A fashion editor has identified five jacket styles to prioritise for the new season and flagged a pair of looks she says will age wearers as shops begin rolling out autumn stock.
As temperatures cool and retailers transition to autumn collections, the editor recommended updating outerwear first, calling jackets “in-between” layers suited to chilly evenings and brisk mornings. Her roundup highlights barn jackets, brown suede, bombers, oversized blazers and cropped trenches as current must-haves, and singles out quilted belted barn jackets and classic denim truckers as styles to avoid.
Barn jackets returned to autumn-winter runways at brands including The Row, Prada and Miu Miu, the editor noted, and are prized for durability and practicality. Traditionally agricultural in origin, they can be styled away from country clichés when paired with midi skirts, dark denim, blouses or crisp white shirts. The editor cautioned against pearl accessories or overtly equestrian boots that may tilt the look toward fusty or dated territory. She pointed to J.Crew’s patent versions as a high-end reference and said high-street retailers offer more affordable takes.
Brown suede jackets are described as the season’s alternative to the leather biker. The editor wrote that chocolate-hued suede provides a rich texture that uplifts simple jeans-and-tee outfits, but advised shoppers that suede has a limited dry-weather window. She recommended treating real suede with a protective spray — citing a product from Anonymous priced at £25 — or opting for convincing faux versions available on the high street. Mint Velvet’s real suede trucker was highlighted as a shop pick with a reported price of £285.
Bomber jackets, born in the 1930s as military utility wear, remain ubiquitous and were urged as a September staple. The editor suggested timeless khaki olive or leather versions and encouraged shoppers to embrace an oversized silhouette for an effortless look, while noting that petite wearers may prefer cropped bombers to avoid overwhelming proportions. Celebrities often seen in bomber jackets — Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber — were cited as examples of the style’s current profile. Baukjen’s olive green bomber was identified among favoured pieces, with a reported price of £199.
A tailored, oversized blazer — described as the “boyfriend” or “city-boy” blazer — was recommended as a versatile work-to-weekend jacket. Neutral shades such as black, blue, grey, beige and brown were suggested for mixing with existing wardrobe staples. The editor warned that fitted blazers that gape at the bust can be unflattering, and pointed to French label Sézane for classic navy styles, noting a reported price of £190 for one example.
Short, boxy trench coats are the season’s offered update to the long, draped classic. Designers including Dior and Balenciaga were mentioned as presenting cropped trench silhouettes in runway shows, and the editor urged shoppers to consider colour beyond traditional beige — khaki, grey, black or bright crimson — and to look for interesting details such as belts, capes, gold buttons or oversized lapels. Rails’s belted-cuff cropped trench was singled out with a reported price of £268.
On what to shelve, the editor advised steering clear of quilted, belted barn jackets that resemble older, granny-style outerwear, saying those iterations feel outdated and can age the wearer, particularly in army-green tones. She also recommended retiring the denim trucker, describing it as a look tied to an earlier western trend and one that can make outfits look stuck in a past season.
The guide was presented alongside curated product links; the outlet noted that journalists select the featured items and that purchases via those links may generate commission. The roundup situates these jacket recommendations within the seasonal shift to autumn and the fashion calendar’s September ‘back to school’ impulse to refresh wardrobes.
Shoppers were reminded to consider fabric care and weather suitability, especially for suede, and to balance silhouette choices with individual proportions when opting for oversized or cropped styles. The editor’s checklist offers a mix of runway references and high-street options to help build transitional outerwear for the months ahead.