Style Pick of the Week: Native North Technical Base Jacket

A clean, minimal rain jacket that just plain works for spring.

Welcome to another Style Pick of the Week, my friends (from a brand you might recognize from an earlier Style Pick entry this month!).  To be clear, we don’t often get too technical here on the blog. That is to say, I’d rather tell you about the best trucker jacket to buy now, versus digging into gear that’s made for, say, camping or hardcore hiking or whatnot. But what if I told you the Native North Technical Base Jacket (it even says “technical” in the title!) bridges the gap between both worlds, marrying form and function for early spring? Too good to be true, right? Not quite. In fact, this number here might be the best spring rain jacket. Yes indeed, Native North has pulled off a difficult feat with the Native North Technical Base Jacket, a minimal, stylish rain jacket that’s ideal for chilly, blustery weather. The kicker is this: Thanks to the brand’s Danish style inspiration, it doesn’t look half-bad, either.

You get just the right mix of utility and style with the Native North Technical Base Jacket, from the surface-treated, lightweight nylon-spandex exterior to the windproof coating — and the surprisingly sleek dark  Brown color. Throw in two chest button-snap pockets & two hand-warmer pockets, then consider the fact that the Native North Technical Base Jacket is also triple-layered … pretty impressive, right?

A trusty hood adds another utilitarian point to this jacket.

The point is this: The Native North Technical Base Jacket packs in everything you could want from a spring rain jacket, right down to the cinch-adjustable hood. That means you can wear this functional rain jacket with your favorite menswear essentials, pieces like a classic Oxford shirt or a thermal henley and slim light wash denim, without missing a beat. Isn’t that what spring outerwear is for, at any rate? The Native North Technical Base Jacket also happens to be versatile enough to dress up ever so slightly. You could layer it over a cashmere sweater and pair that look up with slim tan chinos, plus stylish leather brogues, to head to the office — breezy spring weather be damned. And lest you’re worried that this jacket has the potential to turn you into a sweltering mess (like other spring jackets), well, it’s made all the way through with lightweight, breathable material. Check, check and check. The point is, the Native North Technical Base Jacket has the potential to be a go-to jacket every time the weather takes a turn — and even on days when you just need a lightweight, casual spring layer.

 

Style Pick of the Week: Native North Utility Jacket

A functional-yet-versatile jacket to help you get ready for early spring.

Not so fast, my friend — it’s not time to hang up all of your winter style essentials quite yet. In fact, some of those pieces, like the Native North Utilty Jacket shown above, can reliably help you make the transition into early spring. That’s right, the Native North Utility Jacket is one of the best men’s jackets for early spring, and that’s just a fact. The Native North Utility Jacket certainly has a lot going for it, from the classic workwear cut to the handy pockets (perfect for lugging your everyday carry essentials through less-than-optimal spring weather). And it’s a bonus that the Native North Utility Jacket doesn’t quite look like anything you’ve got in your closet when it comes to style — that’s because its roots come from Denmark, that uniquely minimal, quickly growing menswear outpost. Heck, there’s even a Copenhagen Fashion Week now, and you wouldn’t look out of place if you decided to wear the Native North Utility Jacket across the pond. But enough about the runways — what makes this stylish spring jacket right for you? Bear with me.

SHOP: The Native North Utility Jacket

Native North

The three-way collar lends itself to fighting chilly early spring days in style.

For one, it’s not the bulky winter jacket you’ve grown used to wearing over the past several months — this slim wool jacket is linted with cotton (versus an all-wool lining), giving it a bit more breathability and mobility. Point being, you should feel free to layer this rugged workwear jacket over everything from a classic henley and slim faded jeans (don’t forget some Astorflex chukka boots) to a crisp white Oxford shirt and tan chinos. Think of the Native North Utility Jacket like a more stylish, functional blazer replacement (complete with two interior pockets and three exterior pockets). In short, this jacket could also double as the perfect travel jacket, able to be worn on a chilly plane or train, and then out to your destination once you arrive. Again, it’s a uniquely stylish spring jacket that looks quite a bit different from the technical pieces we normally associate with early spring style. That’s only a positive — just because we’re getting away from winter doesn’t mean you don’t need an arsenal full of the best men’s jackets, and again … that’s just a fact! Are you adding the Native North Utility Jacket to your rotation this season? How are you wearing it? Let me know via The Style Guide Facebook. Thanks for reading!