C.P. Company Goggle Jacket: The Complete Guide
Written by Frank Struik
In this article
You know the jacket when you see it. That goggle hood is one of the most recognised details in Italian menswear, and it did not get there by accident. C.P. Company built it into its outerwear in the 1980s, and it has stayed in production ever since because it actually works, not just as a design feature, but as a functional piece of outerwear that handles real weather.
The problem is that the Goggle Jacket gets a lot of attention and not always a lot of clarity. You'll find it described as a collector's item in one place and a terrace staple in another, with very little in between about what makes it worth buying, how it fits, or what separates one version from the next.
This guide covers the key features of the C.P. Company Goggle Jacket, where it came from, and why it has stayed relevant across decades of Italian menswear and premium casualwear. If you're trying to decide whether it's the right jacket for you, or simply want to understand what you're looking at, you'll find straight answers here.
What is a C.P. Company Goggle Jacket?
A C.P. Company Goggle Jacket is a hooded, windproof jacket first released in 1988. C.P. Company originally designed it for the Mille Miglia, the Italian long-distance road race, which is where the functional goggle hood comes from. The lenses are built into the hood and work as eye protection against wind, originally for drivers and co-drivers exposed to the elements.
The jacket sits within a wider lineage of C.P. Company outerwear that prioritises function without dropping the standard of the garment. The goggle hood is the detail that gets most of the attention, but the shell does the real work: windproof, usually water-resistant, and cut to move in.
Over the decades, the Goggle Jacket became one of the most recognisable pieces in Italian menswear and a fixture in premium casualwear more broadly. You will find it referenced under several names, including the goggle hood jacket and the C.P. Company lens jacket, but they all point to the same design.
The original race-branded jackets given to drivers of the 1988 and '89 Mille Miglia events are almost mythical.
The Mille Miglia origin
The C.P. Company Goggle Jacket traces directly back to the Mille Miglia, the Italian open-road endurance race run between 1927 and 1957, and later revived as a classic car event. C.P. Company sponsored the revived Mille Miglia in 1988, and Massimo Osti, the brand's founder, designed the jacket that year as a promotional piece for the event's competitors. Drivers and co-drivers in open-top cars needed protection from wind and debris at speed, and the goggle hood was the answer.
Osti had been studying protective hoods used by Japanese civil defence forces and gas masks from the Second World War, and became fascinated with the idea of building lenses directly into a hood rather than treating them as a separate accessory. He was not adding the goggles for visual effect. They were there to do a specific job, and the rest of the jacket was built around the same logic: windproof construction, functional cut, practical details throughout.
That origin matters because it explains why the jacket does not feel like a gimmick. The goggle hood is structural, not decorative. Every version since 1988 has kept that core logic intact.
Key design features
The goggle hood is what people notice first, but the jacket has several other details worth understanding before you buy.
The integrated goggle lenses pull down from the hood and cover the eyes. On most versions, they fasten under the chin to hold in place in wind.
Some versions carry a third lens set into the sleeve, positioned over the wrist so the wearer can check a watch without exposing bare skin to the wind.
The hood itself is structured and close-fitting, designed to stay put rather than fall back.
The shell is windproof across all versions. Many iterations also carry water-resistant treatment, though the level varies by fabric and season.
The zip closure typically runs to the neck, with a storm flap or internal collar to block wind from coming through at the front.
Pockets are functional: usually at least two external pockets, deep enough to be useful, with secure closures.
The cut runs slim through the body on most versions. There is room for a light layer underneath, but the jacket is not designed for heavy-duty insulation.
The goggle hood, the windproof shell, and the slim fit have stayed consistent since the original 1988 release. What changes from one season's version to the next tends to be fabric choice, colour range, and minor construction updates.
Design evolution
The Goggle Jacket started as racing equipment and became a fixture in premium casualwear without ever losing its original logic. That shift happened gradually across three decades of production.
The earliest versions in the late 1980s used the technical fabrics available to Massimo Osti at the time: nylon shells, lightweight construction, and a utilitarian palette focused on function over colour. As C.P. Company developed its materials expertise through the 1990s and into the 2000s, the fabrics became more refined. The brand introduced versions in its signature Mille Miglia fabric, a waxed or coated shell named after the race itself, alongside treatments like garment dyeing that gave each piece a slightly individual finish.
