Lebanon Opportunities – August 2019

BREATHABLE FABRICS
Lightweight and breathable fabrics are commonly used for
summer sports jackets. This season the fashion houses offered
sports jackets of wool and cotton of various weights and weaves.
Boggi, the Italian fashion house, has offered sports jackets made
from linen and linen with pencel this season. The blend includes
wood material which reduces creasing of the linen, according
to Bechara. Linen is a super lightweight fabric that perfectly
deals with high temperatures. Canali, Corneliani, and Tom Ford
have also included linen sports jackets in their collections. “100
percent cotton fabric is also used for the summer garments,”

said Ahmad Elchab, Marketing Manager at Pellini. Other fabrics

that have a rough and napped texture may also be used to make

sports jackets. Some of the most common weaves and materials

found in sports jackets are tweed, flannel, corduroy, camel hair,

seersucker, and a wide range of worsted fabrics in patterns such

as sharkskin, hound’s-tooth, and bird’s eye.

BRIGHT TONES

Light colors are the most dominant among sports jackets this

season. Paul Smith is offering pastel pink colors. Brioni offered a

selection of sports jackets in brown and gray shades. White and

sandy tones are also included in Brioni’s collection this season.

Blue is the color of choice in the collections of Canali, and Boggi

Milano. Checkered jackets are also in for this season, according to

Bechara. The solid colored sport jacket is never outdated. “Black

and navy sports jackets remain a staple,” said Elchab.

VERSATILE

The wide range of styles among sports jackets makes them very

versatile. “Depending on the fabric and style, a sports jacket

can adapt itself to multiple situations,” said Ghazal. It brings

a good balance of formality where a suit would be too much. It

is a versatile item that can be worn with dress pants, a sweater

and tie, over a dress shirt, and with jeans. Sports jackets are

suitable for social situations, from casual parties to dinners and

for the office when business casual attire is acceptable, according

to Bechara “A combination of chinos with a dress shirt, and

dressy shoes has a sense of formality,” she said. Odd jackets and

trousers look particularly good on tall men, as they break up the

wearer’s height.

THE ART OF MATCHING

The key to a successful odd jacket and trouser combination

is color contrast. A discernible degree of contrast should

occur between the jacket and trousers. Patterns have to form

a contrast as well, according to Elchab. Either the jacket or

trousers should be patterned, while the other stays solid.

“Different pattern combinations are used this season. They give

the wearer a special style,” said Bechara. Grey flannel or cotton

trousers in khaki, tan, or brown are commonly paired with a

patterned jacket. Worn with gray slacks, black shoes, a white

button-down shirt and a classy tie, the sport jacket fits in with

office attire. Casual shirts with button cuffs and button-down

or spread collars as well as check and multicolor stripe patterns

combine well with a sports jacket, according to Bechara. The

footwear is also an important item that affects the whole look.

A leather loafer or classic oxford may dress up the man’s attire.

Reported by Gisele Khalaf

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Reference Finder on our home page

L0819-77 The sports jacket, what is it and why it’s definitely not a blazer

L0819-78 A man’s guide to the sports jacket

L0819-79 Contact information

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LEBANON OPPORTUNITIES, AUGUST 2019 61