The Shacket
Photocreds for this article @Pini.parma
The “Shacket” (Shirt+Jacket) is the menswear enthusiast's white jeans of last year. Every atelier from H+M, to Spier and MacKay, and even the Armoury are offering varying designs at widely varied price points. This is definitely a “trend,” but not as in line with trends by the standard definition.
A bit of background on last year’s menswear “trend”—white denim. It looked good five years ago, and will look good five years from now, but was a staple piece last year. Any day the is sun out with few to no clouds calls for a playful pair of white denim. As long as the cut isn’t skin-tight, or baggy beyond belief, people will still wear white denim. Trends in classic menswear are more geared toward what the “idols” of style are deciding to increase the wear of from their closet, like Chelsea boots in 2019. In juxtaposition, a designer of a fashion brand is trying to put off an entirely new wardrobe every season.
The shacket is now receiving its well-deserved spotlight.
This may be due to a long-standing pattern of working from home, or maybe it’s the direction tailoring is headed in general. Either way, this is a trend I’m all about.
In all forms—plain, dual chest-pocketed, and safari-style—we are seeing an increase in wear. This means there is a shacket out there for you, regardless of style. In every color, fabric, weight, and style there is wave after wave of people lining up to buy them. So naturally, the question is: should you hop on this freight train?
I personally wear this style more often than blazers. The simple elegance of a layered look perfectly fits my style: Modern, casual, elevated. This usually means a blazer is me at my most dressy, so a shacket fills this small niche area in most mens wardrobes.
In the winter months, I have a grey wool shacket with two chest pockets—fully lined and very warm. Transitional I have three “flannel” shirts (technically a mid-weight brushed cotton) that I only wear as layering pieces in winter and outerwear in spring/fall. I also have one linen shirt with a mao or band-style collar I’m using with the weather is heating up a bit. Mostly to keep from burning, but also to stave off the cold evenings when the beating sun decides to go down after a dinner outing.
Denim jackets are, in my opinion, a form of shacket. The same way jeans cover your legs over underwear, a t-shirt covers your body and is covered with denim. So if you’re hesitant to try out this look, but already own a denim jacket, maybe wear it out a bit more. Make yourself a little more comfortable with the idea then take the next step if you find it attractive.
As I said above, utilize the flannel shirts you may already have as a shacket, usually worn over a white tee, but any color that is in the pattern can also work.
This is very simple to style, just put another shirt on. Complimentary colors work best, but as I said, anything over white is the easiest way to start. Not diving into trends as they come is the best way to avoid a classic “trying too hard” problem that every man faces. So instead of going to look for a cheap, polyester-blended, fast-fashion option, or even a Spier and MacKay safari with half-belt and pleats, consider simply adding a heavier shirt. Usually completely open/unbuttoned. Add it between your shirt and and a coat you already have in the winter, or on it’s own when it’s warming up. Or don’t hop on at all.
That’s when you know you’ve found your style after all. When trends don’t excite you into buying and consuming more clothing. Rather, you think “how can I do this with what I have?” and if it’s not possible, consider moving on. Unless it grips you, of course, then what kind of style companion would I be to veer you away? Keep your eyes open, ear to the ground, and look out for the next trend.
Hope to see you all in your versions of a shacket on Instagram soon! Share with a #styleinsync and let’s start a small community of men working on bettering themselves—one aspect at a time.
-Mario
