The waxed jacket is to British menswear what marmalade is to toast. From the 1930s onwards, it has been an undeniable and integral part of countryside attire, but also motorcycle culture and adventure.
From the original four-pocket waxed cotton field jackets, we’ve seen an evolution of the genre to include more contemporary silhouettes such as cropped blousons and minimalist silhouettes, but the heritage shapes are still the most popular thanks to their unique combination of supreme functionality and flattering form.
Here, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about this British menswear icon, from its humble seafaring origins to the best brands on the market today.