5 jackets every man needs, and when to wear each
By sneakersInn team · Updated
The five jackets every man needs are a denim jacket, a bomber, a harrington, a shacket and a light raincoat or overcoat. In Accra the first four do most of the work as light layers; the raincoat is for the rainy season and the overcoat for travel to colder places.
| Jacket | What it is | Wear it when | Wear it with |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Denim jacket | A short jacket in sturdy denim | Evenings, weekends, travel | Tees, knits, chinos, black jeans |
| 2. Bomber | A short jacket with ribbed cuffs and hem | Nights out, flights, casual events | Tees, hoodies, jeans, sneakers |
| 3. Harrington | A light zip jacket with a stand collar | Smart casual days and evenings | Polos, oxford shirts, chinos, loafers |
| 4. Shacket | Half shirt, half jacket, often in heavier cotton | Air-conditioned offices, cooler mornings | Tees, knit tees, jeans, chinos |
| 5. Raincoat or overcoat | A long outer layer | Rainy season, travel abroad | Over a suit, knit or shirt |
Do I need a jacket in Accra's heat?
Yes, but a light one. Air-conditioned offices and cars, cooler harmattan mornings, evenings by the coast and two rainy seasons, roughly April to June and again around September to October, all call for a layer. Heavy jackets stay in the wardrobe; light cotton and denim jackets get worn all year.
1. Why is a denim jacket so useful?
It goes with almost everything in a casual wardrobe and gets better with age. Wear it over a white tee, a knit or a hoodie, with chinos or black jeans.
Choose a mid or dark wash, and avoid matching it exactly to your jeans. Contrast (a lighter jacket with darker jeans, or denim with chinos) looks deliberate. A denim jacket should end at your belt and leave room for a knit underneath.
2. What is a bomber jacket?
A short jacket with a zip front and ribbed cuffs, collar and hem, first made for military pilots. Today it's a relaxed, modern jacket for nights out and travel. Nylon bombers are light and shed rain; cotton and suede versions are smarter.
Navy, black and olive are the most versatile colours.
3. What is a harrington jacket?
A light, waist-length zip jacket with a stand-up collar, usually in cotton and often lined in check. It sits between casual and smart, so it works over a polo or oxford shirt with chinos and loafers. In Accra it's a good choice for evenings and smart casual events.
4. What is a shacket?
A shacket, or overshirt, is a shirt cut in heavier fabric so it works as a light jacket. Wear it open over a tee or knit tee, or buttoned as a shirt. It's the most practical layer for air-conditioned offices because it looks finished but is barely warmer than a shirt.
5. Do I need a raincoat or an overcoat?
A light raincoat if you're out a lot in the rainy season; an overcoat if you travel to colder countries. A plain mac or trench in navy, stone or black goes over a suit as well as over jeans. If you travel to Europe, the UK or North America in their winter, a wool overcoat in navy or charcoal is worth owning.
How should a jacket fit?
Check four points:
- Shoulders: the seam sits at the edge of your shoulder.
- Length: casual jackets (denim, bomber, harrington, shacket) end around your belt; coats cover your suit jacket.
- Sleeves: end at the base of your thumb, with no shirt cuff swallowed.
- Room underneath: you can wear a knit under it without the fabric pulling across your back.
Which jacket should I buy first?
A shacket or a denim jacket. Both work over the basics in the clothes every man needs and get worn most weeks in Accra. Add a harrington or bomber next, and a raincoat or overcoat when your plans need one.
Questions
What shoes go with a denim jacket?
White sneakers, brown derbies or loafers. Our guide to the shoes every man needs explains each pair.
Can I wear a jacket over a suit?
A raincoat or overcoat, yes. Casual jackets like bombers and denim jackets don't go over suit jackets; wear them over the trousers and a shirt or knit instead. See the 5 suits every man needs.
Which jacket works for a smart casual dinner?
A harrington or a shacket over a polo or oxford shirt, with chinos and loafers. More combinations are in our outfits guide.
Will sneakersInn sell jackets?
Menswear (knitwear, quarter-zips, outerwear, shackets, denim jackets, jackets and suits) is coming soon. Ask us about it on WhatsApp.