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Orvis floral print on camouflage utility jacket, emerald floral belt buckle, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Dooney and Bourke snake print bag, Ivanka Trump ankle strap pumps, Hipstik pantyhose, jade with pearl earrings (all own), tulle skirt c/o Lookbook Store and olive boatneck top c/o Covered Perfectly

This post features the often overlooked utility jacket. Like many pieces that are classics, the utility jacket has its roots in military outfits. Thus, it is also often called field jacket or military jacket. There is the saying that an utility jacket goes with everything. Well, I wouldn’t push it this far, but it has many possibilities that look agelessly stylish. In this post, I want to provide inspirations how to look ageless in an utility jacket year round for various dressing occasions.

 

Contents
  1. Field jackets come in a wide range of colors
  2. Best styling ideas for utility jackets
    • Can I wear an utility jacket at the office?
    • Best ways to style a safari jacket for spring
    • How to wear a field jacket in summer
    • Great urban safari jacket outfits for fall
    • How to wear an utility jacket in winter
  3. In a nutshell: How to Look Ageless in an Utility Jacket

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post.

 

post banner for how to wear a field frock

 

Field jackets come in a wide range of colors

Like with many other classic pieces with military origin, an utility jacket has been in my closet since high school. So to speak, this frock type is one of my signature style items. The first one was in classic khaki. The one I wore in college, was made of black linen. In my 30s, I had a denim and a suede utility jacket. In my 40s, I donned two olive ones, one in suede for winter, and one in cotton for summer. Now I own a field jacket with camouflage floral print, an olive suede and a blush one. Recall repeat is the backbone of signature style.

 

stylist in camouflage floral print jacket, blush tulle skirt

style book author posing in mesh skirt , Tee, heels, utility jacket

High Latitude Style blogger in eclectic street chic with camo coat
Outfit details: Orvis floral print on camouflage utility jacket, Heidi Ara belt buckle, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Dooney and Bourke snake print bag, Ivanka Trump ankle strap pumps, Hipstik pantyhose, jade with pearl earrings, barrette (all own), tulle skirt c/o Lookbook Store and olive boatneck top c/o Covered Perfectly

 

Best styling ideas for utility jackets

The jacket works for the weekend, but also for business casual office style. Depending on the material it works in different, most the time at least three seasons. Thus, it makes a great style investment for all women whose primary personal style is Casual, Urban, British or American Classic. Some pieces also look great with Bohemian Style or other styles when the secondary style in one of the aforementioned directions.

Not sure about .your primary personal style? Take this free online style quiz to find out.

 

 

mature woman in pink dress and utility jacket
Business casual style  with a twist:  Baby pink dress c/o Lookbook Store, own Great Northwest utility jacket, Nine West camouflage booties, and a lilac Coach bag

 

Can I wear an utility jacket at the office?

… is a question that I often get from my readers. It’s a myth that you can’t wear an utility jacket with a skirt or dress. In deed, you can as the photos above with the baby pink dress and the following examples of Casual Friday looks demonstrate.

 

business casual look with utility jacket Business casual look: Sheath dress c/o Lookbook Store, own Great Northwest suede jacket, Salvatore Ferragamo Vara pumps, Ray Ban aviator sunglasses, and Jaeger tote
mature style Casual Friday outfit with utility jacket for mature women Casual Friday outfit: Orvis camouflage floral print parka, London Jean white denim BF, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Ralph Lauren pumps, Keep Calm T-shirt, Esprit shoulder bag, statement belt with pearls (all own) and wooden watch c/o Jord

Try to style slightly tailored utility jackets with a pencil skirt, pumps, a string of pearls. Add a knitted silk-cashmere top and a structured bag for a quite professional look. These accessories convey the message that you mean business and are willing to work hard.

stylist in skirt, top, jacket, pumps

pencil skirt and safari jacket
Pencil skirt, GNW safari jacket, pearls, floral pumps and Pippa bag

 

Best ways to style a safari jacket for spring

The following photo inspirations are featuring spring outfits with this military style garment. You can find a complete guide for achieving ageless style in military inspired clothes in the post at the link.

 

midlife blogger in floral skirt and suede utility frock
Great Northwest suede coat, pastel floral skirt, Oliveo linen shirt, 3.1 Phillip Lim bag, statement belt, Ray Ban aviator sunglasses, and Ivanka Trump cap toe pumps

 

style blogger in drawstring parka, statement belt, chinos, tote, pumps, T-shirt
Wooden watch c/o Jord with own Orvis drawstring parka, statement belt, Oliveo chino, Jaeger tote, Nine West pumps, and T-shirt c/o Onno

 

midlife blogger in urban safari look of dress, sandals, sunglasses
Urban safari look: Nova shirt dress, Orvis jacket, Coach bag, Ray Ban, Hermes collier de chien bracelet, sunglasses, statement belt (all own), pearl studs c/o Wendy Mignot, and Musse & Cloud sandals c/o Coolway

 

In the look shown in the next photos, the black lace pencil skirt with an utility jacket creates a tough woman sort of look. The floral print on camouflage is unexpected. It is such a nice tension of female and tough. The strappy wood plateau sandals are a perfect match to underline the vibe.

