INSPIRATION AND ADVICE

WRAP UP: THE TRANSITIONAL JACKETS YOU NEED THIS AUTUMN

By Flo Bellinger, 15 September 2025

I’ll be the first to admit I have a complicated relationship with the jacket. This crucial layering piece marks the finishing touch to an outfit, making the act of choosing one – from a sprawling range of options, I might add – something of an art. And as the seasons go, autumn is the jacket’s moment to shine. So, as we approach colder weather and begin sifting through outerwear styles with overwhelming abandon, let’s take a pause and reflect on the transitional layers actually worth adding to your roster; I’m talking about the jackets that will see you through multiple seasons, occasions, and outfits. From trending textures to timeless silhouettes, keep scrolling for the only jacket wrap up you’ll ever need. This one’s worth bookmarking.

CHORE JACKETS

River Island smart chore jacket in navy | ASOS Style Feed

River Island smart chore jacket in navy, £55

The chore jacket is an old faithful largely for its simplicity, with a boxy shape and understated details that let the rest of your wardrobe sing. The crisp design of this River Island jacket has an air of tailoring to it without feeling overly formal, which is a balance surprisingly hard to strike when it comes to outer layers. Wear this one buttoned to the collar for a more intentional style, or layer over a great piece of knitwear for some textural interest.

DENIM JACKETS

Topman raw denim jacket in black | ASOS Style Feed

Topman raw denim jacket in black, £50

Denim is about as versatile as it gets. Not only does its heavyweight structure make for great silhouettes, but denim garments only tend to get better with age. Whether you opt for classic blue or a darker style like this black jacket, you can rest assured this layer will complement whatever you wear underneath. And with a lighter design, a denim piece is great for layering under bigger coats when winter really kicks in.

HARRINGTON JACKETS

Topman harrington jacket in khaki | ASOS Style Feed

Topman harrington jacket in khaki, £55

The Harrington jacket is basically sartorial lore at this point, given it dutifully reappears whenever the temperature starts to dip. The simple silhouette and earthy shades make this a key capsule piece, with a spread collar and easy-to-clean finish you can roll out on any occasion. If you fancy throwing things back to the Harrington aficionado himself, James Dean, pair this classic style with a simple white T-shirt and jeans – proof that the simplest formulas really do stand the test of time.

SUEDE JACKETS

Selected double zip smart suede jacket in light brown | ASOS Style Feed

Selected double zip smart suede jacket in light brown, £230

Certainly not the most practical of the jackets on this list, but suede is the jewel in autumn’s textural crown. And if you can dodge a downpour, it’s definitely worth adding this material to your outerwear lineup. Not only does it look elevated – meaning you can throw it over any outfit and feel a little more put together – but it’s a great middle-ground on the temperature scale too. Given transitional weather is infamously unpredictable, this not-too-hot, not-too-cold fabric is your best friend for in-between seasons.

LEATHER JACKETS

ASOS DESIGN jacket in faux leather in black | ASOS Style Feed

Pictures: ASOS

ASOS DESIGN jacket in faux leather in black, £55

Another trending texture for autumn is leather. And a good leather jacket will always have a place in your wardrobe. Favoured by well-dressed icons decade after decade, this timeless piece is warm, durable and structured enough to keep you looking well turned out. This simple style means the smooth finish doesn’t feel overpowering, with a boxy fit and classic collar that’s easy to pair with everything.