The Nick Parker School of Shackets
No jacket finer than a suede one
There’s so much to love about both versions of The Parent Trap. But for this post, we’re talking about the Lindsay Lohan version from 1998. In true Nancy Meyers fashion, it’s a master class in how the upper crust lives complete with a ritzy summer camp, a finely appointed London townhouse and a sprawling California vineyard and ranch. It’s all pretty to look at in that rarified wealth kind of way and to this day I can’t decide which of the homes I like more.
At the moment, it’s not a huge concern, though. I’m not in the market for a house, much less one of the Nick Parker or Elizabeth James variety. What I can steal from the film though, is the suede jacket Dennis Quaid wears when he picks up Hallie (Annie) from the airport after camp. It is relaxed, casual and rich (remember, this is Nancy Meyers we’re talking about, so that tracks). The whole outfit — a white t-shirt and jeans — is nothing to write home about but that’s the beauty of it. Most of my clothes fit under this heading, but it doesn’t make them bad. You could get away with calling it quiet luxury, if that weren’t a dead and tired phrase.
Maybe it’s because I’m now officially a father, but this year I could not get this whole vibe out of my head. As I close out my thirties, I find myself looking for things that are simpler, neater and sophisticated. Suede jackets (or shackets, even) fall right in that sweet spot and have an uncanny ability to class up your look. They’re inherently Brunello when done properly. You could certainly mix it up and go a little wilder with the styling, but that’s a “you” thing, not a me thing.
I’ve been wearing this one from Paige Denim for a couple of weeks now. In these transitional temperatures, hoodies add the necessary insulation and when it’s just a tad warmer, a t-shirt will do just fine. True, it’s not the chocolate brown from The Parent Trap but I find this shade works a little better with my faded denim or ecru jeans. It’s a long time before this unseats any of my mainstay outerwear pieces, but it’s definitely a contender. After a few wears I’m convinced it’s a style every guy should own.
There’s a lot of ways you could take a jacket like this and they’re everywhere right now. To that end, I gathered the above picks which tick different boxes on color, styling and fit. As mentioned, I’ve been wearing the Paige one (#6) but am also really drawn to the deeper brown of the Billy Reid option (#8) and the western detailing on the Carter Young version (#3) though I’d never tuck this. I hope you find your suede soulmate.
Other Posts You Might Like:
The Best Stuff Out There Right Now #1
Gifts for Somebody You Truly Love
How to Dress Well Without Regretting It
Small Style Upgrades With Big Impact
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Maybe your best work JJ