Joe Browns Costello Blazer Review
COFFEE BREAK: The perfect opportunity to venture out in my new Joe Browns Costello Blazer
TIME TEST: A century on tweed remains a staple of fashion
OUT & ABOUT: The jacket is perfect for a variety of occasions
ACCESS ALL AREAS: Relaxing is easy, wherever you are
COUNTRY BOY: The blazer looks especially good in its natural countryside inspired setting
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Time To Talk Tweed
The reputation of tweed appears to be as tough and durable as the material itself. Made popular by the Edwardian middle class, over the years tweed may have dipped in and out of vogue, but has ultimately proven its worth as a long standing icon of fashion. What makes a tweed blazer stand apart from most other jackets is its uncanny ability to simultaneously fulfil a practical need while adding a touch of élan to your overall outfit. As well as being able to withstand a lot of wear and tear and provide warmth during chilly months, its country charm manages to knight its subject with an air of class despite whatever else they may be sporting. Subtly introducing a pattern to an otherwise plain wardrobe, the material works surprisingly well with most other textures. Working well with a variety of tops from formal and check shirts to roll-necks and sweaters, you can even pair it with slim-lined suit trousers, casual pants, or even bottoms as rugged as jeans or corduroy. No matter how contemporary an outfit, a tweed blazer will imbue upon it an element of heritage. 
LIFE'S FINER THINGS: The blazer sports some wonderful detail
Equally relaxed in a work setting as it is at a bar or out and about shopping in town (or obviously, the countryside), there are likely only a few occasions where it possibly wouldn’t be a suitable option. Currently, the trend for facial hair means that if you are sporting a beard it will only enhance the look rather than get you mistaken for an elderly dishevelled Oxford don.
Joe Browns Costello Blazer Extremely lightweight in nature, this tweed-style blazer makes an ideal companion piece throughout the year. Not restricted to colder climates, you could comfortably don this jacket for summer evening barbecues, picnics in the park and any other outdoor social events. Due to its lavish maroon lining itching is kept to a minimum despite the blazer being 50% wool. Reliably traditional in its style, the blazer boasts a herringbone pattern and two buttons for closing. There are two fairly deep pockets on the inside with four more to be found on the exterior, including one on the breast, which is dedicated to an attached pocket square peeping out. Predominantly brown in colour, there is a subtle check pattern at play with a red and black motif running through it. Even the four buttons on the cuff include different gradients of these two colours, allowing them to be unobtrusively distinctive while still matching the rest of the jacket. Adorning the front, and drawing the eye to the top right of the blazer, is a subtle and mildly charming brass-style pheasant lapel pin. Unremarkable as a singular item, in tandem with the rest of the ensemble it playfully encourages the wearer to appreciate the countryside association of the garment. 
INNER BEAUTY: The opulent lining means the blazer looks good even when taking it off
How I Wore The Blazer
On the occasion of the photos I opted to complement the jacket’s red lines and pocket square by donning a similarly coloured and patterned tie, along with a pair of more contemporary but colour-matching jeans. For the top I decided to work with the black lines by wearing a dark green shade shirt, but under a brighter coloured pea green V-neck jumper. This simultaneously managed to evoke a sense of the countryside while complementing my hazel eye colour. Brown boots ensured that the main colour of the blazer could retain its dominance yet not look to be attempting to gain focus as an eclectic centrepiece. Despite acquiring the smallest size available the blazer was still a generous fit, with ample space to accommodate a potential matching waistcoat. And that is something I would very much like to see. Impressive with more contemporary clothing, it would likely be equally so with matching tweed garments such as a waistcoat, trousers and overcoat. Is It The Jacket For You? For men who truly value their fashion sense the Costello Blazer is an excellent choice of jacket. It allows you to stand out as a stylish guy at any time of year while subtly demonstrating your appreciation for the finer details. Available for only £100 from menswear specialist Jacamo, the Joe Browns Costello Blazer is great value for money and a highly recommended purchase for the fashion-conscious gentleman. |
