The jacket category is a broad one and that breadth is actually the point because what we’re talking about here is the layer that sits between your tops and your outerwear and it’s a layer that most guys either get very right or almost completely ignore. A good mid layer jacket creates a way of dressing that’s more interesting and more practical than just shirt plus coat. It gives you something to take off when you go inside without leaving you in just a tee. It adds structure to a casual outfit in a way that a hoodie can’t quite manage. Quilted jackets for warmth without bulk. Harrington jackets for that clean classic casual look. Overshirts worn as light jackets when the weather allows it. The jacket layer is where a lot of the most interesting and versatile pieces in menswear live and it rewards paying attention to more than most guys typically manage.