Illustration by Chandler Bondurant
Given today’s dressed-down norms, we may be living in the golden age of the overshirt. But the style, sometimes referred to as a shirt jacket or “shacket,” originated in the 19th century as the standard uniform of French laborers and railroad employees who counted on its hardy fabric and plethora of patch pockets to get the job done.
The style continued to proliferate throughout the 20th, with the introduction of the CPO—Chief Petty Officer’s—jacket by the U.S. Navy in the 1930s, and then the widespread adoption of overshirts by the U.S. Army during WWII. Following the conflict, the style found a footing among artists, painters and beatniks drawn to its functionality and blue collar bonafides.
An overshirt today can play the same role that sport jackets have in the past, by both providing the practicality of extra storage space and elevating simple looks through the addition of a “third piece.” Whether you’re seeking a vintage reproduction or modern luxury, we’ve curated a survey of attention-worthy overshirts on the market today.
Drake’s Tobacco Raw Suede Overshirt
Image Credit: Drake’s A heavyweight suede that will gradually develop a unique patina of its own over the years is the central ingredient of this Drake’s overshirt. It also features flat, nickel-plated buttons like you’d find on a pair of jeans, furthering its workwear vibes.
L.E.J. Deux-Manches-Dimanche Shirt
Image Credit: L.E.J. Overshirts are something of an obsession for eccentric English designer Luke Walker and his brand L.E.J. One of its prime examples is the Deux-Manches-Dimanche shirt, cut loosely from a propriety selvedge chambray and kitted out with three snifter glass-shaped pockets.
Anderson & Sheppard Herringbone Wool Overshirt
Image Credit: Anderson & Sheppard The ready-to-wear line of legendary Savile Row tailor Anderson & Sheppard produces this overshirt inspired by the classic French chore coat but made from a substantial herringbone wool. It also features three patch pockets, a simple spread collar and one-button cuffs.
Piacenza 1733 Virgin Wool Knitted Overshirt
Image Credit: Piacenza 1733 The overshirt is traditionally understood as being a cross between a shirt and a jacket. But by knitting its iteration from virgin wool, Piacenza 1733 has produced an example that’s closer to being a sweater.
Zegna Oasi Cashmere Alba Overshirt
Image Credit: Zegna Leave it to Zegna to elevate a classically utilitarian style to the heights of luxury. Its Alba overshirt is made from pure cashmere and finished simply with a pair of patch-flap chest pockets.
Rubato Fatigue Shirt
Image Credit: Rubato The vintage obsessives at Rubato have modeled their fatigue overshirt after mid-century military uniforms. Crafted from Japanese ripstop cotton, it’s cut loosely with an open collar and two generously size patch-flap pockets.
Cesare Attolini Men’s Cashmere Pied de Poule Overshirt
Image Credit: Cesare Attolini With a houndstooth pattern and a windowpane overcheck, there’s a tweedy feel to Cesare Attolini’s Pied de Poule overshirt. But it happens to be made from pure cashmere, giving it a much softer—and luxurious—feel.
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