“Eye-catching,” “head-turning,” and even “drool-inducing” are terms usually reserved for women’s fashion, and the women who wear them. Enter: the souvenir jacket. This elegant bad boy staple of menswear turns the tables. And here at SG HQ, we’re into it.
Born in 1950’s Japan, and brought to a mass audience’s attention by Ryan Gosling in Drive, the souvenir jacket is identifiable by its shiny satin fabric and heavily embroidered designs depicting traditional Eastern and Western motifs, like cherry blossoms besides bald eagles. Get ready to take your look from 0 to 60 in as long as it takes to pull it on.
THE SOUVENIR JACKET: Ralph Lauren, $495*
*Don’t worry. We added some less expensive options at the bottom, too
MONDAY
trousers: Suit supply, $269| shirt: David Donahue, $135 | tie: The Tie Bar, $19
shoes: Robert Talbott, $295 | belt: Magnanni, $125 | wallet: Hugo, $75 |
cologne: Penhaligon’s, $92
SG Says: Stash the jacket in your bag and swap it in as you leave the office for after work drinks.
TUESDAY
jeans: AG, $188 | button-up: Patagonia, $69 | espadrilles: Rivieras, $80
watch: Skagen, $155 | sunglasses: Ray-Ban, $190 | bracelet: Fossil, $34
SG Says: Neatly cuff your white jeans (more ways to wear those here) to show off your espadrilles.
WEDNESDAY
shorts: The Rail, $50 | tee: James Perse, $60 | sneakers: Cole Haan, $130
glasses: Warby Parker, $95 | backpack: Brooks England, $205 | socks: N/A, $12
SG Says: Make sure to pair your sneakers with no-show socks to flash a clean look at your ankle.
THURSDAY
henley: Bonobos, $58 | joggers: Topman, $55 | sunglasses: Oliver Peoples, $455
sneakers: Adidas, $130 | headphones: Bang & Olufsen, $299 | bag: Ted Baker, $239
SG Says: Travel in style with comfy separates and the coolest topper. Add sunnies for celeb status.
>> Check out Taylor’s travel essentials
FRIDAY
chinos: Bonobos, $78| tee: Onia, $85| espadrilles:Massimo Dutti, $90
pomade: V76 by Vaugh, $20 | watch: Braun, $210
SG Says: It’s easy to wear a souvenir jacket into the weekend. Just add shorts and a colorblocked tee…okay, and yes, espadrilles (have you snagged a pair for summer yet?!)
// Shop more #SGApproved Picks //
TELL ME:
WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO SUMMER OUTERWEAR?
Want to see more ways to wear your favorite pieces for summer? We show you how to style modern cargo shorts, white jeans and boat shoes, 5 ways.
Man, I KNEW that a “5 Days 5 Ways” segment on souvenir jackets was bound to come any time! In any case, it’s #yassssss! Essentially the more bad@$$ long, lost cousin of the varsity jacket hailing from the Orient, I LURVE both the Thursday and Friday ensembles, especially the latter’s rockstar vibes.
Personally, I let my outerwear make a statement ALL the time. Exactly why I’ll be adorning my leather biker with a Union Jack lapel pin down the line. And even without lapel pins, such outerwear like denim or bombers jacket somehow do take center stage without even trying!
I also am an outerwear statement maker at all times – I’ve actually had someone tell me that they didn’t think they had ever seen me without a jacket!
Yup, story of my life there!
I wouldn’t make this statement myself – satin is not for me. But I am still on the lookout for a really good bomber (the ones from Frank and Oak had really low armholes sadly). Certainly my peacoat sends a different statement than my overcoat in the winter and as it is first thing people see I am careful about wearing the right one. My overcoat is definitely for the “I’m the boss” scenarios.
Frank and Oak outerwear had low armholes? Bummer, since I was looking forward to get myself a piece from them.
Just the bomber the rest fits fine. Winter stuff is no good for Canada but the lighter stuff is normally great. My trench and my field jacket are both from there. Their collaborations are very in consistent sizing wise.
Gotta love when you find the right outfit for those “I’m the boss” scenarios! What kind of bomber are you looking for? I’m sure we could help you find the right one!
I do love that old Irish saying: “May all your outfits be ‘I’m the boss’ outfits..”
In our very casual society a good overcoat, leather gloves and a tailored jacket pretty much always say that. Stand up straight and you are golden.
I want something quality that is long enough to reach my belt line. No logos and preferably not black. Problem is I am 6’3″ and most bombers are too short and the cheap ones look like a 1980s K way jacket
LOVE the boots on Friday as well as the loafers from Tuesday.
These jackets look pretty interesting. I’d love to go get one from Japan or maybe Taiwan. A couple of the older guys in my town had them from the war when I was a kid.
I did see a couple authentic older styles on eBay, an original would definitely be worth the hunt!
First thing’s first: Tuesday is awesome! The jacket already has red and blue, so why not complete the primary color trifecta with yellow? It’s perfect!
Second, I am loving this trend right now! I already picked up a printed bomber from Zara (their blue and purple version of the Saint Laurent palm tree bomber that was e’rywhere recently) and damn if I’m not still thinking of picking up another – Pac Sun has a couple great ones right now, there was one from Obey from last season with this great gold embroidered lotus on the back, and a couple others I’m keeping my eye on.
This one is reversible and pretty amazing….http://www.zumiez.com/straight-to-hell-demon-vs-snake-souvenir-jacket.html