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.

they look nice but just to warn cuddlier people like me the first only goes up to 12 and the second to size 10

How about theseblazers

They are not expensive though so are more part of a two cheaper jackets type wardrobe

i have been lurking on here, I have a very worn FC cord blazer which has been brilliant, but needs replacing, though with the weather we are having in Scotland I am still in my winter coat, sigh.

I like that jersey one TLC, I am not sure what size would be right, I know uniqlo is supposed to be quite generous - but I think my norks would be too big for the small but the medium might be baggy?

Monsoon had a jersey one in grey which I tried on a few weeks ago, I can't see it on their website, it was quite heavy jersey and was very comfortable (but maybe too warm for summer(if it ever arrives?).

I quite like the belted Uniqlo one. Am concerned about spare tyre inhibiting the belt though

Jersey is a bit of a problem for me, in that we have two cats who appear to moult a whole animal's worth of hair each day. So any fabric that is less cat hair-retentive would be favourable. Denim is good for this but I am terrified of making an 80s misstep

I love the green one! Yummy.

Cyteen, I've been wearing my denim jacket for about five years (i.e. pre-kids) even when denim jackets were supposedly out. I took great pride in being smug when all the celebs started wearing them with skirts and trousers as I'd never stopped doing that and now felt vindicated in being way ahead of the fashion game! Who cares if I looked like an 80s throwback in between.

Uniqlo quite small sizes so small is 8 to 10 and medium 10 - 12. Hope that helps!

I really like this but not sure it's worth the price. I like the unusual back on it.

Just for this thread I have been conducting some market research in town today and trying on jackets.

As stated above, Zara do have lots of choice. If you are interested in a belted camel-coloured trench, they do have really nice ones in various lengths, different types of collar and single- or double-breasted. Costing from £49.99 to £89.99. If I wanted a camel trench I would definitely be looking in there, as nice as the ones elsewhere for over £100.

Also boyfriend blazers, lots of black but also the jersey grey ones, two different types one slightly longer and a lighter grey. They were very nice on and, I think, £49.99 each. They actually do look nice on (if a bit 80s) and would be easy to wear but they are just jersey so I feel you couldn't put much in the pockets without them getting out of shape and so they're really just glorified cardigans. Seems a lot to spend for that.

But I saw a surprising number of interesting jackets in... John Lewis! I will report back later with links. Nothing that exactly fits the bill for me but lots of things that might interest other people and I had fun trying them all on

Right

Mango safari jacket didn't feel like you could wear much under it (thicker layers) but otherwise quite nice if you want something of a blazer ilk without being a blazer

This Joules jacket is surprisingly nice. The inside of the cuffs and back of the tie belt is a soft green cord but the jacket itself is a kind of showerproof treated cotton. I really did like it (good price too) except for the incredibly shiny gold buttons and fastener things on the drawcords. It was GOLD and really put me off

This JL one is very lightweight and a slightly crinkled fabric which was nice, trench with a twist

I didn't actually see this Emma Watson for People Tree one but it looks interesting. Can't figure out if those buttons do up though.

There's more but I have to eat my dinner now...

Also, way over my budget, but also failing my requirements because it's black and belted, this jacket is really really nice in real life. Really nice. It's got a biker feel to it but because it's just some kind of coated linen, it's not as bulky as a biker jacket and sits really nicely.It has little zips on the bottom of the sleeves. It has a lovely lining too (though I notice the description says "unlined" and "double face fabric" whatever that means. I really liked it (surprisingly) and notice someone above recommended Barbour jackets...

I didn't see this in the store but just noticed it now and the price is really good. Will it just look shapeless in real life?

Norkily from your 19:56 post I like the Joules one and really like the third JL link you've found there. I wasn't too keen at first but it looks quite different in the black option for some reason. I really like that.

It's so hard isn't it? Argh! I want something that'll keep the chill off, not 'coaty looking', not a mac, don't fancy a trench coat cos I look like a spy in them, something a bit fitted, something smart but still casual and not too short cos of bum issues...jeez does it even exist??

I'm just not too sure about all these 80's blazers I keep seeing. Maybe because I wore them the first time round but I keep thinking of Miami Vice

Exactly Bendy - agree on blazers and agree on bit fitted, smart yet casual, not too short, etc V tricky isn't it?

Thanks for doing all that research!

I'm very tempted to get to JL and have a try-on myself now

I sent for 3 jackets from Topshop and have decided to keep this one. Wasn't sure about satin cuffs but it passed the fashion police (DD's)
Waterfall linen jackets were a bit too unstructured for me.
Also got these sandals

Gah ! these