How should you style a jacket for spring?

When getting dressed during spring, it's best to think about layers as temperatures can fluctuate from hour to hour. For casual events, try styling a spring jacket with jeans and a tee. Tie a sweater over your shoulders for layering. “At the beginning of the season, like March, I would wear it over a cashmere sweater,” says Halfon. “On cold nights in summer, [I like] a T-shirt and a bandana jacket over it and a pair of heels.” As the weather warms, transition to springy dresses or denim shorts that you can style with a jacket for both warmth and textural play.

How do you know if you’ll be warm enough?

Make sure to prepare for possible breezes and chilly evenings during spring. When choosing a jacket, you’ll want to make sure you opt for a style that fits the occasion at hand. The material will be an important factor when considering warmth—wool or leather will be better for cold weather while cotton is ideal for warmer temperatures. “Layers are key to dressing during the months where the weather can fluctuate or if you’re heading to an office that is perpetually cold or hot,” Smallshaw says.

The 16 Best Spring Jackets of 2023

April 25th is the perfect date. “It’s not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket,” at least according to Miss Rhode Island in the film Miss Congeniality. However, at the start of spring, you're bound to find yourself dressing in a confused manner, not quite sure if you’ll be warm enough or exactly what to wear together as the weather is generally still a bit brisk. A spring jacket is the missing puzzle piece that will ensure you’re warm, but not too much so, as you resume picnics in the park and outdoor brunches.

Whether you’re in the market for a work jacket like a blazer or structured trench, or would rather pick up something a bit more casual, there is a range of seasonal styles that are ideal for layering or simply wearing over your shoulders when the weather allows.

To help you on your journey we tapped Leslie Kouhana Halfon, the founder and Creative Director of Paris-based, American Southwest-inspired label Arizona Love and Rent the Runway's Senior Director of Fashion and Styling, Suzanne Smallshaw to share their advice on finding that just right spring jacket.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Bode White House Steps Jacket at Nordstrom

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Best Overall, Runner-Up:

Free People Team Spirit Jacket at Freepeople.com

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Best Budget:

Mango Tweed Jacket at Mango.com

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Best Splurge:

Khaite Flinn Leather Jacket at Neiman Marcus

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Best Everyday :

Madewell The Larsen Blazer at Madewell.com

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Best Water-Resistant:

Outdoor Voices PreciPoly Jacket at Outdoorvoices.com

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Most Versatile:

Vince Shirt Jacket at Shopbop.com

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Best Classic:

J.Crew Cropped Lady Trench at Jcrew.com

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Best Dressy:

Christopher John Rogers Fitted Jacket at Bergdorfgoodman.com

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Best Quilted:

The Arrivals Turbo Puff at Thearrivals.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Matchesfashion.com View On Ssense.com

A cotton jacket is the perfect in-between material for your transitional spring wardrobe. The quilted fabric used in this Bode style will keep you cozy, while the light-colored patchwork and reversible floral print keep things light and cheery for the season—offering many styling combinations with breezy dresses, leggings, and your favorite jeans.

Price at the time of publish: $1,380

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Length: Hip-length

Free People

View On Freepeople.com

While we love Bode’s zingy take on crafty-cool, we understand that it might not make sense for you to spend four figures on a spring jacket. Free People’s denim twist on a varsity jacket is a more reasonable investment. The quilted inner will offer extra warmth, but the relaxed fit feels perfectly suited to outdoor spring occasions. Floral details fit the season without being too on-the-nose, so feel free to wear it year round.

Price at the time of publish: $298

Material: Cotton, polyester, and lyocell | Size Range: XS–XL | Length: Hip-length

Mango

View On Mango.com

The soft yet elegant look of the textured tweed makes for the ideal spring jacket for work. In a lush coral or light blue, this style not only looks more expensive than it is, but it also serves as an instant mood-boosting pop of color against your minimalist office backdrop.

Price at the time of publish: $130

Material: 51% cotton, 47% polyester, and 2% wool | Size Range: XXS–4XL | Length: Waist-length

Neiman Marcus

View On Neiman Marcus

Since spring weather can be temperamental, you need a jacket that’s not only good-looking but can also still offer some warmth when the occasion calls for it. This leather jacket from Khaite has a cropped fit that makes it better suited to spring than other more heavy-duty styles.

