Different Style & Types of Jackets for men

One can never go wrong with a nice jacket. They are versatile, and there is a perfect one for every occasion. A well-made jacket can add a touch of sophistication or a cool quotient to your outfit. 

In ancient times, jackets were used as coverings for protection against the cold. Over centuries, this outerwear garment has evolved from being basic to being trend-driven for various occasions. Jackets are an integral part of a man’s wardrobe. From casual jackets to formal ones, these wardrobe exclusives can never go out of trend.

Historical Background of Mens Jacket Styles 

Men’s jackets go back several decades, starting as basic functional garments. As time went by, jacket styles evolved, and soon, they became symbols of status and self-expression. 

The jacket originated in mediaeval Europe. Its style was basic, and they were made of a coarse material. By the 18th century, a structured silhouette became significant. It was the emergence of the long-fitted jacket and the frock coat. 

The 19th century was a turning point with the Industrial Revolution. Due to mechanisation, clothes were machine-made and cheaper. The tailcoat and the sack suit came into vogue. The latter was in sharp contrast to the earlier fitted styles. 

The early 20th century brought in the development of the famous trench coat, which is emulated by the ateliers of today. The trench was created for soldiers during World War I, and it soon became popular amongst the commoners. The bomber jacket also had its origins during World War II. It was made of horse skin, which was sturdy for pilots during combat. 

Influence of Military: The trench coat, bomber jacket and field jacket have been a source of inspiration for mens jacket styles over the decades. The bomber was initially called “flight jackets” and were worn by fighter pilots during the war. 

Influence of Sports: In earlier times, the sports jacket was worn at sports events, such as riding and shooting. In recent years, it has evolved into being a mainstay of mens jacket styles.      

Modern Trends:Current mens jacket styles are influenced by culture, innovation and street style. Some of the popular trends in men’s jackets are the bomber and the windbreaker jackets. 

Mens jacket styles are influenced by celebrities and designers. Kanye West and Virgil Abloh popularised leather jackets, bombers and street fashion. Timothy Chalat's sequined blazer at the 2022 Oscars became the rage, as Chalat’s fans followed suit. 

Seasonal Jacket Types

Winter jackets :

Amongst winter jackets, puffer jackets are warm and lightweight, filled with synthetic fibres. The parka is longer, hooded and lined with faux fur. It is made from water-resistant material to protect against rain and snow. Wool coats are essential winter wear and come in 3 key styles - overcoats, duffle and peacoat. 

Trench coats are long, belted styles in 100% wool or a blend. Some may be lined for extra warmth. Trench and wool coats are ideal for formal or office wear. Field jackets are made of thick cotton or twill and are suitable for casual events. They have large pockets and may have a fleece lining for extra warmth.       

Want to look your best in the coming winter? Check out our Moon Grey Alpha Hoodies Jackets and Malt Brown Cruze French Terry Cotton Zip Ups to swap heads in the cosy months.

Spring and Fall Jackets

For spring and fall jacket styles, denim and field jackets are most versatile. Both can be layered with different clothing to create a stylish look. The trench coat works well for cool spring days and can be worn over a sweater during fall. 

Leather jackets are available in different lengths and are made of sheep or lamb skin. Cow skin jackets tend to be less expensive. Parkas are appropriate for skiing and hiking as they are fleece-lined and hooded. The bomber jacket is popular as it can come in different materials like leather, suede or synthetics. They are lightweight and can be styled with other clothing. 

The most popular materials for transitional types of jackets are denim, cotton, twill, leather, and polyester. Colours like navy blue, beige, black and grey are common.

Want to don a classic look? Here are the best classic mens jackets styles for you. 

Leather Jackets 

Among leather jackets, heavier jackets are made from cow or buffalo hide. Lightweight mens jacket styles are made from goat or sheep skin. 

Biker Leather jacket: Created for Harley Davidson bikers originally, this is a fitted jacket made with heavier quality leather, considered as the best fashion jackets of all time. Zippers and rivets are prominent on biker jackets.

