Spring Jacket Style: Elevate Your Look
Spring is many things to many people: cherry blossom time 🌸, spring break, planting the vegetable garden. But to me, spring means…Jacket Season! I love to layer, and a lightweight jacket is one of my favorite ways to make an outfit look more polished and put-together.
Spring outfit with a striped jacket
My sizes: Jacket – 4 US, Jeans – Petite 8
Most of my jackets are solid colors, so when I spotted this striped one from Me+Em, I jumped. Stripes are a perennial in my wardrobe, and the classic style has staying power. The denim fabric is a 98% cotton/2% elastane blend, and it’s machine washable. It’s structured without being stiff, and is easy to style. It’s a keeper! (I think it runs slightly large, so suggest sizing down for a more fitted look. I’m usually a 6 US in jackets, but the 4 here was a good fit.)
More striped jackets…
Yes, this jacket is definitely a splurge, so here are a few budget-friendlier alternatives. For those of you with cool palettes, check out this similar look from Liverpool Los Angeles. This zip-front style from Favorite Daughter also looks good. Here’s one from Loft in a classic navy/white stripe. This one from Gap looks good too. This one in navy with white pinstripes is great for you Winters! Quince has a version in linen. And I found a few pre-loved ones on Poshmark, including this one from Lauren Jeans (size S), and one in size M.
Here’s a closer shot of the jacket and accessories. If you love the look of a classic Cartier watch, but not the price tag, you should check out these Heaven Mayhem watches. They offer several different band colors/finishes, and it’s easy to swap out the bands. (I’m really liking this customizable direction with accessories; it’s a great way to personalize a look.)
The bag is the same one I showed here, but I switched out the crossbody strap for this shorter resin strap I’ve had for a while.
One of my style words is “quirky” (or “funky”). In addition to being extremely comfortable, these platform oxfords from Cole Haan add quirky to the chat. The perforated/colorblock option is new, but I’ve had this style in gold for some time. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a wingtip. Whenever I plan a travel wardrobe, I always start with the shoes, and I think this is one of the pairs I’ll be bringing to the UK and Europe next month….
Favorite spring sweater-jackets
My sizes: Cardigan – Petite Small, Tee – Small, Jeans – Petite 28
My sizes: Cardigan – Small, Jeans – Petite 29
Thinking about: why personal style still matters
Personal style can be a way of expressing who we are and what we value. And in times of change and uncertainty, it can be a way of staying grounded, and reminding ourselves of who we are, what we value, and what we bring to the world.
As someone who believes that our differences are part of our collective strength, I think embracing our uniqueness is a show of strength. And the more we show up as our own unique selves in the world, the more we give others encouragement to do the same.
Feminism and personal style
Comfort is one of my style priorities, but these days it goes beyond the personal. Dressing in a way that allows for freedom of movement is also an assertion of autonomy and agency. When women’s rights are in a period of regression, especially after a period of expansion, styles tend to become more constricted and conventionally “feminine.” (Think of wasp-waisted, corseted styles of the 1950’s, when women were encouraged to return to the home after working in factories and offices during WWII.) While a good part of style pendulum swings are about selling clothes, I do think underlying cultural directions also play a part.
I think often of this passage from Liberty, Equality, Fashion: The Women Who Styled the French Revolution by Anne Higonnet. During a period of greater freedom for women after the French Revolution, what’s come to be known as “Regency” fashion allowed women to ditch corsets for less restrictive styles that allowed for greater freedom of movement, (and were pregnancy-friendly).
One of the reasons I don’t write “how to look slimmer” style guidance is that the underlying premise (or at least a major one) is that women shouldn’t take up “too much” space. No, I’m not suggesting we intentionally dress to look larger. But I do think if fear of looking larger, or not conforming to conventional “figure flattery” is holding us back from being comfortable, or wearing something we otherwise love, it’s helpful to examine some of the underlying cultural attitudes.
There are many ways we can show up for ourselves and others in the world. Style is one of them. It’s not trivial, and it’s not without context. Embrace your uniqueness, wear what you love, and share your light with the world.
Let me know your thoughts…
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Hear, hear, great article.
Thank you, Elisabeth!
Hi Susan,
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the striped jacket but $ 425 !! I can’t do
it. I could maybe pull the trigger for 1/2 that. I will have to admire from afar. Enjoy your day
Hi Nancy, thanks, and I appreciate the feedback. I’ll keep an eye out to see if it goes on sale or more similar styles become available.
I love your out fit, although it’s a tad too expensive for my budget. The striped denim jacket is so cute, but at $425 it’s a bit too pricey for my wardrobe budget. Will try to find something similar at a lower price point. I appreciate the inspiration though.
