All About Shackets | October Stylish Monday Link Up
The shacket is one of the newest hybrid terms in fashion right now. A combination of a shirt and a jacket in a culture where we have become too lazy to pronounce full words. I started wearing oversized flannel shirts as jackets back in the 1990’s at the height of the grunge era in music and fashion. I don’t think we were as apathetic 30 years ago as we are now and so we had no problems referring to our wardrobe pieces using full untruncated words and phrases. While shortening phrases into hybrid terms for ease might be a silly notion, newly formed words often find their way straight into legitimate dictionaries over time and become official real words in the English language.
In fact, hundreds of new words are added to the English dictionary every year after much consideration to decide which words will be recognized as real words. The word adulting was just added in 2021 due to the frequent usage of the word by many young people to mean the action of becoming or acting like an adult. In light of our post-pandemic world, the word contactless, meaning not having to touch or physically interact with people, has also been added to the dictionary. Even the word quaranteen used to refer to a teenager during the COVID-19 pandemic has been observed by the Cambridge Dictionary as a legitimate homophone for the word quarantine by combining it with the word teenager.
If you search the word shacket in the dictionary, you will also find it. But it might get confusing. Dictionary.com defines shacket as a colloquial term for a yellowjacket or a hornet primarily used in the state of Rhode Island. However, the Cambridge Dictionary defines a shacket simply as a jacket in the style of a shirt. The first known usage of the phrase shirt jacket appeared in Merriam Webster in 1930 using the current definition for a shacket.
As you can see words fascinate me just as much as fashion excites me so let’s move from the history of words straight into the business of shackets for fall.
While most shackets seem to be available in the oversized flannel shirt style (that was totally my 90’s jam), the only shirt style jacket that I own right now is this olive green corduroy one that I thrifted this past winter. I previously styled it on a very snowy day over a corduroy dress and I really liked the way it paired with a short dress and tall boots and so I repeated that formula for this month’s Stylish Monday prompt.
I recently found this cool little dress with its patchwork print in beautiful shades of autumn at Burlington Coat Factory. I did not need a new dress nor did I need to be shopping but I was on the hunt for a specific something for my Halloween costume which I also found in Burlington and I will share it with you on October 21 for our next Your Own Twist Link Up. I spotted this dress along the way and for $15 it was too cute to leave behind. It is unlined so it is great for layering over leggings but it would also work well in the warmer months with bare legs and sandals.
The colors in this new dress were perfect for pairing it with my olive green corduroy shacket. I played around with all of the other rich fall tones in the dress and added black, brown, and burgundies to my outfit. One of my favorite ways to combine green and red without looking like a Christmas card is olive green and burgundy. The colors and fabrics of fall are my favorite! And did you see how cute the pleated back of my shacket is?!
I think that is enough about my clothing. I have been wildly unmotivated and falling behind in all things blogging related. And now my computer is at Best Buy waiting for some updates as the whole thing went wonky last week. I can’t even access my own website due to some outdated databases. Thankfully, the Geek Squad was there to rescue me and I should have my laptop back in full functioning order by Wednesday. Until then, I am doing my best to work on my son’s laptop but it is so different from mine that I am getting a bit frustrated!
So I will leave you with my 5 other Stylish Monday friends and their shacket outfits. We are only 6 this month as life seems to have gotten the best of most of us lately.
Stylish Monday is a monthly series published in collaboration with a group of 15 international fashion and lifestyle bloggers. It is another opportunity to be creative with our personal style as we join together each month with a style prompt or theme. We also host a link party where anyone is welcome to add their personal style posts. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the party.
Amy of Amy’s Creative Pursuits
“I never thought I would like shackets because I don’t like the over-sized look on my body type, but this cute one from Amazon is over-sized in length ,and not so much in width, so it gives a more fitted, polished look.”
Amy
Julie of Fashion Trends and Friends
“I’m loving the shacket trend especially since I’m always cold! Shackets come in so many colors, lengths and styles there’s bound to be one you’ll like! It’s the perfect layering item for fall and winter. I love my newest one with pink and pockets! You don’t have to spend a lot on trends to give it a try!”
Julie
Lucy of Lucy Bertoldi
“October’s sombre vibe has me styling up this sheer, black ‘shacket’ which I love wearing over tanks or sleeveless outfits; like this tulle dress for example. It’s perfectly light, chic and edgy- whether it’s worn as a shirt, or jacket.”
