The Smoking jacket is a loosely structured jacket, which closely resembles a robe, but is cut like a lounge jacket. Its fit is usually more relaxed than the blazer or a suit jacket. When it originated, it was made of velvet with a quilted shawl collar, buttons, and a tie belt for fastening at the waist.
What is a smoking jacket?
It also refers to a contrasting color jacket worn with tuxedo trousers for a different look. They’re typically off-white, burgundy, bottle green, or any other dark color. Typically, they’re made from barathea wool or velvet. Smoking jackets are made in two different cuts (see below), and are typically velvet or silk.
What to look for when buying a smoking jacket?
It’s also one of the key indicators that you’re looking at a smoking jacket as opposed to something else. Sash: On more robe-like smoking jackets, you’ll find a belt or sash around the waist. This is a functional detail and it’s intended to be fastened.
Do smoking jackets have side vents?
Vents: More often than not, smoking jackets are ventless. Alternatively, they may take side vents. Fit: Typically roomier than the average dinner jacket, but modern tastes have seen smoking jackets slimmed down just like suit jackets Velvet is hands-down the most popular material for smoking jackets.
Should a smoking jacket be tight or loose?
The front-tie or button-front shouldn’t necessarily pull or strain, but your smoking jacket shouldn’t be wildly baggy, either. Your smoking jacket should appear tailored without being too tight, so it would be a wise move to take your usual jacket size.
What defines a smoking jacket?
Definition of smoking jacket : a loose-fitting jacket or short robe for wear at home.
Can you wear a smoking jacket out?
Smoking jackets are well within the confines of the black tie dress code, so if you're invited to such an event, it is appropriate to wear one. It's our suggestion that you keep it to the dinner jacket style as opposed to the robe style if you wear a smoking jacket outside the home, as this is too casual.
Is a smoking jacket a robe?
Illustrating the popularity of the smoking jacket, the Gentleman's Magazine of London, England provided the following substantive definition: “A kind of short robe-de-chambre, of velvet, cashmere, plush, merino or printed flannel, lined with bright colours, ornamented with brandenbourgs, olives, or large buttons.”
Are smoking jackets warm?
Their smoking jackets are seriously impressive as they come in luxurious rich colours, and are guaranteed to make a statement as soon as you walk into any room. These velvet smoking jackets are extremely warm without adding extra bulk, the perfect piece of winter outerwear to create a more polished look.
Why are smoking jackets velvet?
After the Crimean War, Turkish tobacco became hugely popular in Britain — and men began wearing these velvet jackets while they enjoyed an after-dinner smoke. The heavy material was intended to absorb any astringent smells, and protect the wearer's clothes from falling ash.
What is the difference between tuxedo and smoking?
The term actually refers to the Victorian smoking jacket, which is a functional garment English gentlemen wore in the cigar room to protect their clothing from smoke and falling ash. The tuxedo, also known as a dinner jacket or smoking, is to be worn exclusively in the evening after 6 o'clock.
Why do men wear a smoking jacket?
A smoking jacket is worn while its wearer smokes (i.e. cigars, a pipe, or cigarettes). The smoking jacket was originally designed to absorb the smoke – and to protect the undergarments from absorbing smoke and stray ashes. Hundreds of years ago, men didn't enjoy the extensive wardrobes they do today.
What's another name for smoking jacket?
•lounging jacket (noun) lounging jacket.
Who created the smoking jacket?
The man who really made the smoking jacket popular for more than just an after dinner cigarette was Edward VII (Prince of Wales at the time). He commissioned Henry Poole & Co. (Savile Row) to craft him a blue silk one that he would often wear to meals.
How do you wear a smoker jacket?
2:465:48What Is A Smoking Jacket? Unboxing a New Jacket from Divij BespokeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipActually wearing a smoking jacket instead of a proper dinner jacket. It's completely appropriate youMoreActually wearing a smoking jacket instead of a proper dinner jacket. It's completely appropriate you would wear this with a white shirt and a bow tie a pair of tuxedo trousers a pair of slippers.
What should I look for in a smoking jacket?
A smoking jacket is essentially designed to be worn around the home, something that's reflected in the soft materials used. It is made of silk, velvet or jacquard cloth, or sometimes a combination of all three. A classic smoking jacket has a toggle or button fastening, a shawl lapel, and a turned back cuff.
How do you wear a velvet smoking jacket?
