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For effortless style, throw on these layers from the likes of M&S, Sézane and Whistles
Winter may seem to stretch on forever but the fashion world is always one step ahead, meaning it’s time to start thinking about spring, as new-season clothing is coming in thick and fast from all our favourite brands. While it’s a little too early to be thinking about wafting around in white linen dresses and sandals (hurry up, summer), it’s not too soon to be considering a spring jacket to have on standby, ready to replace your trusty winter coat as soon as temperatures rise.
With this in mind, we went on the hunt to find the very best spring jackets for women – ones that tick off some of the key spring/summer trends for 2025, while also being practical, suitable for a range of budgets and easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe.
When it comes to outerwear, if you prefer a cropped style, rather than a longline trench, for example, you’re in for a treat, as we’ve tracked down some brilliant designs to suit all tastes. We tried the zip-up denim jacket from H&M that’s ready and waiting to be worn as a Canadian tuxedo (double denim never fails); the New Look brown suede style that’s going viral on social media; and the cropped trench from French label Sézane that’ll give all your new-season looks that chic Parisian-esque twist.
Add to this Marks and Spencer’s new barn jacket (yes, they’re sticking around for 2025) and an animal print quilted style from Nobody’s Child, along with so many others, and you can consider this your definitive guide to light layers for the upcoming spring months.
Without further ado, scroll on for the best spring jackets for women – they’ll see you looking your most stylish self.
With so many styles to choose from – from denim and barn to trench – how do you know which spring jacket to invest in? Firstly, our fashion expert researched the key spring jacket trends coming from the runway, to see what has translated through to some of our favourite high street and mid-price brands.
Then, we searched brands’ “new in” sections, to find the best of the best. We wore each jacket style a few times, to see how they looked, felt and worked with spring-ready outfits, to bring you our honest opinions and style tips, including whether you should consider sizing up or down. For reference, our tester is a size 10 and 5ft 4in tall.
Harriet Davey is a fashion editor, stylist and writer with years of experience under her belt. A veteran of covering the latest and biggest trends, Harriet has hand-picked fashion edits on shoes, accessories and clothing for fashion publications, and interviewed celebrities on their style and fashion takes, while also writing about sustainability in fashion, shopping on the high street and much more. Here, she has only included jackets she would honestly recommend adding to your seasonal wardrobe.
When it comes to jacket trends, the barn style – a 2024 favourite – has shown longevity, with new designs popping up all over for 2025. Of course, high street hero Marks and Spencer was quick to jump on the trend. In a classic tan with a contrast cord collar, this is the jacket you’re about to see everywhere, and it costs less than £50 – which is why it’s our best jacket overall.
It fits true to size but we suggest opting for a size up (or even two sizes) if you like to wear jackets looser – the cropped style will also be slightly longer if you do this. The same weight as a classic denim jacket, this is one of those styles you can easily wear with jeans, over dresses or layered over fine knits with a mini skirt and loafers, for an effortless spring outfit.
This jacket proved so popular, it’s now out of stock – we’ve asked the brand when it’s likely to be available again, so, watch this space.
Denim jackets can sometimes run the risk of looking a bit 1990s boy band-esque, if too cropped or tight, so, to make them feel relevant for 2025, it’s all about that oversized fit. This H&M version is already slightly slouchy, so, you can just choose your usual size. Easy to throw on over any outfit – be it a double denim look with jeans or with a mini skirt and tall boots – it’s so easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe.
The denim wash is also very important when picking a new jacket. Steer away from distressed or super light blue and opt for a rich mid or indigo blue style to keep it looking premium – even though this high street find costs less than £40.
Recognise this? After being worn by so many fashion editors and content creators last year, this now-viral design has earned its stripes as the best leather jacket around. Different to a biker, this sleek fuss-free style is loved by minimalists and maximalists alike. It’s already oversized, so, we suggest picking your usual size or sizing down, if you don’t want it too slouchy. Buttery soft, the real leather design makes even the simplest jeans and T-shirt pairing look instantly luxe.
The matching black poppers and zip style also make it perfect to wear on crisp spring days. It’s also available in a khaki colourway and in petite lengths – no wonder everyone loves it so much (including us).
While red and burgundy shades have been the colours du jour of late, Pantone’s mocha mousse is about to take over for spring. Which is why this Asos jacket is one of the best styles to invest in right now. Also in the core collection, this oversized style comes in UK sizes 4-30, in a couple of colourways.
As a great alternative to a classic black jacket, this brown style will work with anything from a knit and barrel-leg jeans to shorts and ballet flats when the weather decides to warm up. Proving that faux leather can look just as expensive as the real deal, this throw-on-and-go style is a brilliant buy for less than £60.
