WTH Is A Light Jacket And How Do I Find One?
No matter what climate you live in, chances are you need a light jacket.
As we transition from summer to fall, it’s essential that everyone has a jacket for when that chill in the air starts to hit, but it’s not cold enough to break out the winter coat. In my opinion, nothing’s worse than wearing a jacket that’s too warm and having to take it off only to be cold again. And that’s exactly where the light jacket comes in.
What Even Is a Light Jacket?
A light jacket is the perfect item of outerwear to reach for when you need a bit of added warmth, but your warmer jackets and coats are too much. You can find them in lots of different styles and colors. Having a few that you like is important.
“Light jacket” is a pretty big umbrella, which might feel a bit daunting. But essentially anything where the fabric doesn’t feel too heavy is along the lines of what you’re looking for. Fabrics like denim, linen, cotton, and leather will add a layer of warmth without making you sweat. Cuts like a field jacket, a shirt jacket, a blazer, or even a trench coat are also typically lightweight. When you pick it up, it should feel light, hence “light jacket.” See what I did there?
Fabrics like denim, linen, cotton, and leather will add a layer of warmth without making you sweat.
So why not just wear a sweater or a hoodie? I love hoodies as much as the next girl, but a light jacket is a little more formal than your typical hoodie. That’s what makes it so perfect for a cute date outfit or when you go out with your girlfriends and want to be more put together for photos.
Things To Keep in Mind As You Shop
The fashion industry today is overloaded with clothes in general. There are too many to even look at, much less to purchase with our limited budgets, or even wear. You only have room and opportunities to wear so many clothes!
And so I plead with you, as you look for a light jacket to take you through the transition into fall, let me help you pick one that’s so perfect for you that you’ll wind up wearing it again in the spring.
Clothing is meant to be worn. Over and over again. And that’s probably more true for outerwear than any other type of clothing article in our closets. Don’t purchase anything that you don’t truly love (or perhaps even harder, that you love but know you'll never actually wear). The right jacket will be one you love and that you know you’ll wear all the time.
Another principle to keep in mind is that one good quality jacket is much better to own than lots of cheaply made jackets that won’t last. Not only are you actually more likely to be satisfied by the one jacket that may have been a bit of a splurge (although, it doesn't necessarily need to be), but you’ll also be able to slowly build up your closet because that one jacket will last you longer.
Feel the fabric, look at the stitching, and examine the buttons or the zipper.
When it comes to quality, it’s best if you can actually look at the clothing in the store. Feel the fabric, look at the stitching, examine the buttons or the zipper (a broken zipper ruins a jacket forever). If you order online, you can do this before deciding whether or not to return what you picked out.
Finding One That Suits You
When it comes to clothing, what’s a great jacket for someone else might not be great for you. When you try it on, consider whether or not you think the silhouette of the jacket is flattering. Ask yourself how it will pair with the other items in your closet or if it’s too much like something you already own.
Now that you have a few guiding principles in your head, let’s get into a couple of different types of jackets you could look into investing in.
J.Crew Classic Field Jacket in Dark Moss
I’m a sucker for wearing lots of green hues during fall, so if you’re at all like me, this jacket will be perfect for you. It’s reminiscent of the classic Barbour jacket for those who can’t quite swallow the Barbour price tag.
Tuckernuck Camel Marant Shirt Jacket
If you need a shirt jacket to throw on and look instantly put together, this might be just what you’ve been searching for.
Rouje JAQUES Jacket
This plaid blazer is a true style staple, especially for fall. And this particular model uses a lighter weight fabric, which makes it great for the transitional period.
L.L. Bean Women’s Cresta Stretch Rain Jacket
Every now and then you need a jacket that’s built for utility. And this lightweight rain jacket in a beautiful blue hue will get the job done.
Reformation Giles Jacket
One trend I think has been super fun and that could actually be wearable long-term is the shirt jacket. Perhaps the most lightweight option of all of these, it’s easy to throw on when there’s a slight chill in the air.
Closing Thoughts
Since it’s light jacket season once again, I hope you feel armed to find what you’re looking for and can feel good about what you purchase as we all start to gear up for fall together.
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