Table of Contents
Next to finding the perfect pair of jeans, finding the perfect shacket is one of the biggest steps a guy can take in their adult life.
Although the word “shacket” may suggest some kind of odd combination of shirt and jacket, a shacket is simply a button-up (or zip-up) shirt that is noticeably thicker to provide greater warmth. It’s not quite a hoodie, but it can certainly be layered on top of one.
Shackets have been having a moment in men’s fashion in recent years, and they’re popular among women who like both streetwear style and “I borrowed this piece of clothing from my boyfriend” style. Once you realize how versatile shackets are — perfect for cold and warm climates, and ideals as layering pieces — their widespread appeal makes sense.
One reason so many guys have been lining their wardrobes with shackets is that they have the power to make any everyday outfit a cool and stylish ensemble — without trying hard at all! Put on a shacket with a T-shirt or undershirt and sneakers or boots, and you’ve got yourself a legit ‘fit.
Whether you want a classy and plain shacket for date night or a chunky flannel shacket for cozy days, you’ll find the right pieces for you in our top shacket picks. Since many shackets cost upwards of $100 or $200, we included budget-friendly alternatives.
You can also shop by category by clicking the section links (although we’re positive you’re going to want to check out all the great options we found).
Best Men’s Shacket Overall
J.Crew Seaboard Soft-Knit Shirt in Plaid
J.Crew’s Seaboard shirt is our top pick for a pretty simple reason: you can notice how warm it is when you wear it. That happens because the shacket is made mostly of polyester, so it provides the kind of warmth that’s typically reserved for fleece jackets. It feels like you’re wearing a sweater, which is an amazing achievement for something that’s labeled a shirt.
Budget-friendly alternative: Goodfellow & Co. Men’s Heavyweight Long-Sleeve Flannel Button Down Shirt ($30.00)
Best Men’s Flannel Shacket
L.L.Bean Men’s Fleece-Lined Flannel Shirt
Made with a 100% cotton flannel exterior and a polyester fleece lining, this shacket is definitely on the warmer side. Its brass snap buttons give it a more rugged look than typical flannel shirts, and it’s available in both regular and tall sizes.
Budget-friendly alternative: Gap Factory Relaxed Flannel Shirt Jacket ($40.00)
Best Men’s Quilted Shacket
Line of Trade Ridge Quilted Flannel Shirt
This shacket is made with heathered cotton flannel and has a diamond quilted pattern that’s filled with polyester to insulate you from the cold. The cuffs have two buttons, so you can button it tightly to keep wind out or leave it a little more loose and casual.
Budget-friendly alternative: J.Crew Factory Quilted Shirt-Jacket ($34.50)
Best Men’s Plaid Shacket
Wax London Whiting Overshirt
Wide lines in the pattern and a raised feel in the cotton fabric give this plaid shacket its charm. Details include corozo nut buttons and two front patch pockets. Make sure to check out Wax London’s other patterns for a wide range of color options — each one as timeless as the next.
Budget-friendly alternative: Old Navy Cozy-Lined Shacket for Men ($25.00)
Best Men’s Corduroy Shacket
Abercrombie & Fitch Corduroy Shirt Jacket
Wide-wale corduroy gives this shacket its signature cozy and classy look. This is also one of the few shacket options available in patterns that aren’t plaid, so check out Abercrombie & Fitch’s site if you want a shacket that’s a little outside the ordinary.
Budget-friendly alternative: J.Crew Factory Classic Corduroy Workshirt ($39.50)
Best Men’s Lightweight Shacket
J.Crew Midweight Flannel Workshirt in Regenerative Cotton
What makes a lightweight shacket different from a regular shirt? Here, a traditional plaid pattern and ever-so-slightly thicker fabric give you the look and feel of a shacket in a noticeably lighter design. This shirt also has a roomy cut that’s a must for any shacket.
Budget-friendly alternative: Hollister Cozy Shacket ($35.00)
Best Men’s Heavyweight Shacket
J.Crew Heavyweight Chamois Workshirt
Made with a 10-ounce fabric, this cotton shacket is noticeably thicker than standard-weight shackets and has a soft yet durable feel. It looks enough like a jacket that you can comfortably wear over a sweater, so it’s a great choice when you want a shacket that provides extra warmth.
Budget-friendly alternative: Wrangler Authentics Men’s Long Sleeve Sherpa Lined Shirt Jacket ($29.99)
Best Men’s Zippered Shacket
ASOS Cotton Twill Zip Shacket
While we’re also fans of Abercrombie & Fitch’s zippered shacket, theirs is more akin to a full-on jacket than a true shacket. This option from ASOS adds a pop of color with its muted light green, and it zips up fully so you can keep out the cold when you’re done flaunting your cool look.
Budget-friendly alternative: Aeropostale Plaid Sherpa-Lined Full-Zip Flannel Shacket ($25.49)
Best Men’s Shacket with Pockets
L.L.Bean Men’s Signature Lined Denim Shirt Jac
L.L.Bean also makes a shacket with roomy side pockets that give you a cozy place to rest your hands, but we like that the vertical pockets on this option actually give you extra room for holding your belongings. Plus, the combination of blue denim, tan corduroy (on the collar) and the red plaid lining is an undeniable triple-style threat.
Budget-friendly alternative: Dickies Men’s Shacket ($32.98)
Best Men’s Water-Resistant Shacket
Flint and Tinder The Bighorn Waxed Shirt Jacket
The waxed cotton canvas shell keeps you dry even if it’s raining a bit, and the polyester lining insulates you from the cold. That fabric combination makes this the kind of versatile shacket that you can wear throughout the spring and fall. Plus, it has buttoned chest pockets and slanted side pockets for storage.
Budget-friendly alternative: Old Navy StretchTech Water-Repellent Utility Shacket ($59.97)
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.
