The Reflective Coat: Inside the Utility Trends
Utility coats have been coming into their own the last few years with stylish, chic options that celebrate working hard and encourage being visible. Just like how the leather jacket was designed with a specific wearer in mind, i.e. bikers and aviators, and later transitioned into mainstream wardrobes, the reflective coat is also making the segue from utility to fashion. No longer solely the domain of construction crews, utility coats are proving to be covetable clothing items for just about all walks of life. After all, we are all trying to be just a little more careful these days by washing our hands extra well and keeping our distance. Choosing items of clothing that can help keep us safe too is simply a smart idea. It’s a nod to the hard-working heroes that keep our society functioning.
If you aren’t sold on this trend yet why not check out Vestiaire Collective’s offerings of reflective and utility garments? We think you will be surprised at how far these pieces have come in terms of style. And since you’ll be shopping pre-loved, it’s better for your wallet and better for the environment.
From Utility to Trend: The High-Vis Coat
It’s good to be seen. A high-vis reflective coat helps you do just that. The past few years have seen the fashion industry’s top houses designing their own spins on the traditional neon work vest. The result is a striking item that keeps you on the cutting edge. From Maison Margiela to Prada, a reflective garment from a luxury brand is a fashion statement that just keeps working.
Sometimes there’s just nothing like a statement jacket to get conversations going. Raf Simons garnered rave reviews for his Calvin Klein Autumn/Winter 2018 collection that was safety-gear inspired featuring reflective stripes and a bright orange hue. If you like the idea of a reflective logo but aren’t sold on fluorescents, Calvin Klein also offered a more subdued Reversible Reflective Logo Jacket in black and gray.
But Calvin Klein isn’t the only higher end player working the work look. Moschino also displayed a theme of construction-gear-inspired designs on the Spring/Summer 2016 runway and the crowd went wild. With pencil skirts and flashy yellow and orange neon fabric, designer Jeremy Scott proved that utility can be crowd pleasing.
Fashion conscious stars have also celebrated the elevation of neon outfits. Famous head-to-toe ensembles have been worn by celebs like Kim Kardashian and Blake Lively. Though these stars don’t need a bright outfit to be noticed, we imagine that they just like the essence of fun and positivity that wearing a neon outfit provides.
The work jacket vs an aesthetic statement
Many of our fashion trends come from a natural progression from utility to fashion. Once a design has been established and proven to be functional, why wouldn’t everyone want to adopt it? For example, the trench coat was designed for Army officers during the First World War and now a Mac is an integral piece in any complete wardrobe. Bomber jackets were also originally made for military use but with a few tweaks to the design, they are now firmly embedded in popular culture.
It’s the same for the work jacket. Blending street wear with fashion creates a luxury performance piece that gives the best of both worlds. Take the relaunch of the Linea Rossa line from Prada. With technical detailing and bright neon colours, this line is redefining luxury street wear. Offerings like the Nylon Vest and Poncho can pack up small so you can always be prepared. The design, while minimal, features reflective stripes so you will be visible in low light conditions. The Poncho has the added benefit of keeping you dry and looking chic even in the rain. And best of all, last month Prada launched a massive new sustainability initiative to reconvert production waste that we are totally on board with.
Right now we aren’t going to so many clubs and parties. But at some point when we do we’ll want to have our reflective jacket at the ready because they really pop in photographs. During the day it looks like a streetwear inspired jacket and at night it becomes an eye-catching way to get noticed.
Activewear and the Instagram Friendly Fashion Coat
A fashion forward Instagram presence needs to be instantly recognisable. Sorting through the abundance of sartorial social media sites to find content of value can be overwhelming. In order for your Instagram to thrive, you will want to display statement pieces that are colourful and recognisable. And what is more head-turning than a high vis jacket? Especially when made by a big name in fashion like Burberry.
For those fashion lovers who crave logos, many top brands are using their logo in a reflective material or stamped onto a fluorescent jacket like Balenciaga’s logo print reflective shell jacket.
