Gentlemen, it’s about time to start thinking about layering up as those sweltering summer days fade into cooler autumn vibes. What’s the main requirement for an autumn jacket? It needs to be lightweight, versatile, and adaptable to various outfits. After all, it’s not winter yet - no need to start piling on the heavy layers.
While there’s no single "must-have" autumn jacket, there are plenty of options that fit the bill. Let’s break them down:
Denim Jacket
A staple for every man’s wardrobe, the denim jacket ticks all the boxes - youthful, a bit rugged, and incredibly versatile. You can throw it over almost anything, and it works. A rising trend even pairs denim jackets with shirts and ties, proving just how adaptable they can be.
Pair a tie shirt with a denim jacket.
Quick tip for pulling off the double-denim look: make sure your jacket and jeans are different shades. Try pairing a blue denim jacket with black jeans, or if both pieces are blue, ensure one is noticeably darker than the other.
Souvenir Jacket
Known as the Sukajan in Japan, this jacket has its roots in post-WWII when American soldiers in Japan brought these hand-embroidered pieces back home as souvenirs (hence the name). Sukajan jackets stand out due to their intricate embroidery, which blends Western themes like eagles and military symbols with Eastern elements such as tigers, dragons, and cherry blossoms.
Given the bold, large motifs on these jackets, the best way to style them is by keeping the rest of your outfit simple. Stick with neutral-colored clothing to let the jacket do the talking.
Cardigan Sweater
Don’t be fooled by its gentle look - a cardigan can add a surprising amount of masculinity to your outfit.
Layer it over a T-shirt or button-down shirt for a stylish, yet relaxed vibe. Whether you’re going for casual or dressed-up, a cardigan always brings a touch of refinement with a laid-back, youthful edge.
Shirt jacket
A shirt jacket is exactly what it sounds like - thicker than your typical shirt, but not quite a full-on jacket. It’s perfect for layering over a tee or a light sweater. If you’ve got thicker shirts in your closet, you can easily repurpose them as shirt jackets, giving you a sharp, yet understated autumn look.
Field jacket
The field jacket is a modern evolution of the military-style M-65 jacket. What sets it apart? Its signature pockets - usually two on the chest and two near the hips.
Original field jacket from the movie Taxi Driver.
While the original field jacket, as seen in Taxi Driver, had large pockets meant for carrying battlefield essentials, today’s versions are much sleeker with smaller pockets and come in a variety of colors like black, gray, and navy - not just the classic olive green.
A pro tip: avoid matching your pants to your field jacket’s color, which can make the outfit look too heavy. For example, an olive green field jacket looks great paired with dark blue jeans or beige chinos.
Lightweight Blazer
If you’re wondering, a blazer is a more casual take on the suit jacket, with softer fabric and design.
Most modern blazers feature thin or no shoulder padding, giving you a sleek look while maintaining a hint of formality. Blazers are a perfect go-to when you need to dress things up a bit without going full suit mode. Pair them with shirts, T-shirts, jeans, chinos, or even sneakers for an effortlessly cool outfit.
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