Seeing Double

With its distinctive overlapping front panels and a symmetrical arrangement of buttons, the double-breasted jacket exudes a sense of formality, elegance, and old-world charm. The double-breasted style is often characterized by broader lapels and a more structured silhouette, but at Oliver Spencer we like to keep our jackets unstructured for a more relaxed drape. It is commonly associated with formal occasions such as weddings, black-tie events, and business dress codes that demand a touch of sophistication, but to only think of the double-breasted jacket in this regard would be to do it a disservice because it's actually way more versatile. Wear it open for example, and you have a boxy silhouette that can look really casual when paired with a simple t-shirt or even a polo shirt.

Double-Breasted Jacket Davidson Sand

£459

Mr Porter Collaboration

Ecological

Drawstring Trousers Davidson Sand

£219

Mr Porter Collaboration

Ecological

How To Style It

The double-breasted jacket shines brightest in formal events such as weddings where you can wear it as a suit, or pair it with tailored trousers, a well-fitted dress shirt, and a tie. The single-breasted jacket is much easier to wear without a tie so bear that in mind. Most people think that the double-breasted jacket is inherently formal, but at Oliver Spencer this season, we have turned this idea on its head by using beautifully soft and slubby linen cloths to ensure that the aesthetic is always relaxed. You can of course wear the double-breasted jacket open if you wish to create a boxier silhouette. Our jacket styles are unstructured and thus have a soft natural drape which makes them that much more easy to wear casually.

Glendale Polo Shirt Dornie Cream

£110

Cap Cairnes Ecru

£69

If you want to come at it from a classic tailored approach, then a linen double-breasted jacket will always look great with a shirt and tie, but you can tweak the degrees of smartness by opting for a softer collar in the shirt, or wearing a silk knitted tie for example. For a more nonchalant approach, then pair the jacket with a simple white t-shirt, or perhaps one with stripes, which gives you the best of both smart and casual worlds, and bookend the look with sneakers or sandals. The soft-rolled collar of a polo shirt is also a great addition to the double-breasted jacket, adding a sporty, even preppy, element to the fit.