Luckily, the menswear world’s largest brands are well aware of the difficulties surrounding inter-season adornment. To answer our cry for capable, middle-weight clothing that could be utilized on a whim, they took to the drawing board to create the shirt jacket — a versatile style piece that would act as a simple but obvious solution to the shortcomings of traditional outerwear. Below, we present our best shirt jackets guide with favorites from around the space, focusing primarily on capability, comfort, and compatibility with other items in our wardrobe, including shirts, button-ups, and lighter garments. So, without further adieu, let’s dive right in.
The Best Shirt Jackets
What to look for
Material: First off, decide if you want an extra warm shirt jacket (as they’re already warm) or if you care more about the style. If warmth is what you’re after, then you’ll want a jacket with a warm lining and thick material construction.
Size: Again, if warmth is the goal, then a thicker/bigger shirt jacket is obviously the best choice. But if you’re planning on layering it more often than not, make sure that it can still be worn comfortably under the jackets and over the shirts you wear regularly.
Style: The timeless CPO-style jackets are always a safe bet (check out our best overshirts guide for some more history), but there are plenty of modern options available with their own twist. Also, keep in mind that shirt jackets are still layers and aren’t meant to replace garments for especially cold weather.
Shirt jackets vs. overshirts
Both variants are pretty similar, but shirt jackets are sometimes thicker than overshirts. Keep in mind that brands often use the terms interchangeably, so pay close attention to the material makeup and size to make your own decision.
How to style a shirt jacket
Shirt jackets are great for throwing on over a shirt or wearing under a beefier jacket. A pair of jeans will always be a great complement, and you can elevate it with some nice footwear (maybe some Chelsea boots). Shirt jackets are also more of a fall/early winter garment, so try to pair them with season-appropriate clothing (but there’s no rule saying you can’t rock some shorts and sandals with a lighter shirt jacket).
Gap Denim Utility Overshirt
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Good for slightly warmer weather
Cons
- Roomy fit might not be for everyone
The Best Denim Shirt Jacket: Starting things off, we have this denim shirt jacket from Gap that has a straight cut and a roomy fit. Just because this is a more affordable pick, that doesn’t mean you aren’t getting a durable shirt jacket that’s perfect for wearing over shirts. And since this jacket is made with 100% cotton, it’s also a solid choice for more temperate weather.
Material: 100% cotton
Faherty Legend Sweater Shirt
Pros
- Versatile and soft
- Great for wearing under heavy jackets
Cons
- May not be thick enough for some
The Best Stretchy Shirt Jacket: Faherty is a family-led label that makes quality products inspired by the beach, and backed by socially and environmentally conscious practices. And you’re definitely getting a beach-friendly jacket with this pick right here, because it’s made with Faherty’s own fabric blend that’s soft and stretchy, making it easy to wear and convenient to layer. It has a relaxed fit overall, with a bit of a taper around the waist, and tapered sleeves.
Material: 63% polyester, 33% viscose, and 5% spandex
Wax London Whiting Overshirt Marine Beatnik
Pros
- Made with recycled cotton
- Corozo nut buttons
Cons
- Specific care instructions
The Best Year-Round Shirt Jacket: WAX London knows what it takes to put a unique spin on the average closet essential, and this stylish flannel is one of the best layering pieces you could have on hand if you’re looking for extra flair. The sturdy top is composed of a thick and cozy blend of cotton and polyester and a sure-fire fashion statement that proves keeping things simple doesn’t mean keeping them plain.
Material: 85% cotton, 12% polyester, and 3% other fibers
Carhartt WIP Whitesome Corduroy Shirt-Jacket
Pros
- Stylish
- Solid choice for cold weather
Cons
- Sleeves can be long on some people
The Best Corduroy Shirt Jacket: Carhartt WIP’s Corduroy Shirt-Jacket is an essential accessory that’ll check all the boxes of heavier, more expensive models, without making your wallet feel lighter. Each example boasts sturdy cotton, nylon taffeta lining, and a full-button front, giving it a classic appeal that’s comfortable, stylish, and functionally sound. Plus, with Carhartt’s recognizable iconography on its exterior, the rugged, yet refined shirt jacket will let everyone in your circle know that you mean business.
Material: 100% cotton
Buck Mason Wool CPO Jacket
Pros
- Warm insulation
- Corozo buttons
Cons
- Dry clean only
The Best Wool Shirt Jacket: If you’re looking for a classic shirt jacket inspired by the original CPO models, then there are few brands better than Buck Mason to do the classic American garment justice, and put a modern spin on it. Like they’ve done with this CPO jacket that’s made with yarn-dyed wool and insulated with PrimaLoft. This warm jacket has a relaxed fit, corozo buttons, and two chest pockets.
Material: 7.5 oz of yarn-dyed wool and PrimaLoft insulation
Flint and Tinder Quilted Waxed Shirt Jacket
Pros
- Lining made with soft Japanese polyester
- Convenient interior pockets
Cons
- Snap buttons aren’t for everyone
The Best Waxed Shirt Jacket: With a combination of proven garment engineering standards, including quilted Primaloft insulation and water-resistant British Millerain waxed canvas, the Huckberry house brand has created a lightweight, breathable top layer that can withstand the cold, wind, rain, and whatever else mother nature throws at it To top it off, the shirt jacket also features an uber-soft Japanese polyester lining and a bevy of pockets throughout dedicated to keeping your EDC gear safe.
Material: The body is 100% British Millerain Cambridge 6 Wax cotton canvas, the insulation is 100% recycled PrimaLoft insulation, and the lining is 100% Japanese polyester
Outerknown Daybreak Shirt Jacket
Pros
- Warm lining
- Great for the beach
Cons
- Hand wash only
The Sustainable Pick: While Outerknown is adept at crafting shoreside-ready pieces, this shirt jacket is ideal for wearing wherever you roam. It’s composed of a blend of recycled nylon, recycled polyester, and a shell made of ECONYL nylon twill, which helps reduce global waste by repurposing old fishing nets and carpets. Then, it’s all rounded with warm synthetic insulation and finished with warmer pockets on the hips.
Material: 100% ECONYL recycled nylon and 100% recycled polyester
Percival Blanket Overshirt
Pros
- Made in London and Portugal
- Italian wool blend
Cons
- Dry clean only
The Softest Shirt Jacket: As masters of modern menswear, Percival excels at making just about anything look good. To no surprise, this applies to the British clothier’s Blanket Overshirt. It is handmade from a plush Italian wool blend and classed up with sturdy horn buttons as a finishing touch. And while it’s available in more colors than the rainbow could dream of having, this Electric Blue look is simply too hard to ignore, and most people will agree the moment you step out the door wearing it.
Material: 70% wool, 15% polyester, 10% nylon, and 5% AF
The Best Japanese Denim Brands Right Now
Just like shirt jackets, selvedge denim jeans are warm and hefty. And the picks from our best Japanese denim brands guide are some of the best.
