Are collars overrated? Opinions might vary on that question but one thing is for sure; an engineer jacket keeps your neck unencumbered.
While this specific design dates to the 1960s, we can trace its lineage back even further. Railroad engineers—a North American term for those “driving” the trains—needed a jacket that would allow them to move about the inside of a locomotive without rubbing their necks raw. Denim protected their shirts from dust, grease, and grime and it was an obvious first choice for collarless outerwear.
Fast forward to Japanese denim connoisseurs and we have the perfect melding of sleek styling, well-crafted utilitarianism, and versatility. Ill’s modernized version of the engineer jacket can be worn for most of the year. The 10.5oz. denim is the perfect lighter weight to accomplish this. While it’s rigid enough to hold its shape and shield the wearer, it’s light enough to not feel like a starchy mackinaw on a warm spring day. Exterior patch pockets add to the midcentury charm.
Available for $196 at Sun House.
