19 Best Shirt Jackets for Men: the Most Versatile Layer

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.

In my experience with the brand, this shirt is durable yet soft, moves well and layers with ease – it’s a regular fit, neither too slim nor too relaxed. The cotton twill is nicely textured, supple yet sturdy. The chest pockets deliver crucial EDC utility, which I appreciate. Oh, and it comes in a massive array of cool colors and plaid patterns (and I personally can’t get enough plaid for fall).

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.

I’ve found over the years that L.L. Bean tends to be a bit under-appreciated aside from its legendary boots (a high bar to clear), but one wear of this extremely cozy shirt jacket should be enough to change your mind.

It’s as if L.L. Bean designed this shirt with the aim of stoking a fire on a cold day, leaves crunching underfoot, flask in hand. Who doesn’t appreciate that?

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.

While it might be tough to leave your trusty Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket on the hanger every so often, you’d best believe that this quilted shirt jacket is a hard-working replacement.

It’s ideal for those times when you want more coverage than a trucker jacket can provide. The lightweight quilted polyester insulation should also offer a touch more technical warmth, and the F&T blanket lining even calls to mind your trusty Huckberry trucker jacket. For good measure, the waxed exterior resists water and abrasions.

Carhartt has tons of history to back up its name. The brand’s workwear is the stuff of legend, and you might not find a better shirt jacket for true rough-and-tumble work than one made from the brand’s aptly named Rugged Flex fabric. 

That fabric features a blend of cotton and spandex for stretch, while a fleece lining bolsters its warmth. The relaxed fit offers crucial room for layering on frigid days, and a chest zipper pocket adds easy access alongside lower welt pockets. Whatever awaits on your to-do list, this Carhartt “shacket” can take it on. 

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.

The shirt jacket was a prized layering option on the high seas, known as the Chief Petty Officer’s jacket – it’s perfect inspiration for a modern version by famed designer Todd Snyder.

This edition boasts luxurious virgin wool, oversized front chest pockets and a fit you can layer over a turtleneck or a chambray shirt easily.

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.

Trade in your Vuori workout tee for a more refined, versatile shirt jacket fit for off-duty pursuits – or outdoor hiking, or camping.

Whatever comes your way, the soft four-way stretch and French Terry cotton build can handle it, particularly when layered over a moisture-wicking base tee.

Patagonia doesn’t pull punches with trusty, hard-working outdoor gear that covers any scenario you can dream up.

For instance: When it’s not quite cold enough for an insulated puffer jacket, opt for a super-soft, fleece lined shacket.

Organic fibers like cotton or herringbone are on offer, and details like front chest pockets deliver the utility you expect from a durable shirt jacket.

The shirt jacket is one of the more versatile pieces of outerwear a man can own, suited for trekking far afield or dashing across town for a cold beer.

It wears like a shirt, yet can layer over other shirts – like a chambray option, for example – and Relwen adds ultra-warm quilting for even more utility. Snap hardware provides durability and easy access, too.

You very well know Flint and Tinder for the company’s iconic Waxed Trucker Jacket, and this hard-working shirt jacket option shares much of the same DNA.

Lightweight British Millerain fabric makes the difference here, repelling water while offering a flexible, durable fit. Like other Flint and Tinder gear, custom hardware provides a strong finish.

Not every shirt jacket needs the sort of build to take on the worst weather – some just need to function as a casually cool layer you can lounge around in at a bonfire or watching a breezy sunset.

That’s what Faherty has accomplished with its expertly sun-faded take on one of the best shirt jackets – layer it over a cotton henley for comfort and warmth.

The best shirt jackets are prized for their utility – the shirt-like construction is sometimes easier to wear than a canvas jacket in terms of mobility, and it helps that Dickies excels in both categories.

Finished with a water-repellent treatment, this version takes its cues from famed Dickies workwear in the best way possible.

The brand that helped popularize denim at home and abroad can certainly be trusted to deliver an iconic spin on a classic.

Along with its expertly fitted jeans, the button-through front and flagship V-shaped chest pockets make this lightweight cotton option as recognizable a layering piece as any on the market.

Sometimes, the best shirt jackets excel by taking their design inspiration from, well, classics like the Western shirt.

That’s where Wrangler started off with this trusty shirt jacket, which is then beefed up with a quilted lining and a cozy hood for warmth in inclement weather. Cold fall mornings don’t stand a chance.

Distinction seems to be the name of the game with Wax London. Yes, its pieces, like its handsome shirt jackets, have truly functional appeal, but there’s a unique quality to its lineup.

Its rich array of patterns and colors have a vintage vibe that still feels undeniably fresh – its overshirts boast everything from bold ‘70s-esque colors to Western-style jacquard detailing and a hearty helping of rugged, classic plaid. The shirt jacket makes a statement all its own with Wax London’s lineup.

Some of my favorite shirt jackets buck the norm in pleasing ways, like the handsome Anvil Jacket from Kato.

Kato uses some of the best cotton denim and fabric  in the business period, and whether in patterned form or rich indigo, the use of 3D-panel printing and distinctive hip pockets makes this one a new must-have.

Of all the brands on our list of the best shirt jackets, perhaps none is more authentic (in my humble opinion) than Filson.

The Pacific Northwest heritage brand started out making gear for explorers and adventurers in a wild region, with the pedigree soon to follow thereafter.

Times may have changed, but the CPO Wool Jac Shirt has stayed largely the same, with some of the same details that, say, your grandfather might have trusted. 24oz. natural wool gives this plenty of weight and warmth, while the U.S. Navy-inspired design is practically legendary.

Rhone calls its fleece shacket “an essential transitional piece for every wardrobe,” and it’s hard to argue with that sentiment.

With its minimal design, heavyweight fleece construction and highly useful snap pockets, every detail is considered, and then some – consider it the perfect hybrid between loungewear and activewear.