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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.

 

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

 

High Latitude Style blogger in eclectic street chic with camo coat
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, 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:  Baby-pink dress c/o Lookbook Store, 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, 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, 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,  Ray Ban aviators, and Ivanka Trump cap-toe pumps.

 

style blogger in drawstring parka, statement belt, chinos, tote, pumps, T-shirt
Wooden watch c/o Jord, Orvis drawstring parka, 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, 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.

 

 

 

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.

 

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 aviators, leather camouflage hat, and layered mesh-skirt c/o Lookbook Store.

 

 

Fairbanks stylist in urban casual look with a drawstring jacket
Shein draw-string jacket, A Novo dress, 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 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 Great Northwest utility jacket  is perfect for creating transitional looks.

 

Alaskan woman in front of a garden in Alaska
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 leather utility jacket and cargo pants for a casual weekend look
London Jeans camouflage cargo pants, Nine West loafers, belt.

 

 

style book author illustrating how to increase thermal insulation with an utility jacket in fall
LandsEnd 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 hat.

 

style blogger in utility jacket and leopard print skirt
Jeanne Pierre sweater, Great Northwest utility jacket, Forever 21 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.

 

fashion blogger in camouflage utility jacket with white pants
London Jean boyfriends, gemstone belt, GNW Luxe sweater, Nine West pony-hair booties, Orvis utility jacket, 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, Great Northwest suede jacket, GNW tight and Nine West booties.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

Photos: G. Kramm

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