Being a father to four beautiful children has made me realize that there are a lot of things I can go without. Aside from the obvious sleep deprivation, I’ve gotten used to giving up on a lot of things I thought were necessary during my standalone, single male years oh so long ago. Today, I don’t really think about having the most expensive clothes or feel threatened by the fact that other guys dress much more lavishly than I do. Indeed, there is a certain sensation of relief at having a reason not to chase after the latest fashion trends or doling out unnecessary amounts of cash just to have the newest clothes in my closet. That doesn’t render me immune to the demands of society, though. Even when buried under mountains of responsibility, I still try my best to look reasonably presentable in an effort not to embarrass my kids. Thankfully, I’ve discovered a way to avoid the stereotypical dad fashion due to the autumn season: outerwear. Not only will it keep me warm, but it’s doing a great job at hiding the food stains I suffer from on a daily basis. Here are my top five picks of excellent outerwear pieces for fall:
Pea Coat
Originally introduced by Dutch sailors and inevitably adopted by British navies, the pea coat is the manly outerwear piece. Double-breasted with the intent of shielding you from the worst of the elements, the best pea coats are usually made completely of wool. Keep your pea coat on the slim side and avoid overlong pea coats so that you won’t give off too much of a fisherman vibe. Mid-thigh is an acceptable length option, and don’t even think about skimping on the buy. The higher the quality, the longer it will last.
Denim Jacket
A bit too American for some people’s taste, the denim jacket has recently made a comeback judging by how many stores are ramping up sales of it again. What it lacks for in trendiness, the denim jacket makes up for in spades of durability. Originally meant for the working man, the denim material means that this jacket can take a lot of abuse over a lot of time. And yes, that includes killer washing machine cycles, baby vomit, rough wear, and all sorts of stains. It even looks better the more beat up it is!
Field Jacket
This menswear piece is the one with the most direct military influence and also my personal pick out of all three. Introduced primarily to the United States Military back in the year 1965, the field jacket has remained relatively unchanged by the march of time. With authentic field jackets made only of the toughest material, durability in the face of any type of weather was instantly a given. The numerous pockets make it the best choice of outerwear in terms of storage options. What’s more, you don’t need to spend a ton of money for a real field jacket. All you need is a nearby military surplus store, and you’re all set.
For high quality brands at discounted prices, you’d best be off shopping online via M and M Direct. The large scope of their company ensures the fact that they can carry hundreds of retail brands and deliver with ease. The vouchers aren’t half-bad, either.
Content Provided By Dearborn Denim and Apparel