Wear it with all the formal fixings—black trousers, patent shoes, a white shirt, and a bow tie—and you'll feel like James Bond. Make it more rocker with a crewneck T-shirt, skinny black jeans, and Chelsea boots and you can go to virtually any type of party December throws your way.
How do you wear a velvet smoking jacket?
Wear it with all the formal fixings—black trousers, patent shoes, a white shirt, and a bow tie—and you'll feel like James Bond. Make it more rocker with a crewneck T-shirt, skinny black jeans, and Chelsea boots and you can go to virtually any type of party December throws your way.
Can you wear a tuxedo jacket with jeans?
Pair your tuxedo jacket with the ultimate definer of casual wear – denim. The contrast between the sleek blazer and rugged jean is vast, so keep them as smart as possible: dark wash, slim cut, well-fitting denim is the best way to go about this.
What does black tie mean for ladies?
Apart from white tie attire, black tie is the most formal of all dress codes. As such, it requires a sophisticated level of dressing. For women, the code typically calls for a floor-length dress or gown. While cocktail dresses can be an appropriate option for black tie, long dresses tend to be a more elevated choice.
Who created the smoking jacket?
The man who really made the smoking jacket popular for more than just an after dinner cigarette was Edward VII (Prince of Wales at the time). He commissioned Henry Poole & Co. (Savile Row) to craft him a blue silk one that he would often wear to meals.
What is a smoking jacket?
However, the classic smoking jacket is simply a mid-thigh length jacket that’s made of velvet with a quilted satin shawl collar, turn up cuffs and a tie belt made from velvet that’s often ornamented with tassels at the ends. Most smoking jackets have three pockets on the outside and usually a pocket reserved for
What are the materials used in smoking jackets?
However, there is a relatively wide range of fabrics used for jackets today and with a recent comeback of the jacket, many purveyors have begun to sell less costly smoking jackets made from polyester and other synthetic materials .
What kind of jacket did Tom Ford wear?
Tom Ford wearing a velvet smoking jacket. There are also some slight variations of the traditional smoking jacket that still render it a classic. A shawl collar made that isn’t quilted and is made from satin, silk, velvet or another material. The jacket may include braided piping on the cuffs and/or the collar.
What is Hugh Hefner's smoking jacket?
Hugh Hefner portrayed in the media by Esquire in a smoking jacket. As this trend grew in popularity, the smoking jacket continued to evolve, changing from a silk robe de chambre into a shorter, mid-thigh length jacket designed to absorb smoke and to protect the gentleman’s clothing from falling ash.
What color collars did Tom Ford wear?
Most of the time it was a color from the same family (navy blue jacket with a light blue collar, but often it would be a white collar or a cream collar instead. Tom Ford smoking jacket for the modern man.
Who wore smoking jackets in the 1950s?
Gentlemen of style such as Dean Martin, Cary Grant, and Fred Astaire all wore smoking jackets publicly as well as in private.
Who made Tom Ford's smoking jacket?
Quickly, the comatose smoking jacket became trendy again, and soon Tom Ford jackets could be seen on A-list stars around the world. However, unlike the most traditional jackets, many of his designs are far more flamboyant and contemporary. Made by Zegna, they are also quite costly usually selling upwards of a couple of thousand dollars.
What is a smoking jacket made of?
Pure smoking jackets are made of velvet and have a quilted satin collar and lapels draping down the front. These can also be silk, and any velvet -esque material cut into a suit or sport jacket design can pass as a smoking jacket, so long as you stay out of refined company.
What to wear with a smoking jacket?
If you have opted for a European look, you could pair your smoking jacket with a pair of satin-striped tux pants and head to a black tie dinner.
Why is traditional smoking out of favor?
Traditional smoking has fallen out of favor. The increased taxation on tobacco as the government seeks to gouge smokers have kept most away for financial reasons. Alternative nicotine delivery systems such as vaping, lozenges, patches, and tinctures have also provided ways to introduce the bloodstream to the sweet kiss of the drug.
When did smoking jackets become common?
The Modern Smoking Jacket. From the 1600’s to the 1950’s , smoking jackets became more common, but were still reserved for the wealthy. The advent of mass production, automation, and the assembly line during the industrial revolution helped change that.
Do smoking jackets fit tighter?
While a business suit, tux, or business casual coat has a wide collar, to show off your shirt and tie, smoking jackets are meant to fit much tighter. Again, it’s a matter of covering your clothes, letting the jacket itself do the talking.
Is a tuxedo jacket a smoking jacket?
