Wardrobe heroes are the pieces that pull everything together; the keystone of your closet. An absolute necessity for getting dressed on the double! They are tried and true staples so adaptable they can be styled with a variety of different personal styles and trends. Beyond the composition of the hero itself there are three key factors that make a hero a hero: functionality, quality, and fit. It must be a functional piece that you can throw on to walk the dog or for a night out with the girls. It must be of good quality to sustain the many, many wears and washes (because there’s nothing worse than wearing out a beloved hero.) It must fit you so well that every time you put it on it feels as if it was made specifically for you. The Wardrobe Hero series is about featuring what those pieces are and how to get the most out of them.
Today’s spotlight is on my go to transitional hero: the field jacket. On the spectrum of outerwear, the field jacket is about right in-between the denim and leather jacket. Every fall and spring I turn to my field jacket relentlessly as that extra layer to keep me warm with the added bonus of pockets to carry around my odds and ends. I bought my jacket at a Calvin Klein outlet store in 2011 (for a total steal,) but I’ve provided some options that are available now at the end of the post.
Because I am pretty hesitant to do denim on denim, I turn to my field jacket much more often than my denim jacket. I wear blue jeans a lot so the field jacket-denim pairing is much more effortless and comfortable for me than doubling up denim. I’m certainly not opposed to pairing denim, but that looks takes more styling consideration and isn’t quite as effortless. I’m also a big fan of wearing moss green as a neutral. It’s got a bit more pizazz than regular neutrals and is less casual than a blazer. The field jacket has a good tomboy element to it that can add an extra kick to pretty much any outfit.
My field jacket hangs by my front door because it’s the perfect last minute piece to throw on before I run out to go pretty much anywhere. I wear it to run errands, walk to brunch on the weekends, go to the playground with the boys, and very often when I go out for cocktails and dinner. This is a fantastic third piece for moms as well. With secure and easily accessible pockets it’s a cinch to quickly stow away your phone, hair ties, pacifiers, etc…The field jacket is also one of my go-to travel pieces. It isn’t bulky to pack, goes with everything, and a good add on layer for unpredictable weather. During transitional weather it can be worn just as a jacket, and then during the colder months as an edgy blazer underneath a warm wool coat. The key with styling the field jacket is to juxtapose the jacket’s tomboy feel with the rest of your outfit. Here are some options for styling on the double:
Weekend: field jacket, button up shirt, denim, loafers
Work: field jacket, sweater, pencil skirt, nude court shoe
Cocktails: field jacket, vintage t-shirt, leather mini, boots/heels
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