5 Types of Jackets Every Stylish Man Should Own
Most men own too many T-shirts and not enough jackets. That's backwards. A good jacket does more work for your wardrobe than almost anything else you own - it can dress an outfit up, cool it down, or just make a plain white tee look like you actually tried.
If you're building a printed jacket rotation from scratch, here are five types worth owning, along with a few picks from Cord that cover each one - including a couple of printed jacket options if you want something a little less predictable than plain black or navy.
1. The Statement Jacket
Every man needs one jacket that isn't trying to blend in. Something you reach for when the outfit needs a focal point.
Cord's Bert Jacket fits this brief well. It's a colour-blocked piece in denim and thin corduroy, built around a dune print, with cherry-coloured ribbing at the neck, hem, and cuffs. It's not subtle, and it's not supposed to be. Wear it over a plain tee or shirt and let the jacket do the talking — anything busier underneath and you'll be fighting yourself.
Best for: dinners, events, days when you want to be remembered.
2. The Everyday Layering Jacket
This is the jacket you wear more than any other — over a shirt in October, over a hoodie in December, thrown on in five seconds because you're already running late.
The Anon Jacket, done in an Arthouse print, works here. It has a wide collar and a relaxed fit, which is really just a fancy way of saying it's easy to put on and doesn't fight your movement. It's built for exactly this kind of unglamorous, everyday use — the between-seasons stretch when you're not sure if you need a jacket or just want one.
Best for: work, errands, anything where you need to look put-together without trying too hard.
3. The All-Season Jacket
If you could only own one jacket, it should probably be this type — something that works whether it's mildly cold or just mildly annoying outside.
Cord's Quilted Jacket is made from 100% cotton, quilted in their signature Dale print. Quilting adds a bit of structure and warmth without turning the jacket into something bulky, and cotton keeps it breathable enough that you're not sweating through it the second the weather turns. This is the one you can leave in the car, the office, or by the front door and just grab on instinct.
Best for: commutes, travel, the jacket you never have to think about.
4. The Classic Jacket
Every rotation needs one piece that leans traditional - something you could wear ten years from now, and it would still look right.
The Archive Jacket covers this. It has a contrast collar, patch pockets, and hand-embroidered detailing across the body, which gives it texture without shouting. It's the kind of jacket that photographs well and ages well, mostly because it isn't chasing a trend to begin with.
Best for: anyone who wants one jacket that just works, season after season.
5. The Smart-Casual Blazer
Not every occasion calls for a jacket. Sometimes you need a blazer that doesn't feel like a blazer — no stiffness, no boardroom energy.
Cord's Harlem Blazer is made from linen and corduroy in olive, cut for a relaxed fit with a notched collar. It's the piece you wear when a T-shirt is too casual and a full suit is too much. Pair it with trousers and loafers, or even jeans if you're not trying too hard.
Best for: dinners, weddings with a loose dress code, first dates you actually want to go well.
How These Work Together
If you're starting from zero, the Quilted Jacket and Archive Jacket cover your basics — everyday wear and something classic enough for almost any setting. Add the Anon Jacket for easy layering, then bring in the Bert Jacket or Harlem Blazer for the days you want to stand out a little more.
If you like the idea of a printed jacket but aren't sure how loud to go, start with the Anon Jacket's Arthouse print - it's the most understated of the group. Once you're comfortable wearing prints, the Bert Jacket and Archive Jacket give you room to experiment without looking like you're trying a costume.
Casual jackets like these aren't meant to sit in the back of your closet for "special occasions." Wear them often enough, and they stop feeling like a jacket and start feeling like your style.
FAQs
Q1. What's the difference between a casual jacket and a blazer?
A: A casual jacket, like the Quilted or Archive Jacket, is built for everyday wear and comfort. A blazer, like the Harlem Blazer, is more structured and works better for slightly dressier settings - even in a relaxed linen-corduroy cut.
Q2. Are men's printed jackets hard to style?
A: Not if you keep the rest of the outfit simple. Pair a printed jacket with a plain T-shirt or shirt and solid-colour trousers. Let the jacket be the only busy element in the outfit.
Q3. How many jackets does a man actually need?
A: Realistically, three to five, each doing a different job — one everyday piece, one all-season option, one classic style, and one statement or dressier piece.
Q4. Can a quilted jacket be worn in warmer weather?
A: Yes, especially if it's made from a breathable fabric like 100% cotton. It won't feel as heavy as a padded winter jacket, so it works for cooler evenings even outside of full winter.
Q5. What should I wear under a printed jacket?
A: Stick to solids - white, black, cream, or navy. A patterned shirt underneath a printed jacket usually looks cluttered rather than intentional.
