The perfect spring jacket
Don’t you just love Jacket Weather? The period when bigger coats are packed away and layering becomes an art form ( or at least a bit more visible than during the winter months). In an exclusive interview with the New York Times, singer and San Francisco-dweller Tracey Chapman, whose debut album has been reissued on vinyl after 37 years, says, ‘The key to your comfort is to have layers.’ According to the reporter, ‘Chapman was attired in unobtrusive neutrals: a pale pink button-up under a black zip-up sweater beneath a casual, blazer-like jacket.’ Chapman is correct. This in-between period is one where preparedness is key. As anyone who lives in the northern hemisphere can attest, spring doesn’t signal all-day warmth. On Instagram the other day I spotted this daily schedule:
7am – De-ice the car. 12pm – Sunbathe. 7pm – Put heating on.
Jacket Weather is when I reach maximum wardrobe happiness. I’m much more comfortable playing around with structure, layering and texture, building outfits around my favourite pieces (jeans, corduroy trousers, barrel-leg pants). Though I am a long-term, blazer-lover, the boxy-fit jacket with a 1950s-feel is incredibly versatile. The one I’m wearing is the Oxford Bouclé Jacket from Boden. Some publications are calling this the ‘ Lady Jacket’ – but frankly, that’s a bit lazy. This timeless style can be layered over long-sleeved tees and tank tops or sweaters. The cropped length is great with high-waisted trousers or skirts, and can be worn over a dress. Plus, the boxy 1950s jacket is neat enough to layer underneath a raincoat or larger utility jacket.
Some Double Jacketing for ya:
Right now, a decent medium-weight jacket is an important weapon in your sartorial armoury. Layer up!
PS I LOVED Tracey Chapman’s performance with Luke Combs at the Grammy’s last year. Admire her quiet dignity, the way she has lived her life out of the limelight and done her own thing. Beautiful.
That’s Not My Age is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
STYLE NOTES
First outfit: Oxford boucle jacket loaned from Boden. And, Me+Em is always good for cropped jackets in tweed or bouclé. My own/ old Kin trousers. Boden Mary Jane flat shoes also loaned and returned ( no longer available in this fabric but this style is available in other materials), similar HERE and HERE. Leather shoulder bag from my first collaboration with Mimi Berry.
Second outfit: Aspesi lightweight coat . Sunglasses from Prism ( similar HERE and HERE). Me+Em track pants #prgift. Uniqlo shoulder bag. Asics trainers. Everything in this photo is a few years old.
Third outfit: Weekend MaxMara utility jacket (sale bargain!). Similar HERE and HERE. Ancient Levi’s denim jacket. 7 For All Mankind Lotta jeans and Grenson loafers both #prgift. Tan leather satchel is from M.Hulot approx seven years ago. Long-sleeved tan T-shirt, Arket ( similar HERE). Everything in this photo is a few years old, too.
Discussion (12 Comments)
Carla says:
Thank you for this post and for the excellent selection of jackets. Unfortunately, and I know this from experience, a boxy and short jacket does not look particularly good on someone with a “significant” chest!
Susanna says:
You are so right! And so many of the lovely jackets featured are so short! Are there any good bum-length numbers that don’t require a tucked in top beneath them, and balance out my well endowed proportions?
Hat Margolies says:
I am also ‘heavy chested’ ( new term I heard the other day which felt spot on) and think if not full buttoned up or too structured it can look really nice. I have a bomber jacketesque cardigan that I love wearing open with a T shirt and boyfriend jeans and it gives me a 50-ish silhouette
Davina says:
Very into the double jacketing!!
I’m also top heavy but have found a cropped jacket works well if I wear it open, and choose styles made in slightly lighter fabrics (nothing overly bulky). I wear mine with high-waist wide jeans which helps to balance the proportions.
Sarah P says:
Personally I don’t understand the appeal of cropped jackets, because one gets a cold breeze at the lower back. A bunch of the jackets pictured barely meet the waistband of very high waist jeans. Mind you, I am longwaisted (despite being petite) so I always choose jackets that reach to at least mid-bum.
Hi Sarah, I know what you mean about the draught! I have a long body too and so it’s about getting the proportions right: shorter jacket with high-waisted trousers and a nice long T-shirt tucked in.
Joyce Morris says:
Love double jacketing. You look SO stylish. And don’t you just adore cardigan weather? No one wears a cardigan as well as the Brits.
Thank you, Joyce. That’s very kind. This type of jacket is like a cardigan – that’s obviously why I like it so much!
caroline says:
That double denim with the caramel jacket on top really sings!
As for the Tracy Chapman piece in the NYT — what a great interview of a great songwriter/singer. Highly recommend to all. And, I have to admit, I’m a bit obsessed with her handsome long jacket!MaureenC says:
I too love jacket season. Indeed I felt, perhaps unreasonably, that the warm weather of the last few weeks was robbing me of my favourite clothing season. I needn’t have worried, normal service has been resumed weather wise here in the south west. Ten years ago I returned to acting after years working in a senior management role. Unlike many, I loved wearing a suit and had some great ones in fabulous colours. I recently realised that I’ve slowly evolved a ‘uniform’ that essentially replicates the feeling of a suit but made of more casual or softer materials and I feel comfortable again but fit in with working in a much more casually dressed environment. So I’m feeling covetous of the lovely jackets on this post!
Jayne Johnson Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I so agree, I LOVE jackets. When I was still working putting on a jacket was a quick way to go from office casual to meeting smart. When I retired I regretfully had a clearout of some that I would never wear again. It left me with 25, a number which has of course since increased. How could anyone resist the joy of coloured jeans jackets, how does anyone manage with only one leather jacket (what colour and shape should it be?), and of course I have many unlined alternatives to a cardigan in summer- complete with handy pockets and creases. A much underrated garment.