Work jackets have moved beyond garages, factory floors and loading docks to become a staple of contemporary men's style. Their practical origins remain visible in sturdy fabrics, useful pockets and relaxed cuts, while their cropped silhouettes can add structure to outfits worn with jeans or wide-leg trousers.
GQ's selection includes 14 jackets chosen across a range of prices and uses. The guide points to the Carhartt Blanket-Lined Detroit Jacket as its overall favorite, citing its more than 70-year history, thick canvas construction, three front pockets, corduroy collar and insulated blanket lining. It is available in black and brown, in sizes S to 4XL, with Big and Tall options.
For shoppers on a tighter budget, GQ recommends Dickies' Insulated Eisenhower Jacket. Like the brand's 874 work pants, it is presented as a durable and affordable design with a discreet logo and sizes ranging from S to 5XL. The jacket comes in 10 colors.
The Wallace & Barnes Lined Canvas Work Jacket is the guide's upgrade choice. J.Crew's workwear line combines a corduroy collar, a zippered chest pocket and a slightly cropped shape with a wool-blend blanket lining. It is offered in indigo and burgundy, in sizes XS to XXL.
For colder conditions, GQ selects Filson's Mackinaw Wool Work Jacket. Based on the brand's original 1914 Cruiser, it uses 24-ounce Mackinaw wool, a tightly woven twill designed to block wind, shed rain and retain warmth when wet. The jacket has glove-friendly pockets and comes in navy, charcoal and olive, with sizes XS to XXL.
The Buck Mason Italian Doeskin Station Jacket is highlighted as the dressier option. Its mid-century-inspired design uses soft Italian doeskin cotton and includes shoulder pleats, horn buttons on the chest pockets and a point collar. It is available in midnight navy, olive and black, in sizes XS to XXL.
For a lighter layer, the guide recommends Polo Ralph Lauren's Bayport Poplin Jacket. Unlike some of the brand's polyester and nylon versions, this model uses cotton poplin while retaining a hard-wearing character suited to both leisure and everyday activities. It comes in navy and tan, with sizes XS to XXL.
GQ says the appeal of work jackets also lies in their practicality. Their generally accommodating cuts allow movement, while hardy materials and multiple pockets make them useful for busy routines and changing weather. The guide's remaining selections extend the list beyond the featured winners, with the full assortment intended to cover different preferences in quality, fit and price.
According to the publication, its recommendations are shaped by editorial experience with brands, knowledge of materials and construction, customer feedback and discussion among staffers with backgrounds in retail and menswear. The picks are narrowed by comparing quality, fit and price, combining established names, independent labels and more expensive designer interpretations.
Sources: GQ.