Greetings, friends! I’m updating my Fall Jacket Guide today. I often say that having a variety of jackets is essential to a workable wardrobe, so I’ve rounded up five must-have jackets to elevate your closet this fall, along with some real life outfit inspiration for each one.
J.Crew barn jacket (S) // cashmere t-shirt (M) // MOTHER jeans (29) (option) // belt (90) // Matisse mules (8.5) // Madewell tote (budget option / splurge option) // YSL sunnies -25% off
My Must-Have Fall Jackets
I love a simple jeans and t-shirt outfit as much as the next girl, but sometimes it starts to feel a little bit Plain Jane, even for me. Once I started adding more jackets to my wardrobe, I realized they were the missing component to making complete outfits that felt modern and polished. So these are five fall jackets I recommend having in your closet this season, as well as what styles and colors are trending.
#1. Barn Jacket
J.Crew Short Barn Jacket (S) // Cashmere Relaxed T-Shirt (M) // MOTHER The Hustler Roller Skimp (29) (option) // Nili Lotan belt (90) // Matisse McCarthy Mule (8.5) // Madewell tote in Chocolate Raisin (budget option / splurge option) // YSL sunnies -25% off (budget option)
The barn jacket is trending big time this fall, and I’m loving the updated shorter styles. I found this Short Barn Jacket™ in English ripstop cotton at J.Crew. It has some really nice classic details like the gold crest buttons and corduroy collar, but the short and boxy silhouette makes this preppy classic feel fresh for Fall 2024.
This is more of an outerwear piece than an outfit topper, so I wore it over this relaxed cashmere tee with the rolled edges and pretty contrasting trim at the collar. That way, when I remove the jacket, I still have a complete outfit on underneath.
Another option is this Quilted Barn Jacket from Talbots. It has a slightly longer length but still looks modern, and it’s 40% off with code STYLISH.
By the way, the YSL sunglasses I’m wearing are 25% off at Nordstrom! I’ve never seen them on sale, so I wanted to call them out. I’ve had these for two or three years, and I wear them almost every day, so while they’re spendy, the cost per wear works out over time.
Shop barn jackets for Fall 2024:
#2. Utility Jacket
KUT from the Kloth Amanda Boxy Twill Jacket (S) // AllSaints Stevie T-Shirt (M) // Hint of Blu Wide Leg Jeans (29) // old AllSaints belt // Blondo Emmalyn Waterproof Booties (8.5) // JW PEI shoulder bag
A utility jacket is pretty much the quintessential fall jacket. It’s great for casual wear and looks amazing with jeans and a tee or sweater. Utility jackets are traditionally olive green, but these days you can find them in lots of other color options, as well.
Shorter styles are trending this fall, and I have several in my closet that I like to rotate to change up my outfits. The KUT from the Kloth Amanda that I’m wearing above is a military-inspired jacket made from super soft stretch twill in a slightly boxy fit, and the 23 1/2″ length is highly versatile. I like how it leans into the shorter styles without being cropped. I styled it here over a simple white crewneck tee with wide leg trouser style jeans and cognac accessories.
Then there is this Z Supply All Day Stretch Twill Jacket at Evereve that has a more modern cropped silhouette with a curved hem.
Z Supply All Day Stretch Twill Jacket (S) // black muscle tee (M) // Pistola Lennon Crop Boot (29) // similar black belt – 40% off // VEJA Esplar (39) // YSL sunnies -25% off (budget option) // Gucci camera bag (option)
I feel like this is a slightly sportier style, so I wore it with low profile sneakers and cropped bootcut jeans. My black muscle tee with the gold shoulder buttons is one that stands alone nicely if I take the jacket off, but this jacket is lightweight enough to keep on indoors unless you get hot.
I also have this pretty beige twill crop jacket from Talbots that happens to be 40% off right now! (Use code STYLISH at checkout; otherwise you just get 30% off.) I styled it here over a stripe sweater vest with bootcut jeans and the same cognac boots and bag as the outfit above.
