The problem with the jumping jack idea is that it sounds a little… unnecessary. Nicola Peltz Beckham may need a spring coat to go with her spring floral hot pants, but most of us can probably do without.
Why does spring even deserve its own separate coat, when it’s three months of the year and the weather can be winter (in which case a coat will suffice) or summer, in which case a cardigan is fine?
Well, you want a spring coat precisely because we’re in between the weather (and how) and there comes a time when you find yourself with beetroot in your fleece-lined coat or your shirt sleeves shivering.
And remember: Spring is the season of layering and finding just the right thing—not too heavy, not too light—to go on top.
Keep in mind that a spring jacket is also a jacket suitable for summer (if there is no heat wave) and also for early autumn.
No one is advocating buying a coat that you only wear for a few weeks. We’re talking about one that works hard from now until October, with a little bit of luck. Here are the contenders.
Otherwise, a light plaid blazer will cover all bases. Take the example of Victoria Beckham at Paris Fashion Week in a plaid double-breasted coat with draped shoulders
The spring blower
Perhaps you noticed what Sanna Marin, the now former prime minister of Finland, was wearing when the election results came in this month? If not, it was a sharp, tailored blazer in soft pink over a white shirt with black slacks.
The colored but not too bright blazer is probably the most useful spring jacket of the bunch and this one is a good example of that. It adds freshness to those classic office essentials – a white shirt and dark trousers – and because it’s pale you can pair it with white, cream, light gray or darker shades of a similar color as it warms up.
For a pink coat like Marin’s, try Zara (£79.99, zara.com); pink and dusty blue are the best choice for colors that go with everything and look good in warm weather.
That said, a gray single-breasted coat is the hot tip for fall, so go early with a light gray blazer (£35.99, zara.com). This could be your go-to for wearing everything from a dress to jeans from now until fall when the gray trouser suit makes a major comeback.
And remember: Spring is the season of layering and finding just the right thing—not too heavy, not too light—to go on top. Pictured: Kate, Princess of Wales
Otherwise, a light plaid blazer will cover all bases. Take Victoria Beckham’s example at Paris Fashion Week in a plaid double-breasted coat with draped shoulders. For something similar, try The Kooples’ checkered Prince of Wales jacket (£195, thekooples.com). Note: don’t be tempted by linen – it creases.
The elevated hut
Not as light as a shirt, not as structured as a jacket, the shacket is meant to be worn mainly in the spring and the smarter and jacketier the more wear and tear you’ll get out of it.
Cos has such a shacket in soft, double-faced beige wool with tortoiseshell-effect buttons that looks like a short designer camel coat (£135, cos.com). Wear it on cooler days with a pale sweater and on warm days with up sleeves over a white or striped shirt.
Keep in mind that a spring jacket is also a jacket suitable for summer (if there is no heat wave) and also for early autumn. Pictured: Katie Holmes
The little black jacket
It doesn’t have to be black, but if you’re going for the collarless square tweed look with four pockets, you might as well go for the classic (£69.99, shop.mango.com).
This one has raw edges and good gobstopper silver buttons. The best way to wear it is a crew neck sweater and smart jeans or wide trousers. With skirts and dresses, these boxy jackets can look frumpy.
The light leather jacket
Thanks to Prada, the distressed, oversized leather biker jacket is at the top of every fashionista’s wish list. Per Una’s version in gingery suede (£199, marksandspencer.com) is the mother of your daughter’s version. Sling it over a dress when the wind picks up.
The spring pea coat
I’m a sucker for a pea coat, which is a cross between a coat and jacket, because the flowy swagger makes it endlessly versatile and never goes out of style.
They come in different weights and shorter lengths, so a pea coat tailored especially for spring isn’t just wishful thinking. La Redoute’s version has gold buttons and is trendy (£108.50) or try it in khaki (£77.50, laredoute.co.uk).