Jan, Did you see the Loft link for a similar navy/white stripe? On sale for $65 right now. I promptly ordered one!
Hi Jan, thanks! I’ve also linked to some styles that are more budget-friendly.
Thank you for always championing women – especially now when our rights are being decimated.
You’re very welcome, Elizabeth! I think we need to stand together and uplift each other in these times.
Classic with a side of quirk! Love your style & your encouraging words.
Thank you, Cilla!
Well said, Susan! Thanks for bringing larger historical and cultural contexts into the discussion, very welcome!
Thanks, Nancy!
Out of many great articles over the years this one is the Best! I love ‘weapons of the weak’ and also the timing of these ideas (will buy the book). I was watching the current Top Chef and as much as I love those talented women hosts, I was shocked at the very tight clothes and vertiginous heels. Why?
Down with the patriarchy!
Thanks very much, Lydia! I’m glad you liked it.
Dear Susan,
Proposal: Can you design a 12-piece Spring capsule wardrobe for a Winter complexion without using denim jeans?
As a New Yorker, there are still places where denim can’t be worn.
Hi Cynthia, you could easily swap out the jeans in my last post for a pair of navy or black trousers.
Thank you!
Love the ME&EM jacket, especially since there are no breast pockets. It is pricey but looks great – especially in navy & white for us Winters.
Susan, I applaud your support of women wearing their own style and not looking to always wear clothes that make them look slimmer. I think outfits need balance to be pleasing, not tight! Your recommendations are always balanced and so put together. We may not have the same style, but each have our own view of how we want the world to see us.
I look forward to your emails and love the links for both the original items and also those in other “seasons” and price points.
I loved the navy striped jacket today and was happy to see the Loft alternative on sale now for $65. Already ordered!
Thank you for providing such an interesting blog.
Thanks, Bevie! I’m so glad you found it helpful.
Thank you for another inspiring post. I so look forward to your emails. And I particularly love when you throw in some cultural and historical references. My day always is brightened. Many many thanks.
Agreed. Thank you for sharing these important insights. Your focus on empowering women is much appreciated, Susan.
Thank you, avicennia!
Hi Judy, thanks very much for your kind words!
Well said! All the more reason to schedule a style consultation with you! I have emailed your site separately to schedule.
Thank you for all you do.
Hi Lila, thank you and I’m looking forward to it!
Excellent and timely post, Susan. Now more than ever it is essential, as women, that we continue to “live out loud” and do not allow ourselves, or our voices, to be diminished or “Stepford-ized”.
I LOVE that striped jeans jacket! I can absolutely see you sauntering around London or strolling through Paris in that! Many thanks. xx
Thanks very much, Rona!
Curious if you travel with socks…your pictures of those cool shoes show you without. When you walk a lot during travel, isn’t it necessary to wear socks to not get blisters? If so, where do you purchase and what colors to match what part of your outfit? -Thank you. (And also, thank you for always being a positive read.)
Hi Lisa, in the full outfit photos I am wearing socks with them, and wear socks (either regular or no-show) when I travel. I purchase socks wherever I find them 😉 .
Love this! On top of having great style, you’re a wonderful writer, and I always relate to your bigger picture thoughts on style and what it means to be women the world. It’s true that we are living through a wildly unstable time, when showing up authentically and fearlessly is more important than ever. And show up we must. Great jacket!
Hi Wendyloch, thanks very much!
Hi, Susan. The last outfit is a WOW on you! From jacket to shoes – perfect colors, great styling and great pieces. You look comfortable and yourself. Love it!
Thanks so much, Karen!
Thank you for your wise words once again, Susan. I have a theory that certain women close to power are showing up as AI versions of themselves. They alter their physical appearance to conform with an impossible doll-like standard: the same assembly-line nose, eyes, cheekbones, stamped-on makeup, factory figure and impossible plastic hair colors. In becoming AI-created dolls, actual women lose their individuality and humanity. Dolls are toys for people to play with. We can make them dance, sing, be anything except a real person. They have no free will.
Excellent comment, MJ. They certainly have a “look”, don’t they, and it’s not authentic. If you look at before-and-after photos of a lot of those women, most of them don’t really resemble their original selves, which I find sad. At age 68, I’m not immune from wanting to get some “help” with my aging skin, but stick with non-invasive treatments that might improve my skin texture & remove spots; I draw the line at anything that will make me look unlike myself. My dermatologist once suggested fillers & that was a hard no. Especially the duck lips!
@Jill Ann. I am the same age as you, 68 and also have ‘help’. It is possible to have lip fillers without ending up with ‘duck lips’. I have them once a year and they reduce the vertical lines above my top lip, sharpen the border around my lips which stop my lipstick bleeding. They are certainly not duck lips. I do have fillers, but probably a face lift would be more economical (in the long run), but that is a hard no from me
Thanks, MJ! I’m going to write more on this soon.
