Advice on wearing a traditional Austrian jacket on an everyday basis - YouLookFab Forum

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Advice on wearing a traditional Austrian jacket on an everyday basis

Aurore

Veteran

Because of my cultural and geographical origins, I own a few traditional Austrian pieces. Now I live far away from the mountains they originate from and I hardly ever wear them. And I miss wearing them.

I would like to know your thoughts on a jacket in particular - the one in the attached Find. I love it but I'm unsure about wearing it on an everyday basis : on the one hand it globally looks quite classical, on the other hand the velvet officer collar and pocket lining screams "traditionally bavarian" (to me at least).

Do you think this traditional jacket, paired with a neutral modern bottom such as jeans, would look odd in an environment where hardly anyone knows about Austrian traditional clothing?

Thank you in advance for your insight.

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Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Aurore

harmonica

Veteran

It's a beautiful jacket and I would never have thought of it as odd if I saw it worn with jeans on the streets. I love the lines of the jacket with the slanting pockets and the soft curve in the front. To me it looks very classic.

Mel

That is a fantastic jacket and I would wear it anyday! What is the brand?
Check out the conversation I started on ideas for wearing tweed jackets, another traditional piece from a European country. There are a lot of great ideas people are posting there.

Katerina

Veteran

It is a very nice jacket, Moreover, these Austrian jackets are often of outstanding impeccable quality. It would be a shame not to wear it. A modern styling is the key. Jeans and a scarf, in my opinion, would be perfect companions to the jacket.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks pretty classic and would be lovely styled with jeans. It doesn't scream "Austrian" unless one really looks at the details and knows that style well.
I was expecting something bottle green, actually. In my mind that's the traditional Austrian/Bavarian/South Tirol color...

Mainelady

Veteran

The jacket is gorgeous and a part of your history. If I saw someone wearing it, I would think of how beautiful it was and not think it odd at all. Wearing it would be a wonderful way to honor your heritage. Perhaps it will become a signature piece for you.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing that jacket with a number of everyday outfits! If you're worried about giving off a specific vibe, I'd say try to avoid wearing it with velvet, corduroy or riding boots (you know, knee-high etc). I don't know your specific style though, so have a play around & see. Add a colourful scarf, big earrings or even nice nail polish to jazz it up a bit, if you wish

Lol see my recent posts about the YLF Ball - if I can wear South Asian clothing & make it look formal enough for a western affair, I think you'll be fine! The important thing is how you feel in the jacket - I've had people tell me that I look like I'm wearing pyjamas when I'm in my shalwar kameez, & all sorts of other comments. But the truth is, they're not the ones wearing it. If you feel comfortable in your own clothing from your own culture, by all means wear it! That's how others find out more about the diversity of cultures, anyway

Aurore

Veteran

harmonica, Mel, Katerina, Chiara, Mainelady, Zaeobi, thank you for your answers! They really help me and give me confidence in proudly wearing this jacket.

Edit: Zaeobi, we wrote our comments at the same time so I did not see it before posting mine. I included you above!

Mel : it's from Schneiders Salzburg. Thank you for suggesting to style it like a British tweed jacket - your thread contains nice ideas!

Toban

Veteran

It has tailoring similar to a military jacket, which might give you more ideas. I think it’s very versatile.

rachylou

Veteran

It doesn’t look like a costume to me or anything. Completely ‘normal’ and very chic.

That said... I have to confess to some German heritage and to frequenting shops owned by native Germans in my little neighborhood and having been sold a lovely jacket rather like this and a skirt... and I FEEL, well, storybook - like Little Red Ridinghood or something, wearing both together - even tho really both pieces are modern. Esp. the jacket does not get enough wear. It’s a little hard to get over the feeling in it as opposed to looking at it... I wouldn’t bat an eyelash seeing it.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I dobut anyone would think this was anything other than a classic jacket, and your instincts on what to pair it with are dead on. Enjoy!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I agree with all the above comments about working it in with more modern pieces. I have a friend who bought one years ago when he lived in Austria. He wears it frequently. It is much smarter than most of what he wears, so people notice it, not in a negative way, but as a part of his style and biography.

BrieN

Veteran

What a beautiful jacket. IMHO it is a classic. That would be a workhorse in my wardrobe...

Aurore

Veteran

Toban, rachylou, Aquamarine, FashIntern, BrieN, thank you very much for your helpful answers!

rachylou: I can definitely relate to this fairy-tale-like feeling when wearing traditional German clothing. I once wore a dirndl for a special occasion with my husband's family in the very pretty city of Fontainebleau in France, and I couldn't help but feel like a princess.

K.M.

