Field Testing Quarterly: Fall Traveling North Wardrobe Staples November 2023:
The Waxed Aviator Jacket
For the annual November short trip this year’s destination of choice fell on Ireland. As usual there had to be some good planning beforehand, especially considering the lower temperatures and occasional rain shower you would expect and bet on to get into in 🇮🇪. As usual the premise was to be as minimalist as possible: bring only the essential gear with, forget the fancies and keep in mind, we’ll be walking in Irish weather conditions most of the time.
Wool, waxed canvas, denim and leather would do the job. A selection of pieces from the guys from Fleurs de Bagne is imho the best way to accomplish these restrictive, minimalist and rugged requirements. Boots from Red Wing Heritage complete the kit. This means only the bare minimum basics will need to be carried in a small cabin size suitcase. During our 4 days stay we roamed the countryside from coast to coast, literally. We obviously expected to get that Irish rain experience, where the drizzle comes horizontally to you with its insistence that’s part of the island’s beauty. There’s probably few stories without mentioning an occasional rain drizzle and the following appearance of that colorful rainbow only Leprechauns can sing of. And never underestimate the warm hello you get after a few pints of that ruby black beverage from your new friends at the small local pub. Our first night out in Ballymore Eustace, our stay for the upcoming days, confirmed this urban legend. At Mick Murphy’s there was singing, playing and a couple of friendly geezers that as soon as we entered asked where we’re coming from. And hearing we’re from some mountainous place on the northern borders of Italy they were enthusing over their trips they did all over Italy. By exiting the pub we knew, warmth is a human privilege you feel when talking and laughing together with people you barely knew a few hours before, and when running home in that Irish rain with a kit you can rely upon to keep you dry and warm.