9 best overshirts that are perfect for layering all year round

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

With a hint of the military about it, this sage-green overshirt from Carhartt WIP is a simple, stripped-back option that works great over a T-shirt as a light outer layer in the spring and summer. It has a regular fit that’s relatively slim in the body, so if you’re planning to wear it over anything more substantial than a tee then you might want to think about sizing up.

Best: Cord overshirt

Rating: 9/10

We’ve been living in this oversized shirt from American workwear label Stan Ray for a couple of years now. The corduroy is great for adding a touch of texture to outfits and it has a nice bit of stretch to it that aids comfort. The fit is boxy and loose, and we’d say it runs around a size up. For reference we’re usually a medium across the board but a small in this shirt leaves us with enough room to slot a hoodie underneath.

Best: For minimalism

Rating: 9/10

There are a lot of labels right now marketing themselves as “premium basics” brands. Masquerading as sustainable by claiming to offer higher quality, timeless clothes, meaning you’ll ultimately have to buy less. But from our experience, Asket is one of the few names that actually delivers on this promise.

The clothes really are well made, and there’s only one permanent collection – no trend-led seasonal designs. As for the overshirt, it has a classic fit and a soft handfeel, with stripped-back styling that ensures it’ll go with almost anything.

Best: Premium overshirt

Rating: 9/10

Copenhagen’s Norse Projects’ signature brand of modern Scandi minimalism is perfectly exemplified in this lightweight nylon overshirt. It’s a contemporary twist on a classic silhouette, with utilitarian details like a plastic D ring to the chest and a zip pocket on the back, into which the shirt can be packed. The fit is relaxed without being too loose and overall the shirt is true to size. That said, if you do happen to be in between sizes, we’d recommend going down rather than up.

Best: For insulation

Rating: 9/10

Japanese brand Snow Peak has been making camping cool since the Fifties. And this lightly insulated overshirt is a great example of what the label does best, blending functional design with a clean, stylish aesthetic. It’s made from recycled polyester, features two side pockets, and has a durable water repellent (DWR) coating to shrug off light showers. We found this overshirt to run small and would suggest going one up from your usual size for the perfect fit.

Best: Budget-friendly option

Rating: 8/10

Nice and thick with a generous fit, this boxy overshirt from Uniqlo is great for layering in the transitional months and beyond. Because of its loose fit, it works well as an outer layer on top of some knitwear or a hoodie, but is still low-profile enough to fit underneath more substantial outerwear should the weather call for it. It’s designed for an oversized fit and we think your normal size should be just right.

Best: Patterned overshirt

Rating: 9/10

This substantial recycled-cotton overshirt from British label Wax is chunky, slouchy and perfect for layering. The fabric has a lot of texture, which is great for giving your day-to-day outfits a bit of depth, and it’s available in all sorts of eye-catching colours. We love the thickness and generous cut of this overshirt, and think it would suit anyone looking for a proper four-seasons option made from environmentally conscious materials.

Best: For the lumberjack look

Rating: 8/10

Made from a thick wool blend, this rugged lumberjack shirt from Fjällräven is an outdoorsy option that’s built to take a beating. With its heavyweight fabric and G-1000 (Fjallraven’s signature poly-cotton fabric) reinforcements on the collar, placket, cuffs and pocket flaps, we wouldn’t be surprised if it outlasts us. Beware of the bizarre fit though – we usually wear a medium but we take a small in this. It still fits pretty long in the body, so if you’re usually between sizes you might even want to think about going down two.

Best: Lightweight option

Rating: 8/10

This zip-through option from Scottish label Lyle & Scott is understated and easy to wear. It’s made from a relatively lightweight cotton fabric, making it excellent as a light outer layer on cool summer days. We love the simple styling and classic fit of this overshirt and think its a great no-fuss option for just throwing on over a T-shirt in the warmer months.