Business jackets for men: Find your modern office style
Does your wardrobe have the right jackets? It's easy to choose fun, playful styles for the street or the weekend – but what about the office? Every man needs at least one business jacket. Make sure it fits well; look for a cut that will fit you in certain areas that often cause problems. For example, many men struggle to find a jacket that sits properly across the shoulders. It's also important to get the length of the arms right. If your suit jacket doesn't fit properly, you'll never look fully put together. Once you've got it right, though, you'll ooze sophistication. Find the perfect formal jacket and let your inner James Bond come out to play!
A beginner's guide to choosing a jacket
If you've never bought business jackets for men before, start with the basics. The most versatile colours to choose are plain navy, dark charcoal, and black. Later, you can venture out into other shades or simple, understated design touches, like pinstripes; however, for your first jacket, it's best to stick to a plain style. A dark neutral is flexible. You'll be able to wear it to the office, but also to formal occasions like weddings and funerals. Jackets in dark colours also look good with pretty much any colour of shirt and tie; this lets you showcase your personality as you wish. You might want to start by looking for a matching suit. Three-piece suits are rarely worn nowadays, except on very formal events like weddings. However, the two-piece suit is still a mainstay of the work wardrobe. If you're getting a suit, buy the jacket and trousers from the same brand to ensure they're exactly the same shade. Even black can vary!
How to style your business jacket
For the office, wear your jacket over a button-down shirt. It's easy to dress up – by putting on the full suit – or down, by adding chinos or even jeans, if the dress code allows. If your jacket has two buttons, never do them both up. You'll look sharper with just the top one buttoned and the bottom one left open. The same is true if you have a three-button jacket. Remember the rule: "Sometimes, always, never". The middle button should always be done up, the top one if you wish, and the bottom one always open.