Jacket Etymology: Where the Word Came From and How It Changed Fashion

When we say jacket, a short, close-fitting outer garment worn over other clothing. Also known as covert coat or blazer in some contexts, it has been around since the 1500s—not as fashion, but as practical wear for laborers and soldiers. The word itself comes from the French jacquet, a diminutive of jacque, which referred to a padded tunic worn under armor. Over time, it lost its armor connection and became the lightweight layer we know today—something you throw on before walking to the car, not something you fight in.

That simple shift—from protection to style—led to dozens of subtypes. Take the bobby jacket, a slim, collarless jacket worn by British police in the 19th century. Also known as police jacket, it later became a mod favorite in the 1960s, worn tight with rolled-up sleeves and paired with skinny pants. Or the bomber jacket, a cropped, ribbed-waist jacket originally designed for WWII pilots. Also known as flight jacket, it was made of leather or nylon to keep aircrew warm at high altitudes. Today, it’s a staple in casual wardrobes, from college campuses to city streets.

These aren’t just names. They’re stories. A jacket isn’t just fabric and stitching—it’s history wrapped around your shoulders. The jacket you wear might be inspired by a 1920s flight crew, a 1960s street gang, or a 19th-century beat cop. The material, the cut, even the zipper style can trace back to a specific time, place, or need. That’s why people still care. We don’t just wear jackets—we wear their past.

And that’s why the posts here matter. You’ll find real answers about when to wear one at 70 degrees, how many layers are too many in winter, and why a bobby jacket isn’t the same as a bomber. You’ll learn what makes a jacket last, how it fits into summer chic, and even whether giving someone your jacket is a gesture or a mistake. These aren’t fashion tips pulled from a magazine. They’re grounded in how people actually live, move, and dress. What you’re about to read isn’t about trends. It’s about truth—built into every seam, stitch, and syllable of the word jacket.