18 Types of Jackets for Men – Best Styles for Every Man in 2023

What’s the first piece of clothing you notice on someone? What about their shoes? Nah, too far down. Their shirt? The shirt is often not visible on first glance. The pants? Most likely, a piece or outerwear is covering it up. Your jacket will be the first thing noticed, no matter how you look at it. Men’s jackets are essential for cool weather outfits and span all seasons. What jackets do you wear and when?

To demystify the many men’s jacket styles, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to outerwear. Whether you’re seeking a fancy fall coat or a warm winter wrap-up, this article will help you choose the best jacket and show you how to wear it, too.

Continue reading to learn about the history of men’s jackets, get style inspiration and see the full range of different jackets.

What you need to know

Men’s jackets are designed for different seasons. If you’re looking for a warm winter jacket, opt for a puffer or a parka. You’re looking for a more transitional piece? You can’t go wrong with denim, suede, or a duffle coat. Choose chore coats or shirt jackets to dress up your warm weather outfits for spring or summer evenings.

Denim jackets have been around since the 1880s, when Levi Strauss (yes I’m talking about jeans) created a prototype ten year after his famous workwear pants became popular. While they surged in popularity around the ‘60s, today, the denim jacket is an iconic symbol of American fashion and a closet staple for men around the world.

Denim jackets that are versatile are the best. Denim jackets can be worn with shorts, a sweater and jeans or a polo shirt. When the cold strikes, denim jackets are a fundamental layering piece, so throw on that flannel and a pair of Chelsea boots—the chilly weather awaits.

Every man’s closet deserves a wardrobe staple that effortlessly marries style with quality, and The Jacket Maker’s Lavendard Brown Leather is just that. The vintage appeal of this jacket is unmistakable. It’s made from the highest quality cowhide leather. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the jacket’s quilted viscose lining and an array of pockets promise comfort for those chilly evenings out, whether on a walk home from the bar or an afternoon bike ride. This jacket is easy to wear in any season.

Why every man should have a high-quality leather jacket A leather jacket is more than a fashion trend; it’s a testament to the endurance of classic style. There’s a reason why even your grandpa had one (or still has one) from back in the day. It’s one of those rare pieces that can transcend occasions, seasons, and trends. Whether you’re channeling the rugged charm of a biker or the refined elegance of a smart-dressed gentleman, a leather jacket adapts to all occasions. If you take care of it, it will age gracefully and tell a tale of an investment in style that only gets better over time.

The Best Tip for You: This jacket’s rich brown shade is a dream to pair with. Whether you’re dressing down for a casual weekend or upping the ante for a night out, it’s a versatile investment that promises countless style returns. Brown allows you to go a little outside of the norm (e.g. Black leather jackets are a great way to update your wardrobe without having it reinvented.

Sherpa is shearling made on a budget. It’s made with acrylic materials, creating a soft, affordable fabric. It gets its name from Tibetan people who live high in the Nepalese mountains, dressed in fuzzy fabrics to keep warm under the shade of the world’s highest peaks.

Whether you opt for a full sherpa jacket or a coat lined with sherpa, you’ll be one of the coziest fellas around. While you might look like a teddy-bear on top, sherpa goes well with neutral colors such as corduroy or khaki. Pair your sherpa with Uggs or add some edge to it with a pair fleece lined Doc Martens.

It is easy to think trench coats are military in origin, but they were actually created as a raincoat that was updated. Two men created lightweight jackets that were water-resistant in the mid-19th Century. John Emary, and Thomas Burberry were their names. Yes, The following are some examples of how to use Burberry. Both men are credited with the invention of trench coats, especially during World War I when they rose in popularity.

The trench coat has been a hit in pop culture. Think movies like Casablanca, the Pink Panther, The Matrix, and The Way We Were—though out of all of these, the classic Burberry trench remains the most noteworthy. This men’s jacket style is synonymous with smart fashion. Don Draper style with a shirt and jacket with Derbies.

