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The 17 Best Men’s Fall Jackets, According to Style Experts
These are the versatile options insiders wear once temperatures start to drop
By Leah Melby Clinton, Kristina Rutkowski
In most parts of the country, fall weather can vary widely even in the course of a day—snow isn’t unheard of, and neither is a streak of blazing sun. That unpredictability makes outerwear all the more important. A just-right layer can be a game-changer, and to help you get set with yours for the season, we asked fashion pros for the picks they count on most. From casual zipped styles by J.Crew or Nike, to polished, buttoned-up versions by Theory or Filson, these are the jackets you’ll want in your closet.
Packable puffer
Lightweight and easy to toss in a suitcase, Uniqlo’s down-filled jackets are a go-to for fashion pros like John Truex, the Aiken, S.C-.based creative director of the bag and accessories brand Ghurka. “I have these in multiple colors because they fit nicely under jackets and blazers,” he says. A water-repellent exterior makes this outerwear even more versatile. “I always keep one in my bag,” Truex says, adding, “When you roll it up, it becomes incredibly compact.” This season’s iteration features new narrow quilt detailing, making it extremely warm while being lightweight. Truex already has ordered the olive colorway, his new favorite for fall.
Ripstop windbreaker
Fall showers and blustery days call for something lightweight and water-repellent. Lululemon’s ripstop jacket will keep you both dry and warm. Pack this travel and activity friendly option for any upcoming fall adventures. What’s more, it also has a distinct, iridescent effect. “This jacket is the perfect way to conquer the metallic trend this season in a subtle way,” says Brooklyn-based Lorenzo Atkinson, global digital content specialist at Tiffany & Co. He adds that the oversized front pockets “give it a fun flare from all your other everyday fall jackets.” Atkinson recommends pairing it with a T-shirt and jeans for a regular, everyday fit or wide-leg chinos and a cashmere hoodie for something more dressed up.
Cotton-twill trucker
New York City-based chef Woldy Reyes recommends this Theory trucker-style topper, which reminds him of a denim jacket, but with a thicker, structured fabric made from cotton-twill. The boxy cut and button-front design maintains traditional trucker design notes, such as the hardware and flap chest pockets. But “the dark navy color makes it feel city chic,” he says. “I could wear it with just a T-shirt or if it gets cooler, I can wear a sweater underneath, so it’s a good layering piece.” Reyes, whose catering business includes a style-world clientele, also mentions that it could be easily dressed up with a black trouser, as well.
Buffalo plaid shacket
A plaid workwear jacket is a long-time closet staple of Sam Broekema, the Connecticut-based editor-in-chief at the Natural Diamond Council. “I stole my Dad’s Woolrich buffalo plaid jacket when I moved to college and have lived in it since then,” he says. This button-front, shacket-style is just like Broekema’s own, lined with 100% feather down beneath the brand’s signature, wool exterior. “I wear mine with a charcoal turtleneck or dark cable knit sweater underneath and because it’s fall, cords, of course,” he notes, for personal styling tips.
Graphic throwback
Try incorporating print into your wardrobe with a subtle, graphic pattern atop a simple shape. “This Skim Milk Bomber from Icecream is my go-to when I want to add a touch of vibrancy to my winter wardrobe,” Pirkovic says. “The neon orange zipper gives a cool contrast to any monochrome look I’m rocking, and the stitched-on graphics give this retro silhouette a more modern feel.” Made from 100% nylon, the inside is lined to ensure comfort (and warmth) with wear. Mix with your favorite T-shirts, hoodies, and jeans for a street-smart feel.
Textured wool cardigan
Detroit-based Philip Pirkovic, director of brand & partnership at Shinola, recommends this shawl-collar jacket, from Shinola’s sister brand Filson, as a top pick for fall. The silhouette combines the classic lines of a cardigan with the breathability and moisture-wicking nature of wool. “This wool jacket is so warm and creates a sharp look no matter what I pair it with,” he says. “It’s an outfit-completer that helps make an otherwise casual look come across as elevated.” The unlined piece is a versatile option that can be layered with T-shirts, turtlenecks, fine gauge sweaters, and more.
Sporty & versatile anorak
Arguably the most versatile pick on our list is Nike’s track jacket. Atkinson loves the mixture of functionality and style of this option. “This jacket provides all functions—removable sleeves and underarm vents for warmer days, water-repellent for those random fall showers and multiple pockets to carry all the things you need,” he says. This nylon jacket comes in a chocolatey, deep wine color that can be worn in many ways. “You can throw it over your suit when you’re rushing out for work or a casual park weekend with your favorite sweater set,” Atkinson recommends.