They refer to a tuxedo jacket as a Smoking jacket, and the two are indistinguishable from one another. For anyone hoping to buy a well-made jacket, looking overseas is often the best path. France, naturally, has many premier brands that can provide.
What is a smoking jacket?
From the 1944 film Gaslight. A smoking jacket is an informal men's style of lounge jacket originally intended for tobacco smoking, designed in the 1850s. A classic-styled smoking jacket comes in a shawl collar, turn-up cuffs, ...
When did the smoking jacket become synonymous with comfort?
An editorial in The Washington Post in 1902 gave the opinion that the smoking jacket was "synonymous with comfort", while a Pennsylvania newspaper opined in 1908 that it would be "putting it mildly to say that a new House Coat or Smoking Jacket will give any man reason for elation".
When did smoking jackets become popular?
19th century. A smoking jacket from the 1860s exhibitioned at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, United States. The short smoking jacket soon evolved from these silk garments. When the Crimean War during the 1850s popularised Turkish tobacco in Britain, smoking gained in popularity.
Who was the first person to wear a smoking jacket?
James FitzGerald (1818–1896) wearing a smoking jacket in 1868. In the 17th century, goods began flowing into Europe from Asia and the Americas, bringing in spices, tobacco, coffee, and silks. It became fashionable to be depicted in one's portrait wearing a silk robe de chambre, or dressing gown. One of the earliest mentions ...
What languages are dinner jackets?
As a false friend, the name carried on to its derivation the dinner jacket in several non-English languages. In Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and other European languages, ...
What is a smoking jacket made of?
This smoking jacket, made from 100% velvet for quite the added touch of refinement, channels the laidback feel of a robe and the refined feel of a dinner jacket. That makes it one of the best smoking jackets out there, in our purview.
Is a smoking jacket a blazer?
A smoking jacket should fit more relaxed than your blazer or suit jacket, with a roomier, straight cut through the body. The front-tie or button-front shouldn’t necessarily pull or strain, but your smoking jacket shouldn’t be wildly baggy, either.
What is a smoking jacket?
A smoking jacket is a garment, similar to a robe or a long blazer, that you wear over your clothing while you smoke. Smoking jackets have been around for centuries. Today, they are most commonly associated with the playboy image of Hugh Hefner who is perhaps the most famous man to wear a smoking jacket. Smoking jackets are often fashioned ...
Why do men wear smoking jackets?
The smoking jacket was originally designed to absorb the smoke – and to protect the undergarments from absorbing smoke and stray ashes. Hundreds of years ago, men didn’t enjoy the extensive wardrobes they do today. Therefore, many would avoid exposing prized garments such as overcoats, hats, and tunics to smoke.
What did Hefner wear?
But when he took things from his boudoir to the boardroom, Hefner favored a black velvet smoking jacket, claiming “I always wear black during the day – black is serious, for taking care of business.”. By the time of his death in 2017, Hef had more than 200 custom-made smoking jackets/pajama gowns.
What was Hefner's smoking jacket made of?
Hef’s go-to smoking jacket was made of burgundy silk with black velvet lapels – a more relaxed robe for the bedroom or lounging poolside.
What are authentic jackets made of?
Authentic jackets are traditionally made from high-end materials like cashmere and silk. Luxury designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Tom Ford have introduced smoking jackets that cost a small fortune and look like it too.
When did smoking jackets become formal?
From Comfortable to Formal (1860s) By 1865, smoking jackets embraced a whole new level of acceptable fashion thanks to Edward VII, Prince of Wales. He loved the leisurely yet stylish look so much that he had a custom blue silk smoking jacket created.
What was high end fashion in the 1990s?
High-End Fashion (1990s & 2000s) Although smoking jackets haven’t made a full resurgence in today’s landscape, they have become an avenue of high fashion for renowned designer brands like Louis Vuitton and Hilleso Designs.
Is a smoking jacket a relic?
The smoking jacket is an old relic . A garment long past its prime. Something we rarely see out in the wild. While that last part is true, the first two statements are not. Smoking jackets are simply dormant, lying in wait until their time emerges yet again.
Is smoking jacket fashionable?
While smoking jackets are not mainstream today, they are still considered unique and fashionable and classy if worn correctly and with the proper attitude. So whether you are relaxing in one at your home with a cigar and a whiskey, or if you are demonstrating class and history out in public all at once, always remember to respect and appreciate the smoking jacket, and it will not let you down.
