This past Bank Holiday weekend I was walking around my local shopping mall in Camberley, Surrey in search of what seemed to be a very difficult task. To find a casual summer jacket/sport coat that I can just as easily pair with jeans, chino’s or tailored shorts for these summer months that are already upon us.

After searching all day with no luck, I decided to give up and instead turn my attention to searching though the numerous lightweight, linen and cotton bunches we have from firms such as Dugdale’s, Harrison’s of Edinburgh & Huddersfield Fine Worsted.

At first I was thinking of a light blue linen, more on the Baby Blue scale but since decided to go for a more electric blue shade that will look just as good in the open air bars of London & New York as it will on Miami South Beach with some tailored shorts (We make those too by the way). Not that I get to South Beach too often…Bournemouth Beach is a little more accessible and likely this summer.

I want this sport coat to be lightweight and super casual so I’ve chosen the 9oz (240g) 28014 Irish Linen from Harrison’s Mersolair bunch. I’m even contemplating going unlined which is now an option for our MTM clients. This jacket of mine will also be made using our fantastic MTM programme of which more information an be found HERE, thanks to the recent article by Grant Harris of Image Granted.

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28014 Irish Linen by Harrison’s of Edinburgh.

Now…Unlined is something I usually lament and advise clients not to do. Some of these linings are very lightweight and it makes very little difference to the weight of the coat and if you are to perspire in the hot conditions then at least the lining will protect the fabric of the coat from potential perspiration stains. However, I’m going to be hypocritical here because I want to make this as casual and beach like as I can so unlined it is…Sorry Gents!

Button wise I’m back and forth between a white button or a Mother of Pearl. I’ll make the final decision on this when the jacket is complete and I can see the buttons against the finished coat for a more informed decision.

Configuration will be a Single Breasted, 1 Button front with 2 flapped Patch Pockets and a 4 Button cuff, all working holes is a must as I want to be able to roll the sleeves up when it’s a super warm, relaxed day.

The jacket will take around 4 weeks to make so I’ll be sure to post some photo’s once it’s finished in Mid-July. Timing wise I should of been more efficient and started this in Spring but this was a spur of the moment decision in the last few days.

For anyone that wishes to look at the linen and cotton bunches during this current June visit to the U.S. we’ll have all the bunches mentioned with us to browse through.

Cheers,

Matthew