Fall/Winter Inspiration: The Purple Jacket

Shirt, Jacket, Pants, Socks, and Tie, all by Hackett London

Belt by Allen Edmonds, Shoes by Shipton and Heneage

Hat, Scarf, and Pocket Square by Fine and Dandy

Briefcase by Lotuff & Clegg

This episode of Fall/Winter Inspiration was brought about by my own take on this look that I've worn a couple of times now. I must say that it's quite the standout rig, bring it out if you really want to make a good impression. Initially I had an incredibly difficult time finding any purple jacket, however, while perusing the Hackett website for my Holiday Gift Guide, I came across the one you see above. The jacket, as well as the pants, are both needle cord, meaning a very thin corduroy that is quite frankly easily mistaken for velvet.

In the fall and winter I really like the look of variation on common colors, as it starts to tone down from the wild and varied bright colors of summer. The purple gingham shirt forms a solid base with the jacket, creating some uniformity and keeping it from appearing too bold. The pocket square and socks keep with the theme of the outfit but really up the dandy-quotient as well. For those not as daring, simple tan socks and pocket square will work as well.

The outfit is really tied together with the addition of the double monk strap shoes, briefcase, and scarf (the hat is really optional, I would go with it when the temperature really drops during the day). The shoes, bag and scarf plant the outfit firmly in the formal business category, ensuring this outfit remains incredibly crisp and upscale. I would wear this outfit to any business outing (where such an outfit would be acceptable), to a weekend lunch, out shopping in a high end district (trust me, dress up when shopping at a nice spot and they'll treat you like a king), or even just casually around town if you're really into being dandy and everything that goes with that sort of thing.