WORKWEAR JACKETS FOR TRANSITIONAL SEWING

As the season turns and evenings draw in, there's a particular pleasure in trading quick makes for something more considered. Enter the workwear jacket: a utility-inspired project that rewards patience with genuine skill-building, and earns its place at the top of any transitional sewing list.

Workwear jackets are perfect for the in-betweeny bit. When you're eking out your summer wardrobe but styling it in weather-dependent ways. You might be reaching for an extra layer, but are still resisting the inevitability of knitwear. This wardrobe staple won't date, and the wearability will earn its place in your favourite - and most useful - makes of all time. Keep reading to discover ten workwear jacket sewing patterns we love!

Friday Pattern Company Unisex Ilford Jacket

At the top of the list, Ilford is the ultimate workwear jacket or 'shacket' if you want to use the fancy fashion name. The unisex fit makes this a very useful pattern to have in your stash, as you can make them for loved ones (if they are lucky!).

Choose to make the longer version in a lightweight fabric to wear as a layering piece or the shorter option in heavyweight cotton for utility vibes. The simple shape makes it very customisable, so you can get creative adding more features if you wish - including a ton of pocket options to pick from.

It really is a “choose your own adventure” type of pattern that incorporates your design sense into the project.

Sizing: XS – 7X (approx. UK 6 – 34)

Chalk and Notch Den Jacket

The Den jacket is simply to die for! If you love to tinker with your patterns to customise them, this jacket/overshirt style will provide the said choices so you won’t need to figure out how to get your dream jacket. It’s all there on a platter.

Seam lines in the sleeve and bodice that allow for topstitching or colour blocking. The sleeve facing acts as a fold-up cuff. The centre front closure can be buttons or snaps. Pocket lovers will enjoy the front patch pockets and large in-seam pockets.

Sizing: US 0 – 30 (approx. UK 8 – 30) with A/B and C/D bust cup options

Merchant & Mills Ottoline Jacket

Searching for the ultimate workwear jacket. The one that ticks all those boxes, full of utilitarian vibes? You cannot go wrong with a Merchant & Mills pattern, as workwear is at the heart of the brand (there's even a pattern book dedicated to it!).

Ottoline may have been released over a decade ago, but it feels as fresh and relevant today as it did then. This boxy workwear jacket features cuffs, side seam splits and an inside pocket. Although a lovely design detail, the vents are a little tricky, so instructions are also included to simplify Ottoline by excluding the vents if you like.

Sizing: UK 6 – 18 or UK 18 – 28 (approx. UK 6 – 16/18 or UK 18 – 30)

Birgitta Helmersson ZW Workwear Jacket

If you’re a bit of an experimental sewer or are interested in reducing your waste, I have a great suggestion for your workwear jacket project. How about a zero-waste design? This unisex pattern is drawn directly onto your fabric by following the step-by-step instructions.

You reduce paper waste this way, and the lay plan makes use of your fabric, with minimal to no waste. The gathered sleeve hems and shoulder dart shaping add nice details to the jacket, and the side splits keep it from being too boxy.

Sizing: Size One and Size Two (approx. UK 6 – 16 and UK 16 – 36)

Modern Sewing Co. Over Shirt

A classic design with workwear vibes, the Over Shirt provides the perfect extra layer. The dropped shoulder and square cut make the whole garment feel roomy and comfortable, and this casual feel is balanced out with classic shirt details.

The Over Shirt is a great everyday piece for the modern wardrobe. It’s all in the details, and I am smitten with the shirt’s back-hanging loop. I don’t know why; it’s just such a pleasing touch.

Sizing: UK 6 – 28

Les Perlines Midway Jacket

A true wardrobe staple, Midway is the perfect pick for anyone after a design with a few unexpected details. This unlined boxy button-front jacket features a dropped shoulder, tulip-style cuffs and double pockets (to fit almost everything). Statement patch pockets (for keeping all your stuff) with side inset pockets (perfect for keeping your hands warm)... yes please!

You get two views to sew: cropped and shacket length with a curved hem. Each with its own distinctive look, so you will want to sew them both!

Sizing: AA – O (approx. UK 6/8 – 30/32)

Elle Stitch Winnie Jacket

Inspired by chore jackets and classic denim jackets, Winnie has a boxy shape, back yoke, and centre back seam. The front has the option of a front yoke and square or curved patch pockets.

Winnie is the perfect pattern for recreating a barn jacket, a look that's all over the high street this season. There are plenty of pictures of Winnie sewn up in different fabrics, so you get a great idea of how it will look in different options.

Sizing: AUS 4 – 34 (approx. UK 6 – 28/30)

Sewing Patterns by Masin Jameela Jacket

If you prefer your workwear jacket to feel a little more polished, this is the one for you! Jameela has all the trademarks of a workwear jacket but leans toward feminine details over the more utilitarian styles you typically see.

Pocket lovers will fall for the big welt pockets at the front, and my favourite detail is the box pleat at the back. You have a couple of length options – each with its own sleeve finish, and this pattern looks great in many different woven fabrics. Need I say more?

Sizing: A – J (approx. UK 8 – 28)

Ready to Sew Julian Chore Jacket

If you favour fabric flexibility in your patterns, Julian is the one to highlight on this list. Julian is adaptable to a multitude of fabrics ranging from denim to faux fur and corduroy. The boxy fit allows you to throw this jacket over a sweatshirt, or you can size up if you want to wear it over warmer layers. Adding a corduroy collar gives it an authentic barn jacket vibe, which is very on-trend for autumn.

Julien is a fully lined jacket and features three patch pockets to give it a utility, workwear feel.

Sizing: EU 32 – 52 (approx. UK 6 - 22)

Merchant & Mills Paynter Jacket

Maybe you're no stranger to sewing workwear jackets and are ready to slow down and make something next level. This pattern is a collaboration with the Paynter Jacket Co., who release limited edition jackets four times a year. The jackets are made to order, so there's no waste from overproduction.

These classic pieces are designed to stand the test of time and get better with age. So this collaboration allows you to sew your own. With more details than you can shake a stick at, this advanced sewing pattern will stretch your skills, leaving you with a workwear jacket to treasure. What's more, the paper copy comes with two limited-edition labels. 

Sizing: XS – XXL (approx. UK 10 – 30)

Ready to work your sewing magic? Have you found the jacket that sparks joy? If you want to do some more digging and browse even more workwear jacket sewing patterns, you can!