Jackets make up the biggest portion of my wardrobe. When I’m styling a simple base of jeans and a tee, jackets are the perfect way to add texture, shape, and contrast.
In my recent YouTube video, I try on all the jackets in my collection, but I want to give you more context in this newsletter about what I love about them, why they work, and what I recommend when building your jacket collection!
Remember, this isn’t about buying (and it's definitely not about buying the exact same things that I have! It is about being strategic and understanding the WHY. Why are some of the jackets in your collection more useful than others? What do you like about them and why? Why do some seem so promising and then not work?… I think it's important to ask these questions to understand what you have and what you want out of your jackets.
After doing this try-on, I ended up selling two jackets. This is interesting because they were things I never considered letting go of, BUT I find that trying things on and putting them on your body is the best way to understand if you really love something!
My recent styling sessions have highlighted just how important the try-on is. If you aren’t sure about a piece, you can justify why you might need it or why it’s “good to have,” but once you put it on, all the illusions go out the window. You quickly remember there’s a reason you don’t wear it. You know when you have that “yes” with a piece… trust yourself there!
I always recommend to try jackets on with your favorite base. It’s a great way to know if it works. If it doesn’t work with your favorite things… it won’t work in general! Often, clients will throw things on over sweats or with other clothes that are on the chopping block.. that isn’t a helpful way to judge. It’s worth doing it right!
So let’s dive in! In this newsletter, I cover three categories of indoor and outdoor jackets.
INDOOR JACKETS
These are coats that you can wear indoors (duh) and are part of your look. Things that act more as a layer than a functional jacket.
BLAZER
A blazer is the perfect fall layering staple. Whether it’s oversized or fitted, a blazer is a great over-layer that adds structure, polish, and tailoring to your look. When styling a blazer, it’s all about proportions. If you are doing an oversized, boxy blazer, try pairing it with a fitted under-layer to balance the look. I also love incorporating different textures and find that a wool or suede blazer creates a nice contrast with a neutral cotton top and denim!
blazer recs
SHACKET
I love the versatility of an overshirt or “shacket.” Try layering over a T-shirt or keep it unbuttoned over a fitted tank to give the silhouette some contrast. This is a great way to add an additional texture and change the proportion. I find this layer is also a great in-between if you want to throw a heavier jacket or coat over! I love the progression of t-shirt, denim shacket, and trench. All classics but come together to make an interesting look!
shacket recs
COLLARLESS JACKET
The collarless jacket’s streamlined silhouette makes for a chic fall layer. I love that this jacket gives a touch of elegant simplicity to a look. As I mention in my video— the biggest question clients have with this jacket is how to balance the neckline. I love to style a collarless jacket with something crewneck to match the neckline or a turtleneck. The contrast always looks really sleek! You can also wear a colorless jacket buttoned up with nothing under…!
collarless jacket recs
OUTDOOR JACKETS
These are the top layer for your look. They are worn in transit, but still an important part of your outfit!
TRENCH COAT
The trench coat is a timeless layering staple that can infuse any look with a classic, structured touch. There’s a reason it’s one of my nine universal closet pieces (I talk about this more in my book Wear it Well!) I always recommend opting for a cotton trench that isn’t informed by this year’s trends. The traditional silhouette will be wearable for years to come and is the perfect layer over a tee, denim shirt, or turtleneck in colder months! If you want more trench styling advice, check out my video here explaining why the trench is a universal piece, or watch me style some trench coat looks here!
trench recs
LEATHER JACKET
I love the edge a leather jacket can bring to a look. Styling a leather jacket with a more casual base or a breezier silhouette is a great way to add contrast and incorporate some structure and hardware to an outfit that might be missing those elements. If you like a softer look like I mention in my Youtube video, look for something with minimal hardware or perhaps go for a brown or navy instead of black!
If don’t want to commit to a leather jacket with every look or the heat is making it impractical, you can still bring in some of the style elements of a leather jacket with accessories! Watch my video here to learn how to add the “leather jacket effect,” and watch me put together some outfits using this styling technique here!
leather recs
WORK JACKET
The work jacket is a versatile fall staple. Whether your channeling a bit of British countryside or American workwear, this jacket is a great practical layer whose unfussy silhouette pairs perfectly with your favorite base.
If you’ve been keeping up with my summer style breakdowns of the “desert aunt” and “surfer nephew” let me introduce fall’s persona… The Country Cousin (hint: the work jacket is a favorite of theirs!)
work jacket recs
I hope this newsletter and the accompanying video give you an understanding of how to look at your wardrobe and make sense of the WHY. WHY does something work? WHY do I wear it? WHY don’t I wear it? WHY do some details matter to me?
Of course, you are only human, and if you see something you love, you want to know more about it. I understand that, but I hope the takeaway is less about the actual material things and more about the concepts and ideas! And if you are here for shopping, fine, here are the jackets that I try on in the video - Product Links
A lot are old and no longer available, and maybe that’s just as well - because your collection should reflect you and not me!
I’m so excited to see how you all style your jackets this fall and hope this newsletter and video has inspired you to look at your closet and pieces in a new way!
See you next month!
Xx Allison