Price at the time of publish: $3,800

Material: 100% leather | Size Range: 2–10 | Length: Cropped, waist-length

Madewell

View On Madewell.com

Build a closet full of quality pieces that you’ll want to hold onto for years to come. This simple, classic blazer from Madewell is an easy piece for layering under heavier jackets if needed, but it works all on its own. Style it with a crop top and jeans on the weekend, or dress it up with trousers for the office.

Price at the time of publish: $178

Material: 67% viscose, 30% TENCEL™ Lyocell, and 3% linen | Size Range: XXS–4X | Length: Hip-length

Outdoor Voices

View On Outdoorvoices.com

Spring showers aren’t to be taken lightly. Make sure you have a jacket that can stand up to a little wet weather. This shell from Outdoor Voices has a technical bent, but it’s cool enough to wear with your favorite everyday casual pieces.

Price at the time of publish: $258

Material: 100% polyester | Size Range: XS–XL | Length: Hip-length

Shopbop

View On Shopbop.com

A shirt jacket, sometimes referred to as a “shacket,” is that in-between piece that can easily be layered through the tumult of a sunny-to-snowing spring day. The relaxed fit and neutral navy color makes it easy to style, which will come in handy when you find yourself reaching for it daily.

Price at the time of publish: $345

Material: 79% cotton, 15% polyester, 6% spandex | Size Range: XXS–XL | Length: Waist-length

J.Crew

View On Jcrew.com

A trench coat is a classic option for spring, but this take from J.Crew is a refreshing reimagination. The cropped silhouette, made of 100% cotton, pairs just as well with a playful floral dress as it does with your favorite pair of relaxed jeans. If you’re feeling particularly preppy, style it back to a rugby shirt or striped sweater.

Price at the time of publish: $278

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: 00–24 | Length: Waist-length

Saks Fifth Avenue

View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Saks Fifth Avenue

Sometimes a formal occasion calls for a jacket that fits the dress code. This ruched creation from designer Christopher John Rogers is set to stand out from the crowd thanks to unexpected buttons and a deep-V neckline. Layer it over a fitted dress or slip skirt for your next dressy event.

Price at the time of publish: $2,595

Material: 51% silk, 49% wool | Size Range: 0–16 | Length: Hip-length

The Arrivals

View On Thearrivals.com

Many quilted jackets are too warm for spring weather, leaving you sweaty after a walk around the block with your pet. This lightweight puffer will keep you just warm enough without making you feel like you’ve been completely marshmallowed. This style is particularly smart for outdoor activities like hiking thanks to removable backpack suspenders and a hood that you can take off too if needed.

Price at the time of publish: $498

Material: 100% nylon shell; 100% recycled poly lining | Size Range: XS–XL | Length: Hip-length

DÃ´en

View On Shopdoen.com

Dôen is a brand known for its ability to master elegantly easy dressing. Its take on the duster coat is no exception. The wool iteration has puffy sleeves and a waist belt that adds soft shapes to the cocoon-like silhouette.

Price at the time of publish: $998

Material: 100% wool | Size Range: XS–XL | Length: Calf-length

Everlane

View On Everlane.com

A modern take on the everyday trench, this style from Everlane has a storm flap and waist tie—nods to the iconic silhouette’s signature touches. But, a looser A-line silhouette makes this iteration feel particularly of the moment. Style it with jeans and loafers, and don’t be afraid to show a little ankle now that the sun is out.

Price at the time of publish: $198

Material: 60% TENCEL™ Lyocell, 40% cotton | Size Range: XXS–XL | Length: Calf-length

Net-a-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter

A great denim jacket has a worn-in look that happens to look just as cool with casual, everyday staples as it does with a night-out ensemble. This design from Off-White fits the bill. The silhouette is slightly shrunken without being too cropped, and the color is a worn blue that’s faded in all the right places.

Price at the time of publish: $650

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: IT36–IT46 | Length: Waist-length

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom View On Rails.com

If you’re looking for something a bit cozier for the transition this season, then look no further than Rails’ Steffi buffalo plaid jacket. The oversized check pattern is a bit reminiscent of a picnic blanket, but the wool fabrication is staunchly cold-weather appropriate.

