Berluti Forestière jacket returns this season in an Ultra Leggera linen version designed to be exceptionally light and breathable for summer wear, the brand said.
The Forestière name comes from the gamekeeper jacket, a working outerwear form that emphasized freedom of movement and comfort in the early 20th century, Berluti said. The style was first created for left bank Parisian men by Arnys founder Léon Grimbert more than half a century ago, and it became a hallmark of French menswear. In 2011, Berluti reintroduced Forestière into its ready to wear line under Alessandro Sartori.
The new Ultra Leggera version uses a soft linen fabric that keeps the jacket airy while preserving a clean silhouette. The brand left the body deliberately unlined so the jacket moves with the wearer, and it adds a silk lining at the sleeve for easy, casual roll up. The result is a jacket with almost no weight, Berluti said.
Forestière has always balanced structure with ease, and the Ultra Leggera keeps the signature four pocket layout and pared down lines. The jacket works over a knit or a shirt, and it can be worn alone for a more relaxed look. For a holiday mood, pair the jacket with Bermuda shorts, and for a city leaning silhouette, choose roomy trousers and loafers.
Color is a focal point for the Ultra Leggera drop. Berluti offers five new shades for Forestière this season: Deep Indigo, Twilight Blue, Vibrant Lilac, Warm Cocoa and Bright Turquoise. The palette expands on traditional menswear tones by introducing softer and more vivid options that are easy to wear either tone on tone or in layered looks. Five colorways are available, the house said.
Craft details reflect Berluti leatherwork traditions. Horn buttons receive the brand s patina dye process so each button shows natural depth of color, and Scritto script embroidery appears inside and out as a discreet signature. The repeated Scritto motif inside the jacket is meant to be noticed only by the wearer, a quiet nod to personal refinement.
Styling the Forestière Ultra Leggera is straightforward. Use lightweight knits or shirts as a base, let the jacket breathe during warm daytime outings, and switch to evening shoes for small gatherings. Berluti said the jacket keeps a low key sense of refinement from day to night while avoiding the constriction of a traditional suit jacket, embracing sprezzatura, the Italian art of studied nonchalance.
Prices and availability vary by market, Berluti said, with the new Forestière Ultra Leggera appearing in house boutiques and select retailers for the spring to summer season.