Lucy
Nicole of High Latitude Style
“While shackets are an Alaskan favorite, I have owned only two shackets so far. The first shacket was the classic Buffalo plaid skirt in red with black. I used to wear it for snow shoveling in late spring and early winter (late September, first week of October). The second one was a DIY patching project. I had bought the piece as a shirt, but it was too stiff to be worn as such. Therefore, I patched it to turn it into a shacket. I still wear it in late spring and early fall as cover-up when a cotton cardigan would be too cold and a jacket would be still too warm. Given that in Alaska the transition seasons are very short (2-4 weeks), I don’t get much wear out of my shacket.”
Nicole
Nina of Sharing a Journey
“Is the shacket trend for you? Learn what it is, how to get the look for yourself, and a few styling tips to make the shacket your own.”
Nina
And me!
“When shackets started trending last fall, I wanted to try out the trend without spending too much money. So I hit the thrift shops and found this olive green corduroy shirt jacket that is quickly becoming an autumn wardrobe staple.”
Shelbee
Featured Favorite (from last month’s Workin’ for the Weekend theme)
Donna of Donna Loves Dresses shared a super cool weekend look for work or play in her post, Edging Up An Animal Print Midi.
Have you tried the shacket trend yet? Or maybe you have been wearing shirt jackets since the 1930s and this is old news to you! Either way, won’t you link your fashion posts below and join the stylish party!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Joining these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Shacket-Thrifted / Dress-Burlington Coat Factory / Leggings-Torrid / Boots-Doc Martens / Hat-Wona Trading / Gloves-Amazon / Earrings-Good Life Gift Shop / Necklace-Michal Golan / Boot Socks-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
40 Comments
Amy Johnson
Your’s is one of my favorite shackets in the group. I love the back. I can’t believe you got so lucky to find one in a thrift shop. I love how you styled it too! I tried to find a solid color one on Amazon, but didn’t like the reviews, so I went with plaid.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Amy! I was really happy with this thrift store find! I think I only paid $5.99 for it and it is a nice heavy corduroy and super comfortable, too! I have so many plaid button down shirts that I really didn’t want yet another one even if it is heavier. I really like the one you found on Amazon though and now I am tempted to look for a plaid one!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ellie
What a great way to style this dress and I am really loving all the fall colors on the print! And I can see how this shirt jacket became a fall wardrobe staple. It’s a great color and style!
Sorry to hear you’re having computer issues! Hope it gets fixed soon!
Ellie
Ellibelle’s Corner
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ellie! I was really happy with this thrifted jacket and this fun dress! I just got a call from the Geek Squad and they should be able to have my laptop back to proper functioning soon except I probably need a whole new computer soon as well. Ugh. We will see how well it operates for me post-fixing! I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I love the pleating on the back of your shacket! What a neat find.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! I thought it was a pretty cool find, too! Happy Monday to you.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lucy Bertoldi
Hybrid is suh a good term for shackets. And so versatile- just look at all of our different looks! I love yours so much!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lucy! I was pleasantly surprised with all the different looks for this month! I expected lots more plaid shackets! Everyone was so creative and I love all the looks so much. It is so fun to take one specific article of clothing and see how differently it can be styled based on personality and personal sense of fashion.
xoxo
Shelbee
Cool Esse
I LOVE this outfit! It’s one I could pull out of my closet right now! Your shacket (I’m feeling a little French, shaquet 😄) reminds me of a combination of two of my favorite cover ups, one corduroy and one with a ruffled back. So cute!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, my friend! Corduroy and ruffles are an unlikely combination but ever so fun, don’t you think?! I totally pronounced shaquet in the French way inside my head, too! Haha. Now I might have to call these silly shackets shaquets from now on! Happy Monday to you!
xoxo
Shelbee
Daenel T.
I really enjoyed this little lesson. I always find words and their development to be fascinating. For the most part, blended words don’t bother me buuuuuut “shacket” drives me of up the wall. So weird, huh?