Price at the time of publish: $298

Material: 51% wool, 49% polyester | Size Range: XXS–2X | Length: Waist-length

Net-a-Porter

View On Net-a-Porter

Minty green has a decidedly springy feel to it. This blazer from Copenhagen label GANNI promises to be an instant mood booster—especially when teamed with colorful accessories or an equally zingy skirt or pair of trousers.

Price at the time of publish: $725

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: DK32–DK44 | Length: Hip-length

Reformation

View On Reformation

Reformation’s relaxed bomber jacket is made using 100% regeneratively grown cotton. The fit is oversized, making it the perfect layering piece and a casual-cool staple that will look good with both other neutrals and bolder styles.

Price at the time of publish: $198

Material: 100% regeneratively grown cotton | Size Range: XS–XL | Length: Hip-length

Arizona Love

View On Arizonalove.store

If you’re counting down the days until summer arrives, then this jacket is just the piece for you. The bold bandana print has a warm-weather feel to it. As a bonus, this hand-made jacket is also reversible, meaning that you can wear it twice as often with no one the wiser.

Price at the time of publish: $300

Material: 100% cotton | Size Range: OS | Length: Hip-length

Final Verdict

Depending on where you live and how much time you spend outdoors, your spring jacket needs may differ, but overall we love Bode’s quilted jacket for its seasonal coloring and light-yet-warm design. If you’re looking for something heavier, The Arrivals’ puffer or Dôen’s duster coat may be a better choice until temperatures start to rise. For an easy-to-style option, go with a classic trench shape like our options from J.Crew and Everlane. The style in and of itself is classic, says Smallshaw, and there are so many new reinvented silhouettes that make her want to add more to her rotation.

What to Look for When Buying Spring Jackets

Material

Keep an eye out for jacket material when shopping, not just for aesthetics—it can also be crucial for determining how warm you’ll be when you put it on. “Spring jackets should be light enough to take off and carry around as the day warms up but will keep you warm as the day cools,” Smallshaw says. If you’re looking for something to wear towards the start of spring, wool is a good choice for ensuring you’ll be warm enough, even in a cropped silhouette like Rails’ Steffi jacket. Come the end of the season, a lighter cotton jacket, such as GANNI’s layered blazer, will suffice.

Color

While spring might be typically associated with bright, floral hues when it comes to jackets, a neutral style may be just as worthy for spring. Since jackets are the last layer you put on when getting dressed, a style in beige or white is still lighthearted while being easy to style with the rest of your ensemble.

Fit

Seasonally, spring is a time of transition, so you want a jacket that can easily be layered for early days, or worn solo once temperatures rise. Generally, shorter lengths or roomy, oversized silhouettes allow for breathability that will be welcome as the weather thaws. On the other hand, longer-line jackets are great for wearing over sweaters or tops when you don’t want to be worried about clashing hemlines.

FAQ

How should you style a jacket for spring?

When getting dressed during spring, it's best to think about layers as temperatures can fluctuate from hour to hour. For casual events, try styling a spring jacket with jeans and a tee. Tie a sweater over your shoulders for layering. “At the beginning of the season, like March, I would wear it over a cashmere sweater,” says Halfon. “On cold nights in summer, [I like] a T-shirt and a bandana jacket over it and a pair of heels.” As the weather warms, transition to springy dresses or denim shorts that you can style with a jacket for both warmth and textural play.
How do you know if you’ll be warm enough?

Make sure to prepare for possible breezes and chilly evenings during spring. When choosing a jacket, you’ll want to make sure you opt for a style that fits the occasion at hand. The material will be an important factor when considering warmth—wool or leather will be better for cold weather while cotton is ideal for warmer temperatures. “Layers are key to dressing during the months where the weather can fluctuate or if you’re heading to an office that is perpetually cold or hot,” Smallshaw says.

Why Trust Byrdie

Aemilia Madden is a writer and editor who has spent the last decade covering the latest trends and advancements in the fashion space. For this piece, she tapped experts for advice and also relied on her jacket knowledge having navigated over a decade’s worth of New York City spring seasons. Her work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, W, and more.

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