The cover up: five of the best autumn jackets

Ahh, autumn… the season of crisp falling leaves, Saturday night TV and the fashion phenomenon widely known as the just-in-case jacket. While it’s too early to wear a coat (although fashion purists will tell you it’s never too early to shop for one…) and too late in the day to be throwing caution to the wind where outerwear is concerned, the just-in-case jacket is the ultimate in transitional attire.

Happily, there is a host of them to choose from right now. And the best news is they are built to last. While dress trends may come and go, and statement shoes are a flash in the pan, the best outerwear is built to stand the test of time which means you’ll be happily reaching for your favourites for seasons to come.

Here’s our guide to five just-in-case-jackets we all need in our lives right now.  

By definition, a good trench coat should bring warmth and protection to the wearer and look good with just about anything. It’s this that gives it transitional icon status. For a stylish way to wear, team your trench with low-key looks. We’re talking everything from hoodies to track pants here. Look out for oversized styles and stick to the classics where colour is concerned.

For every shoe obsessive on the planet, there’s a biker jacket obsessive to match. Certainly, biker jackets with their zip details and shiny zip fastenings seem to garner the same levels of adoration. The style is as essential to autumn as a Sunday roast and a woodland walk, just be sure to opt for one that offers longevity – you’ll rely on it for years to come. The most up-to-date way to wear yours is layered over a floral dress and roll-neck, but truly, anything goes. A boxy leather jacket is an excellent match for this season’s extra-wide denim shapes.

Where those in-between warm and winter days are concerned, the overshirt is in a league all of its own. But how to choose one that works for you? The key to winning the shacket game (yes, it’s an annoying title) is to seek out one you can wear open, perhaps layered over a dress or a roll-neck knit, and buttoned up to the collar. Overshirts come in a host of interesting shades right now, so why not experiment with colour. Print is a bright idea, too: the plaid shacket could be just the thing to make all of your autumnal dreams come true (or at least keep you cosy while you’re waiting for the bus).

Where sensible just-in-case jackets are concerned, the buck stops with the parka. An anorak that says, ‘I have common sense and stellar style credentials’, the parka is your one-stop solution. But how to wear one? For a look that smacks of 2021, team with straight leg jeans and ankle boots. Something brilliant happens when this sensible coat finds itself in glamorous company.

To paraphrase Samuel Johnson, when a woman is tired of denim jackets, she is tired of life. Indeed, this humble number is almost impossible to exhaust. It’s the most ubiquitous of just-in-case jacket styles – by which I mean you’re never more than a few seconds away from a good one. Give your favourite a new lease of life by changing up its surroundings. Sure, your beloved acid-washed style looks great with a tea dress but have you ever layered over a little black cocktail gown? As a general rule, seek out boxy fits and don’t be afraid to upsize if you’re a fan of a slouchy contemporary fit.