Men’s Overshirts: Loro Piana Flannel and How to Wear One

A men’s overshirt is a shirt-shaped layer cut from heavier cloth, worn open over a knit and T-shirt as a light jacket and buttoned as a shirt, and the most refined versions are cut from Loro Piana wool and cashmere flannel. Yves Salomon offers two such overshirts, with matching Loro Piana flannel trousers and chinos, plus workwear jackets in double-faced wool and cashmere, all within our men’s shirts edit. When the weather turns, the next layer up is covered in our guide to men’s suede jackets.

By Gemma Deeks, Coveti Fashion Editor. Updated 22 October 2026.

Key facts

• An overshirt is a layering piece with the collar, buttons and pockets of a shirt, cut in a heavier fabric so it can be worn like a jacket.
• The Yves Salomon men’s overshirts are cut from Loro Piana flannel in 95% wool and 5% cashmere and measure 74 cm long.
• Yves Salomon makes matching Loro Piana flannel trousers and chinos, so overshirt and trouser can be worn as a set.
• The Yves Salomon Workwear Jacket is double-sided wool with 10% cashmere and a large chest pocket in smooth leather.
• Flannel is a woven wool cloth brushed to raise a soft nap, which makes it warmer and softer than a smooth worsted.
• Yves Salomon men’s overshirts and trousers are offered in sizes S to XXL.

What is an overshirt, and how is it different from a shirt?

An overshirt looks like a shirt but behaves like a jacket. The cloth is heavier, the cut is roomier through the chest and shoulders so it fits over a knit, and the length is usually a little shorter so it can be worn untucked. A regular shirt goes under a sweater; an overshirt goes over one.

The Loro Piana Wool and Cashmere Flannel Overshirt in Anthracite shows the idea clearly. It is designed to layer over sweaters and sweatshirts, with a single chest patch pocket as its one flourish, and the 74 cm length sits neatly at the hip. The Loro Piana Tennis Stripe Wool and Cashmere Flannel Overshirt in Beige Houndstooth uses the same cut and cloth with a discreet tennis stripe.

How to wear an overshirt as a light jacket

Wear it open over a fine knit and a crew-neck T-shirt for the classic transitional outfit. On a cooler day, button it over a Wool and Cashmere High-Neck Zip Sweater with the collar zipped up under the overshirt collar. Keep the overshirt untucked and let the hem fall at the hip; tucking it in turns it back into a shirt.

In winter, an overshirt becomes the mid layer. Wear it under a parka, a down jacket and a long coat, where it adds warmth without the bulk of a second sweater. Our guide to luxury down jackets for men covers the outer layer.

Flannel overshirt and flannel trousers: wearing a set

The quietest luxury look of the season is the tonal flannel set. Yves Salomon cuts trousers from the same Loro Piana cloths as its overshirts, so the pieces match exactly. The Loro Piana Wool and Cashmere Flannel Chinos in Anthracite pair with the anthracite overshirt: straight leg, slanted pockets, a zip and hook front and a cupro lining that helps them hang well. The Printed Loro Piana Wool and Cashmere Flannel Trousers in Beige Houndstooth match the tennis stripe overshirt, in 95% virgin wool and 5% cashmere with a sartorial finish.

Worn together, the set reads like a soft suit. Add a white T-shirt and suede loafers for the weekend, and a fine roll neck for the office. The trousers also work alone with a blazer, and you can find more in our men’s trousers edit.

Overshirt, workwear jacket and blazer compared

Fabric weight matters more than fibre. Flannel is a single cloth brushed for softness, so it layers easily. Double-sided wool, sometimes called double-faced, is two layers woven together into one fabric, which gives body without lining and a finished look on both faces. The Double-Sided Wool and Cashmere Workwear Jacket in Khaki is overshirt-cut with workwear codes: it goes over an outfit and also slips under a coat for extra warmth. A large chest pocket in smooth, washable leather is the detail you notice.

How to care for a wool and cashmere overshirt

Flannel and double-sided wool should be dry cleaned sparingly. Between wears, hang the overshirt on a shaped hanger and let it rest for a day so the fibres recover. Brush it with a soft clothes brush to lift dust and keep the nap even. Steam out creases rather than ironing directly, and use a pressing cloth if you must iron. Store wool with cedar to deter moths, in a breathable cover over summer.

Our picks

1. Loro Piana Wool and Cashmere Flannel Overshirt in Anthracite

The most versatile overshirt here: dark grey flannel that layers over every knit you own.

2. Loro Piana Tennis Stripe Wool and Cashmere Flannel Overshirt in Beige Houndstooth

A pattern with character, and half of the season’s best flannel set.

3. Loro Piana Wool and Cashmere Flannel Chinos in Anthracite

Chino ease with tailored lines, the partner to the anthracite overshirt.

4. Printed Loro Piana Wool and Cashmere Flannel Trousers in Beige Houndstooth

Classic tailored flannel trousers with a discreet print, right for the office and beyond.

5. Double-Sided Wool and Cashmere Workwear Jacket in Navy

The heavier option, an overshirt-cut jacket with a leather chest pocket.

6. Double-Sided Wool and Cashmere Blazer in Grey Marl

For days that call for structure, cut on classic blazer lines with a cupro lining.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wear an overshirt as a jacket?

Yes. Worn open over a knit and T-shirt, a wool and cashmere overshirt works as a light jacket on mild autumn and spring days.

Should an overshirt be tucked in?

No. An overshirt is designed to be worn untucked, with the hem at the hip; the Yves Salomon overshirts are 74 cm long for that reason.

What size overshirt should I buy?

Take your usual size, since Yves Salomon men’s pieces run true to size and the overshirts are already cut to fit over a knit. See our Yves Salomon men’s size guide for the chart.

What do you wear with flannel trousers?

Flannel trousers pair with a matching flannel overshirt, a fine knit and a wool blazer, finished with loafers and suede boots.

What is the difference between an overshirt and a shacket?

Shacket is simply a newer name for a heavy overshirt. The Yves Salomon Workwear Jacket sits at the heavier, more jacket-like end.

Explore more

Build the next layer with men’s suede jackets and luxury down jackets for men, read the Yves Salomon menswear guide and shop the collection on the Yves Salomon brand page.