What Makes the Perfect Early Spring Jacket?
Three features to look for.
I always find the beginning of a new season a bit tricky to dress for. After months of reaching for the same kinds of items (in this case: Winter coats, thick jumpers and my chunkiest boots), it can take a bit of time to de-program the mind and shift into a new way of dressing every day.
There have been a few times recently when I’ve left the house in my usual get-up. Trousers (maybe some leggings underneath depending on the style), boots or trainers, a thermal top, a big jumper and an even bigger coat on top of that. Only to walk for 10 minutes and start unbuttoning coats, loosening layers and regretting my pessimistic presumption about what temperature awaits me outside.
But then the wind changes direction or the clouds move swiftly over the sun, leaving a chill again. Yep, it’s officially the end of winter and the beginning of early spring. Still pretty cold but warm enough, at times, to shed your heaviest pieces. So how do you navigate this in-between season?
For me, the answer lies in outerwear. A step away from your thickest wool coats and a reach of the arm towards those slightly lighter pieces. They still need to provide warmth and protection from the elements but they don’t need to do quite as much as our wintery heavyweights.
What to look for in an early spring jacket
An oversized fit. You want plenty of room for layers underneath: Space to wear jumpers, shirts and, if necessary, that thermal base layer that can’t be packed away just yet.
Quality, hardy fabrics. Cotton canvas is a good option as it lasts so well and still provides warmth, without being too heavy. Quilted cotton and waxed cotton are always good too, for the same reasons, and a waterproof jacket is always a solid piece to have on hand.
Different lengths. I love a long coat - they add drama to an outfit and are an easy way to add style to a look without thinking too much about it. But this is also the season you can start wearing shorter jackets too; pieces that don’t hide your outfit underneath as much, which can be refreshing after the long coats of winter.
Here are the late winter/early spring jackets I’ll be wearing this season…
The Short Cotton Jacket
This is a recent purchase for me and my first (but certainly not my last) from Estudio Niksen. It’s a brown, thick cotton jacket that comes in one size but with a drawstring waist and buttons at the cuffs, it’s easy to adjust the fit. It’s oversized (on me, anyway) which I love, plus it makes it a great jacket for adding more layers underneath when they’re needed. I’m wearing a long-sleeved top and a chunky jumper under this and it isn’t too bulky. I can also imagine wearing just a light cotton top or a T-shirt underneath when it warms up a bit, and it would work just as well.