Fit evolved too. Earlier cuts were relatively straight. Later versions became slimmer and more tailored through the body, reflecting how casualwear proportions shifted across that period.
What stayed constant was the underlying architecture: the goggle hood, the windproof purpose, the practical zip-front construction. C.P. Company updated the details without reinventing what the jacket was for. That discipline is part of why it lasted.
Today, the Goggle Jacket appears across several of C.P. Company's lines, including the Metropolis series and outerwear edits in different weights and fabrics. Each version carries the same recognisable feature but adapts it for different conditions and price points.
C.P. Company and Italian menswear
C.P. Company was founded in 1971 by Massimo Osti in Bologna, originally under the name Chester Perry. The company adopted the C.P. Company name in 1978, after a legal challenge from Chester Barrie and Fred Perry over the use of their names. Osti's background was in graphic design, not fashion, and that shows in how he approached garments. He treated fabric like material to be experimented with, not just cut and sewn. His work at C.P. Company laid the foundation for a technical approach to casualwear that was unlike anything else coming out of Italy at the time.
Osti also founded Stone Island in 1982, and the two brands share DNA built around material innovation and functional outerwear. Stone Island took the garment dyeing process and applied it to more sport-adjacent styles. C.P. Company kept a closer relationship with Italian tailoring sensibility while maintaining the same commitment to fabric development.
The Goggle Jacket sits squarely within that heritage. It is an Italian garment in the truest sense: designed with a specific purpose, built with serious materials, and refined over time rather than replaced. That is not a styling story. It is a manufacturing one.
C.P. Company's Italian menswear identity also explains the pricing. These are not garments produced to a price point. The shell, the construction, and the details reflect what it costs to make something properly in that tradition.
Football culture and controversy
The C.P. Company Goggle Jacket became visible in British and European football culture during the late 1980s and through the 1990s. This was not a marketing decision. It happened because the casual culture around football was actively seeking out premium Italian and European sportswear brands that were not yet mainstream in the UK. C.P. Company, along with Stone Island, fitted that profile.
The jacket picked up associations with terrace culture that its original racing context had nothing to do with. By the early 1990s, some of those associations extended to football-related disorder, and the hooliganism connection became part of how the jacket was perceived in British public discourse. Certain grounds and pubs at the time banned Stone Island clothing specifically, and C.P. Company sat in the same conversation as a closely associated brand.
Those perceptions were real, and it is worth acknowledging them honestly. They are also separate from what the jacket is. Massimo Osti designed it for the Mille Miglia in 1988. The goggles were for wind protection at speed. The terrace associations came later, from a culture that recognised quality and scarcity before most others did.
The jacket's appeal has always been broader than any single subculture. The men who wore it on the terraces understood what made it worth buying. So do the men who wear it now, most of whom are nowhere near a football ground.
How to style a goggle jacket
The Goggle Jacket is a statement piece in silhouette, but it pairs with straightforward clothes. You do not need to overthink it.
The table below gives a quick reference for three common settings and what works underneath.
| Setting | What to wear underneath | Footwear |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend casual | Heavyweight cotton crew-neck sweatshirt, slim joggers or chinos | Clean trainers |
| Smart casual | Fine-gauge merino polo or ribbed knit, slim dark trousers | Leather or suede loafers, or simple clean trainers |
| Matchday | C.P. Company or Stone Island sweatshirt, dark jeans | Trainers with a clean sole |
A few practical notes on wearing it well.
The jacket runs slim. Check our C.P. Company sizing guide before you order, and size up if you plan to layer a chunky knit or hoodie underneath.
The goggle hood works best when the rest of the outfit is clean and unfussy. Busy prints or heavy graphics underneath compete with the hood detail.
Colour matters. Navy and dark slate are the easiest options to build an outfit around. Olive and stone are slightly more flexible with footwear choices.
The jacket is windproof but not a heavy insulator. In colder temperatures, a mid-layer such as a merino or lightweight fleece under the shell adds warmth without ruining the fit.
For trousers, slim chinos or dark slim-fit jeans work in most situations. Wide-leg fits tend to break the proportion because the jacket is cut close. Keep the bottom half clean and the jacket does the rest.
Choosing an authentic jacket
Fakes exist for well-known C.P. Company pieces, and the Goggle Jacket is one of the styles worth checking carefully before you buy.
