Want to know the secret to nailing transitional dressing? We’re going to let you in on an insider tip: it’s all about the jacket. Get that right and everything else will fall into place.
Outerwear often gets overlooked in the spring, but it shouldn’t. People are so desperate for it to be summer that they underdress and end up uncomfortable. Either that or they go the other way and sweat through the transitional months in a winter coat that’s overkill for the changing temperatures.
The solution: invest in a tried-and-tested transitional jacket that’s built for spring conditions. We’re talking mid-weight, short length and good for layering up or down. Tick all of these boxes and you’ll breeze through spring and beyond in style. Curious? Here are a few of our favourite spring jacket silhouettes for your consideration.
Suede Jacket
Want to instantly lend an outfit a touch of class, sophistication and purpose? A suede jacket is what you need. This upscale outerwear option is perfect for adding texture to outfits and elevating even the simplest of looks with ease.
There are plenty of suede jacket styles to choose from, but the bomber jacket and overshirt are two of our favourites thanks to their timelessness and versatility. These are two jackets that can quickly elevate casual outfits or be used to give smarter looks a stylish, contemporary edge. Opt for a classic colour, like navy, brown or beige, and you’ll be able to team it up with everything from T-shirts and jeans to tailoring.
For anyone on a budget, there are plenty of decent faux-suede options out there, but it’s always best to get hands on before buying and make sure the fabric feels and looks realistic. If you do go for the real deal, make sure to use a suede-protector to shield it against any unexpected April showers.
Denim Jacket
The denim jacket is the stuff of layering legend. Low-profile enough to slot comfortably underneath an overcoat yet robust enough to serve as an outer layer, it’s perfect for changeable spring weather and you’ll probably find yourself using it in the summer, fall and winter too.
Our go-to style will always be a raw denim trucker jacket. It’s a classic garment with a stylish mid-century look that gets better with every wear and goes with just about anything. It’s a must-have piece in our eyes and one of the best spring jackets there is.
Wear it on its own over a white tee with cream pants and a pair of Converse, or layer up with a parka and knitwear on colder days.
Overshirt
If you choose just one transitional jacket, a quality overshirt is probably the best option. It’s the best of the bunch in terms of versatility; able to be called upon through all four seasons and worn with almost anything… depending on what style you choose.
For the uninitiated, an overshirt falls somewhere between shirt and jacket. It’s designed to be worn over the top of a shirt, tee or sweater (hence the name), with jacket-like features such as patch pockets. It’s usually unlined and can be easily layered on top of too.
One of our favourite overshirt styles is the worker jacket. It features a classic collar, button front, three patch pockets and is usually made from thick cotton fabric like twill or drill. Wear it with workwear staples like raw denim and leather boots.
Bomber Jacket
Originally designed to keep military pilots warm at high altitudes, this ex-forces favourite has fully integrated back into civilian life. It features a round neck, cropped length, ribbed cuffs and hem with a zip fastening to the front. Classic versions are made from shiny nylon fabric and feature a zip pocket to the sleeve.
Traditionally, a bomber jacket is best worn casually with things like jeans and plain tees. However, there are luxe options out there that make it possible to style a bomber in a dressier manner too. For this, opt for a premium material like suede or leather in a dark colour and team it up with dress pants, knitwear and business casual footwear.
Windbreaker
A windbreaker is a sporty spring option that’s functional and can look great too. The ongoing gorpcore trend for technical, outdoorsy gear has brought this style back into the spotlight, making it a great choice for those looking for a practical transitional jacket that’s timely too.
Windbreakers may be practical but they’re not particularly versatile when it comes to styling. This is a casual style and is best avoided when wearing tailoring or smart casual clothes. Stick to sportswear, outdoors-inspired pieces and other weekend-ready garb and you can’t go wrong.
Fleece
Another type of jacket that’s been revived thanks to gorpcore is the fleece. Thick-pile versions like Patagonia’s iconic Retro-X have been flying off shelves at machine-gun pace for a couple of years now, with many high-fashion houses and designer labels following suit and releasing their own take. Vintage versions of that particular fleece can fetch multiple hundreds on eBay and Grailed, and the hunger for fleece doesn’t look to be going away anytime soon.
We love fleece because it adds texture to outfits and is excellent for layering. It’s also comfortable, cosy and ideal for those spring days when the weather’s neither here nor there. It’s surprisingly versatile when it comes to styling too, but we like it best with classic outdoors, military and workwear-inspired pieces like cargo pants, work boots and down jackets.
Harrington Jacket
The Harrington jacket is a 1950s icon that’s still a solid choice to this day. Popularised by Hollywood heartthrobs of the era and later by the mod and skinhead subcultures in the UK, it’s a style steeped in history and culture.
The Harrington’s trademark cropped length and light weight make it perfect for the transitional weather. It works best as part of a smart casual outfit and can look razor sharp when paired with preppy pieces like an Oxford shirt, knitwear, chinos and loafers.
It’s also an excellent casual jacket and goes great with jeans, T-shirts and sneakers.
