How to Choose Your Men's Safari Jacket: A Comprehensive Guide
Follow our comprehensive guide to choosing the perfect men's safari jacket, and embark on your next journey in style! Crafted for adventurers and urban explorers alike, safari jackets are lightweight outer layers – ideal for late spring, summer and early autumn – that tend to blend rugged functionality with timeless style. But with a myriad of options on the market, how do you know which design is best for you? To help you navigate the sea of safari jacket options out there, we've woven together everything you need to know about safari jackets for men into one simple guide. From selecting the best fabrics and colours to understanding the intricate features to look out for when browsing for your brand-new safari number, our guide covers it all. So, whether you're exploring the UK countryside or simply wanting to stay on-trend during your day-to-day adventures, read on and ensure you're prepared with the ideal men's jacket for any expedition...
What is the point of a safari jacket? Understanding the essence of the classic bush jacket...
Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what makes a safari jacket unique. Originally designed for hunters and explorers venturing into the heart of Africa, safari jackets – otherwise known as bush jackets – have evolved beyond their utilitarian roots to become an everyday functional and fashionable style staple. They are recognisable by a few distinct features, as follows:
- • Multiple pockets: Safari jackets are renowned for their practicality, offering ample storage for your essentials. With pockets aplenty, this type of jacket ensures you’re equipped for any adventure!
- • Durable fabric: Typically crafted from hard-wearing materials like cotton, safari jackets provide unparalleled comfort and breathability, ideal for both urban escapades and wilderness adventures!
- • Neutral colours and earthy tones: Safari jackets often come in neutrals, like beige and cream, or nature-inspired colours, such as khaki greens and terracotta tones. Their traditional palette makes them easy-to-match and promises to inject your outfits with just the right amount of colour!
Embark on a quest for the best cotton safari jacket: essential factors to consider before buying this lightweight coat
When selecting a safari jacket, there are a couple of key factors to consider to ensure you make a wise choice and invest in the best lightweight outer layer possible. Keep reading for a few pointers on what product details to prioritise...
1. Material matters: cotton is king
One of the most critical aspects of a safari jacket is the material it's made from. For unrivaled quality and performance, opt for a safari jacket crafted from 100% cotton fabric, or favour a design that's made from a cotton-rich blend. A natural fibre, cotton is the preferred choice due to its numerous benefits, summarised as follows:
- • Breathability: Cotton allows air to circulate, keeping you cool during sunny spells and warmer weather.
- • Comfort: The soft texture of cotton makes it ultra-comfortable and ideal for extended wear.
- • Durability: High-quality cotton can withstand intense activity and the harsher aspects of the great outdoors.
2. Embrace classic styles and timeless designs details, like belts and pockets
What makes safari jackets such a classic is their timeless design that never goes out of style, so make sure you pick one that stays true to tradition! The conception of these utility jackets dates back to 1900 and, despite their military origins, they have remained on trend pretty much ever since, frequently falling back into fashion throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. When buying a new model, here are the age-old features you ultimately want to look out for:
- • Epaulettes: A nod to military heritage, these shoulder straps add a dash of rugged sophistication to any safari jacket.
- • Waist belt: Not just for aesthetics, a waist belt adds shape and structure to any safari jacket, and provides an adjustable fit for optimal comfort. While the belt is sometimes visible, it may also take the form of a hidden drawstring that enables you to cinch in the waist for a flattering silhouette.
- • Four functional pockets: The standard safari design includes two chest pockets and two lower pockets for ample storage. As well as being a stylish safari jacket hallmark, a quartet of pockets conveniently provides space for all your essentials, like your phone, wallet, and keys. For enhanced functionality, ensure the pockets are well-constructed and super-secure, with a hook-and-loop finish, press stud closure or zip fastening.
3. Be selective in terms of colour – you can't beat classic khaki!
Embrace the timeless allure of khaki or, to diversify your wardrobe, explore new horizons with earthy tones like terracotta and sandy beige. Versatile and effortlessly chic, these understated and easy-on-the-eye hues complement any closet and look great as part of any outfit ensemble, whether paired against casual jeans or slightly smarter chino trousers.
Other must-have features for the modern explorer:
While we've already run you through the essential criteria for buying the best safari jacket, there are some additional design features that, although optional, may sway your choice when it comes to progressing to the checkout. Let's delve into the more intricate details:
- • Adjustable cuffs: More of a functional feature than a fashion-focused one, hook-and-loop cuffs enhance your safari jacket's insulation. Ideal for keeping out a cold breeze on a blowy day, adjustable cuffs also offer an improved fit.
- • Logos: Whether a rubber logo or a woven patch, a number of safari styles incorporate decorative features on the sleeves, chest or pockets. Purely aesthetic in purpose, these small touches elevate your outerwear.
- • Neckline: Not all safari jackets have the same type of neckline. While more traditional designs might have a classic flat collar, at Atlas For Men we favour funnel-neck designs that guarantee optimum protection from the elements!
- • Full zip or buttoned up: The best fastening for a safari jacket simply comes down to personal preference. While a button-up design is more in keeping with traditional safari style, nothing beats the practicality of the more modern full zip model.
- • Lining: Although hidden from view the majority of the time, it's still sensible to give a little thought to your safari jacket's lining. From easy-to-slip on soft, glossy taffeta to more insulating mesh, there are a range of fabrics used to line these jackets, that play into their overall look and feel.
All set for adventure, armed with a safari jacket tailored for the UK terrain!
Taking all the above into account, you're all set to transform your wardrobe with a men's safari jacket that fuses together style and functionality. From material selection to design details, our guide has provided all the pointers to help you pick a product that's as timeless as your adventures. So, whether you're conquering the urban jungle or just venturing into the great British outdoors, do so in style with a well-selected safari jacket. And if you're on the lookout for an alternative jacket to adorn on drizzly days, why not let us help you pick out the best raincoat, with our windbreaker buying guide!