Construction details to look at first.
The stitching on genuine C.P. Company garments is consistent and tight. Loose threads, uneven seams, or stitching that does not line up at the hood junction are immediate red flags. The goggle lenses on an authentic jacket are solid, with clear optics and a firm attachment to the hood fabric. Flimsy or foggy lenses usually indicate a replica.
The zip should feel substantial. C.P. Company uses quality hardware throughout, and the zip pull, the teeth, and the glide should all feel considered rather than functional-minimum.
Fit and condition.
If you are buying past season stock, check the condition of the cuffs, hem, and goggle housing. These are the areas that show wear first. Light fading on the shell of a garment-dyed version is normal and part of how those fabrics age. Damage to the goggle attachment or stress marks around the hood zip are worth factoring into your decision.
Provenance and authenticity verification.
C.P. Company garments carry an ART Number on the care label. This is a unique identifier that can be checked directly. Casual Quarter's 100% authenticity guarantee means every jacket in the collection has been verified before it reaches you.
Buying from a retailer that understands the product is the most straightforward way to avoid fakes. Casual Quarter stocks current and past season C.P. Company outerwear at under retail price, with authenticity confirmed on every piece.
Key takeaways
The C.P. Company Goggle Jacket has a clear origin, a consistent design logic, and a cultural history that is worth understanding properly.
Massimo Osti designed it in 1988 for the Mille Miglia, and the goggle hood has a functional purpose from day one.
The shell is windproof across all versions, with water resistance on many. The fit runs slim.
The jacket moved from racing context into Italian menswear, then into football and terrace culture, without any of those associations replacing the others.
Styling is straightforward. Keep the outfit clean underneath and size up if you plan to layer.
Authenticity matters. Check the ART Number, the lenses, the stitching, and the zip before you buy.
If you want a jacket with genuine design history, real construction quality, and enough cultural weight to be worth knowing about, the Goggle Jacket is one of the few pieces that earns that attention honestly.
C.P. Company Goggle Jacket FAQ
What is the C.P. Company Goggle Jacket?
The C.P. Company Goggle Jacket is a hooded, windproof jacket first released in 1988. Massimo Osti designed it for the Mille Miglia road race, where open-top car drivers needed eye protection at speed. The goggle lenses are integrated into the hood and fold down to cover the eyes. It is one of the most recognisable pieces in Italian menswear and premium casualwear.
What are the goggles for on a C.P. Company jacket?
The goggles protect the eyes from wind and debris. Massimo Osti designed them for drivers competing in the Mille Miglia, an Italian open-road race, where open-top vehicles left drivers exposed to the elements at speed. The goggle lenses attach to the hood and fasten at the chin to stay in place.
Is the C.P. Company Goggle Jacket waterproof?
Most versions of the Goggle Jacket are windproof, with water resistance applied to the shell. The level of water resistance varies by season and fabric. Not all versions are fully waterproof in heavy rain, so checking the specific shell treatment of the version you are buying is worth doing.
How does a C.P. Company Goggle Jacket fit?
The Goggle Jacket runs slim through the body. It is designed for a light layer underneath, such as a polo or fine-gauge knit. If you plan to wear a heavier sweatshirt or hoodie under it, size up by one. See our C.P. Company sizing guide for the full breakdown by category.
Why is the C.P. Company Goggle Jacket associated with football culture?
The jacket became visible in British football casual culture during the late 1980s and 1990s, when followers of that scene actively sought out premium European brands that were not yet widely known in the UK. C.P. Company fitted that profile alongside Stone Island. The association was cultural, not by design, and the jacket's original purpose was racing, not football.
How can you tell if a C.P. Company Goggle Jacket is authentic?
Check the ART Number on the care label, which is a unique identifier C.P. Company applies to genuine garments. On an authentic jacket, the stitching is tight and consistent, the zip hardware feels substantial, and the goggle lenses are clear and firmly attached to the hood. Casual Quarter provides a 100% authenticity guarantee and an ART Number checker tool for independent verification.
Where can you buy an authentic C.P. Company Goggle Jacket at under retail price?
Casual Quarter stocks current and past season C.P. Company outerwear, including Goggle Jackets, at under retail price. Every piece carries a 100% authenticity guarantee.