How to Unlock the Amazing Versatility of the Utility Jacket

The utility jacket is called by many names, including army jacket and military jacket.  Although it is usually olive green, it also comes in many other colors and a variety of shapes as well.  It can be short or long, with or without pockets or epaulets, cinched or boxy, embellished or plain.  It is one of the best toppers for transitional weather and never goes out of style, just like the trench coat and the windbreaker.   The utility jacket is versatile, lightweight, casual and classic.  It is a cover-up that women have borrowed from the boys, and age doesn’t matter.

Here is an olive drab moto jacket that is a variation of the utility jacket:

For women, the masculine style of the utility jacket is especially striking when combined with feminine pieces:  things like skirts and dresses, florals, lace, silk scarves, sequins and sparkles, pearls, statement jewelry, high heels, and shades of pink.  Vintage embellishments such as brooches are perfect accents.  You could even try adding a faux fur scarf at the collar of the jacket.  And since stripes, polka dots and animal print go with anything, they’ll go with your utility jacket too!

On the other hand, you could play up the rugged side of this jacket with plaid.  Or you can keep it tough and make it edgy by adding studs, such as cinching it in with a black studded belt.  Adding an eagle pin would be fab.  Or you might like to cinch the jacket in with a utilitarian-style belt.

If olive is not a flattering color for you, you may also find the utility jacket in alternate colors.  Here, for instance, is one in white:

Any Time of Year

The following outfit combinations are good for transitional weather in the spring or fall and even for cooler times during the summer.  There are also a couple of day-to-evening looks at the end of this timeless list.  And then, following this is another section with layering ideas for cooler weather.

You can start by adding a utility jacket to a white tee and jeans.  Keep it simple with sneakers, or embellish it with bling, a floral scarf or any of the feminine details as listed above.

Below are some ideas I have for you on how to wear your utility jacket.

• White jeans + a pale blue or aqua top + a utility jacket.  Add taupe ankle boots + blue or aqua jewelry.
• A light blue tee + charcoal pants + a utility jacket.  Add a leopard-print scarf.
• A utility jacket + a floral dress, long or short.
• A lace top + a short skirt + a utility jacket.
• A white lace top + white jeans + utility jacket.
• A graphic tee + destroyed skinny jeans.  Add a statement necklace + heels.
• A striped dress + a utility jacket.
• A utility jacket over an ivory sweater over an ivory or buff-color sequined maxi skirt.  Or, use an solid ivory or ivory printed chiffon maxi skirt.
• A peasant blouse + skinny jeans + utility jacket.  Add tall brown boots over the jeans or brown sandals.  You might like to add bead bracelets.
• A lace top + a maxi skirt + a utility jacket.  Add statement jewelry.

• A little black dress, short or long + a utility jacket.  Add bling.  Or, you might prefer to add brown or tan shoes or boots + a black bag.
• A little white dress + a utility jacket.  You might want to add a statement necklace, heeled sandals.
• A red dress + a utility jacket.
• A lace dress + a utility jacket.
• A loose tank or tee tucked inside a short skirt + a utility jacket.  Add necklaces.
• A black top + blue jeans + a utility jacket.  Add a long gold pendant.
• A black top + black or burgundy leather pants + a utility jacket.  Add silver and gold necklaces.  You might like to add silver shoes.
• A black graphic tee + black skinnies + a utility jacket.  Add flat black ankle boots + a leopard-print scarf twisted loosely around neck with ends in front.
• A charcoal tunic tee + black skinnies + a utility jacket.  Add black ankle boots or shoes, layered gold necklaces & a few bracelets.
• A chambray shirt + white jeans or dark denim + utility jacket.  Add a blue, green or white printed scarf.

• A tunic tee + leggings + a utility jacket.  Add ankle boots + a long pendant.
• A striped tee + blue jeans + a utility jacket.
• A pink sweater + a utility jacket + any bottoms.
• A white Henley + destroyed skinny jeans + a utility jacket.  Add a leather cord as choker layered with a y-necklace.
• A white tunic + shiny black leggings (like snakeskin or sequin or glitter) + utility jacket.  Roll up the jacket sleeves.  Add a pin, bangles/bracelets, black boots.
• A striped top + a plaid shirt + blue jeans + a utility jacket.  Add long strands of pearls or beads.  You might also want to add one or more belts.
• A white tunic tee + black skinnies + a utility jacket in any color.  You might like to add a lariat necklace.
• A vintage tee + black straight-cut jeans + a utility jacket.
• A utility jacket + a plaid shirt + skinny blue jeans.  Add snakeskin flats (or other animal print.)
• A floral tunic + blue jeans + a utility jacket.

• A utility jacket + olive skinnies + a neutral top, such as white.  Add flats.
• A utility jacket + a blue top + tie-dye skinny blue jeans.
• A gray top + blue jeans + utility jacket.
• Spring Transitional, Day to Evening:  A utility jacket + a short-sleeve gray t-shirt + a black faux leather skirt.  Add flat tan or nude sandals.  For evening:  switch to black heels & a clutch.
• Day to Evening:  A short-sleeve gray tee tucked inside a black faux leather skirt + a utility jacket.  Add flat sandals or day (and maybe a cap), or heeled sandals & a clutch for evening.  (You might want to try one of your evening accessories in a leopard print.)

For Cool Weather

When the weather is cooler, layer your utility jacket with warmer clothes such as sweaters, woolens, turtlenecks, velvet, leather and faux fur.

• A white turtleneck + black leather pants + a utility jacket.  Add black ankle boots + bling.
• A plaid shirt over a short velvet skirt + utility jacket.  Add ankle boots, a cap, one or two simple gold necklaces.
• A black turtleneck + black pants + a utility jacket.
• A plaid shirt open over a gray t-shirt + skinny jeans + a utility jacket.  You might want to add a long white knit scarf & matching gloves.
• A white graphic tee + faux leather pants + utility jacket.  Add flat black boots.

• Layer a hoodie under your utility jacket, making sure the hood shows.
• Layer a utility jacket over a flannel shirt over a long top + blue jeans.  Add a fur collar or woolly scarf.
• A utility jacket over a warm shirt over a black sundress (or a dress in a color or print of your choice.)
• A long sweater + yoga pants in a nice material + utility jacket.  Add sneakers.

Was this helpful to you?  Let us know in the comments below.  Consider sharing this with your friends.  Feel free to print out these listings of outfit combinations to have handy when you need ideas.

If you liked this post, you might also like to read:  “How to Really Enjoy the Transition to Spring“

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Outfit Combinations