Joanne Hegarty, The Chic List columnist for You Magazine, has identified suede, barn and black-leather styles as the most-coveted jackets to invest in for the coming autumn season.
In a column published Sept. 6, 2025, Hegarty said the latest jacket trends are widely available on the high street and that many shoppers may already own at least one of the season’s key silhouettes. She highlighted suede as particularly persistent, recommending retailers such as Massimo Dutti for its "soft and super-luxe" offerings and pointing readers toward Marks & Spencer, Cos and Jigsaw as other reliable sources. Hegarty also noted that black leather is back in focus and singled out a Zara faux-leather jacket priced at £69.99 that has drawn comparisons to Saint Laurent and sold out quickly after going viral.
Hegarty drew attention to a renewed appetite for barn jackets, saying the style is again occupying prominent space in seasonal shopping guides. She referenced a separate piece, "Everyone is wearing barn jackets again - and I've found the 11 best on the high street, from H&M to Barbour," which lists a range of accessible options across well-known high-street names. The columnist advised readers to consider small details and colour as factors that can refresh a wardrobe for the new season.
The piece also included styling notes and examples of accessory pairings. Hegarty used a Massimo Dutti trouser suit in her column’s imagery and cited sunglasses by Saint Laurent, a Bottega Veneta bag and Chanel shoes as part of the look she used to illustrate how jackets can update an outfit.
Retail reaction to the trends has been visible in stock movement, according to Hegarty. The Zara faux-leather jacket that she flagged as having “major YSL vibes” was reported to have sold out rapidly after social-media attention. Hegarty recommended that shoppers consider both investment pieces and high-street buys to balance durability and price, encouraging attention to fabric and finish when choosing suede or leather alternatives.
Hegarty also noted, in passing, that she had recently read a high-profile celebrity memoir that has generated broad public interest, and said she would return to discuss it in a later column. The mention served to underline the column’s mix of trend reporting and wider cultural touchpoints.
The column arrives as retailers and consumers shift focus from summer to autumn wardrobes, with outerwear purchases typically rising as temperatures drop. Hegarty’s selection reflects both premium-label options and accessible high-street alternatives, signalling that the season’s dominant looks are being interpreted across price points.
Shoppers seeking the looks Hegarty described can find suede jackets and barn styles across a range of retailers, while black-leather pieces — including faux alternatives — are appearing in new ranges for the season. Hegarty’s guidance to prioritise fit, fabric and small decorative details is consistent with broader buying advice from fashion commentators who recommend assessing how new pieces integrate with existing wardrobes rather than chasing single-item trends.
Her column in You Magazine is the latest in a series of seasonal guides by fashion writers aiming to translate catwalk and celebrity looks into practical, retail-focused recommendations for consumers preparing for the autumn shopping period.