Betabrand Reversible Smoking Jackets

G. Clay Whittaker
Posted: February 8, 2012

The parlor-room smoking jacket tradition has been in a coma for a while now, but nostalgic style aficionados looking for a wild, modern alternative may have hope with the Reversible Smoking Jacket by Betabrand.

On the conservative side, each of Betabrand’s five styles is a simple, well-tailored jacket. The interior flares occasionally if you leave it unbuttoned, but overall it makes for a fashionable if inconspicuous look. Turn it inside out, however, and the eccentric smoking-jacket wearer within will take center stage as loud, fiery designs change the mood from rocking chair to rock star.

We liked the gray one, whose corduroy exterior was casual enough for your local cigar bar but had a reverse side worthy of your late-night club plans. Their newest release—the “red devil”—would fit perfectly in the halls of a certain California mansion.

Practically speaking, a reversible smoking jacket isn’t the most useful piece of clothing. Smoking jackets are, after all, designed to absorb smoke and keep it from soaking into whatever it is that you choose to wear beneath it. That’s why they are often made of velvet or corduroy—heavy fabrics that don’t breathe well. Turning the jacket inside out after an hour of smoking is like pressure cooking your body in smoke.

Our advice? Don’t flip the jacket back and forth between one side and the other. If you have a wild side, commit to it. If you prefer to keep the crazier accents subtle, go with the conservative reverse.

Either way, this is a stellar look for some parlor-room puffing or a night out with the fellas.

The look may say eccentric millionaire, but don’t worry: Betabrand has most of these schizophrenic smoking jackets priced at $195. Because its supposed to be a looser-fitting garmet, we also suggest you consider going a size up. Consult the size chart on their website, Betabrand.com, for more information.

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Comments 6 comment(s)

Alex Fernandez — February 9, 2012 1:27am ET

Eccentric millionaire is never a bad look to go for.

Erik Baron — Jarrell, Texas, USA, — February 9, 2012 2:03am ET

I love it and would love to have one...

Mitchell Vizcaya — Chula Vista, California, United States, — February 9, 2012 8:26am ET

Amazing! This is my dream Jacket come true!

Alan Garcia — Dover, DE, USA, — February 9, 2012 11:42am ET

Not a bad idea for the mid afternoon sessions before going back to the office.

Christian A — February 9, 2012 11:52am ET

I have one. For the price it is stylish not the greatest material though. I have the red devil one which is cool.

Taylor Franklin — February 10, 2012 2:06am ET

They look nice, but I wonder if there are synthetics or silk in the fabric. I've found out the hard-way too often.

I'll stick with my Proban shop coat which I also use for grilling and BBQ-ing. Not fancy at all, but very practical and flame resistant, covers the thighs too.

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