Even in the summertime, you’re likely to need a jacket or warmer layer, at least for part of the day. Let’s discover the best summer jackets for women.
Summer jackets serve a variety of purposes. They keep you warm, enhance your look or provide an extra layer that can enhance your body shape. No matter what your purpose is, it’s vital to choose the right summer jacket to make sure you stay chic and stylish without overheating.
What type of jacket is best for summer?
Shorter jackets usually work best. But long, thin coats can work too, like duster coats. You’ll also need to think about whether you just want a light layer or whether it needs to be rain-resistant.
Kimba @kimbalikes above opts for a pink jacket and on-trend cargo pants.
Get her look with this similar tee, jacket (another option here), pants, sneakers and sunglasses.
what purpose does it serve?
Just think about what you want from your jacket. Will it need to be lightweight and not too warm? Does it need to be waterproof? Or does the jacket mainly serve a fashionable or layering purpose? Take a look below at some of the best summer jackets to choose from.
What jacket can I wear with a dress?
Alison @wardrobe_oxygen above shows off a great choice with a dress – a denim jacket. If you want your legs to look longer, then opt for a denim jacket that ends at your waist.
Steal her look with this similar dress, jacket, sandals, earrings and fedora.
How do you style a summer jacket?
There are so many ways as you will see below. You can wear your jacket over your favorite summer dress, with a denim skirt, or with shorts or cropped pants. For more creative ideas also check our article on denim outfits.
Best summer jackets for women
First, let’s look at some of the best summer jackets for women available in stores now. Then, we’ll move on to what to wear them with.
denim jacket
A denim jacket is an absolute classic so you can be sure that you can wear yours for years to come. Perfect to wear over your summer dresses.
J.Crew New Classic Denim Jacket
Also take a look at how to wear a denim jacket.
J.Crew New Classic Denim Jacket – J.Crew Seamed Tie-waist Dress – J.Crew Metallic Leather Toe-ring Slide Sandals – J.Crew Berkeley Bucket Bag – J.Crew Door Knocker Drop Earrings
blazers
A lightweight blazer can add a little warmth as well as elevating any of your summer outfits to give your casual looks a more formal vibe.
Elie Tahari Helena Striped Linen-Blend Blazer
Cinq à Sept Kylie Linen-Cotton Blazer
Sandra @lapecosapreciosa above shows how you can wear your blazers with your shorts. Perfect if you want to take your daytime look to evening, or you are heading from sightseeing to lunch.
Check out this similar top, blazer, shorts, mules, earrings and sunglasses.
moto jackets
A moto jacket is another classic. We love wearing moto jackets over our summer dresses. Perfect for transitional weather.
BLANKNYC Suede Leather Moto Jacket
NIC+ZOE Rumba Linen Moto Jacket
NIC+ZOE Rumba Linen Moto Jacket – J.Crew Vintage Rib Tank Top – & Other Stories Denim Midi Skirt – Fly London Gogo Platform Wedge Sandals – J.Crew Cadiz Hand-knotted Rope Tote – J.Crew Metallic Chainlink Necklace
utility jacket
Cargo and utility styles are particularly on trend right now, so a cargo jacket is a great way to add some cargo pockets to your existing outfits.
J.Crew Funnel Neck Field Jacket
Cinq à Sept Genevive Utility Jacket
cardigan style
If you love a preppy or a classic style then a cardigan jacket is ideal to add warmth to your outfits. We love wearing it with our white jeans or cropped pants.
J.Crew Emilie Sweater Lady Jacket
Abi @stealmystyle40 above shows off a beautiful, classic outfit using only black and white.
Recreate her outfit with this similar jacket, pants and pumps.
bomber jacket
If you love a street or urban style then a bomber jacket is ideal for your look. Bomber jackets look great with denim skirts and cargo pants.
J.Crew Collection Lightweight Bomber Jacket
cropped styles
Cropped styles are perfect to add some warmth without being too hot during the summer months. Plus, the great thing about wearing cropped styles is they can make your torso look shorter and legs look longer, so they can be a good tool to balance your silhouette if you want to look taller and slimmer.
