Toteme, Loewe, and The Row. As well as a lot of great options via Barbour, KULE, J. Crew, Old Navy, Abercrombie, and, as always, vintage.
We may ask ourselves why the field jacket is having such a moment. Could it be related to culture’s recent obsession with ‘old money’ style? Or the fact that everyone is terminally online and thus craving the great outdoors and the primal need to touch grass? Maybe it’s simply just this jacket’s time to shine.
Either way, the Field Jacket is a safe bet and a trend worth investing in. If you buy the right one, you’ll have it your entire life or at least long enough to withstand the next trend cycle.
I hope you all find the Field Jacket of your dreams.
Stay toasted, xx.
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Years ago I worked at a men’s clothing store called Iron and Resin, based out of Ventura, CA. They have a men’s waxed canvas jacket, the Scout, that’s super classic and great for an oversized look for the ladies. My buddy has one from ten years ago that’s still in good nick—you just have to top up the waxed dressing at the elbows occasionally. If you want to support a small business with ur field jacket purchase, check them out. ironandresin.com
Poshmark has great options! Got an oversized jacket for $35 last week.