Men’s Style for an Urban Safari

Living in New York can be akin to being on a safari. There is a constant sense of adventure, of not knowing what unexpected sight may appear, and observing a natural struggle to survive among its diverse population. The urban jungle isn’t just clever catchphrase: it’s a way of life in the big city.

It was the sense of living in a concrete zoo that inspired this outfit comprised mostly of pieces that I picked up on a recent hunt at Banana Republic, my partner for today’s post. There is a current trend in menswear of layering vests over t-shirts, which gives an otherwise simple look a bit of style and intrigue.

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Khaki Safari Jacket

by Banana Republic

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Waistcoat

by Banana Republic

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Jeans

by Banana Republic

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An interesting tidbit of sartorial history: the waistcoat rose to popularity after the French revolution and was once constructed more as a corset, made of whalebone stiffeners and laced in the back. The idea was to give a man a smaller waist that emphasized his broad shoulders. To this day, while the construction and function of the waistcoat has changed, it still does have a slimming effect, making it a useful tool in the modern’s man’s arsenal.

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I paired the olive waistcoat with a traditional khaki safari jacket that together with white jeans create the perfect outfit for navigating the concrete jungle. The outfit works both with and without the safari overcoat, a good option for cooler mornings and evenings.

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A pair of brown leather derbies from Coach, together with the matching Banana Republic belt, complete this look, though you could just as easily replace with a pair of boots for a real trek through the bush(wick).

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We shot this outfit at Ovenly in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a great low-key neighborhood spot with a host of gluten-free baked goods and delicious coffee.

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