Tips for Choosing & Styling a Utility Jacket
A utility jacket is a wardrobe staple but it can be difficult to find the right one for YOUR life. Based on the number of questions I receive about this item and springtime weather, I’m giving you several tips for choosing and styling a utility jacket.
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Outfit Details:
Top: Madewell XXS (exact + blog post 5 Favorite Tops + 3 Favorite Tees)
Jacket: J. Crew Factory XXS (exact or similar)
Pant: Banana Republic 24 (exact or similar)
Belt: Talbots XS (new version or similar)
Shoes: M. Gemi Cerchio size 5 (exact or similar for less)
Necklaces: Baublebar (small bar + long pendant or similar for less)
Let’s get started…
Why is a Utility Jacket a Wardrobe Staple?
- Versatile completer piece – it can be used as a layering piece or jacket year-round and is most often seen in spring and fall
- Neutral color – when I think of a utility jacket, I imagine an olive green or hunter green color. Yes, this may not be true of all utility jackets (I’ve seen some great ones in navy or tan) but you can consider these green-hues in the neutral color palette.
- Timeless – a utility jacket does not go out of style. It’s not a trend that will go away next year.
Tips for Choosing a Utility Jacket
1. Decide what setting you need it for
Is this for casual wear? Do you also need it to function in a business casual setting? In general, utility jackets are designed for casual settings but I have more recently come across utility jackets that are appropriate for business casual settings. You may remember my recent most on this modern utility jacket styled 3 ways, including for work (read my blog post).
2. Decide what weather you need it for
What temperature are you ideally wearing this utility jacket in? Is it for 40-degree temperatures or 60-degree temperatures? This will help you determine what fabric is ideal for the jacket (twill, cotton, quilted, etc.) and how thick you would like the fabric to be. In general, warmer weather does well with twill/cotton while quilted fabric does well for cooler weather.
3. Decide on what design you want
Loose or fitted? Long, regular or short hem? There is significant variability in the design of a utility jacket.
4. Decide on what extra features you want or need in it
Do you want pockets in specific locations on the jacket? Do you want a zipper closure, button closer or something else? Do you want drawstrings or belts to accent your waist? There are SO many extra features that these jackets come with that you can be very particular with this.
What do my utility jackets look like?
You could classify 3 of my jackets as utility jackets.
- J. Crew Factory utility jacket is a classic olive-green color. It is for casual settings, 50-60-degree temperatures, and is made from 100% cotton fabric. It hits just below the waistline and features a drawstring at the waist to customize the look. It also features a classic zipper closure and buttons.
- Burberry utility jacket is a hunter green color. It is for casual settings, but it is more polished than the J. Crew Factory jacket because of the mix of quilted and nylon fabrics along with the signature Burberry checker pattern on the cuffs. It can be worn in 50-60-degree temperatures, has a longer hemline with a loose fit for layering and a belted design (also with buttons) for a fitted waistline when I tie it. It also features 4 pockets total with 2 large buttoned pockets on the quilting.
- White House Black Market utility jacket is a cool olive-green color. It is for business casual settings and functions as a blazer style with the cut and fit. It is made of cotton/polyester/spandex. It can be worn in 60-degree temperatures. It has unique features with the gold-buttons and trim.
Interested in more information on these utility jackets? Head over to my YouTube Channel to watch a fit video on the J. Crew Jacket & Burberry Jacket!
Burberry Whitworth Jacket – learn more about it in this blog post
Similar Burberry options here, here or here
WHBM Jacket – learn how to 3 ways to style it in this blog post
Tips for Styling a Utility Jacket:
Once you find a utility jacket YOU LOVE, then it is time to style it! Since I already covered my unique WHBM utility jacket in a separate post about styling it three ways, I won’t focus on this one today. In addition, I haven’t found a similar Burberry utility jacket since I purchased mine in Spring 2017 so I will not speak in depth of this one (closest one here). Let’s focus on the common olive-green utility jacket for casual settings today!
My favorite way to style a utility jacket is with a v-neck tee, dark wash denim and sneakers. In these photos, you see a go-to gray tee with slip-on sneakers and simple jewelry.
More Top Combinations: I also love pairing a utility jacket with striped tees, neutral tops, twist-front tops, lace tops and gingham button-ups.
More Pant Combinations: I also love pairing the olive-green color with white denim, gray denim or distressed blue denim jeans.
Want more outfit ideas with a classic utility jacket?! Check out my Spring Capsule Wardrobe and join our Challenge where I’ll give you DAILY outfits and STYLE tips for 5 weeks + bonuses an exclusive Facebook group and weekly giveaways!
Join the Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Today! Get a Sneak Peak on this blog post!
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Jessica Louie, PharmD, APh, BCCCP is the CEO of Clarify, Simplify, Align and Host of The Burnout Doctor Podcast. Dr. Louie uses her signature Burnout Doctor Method to coach burned out pharmacists & professionals to simplify because work-life balance is a LIE. Align work into your life & break free from people pleasing, perfectionism and thrive in life on YOUR TERMS.