Take a D-E-E-P B-R-E-A-T-H! What do you smell? For some, it’s a mixture of pine trees, rushing water, campfires, and fish bait. Others detect well-tended fields with white painted lines, hot dogs, and beer. Maybe you live where the air is filled with salt spray and sea gulls or in [...]

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Take a D-E-E-P B-R-E-A-T-H! What do you smell? For some, it’s a mixture of pine trees, rushing water, campfires, and fish bait. Others detect well-tended fields with white painted lines, hot dogs, and beer. Maybe you live where the air is filled with salt spray and sea gulls or in a climate where 32 degrees is springtime. Does someone shouting “FORE” make your heart beat faster? Maybe your thrill is the roar of race cars thundering around the track while the fans roar even louder.

No matter where you live on the globe, warmer weather is dominant. What are you going to do about how you dress as you “jump into your favorite pastime up to your elbows”? You’re a man who takes pride in his appearance, so jumping into a pair of old shorts and a t-shirt to face the world is … OUT OF THE QUESTION!

Even in casual situations … whether playing golf, boating, biking, hiking, fishing, or any of the “million other” things you enjoy … you prefer the sleek, neat look of a shirt and pants that fit well. BUT … you detest wearing bulky coats and jackets. True, they keep you comfortable when the weather is chilly, windy, or wet … but they “get in your way”, hide the streamlined ensemble you’ve chosen underneath, and restrict your movements. RELAX! We’ve found the PERFECT solution!

Shirt jackets (also called wind shirts) are GREAT outerwear additions to a busy man’s wardrobe. What are they? They are a wonderful cross between a shirt and a jacket:

• Like jackets … they are made from materials that combat chilly, windy, rainy weather while you enjoy your favorite outdoor activities.

• Like shirts … they have a lightweight, natural cut that eliminates the bulk and bagginess of a jacket, and allow you to maintain your clean-cut, stylish image in any type of weather.

Many shirt jackets are button-down styles that feature front chest pockets with snap or button closures to look as much like a regular shirt as possible. Others are pullovers or zippered and may have hoods (detachable or in-sewn), linings, or side pockets.

Whether you leave your wind shirt open, closed, or partially closed is up to you. Any way you slice it, wind shirts function exceptionally well in a wide range of casual situations and sports while keeping YOU SMART AND SAAVY!

Which Materials Do You Need?

In addition to finding shirt jackets that look GREAT, you need ones made from materials that match your climate, seasons, and activities. Here are some guidelines for choosing JUST THE RIGHT ONES:

1. Cotton Wind shirts – Cotton is an absorbent fabric that wears well at some point in almost everyone’s yearly weather cycle. Obviously, cotton closely resembles shirt fabric … so it’s truly like wearing a shirt … but with EXTRA FEATURES that keep you going strong no matter the weather! Cotton will also wear well in the “in-between” months when colder weather is fading in and out.

2. Nylon Wind shirts – Nylon is lightweight and perfect for year-round. It holds its shape extremely well over time and needs little care. Nylon shirt jackets may resemble a windbreaker, but has the advantage of a slimmer fit and appearance.

3. Shirt Jackets for Colder Climates – You’ll need more than a cotton or nylon shirt jacket if your warmer seasons never climb above freezing! For you, there are shirt jackets made from suede, flannel, or wool with extra linings. Keep in mind these materials usually require extra cleaning care … but are well worth it if you hate wearing those huge, bulky coats.

What’s Underneath?

Since wind shirts are often worn over other clothing, another important selection consideration is … what do you plan to wear beneath your wind shirt? One fantastic casual look is wearing one over a crew neck or oxford button-down shirt with khakis, chinos, twills, corduroys, and jeans. Keep that casual persona with boots or canvas shoes. Some shirt jackets are debonair enough to dress up by choosing loafers or laced shoes with dress pants and accessories.

If you plan to wear heavier shirts such as flannel, wool, cashmere, or turtleneck sweaters … make sure the shirt jacket closes comfortably over these heavier clothes.

If you are planning to wear your shirt jacket while working, a comfortable fit is even more important! Get just the right size by moving your arms and body in several directions to ensure that you have complete freedom of movement.

Now that you know how to select the perfect shirt jackets for yourself … let’s “hit the trails” leading to the ones that are WAITING FOR YOU!

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