18 Types of Jackets: A Guide to Jacket Styles

A jacket is a type of outerwear used for layering or for keeping warm in cold weather. Jackets can be made of many different materials, such as cotton or wool, which affect their insulation or change their styling. Jackets typically don’t extend further than the waistline and come in a variety of styles for menswear and women’s wear.

There are many elements of a jacket, each of which serves a different purpose. Not all jackets will have the following elements, and custom sewn jackets may have unique features or construction:

1. 1. Shell: The shell is the outer layer of the jacket, and can come in different colors and materials and may be waterproof or water-resistant.
2. 2. Lining: The lining is the material beneath the outer layer of the jacket, which gives the garment its shape and holds together any added filling.
3. 3. Filling: The filling is the material inserted between the shell and the lining. The filling provides insulation and is typically made of down feathers or synthetic down.
4. 4. Pockets: On certain styles of jackets, pockets are added on the chest, front, or on the lower or upper interior of the jacket.
5. 5. Hood: A hood is an attached head covering on the back of the collar of some jacket styles.

The terms coat and jacket are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences between the two outer garments:

• Length: A jacket’s length will usually end at the waist or the hip, such as the waist-length bomber jacket, suit jacket, or denim jacket styles. Coats typically extend down to the mid-thigh or below the knee, such as traditional raincoats, parkas, trench coats, car coats, and chore coats.
• Weight: Jackets are generally built to be lighter weight and worn as a simple layer. Coats are often heavier and are designed to keep you warm in cold weather.
• Utility: The shorter length and generally lighter weight of jackets make them a more popular choice for vigorous activity or athletics. The longer length and heavier weight of coats make them great for casual or formal wear in the winter, but not as practical for doing physical activities.

Jackets come in many different materials, each of which influences the garment’s shape and purpose:

• Cotton: A natural fiber that is fluffy, soft, a great insulator, and can be dyed in many different colors. Cotton is not waterproof and does not offer good protection from the wind.
• Leather: Leather material is made from tanning the hides of various types of animals. Some leather is dyed black or brown, although leather is generally very limited in colors. Natural leather isn’t waterproof, but faux leather made from plastics is waterproof and soft.
• Wool: Wool is a warm, heavy, and traditional material that makes it a good choice for winter jackets. There are also wool blends that combine wool with acrylic or polyester materials to make it softer or more pliable.
• Cashmere: Cashmere is a type of wool taken from specific breeds of goats, including cashmere goats. It is considered higher quality than standard wool as it is generally stronger, softer, and more insulating.
• Fleece: Fleece is a purely synthetic fabric, meaning it’s entirely manufactured with polyester plastic fibers. A fleece jacket is soft, insulating, and breathable, which makes it a common choice for a winter jacket.
• Shearling: Shearling material is processed sheepskin or lambskin with the wool left on, creating a fabric that has suede on one side and fur on the other. Shearling jackets are very breathable and flexible and can be very hefty. There are also synthetic shearling blends that add warmth or softness to the fabric.
• Polyester: A plastic-based material that is soft and water-resistant. It’s typically a very light material and is often used in windbreakers, but polyester alone is thin and isn’t the best insulator.

Jackets have different styles, features, and purposes. The development of synthetic materials for shells, lining, and filling has allowed for multi-purpose jackets while changing dress codes have allowed a variety of jacket styles to be appropriate for various occasions.

1. 1. Rain jacket: A rain jacket is made of waterproof materials specifically for protecting against rain and snow.
2. 2. Bomber jacket: Often referred to as a flight jacket for its origins in the Airforce, the bomber jacket is a casual jacket with a ribbed and cinched waistband and arm cuffs, a zip-up front, and multiple pockets.
3. 3. Blouson jacket: The blouson jacket is similar in construction to the bomber jacket, but instead has a classic-style fold-down collar.
4. 4. Varsity jacket: Also known as letterman jackets, varsity jackets are very similar to bomber jackets in construction but have different colored sleeves and patches on the front and arms. These jackets originated in high school sports, but have become fashionable outside of school.
5. 5. Harrington: The Harrington jacket has a zippered front and cinched waist similar to the bomber jacket but has a high collar instead of a low one.
6. 6. Denim jacket: Also called jean jackets or trucker jackets, denim jackets are casual wear made from denim, which is a type of cotton made with a sturdy weave. They are typically dyed blue, black, or grey and are commonly layered over T-shirts and cardigans.
7. 7. Leather jacket: Leather jackets are made of natural leather or faux leather with a zip-up front and a stand collar. They were popularized during World War II as military jackets and, today, are versatile jackets that can be dressed up or worn casually.
8. 8. Motorcycle jacket: Also called biker jackets, motorcycle jackets are made of heavy materials, such as leather, with high collars and thick layers that serve as protection in case of an accident on the road.
9. 9. Double-breasted jacket: A style of loose-fitting jacket typically used in formal wear that has wide front lapels that overlap across the wearer’s body. The lapels have a button-down front that is fastened with two columns of buttons.
10. 10. Suit jacket: A suit jacket is made for formal attire and will typically come in solid colors with little ornamentation and will have a matching pair of trousers. They are single-breasted, meaning the lapels only overlap slightly at the front where the button closure meets in the center.
11. 11. Tuxedo: Also called a dinner jacket, a tuxedo is very similar in construction to a suit jacket, but instead has satin details on the lapels, buttons, and pant legs.
12. 12. Blazer: A blazer is similar to a suit jacket but is cut a little looser and often has stylized buttons that make it better for casual outfits.
13. 13. Peacoat: Peacoats are heavy winter coats often made of wool with two lines of buttons and large lapels.
14. 14. Puffer jacket: Also known as quilted jackets or down jackets, puffer jackets are quilted and insulated with down feathers or other warm materials that make them great for the winter months.
15. 15. Anorak: An anorak is a hooded, heavy jacket invented by the Caribou Inuit that is well-insulated for protection against very cold temperatures. They are often made to be pullovers and will have drawstrings to tighten the hood similar to a hoodie.
16. 16. Windbreaker: A windbreaker is a thin jacket that is made specifically to resist heavy winds and light rain. It is usually made with synthetic materials and is easily folded down to a small size for easy storage in a duffle bag or backpack.
17. 17. Field jacket: Field jackets are lightweight, weather-repellant jackets with four pockets on the front that were first used as military jackets during WWI and later in the Vietnam War.
18. 18. Chore jacket: A chore jacket is made with heavy materials like denim or twill and is designed for durability as workwear.

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