It’s time to get to work in one of fall’s must-have items, the utility jacket. When I think of utility jackets, one of the first thoughts that come to mind is Bill Cunningham’s iconic blue workman’s jacket, which he wore while riding his bicycle around New York City shooting some of the most exquisite clothing in the world, all while paying little attention to celebrities and focusing instead on the way women actually dressed on the streets. It may or may not be a shock to you that a man who wanted be so low-profile throughout his entire career snatched up the jacket at a French hardware store for a mere $20. Known to be so selflessly dedicated to his passion, it goes without saying that his everyday look is the very definition of signature style.
At the Chicago Chic, we often talk in terms of a garment’s functionality because when you live in a city like Chicago or New York City, there’s no telling when the weather will go from blistering hot to a cheeky cool in what seems to be like a flip of a switch. So as we approach my favorite season of the year, I’ve teamed up with Banana Republic to emulate Bill Cunningham’s signature style with a modern rendition of a blue utility jacket. I’ve styled it here with a subtle floral print shirt as a ode to the tail end of summer and a light weight cotton scarf for some early fall layering.
Jacket / Shirt/ Scarf / Pants / Belt : c/o Banana Republic | Shoes: Tod’s | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
Tip: Similar to any other piece of menswear, pay attention to how the jacket fits. You want it to be slim throughout the body and sleeves, but not too tight. Keep in mind that you should have enough room to layer lighter pieces underneath. So when you’re shopping, try it on layered with a light-weight sweater or cardigan before you take it home.
Photography: Marc Parroquin
