The jacket remains one of the most pivotal pieces of clothing a man can own.  I swear by them because they can be used to dress an outfit up or down, relative to where you’re going and who you’re seeing.  They’re easy to remove, if necessary.  But if you’re wearing a great jacket, why give in to taking it off anyhow?  The jacket provides structure without being committed to outright formality at a time in our pop culture when a perfectly tailored suit is still associated with sinister financiers.

That’s why a sport jacket suits Silicon Valley culture so damn well!  It’s not a full-blown suit but it gives you a bit of authority while still looking relaxed.  The jacket is also a great item to wear out at night; it’s the ideal way to transform from the jeans and polo shirt worn during the workday in a dress down environment.

Today, when you think of a jacket, you don’t need to think of the jackets of old.  Classically tailored jackets still have their place in business and dressy social occasions.  A well-tailored jacket with higher button stance and narrower shoulders shows modernity, even in professional environments where change is meant to evolve very slowly.  Broad shoulders, boxy silhouettes, and pattern choices don’t have to be classic if you’re a non-classic sort of guy.

The runway provides a great source of inspiration and ideas for the new kind of tailoring I think is just right for the times.  And because pushing boundaries is something I like to support as much as the designers do with their creations, I highlight just a few pieces here to demonstrate how varied jackets can look today. [photo source: style.com]

The maxi length sleeveless jacket from Hugo by Hugo Boss looks all relaxed, but on a fit man out for the night, he still looks like he has an agenda, of sorts.  Prada pushes the buttons more than any other designer, and so this example of check jacket paired with shorts won’t be for everyone.  As unconventional as it is, the point I want to show is how far Prada would go to deconstruct the business suit this season.  The monochromatic Zegna man looks so nonchalant, he could be fresh from a workout and on his way to a meeting, or maybe he’s just heading out for a drive to think about his next conquest.  Whatever his plans, the look works.  Dries Van Noten varied patterns to deconstruct formal styling but without foregoing clothing of impeccable and creative elegance.  Each of these examples are so different, from the spare to the costumed, there is some aspect represented to appeal to nearly any taste.

The attitude of the new jacket should make a guy look like he’s not all about business.  It should be more relaxed, exemplifying more effortlessness, and less flaunting of wealth or success.  That doesn’t mean a quality jacket that meets your personal style isn’t worthy of an investment, however.  Fine jackets that lack classic bells may still whistle with excellent construction, tailoring, and luxurious fabrics that the wearer would be well aware of because of how great he feels while he’s wearing such a great garment.  And that’s why I wondered earlier why someone would want to remove such a wonderful piece of clothing.

Well, a guy does have to go to sleep, and sleeping in a great jacket is not recommended.

Designing and managing your image is the secret science to your success.

Joseph Rosenfeld helps professional men, women, and corporate workgroups create effective visual brands. Visit JosephRosenfeld.com for details.