Fall is the season when one jacket has to do a lot of work. Mornings are cold, afternoons are mild, and the weather can change twice before dinner. The right jacket handles all of it without making you think about it. This guide walks through eight jacket styles, what each one is good for, and how to wear it with the clothes you already own.
Every jacket mentioned here is in our Men's Outerwear collection, and many of them run well beyond the usual size range, with several styles going up to 7XL or 8XL.
Start with how you will use it
Before you pick a style, answer three questions:
- How cold does it get where you live? A lightweight shell is plenty for early fall in a mild climate. If your mornings drop close to freezing by November, you want a thick coat or a lined jacket.
- What do you wear most days? Jeans and a hoodie call for a different jacket than chinos and a knit.
- Do you want one jacket or two? Many men do best with a light layer for September and October, plus a warmer piece for late fall.
With those answers in mind, the styles below fall into three groups: light layers, mid-weight everyday jackets and warm coats.
Light layers for early fall
1. The windbreaker
A windbreaker is the easiest jacket to own. It is thin, it packs small, and it goes over a T-shirt or a hoodie without adding bulk. The Lightweight Hooded Windbreaker Jacket has a 100% nylon shell, a hood, a zip front and pockets, and comes in sizes M to 8XL.
How to wear it: over a plain tee with jeans and sneakers for errands, or over a hoodie with joggers on a cool morning walk. Khaki and army green are the easiest colors to match with denim.
2. The bomber jacket
The bomber is short, zips up the front and has ribbed cuffs and a ribbed hem. That shape makes it look neat on almost everyone, because it ends at the waist instead of cutting you off at the hip.
Shop the Men's Plus Size Casual Lightweight Bomber Jacket
The Casual Lightweight Bomber Jacket is made of 100% polyester and comes in army green, gray, khaki, burgundy and black, in sizes M to 7XL.
How to wear it: a bomber works with a crewneck sweatshirt, straight jeans and clean sneakers. For something sharper, try it over a collared shirt with dark chinos.
Mid-weight jackets for everyday wear
3. The faux leather moto jacket
A moto jacket adds edge to the simplest outfit. The Hooded Faux Leather Moto Jacket has a hood, zip pockets and button details, and the black version pairs the jacket with a gray hood. It is medium weight, made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, and comes in sizes S to 4XL.
Shop the Men's Hooded Faux Leather Moto Jacket
How to wear it: black jacket, gray or white tee, dark jeans and boots. Keep the rest of the outfit plain and let the jacket do the talking.
4. The corduroy jacket and the shacket
Corduroy has a soft, ribbed texture that looks right in fall. The Corduroy Button Up Casual Jacket has chest pockets, a collar and a button front, and comes in apricot, black, dark green, brown and gray in sizes S to 3XL.
If you want something between a shirt and a jacket, a shacket (shirt jacket) does the same job. The Plaid Button-Up Casual Shacket comes in black, green and red plaid, in sizes L to 9XL.
How to wear them: over a white or gray tee, or over a thin knit, with jeans or chinos. Brown and dark green corduroy look especially good with blue denim.
5. The sherpa-lined jacket
A sherpa lining gives you warmth without the bulk of a winter coat. The Sherpa Lined Long Sleeve Jacket has a plush lining, a sherpa collar, button and zip closures and chest pockets. It comes in seven colors, from black to off-white, in sizes S to 5XL.
Shop the Men's Sherpa Lined Long Sleeve Jacket
How to wear it: this is the jacket for Saturday. Hoodie or flannel underneath, jeans, and boots or sneakers.
Warm coats for late fall
6. The puffer jacket
A puffer traps warmth in its quilted panels, which is why it is the go-to jacket when the temperature really drops. The Lightweight Hooded Puffer Jacket is a lighter take on the style, with a hood, zip pockets and a 95% polyester, 5% spandex shell. It comes in red, yellow, black, orange and blue, in sizes M to 7XL.
Shop the Men's Plus Size Lightweight Hooded Puffer Jacket
How to wear it: a bright puffer looks best with neutral clothes underneath: gray hoodie, black joggers or jeans, white sneakers. A black puffer goes with everything.
7. The parka
A parka is longer than a puffer, so it covers your hips and keeps more of you warm. The Hooded Zip Up Parka Coat is a thick coat with a hood, a zip front with buttons and several pockets. It comes in taupe, army green and navy, in sizes M to 8XL.
How to wear it: over a sweater or hoodie with jeans and boots. It is built for cold commutes and weekends outside.
8. The overcoat
An overcoat is the dressiest jacket on this list. It is long, it has a lapel collar, and it makes jeans and a sweater look put together. The Classic Long Sleeve Overcoat is a thick, buttoned coat with pockets, in green, black, caramel and gray, in sizes M to 3XL.
How to wear it: black overcoat, dark turtleneck or crewneck, dark jeans and boots. For work, wear it over a shirt and chinos.
Getting the fit right
Most of the jackets above have a size chart on the product page with top length, chest (bust) and sleeve length in inches. The easiest way to use it:
- Lay a jacket you already like flat on a table.
- Measure straight across the chest from armpit to armpit and double it.
- Compare that number to the chart. If you plan to wear a thick sweater or hoodie underneath, pick the size with a little more room.
Sleeves should reach your wrist bone with your arms at your sides. For a coat or parka, check the top length too, so it covers what you want it to cover.
Care tips
Most of the jackets in this guide can be machine washed cold and tumble dried low, according to their care labels. Close all zips and buttons before washing, turn the jacket inside out, and skip bleach and high heat. Always check the label on your own jacket first.
Order before the cold arrives
Delivery usually takes 9 to 17 business days, so order a couple of weeks before you need the jacket. Standard shipping is free on eligible orders over $60. Returns are accepted within 7 days in the US and 14 days in other countries on eligible items, as described in our Refund policy.
Browse all styles in Men's Outerwear, find something to wear underneath in Men's Tops and Men's Denim, and see our guide to choosing everyday men's sneakers to finish the outfit.