It’s not cold enough for your heavy winter coat, nor warm enough to go without.
Yes, it’s that tricky inbetween season, when the weather is unpredictable, and you don’t know whether to leave home with your umbrella, your sunglasses, or both.
The spectrum of spring jackets is broad, and what works for a day at the office may not be ideal for the park at weekends.
Duster coats are an elegant solution, as are oversized boyfriend-style blazers, which have a little room for a layer or two beneath. Hoods are useful for unexpected showers, while utilitarian “shackets” (that’s a shirt-jacket hybrid) have been all over the designer runways.
We road-tested countless jackets in our research – here we bring you the most versatile, flattering and stylish buys around.
Kitri Maddison navy cotton shirt jacket, £95, Kitri
This lightweight jacket taps into the utilitarian trend, without being too heavy-handed. It’s slim-fitting with hidden buttons and falls to just the right point at the hip. We liked it worn over a colourful knit or turtleneck, with the sleeves turned up.
Frame navy smocked jacket, £264.35, Frame
You could wear this linen jacket over anything, from summer dresses to camisoles and T-shirts. The smocking puts a feminine spin on the bomber style and nips in at the waist, making it particularly flattering whether it’s worn zipped or unzipped.
Cefinn wool funnel-neck belted jacket, £450, Cefinn
Samantha Cameron’s brand Cefinn has carved a niche for elegant, office-friendly attire, and this black wool-cashmere blend jacket is perfect for your commute. We loved the wide, cropped sleeves and the way the belt cinched us in at the waist. It’s an investment piece, but worth every penny.
