Studs Up

My #1 favourite item in my wardrobe is my Barbour x To Ki To jacket, but after unboxing and wearing the new Umbro Anthem Jacket for a few days I may have to call them #1 and #1(a). The thing is wonderful in its concept and construction.

Full thoughts below and a bunch of lovely pics at the bottom of this post.

I may not be English, but I have a deep affinity for English tailoring and Umbro’s efforts to bring those skills to their football products has led to some outstanding stuff, partnering with Saville Row tailors and designer Aitor Throup to help construct everything from kits to training gear.

You may have seen the Anthem Jacket on the backs of the England players already as they warm up or on the sidelines, looking rather smart as the bright blue pops against the white or red kit. Even though it’s technically an athletic product it really is a fantastic piece of everyday-wear.

The jacket outer is thick and sturdy, belying the mesh inner that keeps makes it breathable and cool. There are beautiful small details are all over the place from the materials to the custom umbro buttons and zippers to the thick, quality embroidery of the England crest and Umbro logo. There are also plenty of subtle pockets, an absolute requirement for any jacket I wear, two traditional outer pockets which you’d expect on a track jacket like this but also two hidden inner-chest pockets that are staples of a suit rather than sportswear. Brilliant.

The massive “ENGLAND” on the back made me a little hesitant to wear it out too often right now, given the World Cup is going on and, again, I’m not actually English. But certainly when nationalistic fervor wears off by next season I’ll be making this a daily staple once the weather cools down.