Talk to me about spring/summer jackets, I'm hopeless

[cyteen]

Now that semi-warm days are upon us and I can't just shove loads of layers under a thick waterproof coat, I find myself totally unable to shop for a jacket. Seriously, I am stumped. I have no idea what looks good on me, what looks good generally or where to find something that is affordable yet not so cheaply cut that it leaps up around my ears whenever I lift my arms (obviously have already ruled out H&M on this score).

So tell me, stylish ladies, what are you wearing in the spring sunshine? How does it work with the rest of your style?

If it helps, I'm 5'4", in reasonable shape (12-14) if a little chunky round the middle, and wear a lot of jeans+trainer type attire alongside the occasional skirted outfit. Am looking to sort the rest of my wardrobe out but that's a different story.

a belted trench, loads aroudn this season

I'm wearing a little cropped 3/4 length sleeve sort of embroidery anglise jacket over dresses, tops jeans. From Marks a couple of years ago.

its a neutrally stone/white pattern so goes with anyhting. Its quite a taliored shape but lightish fabric

That's the kind of thing I'm after cyb. I just seem incapable of seeing them in the shops.

Do the arms ride up at all?

no not at all. Ironically this particular jacket has been languishing at the back of my wardrobe for a long time but this year it seems to go with my other new stuff, like cropped trews etc.

I'll ahve a look at Marks and see if i can spot anyhting similaaaaaar

this is not a million miles away. i like the slight pattern

I second the trench. I got a short one from Massimo Dutti last year and it's really versatile. Usually Zara has got lots of different jackets and although they are not that expensive, they don't look cheap IYSWIM.

as usual Marks have managed to make this look uber frumpy but as a piece I reckon would go with loads of stuff

Banana Republic

Always forget about Zara, thanks Fritzi

cyb, cheers - I do like the stripe one. 3/4 length sleeves are great.

Am not sure about the belted trench (check me using the "fashion singular" like trouser or legging ).

I keep looking at them, trying them on but in my mind I am a svelte, cool model type. Then I look around and see lots of 40+ women wearing them, belted and often in a "funky" green or red or yellow. And they look frumpy. And I have to realise I'm a frump in real life despite my inner glamour.

I'm after something fitted, single/double breasted, at least hip length ideally (maybe even longer). No belt (belts are such a pain - I trap them in car doors, drag them through puddles and belts encourage my dc to use me as a maypole). Not black. I cannot find it anywhere, I really can't.

I nearly accosted a woman in town who had a turquoise/teal coloured fine cord jacket that met all my requirements but she was riding a bike so I thought it might be dangerous

Cyb - actually I see your point about the M&S ones, quite versatile.

Yikes Norkily, for the first time I believe I have a doppelganger That post is exactly what I would have written had I not drunk wine the fashion vocab.

I have been looking for something summery too.

Belts are no good with my fat arse-- so a belted trench is out.

versatile

Am unsure about the "boyfriend blazer" (the name reminds me of sixth form) but here is one

Shoulders not for me but otherwise interesting

Cream is not for me, I don't think but this is similar to Cyb's links

I can't put my finger on why this isn't right but here it is

See what I mean? Nothing quite right. I am still looking (think something in cord would be ideal but cannot find one anywhere)

Oh I like that Gap one at the bottom, especially how they have put it with the stripe top etc

this works there are about a gazillion spring jackets in Debenhams

No no no, Cyb, that last one would look DREADFUL on me. Seriously. Mother of the bride or something.

Try H&M - they have lots of reffer style cotton jackets that are good at the mo.

Sorry that should be reefer!

Thanks Ollie, but H&M is no good for me due to the abovementioned problem with arm-riding.

I think I am too hung up on practicality - because I am skint, I would ideally like one jacket that does everything (keeps me warm, has pockets, looks stylish, doesn't arm-ride, will fit over a cardi etc etc ad nauseum) but am starting to accept that this magic item doesn't exist...

Erm could a cropped denim jacket do the trick?

I got a fab "boyfriend" jacket from Anthropologie. It's a pale-ish shade of navy, with little turn ups on the sleeves so it sits half way up the lower arm, and it just sits lovely. I am normally a 12 with substantial norks but a 10 fits great (obv, that helps the vanity side of life!)

But poo, it's not on the website now. So that's no help whatsoever...

Hello FBB

Don't be scared, S&B is lovely unless you mention jeggings and we will accept you while judging the wackiness levels of your shoes

Cyteen - maybe you need 2 cheaper jackets for the same overall budget that fulfil all criteria?

OurLady- sorry but not for me, denim no good (no good when wearing jeans as don't do double denim, no matter what anyone says about current acceptability and no good with work stuff).

Have been forced to wear 10-year-old leather jacket over my work stuff this week as I have nothing else suitable. Not sure how it looks tbh (it's a kind of blazer style).

Neeeeeed a jacket!