Work it: The best chore jackets for effortless style
Your ideal jacket for autumn, winter and beyond
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September presents a sartorial dilemma for even the most stylish gentlemen. Summer’s favoured linen shirts are suddenly too flimsy but reaching for your hefty winter coat still seems premature. The solution? A multi-tasking layering essential that’ll take you from balmy afternoons to dreary autumnal evenings with ease. Enter: the chore jacket.
Originally designed for French railway workers in the 19th century, the chore jacket has transcended its workwear beginnings to become a contemporary icon. Made from durable fabrics such as cotton, denim or canvas, this collared jacket is traditionally cut to fall just below the hips and retains its blue collar roots via a multitude of pockets. Said pockets may now hold phones and chargers instead of railroad tools but the jacket’s utilitarian value is still appealing.
A close sibling of the versatile overshirt, chore jackets are the easiest way to nail smart-casual dressing. Beloved by stylish celebrities including David Beckham and Ryan Gosling, level up your transitional dressing game by layering one over just about anything – T-shirts, button-downs, lightweight jumpers – for an easy style boost that’ll keep you protected from inclement weather.
Whether you’re after a tough coat that remains true to its workwear origins (Le Mont St. Michel is your go-to here) or searching for something more contemporary like YMC’s monochrome check design, we’ve found the best chore jackets to buy now and wear forever.
Le Mont St. Michel work jacket
Founded in France in 1913, Le Mont St. Michel built its reputation by gaining favour with the craftsmen and farmers of Brittany and Normandy. Since then, the textile house has grown into a fashion label in its own right while staying true to its workwear origins. Its authentic work jacket, a brand bestseller, is a simple chore jacket made from 100 per cent moleskin so tightly woven that it’s water-repellent. With a trio of patch pockets, a comfortable fit and a signature French blue hue, this robust jacket will pair well with a denim-and-hoodie combo as well as a crisp white shirt and trousers.
Zegna chore jacket
Workwear is cool, but for something you can wear in the office or to a dinner party, consider Zegna’s elegant upgrade to the classic. The Italian label’s focus on fine fabrics and precise tailoring is evident in this sleek chore jacket made from a cashmere, cotton and silk blend. Throw over wide-leg trousers for a polished look that’ll take you from desk to date night with ease.
Mr P. chore jacket
Mr P. makes brilliant menswear staples that are as timeless as they are trendy. Case in point, this chore jacket made from organic cotton-corduroy and cut for a boxy fit with an array of patch pockets. Tactile and robust, style with a soft hoodie, corduroy trousers and Chelsea boots for a cosy autumn evening.
Carhartt denim chore jacket
The chore jacket may boast French origins, but the Americans know a thing or two about workwear and Carhartt has certainly earned its spot at the top. While the brand offers a whole host of chore jackets, this denim version is a clear highlight. Cut for a loose fit with a subtle worn-in look and contrast stitching around the pockets, this is the kind of jacket that’ll be right at home with your classic white T-shirt and favourite Levis.
Rag & Bone Evan jacket
Swapping typical moleskin and cotton for airy linen, the Evan chore jacket from Rag & Bone is a great lightweight option for late summer evenings. Promising to keep you cool, it’ll get softer with every wash while the natural creasing lends an effortless vibe. The key to styling this jacket? Stick to pared-back neutral shades for a chic monochrome look.
Liberty Woodland Canopy chore jacket
For the more adventurous dresser, Liberty’s denim chore jacket is printed with an all-over woodland design inspired by an archival Liberty print from the 1920s. Cut for a boxy finish with subtle camo hues, we suggest pairing this cool number with cargos and hardy boots for a streetstyle vibe.
YMC Labour chore jacket
British menswear label YMC is the master of easy menswear essentials. Take, for example, this chore jacket. Cut for a slightly boxy fit from an Italian crinkle cotton blend with a mini monochrome check pattern, it’s as smart as it is versatile. An Oxford shirt and pleated trousers, jeans and a graphic T-shirt, or chinos and a turtleneck – however you wear it, it’s a guaranteed style statement.
Read more: The best knitted polos for men
