Best Shearling Jackets for Men

Look through a timeline of the most formidable gear and menswear on the planet, and a recurring theme comes up: Utility tends to go hand in hand with style, and rugged performance can set the tone nicely for a functional staple to turn into a fashion icon. Take the shearling jacket: A wise and warm choice for pilots in World War I (and a material used eons ago to keep warm in brisk conditions), the best shearling jackets tell a tale of history, heritage and now, modern luxury. The best shearling jackets are a style statement that goes well beyond Bane’s one-of-a-kind coat in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. They make the case that blending rich leather with handsome, warm shearling is quite simply badass, with runway-ready good looks that also lend you an air of movie star cool (think of Ryan Gosling or Daniel Craig wearing a shearling jacket, and there you have it). RELATED: Best Rugby Shirts The best shearling jackets are often modeled in the form of old-school military jackets and pilot jackets, with designations to match (the aptly named B-3 bomber, made by various brands both new and historic, is one that comes up a great deal when it comes to the best shearling jackets). Whether worn over a henley with blue jeans or styled with charcoal corduroy trousers and a chambray dress shirt, the best men’s shearling jackets are undeniably tough, premium and ready for winter’s worst: Layer up accordingly. Quince Shearling Collar Leather Flight Jacket Pay homage to history in a surprisingly affordable way with this Quince flight jacket, an expertly crafted layer practically made to be paired with the company’s famously cost-conscious, stylish sweaters. The design nods to 1900s pilot jackets, while a special pre-wash gives this jacket a vintage appeal right out of the box. Gold-finish YKK zippers and the handsome shearling collar itself deliver a luxe finish, one this writer assuredly appreciates when worn on brisk Brooklyn days. $350 at Quince.com  Thursday Boots Bronco Shearling Jacket Thursday Boots’ stylish lineup of Chelsea and chukka boots deserves the right supporting cast, like this distinctive and bold shearling jacket. Yosemite Spanish shearling meets Napa leather trim at an approachable price, with the good looks and durability to rival Bane’s covetable and cinematic shearling jacket. For best results, pair with a thermal henley and dark blue jeans (and yes, a pair of Thursday Boots). $689 at ThursdayBoots.com  Dockers Shearling Mid-Length Overcoat The best shearling jackets deliver luxe style with an attitude (think of Robert Redford famously rocking a shearling jacket at the Sundance Film Festival, for instance). And Dockers delivers a highly approachable spin on a classic, turning the mid-length overcoat into an affordable (faux) shearling marvel with eye-catching individual style. $169.99 at Amazon.com  Calvin Klein Shearling Bomber Jacket While Calvin Klein basics are always a winning choice in any season, don’t overlook the famed designer’s outerwear options for the colder months. This bomber jacket plays off timeless bomber jacket style details like collar buckles, while fashionable touches like contrasting leather trims deliver a shot of runway-inspired style that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. $109.99 at Amazon.com  rag & bone Trent Shearling Jacket Shearling is nothing if not an ultra-luxurious material, the kind that gives a certain sex appeal to many silhouettes, including this ultra-cool bomber jacket silhouette. The best shearling jackets have a sense of heritage to them, but this one also boasts a dash of rock n’roll attitude. $2,398 at rag-bone.com Buck Mason Polar Shearling Deck Jacket Shearling has proven its mettle as a trusted material in the worst conditions, like on the blustery high seas. It meets the classic design of a naval-inspired deck jacket in a silhouette that’s tinged with rugged Americana cool from style purveyors Buck Mason. Look for this jacket available for pre-order ahead of inclement winter weather. $1,298 at BuckMason.com  Flint and Tinder Sherpa-Lined Trucker Jacket Not every single one of the best shearling jackets needs to feature the build of a flight jacket. This Flint and Tinder number plays off the brand’s famed trucker jacket silhouette while upping the ante with luxe Whiskey corduroy (and a denim version delivers road-ready appeal, too). $248 at Huckberry.com  BrandsLock B-3 Bomber Jacket There’s a reason pilots dating back to World War I trusted the hard-working style of the B-3 silhouette: The style was as functional as it gets, with shearling delivering ultra-warm performance high in the skies. The same historical approach makes the jacket a winning style move in modern times, as the shearling collar and cuffs contrast in fine form with this richly crafted leather jacket silhouette. $349.99 at Amazon.com  Marco Enzolani B-3 Bomber Jacket Like other reliable menswear staples (the blue jean, the chore coat or the trusty henley shirt), the best menswear of today owes a debt of gratitude to throwback style and performance of days gone by. The B-3 bomber jacket is a prime example of a reliable favorite done up in modern fashion, this time to great effect — and with real-life pilot jacket inspiration — by Marco Enzolani. $289.99 at Amazon.com GUESS Shearling Coat The very best men’s shearling coats show that you mean business, with their ability to lend a dash of flair to even the most minimal outfits. This stylish number from GUESS (which would pair perfectly with the brand’s classic-meets-modern denim) takes the traditional overcoat and flips it on its head with richly crafted shearling at a fine price. $88.88 at Amazon.com  You Might Also Dig:  Winter Scarves for Men Best Full-Zip Sweaters for MenLightweight Long-Sleeve Shirts for Men