Real Stories · The Jacket That Retired Malcolm's Old One

Malcolm Has Worn The Same Jacket Since 2009 — This Is The One That Finally Retired It

The jacket that retired Malcolm's old one — that's what this is. I'm 67, my husband Malcolm is 68, and like most men his age he has one jacket. It's older than two of our grandchildren, the zipper gave up during the last administration, and he defends it like it's listed heritage. "It still works, Susan." It does not still work.

What I wanted was a jacket he'd actually choose to put on — because no jacket survives being merely bought for a man. It has to be preferred.

Then I found this jacket from Caldwell Menswear — a men's jacket in soft khaki with a brushed matte finish, a smart layered collar with brown leather-look trim, buttons up front and proper pockets inside and out. I chose the khaki; there's brown, dark brown, blue and black as well.

The trick is that it doesn't look new. That vintage, worn-in character is the whole point — which is why Malcolm put it on without the usual negotiation: it already looked like something he'd owned for years, only better. The layered collar gives it that rugged, put-together look without a tie in sight, it's soft and easy to move in rather than stiff, and the pockets pass the Malcolm test: reading glasses, dog treats for Winnie, and the crossword, all stowed.

Vintage character, a layered collar with leather-look trim, and pockets that pass the husband test — which is why it went on without negotiation and the 2009 jacket hasn't been seen since.

It was $74.95, which for a jacket made me pause — until I priced what a men's jacket with this much character costs anywhere else, and noted it was less than half the usual $160.00. With a 30-day money-back guarantee and free delivery, the pause didn't last.

It has since done dog walks, a diner lunch and one funeral reception (dark shirt underneath — it coped), and a man at the diner asked Malcolm where it was from. Malcolm, glowing, had absolutely no idea. It was $74.95 in the sale, less than half the usual $160.00.

If your husband also defends a heritage jacket, do have a look. The jacket is rated 4.8 out of 5 by more than 12,000 customers, it comes in khaki, brown, dark brown, blue and black, in sizes S to 5XL — and with the holidays coming, jackets like this are exactly what gets bought early.