The last days of summer are winding down, and the coming weeks bring the kind of weather that is hard to plan around: chilly in the morning, warm by the afternoon, and cool again by night. A well-rounded outerwear collection makes those swings easier to manage and extends the life of favorite warm-weather pieces. The advice from fashion editors is to look for jackets that are lightweight, made of breathable materials such as cotton, and cut in neutral colors and earthy tones that are simple to style.
From trench coats and denim jackets to cotton bombers and windbreakers, ten types of transitional jackets tend to come up again and again for the in-between summer-to-fall season.
A trench coat remains a wardrobe classic, with the iconic Burberry silhouette as the reference point. For the transitional season, a cropped version works well on unexpectedly rainy days while it is still humid outside. Denim truckers keep their place too, though less traditional styles are favored this season, with a zippered closure or eyelet embroidery giving a familiar fabric a fresher feel.
A lightweight cotton bomber stretches sundress season further, letting flowy midis worn with sandals now be reworked with boots and a jacket later for a more utilitarian look. The oversize blazer stays a central piece year-round, with loose, boxy fits offering airflow in warmer months and room to layer as the year cools. Barn jackets, trending for several years, continue to pair with jeans and skirts, with more minimalist takes this season from labels such as Doen, Toteme, and J.Crew.
For cooler evenings, a cozy fleece zip-up serves as a casual layer that can later sit under puffers and heavier coats. Conditions change quickly in August and September, so a light windbreaker or rain jacket, whether from Tory Burch or Prada, earns its place and tends to reappear come spring.
Looking a little further ahead, a leather jacket is worth shopping early, with the fashion crowd currently favoring oversize bombers and eighties-inspired moto silhouettes. A retro track jacket from athletic brands like Puma and Adidas brings a sporty, vintage-inspired element to a T-shirt and jeans or a tank and midi skirt. Rounding out the list, a suede jacket is an investment piece to reach for year after year, with colored options like olive green among the standouts for fall.