 

 

Back view of outfit with jacket, skirt, Tote, and wood plateau sandals

midlife woman looking chic in a lace pencil skirt with T-shirt
Orvis floral camo utility jacket, eShakti lace pencil skirt, Jaeger tote, Ray Ban sunglasses (all own), T-shirt c/o Onno, wooden watch c/o Jord and strappy sandals c/o Coolway

 

How to wear an field jacket in summer

In summer, it is a great substitution for a light summer coat or knit jacket. It can protect you from the early morning or late evening chill in west Europe, Scandinavia, mountainous mid-latitudes, northern Canada, Alaska and Siberia. Of course, it’s also a great cover-up for the dramatic cooling after a thunderstorm passed. An utility jacket also works for a rainy summer day or as a summer to fall transitional look. The following photos show some summer outfit ideas with utility jackets.

 

over 50 years old woman wearing a LWD in a casual way Alexander Wang LWD, Great Northwest military frock, Seiko watch, Michael Kors sandals, Kate Moss for Longchamp bag, and leather camouflage print hat (all own)
Street style blogger in layered mesh skirt and safari frock Great Northwest coat, distressed leather belt, Hermes collier de chien bangles, smoky quartz statement buckle, Anne Klein snake print sling backs, Jaeger tote, Ray Ban aviator sunglasses, leather camouflage hat (all own) and layered mesh skirt c/o Lookbook Store

 

 

style blogger in casual urban work outfit with dress

 

Fairbanks stylist in urban casual look with a drawstring jacket
Shein draw string jacket, A Novo dress, fabric Coach bag, Hermes collier de chien bracelet, Woodwink sunglasses, and Mousse & Cloud sandals c/o Coolway

 

 

fashion blogger in casual Friday work outfit with coat
Shein jacket, Jones New York blouse, eShakti lace skirt, DIY statement belt, Via Spiga sling backs, Hermes collier de chien bracelet, and Camel bag

Great urban safari jacket outfits for fall

In fall, you may use the garment to get more wear out of your summer clothes. This piece is perfect for creating transitional looks.

 

Alaskan woman in front of a garden in Alaska
Great Northwest utility jacket, Highland Jeans denim shirt, Sienna Studio leather pencils skirt, Steve Madden lace-up fall booties, Hermes Medor watch, Hermes collier de chien cuff,  and Prada bag

 

mature woman with leatherutility jacket and cargo pants for a casual weekend look
Great Northwest utility jacket, London Jeans camouflage cargo pants, Nine West loafers, statement belt

 

style book author in weekend style with leather joggers and utility jacket
Vince leather joggers, Great Northwest frock, cashmere sweater, Aldo leopard print pumps (all own) and necklace c/o Almo Jewellery

 

style book author illustrating how to increase thermal insulation with an utility jacket in fall
Great Northwest utility jacket, LandsEnd burgundy V-neck sweater, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Vince leather joggers, Aldo pumps, and necklace c/o Almo Jewellery

 

style blogger wearing a military inspired shirt dress with utility jacket
LV bucket bag, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Nova shirt dress, Great Northwest suede utility jacket and LeatherCoatsEtc leather camouflage print hat (all own)

 

style blogger in utility jacket and leopard print skirt
Jeanne Pierre sweater, Great Northwest utility jacket, Forever 21 leopard print skirt, GNW tight, Steve Madden fall lace-up sandals, and Camel bag

 

How to wear an utility jacket in winter

The wool or suede items are best for winter. However, the cotton versions make great layering pieces. See the photo inspirations below.

fashion blogger in camouflage utility jacket with white pants
style blogger in casual work outfit with white jeans and camo jacket

 

style woman wearing camouflage booties and a camouflage jacket for Casual Friday
London Jean white boyfriends, statement belt, GNW Luxe pink v-neck sweater, Nine West pony hair booties, Orvis utility jacket (all own), leather pearl necklace c/o Wendy Mignot, and wood watch c/o Jord

 

stylist in monochromatic look with utility jacket Monochromatic weekend outfit: Nova shirt dress, statement belt, Great Northwest suede jacket, GNW tight and Nine West booties (all own)

Alaskan woman in casual spring outfit with military outerwear Casual weekend look: Jeanne Pierre sweater, Orvis camo-floral print frock, statement belt, Oliveo linen pants, Anne Klein pumps and  scarf (all own)

 

When you like these tips, you may also want to get my book How to Dress for Success in MidlifeGet your copy now.

 

In a Nutshell: How to Look Ageless in an Utility Jacket

As demonstrated in this post, an utility jacket is more versatile than one may think. If you are in the market for one, go for a high quality and classic with a twist piece. You can wear it for years.

Do you have an utility jacket in your closet? How do you wear yours?

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Photos of me: G. Kramm

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