It's hard to imagine how many menswear styles were born out of human killing.
It's no secret that many of the clothes we often wear originally originated in the military, such as trench coats, pea coats, MA-1 flying jackets, M-65 field jackets, parka coats, khaki pants, and many more.
If you think about it, this situation is actually not surprising. The clothes worn in combat must be useful, and it needs to meet all the survival needs of the wearer in the wild environment. It was a matter of life and death, and why the military, especially the U.S. and British militaries, developed the most functional garments of the 20th century.
But it may have also led to another kind of killing—a hunting spree in the Western world in the early last century—that spawned one of the most practical garments:
"Safari Jacket - Hunting Jacket".
In the movie "Spy League"
Brad Pitt in a hunting jacket
Played as an Allied counterintelligence agent during World War II
From the outside, this jacket resembles a belted suit, with an emphasis on the waistline that sets it apart from other coats.
As the field casual sportswear of the old gentleman, it can highlight the tough and rough masculinity without losing the elegance. Friends who have seen "Downton Abbey" should be able to get it, a slightly rough set of high leather boots, and then take a shotgun, is the purest hunting style.
Image source: Screenshot of the movie
In recent years, with the popularity of retro style, it has also become a must-have item for gentleman players.
Although the fabric is exquisite, the exquisite cut is not as serious as the suit, although the sports and leisure, relaxed and comfortable is not as casual as streetwear, which perfectly balances practicality, comfort, occasion and style.
Image source: Instagram @merinobrothers
Therefore, I highly recommend that all light mature men try this style.
Imagine all the scenes you need to go out on the waves, such as yellow sand, Gobi, off-road vehicles, how can you lack a suitable hunting suit at this time?
Image source: pinterest.com
The hunting jacket originated during the Second Boer War and evolved from the khaki uniforms of the British Army stationed in South Africa.
An early version of the hunting jacket around 1900
Pragmatism is the soul of this garment.
Four oversized bellows pockets for maps, ammunition, compasses and other military supplies; an adjustable tunic ensures that everything stays in place, which comes in handy when trekking through irregular terrain; lightweight and breathable cotton twill is used as fabric, all in short, all designed to facilitate soldiers' marching in hot and humid environments.
In fact, if you want to trace the history of these outdoor casual jackets, the clock may have to be turned back to an earlier point in time.
The 19th-century British aristocracy revered country life.
Hunting, cycling, fishing, golfing, walking... They spend most of their time on their own country estate.
Based on this lifestyle, they spent more time wearing hunting clothes made of sturdy fabrics than the silk satin they wore when entering and leaving the royal family.
This rustic mansion dress pursues a style of understated luxury that is detached from the trend. Age-related, worn-out clothes are a symbol of wealth, while leather patches on the elbows are proof of masculinity.
Although the hunting jacket was born in Britain, it was the Americans who really carried it forward. The first to upgrade the hunting jacket was Hemingway himself.
In the early 1930s, the great writer who liked to hunt in Africa perfectly demonstrated the rugged charm of this costume through photos of him proudly leaning over his prey.
At that time, the famous American outdoor clothing brand Abercrombie & Fitch designed a hunting jacket for Hemingway with the model number "476". Later, another American brand, Willis & Geiger, tailored an upgraded version for Hemingway.
The 1940s
Hemingway, dressed in a hunting suit, travels with his wife in Africa
In order to control the shotgun more stably, the jacket was specially designed with a shooting pad at the right shoulder; a slit was left above the pocket on the left chest to store ammunition; a small pocket was specially equipped above the left arm to store his glasses; the belt was removed and replaced by an elastic waist, making it easier to move.
The large pocket makes it easy to hold knives, binoculars, maps, a crimped visor and a cigar or two.
Based on this bizarre african adventure, Hemingway wrote the famous short story "The Snow of Kilimanjaro".
After this, the European and American rich circles set off a wave of hunting in Africa.
Thanks to them, many species have been pushed to the brink of endangerment.
By the 1940s, there was a major breakthrough in hunting jackets. It's clear that the jacket's innate masculinity and the adventurous core it contains have managed to appeal to Hollywood.
Whether it was Douglas Van Punk Jr., Gregory W. Both Pike and Clark Gables in adventure films where Africa takes place in the same way as rough and tough male figures.
Left: Douglas van Punk Jr. "The Hunt" (1940)
Right: Clark Gable "Red Dust" (1953)
Speaking of the hunting jacket spokesperson we are most familiar with, it is not the third generation bond, the famous British actor Roger Moore.
Of the 7 "007" films he starred in, 5 were shown in a hunting suit. It is also because of the emergence of this urban hero that the use of this dress has gradually shifted from the military battlefields of the past and the African grassland to the modern cement jungle.
French fashion guru Yves Saint Laurent is also a big fan of huntingwear.
Through his impetus, this dress known for its functionality revealed its fashion attributes, all the way from the film circle to the catwalk, becoming the trend of the 70s.
In 1969, Yves Saint-Laurent was with two girls in hunting clothes
At the same time, fashionable girls have also put on hunting jackets, giving it an unprecedented deadly sexiness.
Nowadays, in order to meet the current aesthetic trend and dressing habits, many brands of hunting jackets have made a lot of improvements.
Simplifying the complex and retaining only classic elements provides a more concise, modern look that takes into account both traditional style and practicality.
Image source: Facebook @SYNDRO
During the war years, in order to adapt to the hot climate and the complex wild environment, hunting clothes were usually made of light and breathable cotton or cotton, but now, the diversity of fabric types has greatly expanded the possibilities of hunting jackets to wear, so that they show different stylistic attributes.
Image source: Little Red Book @mister-kua
In spring and summer, khaki cotton or linen fabrics are more common.
In autumn and winter, worsted wool, Harris Tweed, corduroy or suede fabrics are all great choices that are both cold and elegant.
When it comes to the matching of hunting outfits, you can play according to your favorite style.
For example, if you want to create a traditional gentleman's feeling, choose the whole set of outfits of the same material and the same color system as shown in the picture below
If you feel like you can't hold on to the suit, changing your pants can immediately break the strong sense of wholeness.
Add a bright silk scarf or tie with a pattern, and the whole shape will be more layered and more refined
The top can choose "formal shirt + tie" or "formal dress + formal shirt + tie", which is a tasteful version of the business style.
It is very appropriate to wear such a dress to work, and others dare not underestimate you
If you want to look younger and more casual, change your formal outfit to a casual suit, change your formal shirt to an Oxford shirt, and take off your tie
Image credit: Little Red Book @CHARM BRAVES
Because the hunting jacket itself has a lot of design details, the lower body needs to be kept simple.
Plain trousers are recommended, whether they are slacks, jeans or cargo pants.
(Right) Image source: Little Red Book @Diddy A D Brother
Let's share some styling tips.
Unbutton the last two buttons of the jacket, if it is a style with a belt, tie the belt again, so that the hem of the clothes is flared, which not only makes the proportion of the chest and waist look better, but also lengthens the leg line and makes the whole person look taller.
If the overall shape looks dull and lacks highlights, adding a hat is the fastest and most effective way