There are luxury cashmere blends with a pop of colour, hemp and organic cotton shirts that’ll take you from autumn to spring, and soft all-Australian wool jackets that will shelter you from that cold wind when the sun goes down. We’ve picked out 10 that range from under $60 to blow-the-budget investments.
Noskin Unisex clothing brand Noskin (“no skin”) launched last year with a capsule collection of vegan, Peta-approved footwear and ethically made threads. Its heavy-duty Hemp Worker Jacket is intentionally oversized, so you can layer it over a T-shirt or thicker knitwear when the temperatures drop. Made from a blend of hemp and organic cotton, it has internal pockets at the chest and hem for your phone. It comes in a timeless sky-blue colour, which, as director Tony Corrales told Broadsheet, reflects their ethos. “[Each item is] designed to be evergreen, to stay with us through the life cycle of the brand,” he says.
Lee Mathews On the luxe end of the spectrum is a four-pocket cashmere shirt jacket from Sydney designer Lee Mathews. It’s an update on a style we’ve seen in the brand’s spring/summer collection in duck-egg blue, and black in the pre-fall collection of 2021. Both are still in stock, but this season’s version is a vibrant rust that gives any drab winter outfit a pop of orange. It’s an 80 per cent wool, 20 per cent cashmere blend and the tortoiseshell buttons are an eye-catching detail. It has a relaxed silhouette and looks as good over a silk slip as it does with a pair of wide-legged jeans.
Handsom Looking for a trans-seasonal jacket which helps you carry lots of things? The Traveller jacket by Melbourne label Handsom ticks those boxes. The men’s unlined blazer-style jacket in navy is constructed with nylon ripstop, which makes it more durable, and has three external pockets and two hidden pockets for transporting stuff. There are four buttons down the front and two shirt-style adjustable buttons on the cuff so you can customise its fit and warmth.
Outland Denim Ethical manufacturing is at the centre of everything Melbourne label Outland Denim creates. Its denim styles are made in the company’s own factory in Cambodia, and in 2021 it was one of four brands to get a top rating in the Ethical Fashion Guide, a report Outland founder James Bartle has criticised for its inclusion of international brands who’re renowned for paying low wages. In its current collection, the Rosa Stella ticks boxes for style and function. The workwear jacket has a relaxed but not oversized silhouette, patch pockets and a scoop hem. It comes in a deep indigo with simple stitching details on the four pockets, cuffs and collar. If you can’t find your size on Outland Denim’s online store, the style is dropping at David Jones this month.
Friends With Frank For comfort, softness and high quality fabric, Melbourne label Friends With Frank has a relaxed shirt jacket made from 100 per cent Australian wool that you can layer over jumpers and dresses for extra warmth. The Ines Shirt comes in three colours – baby blue, oatmeal and moss – and the cut means it skims over your hips in a pair of jeans even when buttoned up. In addition to the oversized front pockets, there are more practical side pockets for your phone and keys. And the pearl buttons on the oatmeal jacket are a particularly chic variation on the style.
Bandsome Australian menswear label Bandsome’s refined basics transcend seasons and trends. All garments are cut, sewn and washed in Sydney – and this Japanese canvas shirt jacket is no exception. Made from 100 per cent Japanese cotton canvas, the shirt features adjustable button sleeves, three external pockets and a hidden internal pocket to keep your phone protected from the elements. The structured shoulder and collar cut makes for a strong silhouette. Need a base layer? Pick up one of their locally manufactured T-shirts as well, made from GOTS-certified organic cotton milled in Melbourne.
Above the Clouds You can get this classy Satta shacket from Sydney streetwear store Above the Clouds (which has just moved into pretty new digs). It’s made from a soft cotton-linen cloth and comes in a delightfully fresh off-white ecru colour. It’s perfect for when you need to shrug off a bad winter mood.
Cos Six years after first opening physical stores in Australia, Scandinavian fashion giant Cos finally launched its online store in March this year. Which means it’s easier than ever to shop the designer’s range of wardrobe classics for men and women. This oversized shirt jacket is woven from cotton twill and available in muted tones of camel, dusty brown and black. The utilitarian investment will carry you from autumn to spring.
Uniqlo Get the look for less with Uniqlo’s comfortable take on the shacket. Available in beige, brown and navy, and coming in at less than $60, the garment carries a little extra length, making it easy to wear unbuttoned and layered over skirts and pants. Or keep out the cool air and pair it with a turtleneck. It’s made of a polyester and cotton blend and it’s machine washable. The somewhat hidden side pockets are handy too.
Urban Excess UK-based fashion retailer Urban Excess stocks a smart curated selection of urban wear for men and has a number of shackets we’re into. We particularly like the ones by London’s Bhode and think the butter milk one will put a pep in your autumnal step. It’s made with cotton from Portugal and has two deep chest pockets for added pizzazz.