Outerwear is essential no matter who you are, where you live, or what your personal style may be. In this definitive guide, we've rounded up twenty-eight different types of jackets and some of the most popular types of jackets and coats worn by both men and women.
Check Out These 28 Popular Types of Jackets and Coats
Anorak
Photo Credit: Men's Mountain Classic Anorak. Price Check.
An anorak is a waterproof jacket originally designed to withstand harsh winters in polar regions. To keep out the cold, an anorak jacket is usually hip-length with a fur-trimmed hood and weather-resistant fabric.
Blazer
Photo Credit: Going-out blazer in stretch twill. Price Check.
Blazers are one of the most enduring garments in fashion history. The lightweight jacket is similar to a suit jacket or sports coat, but with a more casual cut that made them a popular choice for preppy sports teams and school uniforms. Though blazers are worn most frequently in professional or formal settings with a button-up shirt. This formal wear has increasingly been worn today over more casual outfits like t-shirts and jeans.
Bolero
Photo Credit: Michael Kors Collection Ruffle Bolero. Price Check.
A bolero (no relation to the popular Spanish dance) is a short jacket worn more for style and less for warmth. Because of their open-front, cropped fit, and shoulder-hugging silhouette, boleros are often referred to as shrugs.
Bomber Jacket
Photo Credit: Combo Original Bomber Jacket. Price Check.
Bomber jackets are one of the most popular jacket styles of the 21st century. Air force pilots first wore the classic style as part of their military uniforms, hence why it's sometimes called a flight jacket. But over the past few decades, bomber jackets have become a casual outerwear staple for stylish athletes, big-name musicians, and fashionable men and women everywhere.
Because these military jackets were designed to keep pilots warm during flight, they're typically made using a heavy fabric like nylon, suede, leather, or wool. A bomber jacket traditionally features a front zipper closure, loose sleeves, and ribbed cuffs and collar.
Cape
Photo Credit: BCBG MAXAZARIA UPAS CAPE JACKET. Price Check.
Cape jackets are a protective outerwear style similar to a cloak. Instead of having sleeves, a cape has a shapeless fit that drapes over the shoulder with arm slits and an undefined waist. While different styles have eclipsed capes in popularity, they're still always popping up on major runways.
Car Coat
Photo Credit: BURBERRY Camden Cotton Car Coat. Price Check.
As the name implies, carcoats were originally designed for convertible drivers to wear while driving. This boxy, single-breasted style is almost always made using boiled wool fabric that's thick and cozy enough to protect you from the elements while you cruise with the top down. While the ubiquitous car coat is relatively simple in design— with a button front, slanted welt pockets, mid-thigh length, one-piece back, and a straight collar— it's incredibly sophisticated.
Chore Coat
Photo Source: rag & bone Naval Chore Jacket. Price Check.
A chore coat or chore jacket is a workwear jacket specifically designed for hard labor and outdoor work. The casual style is cut from a durable fabric like twill or canvas with a roomy fit and large pockets for holding tools and supplies. While countless contemporary versions are out there today, the Carhartt Duck Chore Coat remains one of the most popular men's jackets for everyday wear.
Denim Jacket
Photo Source: Essential Jean Jacket. Price Check.
Is there any type of jacket more iconic than a classic denim jacket? Thanks to their versatility, durability, and comfortable fit, they are one of the most popular types of jackets for both men and women worldwide.
A traditional denim jacket is made from blue denim fabric with a button front, pointed collar, and hip pockets. Longer denim jackets with a looser fit are sometimes called trucker jackets. Make a fashion statement by styling your denim jacket with a pair of jeans as a 'Canadian tuxedo.'
Duffle Coat
Photo Source: GIORGIO ARMANI Hooded Basketweave Duffle Coat. Price Check.
A duffle jacket (sometimes spelled duffel instead) is a classic winter coat made of heavy wool fabric with a hood and toggle closures. The hooded jacket is famously worn with a rain hat and boots by the fictional children's book character Paddington Bear.
Faux Fur Coat
Photo Source: Via Spiga Hooded Faux Fur Coat. Price Check.
While fur coats have been a cold-weather essential for centuries, you'll rarely find genuine fur coats in stores these days. Instead, you'll find racks filled with ethical faux fur coats that look and feel just like the real thing.
Field Jacket
Photo Source: Quilted downtown field jacket. Price Check.
While the humble field jacket began as a traditional military jacket, it's made its way into the fashion scene over the past few decades. A military field jacket is made with practical design elements designed for being in the field, including cargo pockets for handy storage, a boxy cut for easy layering, and lightweight, weather-resistant fabric for total protection from the elements.
Leather Jacket
Photo Source: Vince Classic Leather Jacket. Price Check.
Leather jackets have been a sartorial symbol of an adventure-filled lifestyle and a rebellious attitude. Over the decades, they've been sported by countless culture-shifting subculture groups, including punks, greasers, goths, and biker gangs. Today, a basic black leather or faux leather jacket is a must-have for any stylish man or woman.
While leather jackets come in all sorts of cuts, colors, and designs, no style is more infamous than the motorcycle jacket. The classic leather jacket (sometimes referred to as a biker jacket or moto jacket) is a short, close-fitting jacket style made with clean lines and sleek details like zippers, studs, shoulder epaulets, and a belted waist.
Motorcycle Jacket
Photo Source: IRO Ashville Leather Moto Jacket. Price Check.
