B
Back In Black
When I decided to add a black basket weave sport coat to our fall and winter collection this year, I couldn’t help but think back to the beginning of my journey here on HSS. Die hard readers will recall that one of our very first — if not the first — one piece, many ways posts ever done on these pages was a with a black three-piece suit.
Let’s just unpack that for a moment.
On the one hand, showing you many ways to style one garment gets to the heart of what we believe here — versatility should be a primary concern when developing your wardrobe. But on the other hand, having one of the first “versatility” posts center around a black three-piece suit seems like a huge menswear faux pas come to life.
The faux pas in question is, of course, thinking that your first suit should be a black suit. A lot of people think that. Hell, I thought it too! Then once you get your menswear sea legs under you, you realize that suits in other colors — such as navy blue and gray — make much better choices as first suits, especially when viewed through the lens of versatility. And then you do that whole dance and think black suits or sport coats shouldn’t really be a thing. At least that was my mindset.
Fast forward a decade, however, and well, my thinking has evolved. In fact, I’ve been a bit infatuated with black tailored pieces, which is why you can also find a black flannel suit in the shop. I love the contrast you can create with them (this current look notwithstanding). I love how powerful they can feel (see: this current look). And particularly around this time of year, a black suit, sport coat, or trousers, can get tons of use for events, dinners, and holiday parties.
So say hello to our black basket weave sport coat and read on to understand more about the fabric, why it’s so appealing, some of the features and details of our offering, and how to style it.
What Is Basket Weave Fabric?
Basket weave fabric is a type of textile characterized by its intricate pattern that mimics the crisscross arrangement found in a woven basket. This fabric is created using a specific technique in which multiple threads are woven over and under one another in a set pattern, often forming a checked design.
The result of this weave is a sturdy fabric that provides excellent durability and resistance to wear and tear, making it a popular choice for heavy-duty uses such as upholstery, rugs, and bags. But despite its robustness, basket weave fabric also offers a good deal of flexibility, which gives it a comfortable feel and a subtle drape – thus, why it’s a good choice for a sport coat.
Why Is Basket Weave So Appealing?
The design of the basket weave pattern also lends itself to a subtly rich texture, creating a good deal of visual interest. When created with different colored threads, the pattern can produce a two-toned effect, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the fabric, though we’re going will all-black here.
Another advantage of basket weave fabric is its versatility. Depending on the type of thread used, it can be made into a wide range of textiles. This versatility, combined with its attractive pattern and durability, makes basket weave fabric a favored choice in various applications in the textile industry.
Features & Details
Now that we have a better understanding of basket weave fabric itself, let’s take a look at some of the specific features and details of our black basket weave sport coat.
Let’s begin with the fabric. We chose a lovely Dino Filarte Super 110s. It is soft but structured — feels like if hopsack and flannel had a child. There’s a nice weight to it but it is also quite supple, making it a joy to wear.
I’ve styled the jacket as I typically would. Two button, notch lapel, double-vent, fully canvassed, tone on tone lining, and patch pockets. As I’m wearing it in this post, you might be inclined to say it would look better with flap pockets, but with an eye towards the greatest versatility, I believe that patch pockets are the best choice as it is easily styled more casually with jeans, for example.
How I Styled It
As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I think black is a wonderful color choice this time of year. Is it festive? Not really, I guess, but I have always been a big fan of standing out in the most subtle manner possible. And in a sea of reds, greens, argyles, plaids, fair isles, and other seasonal patterns you’re typically going to see at a holiday party, opting for monochromatic ensemble based on black and charcoal gray, is my preferred way to stand out.
For the foundation of the outfit, I paired a black cashmere turtleneck with a pair of chalk stripe flannel trousers. The turtleneck instantly lends a feeling of relaxed sophistication and the chalk stripe trousers provide a subtle and unexpected pattern to augment the texture of the jacket. And I’m anchoring the look with my favorite pair of black cordovan full straps from Alden.
The Bottom Line
Having personally gone through a pretty typical menswear journey with respect to black tailored clothing, I’m happy to report that whether you’re new to the game or a grizzled vet like me there is most definitely a place in your wardrobe for a those pieces. And a black basket weave sport coat is an excellent place to start.
Thanks, as always, for reading.