Cloth with character
The sports jacket invites more cloth personality than the business suit. Where a business suit in a bold cloth can look aggressive or unseasonal, a sports jacket in a striking tweed or a large windowpane check reads as considered and appropriate. The cloth is the point.
For Chennai's climate, the best sports jacket cloths are lightweight Harris Tweed or a woven sports cloth in cotton or fine wool in a medium weight. Hopsack — a loosely woven, open-structure cloth with good breathability — works well in the heat. A brown or tan herringbone, a green or grey windowpane, or a subtle overcheck in a natural palette all make excellent choices that combine character with versatility.
Patch pockets on the outside of the jacket — rather than the jetted or flap pockets of a formal suit — signal the casual register of the sports jacket and are the traditional choice. A soft, unstructured shoulder or a slight natural shoulder both work; we advise based on body type and intended wear.