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How can a part of your menswear wardrobe go from “nice to have” to truly indispensable? By doing more than one thing quite well, just as with the best men’s shirt jackets. Yes, it’s got the build of a classic buttondown shirt and maybe resembles your favorite flannel shirt.
But look again and you’ll find that shirt jackets or “shackets” offer up more than meets the eye. They’re often made from sturdier, thicker and warmer fabric, perhaps finished off with helpful design touches like quilted detailing or a warm lining, and of course, they’re made with both style and rugged performance in mind.
The best shirt jackets for your fall wardrobe can slot right in alongside existing staples with ease, even if you’ve never worn one before.
Think of the shirt jacket like a hybrid go-between for all those times when it’s too chilly to wear, say, just a pocket T-shirt or a rugged henley on its own–yet, it’s not quite cold enough to break out a winter parka.
That’s where the shirt jacket comes into play. It’s the kind of style you’ll find yourself wearing for days at a time, especially if you find the right one.
Best of all is the fact that you can even wear a heavier shirt jacket atop one of your more standard everyday shirts, like an Oxford shirt or a chambray shirt.
And they’re not just designed with pure utility in mind, either. Shirt jackets team up readily with dark blue jeans or even classic tan chinos. Make it a go-to casual layer, and unlock the possibilities of the humble, hard-working shirt jacket with our essential selections.
Surfing legend Kelly Slater set out to design a more sustainable, yet no less stylish, clothing brand, and by all accounts, it looks like he’s succeeded so far.
That includes fan favorite staples like one of the best shirt jackets, the well-reviewed Outerknown Blanket Shirt. Comfortable enough to wear on its own and yet equally well-suited to style over a thermal shirt or an Outerknown Oxford shirt, the Blanket Shirt is cozy enough to live up to its name. It’s built to last from tightly woven yet soft organic cotton twill for good measure.
It might at first seem odd to turn towards a surfing-inspired brand to outfit you with your new shirt jacket, but the great thing about this handsome number is that it’s practically perfect to throw on for cool mornings.
That goes for whether you’re in the water surfing or hitting the trail, because it’s constructed from soft, vintage-style 100 percent cotton flannel, yet lined with super-warm sherpa for exceptionally brisk weather. The Olive plaid pattern also switches things up from fall’s typical shades of red plaid.
The mix-and-match potential of Everlane’s Uniform Collection – made up of classic pieces from head-to-toe – isn’t the only thing to love about this durable overshirt. 8oz. cotton twill gives it hard-working wearability, as do the two front-button chest pockets for your everyday carry.
It’s also ideal to add to your fall style rotation thanks to its versatility: Color options like Heather Grey pair up with plenty of other colors in your wardrobe. And the design is comfortable enough to wear over a lightweight Everlane cotton tee or a more rugged henley shirt.
On exceptionally cold days when the weather just won’t quit – and even on fall days when temperatures plummet more quickly than expected – you should be lacing up your trusty L.L. Bean “Bean Boots,” right? No doubt, and you can add this cozy, rugged overshirt to your cold-weather arsenal, too.
The flannel exterior is crafted from mid-weight cotton flannel, but the lining is ultra-warm sherpa, and handsome plaid color options aren’t a bad touch to add to your fall style favorites, either.
Think back to what we said about the best menswear picks doing more than one thing well – what if we told you the best men’s shirt jackets can go above and beyond even that lofty goal?
That’s the case with this hooded flannel shirt jacket, which powers up the warmth and utility with polyester lining and a flannel exterior – and then adds a super-cozy hood for good measure.
For cool evenings around the bonfire, chilly days on the trail and a warming stout beer back in town, make this hooded shacket your favorite move.
Relwen goes all out with its Quilted Shirt Jacket, as the Ohio-based brand should given the surrounding weather. The outside is soft brushed cotton flannel twill, like a trusty shirt, but the inside is amped up with recycled polyester insulation for plenty of fall-friendly warmth.
The best shirt jackets do more than just blend a flannel shirt with warm lining – sometimes, those materials get switched up in highly useful ways.
This innovative Woolrich overshirt does it the right way, using a water-repellent, wind-resistant microfiber construction that goes all out on fall’s most blustery days.
Think of it like an insulated bomber jacket turned into a shirt jacket, since it’s also finished off with Primaloft insulation. If you want one of the warmest shirt jackets out there, pick up this finely crafted number.
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