Which jacket style – lined or unlined – is best for your individual needs?

Advantages of a Jacket Lining:

A lined jacket has more weight to it. The extra layer of cloth helps tug the garment firmly down on your shoulders, making it fall smoothly from top to bottom.

Lining also provides protection for the inside of the jacket. Not only does it help absorb any sweat you might generate (reducing the need for frequent dry cleaning), it also provides another layer of cloth to stretch when your body moves. This reduces the amount of tugging on the actual suit material, extending its lifespan.

Certain pocket styles are sewn into the lining, particularly interior breast pockets (sometimes called “eyeglass pockets”). Unlined jackets lack these pockets, and usually need the somewhat informal patch-style pockets on the outside.

Lined jackets are usually less expensive than unlined because they require less interior finishing. Linings can also be replaced reasonably easily if they wear out, whereas a worn jacket interior means it's time for a new jacket.

Advantages of an Unlined Jacket:

Despite the advantages of a lining, many men swear by unlined or skeleton linings. A primary reason for buying an unlined jacket is summer or hot-weather wear: unlined jackets are simply lighter and more breathable. Quarter-lining can be a good compromise for men who want a bit of added durability and the option of interior pockets.

A well designed unlined blazer

Loose-weave fabrics like seersucker, hopsack, and many linens are more difficult to fit a lining for. The lining needs to be able to tighten and go slack whenever the jacket does, and a typical lining won't have the same amount of tension in it as these looser weaves.

Getting it fitted right is a challenge even for a skilled tailor. An improperly-fitted lining will make the jacket bunch and wrinkle, ruining its drape. Unlined jackets have a softer and more natural shape that many men prefer for their casual styles.