Summer jacket - denim or something else?

[Grumblebees]

Help! I need a lightweight jacket to wear with jeans & t-shirt or casual dresses for the morning school runs when it's too chilly for bare arms. Are denim jackets still the go-to or is there something equally versatile?

I'm 39, 5ft 4 and size 8. Usually wear jeans and white trainers/Saltwater sandals or a casual t-shirt/maxi dress. I'd like something plain not patterned that will go with various outfits but no idea what style - I haven't owned a denim jacket for 30 years and now it seems things may have moved on again. I had long line neutral open cardigans a couple of years ago but feel like they're very dated now so just stuck a jumper on this morning but am SO BORED of them and want to enjoy wearing my summer tops! My friend had a leather biker jacket on with her jeans and flats yesterday and looked so put together but I a) don't want to look like I'm copying her and b) not sure I can pull leather off. I never wear black, more a navy person.

Thank you stylish people!

As said above, the Whistles jersey blazers are your answer. Perfect to chuck on with jeans and dresses. I have 3 - black, navy and light blue and am thinking about a camel one. Bit pricey but I got one of mine BNWT from Vinted for third of the price and they come up on there a lot.

No call for it at the minute but it would qualify as your 'big coat' come January 😆

Looking at next week's weather forecast it might qualify now (north east coast)!
😁

I have this jacket in navy and khaki - not this season but seen plenty of similar things around

Tomorrow looks great but DH has just asked what my plans are for Tuesday ⚡💧

O went shopping with DD yesterday nearly every shop had denim jackets on sale

I’ve just bought this from Next:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su297987/b14183#b14183

I’m in love with this…https://www.superdry.com/womens/jackets/details/262981/suikajan-embroidered-bomber-jacket-olive-night-green

Mine's a very faded pale pink. Had it for donkeys years hence the fade, but also goes well with dresses - I have a couple of olive/spring green dresses it looks great with.

Holy moly that is awesome!

Another idea - a camouflage jacket - might not work with a dress but great with jeans. I got a great Gap one from ebay after being inspired by fabfatandfortyplus on instagram.

@ilovecardigans Sunderland fan here and I think I'll join you! If you'll let me 😂

I've been having a similar dilemma OP, not so much for the school run as those days are over, but I've spent weeks looking for a lightweight summer jacket that wasn't either a blazer or a denim jacket.
I've just bought this https://www.primark.com/en-gb/p/paula-echevarria-cropped-mac-jacket-camel-991095620610 which I think fits the bill OK - it goes with both dresses and jeans etc.

So apparently denim is a bit not in fashion at the minute if you're bothered about that. I've got a couple of very lightweight quilted jackets now which I love. Something like this https://www.zara.com/uk/en/printed-quilted-jacket-p02648945.html?v1=336973977&v2=2352728

I have this lightweight suede style jacket from Monsoon which I love for throwing on over dresses or jeans & top! I also wear right into the autumn over a chunky jumper with a big scarf 😊

It did also come in grey although they don’t seem to have it listed now but could be worth a hunt on vinted if you like it 😊

A bomber jacket? https://www.marksandspencer.com/padded-bomber-jacket/p/clp60581417?color=MIDNIGHTNAVY#intid=plpnav_swatch|pid_pg1pip21g4r3c2|prodflag_submsg-MandS%20Icons

The jacket of 2024 is a very short trench. Just below the waist or top hips. In cotton or linen. It's the shape and collar that matters. It must look like a trench coat. Blazers should be double breasted this year. Ideally. Trucker jackets in cotton or quilted denim are both good.

I saw this in Sainsbury's but they didn't have it in my size. Managed to track one down in a different branch. I'm really pleased with it, especially as I'd seen a similar one in The White Company for over 4 times the price!
Stone boxy fit jacket with linen

I saw this in Zara and they had a green one too.

https://www.zara.com/share/zw-collection-embroidered-overshirt-p04877052.html?v1=330081573&v2=2352724&utm_campaign=productShare&utm_medium=web_mobile_sharing&utm_source=red_social_web_mobile

I’m not sure about short trenches but I did get a cropped red Zara blazer/jacket, don’t think it’s double breasted but single breasted suits me better.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain

Whatever suits you, buy it. However when anyone asks what's "in" for 2024, cropped trench jackets are it.

New Look have some cropped shackets, which look nice with dresses as an alternative to a denim jacket. They have a grey one, which is more of a light biscuit colour irl.