Staple Suits: The Ludlow Suit Jacket by J. Crew

While the modern sartorial gentleman would, in theory, delight in stashing his closet with fit-as-a-glove bespoke suits that easily cost thousands of dollars, not everyone is bestowed with such luxury. Whether you are a CEO bootstrapping your own startup, a 9-5er looking to level up on your suit game, or a self-respecting gentleman who prefers to go grocery shopping while looking sharp, the good news is that quality, modern-cut, off-the-rack suits are no longer unheard of (not to mention, you can now have them delivered straight to your home with the click of a mouse).

Of course, when dealing with off-the-rack suits, a certain level of curating must still take place – today, we bring you the highly popular Ludlow suit jacket from retail giant J. Crew.

The Ludlow is a classic two-button suit jacket with low button stances, and a lapel that is two-and-a-half inches at its widest that tapers up into a classic notch collar; these are great for elongating the torso, and even for showing off your color and pattern combination prowess with a nifty dress shirt and tie. The suit is available in a variety of fabric, from wool to a cashmere and cotton blend, which gives you more options for different seasons. The insides are lined with bemberg.

J. Crew Ludlow Suit Jacket with Double Vent in Italian Worsted Wool, $425

J. Crew Ludlow Suit Jacket in Irish Linen, $298

As classic as it looks at first glance, the Ludlow suit jacket is not for the conservative – this polished piece has been taken in at the waist to give it a silhouette that is slimmer than the traditional suit jacket. While it is not so traditional as to have a ticket pocket, the Ludlow has a slit pocket at the chest, which makes it a great piece for those looking to divert attention from the midsection or simply to put those patterned handkerchiefs in.

J. Crew Ludlow Suit Jacket with Double Vent in Italian Wool, $425

The back also veers away from the general single centered vent, opting instead for two side vents for a more updated look. The buttons at the cuff are non-functional so you can choose to remove them to get that minimal Englishman-inspired classic look.

If you’re already a fan of the Ludlow but would prefer some minor tweaks here and there, there are some variations available on the website such as a one-button, double-breasted or a single center vent version. This classic suit jacket cut also bore other must-have closet pieces such as the Ludlow topcoat, tuxedo jacket and club jacket.

If you’re still not convinced, you can check out J. Crew’s special feature here on everyday gentlemen who have chosen the Ludlow as their go-to suit. The feature includes interview excerpts from sharply-dressed gentlemen from all walks of life – from an activist to an investment banker – and their own reviews and styling advice for wearing the Ludlow.