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.

Let’s explore the many and best ways to wear a utility jacket, for cool transitional weather and for any time of the year.

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The Versatility of a Utility Jacket

Above 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 utility jackets in alternate colors.  Here, for instance, is one in white.

Any Time of the Year

The following outfit combinations are good for transitional weather in the Spring or Fall and even for cooler times during the summer.  At the end of this timeless list, there are a couple of day-to-evening looks.  And then, following this section is another one with outfits that work for cooler weather.

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

Below, I have categorized my ideas for many ways that you can wear your utility jacket.

Ways to Wear Your Utility Jacket With Skirts

1. Combine a lace top with a maxi skirt & a utility jacket.  Add statement jewelry.
2. A lace top + a short skirt + a utility jacket.
3. A loose tank or tee tucked inside a short skirt + a utility jacket.  Add necklaces.
4. Wear an olive utility jacket over a light brown tank top over a short jean skirt. Layer a long chain with a short delicate pendant necklace. Add hoop earrings and embellishment on jacket.
5. 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.
6. Tuck a white shirt inside a black skirt & top with an army jacket. Add flats.

Ways to Wear a Utility Jacket With Dresses

1. 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.
2. Pair a slip dress with a utility jacket. Add slip-on sneakers + statement earrings + bracelets + rings.
3. A little white dress + a utility jacket.  You might want to add a statement necklace, heeled sandals.
4. Pair a lace dress with a utility jacket. 
   

   

5. A red dress + a utility jacket. You might like to layer bangles & add boots.
6. A utility jacket + a floral dress, long or short. During Spring or Summer, add a straw hat.
7. Top a pretty dress with an olive utility jacket. Add a turquoise necklace & tall tan boots.

Ways to Wear a Utility Jacket With Jeans

There are so many kinds of styles, shapes, washes, colors and textures in jeans. Therefore, freely substitute the jeans of your choice in the following outfit ideas. 

1. White jeans + a chambray, pale blue or aqua top + a utility jacket.  Add taupe ankle boots + blue or aqua jewelry.
2. A chambray shirt + white jeans or dark denim + utility jacket.  Add a blue, green or white printed scarf.
3. A white lace top + white jeans + utility jacket.    
4. Wear a utility jacket over a graphic tee & distressed jeans.  Add a statement necklace + heels.
5. Top a graphic tee & black skinny jeans with any color utility jacket. Add black sandals, booties, sneakers or flats. You might like to accessorize with a scarf, a black & gold beaded/charm bracelet, and/or a big gold watch. 
   

   

6. A peasant blouse + skinny jeans + utility jacket.  Add tall brown boots over the jeans or brown sandals.  You might like to add bead bracelets.
7. Combine a utility jacket with a top toned to the colors in tie-dye jeans.
8. A white Henley top + distressed skinny jeans + a utility jacket.  Add a leather cord as choker layered with a y-necklace.
9. Layer a utility jacket over a gray tee & distressed jeans. Add bohemian accessories. 
10. A vintage tee + black straight-cut jeans + a utility jacket. 
    

    

11. A black top + blue jeans + a utility jacket.  Add a long gold pendant.
12. To a utility jacket & blue jeans, add:  a floral tunic, a gray top or a striped tee.
13. Combine an olive tee, solid or printed, with blue jeans & an olive utility jacket. Layer chain necklaces. Finally, add a gold pin or three to the jacket.  
14. A utility jacket + a plaid shirt + blue jeans.  Add snakeskin flats (or other animal print.)
15. An army jacket over a white shirt & blue jeans. Roll back the cuffs. Add tall black boots + a colorful bag. 
    

    

16. Combine an olive field jacket with olive jeans & a long-sleeve white tee. Add a chunky metallic pendant & metallic heeled footwear. As a finishing touch, embellish the jacket if it doesn’t come that way.
17. An olive utility jacket + a red top + blue jeans. Pin buttons on the jacket. Add sneakers.

Ways to Wear a Utility Jacket With Other Types of Pants

1. A light blue tee + charcoal pants + a utility jacket.  Add a leopard-print scarf.
2. Combine a tunic tee with leggings & a utility jacket.  Add ankle boots & a long pendant.
3. 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. 
4. Start with a longer-length neutral top, such as white, and olive skinnies. Then add a utility jacket & flats.
5. 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. 
   

   

6. Wear a longer-length black top over black skinnies and top with an olive utility jacket. Add a brown animal-print scarf & moto boots.
7. A charcoal tunic tee + black skinnies + a utility jacket.  Add black ankle boots or shoes, layered gold necklaces & a few bracelets.
8. A white tunic tee + black skinnies + a utility jacket in any color.  You might like to add a lariat necklace.
9. Wear a longer-length black or pink V-neck tee over skinnies & top with an olive utility jacket. Add booties.
10. Top a black graphic tee & jogger pants with a utility jacket. Add black high-top sneakers.
11. A black graphic tee + black pants or jeans + a utility jacket.

For Cool Weather

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

Style a Utility Jacket With Faux Leather

I recommend leather and fur to be faux in order to be kind to animals.

1. A white turtleneck + black leather pants + a utility jacket.  Add black ankle boots + bling.
2. Combine a white graphic tee with faux leather pants & a utility jacket.  Add flat black boots.
3. A black top + black leather pants (or any color) + a utility jacket.  Add silver and gold necklaces.  You might like to add silver shoes.
4. Tuck a black top into a black leather skirt & add an olive utility jacket. Accessorize with a gold necklace + one or more black & gold bracelets + black heeled booties.
5. 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.
6. 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.)

Wear a Utility Jacket Over a Layered Outfit for Style & Warmth

1. Layer a utility jacket over a plaid shirt over a Henley top with blue jeans. Roll the shirt cuffs back over the jacket cuffs. Add footwear of choice.
2. A striped top + a plaid shirt + blue jeans + a utility jacket.  Add long strands of pearls or beads + one or more belts.
3. 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.
4. Layer a utility jacket over a flannel shirt over a long top + blue jeans.  Add a fur collar or woolly scarf.
5. A utility jacket over a warm shirt over a black sundress (or a dress in a color or print of your choice.)
6. Layer a hoodie under your utility jacket, making sure the hood shows.

More Ways to Style a Utility Jacket for Cooler Weather

1. Wear a utility jacket over a turtleneck sweater & a bias-cut skirt. Add heels and dainty earrings.
2. A black turtleneck + black pants + a utility jacket.
3. A plaid shirt over a short velvet skirt + utility jacket.  Add ankle boots, a cap, one or two simple gold necklaces.
4. Combine a tunic sweater with skinny jeans & a utility jacket. Add a long pendant + a scarf + heeled ankle boots. Shoot the cuffs.
5. A long sweater + yoga pants in a nice material + utility jacket.  Add sneakers.

Let’s Connect!

Do you like the outfit combinations here? Are the ideas helpful to you? Please let us know what you think. Leave a reply below!

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Like this post? You might like to read more:

• “How to Transition Your Outfits the Fall”
• “How to Really Enjoy the Transition to Warm Weather”
• Jean Jackets Category of posts

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