Five Fashionable Women Weigh in on the Best Spring Jackets

There's still the possibility of chilly temperatures and pouring rain for the next few weeks before spring really sticks. You can (hopefully) bid farewell to many of your maxi coats and puffer jackets that are a bit too heavy for rising temps, but it's the perfect time to start wearing spring jackets that are ideally designed for in-between seasons.

Anthropologie's divisional merchandising manager, Claire Elliot, who studies what customers are buying season-over-season, tells Marie Claire that the quintessential trench coat is on her radar this spring thanks to its everlasting versatility. This year, there are even more fashion takes on the go-to style, like oversized and cropped silhouettes, different tailoring options, and fun embellishments. The variation makes the perennial favorite a no-brainer for repeat buyers and just as enticing for newcomers.

Sabina Vilusic, the founder of the contemporary brand RueSophie, agrees trenches are one of the best spring jackets to invest in but notes a surge in the popularity of denim jackets. Marie Claire noticed multiple fashion week outfits inspired by the staple. You can recreate the looks with hundreds of different jean jacket options available across e-tailers like Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, and MyTheresa.

Alongside trenches and denim jackets, quilted, fringe, and leather jackets will all be key outerwear players. For Spring 2024, New York-based brand Sea brought back its signature quilted print jackets (an ideal layering piece), Coach showcased vintage-style Western fringe jackets, and Chloé had several cool takes on floor-length and cropped moto-cross leather jackets.

With input from Elliot, Vilusic, and three Marie Claire fashion editors, we share the best spring jacket categories trending for 2024.

Quilted Jackets

For those days when spring temperatures dip below 50 degrees, you'll want to slip on a trusty quilted jacket for an extra snug feeling. "Quilted jackets are a perfect happy medium for unpredictable spring weather: They're insulated, but they're not super heavy," says Halie LeSavage, Marie Claire's senior news editor.

With geometric-like stitching, quilted jackets also offer a unique sense of dimension, so they're a great choice if you're looking to breathe life into a dull outfit. "Some of my favorites from Bode, Sea, and Ganni also incorporate fun details like patchwork fabrics and oversized Peter Pan collars—moments that make getting dressed on a dreary, cloudy day feel much brighter," LeSavage adds.

Trench Coats

"No jacket is more ubiquitous in the spring season than a trench coat," says Emma Childs, Marie Claire's fashion features editor. "Typically made in lightweight cotton textiles and coated in water-wicking materials, they're especially useful during transitional periods with mercurial weather—like spring and all of its spontaneous showers," Childs adds.

And when skies are clear, versatile trenches can still be worn as a dependable layer. “As the weather warms up, a trench offers a lighter alternative you can add to elevate any outfit,” says Anthroplogie's Elliot.

If you’re in need of a spring outfit formula this season, style your tench with a button-down, a pair of straight-leg jeans, and ballet flats. Lastly, throw a sweater over your coat to add a bit of intrigue.

Denim Jackets

Denim jackets have proven their longevity time and again, especially during the spring and fall seasons, when temperatures tend to oscillate between extremes. Elliot shares that she prefers to wear oversized denim jackets styled over soft spring dresses for a “sophisticated yet effortlessly chic aesthetic.” If you’re wearing oversized tailored trousers on the bottom, play with proportions with a cropped denim jacket up top.

Leather Jackets

There’s no argument about whether or not a leather jacket is a staple. Having several in one closet is never a bad thing. If you're looking for just one, Marie Claire's fashion e-commerce editor, Julia Marzovilla, suggests sticking with timeless styles.

"Flash-in-the-pan details like extra zippers and grommets are fun, but they can also date a jacket over time," says Marzovilla. "Look for leather jackets that are clean in their design and don’t feature anything that I won’t want to wear in a year, five years, or longer than that," she adds.

Keep things simple with a tailored black leather jacket offering structure and sophistication, or switch things up with a beige or off-white moto jacket designed with side zip pockets.

Fringe Jackets

If you haven’t heard, fringe is gaining huge momentum and taking over the spring trend cycles of 2024. There are different variations on the style— some preserving vintage details and others with more modern takes, like those at Coach and Kallmeyer. Although fringe jackets can be considered statement outerwear pieces, colors like cognac and chocolate brown and materials like suedes and soft leather make it a staple piece you can pair with a whole host of spring staples.

Utility Jackets

According to Vilusic, utility jackets can easily transition from day to night during the spring season. Vilusic suggests wearing yours with “a tee, baggy jeans, and white sneakers for an effortless look from 9 to 5. When evening rolls around, swap your jeans for a slip skirt and your sneakers for short kitten-heeled boots.

Meet The Experts

Sabina Vilusic

Sabina Vilusic is the Co-founder and Creative Director of Rue Sophie. After years of experience in merchandise buying for department stores like Von Maur and TJMaxx, she joined KYS Group Corp as Vice-President to develop the company’s in-house portfolio. Rue Sophie is inspired by her European roots, minimalist sensibilities, and exacting taste