The 6 Must-Have Summer Jackets for Men

In an ideal world, there’d be no such thing as a summer jacket. Come June each year we’d pack away our outerwear and spend three months sipping mojitos on the terrace, clad in knitted polos, aloha shirts and slightly-too-short shorts. But alas, that’s rarely the case, and for better or worse our summers are more a state of mind than a reliable forecast.

We don’t need to tell you how frustrating it is to leave home under blazing sunshine only to return shivering – or worse, soggy and miserable – but we do need to share with you how to swerve such meteorological switch-ups with some sharp summer layering. These are the best summer jackets for men to throw on this season, and how to wear them.

1. Denim Jacket

Percival

If there’s a piece of clothing more enduring than the denim jacket, we’re yet to find it. Hardwearing, versatile, loaded with history, it’s been a summer jacket staple since the mid-19th century, and shows no signs of going anywhere soon.

The first denim jacket was created circa 1880, but most of the styles seen today are based on the Levi’s trucker (or to give its proper name, the Type III) which was the first to introduce the neat, slim fit and pointed pocket flaps that remain the standard more than 50 years on. Those in a mid-weight denim are the most versatile, allowing you to layer up or down depending on the weather.

How To Wear It

As for how to wear a denim jacket, simple layering is key to ensuring you don’t suffocate in your summer denim. “Due to the weight of the jacket, wear it with a plain T-shirt and a pair of chino trousers or shorts,” says Alexander McCalla, a stylist for men’s clothing recommendation service Thread. If you dare to attempt a Canadian tuxedo with jeans and a denim jacket, remember to wear a darker shade on your bottom half with a decent contrast between the two pieces.