Veteran

To me--without knowing much about Austrian traditional clothing--this looks simply like a very elegant and classic piece. I wouldn't have though "Austrian" or "folksy" at all. I find it very appealing!
I could see it working not only with jeans but also with fitted skinny pants in black or brown.
If I were you I would go about trying it on with a variety of bottoms (either that you own, or you could go into a store and bring the jacket with you...) without prejudice. I find that sometimes things work out when I try them on even if I wouldn't have put them together in my mind.

Beth

Veteran

Lovely jacket! Wear it with confidence:)

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Okay, I voted ‘yay’, as in “keep and wear this gorgeous jacket everywhere”, not as a response to your question about it looking odd. Just to clarify!

JuniperGreen

Veteran

That's a beautiful piece! Don't let it languish in your closet, and show us some of your lovely outfits when you wear it out and about!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Lovely jacket,looks very modern.As long as you don’t wear it with a full Austrian costume I don’t think anyone will guess what it is unless like you they have one.I also think it’s quite nice to subtly reference ones History/heritage.

Violettt

Aurore:what a totally fab jacket! I say wear it proudly! My son went to school in Austria, in Gaming, (do you know it?) and bought a fab Austrian jacket too. Ah yes, it is super fab, he wore it to concerts, etc. And would if we lived in a colder climate. We're in So Cal, so it is taking a rest under a hopefully moth proof cover. Think he'll bring it out when we go see Chris Botti soon! Thank you for your thread. Wear it with joy dear~

The Cat

Veteran

I don't think "Austria" when I see this jacket. In the 1980s, Austrian jackets were quite popular here in Scandinavia, but they looked shorter, and most of them were red or offwhite. I don't remember to have seen an Austrian jacket in the same colours as your jacket, and to me, it actually looks more British.

Your jacket is beautiful and timeless elegant. The neutral colours makes it versatile. So I'll say: Wear it with whatever you like! Unlike some others, I absolutely think you could wear it with for instance cords and riding boots and look great. But of course, there are many other possibilities. Check out Mel's recent thread on ideas for wearing tweed jackets.

LaPed

Veteran

Oh, I adore that jacket! Because the colour is neutral and the embellishment subtle, I think you could wear it with just about anything: jeans, a floaty dress...

Ean Tabaday

(website)

The jacket looks like a breed between a blazer and bomber jacket, and should probably be worn more on the minimalist, classic side of fashion. I definitely would wear it as I love minimal classic pieces!--it's just how you wear it is the thing. And you shouldn't necessarily worry about what you wear in general, just focus on how you wear it--that's what people will care about!
I suggest wearing this jacket with buttons open and a simple white tee or blouse underneath. Also, some high waisted loose trousers, with the top tucked in, and a pair of heels or sneakers, would work perfectly with this look.
Now for your suggestion: if you want to wear them with jeans, I think you can get away with it as to me, and possibly other people, it looks like a blazer. But I would wear it either with white or blue jeans to make it look classy (black would not fit well with this piece), and classic colored tees or blouses.
Hope this helped you babe! Much love xx <3
- Ean from http://www.eantabaday.com/

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I'm not sure about your style but, it seems like you quite like the Princess vibe that this jacket can give off, right? In my initial comment I advised against it but, if that's what you like, you should play it up with velvet, lace, gold & other sumptuous & cosy supporting items. Ive compiled two outfit ideas for you with this in mind:

The first outfit [photos #1-4] adds a little colour interest but keeps it modern & streamlined with cool tones like orange, white & grey (letting the jacket be the star of the show).

The second outfit [photos #4-9] play up the fairytale/ princess vibe more, with cream, red velvet, gold & rich brown shoes (the heeled Oxfords will give it a more collegiate vibe, whereas the laced combat boots would make the look more casual).

Of course you're also free to add flat oxfords or brogues, or switch out the skirts for trousers if you prefer - these photos are just to help inspire you

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Joy

Veteran

Wear with confidence, especially if it makes you happy. It is a lovely piece and very few would identify it as an Austrian regional jacket.

Aurore

Veteran

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and bunch of ideas! I will definitely follow your advice and keep your ideas in mind to compose some looks with this jacket.

Violett, I do not know Gaming but heard it's a nice city. I hope your son had a great time there (and that he will be able to wear his jacket )

Ean, you are so true about caring more on how to wear something than on the thing itself! Words of wisdom I will definitely remember.

Zaeobi, I indeed love princesse-y outfits like the ones you imagined. Thank you very much for your very detailed ideas, in particular concerning the shoes : I love the ones on your 3d photos, and also the idea of pairing the jacket with combat boots! I would not have thought of it, but I'm convinced it would look great!