The History Of The Safari Jacket

Words by James Eden

The iconic design, as the name safari suggests, was originally constructed for use in the warmer climates belonging to rugged African savanna. Its origins can be traced back as far as the 1900’s in a period during which British and European troops were positioned in South Africa during the Second Boer War.

The History Of The Safari Jacket

Words by James Eden

The iconic design, as the name safari suggests, was originally constructed for use in the warmer climates belonging to rugged African savanna. Its origins can be traced back as far as the 1900’s in a period during which British and European troops were positioned in South Africa during the Second Boer War.

CO-FOUNDERS JAMES EDEN AND NICK ASHLEY SPORTING SAFARI STYLES

“Decades later, the safari jacket assumes a somewhat different identity than functional military clothing with modern takes of adventure. Nowadays, storage details are exploited in an alternative way, namely, to stock up on wayfarers and mobiles.”

JAMES EDEN, CEO AND FOUNDER

European soldiers venturing into exotic terrain required lightweight, breathable outerwear. Military pieces that would not weigh them down in the blazing South African heat. They were uniformed in practical solutions fabricated from cooling cotton yarns including tough cotton drill to alleviate and combat a different enemy, blisteringly high temperatures. Often fabrics were dyed Khaki – predominantly because it was a more accessible price point to manufacture and secondarily because it blended seamlessly with the rugged bush landscape.

A RETIRED PWVC BELTED SAFARI JACKET

WORN BY GIORGIO GIANGIULIO

Design features often included roomy bellows pockets, belted waists and notch-lapels. Comfort and functionality were as equally important and arguably still are today.

Decades later, the safari jacket assumes a somewhat different identity than functional military clothing with modern takes of adventure. Bellows pockets once had plenty of scope and space to play with binoculars, cigars and rollable wide-brimmed safari hats. Nowadays, storage details are exploited in an alternative way, namely, to stock up on wayfarers and mobiles.

THE COTTON SAFARI JACKET DETAILING

“Tough natural fabrics, earthy colours and loads of pockets mean that whoever wears the stuff will always be well-covered and all the bits and pieces will be safely stored; this is the beginning of cool.””

NICK ASHLEY, CO-FOUNDER

Our co-founder Nick Ashley has always been a passionate advocate of Safari clothing, “it will always be so stylish because it’s so practical. Tough natural fabrics, earthy colours and loads of pockets mean that whoever wears the stuff will always be well-covered and all the bits and pieces will be safely stored; this is the beginning of cool.”

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH AND SIR ROGER MOORE

In light of this style enduring a mini revival, there are a few characters that spring to mind, gentlemen that wore it well, showing real distinction in the limelight and on the big screen. We have always been drawn to national treasure, Sir David Attenborough, who has perennially adopted the style. Possibly the most celebrated wearer of safari clothing is perhaps the late great Sir Roger Moore who was seen repeatedly as 007, sporting sharply-cut safari garb in no less than five James Bond Films from 1974’s The Man with the Golden Gun to Moonraker in 1979.

This warm-weather staple has seen numerous resurgences over the past decade and our homage offers all the customary hallmarks of the traditional Safari Jacket, including twin epaulettes and multiple flap-secure pockets. The Private White V.C. Safari Jacket has been fabricated, in a series of lightweight fabrics constructed using ultra-fine long-staple Egyptian cotton and flyweight Irish linen, in order to keep you looking and feeling cool in Mumbai, or Manchester.

European soldiers venturing into exotic terrain required lightweight, breathable outerwear. Military pieces that would not weigh them down in the blazing South African heat. They were uniformed in practical solutions fabricated from cooling cotton yarns including tough cotton drill to alleviate and combat a different enemy, blisteringly high temperatures. Often fabrics were dyed Khaki – predominantly because it was a more accessible price point to manufacture and secondarily because it blended seamlessly with the rugged bush landscape.

Design features often included roomy bellows pockets, belted waists and notch-lapels. Comfort and functionality were as equally important and arguably still are today.

Decades later, the safari jacket assumes a somewhat different identity than functional military clothing with modern takes of adventure. Bellows pockets once had plenty of scope and space to play with binoculars, cigars and rollable wide-brimmed safari hats. Nowadays, storage details are exploited in an alternative way, namely, to stock up on wayfarers and mobiles.

Our co-founder Nick Ashley has always been a passionate advocate of Safari clothing, “it will always be so stylish because it’s so practical. Tough natural fabrics, earthy colours and loads of pockets mean that whoever wears the stuff will always be well-covered and all the bits and pieces will be safely stored; this is the beginning of cool.”

In light of this style enduring a mini revival, there are a few characters that spring to mind, gentlemen that wore it well, showing real distinction in the limelight and on the big screen. We have always been drawn to national treasure, Sir David Attenborough, who has perennially adopted the style. Possibly the most celebrated wearer of safari clothing is perhaps the late great Sir Roger Moore who was seen repeatedly as 007, sporting sharply-cut safari garb in no less than five James Bond Films from 1974’s The Man with the Golden Gun to Moonraker in 1979.

This warm-weather staple has seen numerous resurgences over the past decade and our homage offers all the customary hallmarks of the traditional Safari Jacket, including twin epaulettes and multiple flap-secure pockets. The Private White V.C. Safari Jacket has been fabricated, in a series of lightweight fabrics constructed using ultra-fine long-staple Egyptian cotton and flyweight Irish linen, in order to keep you looking and feeling cool in Mumbai, or Manchester.