I received Liberty Equality Fashion for Christmas and I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I am turning it into a four class lecture series that includes three more historical revolutions.
oh , that sounds interesting , both the book and class lecture series. I would totally listen to those lectures!
Hi Kathy, oh wow, that sounds fascinating!
I use that same resin strap on some of my (much) older MZ Wallace bags.
It’s such a fun way to personalize our bags!
Much food for thought in this post. Thank you, Susan!
You’re very welcome, Elaine!
Hi Susan,
Love this article. Thank you for the inspiration! I’m curious whether you think the navy/white Loft option would work well for us Springs?
Hi Kathy, I haven’t seen it in person, but think it could work for some Springs, especially Blue Springs. Navy is one of those neutrals that I think we can “fudge” a bit…especially if you add some of your best colors with a tee or scarf.
So glad that you featured a jacket from Me+Em. They nail my aesthetic but without petite sizing I have been reluctant to give them a try. How did you find the sleeve length on the jacket? I am used to rolling up the sleeves on pretty much everything but really enjoy it when I don’t have to (for example my Ba&Sh Gaspard cardigan) especially at that price point where I’m looking for as close as I can get to fit perfection.
Hi Laurie, thanks, the sleeves are a little bit long on me, hitting at my knuckles. I think there’s enough room in the vent that they could be shortened at the cuff, but because the sleeves are fuller, I’d probably wear them turned up anyway.
Laurie: I wear a lot of ME+EM and rely on the garment measurements provided on each product page to predict if an item will work for 5ft3in me. If you click on size guide, you will get a chart in inches or cm. Sleeve length, front length and back length are typically displayed for jackets (though the size chart on certain new-ish items including this one look a bit wonky since a recent website update).
Thank you, Susan, for the ideas and especially the excellent comments. Ages ago, I looked at old women’s magazines that told women how to dress and makeup (as well as make drinks) for when their husbands arrived home from work. It made me gag. Let’s hear it for authenticity and showing up!
Thanks, Maeve! We sometimes forget how far we’ve come. I remember my mother (newly divorced) having trouble getting credit in her own name back in the early 1970’s.
What a cultural eye opener for me. It had never crossed my mind that women being thin as a goal has cultural implications that they should take up less space. It makes sense as men don’t have the same intensity of wight stigma nor age stigma as women do.
Thanks, Carol!
I appreciate that you draw from many brands to curate your wardrobe. I gave up on Talbots some time ago despite the fact that they are one of the few bricks and mortar still remaining in our small town. After seeing your selections, I went in and found a pair of fashion forward wide leg jeans. YAY! From now on I will carefully comb their website for other options that don’t scream, “Talbots”. Thanks for encouraging me to take another look!
Thanks, Quietgirl! Yes, I still keep Talbot’s on my radar because they are size inclusive, and often have markdowns and promotions. While a lot of their styles aren’t to my taste, you can still find some good basics and pieces that look more current.
Hear hear to your plea for uniqueness.
And I love your outfit, the striped jacket, combined with the shoes and the bag…great. love your other outfits too. Very polished, very French.
Greetje
Thanks so much, Greetje!
Thank you Susan! I’ve been shying away from barrel jeans for fear of looking larger than I am. Then I tried a pair! Gad, are they comfortable! At 70 I deserve to take up space and to feel good doing so. I think I’ll wear a pair to an April 5th protest!!
I’ve never been able to locate my own style at Me&Em, which has made me sad while doubtless saving me a ton of money, but you definitely make it work for you — well done! And thanks for the link to that very well-priced Quince linen jacket, which comes in two of my never-fail colors, “chocolate” and “martini olive.” Both sans stripes, yay 😉
Your selection of jackets is very helpful and particularly like the striped one. They look more modern and relaxed than anything overly structured and stiff. Historically, when it came to body shapes, a plumper figure was associated with wealth, the poor, were naturally thin due to their diet. I think the demand for women to be thin really started in the 20th Century when gay men became the predominant designers and based their clothes on an androgynous body type. Personally, I believe many of those male fashion designers were misogynists at heart.
That looks like the regular-size Clare V Moyen? I’ve been trying to decide between the regular and the petite. I know you are a smaller-statured person. It appears that you don’t find the regular too large for your frame. Thoughts?
Hi Deborah, yes, this is the “Moyen” (regular) size which is a good size for everyday use. I’m 5’1″ and don’t find it too large.
I think these shorter jackets are very cute and they look great on you. However, I’m long waisted and these jackets would hit at or above my waist. On top of that I no longer have a flat stomach despite exercising. Would you be able to suggest any alternatives?
Thanks in advance.