Spring-Ready Coats and Jackets

 

Pastel pink is quintessential spring 2017. By Malene Birger’s stretch-twill coat’s slightly loose shape drapes elegantly over the body. Satin lining. $895, netaporter.com.

This Weekend Max Mara Regazza dandelion-yellow coat is as pretty and cheery-looking as a freshly painted Easter egg. $875, matchesfashion.com.

It’s hard to go astray with a tailored trench coat. $245 at Massimo Dutti, 1220 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC, and massimodutti.com.

From Italian line Aspesi, a nylon taffeta collar-less long cocoon jacket will get you noticed — in a good way. $325, annmashburn.com and Ann Mashburn, 3251 Prospect Street NW, Washington DC.

Pop the collar in Madewell’s version of a classic trench. Reduced from $138 to $98.50, madewell.com and see the site for stores in DC, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Cropped-sleeve, body-hugging moto jacket from Rebecca Taylor in versatile army green. $950, nordstrom.com.

Uniqlo’s lightweight but warm down jacket feels and looks as easy to wear as a cardigan. $59.90, uniqlo.com and Uniqlo stores at Tysons Corner, McLean, Virginia, and 1608 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.

Old-school hooded windbreaker gets an update with a camo print. $69.90, zara.com and Zara, 1238 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC, and 1715-17 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

& Other Stories’ denim jacket gets new life with embroidery and a ruffle front. $115, stories.com/us. Also at & Other Stories, 3241 M Street NW, Washington DC.

Carhartt Work In Progress (WIP), a spinoff of the trad workwear company, redesigns the denim jacket with an unfinished hem and a longer length. $168, asos.com.

In-between days call for a heavier twill like in this peacoat. $118, jcrew.com. See site for J. Crew stores in DC, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

REMEMBER THE DAYS when shopping for a new spring coat was a rite of the season? I recall a navy blue double-breasted gabardine coat with silver buttons and epaulets that I had light-years ago. It was ideal for April’s famously iffy weather—and not just those storied rain showers. Days can be downright damp and chilly, requiring an added layer of protection. Although almost no one refers to them as “spring” coats or jackets any longer, we’ve found a big selection of these season-appropriate toppers to choose from.

Trench coats
Style arbiter par excellence Yves Saint Laurent said it was an essential in any woman’s wardrobe.  This year’s models are oversize, and some feature the stylized sleeves that are the season’s ubiquitous look. I’m in lust with Simone Rocha’s puffed-sleeve version, although it’s probable I’ll opt for one more classic and far less pricey, which won’t lead to hysterics when it gets caught in a car door.

Coats in color
Bright pops of color and pastels are a welcome addition to spring’s offerings. Think yellow, red and pink, the hue du jour. No one will notice or care what you’re wearing underneath. The same reasoning applies to trench coats.

Jackets
Leather moto jackets, bombers, windbreakers and lightweight puffers are a no-brainer for fickle temps, easy to casually slip on over dresses and pants. The ones we favor are in comeback army green or a camouflage print. Note: Olive is neutral and will tame the exuberance of the season’s popular florals. Another springtime staple, the denim jacket, also has a new vibe—embroidered, appliquéd, jewel-studded, ruffled or a fanciful combination of embellishments.

See the slide show above for the favorites we’ve got our eye on.

—Janet Kelly
Janet Kelly recently wrote about fashion designer Iris van Herpen.