Boy Scouts’ first rule is to be prepared. That means always carrying a raincoat. Raincoats that are lightweight and easily scrunchable can be shoved into your bag or stuffed in the bottom until the next rainstorm. A raincoat is one of the types of jackets for men that you can’t live without—unless you’re an umbrella guy, in which case, I salute you.

The thing about raincoats is they don’t have to be ugly. Yes, they’re ultra-practical, but yes, they also come in a huge variety of styles and colors. Opt for a traditional yellow raincoat if it’s function over style, or a simple black one with drawstrings if you’re headed on weekend adventures. You’ll find that raincoats go with nothing, yet everything, so if you’re worried about how you look while wearing it, focus on the fact that you’re not a soggy puddle.

The peacoat has been mentioned as far back as the early 1700s. However, we prefer to believe that it was invented by Robert Redford’s Three Days of the Condor. This ‘70s movie turned the men’s peacoat from drab to fab, especially when paired with Redford’s blonde mop and wire frames.

Of all the men’s jacket styles, the peacoat remains a front-runner for fall and winter fashion. The peacoat, traditionally made of heavyweight wool and featuring an oversized neckline, is a must-have jacket for modern men. It looks just as good with jeans as it does with a suit, so wear it to the pub or with Sunday’s best—the choice is yours.

Shearling is a story of rags to riches. This sheepskin fabric, which was once used to line the stalls of market stalls in Britain, was then adopted by the British Royal Air Force for its pilots’ outfits before it became available to the general public. These days, shearling is considered a luxury fabric that’s highly sought after for high-end clothing. These jackets have a suede exterior and a warm, wooly interior.

The best shearling coats are warm and stylish, whether you choose a full-shearling or soft shearling interior (cue Marlon in On the Waterfront). Wear it over your business-casual outfit and pair it with matching suede boots, or go simple with khakis, chunky knit and matching shearling.

The Harrington classic (the G9 to be precise) was created in the 1930s by Baracuta and is still produced today. One of the types of jackets for men that will never go out of style, the Harrington (dubbed Harrington after Peyton’s Place character, Rodney Harrington) is still an iconic piece.

Whether you buy an original from the pioneer or choose a Harrington jacket made by a modern brand, they’re a top layer for cooler weather. Imagine crisp autumn mornings or cool summer evenings. Pair it with Doc Martens and distressed denim to evoke the history of this jacket, or go for a more sleek look with pressed slacks.

Men’s jacket styles have gone through plenty of evolution to get where they are today. The suede jacket is perhaps the most popular. When many people think suede, they think of Dennis Hopper’s fringed number in Easy Rider. Although this gave suede an almost cult following among free-spirited individuals, today’s suede jackets tend to be more refined and less fringed.

Soft and supple, suede jackets are a luxurious investment piece for any man’s wardrobe. The jackets instantly add sophistication to an outfit and are a great choice for formal occasions. While suede will certainly take a beating from harsh weather, it’s a great transitional material. Wear it with knit sweaters in the fall or with a loafer, polo and slacks during spring.

It’s a fact: The Brits are experts in the field of men’s jackets. Likely because they’re used to awful weather. The overcoat, a British invention, is designed to go over a dapper suit. It has a warmer wool construction, and stretches longer. Overcoats were first introduced in the 18th Century and are still as fashionable as ever.

If you’re looking for a jacket to wear with a suit, this is it. Every man needs an overcoat for more formal occasions that protects nicer clothing and doesn’t skimp in the fashion department.

Made from wooly fabric during the mid-1800s, the duffle coat’s most recognizable feature was (and still is) the toggle and rope closures running down the front of the jacket. This men’s jacket style is a more casual rendition of the overcoat, with a long-form and heavyweight fabric. Duffles, like overcoats, often have a hood.

Duffle coats are more relaxed and go well with jeans or slacks. It’s a nice enough winter coat for office or event wear, so don’t be afraid to dress it up with tailored trousers and a pair of Chelsea boots. Though if all else fails, lean into the coziness of this men’s jacket style and wear it with your go-to joggers and worn-in hoodie.

While today’s parka looks drastically different than the first one created by the Inuit, it still serves the same purpose: keep a human warm in freezing cold conditions. Sure, we’ve swapped animal skins for ripstop nylon, but the signature fur (or faux fur) trimmed hoods remain constant.