A motorcycle jacket, also known as a biker jacket, is a short and close-fitting leather jacket that motorcyclists often wear. While it has a legendary fashion status, people wear biker jackets to look cool.
Parka Jacket
Photo Source: Canada Goose Fur Trim Expedition Parka. Price Check.
Parka jackets are a modern take on classic anoraks. Most parkas consist of a hip-length silhouette with a hood, pockets, zippered front waterproof fabric, and faux fur lining. They're prized during colder months for their ability to insulate the wearer from extreme winter conditions during outdoor activities.
Pea Coat
Photo Source: Burberry Wool Blend Pea Coat. Price Check.
The pea coat is a short, double-breasted jacket made from heavy wool fabric. Though the versatile overcoat was originally designed for navy sailors, it's now become a popular type of jacket for stylish men everywhere. The warm fabric and protective design of a pea coat help protect the wearer from wind, water, and harsh marine conditions.
Poncho
Photo Source: Off Duty Oversized Poncho. Price Check.
Ponchos and shawls are some of the world's oldest garments. The simple outer garment is almost always square or rectangular in shape with a slit in the middle that allows the wearer to slip the blanket-like style over their head. Though traditionally woven with wool, modern ponchos are sometimes made from lighter-weight lace, crochet, or knit fabrics.
Puffer Jacket
Photo Source: The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket. Price Check.
The name puffer jacket says it all. These essential winter coats feature puffy panels of down or a down alternative designed to keep the wearer warm in the winter months. Thanks to their widespread popularity among both men and women, puffer jackets come in a range of colors, lengths, and levels of puffiness.
Rain Coat
Photo Source: Men’s City Breeze Rain Parka. Price Check.
A reliable rain jacket is an absolute must in any wardrobe. The technical jacket is made with water-resistant synthetic materials to help keep you dry during wet conditions.
Shearling Jacket
Photo Source: Cropped Shearling-Lined Leather Jacket. Price Check.
The shearling jacket is usually made from sheepskin, but true shearling comes from young lambskin. A shearling jacket is often worn during wintertime to keep you warm and even warmer than duck or goose down. What makes a shearling jacket special? They are super strong and rugged, more so than any other material or cloth.
Sports Coat
Photo Source: Boss Huge Trim Fit Stretch Plaid Sport Coat. Price Price.
The sports coat, sport coat, or sports jacket was originally designed for men. But today, you can find this type of jacket to be worn by both men and women. This type of coat resembles a suit, but it is looser fitting and less shaped. It is more casual than a suit jacket or blazer.
Smoking Jacket
Photo Source: Men Black Smoking Jackets. Price Check.
Smoking jackets are sophisticated short robes that were popular during the late 1900s. As the name implies, the garment is designed to protect the wearer and their outfit underneath from falling ashes while they smoke. Most smoking jackets are made with textured material like wool, cashmere, or velvet for a sophisticated look and feel.
Swing Coat
Photo Source: Metallic Jacquard Swing Coat Pink. Price Check.
Swing coats were a popular women's jacket style during the 1950s and 60s. The short-length coat is fitted at the shoulders and flares out towards the bottom to accommodate full skirts. A swing coat with vertical princess seams along the front is often referred to as a princess coat.
Track Jacket
Photo Source: ADIDAS ORIGINALS BY WALES BONNER Wb 70s Tt. Price Check.
A track jacket is a lightweight athletic jacket with a zip front, ribbed cuffs, and zippered pockets. Most are made with comfortable, moisture-wicking nylon or polyester performance fabric. They're often styled with matching pants as a sleek tracksuit.
Trench Coat
Photo Source: Burberry The Westminster Heritage Trench Coat. Price Check.
Though the trench coat began as a military jacket, this quintessential British raincoat gained widespread popularity thanks to the luxury fashion brand Burberry and its iconic plaid-printed lining. A traditional trench coat is calf-length, double-breasted, and loosely belted with deep front pockets and raglan sleeves. Many trench coats are made with waterproof heavy-duty cotton with a removable insulated lining for added protection from the elements.
Trucker Jacket
Photo Source: Levi STAY LOOSE TRUCKER JACKET. Price Check.
The trucker jacket is often confused with a denim jacket because it is also often made from denim. A classic trucker jacket features two breast pockets and two hand pockets. But unlike denim jackets, trucker jackets have a distinctive "V-shaped" stitching that runs from breast pocket to the seam.
Tuxedo Jacket
Photo Source: Ike Evening by Ike Behar. Price Check.
A tuxedo jacket is a formal suit jacket worn strictly during formal events. Consider it the American version of a British dinner jacket. What differentiates a tux from other styles of blazer or suit jacket is its satin lapels. The formal jacket is traditionally worn in a black or navy color with a white dress shirt, bow tie, and coordinating pants.
Varsity Jacket
Photo Source: Tory Sports Tennis Warm-Up Jacket. Price Check.
Varsity jackets, also called letterman jackets, are a type of bomber jacket with a sporty, collegiate feel. Most are made from boiled wool or leather with ribbed cuffs and a snap front closure. The garment is usually covered with patches that represent the wearer's athletic accomplishments.
Windbreaker
Photo Source: Women’s Peril Wind Jacket. Price Check.
Windbreakers are short, lightweight jackets designed to protect the wearer during damp, windy conditions. Most feature a hooded, half-zip silhouette with a kangaroo front pocket, drawstring waist closure, and slick nylon fabric. Throughout the past few decades, they've become one of the most popular outerwear styles in streetwear.
