I recently found myself rewatching the documentary The September Issue for the hundredth time—you know, the one which follows American Vogue staffers (specifically Anna Wintour) and offers a glimpse into what that “glamorous” world looked like back in 2007. As you’d expect, there’s many memorable quotes in it, but one that stuck out to me on this viewing was an editor’s exclamation that “the jacket is the new coat”. Working in fashion myself for the last decade, I like to think I can take the industry with a pinch of salt and appreciate the absurdity of sweeping statements like this declaring one thing “in” and another “out”. But it did get me thinking about how cyclical fashion is, and how jackets and all the exciting jacket trends for autumn 2023 are taking up an awful lot of my brain space right now—more so than, say, coats.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a self-confessed outerwear addict so if anyone can appreciate a good coat it’s me. But I do think coats are more likely be classic, timeless pieces you invest in and pull out year after year—a camel Max Mara belted number, a perfect beige trench, or a tailored black wool style, for example. Jackets are there to have a little fun with—and while every purchase should still be a thoughtful one that fits with your personal style, it feels like there’s more room to play around with texture, shape and style within the jacket realm.
So, what’s on the agenda for the ultimate transitional wardrobe piece for autumn/winter 2023? Well, I’ve scoured the catwalk collections and been keeping very close tabs on the emerging street style trends, not to mention tracking the jacket styles that the high street are backing in their fresh autumn drops recently. And I can confirm there’s a whole spectrum of trends to choose from—no, literally—ranging from toughened up and oversized bombers and bikers at one end, to ultra-ladylike waisted blazers and buttoned tweed styles at the other. Somewhere in the middle you’ll come across the tactile trends—baby-soft wool styles and touchy-feely textures. Some you’ll recognise as evolutions on jacket trends that have been gaining traction over the last few years, but some feel really fresh and new for AW23. One thing’s for sure, whatever your style vibe is for the season ahead, you can be certain there’s something here to make your heart beat a little faster.
Scroll on for the seven key jacket trends you’re about to see a lot more of in 2023 (and into 2024). You’ll also find my expert shopping picks for each trend so you can bag the best autumn/winter jacket styles now (before they inevitably sell out).
Up Next: The Autumn/Winter 2023 Fashion Trends That Really Matter
