I travel quite often, and now that things have got going again, I’m looking for a lightweight jacket to wear. I want something that makes me feel more at home than in a sweater, but not as tight and dressed as in a blazer. It should not wrinkle easily and should have pockets. Does such a garment actually exist? — Beth, Los Angeles
Not only does such a garment exist, there is even a special name for it: a shacket! Like many new relevant sartorial inventions (the megging, the jort), it is a hybrid garment (shirt plus jacket) well suited to meet today’s needs.
In particular, during the very hot months, it should get through an air-conditioned airport, not be crushed by being crammed into a small chair for hours, then get ready for public viewing on the other side. Though it works equally well for traveling from home to grocery store for a morning milk run, or home to office for a daily commute.
It’s a more sophisticated alternative to the sweatshirt, without sacrificing convenience. And it works perfectly over sweats, leggings and yoga pants, meaning you can wear your stretchy, comfy clothes and look a little cooler too. It is also a gender neutral piece of clothing, equally popular with both women’s and men’s wear.
Obviously, the shacket isn’t actually a new invention. It has its roots in late 19th century French workwear, most notably the bleu de travail, a blue shirt jacket worn by workers to protect their everyday clothes. (Another name for the garment is the chore coat.) It was later adopted by the United States military, which issued CPO jackets to non-commissioned officers in the 1930s. From there, it made its way into the surplus Army-Navy stores and into all our closets.
Its features are oversized proportions, the better to be worn on a T-shirt, turtleneck, vest or similar underlayer; large patch pockets; and press studs or button closures. You can find military and workwear versions of the shacket, of course, but you can also find iterations in technical fabrics, linen, silk – almost any material and personal aesthetic you want.
For example, Zara offers cropped linen versions and a crinkled satin effect with a drawstring waist. Everlane has a boxy cotton shacket with the added benefit of side pockets on the hips and patch pockets, just like Madewell.
And for something with a little more zip, check out the prints at the Kit, a Daniel Vosovic made-to-order brand, a “Project Runway” and CFDA Fashion Incubator alum. Wear them and take the wings.
Your style questions, answered
Every week on Open Thread, Vanessa answers a reader’s fashion-related question, which you can send her anytime via e-mail or Twitter† Questions have been edited and compressed.