I feature a lot of trendy pieces on this little bloglet, and have recently been inspired to think about the tried-and-true closet basics that I return to time and time again, as a few of you mentioned that you really like to know what I actually own and wear on the reg. Perhaps unexpectedly (?), at the very top of this “Magpie Must” list is The Utility Jacket. I own two that I have worn for the past decade or so, season after season. One is a lighter-weight anorak style I scored from J. Crew (looks similar to this style, on sale!) and the other is a classic Barbour field jacket ($275, but get the look for less with this, and I also like the ivory colored quilted Barbour here, on sale!), and both are army green. They are endlessly versatile in the way a trench coat is: I can wear them just as easily with my Alo yoga pants as I can with a sundress (currently wearing this A LOT). Cases in point:
Not that I *need* a third utility jacket, but I am loving both the camo utility jacket idea in the first picture above, and the more military-style version in the third picture above.
The Camo Utility Jacket
On the camo front, I am absolutely IN LOVE with this blouson-sleeved style from Banana ($128)! The drama of the sleeves makes the jacket feel so much higher-end and sort of counterbalances the ruggedness of the camo print. But if you’re looking for something a bit more straight-forward, this J. Crew variation ($98) has your name all over it. Winner in the budget buy category? This Calvin Klein jacket (on sale for $49).
The Military-Style Utility Jacket
On the military-style front, Theory’s Thornwood style is uber-chic (more sizes here), and I’m absolutely head over heels for Veronica Beard’s statement-making, lace-trimmed variation (on sale for $209!). BTW, speaking of jackets, Veronica Beard is pretty much known the world over for her beautifully-cut blazers. Everyone swears by them. And the sale she has going right now is EPIC — you can get one of her classic blazers on sale for $179! — but I think I have to have this Chanel-esque tweedy looking one, on sale for $209 down from nearly $700!!!)
The Classic Utility Jacket
If you’re in the market for a straight-forward utility style as shown in the second picture above, though, consider these options:
BALLER: Veronica Beard’s Camp Ponte Utility Jacket ($595)
MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD: Free People’s Surplus Jacket ($148)
NOW WE’RE TALKING: Madewell’s Fleet Jacket ($118)
BUDGET BUY: Maison Jules’ Cotton Utility Jacket (on sale for $35)