How stunning is this shade of green? Call it pistachio, olive or light khaki, whatever it is, we’re huge fans. Suede has been updating everything from boots and bags to jackets for a few seasons now but while tan and brown suede has taken the limelight, this fresh shade gives the texture a new spring update.
In the softest real suede, the boxy shape is so easy to layer over a T-shirt, lightweight knit or shirt but it looks equally as good worn done up as a top. To make sure it stays looking its best, spritz it with a good suede protector spray before you wear it, and make sure not to wear it on rainy days.
Combining two key trends in one – quilted and leopard print – this Nobody’s Child throw-on jacket is one to grab before it inevitably sells out. Pack away your trusty winter puffer coat in favour of this lighter spring alternative you’ll end up wearing on heavy rotation.
Leopard print can be styled as a neutral, and maximalists may want to wear it with bold, coloured separates or even clashing prints. Minimalists, meanwhile will stick to wardrobe staples such as wide-leg trousers, high-neck tops and classic knits. With a boxy, oversized fit, it can swamp a smaller frame, so maybe size down for this one. Like the look of a co-ord? There’s also a matching quilted gilet.
With Burberry, Mugler and Coperni all putting practical jackets on the spring/summer 2025 runways, of course, they’re set to be a major trend. Get in on the action now, with this Mango parka jacket that gives the look of a technical jacket but still feels quite polished, thanks to its timeless grey colourway and sleek design. The key details to look out for with this trend are hoods, adjustable waists, zip-up or popper fastenings and multi pockets.
If you want to make sure your spring look still feels put-together, style with baggy wide-leg trousers and heels. Or you could even try the matching trousers with loafers, for a more off-duty feel. However you style it, it has to be worn oversized, and make sure to pull the toggles to create that voluminous shape above the hips.
If your trusty long trench coat is looking a bit tired, why not mix it up with this cropped style? French label Sézane is known for pieces that have a certain je ne sais quoi, and this trench confirms it. The checked lining (roll up the sleeves to show it off), laidback fit and ability to work with absolutely any outfit means its a firm favourite.
With this jacket’s oversized shape, it’s best to take your usual size, as it’s already quite roomy. If cropped isn’t for you, this exact style is also available in mid and long lengths. All equally as elegant, they’ll be the light layer to wear over all your new-season ensembles.
If we could sum up recent months as one item, it would be a suede blazer. Real or faux – in this case, the latter – the style has become a hero piece in most people’s wardrobes. If you’re late to the trend, there’s still time to get on board, considering new styles are popping up here, there and everywhere. This New Look design has already sold out online in the tan colourway (check in stores) and only limited sizes are left in the brown version.
As soft as it looks, the single-breasted style feels like you’re not even wearing a jacket – so important once the weather warms up and you’re finally free of your heavy winter coat. The thing is with this one, though, it looks best worn bigger to make it look less corporate and more cool, so we would suggest sizing up in one, or even two sizes to get the right vibe.
Creating items that everyone becomes obsessed with, London-based brand Aligne is the destination for key pieces with a twist. This collarless jacket with its bold gingham print is screaming spring from all angles. The sleeves are puffy, the pockets are supersized and the silver buttons add that little something extra.
When it comes to how to wear it, the lightweight style has a padded feel, so it can actually be quite a cosy layer to wear with fine knit jumpers on cooler days, and, when it’s slightly warmer, you can layer it over the matching dress. Yes, that’s right, there’s a coordinating mini dress and trousers available, and we approve of both.
If you’re all about comfort, you’ll be keen to hear about the trend that’s making everyone feel nostalgic. Striped track jackets and trousers are a thing once again, previously loved in the early 2000s, they’re now back, and so many brands have created iterations. If you’re unsure how to wear a sporty jacket outside of a gym class, keep it simple. This bold red River Island style is bound to be the centre of attention, so, keep it that way. Zip up and wear it as a top with your favourite trousers and trainers, or try dressing it up with a maxi skirt and heeled sandals.
Super stretchy, this zip-up style can be worn fitted, true to size or oversized, depending on your style. If red feels too bold, it also comes in black, so, take your pick and embrace the comfy athleisure trend we’re going to see everywhere come spring.
There’s no shortage of incredible styles to choose from at the moment. After being carefully tested, we found the Whistles viral leather jacket is worth every penny, considering how many times you’ll wear it. Meanwhile, H&M’s denim jacket makes the classic feel fresh for 2025, thanks to its zip-up oversized design. Suede is also a hero style of the season, whether it’s real suede in green from Jigsaw or a faux suede iteration from New Look, it’s the jacket style to invest in if you haven’t already. But the best jacket overall? It has to be the corn-collared barn jacket from M&S, which is a steal at less than £50 and is already on its way to selling out.
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