Splendid Breck Cropped Chambray Jacket
Theory Cotton-Blend Short-Sleeve Crop Jacket
Theory Cotton-Blend Short-Sleeve Crop Jacket – J.Crew Vintage Rib Tank Top – Weekend Max Mara Elica Linen-Blend Denim Shorts – J.Crew New Capri Mother-of-pearl Paillettes Slide Sandals – J.Crew Cadiz Hand-knotted Rope Tote – J.Crew Berkeley Bucket Bag – & Other Stories Gemstone Drop Earrings
trench coat
A trench coat is perfect for transitional weather, so longer styles are ideal for moving into spring or fall. Choose a shorter trench coat for summer.
Favorite Daughter The Cropped Charles Trench Coat
Nordstrom Crop Stretch Cotton Trench Coat
Kylie @kylish_aus above wears her crop trench coat with a maxi denim skirt.
Get her look with this similar cropped trench coat, skirt, sneakers, bag, sunglasses and cap.
print jacket
Summer is a good time to have some fun with the prints you wear. While you may usually wear a pair of print pants for summer, a print jacket can also be very chic. Wear with a block color dress or with your cropped jeans.
MOTHER The Out Of Pocket Trucker Jacket
Boden Occasion Jacket –J.Crew Vintage Rib Tank Top – Cinq à Sept Benji Twill Crop Cargo Pants – Cole Haan Josie Block Heel Sandals – J.Crew Berkeley Bucket Bag – J.Crew Door Knocker Drop Earrings
packable
If you’re more worried about the occasional shower rather than layering, then you can opt for a jacket that packs up small and you can simply take it out of your handbag when you need to.
UNIQLO Pocketable UV Protection Parka
Avoogue Lightweight Windbreaker Jacket
duster jackets
While we’ve been concentrating on shorter jackets so far, longer, lightweight dusters can also look good for summer. Wear with a vest top and shorts, or you can wear as a swimsuit cover-up.
Treasure & Bond Border Print Duster
Misook Long Colorblocked Cardigan
Fonda @savvysouthernchic above wears her tank top with shorts.
Check out this similar top, kimono, shorts, sandals, handbag, necklace and earrings.
What to wear with your summer jacket – failsafe combinations
Have you chosen your favorite summer jacket? What should you wear with it? Below are some of the clothes, shoes and accessories you could style with your summer jacket.
Clothes
J.Crew Vintage Jersey T-shirt – J.Crew Vintage Rib Tank Top – J.Crew Seamed Tie-waist Dress – Cinq à Sept Benji Twill Crop Cargo Pants – Weekend Max Mara Elica Linen-Blend Denim Shorts – & Other Stories Denim Midi Skirt
shoes
J.Crew New Capri Mother-of-pearl Paillettes Slide Sandals – J.Crew Metallic Leather Toe-ring Slide Sandals – Fly London Gogo Platform Wedge Sandals – Cole Haan Josie Block Heel Sandals
Shirt from H&M (similar options here and here), jacket from H&M (another option here), cargo pants from H&M (another option here), similar sneakers, sunglasses and hat
accessories
J.Crew Cadiz Hand-knotted Rope Tote – J.Crew Berkeley Bucket Bag – J.Crew Metallic Chainlink Necklace – & Other Stories Gemstone Drop Earrings – J.Crew Door Knocker Drop Earrings – J.Crew Wide-brim Packable Straw Hat
How do you like to wear your summer jackets for women? Let us know in the comments below
Your summer jackets outfits together in one capsule
Below, you can see the jackets, clothes, shoes and accessories from above together in one capsule. You can see that you could easily wear any of the jackets with any of the outfits.
shop the best summer jackets below:
Continue reading:
- Summer Suiting: Taking Your Summer Suits For Women Beyond Workwear
- Not Just For Jeans! All The Denim Outfits And Trends You Need To Know This Year
- How To Fit A Blazer – A Comprehensive Guide On How To Select The Right Blazer
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Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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I just bought a spring jacket. Really elegant. The fourth item of the ten.
Greetje