The strongest bond that galvanizes all dudes isn’t our persistent stupidity or affinity for mindless entertainment. Neither is it our shared romantic pursuits or woes. It is light jackets for men.
Once the weather dips below 72, we rub our hands together in unison at the thought of layers. The sweet spot is when the weather’s so good that you can leave your light jacket open for everyone to see your thoughtfully composed outfit, the fashionable onion that you are. From April through November—that’s more than half the year—light jackets handily make up the bulk of our outfits. In the transitional months, they’re a cinch to throw over a knit sweater or a hoodie, and come high summer, they’re light enough to ball up and toss into your tote until the sun goes down and your arm hairs prick up.
That there’s an endless menagerie of styles to choose from only makes our obsession even more problematic. From sporty windbreakers to rugged harrington jackets, hybrid shirt jackets to classic truckers, the lightweight outerwear section is full of tasty options. If you’re struggling with choice paralysis, we can relate. Which is why we’ve broken down the best lightweight jackets for men so you can breeze through the options and clear the way to your next style evolution.
The Fall Lightweight Jackets Hit List
Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket
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Carhartt WIP Detroit Corduroy-Trimmed Organic Cotton-Canvas Jacket
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OrSlow Type 2 1950’s Denim Jacket
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Harrington Jackets
Immortalized by style god Steve McQueen, the Harrington jacket started as a wind- and water-resistant golf layer but quickly transcended the fairway thanks to its functionality and downright flattering proportions. It’s cut with a roomy yet cropped silhouette (see: menswear’s golden ratio). Typically, Harringtons are made from a lightweight fabric like poplin or gabardine, and come with elastic cuffs and hems. But in cooler months, lined versions can provide extra heft and insulation. They’ve got a preppy feel, which makes them look great with a button-down shirt and slacks, but also ultra cool oversized with a graphic tee and baggy jeans.
Work Jackets
Jackets built for withstanding hard manual labor might not sound like the kind of thing you’d wear for fall cocktail hour. But it turns out they’re actually the perfect layer to enjoy just that. They’re often built with sturdy canvas or denim, which provide structure and a beautiful drape, and just the right thickness to keep you warm in the evenings. Whether it’s a chore coat or a cropped style like the classic Dickies Eisenhower jacket, a work jacket is a time-tested silhouette that’s essentially a cheat code for looking more rugged and capable. Just make sure to opt for a style that doesn’t come with a heavy winterized lining.
Denim Jackets
Dig into menswear’s history books and you’ll notice one statement piece shared between some of the most swaggy guys to ever grace the earth: a denim jacket. From James Dean to Kendrick Lamar, trucker jackets and denim jackets have evolved far beyond their workwear origins to become veritable must-haves for every guy. Denim is the perfect medium for getting fits off during the temperate season and, unlike most other fabrics, it actually gets better with age. The denim jacket’s western connotations makes it perfect with worn-out jeans and cowboy boots, but it also looks great over a plain tee, a pair of chinos, and loafers (a.k.a., the perfect transitional outfit).
Shirt Jackets
Here’s a secret: sometimes the best jacket is actually just another shirt. Overshirts are like Hannah Montana. (We listen and we do not judge.) You get the best of both worlds—extra weather protection of a jacket with the lightness of a shirt. It’s the way you choose to wear it that determines what the garment actually is, but overshirts are typically cut in a relaxed silhouette—great for this golden era of baggy pants, but also for layering (it’s in the name, afterall). Overshirts often also come with a few pockets for whatever trinkets you happen to find on your vintage-hunting excursions, and often look almost exactly like a regular shirt. So if you’re wondering, yes, you can just wear another, looser button up over your existing button up.
Windbreaker Jackets
Technical windbreakers and rain shells used to be for the trail-only crowd—the dude whose IG is all mountain shots. But brands have gotten savvy, turning gorp-y layers into lightweight, packable shells that actually look good off-duty. Some even fold into themselves, making them easy to keep on your person or in your workbag for when conditions change on a dime. Be sure to look for ones treated with water-resistant or water-repellent coatings to ensure the maximum value — and to get an all-around technical jacket that looks just as good as it performs.
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