As fall starts to fade into early winter, the in-between weather creeps in. You know: that bipolar time of year when it’s too cold outside to wear just a tee and hoodie, but too warm to throw on a heavy jacket. Shoutout to global warming for allowing us to layer up one time.
Enter: the trucker. A durable workwear staple, the trucker jacket has been around since 1962, when Levi’s introduced its Type Three silhouette to the market. Initially, the jacket was crafted exclusively from raw denim, so that every single piece would eventually mold to its wearer, faded to perfection by the daily grind. While Levi’s allows designers like Virgil Abloh and others to try their hand at the jacket’s silhouette every year, the trucker has been reinterpreted and reinvented by brands from Russia to Japan. Some pre-distress the fabric, others add zippers and patches, and others still have Frankenstein’d the classic with other jackets, creating some truly envelope-pushing designs.
The versatility of the trucker cannot be emphasized enough: it functions as both a layer and a statement piece, depending on the style, cut and designer.
Whether it be a classic staple of American, a distressed, embellished and embroidered fashion item, or a Sherpa-lined, avant-garde conversation piece, HYPEBEAST combed the web to round up some of the best truckers available right now.
The Classic
You really can’t go wrong with a classic trucker. It’s a timelessly stylish look that works well with most everyday pieces. Ample pocket space is an added bonus. If you’re really about that wabi-sabi life, you can buy a raw denim option and wear it for years to earn lived-in fades.
The Intricate
Sometimes, you’ve gotta stunt and throw on a statement piece. Whether it’s an elaborately embroidered piece or a patchwork masterpiece, intricate truckers will usually cost you a pretty penny, but they’re practically heirlooms that only get more personalized with the tests of time. Or you could always patch your jacket up yourself, for extra DIY credit and a truly unique look.
The Lining
As the cold weather starts to hit, you’ll be craving any extra insulation you can find. Sherpa- and shearling-lined jackets provide combined form and function. Corduroy collared options add a pop of contrast.
Zipped Up
Much like jeans, the button-versus-zipper debate is largely a matter of personal preference and style. The zipper-front trucker provides a flash of modernity on a classic piece of Americana.
The Avant-Garde
Many brands push the trucker above and beyond its original silhouette. Some experiment by Frankensteining the trucker with a bomber jacket; some mishmash different shades of indigo; while still others experiment with pops of color and oversized structures.