What is a City Jacket?

The city jacket, barn coat, weekend coat or simply "car coat" may not have a glamorous name, but it's arguably this season's coolest outerwear style.city jacket Whether worn by the likes of Acne Studios, Helmut Lang or Nanushka with relaxed denim or on the shoulders of a Parisian model off duty, the piece combines functionality with elegant fabric and insouciant style.

A city jacket is a sportswear-inspired version of the classic leather bomber or peacoat.city jacket It's often tailored for a modern fit and comes with a number of pockets, including zipped side pockets for practicality. Many also feature ribbed cuffs and waistband and a double black-lacquered RON DORFF zip, a nod to US naval gear that gives the piece a utilitarian edge.

It is typically crafted in the school colors of the athlete's team, with the body of the jacket in one color and the sleeves in another, although the color can be customized to some extent by the athlete. The jacket is emblazoned with the athlete's letter or initials in chenille on the left breast, and usually has the school's logo on the back and/or sleeve as well. The athlete's name is sometimes embroidered on the jacket in a matching chenille or, less commonly, on a patch or emblem sewn to the jacket. The graduation year, if applicable, may be embroidered on the jacket, depending upon the school's tradition.

Depending on the sport, a letter jacket can also display a symbol or icon representing the activity, such as a flag, a trophy, a championship trophy, or an athletic award symbol. Depending on the athletic department, a student must participate in a certain amount, usually at least half of all quarters, to earn the right to wear a letter jacket. Some schools have fundraising activities or other programs to provide jackets for students who cannot afford them. It is not uncommon for lettermen to keep their letters after graduation, as a mark of accomplishment and a sign of school pride and commitment.

A city jacket can also be a fashion statement, as evidenced by the teddy bear coat worn by Taylor Swift at an NFL game last Sunday. The singer wore the long red teddy coat, which was made of Italian boucle wool by Los Angeles-based artist Kilo Kish, to watch a Bills-Chicago Bears matchup at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo. The coat, which is no longer available to buy online, inspired thousands of Google searches for teddy bear coat and inspired fans to recreate her look with their own takes on the style. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/Getty Images)