These Shirt Jackets Perform on Cool Fall Nights and on Chilly Winter Days

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Fall has us soaking up every chance of being outside before the days are shorter and that means dealing with temperate days that just might turn into frigid temperatures by nightfall. There’s no need for winter coats quite yet, but a top layer is more than welcome. Enter the shirt jacket (or overshirt, or shacket).

A shirt jacket is exactly as it sounds—it looks like your favorite button-down flannel but with more umph when it comes to warmth and durability. They’re made of heftier materials and usually have some extra pockets; some have sherpa lining or quilted insulation. Shirt jackets have design details and different methods of construction to beef up your everyday button-up. They’re versatile enough to wear with just a tee or be worn underneath your go-to rain jacket.

The Best Shirt Jackets

• Best Overall: Carhartt Fleece-lined Shirt Jacket

• Best CPO Shirt: Schott CPO Wool Shirt Jacket

• Best Insulated Option: Patagonia Insulated Fjord Flannel

• Best Dressed Up: L.L. Bean 1912 Heritage Lined Shirt Jacket

• Best Surf Inspired: Pendleton Board Shirt

What to Consider

Shell

We’re using “shell” loosely here, because it’s not like buying a jacket to ski the backcountry, where you’re checking for DWR treatments and three-layer construction—but shirt jackets do have heftier outer materials that add to their function.

The outer material of shirt jackets are often made from cotton-canvas, wool, or flannel. They’re meant to serve as both a mid or top layer, so most don’t have any type of weatherproofing, though our Best Waxed Option will protect you from light showers and wind. The fabric is heavier than your standard button-up and we’ve listed the exact weight of the shirt jacket where we could find it.

Lining

Some shirt jackets are unlined for easier layering while others opt for fleece or synthetic insulation for extra warmth. Faux shearling (sometimes referred to as sherpa) is a common lining with a cozy texture that keeps you warm. High-pile fleece, sometimes referred to as polar fleece, is another material that doesn’t pill and makes you feel like you’re being hugged by a bear.

Shirt jackets that are unlined in the body sometimes use nylon, or other smooth synthetics for only the sleeves. This makes it easier to layer underneath and pull your arms through without the sleeves bunching up if you’re wearing knit sweaters or bulky sweatshirts. Shirt jackets have a generous fit to accommodate layers underneath, but some run true to size.

How We Selected

To find the best shirt jackets, we considered versatile options that could suit a wide range of styles and uses, in addition to trying some on ourselves. We noted the materials and construction details to ensure they’re durable and well-made for work contexts, as well as comfy for casual wear. We combed through customer reviews to see how they held up over time and pared it down to those that held up over times and delivered on their promised features.

Coming from Houston where our winter is slightly akin to colder regions’ spring and fall, shirt jackets are a mainstay. As much as I love outerwear, in a warm climate, a heavy jacket wasn’t necessary and a light shacket was all I needed—that means I’ve tried many, liked some, and recommend these few.

Fleece-Lined Shirt Jacket

This shirt jacket from Carhartt uses a hefty cotton-spandex blend for the shell to give you freedom of movement while maintaining durability. The interior is lined in fleece for added warmth and insulation.

Large button-flap chest pockets secure your phone or wallet but note there aren’t any hand pockets. The snap-button placket makes this an easy layer to pull on or shed.

It has a generous cut so you can layer a hoodie or sweater underneath so consider sizing down if you plan to wear it with just a tee. The simple silhouette is easy to dress up or down and the heavy-duty cotton can stand up to a hard day’s work. The brand also makes a denim version of this shirt with a blanket lining.

CPO Wool Shirt Jacket

In the 1930s, the Navy starting issuing heavy wool shirts to keep sailor warm and dry at sea. Next to the peacoat, the CPO—or chief petty officer—shirt is a piece of history that found it’s way into casual style.

Schott is known for its leather jackets, but the century-old brand knows how to make good outerwear in general. The CPO shirt uses a heavyweight wool blend that doesn’t feel scratchy against your skin but will still keep you plenty warm. Unlike most other shirt jackets on our list, it’s cut for a true-to-size fit and is the perfect shirt jacket to wear over a tee or use as a mid-layer underneath your favorite winter coat.

Consider sizing up if you want to wear a thick sweater or your favorite hoodie underneath.

