Some Long Island stores can't keep shackets in stock: They're the 'top seller this season' 

Welcome a newish entrant into the world of hybrid clothing, joining combo-centric pals like the skort, jegging and snood: Hello, shacket.

Embraced by celebrities such as Gigi Hadid and Jennifer Lopez, the term refers to the union of the shirt and the jacket. It is emerging as a must-have wardrobe item that many say is ideal for right now. Too heavy to be considered a shirt, yet too light to be called a jacket, the garment, heralded for its ease, coziness and functionality, is hitting peak popularity at retailers all over Long Island.

Left: An elevated shacket in faux-leather can be dressed up or dressed down; $298 at Gallery Couture in Manhasset. Top: Don’t hesitate to mix a classic plaid flannel shacket with a print for a seriously standout look; $158 at Penelope, Woodbury. Bottom: Go mad for this versatile and warm plaid layering piece; $98 at Mint, Mattituck, Southampton, Stony Brook and West Hampton.

"We are on our third reorder right now. We simply cannot keep it in stock," says Afshin Haghani, owner of Gallery Couture, a stylish women’s boutique in Manhasset where shackets come in a number of iterations.

The concept of the shacket for women was born during the pandemic, when, says Haghani, people were looking for a comfortable alternative to the blazer. But really, he admits, it’s an idea that’s been around. "The notion comes from menswear — it’s a riff on the lumberjack who’d wear a T-shirt topped by a plaid, heavy shirt and chop wood without getting heated up."

And aside from fashion, that’s the whole point, says Joanna Mazzella, owner of Mint, an on-trend boutique with four locations in Stony Brook, South Hampton, West Hampton and Mattituck, where shackets are, "the top seller this season."

Signature signage even announces their arrival outside the store. "It’s the perfect piece for fall … when the mornings are cold and by afternoon you have to peel off a layer."

STYLING THE SHACKET

So how to introduce this fresh go-to into your wardrobe? Easy, says Mazzella, who pegs the look as casual and a great way to incorporate toasty plaids into your cooler weather fashion lineup. "We’re seeing a turn toward soft, fuzzy materials like shearling which is so warm and nice to put on your body. It has to do with wanting a toned-down look right now," she says, suggesting combat boots as a great way to accessorize.

At Penelope, a fashion-forward boutique in Woodbury where the selection of shacket silhouettes run the gamut from slim, long duster styles to boxy numbers, owner Gabrielle Banschick enjoys pushing the envelope a bit. "I like the idea of mixing textures like flannel and corduroy," she says. "If you’re a daring type, think about wearing snakeskin patterned jeans with a big plaid shacket. If you want to be a bit more avant-garde, leather leggings make it a little sexy."

It goes both ways for Haghani. "If you’re going out to a nice dinner, wear a solid shacket with a full leather pant, a turtleneck and a high bootie or heel." On the flip side, he says, "Wear one with sweatpants and do a chunkier boot or sneaker. That works too."

The versatile look can be interpreted for every age group. "Some of our younger customers are wearing it over a miniskirt of the same length and a chunky boot. It always looks good with a slim jean and a T-shirt or tank top," and, for taller women, Haghani suggests a short, squarish cut with a pair of wide-leg pants. His one rule? "Wear them open."

Good news about the of-the-moment, coveted wardrobe item: Haghani predicts longevity. "The trend is going to continue and move on to spring. It’s still going to be big."