How to Choose a Western Jacket

Your Western jacket may be the first thing people see when you arrive, but choosing the right outerwear is about more than looks alone. The weather, occasion, and intended activity play a part in coat fabric, length, and style choice. Explore our Western jacket buying guide to learn how to choose outerwear to suit your needs.

Different Western Jacket and Coat Styles

Men’s and women’s Western jackets come in a range of styles, lengths, and purposes. Some jackets are better suited for long days working the ranch, others are intended for casual wear, and some are reserved for special occasions. The most common coat and jacket styles for cowboys and cowgirls include:

• Utility jacket: Usually waist-length, collared, and buttoned down the front, the utility jacket—also called a chore or barn coat—was developed in the early 20th century for American farmhands. Utility coats are made in protective, rugged materials perfect for keeping you warm and dry.
  When to wear it: Farming or ranching, outdoor work
• Denim jacket: A classic for cowboys and cowgirls, the traditional denim jacket is waist-length and includes buttons up the front and at the cuffs. Denim jackets offer a bit of warmth, but are better suited for spring, summer, or fall versus winter.
  When to wear it: Casual days, fashion
• Shirt jacket: Thicker than a shirt, thinner than a traditional jacket, the utilitarian shirt jacket can be worn alone on warmer days or as an extra layer against the cold.
  When to wear it: Yardwork, running errands
• Frock coat: The knee-length, collared, button-down frock coat style dates back to the early 19th century. While originally designed for men, fashionable cowgirls enjoy the style, too.
  When to wear it: Special occasions, dressy venues
• Duster coat: The loose, lightweight, full-length duster coat originated in the 1800s, but is still considered the quintessential Western jacket. The modern duster looks great with a pair of boots and a cowboy hat.
  When to wear it: Horseback riding, to the office, out on the town
• Hunting jacket: Durable, rugged hunting jackets are built for function and protection against the elements. They are usually insulated, waterproof, and breathable, with a comfortably loose fit for freedom of movement.
  When to wear it: Hunting, cold-weather work, outdoor recreation
• Sweater coat: Dressy, fashionable sweater coats are knitted, ranging from light to moderate weight, and can be any length from waist to knee. This style is typically preferred by women and makes a great extra layer on chilly days.
  When to wear it: Shopping, lunch with friends
• Softshell jacket: Softshell jackets are lightweight, windproof, water-resistant, and normally worn with a base layer in colder weather or alone on warmer, windy days.
  When to wear it: Coaching, watching sports practice, hiking
• Concealed carry jacket: A concealed carry jacket features adjustable cuffs, plenty of roomy pockets, easy-to-use zippers, a built-in holster, and a fit that’s loose enough to camouflage your weapon, but snug enough to stay out of the way if you have to draw it.
  When to wear it: Walking the ranch, hunting, hiking

Western Jacket Materials and Fabrics

A jacket’s construction can affect durability, longevity, comfort, and feel. When choosing Western outerwear, jacket and coat materials and fabrics are just as important as the styles.

Explore these most common fabric and material options for women’s and men’s Western jackets:

• Leather and Suede: Like a leather belt, the quality of a leather coat depends on the hide layer from which the material came. A strong, warm, water-resistant leather coat is produced using the top layer of the hide. A suede coat is not as warm or water-resistant as leather as the material comes from the bottom layer of the hide, but the textured appearance is fashionable.
• Faux Leather: Perfect for updating your Western outerwear wardrobe on a budget, this material looks just like leather, but it’s made in a blend of polyurethane and plastic. Faux leather jackets are usually water-resistant, but not as breathable or long-lasting as genuine leather.
• Twill: This tightly woven fabric is made of cotton, polyester, or a blend of both. Twill jackets have a distinctive ribbed pattern, they’re easy to care for, and offer a bit of warmth in cool—but not cold—temperatures.
• Polyester: Most polyester coats are water-resistant, breathable, and offer wind protection. Polyester is often blended with wool to make a heavier coat for cold weather days. Polyester is also often used as a lining material for outerwear and fashion jackets.
• Cotton and Denim: Soft, lightweight jackets crafted of 100% cotton are perfect for spring and summer. Ever-popular cotton denim is a heavier option that wears well into autumn, made with warmth and durability in mind.

Favorite Western Jacket Features

Western jackets are purpose-built with a range of features that are critical to comfort and function. Choose the features that are most important to you based on how and where you plan to wear your coat.

Some of the most popular features of Western outerwear include:

• Waterproof: Most waterproof jackets are made in nylon or polyester with a polytetrafluoroethylene or polyurethane coating that repels water. Waterproof jackets are ranked from 0mm (no moisture resistance) to 20,000mm or 20K (rain and waterproof under high pressure). Jackets between 1,500 to 2,000 mm are perfect for everyday wear, while outerwear rated between 10,000mm to 15,000mm (10K to 15K) are ideal for working outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions.
• Breathable: To prevent overheating, choose breathable outerwear—a coat or jacket crafted of a material designed for airflow, letting excess heat escape so you don't begin to sweat. Breathability is an especially important feature in waterproof outerwear to keep you comfortable.
• Moisture-wicking: To keep from getting uncomfortably warm and clammy, choose moisture-wicking outerwear designed to draw moisture away from the skin. Natural materials, such as cotton, wool, and leather, are great options.

Match Your Jacket to the Occasion

Look and feel good through a long day outdoors, an evening at the ball game, or a short trip to the grocery store when you choose the right Western jacket. While personal preference plays a large part in what you wear, explore our tips for how to choose the right Western jacket for any season or occasion.

• Going out: A jacket for going out dancing, to dinner, or to a party is less about function and more about fashion. While warmth is a secondary consideration, the focus here is on the look. Match your fashion jacket to your handbag, jewelry, and accessories, or choose a Western coat that coordinates with the stitchwork on your leather cowboy boots.
• Heading to church: Unlike a coat for a night out on the town, a good church jacket must be neat and tidy without drawing attention for the wrong reasons. Choose a coat that fits well and coordinates with your outfit. You may find that your favorite jacket for dressy occasions also works well for church.
• Outdoor work and chores: Cowboys, cowgirls, and ranchers spend many working hours doing chores in a cold barn or on horseback. Choose a work jacket that is loose enough to allow full range of motion, warm enough to withstand frigid temperatures, yet breathable so you don't overheat.
• Hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation: Hunters and anglers spend many hours standing or sitting still while waiting for their prize. An insulated, waterproof jacket can keep a hunter warm and dry through cold, rain, and snow. Choose a lightweight UV-protective coat to block sun and wind while fishing in the early spring or fall.
• Running errands and shopping: When you spend lots of time getting in and out of the car and store, you need a jacket that’s lightweight and breathable while inside, but warm enough to beat the chill outside. A fashionable option lets you express yourself while taking care of the necessities.

Western jacket styles are designed for both fashion and function. Get to know the available materials, styles, and features to choose the right outerwear for your needs, then explore the rest of our Western fashion tips.