There are dozens of men’s jacket styles for winter, but the parka stays on top of the frosty pyramid. These cozy coats can extend beyond the waistline or even the back. They are stylish and practical, even when temperatures are extreme. A parka’s larger size allows it to be worn over workwear or even a suit. It’ll look equally at home with a pair of fleece joggers, your favorite beanie, and a pair of snow boots. One thing is certain, wherever you’re headed this winter, your parka jacket is coming with you.

It’s hard to imagine, but early fighter planes had open cockpits, which made for a few frigid pilots in the early twentieth century. The US Army developed and distributed flight jackets, or bomber jackets as they were called back then, to combat the subarctic temperatures during World War I.

Bomber jackets, originally made out of leather and faux fur, are now available in many different materials. While they often retain the classic bomber style, which makes them ideal for casual wear. Instead of fur, however, they may use nylon, quilted, or wool constructions. Bombers are perfect for casual occasions. They go with jeans, sneakers, chinos or a polo shirt. Dress up your bomber by pairing it with a button-down or polo shirt, and leather shoes.

This jacket is a symbol of blue-collar men everywhere. It’s a great way to add effortless style. These classic coats were designed in France to be easy to wear and move around. They are practical and have no frills.

The best chore jacket, regardless of the collar color, is something that every man should have in their closet. The boxy design of the coat allows it to be worn with almost anything. It can complement a colored shirt, or your favorite long sleeved tee, and jeans. Plus, it’s ideal for layering, making it a trusty outdoor companion no matter the season.

What happens when you combine a shirt and a jacket? Okay, that’s a bad one, but shirt jackets (also known as overshirts) are some of the best types of jackets for men. Shirt jackets, a midweight layer that is versatile and stylish all year round, are the perfect choice for men.

Shackets come in tons of different styles, but in general, they close with buttons or snaps up the front, which makes them resemble a regular button-down shirt—only heavier. They can be worn with tees or long sleeves shirts. When the temperature drops, throw on some outerwear to create an outfit that is street style inspired.

Some men’s jacket styles are simply for show, while others are purely for function. The puffer jacket combines both, as it’s an essential piece of winter fashion in the looks and warmth department. Yes, the puffer was dreaded during middle school years—all I can think of is Randy yelling, “I can’t put my arms down!” in a Christmas Story. But these days, it’s the go-to for winter wear. Modern men can choose from a variety of sizes, shapes and materials.

Getting through winter without a men’s puffer jacket is nearly impossible (unless you live in California, in which case, I’m jealous). But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Wear puffers over knit sweaters, cardigans or your favorite hoodie with duck boots. Just be sure that your underlayers don’t extend past the puffer’s waist. Otherwise, you’re at risk of the biggest winter fashion faux pas.

The classic trucker is one of the most popular jackets among men. Designed as the third iteration of Levi’s jean jacket, the iconic form of the trucker has outlived them all and is likely what you have in mind when you think of that well-lived-in denim form.

While Levi’s is the most iconic of the lot, brand after brand has thrown its version of the trucker into the ring. Whether it’s lined with sherpa or cut in a cowboy style, the trucker jacket is the perfect accompaniment for any casual outfit. Wear your trucker jacket in Western style with blue jeans, leather booties, and a large belt. Modernize the look by wearing a pair or cords with a graphic shirt and white sneakers.

The first person who thought, “let’s chop the arms off this jacket,” probably got some weird looks. Vests are still popular today. The following are some examples of how to use One of the jackets that every man should own is the blazer. If you have a vest that’s gathering dust in the back of your closet, there’s no time to wear it like the present.

In the past few decades, Puffer Vests have been a favorite for women of all ages. They also go with a variety of outfits. While they won’t keep your arms warm, a puffer vest is an essential transitional piece for when it’s not quite hot but not freezing, either. Pop a wooly sweater on underneath, and you’re good to go.

Wear a technical men’s vest on a chilly morning walk. A puffer vest is perfect for your commute. You can expect to have a warm core, but cold arms if you wear it in the office.