Top all manner of ensembles — from dainty sundresses to high-waisted trousers — with a cropped jacket for a polished, grab-and-go Summer look. With silhouettes in every color under the sun and a handful of powerful prints, the cropped jacket will be your new favorite layer.
Kate Middleton clearly has a penchant for pretty coats, and this week alone, she's already worn three chic options. Most recently, she threw on a teal embellished coat dress to celebrate the 150th anniversary of London Underground's transportation system, the Tube. Earlier in the week, she went green for St. Patrick's Day and later changed into a gorgeous cream coat. Watch the video to see all of Kate's stylish outerwear! On Allison McNamara: Club Monaco top, BCBG Max Azria pants.
The denim jacket is a season-enduring wardrobe staple — this, we know — and with Spring layers in mind, we're loving the resurgence of lighter washes, distressed finishes, and sleeveless iterations to fete the shift in mood. Along with what we saw on the Spring '13 runways (think 3.1 Phillip Lim's downtown girl or Dries van Noten's '90s plaid-wearing femme), it's safe to say that the once-Americana jean-jacket look has taken a turn for a more girlie-meets-grunge sensibility this time around. Whether you employ a little bit of that street-styled edge à la wearing your jacket draped around the shoulders, layering a longer vest with a breezy printed dress, or working in a peplum silhouette for more "dressed-up" occasions, the denim jackets we've picked out below are meant to keep your warmer-weather looks on point. Shop our editors' favorites below.
We can't wait to shed all of our heavy Winter coats for lighter fare, and with warmer temps within reach, we're looking to update our wardrobe with the perfect Spring jacket. Our favorite styles this season range from chic trench coats — perfect for wearing with just about anything — to sportier renditions, like 3.1 Phillip Lim's gorgeous silk-embroidered bomber. To help you get on the right Spring track, we've handpicked 11 irresistible options (at all price points) for you to shop right now.
We imagine that celebrity closets are stocked with statement pieces, custom-made designer couture, and the most jaw-dropping heels — but sometimes it's just their impeccably chic basics that prove the most inspiring. Cut to us drooling over three perfect iterations of the army jacket, and that's especially true of this morning's trio of celebs. We spotted Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jessica Alba, and Diane Kruger (three celebs with some serious street-style prowess, we might add) showing off the value of a great army jacket. Rosie gave us a more tailored version; Jessica selected one by Rhyme & Echo, updated with leather sleeves; and Diane Kruger topped her everyday ensemble with a Rag & Bone jacket. Each is a testament not just to the outfit versatility of the army jacket, but the fact that it also comes in a version that's likely perfectly suited to your own style personality. Rosie gives us one that's just right for the sophisticate; Jessica offers up an edgy style; and Diane suits that sportier angle. The fact that they go with everything and can be either a perfect Winter layer or a lightweight Spring jacket just makes them a smart investment. Invest in your own with our editors' picks below.
When she's not donning retro-meets-prepster wares as Rachel Berry on Glee, or taking her sexy thigh-high slit gowns to the next level on the red carpet, Lea Michele still manages to own yet another styling persona. We're referring to her cool off-duty LA look, of course. While simple in its elemental execution, there's no way you can go wrong when an awesome shearling biker jacket is involved. Before we get in over our heads, let's review: Lea stuck to the casual basics — light-washed denim and a white tee — and then gave her low-key approach a tougher finish with the addition of two edgier pieces, a leather jacket and ankle-cut moto boots. We love the boots, but like we already divulged, the Current/Elliott jacket is the real game changer here.
Even if you're not the type to take on more masculine-inspired wares, the shearling collar gives this topper a softer, cozier appeal. And while we are totally fine with copying her outfit head-to-toe, you can also pair this cool-girl jacket with more feminine fare. Try layering a bobble-knitted sweater over a floral-printed maxi dress, then finish it off with a jacket like this one. Or, don a fitted pencil skirt with an oversize fuzzy sweater, topping it off with what else? A shearling-lined jacket, and you'll see that blurring the lines of rough-around-the-edges vs. ultragirlie is actually quite easy. We'll leave the ensemble to you, but the outerwear — we've got our favorite picks below.
If there's anything we've learned from past party seasons, it's that anything goes — and when it comes to layering up ahead of a chilly-night event, there are more ways to stay warm and look great than one might think. For instance, we love the look of an edgy leather jacket over a frothy party dress (nobody does this quite like Sarah Jessica Parker), and designer Joseph Altuzarra once told us that he's really big into "a parka over a slipdress or cocktail dress. It's very Kate Moss in the '90s, really sensual and raw." So there you have it.
To help you think outside the box this holiday, we've styled up five fresh, unexpected party dress and jacket combos that will ensure you look (and feel) like a million bucks.
With holiday party Evites going out and candy canes quickly replacing the candy corns in the drugstore aisles, it's time to start thinking about our festive attire. We spend a lot of time rifling through the racks for the perfect dress, but that's often not the case when it comes to our outfit toppers. Still, there's no reason you should ever cover up a gorgeous dress with your North Face fleece (trust us, nothing ruins your look faster), so we're paying special attention to how we top it all off with 12 dressed-up jackets that could rival any party dress. Finished in eye-catching sequins, beading, and shine, these jackets and blazers weren't just meant to help you layer up, they were designed to make your outfit look amazing. Whether you choose to add them as the finishing touch to a perfect LBD, or as the focus of your skinny jeans + tank top ensemble, you won't want to wait till New Year's to wear one. Click on to get yours now.
We've been hot on the hunt for a cozy fur coat that happens to be cruelty-free, and it's safe to say that we've found it in H&M's Faux Fur Jacket ($99, available in stores) from the brand's new Fashion Family collection. It's got a great V neckline and tailored silhouette — so even though it's big and fluffy, it still gives you some shape. The sleek black, white, and gray color palette makes it an ideal piece for popping on over a tee and jeans or a fancy LBD, and it's easy to layer over long-sleeved tops and chunky knits. Best of all, it's perfectly in line with our Fall shopping budget. Head to your local H&M to snap it up now!
We spotted the bomber jacket on the Fall runways at Rodarte, Rebecca Taylor, Burberry Prorsum, and more — proving that the military-inspired staple is not only perfect for bundling up on crisp days, but also manages to look equal parts edgy and sophisticated. We're especially smitten with the styling of a varsity-chic bomber jacket with a slouchy tee and leather leggings, or a dressed-up iteration over a fancy LBD. No matter how you wear one, the bomber jacket is a cool-girl classic. Click through to shop 11 of our favorite bombers, all of which happen to clock in under $500.
