Decided to finally try out that classic fisherman look today. Always saw those photos and thought, “Yeah, that seems comfy and kinda cool.” Went digging through my closet and storage to see what I could pull together for a real lakeside test run.
The Foundation Piece
Started with the obvious: the vest. Mine’s an old, sturdy canvas one I found years back at a thrift store near the coast. You know the type? Tons of pockets, a bit faded, feels like it could stop a light drizzle. Important thing is it shouldn’t look new. Wrinkled it up a bit, cut off a loose thread hanging off the hem.
Then came the pants. Tried my regular jeans first. Felt wrong. Too stiff, not “sea-ready”. Rooted around and pulled out some dark olive cargo pants from the bottom of a pile. Thick cotton, baggy fit above the knee but tapers a bit. Perfect. Rolled up the cuffs once, just above my boot line.
Building the Look
Shoes were easy. Grabbed my beat-up black rubber Wellington boots. Dirt still caked on from the last time I actually did some gardening. You want boots that look like they’ve waded through mud and shallow water. Polished hiking boots? Skip those.
Top layer time. Under the vest, went simple. A thick, cable-knit sweater in cream, kinda chunky. Wanted warmth without bulk. Rolled up the sleeves just a little bit beneath the vest sleeves – lets the vest be the star. Almost put on a flannel shirt, but it felt too “lumberjack”. Went back to the sweater.
Accessories? Kept it minimal.
- A simple navy blue beanie, slouchy but not falling off.
- Found my dad’s old leather fishing hat too, weathered brown, but went with the beanie for comfort.
- Practical belt: thick, dark brown canvas with a basic metal buckle. Tuck it in!
- NO watch. Told myself, “He’s watching the water, not the time.”
Testing the Waters (Literally)
Took the whole outfit down to the lake dock near my place. Felt surprisingly warm and cozy even with a chill wind off the water. That sweater/vest combo trapped heat well. The cargos moved easy when I crouched down to mimic checking a trap or a line. Boots felt solid on the wet planks.
The main win? All those vest pockets! Stuck a notepad in one, small binoculars in another, car keys in the big chest pocket. Felt genuinely useful, not just for show. Didn’t need a bag at all.
Final Verdict & What Actually Worked
Honestly? Wasn’t sure it would look like anything but a costume. But putting worn, practical pieces together – the lived-in vest, the durable cargos, the chunky sweater, and solid boots – it clicked. It looked like clothes meant to be used, not just worn. Felt sturdy and relaxed at the same time. The key is choosing items that feel tough and unpretentious. Anything too clean or fancy ruins the vibe. Stuck with natural colours – greens, creams, browns, navy. That weathered texture is everything.
Forgot how practical true workwear can be. This ain’t just for fishing – feels great for a crisp fall day kicking around town too. Might just keep this combo in regular rotation!