Insulated Fjord Flannel Shirt Jacket

A good flannel is a must during fall and winter, but adding 60 grams of synthetic insulation can turn it into a capable yet casual piece of outerwear. It keeps out the wind and chill outside but isn’t so heavy you’ll start sweating once you step indoors. It has a larger cut than the brand’s mid-weight flannel shirt that shares the same name, but still take your normal size.

It has two side-entry hand warmer pockets to stay toasty and two large button-flap pockets at the chest. Adjustable button cuffs make it easier to roll up your sleeves while working or if you get too hot.

1912 Heritage Lined Shirt Jacket

Next to flannel, corduroy is a classic for colder temps. It’s comfortable, durable, and easier to dress up than flannel if needed. The Heritage shirt ups the formality with a curved hem and nylon-lined sleeves for easier layering with button-down, long-sleeve shirts.

The snap-button placket makes it easy to pull on or take off and though it has work shirt style chest pockets, they don’t have a flap, giving this shirt jacket a cleaner look. The fleece sherpa lining in the body gives you some insulation on chilly days or nights. There are a bunch of colors in fall hues to choose from but neutrals, like this navy, are most versatile.

Board Shirt Shirt Jacket

Pendelton’s board shirt was a favorite amongst surfers in the 60s and the Beach Boys can be seen decked out in board shirts, khakis, and a tee on the covers of their 45s and LPs.

This Pendelton pick is a versatile shirt made from a mid-weight virgin wool that’s been treated to be water resistant. You get all the natural properties we love about wool, like insulation and antimicrobial odor resistance, with some added protection from light rain. The camp collar and straight hem are best suited to casual and workwear.

I’ve had a board shirt for six years now and gotten more use out of it than I initially thought. It’s cut big but has the style of a traditional button up so I’ve layered sweatshirts underneath but also worn it alone for a comfortable, oversized fit. The chest pockets have the flap but no button which I prefer—it’s easier to grab what I need but has some security.

As with anything wool, you have to make sure you wash on cold and hang dry or else it’ll shrink.

Hooded Shirt Jacket

This shirt jacket has a duck canvas shell thats been DWR treated so you get both abrasion and water resistance. The cotton-jersey lining and hood give you added protection against the cold and the hood can be cinched with its drawstring. The zip closure front is covered by a snap-button flap for added weather resistance and the side pockets are lined in fleece to keep warm.

Its cut bigger but also longer though this’ll give your more coverage when it rains. Dickies fans may notice this duck canvas isn’t the same weight as the brand’s jackets as those will be anywhere from 10 to 12 ounces with the waxed ones being slightly heavier.

While the ample pockets are appreciated, the hand pockets are placed right on the side seam so it may feel awkward having to put your arm so far back to reach. Most hand pocket openings are placed in front of the seam for a more natural resting position. Still, this is a great jacket for work and everyday wear.

The Bighorn Waxed Shirt Jacket

I’m a big fan of waxed cotton. It’s the original technical fabric that still holds up, and it has that polished, old school charm. Plus, these garments can last a lifetime since they can be re-waxed as needed. Huckberry’s Bighorn shirt is a versatile layering piece that uses the same waxed cotton as its popular trucker jacket but in a lighter weight.

The Bighorn is wind- and water-resistant and can be re-waxed for weatherproofing. The angled hand pockets and sleeves are polyester lined so you don’t feel the waxed fabric against your skin if you’re wearing it over a tee or short sleeve shirt. There’s an interior pocket to stash valuables and two button-flap chest pockets for storage.

It’s unlined so it won’t offer any insulation, but it’s an ideal outer layer because it repels water. Huckberry also has a quilted lined version with Primaloft insulation if you want something warmer.

Hull Shirt Jacket

The Hull is another flannel shirt that pulls double-duty as a mid-weight jacket. It has a super soft fleece lining in the body and nylon in the sleeves for easier layering. It has a generous cut but still take your normal size; I took my usual large and it’s just big enough to wear a sweatshirt underneath but I can also throw it on by itself to run a quick errand.

The large hand pockets are a plus but they’re a bit far back. They’re placed close to the side seams and a tad further back than what feels natural when I’m reaching for my wallet or keys. Still, they’re deep enough to make my belongings feel secure.

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