A Quick Guide to Overshirts | EQVVS
Shannon Firby on Fri, Apr 27, 18
The Overshirt: an 'everything you need' guide to styling, wearing and who does them best.
Ah, the humble Overshirt, a trans-seasonal piece of clothing that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it deserves. A crackin' layering piece during the autumn and spring months and a good one to have on hand in the summer too... The temperature in the UK can only soar so high, so when you're sitting in a deck chair in someone's garden at 11pm shotgunning a can of Brew Dog- you'll be grateful for a light layer.
All of your favourite brands are making 'em, and we get it, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with it all, especially if this is your first foray into the overshirt (or shacket) world.
So, sit back while we talk you through these seriously sumptuous wares with a quick guide to Overshirts and how you're gonna want to wear them. As well as a mood board of images for your viewing pleasure.
What's an Overshirt?
A shirt/jacket hybrid that's been cheffed up in a whole host of different styles and fabrics. Some overshirts have zips, some have buttons, and some have large, open pockets, and some don't have any at all, so to say that there's a real assortment of them to choose from would be a sweeping understatement.
It's got a bit of a history of looking rugged and almost utilitarian (thanks to brands like Carhartt WIP kitting out hard-graftin' geezers of decades gone by in the style) and might seem impossible to wear, but it's actually one of the easiest pieces to work in to your wardrobe. They'll cover you for an array of classic British past-times, like a windy trip to the coast, a huge, extended family BBQ or a bev at the pub.
Shirt jackets really are pretty versatile when you think about it, and they're one of the only pieces of clothing that effortlessly bridges the gap between the seasons.
We took the liberty of selecting a few of our faves from the OG's themselves like Carhartt WIP, A.P.C, and plenty of others.
Plus, there's an Overshirt deck-out for only the suavest of gentlemen, from trustworthy brands like Fred Perry, BOSS and HUGO.
But, if you want the utility of the workwear trend, but in some funky fabrics that give the overshirt a totally different feel... we've added in a ripstop, nylon, and gabardine fiesta from the likes of Stone Island, Belstaff, and C.P. Company.
Getting The Right Fit
This part is pretty straightforward, you know when you try something on and think, 'oh this doesn't fit right?' so you put it back in favour of one that does... do that.
Since they're coasting on the edge of a jacket, they're designed to be a bit looser so you can get a couple of layers underneath. Thankfully, nobody has cottoned on to the idea of a muscle fit Overshirt, and for that we are eternally grateful.
It’s also a good idea to try on different styles and different fabrics so you know which one suits your look the best.
Corduroy generally has it's place in Autumn, with a little 1970's flair, but if the UK ends up throwing in a few more 30+ degree days, you don't wanna be caught in the sweat of a thick cotton wale.
Ideally, you’ll want an overshirt that’s slick fitting, flattering yet have enough room for you to wear a jumper when the cold picks up.
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