Talbots Casual Twill Crop Jacket – 40% off with code STYLISH (S) // stripe sweater (M) // PAIGE Laurel Canyon bootcut jeans – 25% off (29) // Blondo Emmalyn Waterproof Booties (8.5) // JW PEI shoulder bag // Tom Ford sunglasses (option)
And my wardrobe would never be complete without at least one black jacket; it’s my favorite “color” to wear in just about any outfit category, and a black jacket goes with almost all of my neutrals and colored tops. This Rails Alma cropped jacket is my current favorite, and it’s on sale at Saks in the Washed Camel.
Rails Alma Cropped Utility Jacket (S) // Halogen sweater – 50% off (S) // MOTHER Weekender (29) // rag & bone boots – 50% off (39)
As an aside, if you’re looking for a low-heel, almost flat casual boot for fall/winter, grab these rag & bone Chelsea boots while they’re 50% off! I love them; they have just enough of a streamlined silhouette to look modern, but they’re still causal and comfortable, and such nice quality.
Shop utility jackets for fall 2024:
#3. Leather Jacket
AllSaints Orten Leather Bomber Jacket – 25% off! (8) // Evereve Harriet Hoodie (S) // AG Mari Slim Straight Leg Jeans (29) (option) // VEJA Esplar (39) // YSL sunnies -25% off (budget option) // Gucci camera bag (option)
Speaking of my love for black, a leather jacket is a wardrobe staple I can’t be without. It’s that perfect blend of luxe and edgy, and it’s super versatile because you can wear a leather jacket with everything from jeans to dresses.
I snagged the AllSaints Orten Leather Bomber Jacket during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and it’s currently 25% off for a limited time! I love how a bomber jacket looks paired with a hoodie, so I tried the look with this cotton blend sweater hoodie. I wore washed black jeans to tie into the black tipped cuffs and hem on the sweater, and once again, I kept it sporty with my VEJA sneakers.
Of course, a leather jacket does not need to be black. Nor does it need to be leather, for that matter. There are lots of good faux leather options available, such as this Evereve Aviator Bomber, available in both brown and black.
Leather jackets are available in all different styles, from biker-inspired moto jackets to aviator-inspired bomber jackets; and if you prefer a style that’s more refined, you can also find leather blazers and leather lady jackets. I’m also a fan of the coated cotton jackets for that leather look at a much lower price point.
Shop leather & faux leather jackets for Fall 2024:
#4. Bomber Jacket
Rails Easton Wool Blend Crop Jacket – 40% off (S) (option) // AllSaints Stevie T-Shirt (M) // KUT from the Kloth Meg (6) // old AllSaints belt // Blondo Emmalyn Waterproof Booties (8.5) // JW PEI shoulder bag
Bomber jackets are the silhouette of the moment, and you can find them in all colors and types of fabric, from the traditional leather to denim, and from twill and quilted styles to wool blend options.
My Rails Easton Wool Blend Crop Jacket was another #NSale purchase that is back on sale, and Talbots has a similar style that is 40% off with code STYLISH.
I had this brown plaid jacket last year that I wore a ton, and I just found this BlankNYC plaid bomber that is calling my name. I styled an elevated look with a camel cashmere sweater, bootcut jeans, and Western inspired boots.
old Treasure & Bond plaid wool blend jacket (S) // similar cashmere crewneck // MOTHER flares (29) // old Dolce Vita boots // DIFF sunglasses
Shop bomber jackets for Fall 2024:
#5. Denim Jacket
KUT from the Kloth Jacqueline Denim Jacket (S) // Madewell t-shirt (S) // Wit & Wisdom crop flares // similar Kork-Ease clogs (8)
A denim jacket has long been a transitional wardrobe staple for me, and I include it in this list even though I don’t find myself reaching for mine much right now. I still have the KUT from the Kloth Jacqueline Denim Jacket shown above, but the current-looking styles now are more oversized or belted, and those aren’t really my thing.
I still feel like a denim jacket deserves a spot in this list, so I grabbed these photos from Spring 2023. I feel like these looks are still relevant; in fact, I still have those clogs and that belt.
Also, denim on denim is huge right now, but I just don’t love it for me. I do have my eye out for a washed black denim jacket, though. I feel like that would freshen up my closet and work well with all of the blue and black jeans I wear.
