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For effortless style, throw on these layers from the likes of M&S, Sézane and Whistles
Everyone needs a good spring jacket. As we head into spring, it’s too cold to be waft around in white linen dresses and sandals but too warm for that thick winter coat. A spring jacket provides the best of both worlds, offering lightweight protection from changeable spring weather.
New-season clothing is coming in from all our favourite fashion brands, so we went on the hunt to find the very best spring jackets for women. Our experts kept their eyes out for jackets that hit all of the key spring/summer style trends for 2025 but offer practical protection from the elements. They tracked down jackets suitable for a range of budgets and easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe.
We’ve found brilliant designs to suit all tastes. We tried the zip-up denim jacket from H&M that’s ready and waiting to be worn as a Canadian tuxedo; the viral Whistles clean bonded leather jacket; and a cropped trench from French label Sézane that’ll give all your new-season looks a chic twist.
With so many styles to choose – from denim and barn to trench – it’s hard to know where to start. Firstly, our fashion expert researched the key spring jacket trends coming from the runway to see what has trickled down to some of our favourite high street and mid-price brands.
Then, we scoured brands’ “new in” sections to find the best of the best. We wore each jacket style a few times, to see how they looked, felt and worked with spring-ready outfits, to bring you our honest opinions and style tips, including whether you should consider sizing up or down. For reference, our tester is a size 10 and 5ft 4in tall.
Harriet Davey is a fashion editor, stylist and writer with years of experience under her belt. A veteran of covering the latest and biggest trends, Harriet has hand-picked fashion edits on shoes, accessories and clothing for fashion publications, and interviewed celebrities on their style and fashion takes, while also writing about sustainability in fashion, shopping on the high street and much more. Here, she has only included jackets she would honestly recommend adding to your seasonal wardrobe.
Denim jackets can sometimes run the risk of looking a bit 1990s boy band if too cropped or tight. To make them feel relevant for 2025, it’s all about that oversized fit. This H&M version is already slightly slouchy, so, you can just choose your usual size. Easy to throw on over any outfit – be it a double denim look with jeans or with a mini skirt and tall boots – it’s so easy to incorporate into your existing wardrobe.
The denim wash is also very important when picking a new jacket. Steer away from distressed or super light blue and opt for a rich mid or indigo blue style to keep it looking premium – even though this high street find costs less than £40.
Striped track jackets and trousers are back. Previously loved in the early 2000s, Y2K nostalgia means that several brands have created iterations. If you’re unsure how to wear a sporty jacket outside of a gym class, keep it simple. This bold red River Island style is bound to be the centre of attention, so, keep it that way. Zip up and wear it as a top with your favourite trousers and trainers, or try dressing it up with a maxi skirt and heeled sandals. Super stretchy, this zip-up style can be worn fitted, true to size or oversized, depending on your style. If red feels too bold, it also comes in black.
Recognise this? The Whistles clean bonded leather jacket was seen on dozens of fashion editors and influencers last year. Our tests have found that this is the best leather jacket around. Different to a biker, this sleek fuss-free style is loved by minimalists and maximalists alike. It looks good with pretty much everything, and it’s warm, too, perfect for crisp spring days.
It’s already oversized, so, we suggest picking your usual size or sizing down, if you don’t want it too slouchy. Buttery soft, the real sheep leather design makes even the simplest jeans and T-shirt pairing look instantly luxe. It’s also available in a khaki colourway and in petite lengths. It’s a little expensive, but it’s so beloved that it often sells out, so you need to be quick.
Red and burgundy shades have been popular over the past few months but I think brown is going to be huge this spring. This Asos jacket is a great alternative to a classic black jacket - this brown style will work with anything from a knit and barrel-leg jeans to shorts and ballet flats. Proving that faux leather can look just as expensive as the real deal, this throw-on-and-go style is a brilliant buy for less than £60. These oversized style comes in UK sizes 4-30, in a couple of colourways.
How stunning is this shade of green? Suede has been updating everything from boots and bags to jackets for a few seasons now. While tan and brown suede has taken the limelight, this fresh shade gives the texture a new spring update.
In the softest real suede, the boxy shape is easy to layer over a T-shirt, lightweight knit or shirt, but it looks equally as good worn done up as a top. To make sure it stays looking its best, spritz it with a good suede protector spray before you wear it, and make sure not to wear it on rainy days.
Burberry, Mugler, and Coperni all put practical jackets on the their spring/summer 2025 runways and they’re set to be a major trend. Get in on the action now with this Mango parka jacket. It gives the look of a technical jacket but still feels polished. It’s incredibly practical, too. The key details to look out for with this trend are hoods, adjustable waists, zip-up or popper fastenings and multi pockets.
If you want to make sure your spring look still feels put-together, style with baggy wide-leg trousers and heels. Or you could even try the matching trousers with loafers, for a more off-duty feel. However you style it, it has to be worn oversized, and make sure to pull the toggles to create that voluminous shape above the hips.
If your trusty long trench coat is looking a bit tired, why not mix it up with this cropped style? This piece from French label Sézane is perfect for spring. The checked lining (roll up the sleeves to show it off), laidback fit and ability to work with absolutely any outfit means it’s a firm favourite.
This jacket is oversized and fairly quite roomy, so it’s best to take your usual size. If a cropped jacket isn’t for you, this exact style is also available in mid and long lengths. All equally as elegant, they’ll be the light layer to wear over all your new-season ensembles.
Real or faux, suede blazers style have become a hero piece in many people’s wardrobes. As soft as it looks, the single-breasted style feels like you’re not even wearing a jacket, which is vital once the weather warms up.
However, we think it looks best when worn bigger to make it look less corporate and more cool. We suggest sizing up one or even two sizes to get the right vibe. However, you need to be quick. This New Look design has already sold out once and stock is fairly limited. If you want this jacket, you need to get it ASAP.
London-based brand Aligne makes key pieces with a twist. This collarless jacket is perfect for spring, and bold gingham print is much more interesting than the usual block colors. The sleeves are puffy, the pockets are supersized and the metal buttons add that little something extra.
Though lightweight, this padded jacket is surprisingly cosy when paired with fine knit jumpers. When it’s slightly warmer, you can layer it over the matching dress for a coordinated look.
There’s no shortage of incredible styles to choose from at the moment. Our tests found that we found the Whistles viral leather jacket is worth every penny, considering how many times you’ll wear it. Suede is also a key material this season, whether real suede in green from Jigsaw or a faux suede iteration from New Look. However, the the best jacket overall is H&M’s denim jacket - it makes the classic look feel fresh for 2025, thanks to its zip-up oversized design.
Looking for some new-season footwear? We’ve tried and tested the best white trainers for women