Getting to Know Tom Beckbe

Meet the Coggins Jacket

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The first time I put on a Tom Beckbe jacket I knew it was designed by somebody who spent time in the field. The movement through the arms meant it was made to be worn outside when casting a rod or raising a shotgun. It was utilitarian, but the finish and details were elegant enough for the city.

I knew I had to meet this Tom Beckbe. He seemed to reside in Virginia or points further south, where they take the sporting life seriously. It turns out that Tom Beckbe is in fact Radcliff Menge, a lawyer and obsessive duck hunter, who originally made jackets for himself. His friends were impressed and wanted these jackets too, so he made some more. The demand continued and now Beckbe’s audience is worldwide.

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I admire somebody who takes matters into his own hands and was impressed with Radcliff when we met. We got along well and since then he’s overseen critical elements of my Southern education. After I signed books at the incredible Beckbe store in Oxford, MS, we went to my first SEC football game—Ole Miss upsetting Georgia in the rain at The Grove. We’ve attended horse races at Keeneland and gone bass fishing on Alabama lakes. These are all good things and they all seem to involve a flask of bourbon.

Now we’ve gone professional and collaborated on a new project, the Coggins Jacket (ahem). In this case it is named for an actual person. I’m thrilled with how it turned out—it’s an amazing deep green and is slightly longer than the usual Beckbe. The length works well for serious weather and also makes it slightly dressier if you’re going to wear it in the city (it even fits over a sport coat). It’s great when you’re outside all day and just as great in the city—waxed cotton with a knit tie is a favorite look. There’s a lovely corduroy collar and those great hand warmer pockets for cold days. It’s made in the UK.

Our betting results at Keeneland will not get us hired as professional handicappers, but I hope you’ll agree we know a thing or two about what makes a good jacket. We tried to take everything into account but what’s in the flask is up to you.