A hooded cotton jacket with a full-length zip, in sage green and cream bands, size M. Inside is a soft fleece lining, and the two side pockets have striped edging. Cut for a 107–114 cm (42–45 in) chest, it was stitched in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Sage green bands with terracotta stripes
Stone-washed sage green covers the shoulders and lower half, and a cream band runs across the chest and the middle of the sleeves. Terracotta and pale blue stripes separate the bands. Two large conch shells and a flower mandala sit at the bottom, with the NS compass rose higher up.
Green goes well with beige or stone-coloured trousers, jeans and brown shoes. On a woodland walk or in the garden it does not stand out from its surroundings. If the brown version feels too dark for you, this one looks lighter.
Worn by women too
Sizes follow men's sizing, but thanks to the straight, roomy cut many women wear it as well, open over a T-shirt. Size M is made for a 107–114 cm chest, so on a smaller frame it sits more loosely.
Measure around the widest part of your chest. Well below 107 cm, the jacket will be roomy; above 114 cm, choose size L. Buying it as a present? Find out the chest measurement first. For anyone at the top end of a size, the maker suggests going one size up.
The conch shell
In Buddhism, the conch is one of the eight auspicious symbols. It is said that its sound carries the teaching far. Each motif is pressed onto the fabric by hand with a printing block, so the print sits a little differently on every jacket.