An investigation of two lesser common options for a sport coat jacket
The sport coat is fabulously versatile. This garment worthy of high praise is both elegant and casual, simple and dashing.
Choosing to wear a sport coat, a gentleman will simply be more attractive than going without. The extra layer provides more play and more guessing for the viewing eye.
Unlike the suit jacket, a sport coat can be worn in many environments and not seem out of place.
Furthermore, the sport coat within itself can be made to be have a more elegant feel or even a more casual, pastoral look.
The sport coat has no rivals in menswear in terms of versatility.
Below is an investigation of options a man has when he is looking for a sport coat. The sport coat with patch pockets and / or patch elbows, while indeed a sport coat, is a garment of different degree.
Patching pockets, unlike straight pockets, give the sport coat a casual look. Secondly, patched elbows on a sport coat, while conjuring up and image of a college professor, does provide purpose and a polished look.
What Are Patch Pockets?
Perhaps the easiest pocket to create, the patch pocket is on the outside of the garment rather than sewn between the shell on the lining.
The fabric of the pocket almost always is the same as the garment, but sometimes can be a different fabric (though it is not suggested to go this route for a sport coat).
The shape and size of the patch pocket can vary greatly; round and beveled pockets are common cuts but not as popular as square-shaped pockets. Also, patch pockets can come with flaps (loose and tabbed) or without flaps.
The patch pockets, depending on the maker of the sport coat, can come with our without pleats.
While the possibilities are not endless, the choices a gentleman has can cause him to spend a great amount of time thinking what kind of patch pockets befits his style should he choose to have them.
Patch Pockets Are Your Choice
If you are a man who finds himself wearing sharp clothing in all environments even in casual settings, then being well-dressed while not overdressing is a tricky process.
Subtleties like patch pockets can make a sport coat fitting for casual environments. While not a life or death situation, being appropriately well-dressed for the occasion will receive appropriate attention.
A man who chooses to have a sport coat with patch pockets will have less association to suit jackets. Why? Suits are made to be streamlined and are tailored to situations which formality and appearance are cornerstones.
The versatile sport coat with patch pockets is removed from such situations because the external patch pockets are reminiscent of the blue collar worker's shop coat — a working man's jacket.
Should you desire to have a coat that is well made to your body, but desire to be versatile, consider your choice of having patch pockets. The cut of the sport coat will still allow you to wear it to the office and as well to casual situations without a personal loss of looking sharp.
3 Tips For A Man And His Sports Coat With Patch Pockets
It may seem a little paradoxical, but having large patch pockets does not mean that they can be used like a tool-belt.
How so? Simply because the pockets, while spacious, are not built like the compartments of a tool-belt. A sport coat is still a gentle garment that should not be abused. Therefore:
Tip #1: Do not overstuff the patch pockets
Even if you find the patch pockets to be a convenient for pocketing all of your belongings (wallet, keys, gloves, cell phone, pen, etc.), you should treat the patch pockets no different than straight pockets.
Tip #2: Try not to stress the patch pockets
Overstuffing and over-stressing your pockets is a fast way of shortening the life of your sport coat. If you are a man who finds himself putting his hands in his pockets, try not to hang onto the patch pockets. Stressing the fibers is not a good thing.
Tip #3: Gloves and keys
Gloves and your car and house keys are about as much as you should put in the patch pockets of your sport coat. Anything more and you will have awkward-looking bulges and weakened fabric (over time).
Function Of A Patch Elbow
If you are looking for a unique addition to your sport coat, consider patch elbows. The popular belief is that a sport coat with patched elbows will make you look like an old professor or that patch elbows are outdated.
Respect the opinion of the naysayers, but do not overlook the practical function of patch elbows.
What Is The Purpose Of Patch Elbow
During the Victorian-era, a gentleman would never take off his coat in public (and certainly never in the presence of a lady). The simple reason is because hygiene was at a different level than it is today.
If you found yourself wearing a coat at all times, you would want to make sure that the expensive piece of menswear would last as long as possible.
The purpose of the patch elbows is simply genius: replacing the patch is easier and less costly than replacing the entire garment.
Men working at their desks rest their elbows on the surface of the table or the arms of their chairs. Over time, the fabric will wear down.
So to counteract this, oval or circular patches made from leather (or other tough materials) are stitched to where the most stress occurs: the elbows.
What Are Elbow Patches Made From
Elbow patches are made from various materials. Usually you will find elbow patches made from tough, wear-resistant materials such as leather, suede and even heavy-weight wools.
If motorcyclists can safely wear full leather to protect themselves from high-stress road rash, then the low-stress impact of your desk and chair will prove little match against the toughness of leather elbow patches .
Usually the patches will coordinate with the sport coat. Brown sport coats will have brown elbow patches. Gray sport coats will most likely have black elbow patches. Sometimes you will see a sport coat with contrasting elbow patches. The choice is yours whether or not you like coordinating or contrasting elbow patches.
Why You Should Consider Patch Elbows On A Sports Coat
Casual. Functional. Unique.
Those three adjectives succinctly describe the two lesser common options for sport coats. Any sport coat, especially when custom tailored, is an investment that can potentially last you fifteen or more years.
Gentlemen who are looking for a casual sport coat should consider patch pockets because a sport coat with patch pockets has less association to a suit jacket and therefore is more suitable for casual situations.
The function behind patch elbows deserves more than jokes and laughs.
While some may be humored by two oval patches of leather on the elbows of your sport coat, you can be assured that the longevity of your investment is worth more than any false jokes. There is a genius behind both of these two options.
The pleasure of discovering and feeling the genius is reserved just for you if you choose to include one (or both) of the options on your next sport coat.
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