Suede investment piece
Quality is a must for San Francisco-based fashion editor, photographer and electrician, Peter Zottolo, and Schott NYC’s zip-front jacket checks all his boxes. “This one is a splurge, but I have a soft spot for suede jackets, and it’s one you’ll wear forever,” he says. “Made in the USA, Schott NYC uses roughout, full-grain, unsplit leather that is meant to withstand years of abuse.” The boxy style is only partially lined in the sleeves, and made to mold to the body, getting only better looking over time. “Pair it with black jeans, a black western shirt, and black suede boots for a moody look, or double denim and work boots for a more workwear-inspired look,” Zottolo suggests.
Waxed-canvas winner
This waxed canvas jacket is ruggedly stylish, with ca water-resistant exterior to keep you warm and dry. It’s pre-washed for a worn-in look and feel from the first wear. And lined sleeves make it a comfortable option for layering.
Atypical corduroy
Lightweight warmth is top of mind for New York City-based Zachary Weiss, head of brand at Outerspace, when choosing fall jackets. “I love this shirt jacket because it’s got the warmth of a winter down jacket without the heft and feels slightly more dressed up,” he says. “I can wear it just as easily on a blustery day in the city, and feel right at home during aprés ski.” The relaxed fit, button-front silhouette is crafted from soft corduroy and fully lined with Allied down insulation. Pockets aplenty ensure all your necessities will keep safe.
Retro-inspired track jacket
“I am not one to wear athleisure, but when I saw this track jacket, there was something stylized and sophisticated about it,” Reyes says. Wales Bonner’s ’70s-inspired, zipped jacket is a sporty fall option, especially for those constantly on the go. “It is a good transitional piece that I can pair with a nice blazer instead of a cardigan and still feel utilitarian but also put together,” he says. Made from recycled jersey, this slim-cut piece works on its own too, as a standalone outer layer for those warmer days of autumn.
Old-school cardigan
Jeff E. Parrott, owner of a home-barware shop in New Canaan, Conn., wears this thick, L.L. Bean cable-knit cardigan as a jacket alternative. “It’s very Hemingway and ‘The Old Man and the Sea’” he says of the shawl-collar style he purchased in navy. Known as a fisherman’s or Aran sweater, this type of cardigan was originally crafted for Irish seafarers; even in today’s iterations like L.L. Bean’s, the heavy cotton yarn provides enough warmth to keep you cozy in early fall, though the fit is slimmer and more modern.
Waxed-cotton winner
Broekema has been wearing a Belstaff waxed-cotton jacket well before Aidan Shaw (actor John Corbett) put it back on the map in the most recent season of “And Just Like That…” “I have worn this version of a barn jacket, beltless of course, forever and it’s so good in the rain,” he says. “The quilted lining makes it great for the early, cold nights” of autumn. The military-inspired heritage jacket was released by the brand in 1948, and has been a customer favorite since. Featuring four roomy patch pockets and a matching belt, the utilitarian details give it a stylish edge, while the wind and water-resistant waxed exterior and checked flannel lining make it practical. Broekema recommends doubling up on denim underneath for styling.
Elevated bomber
Truex likes that Jack Victor is a family-led company, which has been making clothes for more than 100 years, and this jacket is one of his favorite pieces. Made from goatskin suede leather, the classic bomber shape has a few modern twists making it a must-have. Buttons adorn the front, while sumptuously sized pockets make tote-and-go possible. “The button-flap pockets are perfect for my sunglasses, phone and earbuds when wearing this jacket out in the cooler temperatures of Aiken, South Carolina’s winters,” Truex explains. Wear it with a button down, jeans and sneakers for a relaxed look with plenty of cool points.
Rugged yet refined zip-up
Lightweight and resistant to water, waxed canvas is the practical fabric behind this stylish Tom Beckbe jacket, which Parrott purchased in a military-inspired print. (“Camo is my black,” he says of the neutral pattern.) Gussets at the underarm enable more movement than a standard zip-up, and a vertical-zip pocket at the center of the chest offers easy access to essentials like a phone or wallet.
Sporty, stylish favorite
This “structured, incredibly well made” Filson coat is a version of the outdoor-enthusiast retailer’s classic from the ’20s, says Brandon Little, president of product design for Detroit-based watch company Shinola. The design is “simple yet functional,” he points out: four pockets in front, plus a horizontal “reach-through” one in back extending the width of the jacket. It’s constructed to withstand the elements too, Little says. Made of water-resistant waxed canvas, it “handles light rain or snow with no problem.”
Transitional zip-front
“The sad thing about classic jackets is that they are nowhere to be found except in sepia-toned photographs of the past,” Zottolo says. “Thankfully every season J.Crew has a few, and this time, it’s their take on the Harrington.” An iconic workwear essential, a Harrington-style jacket is defined by lightweight fabric—this one’s made from cotton—and a boxy, zip-front that hits waist-length. Zottolo likes its transitional versatility, and recommends going for the subtle, plaid print for a truly fall feel (that version is on final sale now). “Wear it with faded blue jeans, a white T-shirt and Vans, and you’re good to go,” he says.
—Additional reporting by Madeline Diamond