I like to think of myself as a bit of a jacket aficionado. It is probably the one category that makes up the biggest percentage of my wardrobe, and it’s the one item that never ceases to pique my interest no matter how many I own at any moment in time. This has meant that I have developed a particular knack for spotting the next big thing in the jacket world (if I do say so myself), and this autumn? I have a hunch that the baseball jacket is going to be the one to watch.
Identifiable by its sporty, bomber-like silhouette; striped, elasticated collar and cuffs; and patchwork motifs, the baseball (or varsity) jacket has roots in the sporting world, specifically U.S. college baseball. But it was during the 1980s that it entered popular culture thanks to the stylings of hip-hop groups such as Run-D.M.C. and N.W.A. Fast-forward to 2021, and it has been interpreted in myriad ways by both designer and high-street brands and remains a sporty staple for the general public and baseball fans alike.
Most notably, it was spotted on the A/W 21 runway of cult designer Celine, who styled a brown-and-black leather iteration with a minidress, a hoodie and chunky lace-up boots. It’s just too cool for school (literally). While the trend is still in its relative infancy on the high street, I personally love the vintage iterations you can find online, which look so cool thanks to their original patchworking and saturated college colours. Etsy has some amazing 1960s originals, but Vestiaire Collective is also great for more modern, designer interpretations.
Despite not usually being a preppy-fashion fan, I love the idea of wearing a vintage baseball jacket this autumn with slouchy jeans, a white roll-neck and heeled boots. So very Celine. Scroll down to see and shop the baseball jackets that you can buy now and wear long into 2022.
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