Bomber Leather jacket: Less fitted than the Biker style, it comes in different fabrics

Styling tips and occasions to wear leather mens jacket styles

For a casual look: a leather jacket can be paired with jeans, a white T-shirt

Biker style: pair the jacket with black jeans, and T-shirt and studded boots 

Casual dinner: leather jacket combined with a casual shirt and chino trousers

Maintenance and care tips for leather jackets

Leather jackets need extra care, so keep these tips in mind 

• Keep away from moisture 
• Wipe the jacket with a dry cloth after every use
• Use a protective spray to avoid any mould formation
• Hang the jacket on a hanger after use to retain the shape

Denim Jackets

Different washes on a mens jacket styles in denim can create different looks. These are some popular denim washes.

• Acid wash
• Rinse wash
• Enzyme wash
• Bleach wash
• Stonewash

How to style denim jackets for casual and semi-casual looks 

Denim jackets can be styled for various occasions

•  Semi-formal/ Friday dressing: dress pants or chinos, a semi-formal shirt and a denim jacket 
•  Casual: white t-shirt, a denim jacket and chinos
•  Varsity look: white t-shirt, blue denim jacket and joggers 
•  Weekender: denim jacket with a hoodie

 Best practices for maintaining denim jackets

•  Always use a mild detergent 
•  Use cold water for the wash
•  Turn them inside out before putting them into the washer
•  Use a lint roller to remove lint and dust 

Bomber Jackets

Origin and materials 

• The bomber jacket style is an all-time favourite. 
• It was originally created for soldiers during World War II. 
• It was initially made in a sturdy canvas or cotton. Today, it is made in leather or cotton. 

Styling tips for different seasons and occasions

Bombers can be styled in different ways :

• With joggers and sneakers for a casual style
• With ripped blue jeans and boots for a university look   
• With chinos and a checked casual shirt for semi-formal wear 

Blazer

A blazer is a popular jacket, though it has a casual appearance. 

• Single-breasted: has 2-3 buttons in front, can be worn on any occasion
• Double-breasted: has an extra panel in front, with 2 rows of 2-3 buttons. These are worn on formal occasions.                                

Fabrics for Blazers 

Corduroy, denim, flannel materials: usually for casual mens jacket styles

Wool, polyester, and linen: are suitable for formal occasions

One should choose the blazer type depending on the occasion and fit. One should wear a single/double-breasted wool or polyester blazer for formal meetings and interviews. For an informal visit, one can choose from corduroy or cotton blazers.

Here are the functional mens jacket styles you can try out. 

Rain Jacket

A rain jacket is a protective garment used during the rain. The material used for the rain jacket is waterproof and should be breathable. Materials such as coated nylon, GORE-TEX or rubberised rainwear are common.   

Factors to keep in mind while choosing a Rain Jacket

The fit should be comfortable and allow free movement. The length should be longer than a regular jacket. Most rain jackets have hoods, which act as a protective layer. It is important to have drop-pockets and ones with zippers for better ease of wear. 

Windbreaker 

A windbreaker, also called a windcheater, is a thin material jacket. It is usually worn in windy conditions or when there is light rain. This jacket is lightweight and portable. Though it is made of synthetic material, it is not waterproof. 

Things to keep in mind while buying a Windbreaker

The windbreaker allows free movement. It should have extra pockets, zippers, sturdy side panels, and a hood. It should be made in a lightweight material to be comfortable.

Maintenance Tips for Windbreakers

• Avoid washing after each wear
• Try to wipe off stains quickly
• Check the care label before putting it in the machine 
• Wash on a gentle cycle 

Sports Jacket 

A sports jacket is a casual jacket made in tweed, denim, suede, or corduroy. The British aristocracy traditionally wore these jackets for outdoor sports like shooting and riding. However, it is now widely accepted as a casual jacket. 

