Westlake · Est. 1972
A jacket foractual heat
Most summer jackets are simply lighter versions of winter ones. That is not the same thing.
A summer blazer made to measure at The Man’s Shop in Arlington. Unlined or quarter-lined, soft-shouldered, in linen, cotton or tropical wool. The construction matters as much as the cloth — removing the lining takes more heat out of a jacket than dropping an ounce of cloth weight.
What matters
Worth knowing
- Unlined
- The single biggest improvement. A lining traps heat across your back, and removing it is more effective than a lighter cloth.
- Linen
- Coolest, wrinkles freely, and looks better slightly rumpled than pressed. Accept that or choose something else.
- Linen-cotton blend
- Most of the coolness with considerably less creasing. The sensible compromise for most men.
- Tropical wool
- Around 7.5 ounces, open weave. Less obviously summery and works over a longer season.
- Color
- Stone, tan, pale blue and cream. Navy works but absorbs heat noticeably in direct sun.
The process
Two visits, not five
- First appointment
- About an hour. Cloth, measurements, and a conversation about how you actually wear the garment.
- Build
- Four to six weeks. Nothing is rushed and nothing is sent overseas without us knowing where it is.
- Collection
- Twenty minutes. Anything needing adjustment goes to Enrique, who works on site.
- Alterations
- Included on what we make. There is no separate bill at collection.
- Afterwards
- Your pattern stays on file, so the next order is a phone call.
Common questions
Blazers, answered
Linen or cotton for a summer jacket?
Linen is cooler and wrinkles freely; cotton holds shape better and breathes less. A linen-cotton blend gives most of the coolness with less creasing, which is why it is what most men actually end up wearing.
How should a summer jacket fit differently?
With slightly more room through the chest, because a jacket cut close in heat becomes uncomfortable within an hour. The shoulder and the length stay exactly as precise as in any other jacket.
Is linen too casual for work?
In a conventional cut and a muted color it is fine for most business casual settings here. It reads as a considered response to the climate rather than as carelessness, provided the fit is good.
Where are you and what are your hours?
100 S. West Street in downtown Arlington, parking beside the building. Monday to Saturday, ten until five, closed Sundays.
Westlake to Arlington
Book with Patrick or Austin
One hour to measure. Four to six weeks to build.
Book with PatrickBook with Austin
100 S. West Street, Arlington, Texas 76010
Mon–Sat 10am–5pm · Closed Sunday
(817) 265-1116