I love the way you’ve styled your outfit. I think everything you have on is totally something I’d wear… The patchwork dress in the autumnal colors and those really cool boots. Everything is just perfect.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Daenel! Okay, so I am totally the same…words and how they came to be absolutely fascinate me but the word shacket makes me cringe! I don’t even like typing it. So I guess we are both weird! Ha. When I tried on this dress, it totally reminded me of you, too! The colors and print and style are very much your vibe and I picture you styling it with a long cardigan in a deep rich fall color!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sally in St Paul
“Shacket” is a great example of a portmanteau word, which term entered the English language in 1871 in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. Humpty Dumpty explains to Alice what the strange words in the poem “Jabberwocky” mean: “You see it’s like a portmanteau–there are two meanings packed up into one word.” A portmanteau was a type of suitcase that opened into two sections. That’s your word/Alice nerd fact of the day 🙂
Your shacket is really cool with the pleating on the back!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Sally, thank you so much! Oh my gosh, I loved this little word lesson today! I am a big fan of Lewis Carroll and Alice and I do remember that line from the book. That is a perfect example for illustrating our strange new words in fashion! I hope your week is off to a great start!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I love this outfit, Shelbee! It’s so cute. The Autumn colors are beautiful. I’m so glad you picked up this adorable little dress. Your shacket goes perfectly with it.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Michelle! The fall tones have always been my favorite. I felt kind of like a tree in this outfit with all the beautiful autumn leaf colors! And I was super excited with how perfect the shacket coordinated with the dress.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very chic and artisy. Very nice.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Patrick! Have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
That dress is so cute on you and I like the olive with it, you’re right it’s a great pairing 🙂 Always fun when you stumble across a cute something you weren’t looking for but that works well in your wardrobe!
Hope your week is going well so far 🙂 It’s a rainy one here!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mica! I do love these fall tones together and I am terrible at resisting cute things for cheap prices when I am out shopping! It has been a slow and warm start to the week here, but the fall weather will be firmly here by the weekend with lots of rain showers in the 2 week forecast.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I’m not sure if the shacket is for me or not. I have worn oversized flannel shirts over tees for years so, maybe once again, I’m ahead of a trend? Nah! I’m just sloppy and lazy some days opting for comfort. I love that corduroy jacket…looks like a J Jill style from a few years ago. I shall have to go back and read your first post, I love the colors of autumn and I love this outfit on you! The pigtails are cute, too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Marsha! I am definitely with you on the plaid shacket trend. I am not too sure it is for me either. I did the whole oversized flannel shirts as jackets thing in the 90’s but I just wouldn’t wear something like often enough to justify a purchase now. My corduroy jacket on the other hand is a totally different thing! It definitely has some J. Jill vibes to it. It is actually from Chadwick’s. I have found a few really cute Chadwick’s and J. Jill pieces while thrifting! I hope your week is off to a wonderful start!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin
I am so so ready for true fall weather for my fall styles!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Me, too, Tamar! It has been summerlike weather here for the past two weeks. But it looks like real fall temperatures will be here by the weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
Your shacket is so cool! Love the pleated back and the whole look is just brilliant. Your dress is beautiful!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! The pleated back is definitely the best part about this jacket! I hope you are having a wonderful week.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I’m definitely a fan of the shacket trend! I want to get one!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
They are fun, Jennifer! I think the style would suit you perfectly!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
I have to got a shacket yet but after seeing this post I might need to! I like your shacket but your dress is so fabulous! So glad you shared it without the shacket as well.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Kathrine! The shacket Amy shared she found on Amazon and it’s really cute! I might have to look at some of the plaid ones now. Although I am not sure that I would wear that style often, but what’s one more thing in my closet going to harm?! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
The dress is adorable and love those pops of red. No shacket here for me yet but I am on the lookout. Thinking on the lines of one like Nina’s for more versatility!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Mireille! I am really loving Amy’s plaid one and Nina’s solid neutral one, too. I may shop around for something similar as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
Shackets are not really my thing, but I like the look of them. I never did the grunge look back in the day (I was into thrash metal and was wearing body-con dresses!).
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
The shacket thing is growing me on a little bit and I could totally see myself styling an oversized plaid flannel one for a cool edgy look. I was completely afraid to wear bodycon dresses until about 3 years ago so good on you for having and rocking that kind of confidence back then, Sheila! You always inspire me!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jean | Delightful Repast
Shelbee, love that dress! And I’m a great fan of shirt jackets and really enjoyed what you wrote about “shacket” and words and such. I have three shackets I’ve had for ages.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jean, thanks so much! I do like to add a little bit of something more than just “here’s an outfit” to my posts so a linguistic lesson on shackets is what came from this one! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Helen Fern
Thanks for sharing the My Big Fat Menopausal Life’s Share the Wealth Party – Have a fabulous weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Helen!
xoxo
Shelbee
Grace
“Too lazy to pronounce full words” hahaha don’t even get me started. I love your shacket, I too sometimes wear normal flannels as jackets for that grunge vibe. I also love your beret! I got a maroon beret for my birthday and I am SO excited to wear it during my semester broad.
Miles of smiles,
Grace
gracefulrags.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Grace! Hahaha, it’s so true that we have become a very lazy species! I bet that maroon beret looks so freaking adorable on you! I look forward to seeing how you style it! When do you leave for your semester abroad?
xoxo
Shelbee