Different Kinds of Sports Male Jacket Styles

• Shooting jacket
• Hacking jacket
• Blazer: has patch pockets and metal buttons 

Looking for a jacket suitable for your sports sessions? Our Moon Grey Alpha Zip Ups Jackets can be your perfect pick. 

As the name suggests, these types of jackets for men are known for special purposes.  

Trench Coat

The trench coat was made of thick gabardine fabric for the soldiers during World War I. After that, it became popular and was worn by civilians too. Traditionally, it is double-breasted with a belted waist, has wide lapels, and is in neutral shades. 

Styling a Trench Coat 

• Casual look: Pair it with a solid colour t-shirt, jeans and sneakers. You can add a baseball cap, too.
• Formal look: Wear it with formal trousers and leather shoes. 
• A scarf or a muffler can also be worn with a trench for a stylish look. 

Modern Adaptations

In 2009, Burberry revived an interest in the trench coat by launching ‘The Art of the Trench’. Today, the trench coat is a key fashion item available in myriad patterns. 

Peacoat

A peacoat is a thick double-breasted wool outer coat worn by American and British navy sailors. Peacoats are shorter in length compared to a trench and are made from thicker material.

Different Peacoat styles

• Classic: it has a cropped length and is double-breasted
• The bridge coat: longer in length and double-breasted
• Single-breasted pocket: this is more casual

The bridge coat can be worn with formal trousers for a polished look. The single-breasted peacoat can be paired with chinos or denim and a scarf for a casual appearance.   

Field Jacket 

This jacket was made in 1941 for soldiers fighting the war. It has several pockets, zipper closure and a concealed hood. Due to its versatility, it has been popular amongst mens jacket styles. 

How to wear a field jacket?

• Casual look: it can be worn with a crew neck t-shirt and jeans.  
• Formal: It can be worn with a white shirt and trousers   
• Material and Colors for Field Jacket: Cotton or blends are great for this jacket. Popular colours are beige, khaki and olive green. 

Keep these points in mind before purchasing a jacket.

Fit and Size 

• Decide the fit you want - classic/ slim/ regular fit
• Measure your body at the key areas - Chest, waist, shoulders, sleeve length
• Check the company-specific size chart, as sizes can vary slightly between all brands
• Try on the sample piece to check the fit on the shoulders and sleeves upon buttoning up
• Move around to check how comfortable the jacket is 

Material and Fabric

Fabrics such as 100% cotton and wool have less stretch and are good for formal styles. Fabrics like polyester, rayon, linen and those with a Tencel blend provide more stretch and comfort. 

Versatility in Jackets

Much as one wants to follow trends, choosing a style that can be paired up with multiple types of clothing to create different looks is important. Always check the rivets, zippers and buttons in the mens jacket styles. They should be of superior quality.

Jackets are a huge investment; hence, keep these tips in mind 

• Keep jackets away from moisture
• Always wipe the jacket with a dry cloth after every use
• Use a protective spray on leather jackets
• Use a lint roller to brush away dust particles
• It is best to hang the jacket on a hanger after wearing it to maintain the shape
• Always check the care label- gentle machine wash or dry clean
• For longevity: keep a regular check on the buttons, rivets, zippers 

Conclusion: Mens jacket styles have evolved over the centuries, from basic military styles to more stylised designs. With the changing tastes, the silhouettes, fabrics and utility have changed. Some classics that have endured the test of time are the trench coat, the bomber and the sports jacket. Whether a denim jacket or a tweed blazer, a men’s jacket will always symbolise style and comfort.

What is a casual men's jacket called? 

A bomber is a type of casual men’s jacket. It has a more relaxed look and can be made in different fabrics.

What style of jacket is in style?

Hoodies and bomber jackets are in style. The versatility of these jackets makes them popular.

What is the difference between a casual blazer and a formal blazer?

A casual blazer has a more relaxed fit and softer shoulders. The fabrics are cotton, linen or cotton blends. A formal blazer has a more well-defined fit with structured shoulders. Formal blazers are usually navy blue, black or dark grey colours and wool or wool blends.