Some things in our wardrobes work harder than others. That trusty peak-lapelled blazer you might whip out for every wedding and evening do, for instance, or the pair of Converse that are de rigueur at the weekend and go with absolutely everything. Certain clothes are investments that thwack the old cost-per-wear concept out of the park. The one we’re putting our money on this season? The overshirt, natch.

Also known as a shirt jacket (or even a shacket if you absolutely must), an overshirt is defined by its similarity in appearance to a button-up shirt, but with the thicker fabric and added warmth of a jacket. It is at once smarter than the latter and more casual than the former, and is a versatile item to have to hand as summer bids us adieu. Scroll down for MR PORTER’s five favourite recent additions.

The blazing red of an Arabian sunset, this overshirt from Holiday Boileau is the perfect thing to brighten up your autumn wardrobe after your summer peregrinations have come to an end. Made from 79 per cent wool and 20 per cent polyamide, that last one per cent is devoted to cotton to lend the fabric a measure of breathability.

Smart, soft and comfortable, this Acne Studios jacket is constructed by double-facing the wool so it’s extra cosy and the two angled welt pockets give it a utilitarian vibe. It has a cropped, oversized cut, which elongates your legs, thus lending the wearer a slighter silhouette.

OrSlow gets its name from its slow and steady approach to clothing design, and everything from the brand is made in Japan and crafted from locally sourced materials. This military overshirt was inspired by the vintage garments Mr Ichiro Nakatsu, the brand’s founder, often goes hunting for.

Sies Marjan’s Mr Sander Lak is a master of adding a bit of magic to wardrobe staples – see his vivid satin trousers or so-soft-they’re-almost-liquid corduroy shirts – and this navy blue leather overshirt is no different. Also, the details. With purple topstitching and light brown buttons, this isn’t just an overshirt, it’s a Sies Marjan overshirt.

Take traditional French workwear, rejig it for the 21st century, add some high-end fashion chops and you’ve got this overshirt from Jacquemus. Modelled on the styles that bakers and farmers might have worn, it’s knitted from a thick wool that will take you through autumn and even into winter. It’s also incredibly roomy and will work well with a sweater when it’s especially chilly.