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Few items of clothing can truly be called iconic. But the trucker jacket is one of them. There are countless iterations of the style, available at a wide range of price points. And a whole lot of them are good - great, even. But if you’re going in for an iconic piece of clothing, why not go for the one from the brand that made it an icon? In the case of the trucker jacket, that means Levi’s
The modern version is as indispensable now as it was in 1967 and comes with an every-man-friendly price tag.
The company that invented the modern blue jean celebrated the 50th anniversary of the trucker jacket this year. And though it’s shifted in cut and style over the course of the last half-century, the modern version is as indispensable now as it was when it was first conceived back in 1967. Gone were the pleating and cinches of earlier models like the Type 1 and Type 2, replaced by a more streamlined shape, bold vertical seams, and an everyday-wear appeal—not to mention an everyman-friendly price tag—that’s stuck around all these years.
Can’t decide what jacket to wear? Just reach for the trucker. With everything from trousers to jeans (of a different color and wash, unless you want to embrace the Canadian tuxedo), it’s an easygoing and just-rugged-enough choice. It’s also long on utility, which is exactly what you want from workwear-inspired clothing. Unlike some of its cousins, the Levi’s trucker has side pockets (because if it can have pockets, it should). The arms are cut slim but not fashion-model skinny. The torso hits right at the belt-line, where it should. And the shape is trim enough to wear with just a shirt underneath, but not so tight you can’t layer up when the temperature dips.
Wear the thing however you damn please.
For a while there, guys were so enamored of their truckers that they were wearing them under their blazers. Probably don’t do that in 2017. But other than that one caveat, wear the thing however you damn please. Whether you opt for dark, rigid denim that’ll fade and shape to your body with wear, or something washed-down and worn-in right off the hanger, you can’t go wrong.
Author: Jonathan Evans