Lightweight jackets

Whether you were a regular at Manchester’s Hacienda in the 80s, spend your weekends on the football terrace or are just addicted to the scroll, chances are you’re familiar with the compass patch that decorates the sleeves of Stone Island’s jackets. Showing off the brand’s technical know-how, this hooded jacket is crafted from iridescent Econyl: a recycled nylon that has been treated to be water and wind repellent. It’s what we like to call very clever outerwear.

Looking for an alternative to your go-to bomber ? Bottega Veneta’s cagoule is your answer. This jacket sums up Creative Director Matthieu Blazy’s ingenious use of uber-luxurious materials to command attention (need we discuss Kate Moss’ turn in trompe l’oeil jeans again?). In this case, he’s created a buttery-soft leather jacket masquerading as a simple windbreaker.

Sacai’s founder, Chitose Abe, is masterful when it comes to creating the unexpected out of the expected. Case in point: the brand’s version of a trench coat, which it reimagines in light blue denim and loosens up to sit somewhere between workwear and tailoring. Wear yours with cargo trousers for a look that will take you, well, pretty much anywhere.

A chore jacket is the Swiss army knife of lightweight jackets. It cleverly toes the line between smart and casual, meaning it can go anywhere, and with everything. For the best among them, look to Carhartt WIP – the brand has always been known for hardy workwear, so this jacket is built to stand the test of time.

Raincoats can be tedious: drab and dreary like the days they’re designed for. Not in the hands of Rains. Since 2012, the Scandinavian label has rewritten the reputations of waterproof jackets. This one combines the fishtail hem of a parka with a hood, cuffs and Rains’ signature rubberised fabric in classic khaki.

Walid al Damirji, the brains behind BY WALID, creates artsy menswear from the vintage textiles he collects around the world. He transforms these Victorian linens and Japanese silks into upcycled creations using the traditional Japanese art of boro. The payoff is that this overcoat wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery. Quieten down the rest of your outfit and let it do all the talking.

Whether it’s through bold use of colour or playful prints, Marni takes the classics and spins them into something much more fun. Case in point: this Crayola-green leather jacket. Crafted from buttery-soft leather, it borrows its cut from double-breasted blazers of the 70s with oversized lapels and a tailored silhouette. Commit to the look and wear yours with flares and chunky-soled loafers.

Thanks to gorpcore, fleece jackets have shed their casual-country aesthetic. These days, aside from keeping you warm and comfy, they look good, too: think punchy colours and loud prints. This floral-patterned version by LA-based brand PacSun is packed with vintage-shop charm and comes with an insulating layer and drawcord hem. Hold on, have we just found the perfect layer for festival season?

CP Company is another one of those clever brands that combines science and art to create innovative new fabrics for its outerwear. For its Chrome line, the brand recycled nylon and dabbled in chemistry to create a softer version of the fabric that’s water repellent, soft to touch and easier to dye. For this overshirt, they chose a dusty pink. If you asked us what the best men’s waterproof jacket is, this would be up there.