How to Wear Men's Tweed Jackets

The first step in wearing your tweed jacket well is to ensure proper fit. Choosing an oversized jacket can lead to a rumpled look, as if you're a boy who just pulled it out of your father's closet. Instead, select a jacket with a slim (but not snug) fit. You should be able to button it comfortably over a sweater. Check to make sure the buttons don't pull when you sit down. You should be able to comfortably extend your arms in front of you without the shoulders feeling too tight.

Esquire Magazine reminds us that tweed is not a pattern, but a weave of fabric. Tan herringbone is a classic, but tweed jackets also come in a number of stylish plaids. Keep the colors muted if you want to wear your jacket with a variety of pants and shirts, as the busier the pattern, the fewer options you have. You will want to coordinate your slacks to one of the tones in your jacket. For example, a dark brown and gray plaid looks sharp with either color pants.

Beware of mixing too many shades of brown. If you've chosen a tan herringbone jacket, you can pair it with brown pants, black pants or blue jeans. If you choose brown pants, choose a darker shade than the jacket and go with black shoes. With black pants, black shoes are best. A pair of retro-inspired brown boots will dress up the blue jeans. Round-toe brogues are a rugged and attractive choice.

Tweed jackets are reminiscent of British boys' schools, and you shouldn't be afraid to give a sartorial nod in that direction. Wear a button-down shirt with an unbuttoned collar over a navy tie and a soft, striped sweater, then pull on your tweed jacket. Leave the buttons open to avoid looking too stuffy. Your sweater should be fitted but not tight. For a casual, roguish schoolboy touch, untuck one of your front shirttails and allow it to hang out from beneath the sweater.

If you prefer a double-breasted jacket, look for peaked lapels to keep it from looking too dated or businesslike. A peaked lapel jacket is a classic, formal style in which the lower portion of the lapel sticks out farther than the upper portion and points upward in a peak. Pair this jackets with a crisp white shirt and bright silk tie for dressy occasions. Single-breasted jackets are a much more casual look.

Give your tweed jacket a dry cleaning and professional pressing at the end of every season and hang it in the closet with the plastic bag still on. Regular (but not too frequent) dry cleaning will keep your tweed jacket looking smart for years to come.