27 Jul All About the Safari jacket; A Practical And Attractive Dress

The safari jacket, like many clothes that have become popular among people due to its use and performance, has a military origin. If you also like this coat with many pockets and attractive colours, read this article about the history of the safari coat and how to match it with other clothes.

What is a safari jacket?

The word safari itself originally means a trip to the nature and wildlife of East and South Africa. Due to the heat in this area, people travelling there should wear clothes that are light, cool and breathable. One of the best options for this purpose was the coat used by the military, which was made of a type of light cotton. This jacket had many pockets which was perfect for such trips. So, as we will see, safari jackets have military roots.

A brief history of the safari jacket 

The term “safari” first became popular in the late 1920s, But the design of this jacket dates back to 1900. At that time, the British Army used these coats as a uniform in war. A fully functional, lightweight coat for soldiers who fought in the Boer heat in South Africa. Of course, these uniforms were only available in khaki colour so that the soldiers could easily camouflage in the African bush.

These jackets had four strapped pockets, two sewn on the chest and two on the waist, and soldiers put their ammunition in them. The collar of this coat was simple and big, and it had a headdress on its shoulders. Another important feature was the belt, which kept the clothes firmly in place and made it easy to access the ammunition. Of course, these features were later used in civilian safari clothes that were mostly used for fashion or leisure trips.

From the 1930s onwards, these jackets gained more fans and became one of the main clothes for trips that took place in warm weather and were mainly suitable for hunting. Years later, again from the 1960s onwards, people like Roger Moore, the 007 agent in the James Bond film series, helped popularize the coat.

If you’re a book reader, you probably can’t imagine Ernest Hemingway, the American author, without his beloved safari jacket. In the 1930s, the designers of the Abercrombie & Fitch brand designed this coat for him, which was made of cotton imported from England, and told him that this coat was soft and flexible and would not tear, and of course, their claim was completely correct. Hemingway was very fond of this coat.

Features of today’s safari jackets

Today’s safaris are more like a shirt than a coat. This jacket is as practical as ever, But it has assumed a different identity. Some brands consider it almost as a kind of shirt, women wear it as a coat and men wear it as a shirt on the street and at work. Due to the elegance of its design and fabric, which is perfect for summer, it is more popular among men in terms of fashion, and of course, women also show interest in it. Great designers such as Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie and Barbour have changed the appearance of this dress over time. In the past, most of the rich people wore safari jackets; But today it is not so and this dress is not assigned to a special class. Depending on your needs, you can wear a coat, jacket and safari shirt on the street, at work or on a picnic.

The difference in the features of the safari jacket from yesterday to today

As we said, many features of the military safari jacket are used in today’s jackets. However, there are some differences; For example, today’s Safari is available in beige, brown, olive, navy, yellowish brown and neutral grey shades, in addition to the khaki colour. If you plan to travel to certain areas that we mentioned, colours that are the same as nature are better; Because if the colour of the clothes is different from nature, it may scare the animals.

Blue and dark colours also attract insects and mosquitoes, some of which are dangerous. Leave the other colours for everyday wear, city walks or hiking. Another difference is the number of pockets. Today’s safari jackets do not necessarily have four pockets. Of course, if you’re going somewhere where you need to carry a lot of tools and essentials, look for the basic type that has four pockets. Another difference is the belt and hood, which some modern safari jackets may not have.

Different styles of safari jackets

Safari jackets are available in different styles, each of which has its characteristics:

standard safari jackets; up to the hips

This coat is short and its length reaches to the hips. It is made from a cotton blend fabric and is quite lightweight. It has a simple collar, four pockets and four buttons. This jacket is suitable for hiking in hot weather.

Medium-length safari jackets; up to the thigh

This jacket is longer than standard and is perfect for a morning walk or fishing when the weather is cool and you want to stay a little warmer. It has four pockets that are large enough to help you put your essentials such as your watch, phone, and other tools in it.

Bush coat; Belted safari

A bush coat is a type of safari jacket that must have a belt. As we said, today’s safari jacket does not necessarily have a belt like in the past.

Bomber safari jacket; light and warm

Unlike other bombers, the Safari bomber jacket is completely lightweight and made of polyester fabric. It has four upper pockets, one inner pocket and the front of the jacket is closed with a zipper.

Safari vest; Sleeveless safari

This is quite similar to other safari jackets, except that it does not have sleeves and instead has a lining and a protective layer that provides you with more warmth. Its pockets are usually larger than other safaris.

Matching a safari jacket with different clothes

Matching a safari jacket is not a difficult task; However, to have a more stylish style, you should match it with your clothes in a smart way.

With clothes with simple colours and designs

The easiest way to wear a safari is to keep all of your outfits simple so that none of them competes for attention. Otherwise, this coat will disappear from the colour and design of your other clothes. Wear a simple T-shirt with jeans and khaki shoes underneath.

With formal wear for formal occasions

You can also formally wear a safari. If you have a formal event that is in the summer and a suit will keep you warm, wear a formal shirt with semi-formal match velvet trousers and a pair of leather moccasins, and finish off your look with a safari coat. Note that this style is formal, but not so formal that it is appropriate for very formal events such as conventions or business meetings.

With shorts for hunting or fishing

If you want to go hunting or fishing in warm weather, wear a safari jacket with a pair of shorts and hiking boots. A perfect tip for nature; Especially if you have a camera and a fishing hat.

As a casual coat when travelling

If you want to use the safari coat as a casual coat on the street or travel, it is better to choose the structured model. It is good to have a headscarf; But keep the collar as minimal as possible, a little pointy and simple is enough. If you leave it unbuttoned it will be more casual than if you close it. If your jacket has a belt, don’t fasten it if you’re a gentleman (and don’t want to look feminine). This issue will give you a feminine look. Women can tie it tighter.

Safari jacket with neutral clothes

Try to avoid wearing a safari jacket or shirt with colours that give you a military style in the city and street. You don’t want to camouflage in the street; So don’t wear an olive, khaki or beige safari jacket on the street, especially if you combine it with army boots. Instead, wear jeans or chinos with this jacket and pair it with a T-shirt or button-down shirt. It is better to have all simple and neutral colours. A pair of sneakers complete your style.

Safari jacket with various boots and hiking shoes

We said that combat boots with a safari jacket are not suitable for the streets, But you can easily wear any type of boot with a safari on a trip or nature tour. Walking shoes also make the most suitable combination with this jacket for walking. It is comfortable and light and does not make you tired, and it fits with the special style of Safari.

To wrap up

A Safari jacket is a kind of comfortable and practical coat. It is perfect for picnics, nature tourism, hiking and fishing, hunting and so on. It provides you with many pockets to carry the things you need, and it is light and does not bother you in hot weather. If you don’t have the opportunity or patience to wash your clothes, you can count on the specialized NeatEx team. NeatEx washes your clothes best and ensures you have clean and tidy clothes. Don’t damage your valuable clothes with improper washing. With the most advanced tools and the latest knowledge, we will deliver your clothes of the best quality as soon as possible.