Besides fun statement pieces, social media loves a good adventure. Blend the two together for social content that will truly make a buzz. Next time you’re out for a run or on a hike, reach for a reflective jogging jacket. It’s an on-trend way to stay safe and look good for any selfie snapping that you may want to do.
Since we can’t meet as much in person right now, Instagram and other social media platforms are important channels to show the world what you’re up to. Whether you’re on a hike in your sustainably made Arc’teryx jacket with reflective logo or just on a walk around town in a lightweight and sophisticated Prada reflective nylon jacket, you can create shareable moments in style. At the same time you can promote that you are a Fashion Activist because you bought your piece second-hand through Vestiaire!
Forms and Patterns of the reflective vest
Ever since the fashion world adopted the safety gear look, there have been many different forms and patterns made. There are youthful styles for the clubbing crowd and more technical performance pieces for fashionable adventurers. Reflectives have been put on a versatile array of styles so you aren’t limited to wearing a bright orange safety utility anymore.
The puffer jacket is having a moment and celebs like Drake are choosing their puffers in high vis shades like bright yellow. Keep in mind that puffer jackets are usually made with down which can have a harsh impact on the environment. The best way to source your puffer in a sustainable way is to buy a pre-loved piece, especially from a brand that already has an emphasis on sustainability. B Corp status company Ecoalf has several puffers including the sleek Atlantic model which is made of recycled synthetic down.
For a glamorous and functional piece, check out a reflective trench coat. A trench coat is great for a rainy day, and with reflective stripes, it gives you even more protection. A sleek option is the Isabel Marant Etoile look, which you can find pre-loved at Vestiaire Collective.
There are so many ways to coordinate your reflective style. Pair a reflective vest with matching jogging pants for your morning run. If an entire neon outfit is just a little too loud for your personal preference, there are reflective kicks available so you can dip your toes, literally, into the high vis trend. Even shoelaces can be made reflective so you will always be seen.
Benefits of the Reflective Coat
It’s pretty apparent that reflective clothing has a lot of benefits besides just being super fun to wear. That’s why it has been standard practise to wear a reflective vest in many of our most essential industries.
First of all, they are light enough to wear during your favorite fitness training. They are generally made of impermeable materials to shield you from rain and wind which make them a favourite choice for cyclists. Perhaps the most important benefit is that they help you stand out in low light conditions. So whether you are walking in city traffic or hiking in the woods, you will be protected from anything life throws at you.
And now, more than ever, streetwear-inspired clothing is a beacon of forward-thinking fashionistas. Take Megan Thee Stallion’s bright orange ensemble for this year’s Grammy awards. If you thought this was a trend that will fade, her orange statement will have you guessing again.
Being able to choose a protective piece of clothing in a super fun, trendy neon colour is going to add pizzazz to your wardrobe and just make life a little more exciting. Buying a pre-loved reflective sustainable jacket transcends the seasons and ensures that the piece you love is friendly to the planet.
While it may seem like a hot trend right now, utility wear is a smart bet for the future. Activewear is always going to be in demand so if the trend ever cools, you can always resell on Vestiaire. Even if the high-vis craze fades, we think there is a chance for a major comeback years down the road. That’s why it’s good to invest in high-quality pieces that will last.
Reflective jackets are useful pieces for the modern wardrobe. It’s an eye-catching look that has added safety benefits. Whether you want a puffer, a trench or a technical outdoor piece, you can browse our sustainable collection to find a vibrant piece that will add flair to your ensemble.
Vestiaire is happy to be able to connect Fashion Activists throughout the world so that you can find pieces you love at prices that are better for your wallet. Everything that we do has a focus on sustainability, so you can be confident that your purchases have a much lower impact on the planet than shopping new. Purchasing a pre-loved item removes the need for using raw resources in production and also prevents the landfill waste that happens when clothes are thrown away. So shop away and find that reflective jacket that makes you glow inside and out.