How to Wear a Barn Jacket This Fall

A corduroy collar and a boxy shape are the details to look for. Barbour's beige checked Mackworth, Burberry's camel quilted jacket, The Row's tan Frank jacket and Toteme's sand waxed-cotton Zipped Country jacket are four good versions.

Tailored trousers make a barn jacket feel ready for the city. Still Here's beige Barn jacket with Chloé's dark gray pleated flannel barrel-leg trousers is an easy uniform. Jimmy Choo's black Wilder loafers and Loewe's camel Cala shoulder bag keep it polished.

A soft suede jacket over a slip dress is a pretty contrast. Nour Hammour's sand suede Passage jacket over Acne Studios' blue silk-satin midi dress is the dressiest option here. Alaïa's black shearling-trimmed ballet flats and Savette's dark brown suede Trapeze bag finish it.

Jeans and tall boots give the barn jacket a western feel. Blazé Milano's red herringbone Clelia jacket with Kallmeyer's brown Adina straight-leg jeans is a warm, tonal pairing. Saint Laurent's burgundy leather knee boots and Anderson's dark brown belt tie it together.

A checked skirt and knee boots give the look an English countryside feel. Dôen's beige Pascual jacket with Giuliva Heritage's gray Prince of Wales check skirt looks classic. Gucci's beige suede knee boots and Proenza Schouler's navy leather Days tote finish it.

Kit and Ace, Alex Mill and Madewell add barn jackets and utility styles, including a few brand-direct options. Layer one over a knit and the corduroy collar stands out nicely.

A barn jacket was built for work, and so were jeans, which is why the two never need much styling help. I keep to straight and relaxed legs here, because a boxy jacket over a skinny jean tips the proportions. The AGOLDE Lana and the Levi's 723 are the classic straight cuts, the Citizens of Humanity Miro is the roomier one, and the MOTHER Rambler has a zip at the ankle that sits neatly over a boot. The Still Here Life jean is rigid and mid-rise, the closest thing to true workwear denim. FRAME and Good American both cut petite lengths, so the hem lands at the ankle without tailoring.

My test: put the jacket on over the jeans and look at where it ends. It should stop at or just above the back pocket. What I would skip: a very wide leg under a cropped barn jacket, which reads as all fabric and no shape.

The barn jacket earns its place because it goes with nearly everything. If you take one thing away, let it be to play it against something unexpected, like a slip dress or tailored trousers, rather than only jeans. A corduroy collar is the signature detail, and a slightly boxy fit leaves room for a knit underneath. Waxed cotton is best for rain, while plain cotton canvas is lighter. We would skip very oversized versions if you are petite, since they can swamp the frame. Neutral shades like beige, tan and sand are the most versatile, but a red or checked version adds personality.