THESE 10 WOOL OVERSHIRTS ARE LAYERING CHEAT CODES
Options from The Elder Statesman, Our Legacy, and Maison Margiela make it easy to see why wool overshirts are the perennial best friend of layering experts.
Workwear and military roots unite almost all of the best winter garments. Put simply, clothes that were designed to be worn hard every day have what it takes to tackle the worst conditions. Winter boots, trench coats, technical outerwear—all of it was designed for an express purpose and has since taken on a new life with a style bent. Add wool overshirts to that list.
The best wool overshirts retain the kind of robust construction and no-nonsense design that defined their predecessors. Heavy wool overshirts effortlessly tread the line between shirt and jacket, which is what makes them such versatile garments when the weather isn’t playing around.
Steering away from any sharp, tight tailoring, the slightly oversize cut of wool overshirts makes them a cheat code to layered outfits. Immediately bringing a new silhouette, texture, and color palette to your ensembles, the overshirt is as useful from a visual perspective as it is from a practical one. Selections from names like The Elder Statesman, Our Legacy, and Maison Margiela prove that, in the modern day, wool overshirts live a life of luxury—merino wool and cashmere are regular fixtures—but expert craftsmanship and workwear-rooted design ensures that they haven’t lost sight of their humble roots.
Featured In This Image: Guest in Residence shirt.
Speaking to SSENSE about her favorite clothes, Guest in Residence founder Gigi Hadid says: “They’re these heirlooms that I learned to take care of, and they’re very comforting and homey.” This is the mindset that drives the label’s pieces. Here, thick cashmere detailed with an understated plaid pattern forms the material foundation of one of the season’s standout wool overshirts. Balancing longevity, practicality, and elegance, this plaid overshirt is everything that it should be.
Featured In This Image: The Frankie Shop shirt.
The Frankie Shop’s Georgia Shirt expands on the roomy, oversize cut of classic wool overshirts. With an extended back, the shirt drops dramatically low, emphasizing the proportions of the piece, which is amplified when layered.
Featured In This Image: RRL shirt.
Ralph Lauren’s RRL offshoot melds the worlds of ranch-inspired Americana with the sensibilities of workwear. As such, it’s a prime candidate for a flawless plaid wool overshirt. Using pure felted wool, this shirt is a dense, hefty layer and features enough pockets to make it a viable piece of outerwear.
Featured In This Image: The Elder Statesman shirt.
The Elder Statesman prides itself on luxurious made-in-the-US knitwear and this heavy cashmere overshirt embodies that MO. The neutral camel colorway works in tandem with dropped shoulders and a droptail hem to put it in a strong position for layered outfits.
Featured In This Image: AMI Paris shirt.
AMI Paris puts a pastel twist on the classic plaid work shirt. What would usually be an earthy or red plaid becomes a soft pink hue under Alexandre Matiussi’s direction, coupling with loose tailoring for a gentle, almost ethereal take on the plaid overshirt.
Featured In This Image: Our Legacy shirt.
Not all wool overshirts have to be heavy; Our Legacy looks to a viscose-wool blend to ensure that the Frontier Shirt has the brand’s typically laidback fit and drapes off the shoulders. Subtle detailing like the pinstripe motif and mother-of-pearl hardware bring the luxury.
Featured In This Image: Casablanca shirt.
Corduroy overshirts are another go-to in winter thanks to the chunkiness and weight of the fabric. Charaf Tajer’s Casablanca takes a break from producing silk shirts adorned with sun-soaked scenes to offer up the Jumbo Shirt, which features a wool-blend corduroy texture. The best of both worlds.
Featured In This Image: Maison Margiela shirt.
Maison Margiela has proven over time that the line between something familiar and wholly alien is finer than you might think. Siding with the familiar, this collaboration with Pendleton features a traditional red plaid wool build with gentle tweaks in the design, like a Cuban collar and viscose lining.
Featured In This Image: AURALEE shirt.
Known for its subtle color palettes, AURALEE has found a specialty in the world of texture. This black men’s wool overshirt exemplifies perfectly how a loose-gauge knit texture can bring new life to an essential garment.
Featured In This Image: Studio Nicholson shirt.
Studio Nicholson keeps everything on mute for the Kisale Shirt. The pure wool build is finished in midnight navy and has all the hallmarks of a classic shirt: point collar, barrel cuffs, and button fastening. This is how to do quiet luxury.
- Date: November 10, 2023
