The Best Jackets To See You Through Fall
Layering season is almost upon us, and a great jacket is key to nailing your cold-weather wardrobe. So, from puffers and bombers to suede and shearling, these are the styles to know now
The bomber jacket
Few items add instant laid-back cool to an outfit like a bomber jacket, and this season’s best iterations play with proportion and scale. Chloé’s cropped bomber fuses timeless style with streetwear cool, and pairs perfectly with wide-leg jeans and sneakers for an easy, everyday look. For something classic with a twist, consider Sacai’s black bomber – layer it over a tartan skirt and stompy boots, or pair with cargo pants and a chunky knit. While bombers are often seen as daywear, pick one with enough polish and it will work perfectly for nights out, too. See Cecilie Bahnsen’s elegant ‘Birdie’ jacket, which has drawstrings at the waist – creating a flattering peplum shape – and looks effortlessly chic thrown over an LBD.
Do-it-all denim
The denim jacket is an enduring closet staple for good reason – not only is it practical and hardwearing, but it’s also a symbol of iconic all-American style. A contemporary take on classic trucker jackets, Loewe’s version has many of the same utilitarian details but comes in a relaxed, trapeze shape. Match your jeans to the faded blue wash and finish with chocolate suede ankle boots. Alternatively, try slipping Agolde’s ‘Nile’ bomber jacket – from our NET SUSTAIN edit – over a cashmere coord and sneakers.
The barn jacket
With every new take on the preppy trend comes a revised version of the field jacket – which this season nods to the countryside in the chicest possible way. Take The Row’s ‘Frank’ jacket, for example, which comes in classic cotton-canvas with a contrasting corduroy collar and utilitarian pockets. The relaxed fit works perfectly with a cashmere sweater and blue jeans on weekends. Elsewhere, Givenchy’s cropped wool-blend twill jacket comes in a sculptural shape – and feels elevated enough to wear with a crisp shirt and a pencil skirt to the office.
Sumptuous suede
A suede jacket is one of those pieces where it doesn’t really matter what you wear underneath – it will make your outfit immediately chic regardless. Worried about ruining the fabric? Invest in a quality protector spray, and we guarantee it will last for years to come. Evoking the free-spirited feel of ’70s silhouettes, Stouls’ ‘Alfi’ jacket has a camp collar and a belted waist that defines the relaxed shape. If your style is more minimal than boho, reach for St. Agni’s ‘Utility Cocoon’ jacket – from our NET SUSTAIN edit – the clean lines and soft, biscuity shade will ensure it works with denim and tailoring alike.
The leather jacket
A leather jacket is a perennial favorite that, if chosen wisely, will reemerge year after year. The trick is to focus less on trends and, instead, invest in a silhouette that best suits your personal style. The biker jacket is a classic, and Zimmermann’s blouson-sleeved ‘Hypnotic’ style is a feminine take on the original. Style it with a fine-knit sweater and tailored pants for a look that exudes city polish. Bomber shapes, meanwhile, tend to feel a touch more casual, and Nour Hammour’s ‘Clint’ style is a dream pairing for denim. From our NET SUSTAIN edit – and exclusive to NET-A-PORTER – it has distressed trims for an authentic, lived-in feel and comes in a roomy, oversized shape. Coveting something dress-friendly? Look to Saint Laurent’s elegant aviator jacket, which is sleek enough to throw on over glamorous gowns and billowing maxi skirts.
A shearling staple
Timeless and with vintage appeal, a shearling jacket will not only keep you wonderfully warm on bitter winter days, but there’s also something about the look that feels eternally cool. Designed in a relaxed shape – with a fuzzy shawl collar and signature ‘Smiley’ pockets – Blazé Milano’s version is a laid-back take that feels as snug as a dressing gown but adds out-and-about polish to your everyday look. Shrug it on over off-duty denim, or play into the proportions by teaming it with a slinky slip dress for evening. Elsewhere, Isabel Marant’s sophisticated ‘Blondine’ version is a contemporary take on authentic aviator styles – and the perfect length for cropped sweaters, high-waisted jeans, and chunky loafers. Alternatively, for a piece you can wear from dawn to dusk, try Yves Salomon’s plush shearling jacket. Style with tailored pants and a second-skin top – or a mini dress and knee-high boots – depending on your plans.
The luxe puffer
The puffer jacket returns every season as a trusty fail-safe for when the mercury really drops – and designers love to put their own spin on the insulating style. Moncler’s quilted brushed-moleskin version has a cozy funnel neck and elasticated cuffs to lock in warmth, and will make dark, frosty-morning commutes infinitely more palatable. Perfect for countryside pursuits, Burberry’s quilted shell style comes in a classic double-breasted shape – with a belt to define your waist – and is ideal for throwing on over chunky knits, while the olive-green shade of Max Mara’s ‘The Cube Seia’ hooded down jacket will add freshness to cold-weather layering. Just add a knitted beanie and chunky lace-up boots for chilly morning walks.
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