The best men's chore jackets to nail smart-casual dressing
The simple design of chore jackets makes them easy to style and a popular choice for spring layering. Intrigued? Scroll on for GQ's pick of the best.
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With transitional weather now a constant dressing conundrum, the time for chore jackets is now. And while the very name might stir up some mixed feelings due to childhood associations with the word ‘chore’ and the sight of an ungodly amount of washing-up, rest assured this is good news. This garment is the light layer that solves that pesky spring problem of cold mornings and warmer, sunny afternoons.
Despite the chore jacket's roots being in traditional workwear, it is a popular choice all over the land, and for good reason. What once made the silhouette a reliable choice for uniforms — the tightness of the weave, the density and the weight — is what makes it an easy piece to style in the present day. It nails the smart-casual briefing. Chore jackets are also tough, meaning they will last and are more sustainable than other choices. By using them to layer up on the colder days, rather than investing in one big coat (think trapped air and insulation), you can throw a soft hoodie or sweatshirt underneath, stay warm and save precious rail space.
Scroll on for GQ's pick of the best chore jackets of the season. If more formal outerwear takes your fancy, check out our guides to raincoats, trench coats, car coats, and more.
What are GQ's best chore jackets for men?
You'll find all the chore jackets worth your consideration in the gallery below, but first, here's what our editors are wearing this season:
- Best overall chore jacket: Carhartt WIP, £160, mrporter.com
- Best budget chore jacket: Uniqlo, £49.90, uniqlo.com
- Best designer chore jacket: Mr P., £625, mrporter.com
- Best colourful chore jacket: Dickies, £105, asos.com
- Best minimalistic chore jacket: Mackintosh, £395, matchesfashion.com
What's the difference between a chore jacket and an overshirt?
What's the difference between a cat and a dolphin? Supermarket mozzarella and a lawn mower? Jokes aside, they might be along the same lines, but the overshirt and chore jacket have totally different vibes altogether. The overshirt can be just about anything, but the chore jacket? It's always casual, it's always utilitarian, and it's always, always a good move.
How do I style a chore jacket in 2024?
Keep it simple and workwear inspired. We'd suggest cargos, wide-leg trousers or jeans.
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1/11Carhartt WIP
- Fabrication: Organic cotton
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colours: Yellow, black, brown
Carhartt WIP is a go-to port of call for casual and well-crafted workwear, so naturally, a series of chore jackets can always be found in its collections. Our top pick right now? This ‘Michigan’ style. Assembled from an organic cotton canvas, it's shaped to sit with a boxy frame, making it the perfect fuss-free layer to throw on for everyday excursions. £160. At mrporter.com
2/11Oliver Spencer
- Fabrication: Linen
- Sizes: S-XL
- Colours: Green
Earthy tones like khaki are always reliable foundations in a wardrobe, especially when they construct a core layering piece like the chore coat. In the case of this style from Oliver Spencer, the hue is served through a breathable, lightweight linen, which promises to only get softer with each wash. Punctuated with five roomy pockets on the front and natural horn buttons, it's an effortless piece to see you through the imminent spring season – especially if styled with white denim underneath. £260. At mrporter.com
3/11Arket
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: 44-54
- Colours: Beige, blue
Crafted from a sturdy cotton twill, high street brand Arket's latest collection for Spring/Summer 2024 includes this excellent chore jacket. Shaped to sit with a relaxed silhouette, it's brimming with discreet details which will put you in the minimalist style category – from the polished pointed collar and deep flap pockets to the corozo buttons down the placket and cuffs. Be sure to stick to lightly-hued shades in your surrounding layers for enduring appeal. £97. At arket.com
4/11Mr P.
- Fabrication: Suede
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Blue
Top points to Mr Porter for stamping a contemporary take on the traditional chore jacket. As part of the retailer's in-house collection, this deep navy design swaps the conventional cotton texture for a supple suede: enveloping its slightly cropped form with pure softness and sophistication. Ideal for the transitional weather we're currently experiencing, it's one to turn to year after year, making it well worth the investment. £625. At mrporter.com
5/11Dickies
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Colours: Green
Made from tough duck canvas, this unlined chore jacket follows the same principles of hardiness that Dickies started out with as a workwear brand in 1922. From the contrasting black spread collar and artful topstitching to the bold patch pockets and embroidered brand logo, it's a pure chore coat classic – and sold at an affordable price which therefore makes it very cost effective per wear. Run, don't walk. £105. At asos.com
6/11Mackintosh
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: S-XL
- Colours: Navy
Even the chore jackets crafted by Scottish heritage brand Mackintosh follow the principles of its founder’s original blueprint, coming in a water-repellent form of waxed cotton. The ‘Drizzle’ is also a little shorter in the hem, giving it a boxier effect than some of its contemporaries. Otherwise, expect some classic chore coat keystones: contrast corduroy collar, button through front and sturdy, long-lasting construction. £395. At matchesfashion.com
7/11Uniqlo
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: XS-3XL
- Colours: Brown, off-white, grey
Uniqlo never fails to impress with its selection of stylish and budget-friendly essentials. Case in point? This chore jacket. Pulling its cues from the codes of a utilitarian wardrobe – namely, via the large patch pockets at the front and fabric-dyed effect – it's crafted from 100 per cent cotton and is offered in three earthy shades. Our top pick is this dusty grey design, best styled with wide-cut indigo jeans. £49.90. At uniqlo.com
8/11Loro Piana
- Fabrication: Cashmere
- Sizes: S-XXL
- Colours: Tan
To those in search of a chore jacket to last a lifetime, an investment from Loro Piana is the smartest sartorial choice to make. Specifically, this ‘Spanga’ style. Crafted in Italy from a double-faced cashmere-felt, the fabric is treated with the brand’s smart Rain System technology, making it water-repellent and therefore practical for all excursions – come rain or shine. And, to state the obvious, it’s a real beauty. £4,375. At mrporter.com
9/11Cos
- Fabrication: Recycled cotton
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Colours: Off white
Cos, as always, is proving that timeless menswear staples need not break the bank. Case in point: this off-white chore jacket. Crafted from a hard-wearing denim (the source of which is 100 per cent recycled cotton – big yes), it's cut for a regular fit and features ample pockets at the base of the body to store your most treasured belongings. Be sure to pair it with wide-tailored trousers and chunky leather loafers for the most effective minimal style. £110. At cos.com
10/11Arket
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: 46-54
- Colours: Off white
One can always trust Arket with some powerful utility dressing, and that pedigree extends with ease to the chore coat, which gets a sub-£100 entrant in the form of this cotton canvas supremo. We love the straight, boxy lines of this one, as well as the denim-adjacent look of the off-white shade.
£79£47. At arket.com
11/11Mr P.
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colours: Navy
To those whose style game is strongly shaped by denim, allow us to introduce Mr Porter's latest household jacket, which has been rendered from an indigo take on the fabric. Modelled on classic Breton work jackets, this style has three roomy front pockets and is left unlined to grant a lightweight feel upon wear. To really embrace the casual texture, we suggest doubling up your denim through a pair of matching ingido jeans underneath.
£265£159. At mrporter.comNOW READ
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