There’s something you should know about me: I’m a jacket person.
Shoes are the last part of an outfit I think about. I still carry a purse I found at a discount store in 2013 (been meaning to update that). I misplace almost every cute accessory and pair of sunglasses.
But Jackets. I have to stop myself from buying every one I see.
If you live anywhere Up North like I do, you’re probably quite keen on the fact that jackets are not something limited to the winter wardrobe (ahem, because as these photos show: spring also delivers a decent amount of snow). Jackets are a year-round necessity, which, as I like to think, makes my obsession collection quite practical.
5 Stand-Out Jackets I Rely On For Spring & Summer
Spring and summer months call for different kinds of jackets than winter, naturally. I reach for lighter, more moveable ones to act as a top layer for spring days and cozy additions to cool summer evenings around the campfire. Light fleece is still very much in rotation, but I also add windbreakers, a jacket as comfy as your fave sweatshirt, and a statement piece into the mix, plus a heavyweight zip up perfect for long walks and adventures to the park.
dolman jacket | utility sherpa | hoodie | anorak parka
1. Vuori Utility Sherpa Jacket
Funny enough, the Vuori Utility Sherpa Jacket (and its description) are marketed more towards a winter layer…which does make sense if you’re in California, where this brand is based. Where I live, however, this one is just now entering the repeat wear phase.
jacket | bike shorts | hat
The Utility Sherpa is overall very lightweight and thin as far as sherpas go, with the best warmth balance for these brisk Michigan spring days. It’s extremely well-made and has a longer rectangle shape to its body, making it really easy to pair with all sorts of outfits, and the utility pockets make it more of a stand-out piece than your typical fleece.
jacket | bike shorts | hat
I can already tell this will be the first thing I grab for cool summer nights, and would be so good for hiking in the mountains, camping trips or late night backyard bonfires.
Fit Notes: Pretty true to size, I take both medium and large in jackets, and this one is a size large, making it easy to layer with oversized hoodies.
2. Free People Dolman Jacket
The Free People Dolman Jacket has a similar warmth to Vuori’s Utility Sherpa, but with a very different feel. I purchased mine back in 2019 and every single year it makes my Most-Worn list.
Shop the jacket: Free People | Nordstrom | Backcountry | Revolve
I think it’s a consistent favorite of mine because it resembles my old, worn-in sweatshirts in a way. The sleeves are cute both rolled up and full-length, and the jacket actually becomes softer over time.
The Free People Dolman Jacket isn’t necessarily thick, but it’s heavier, causing it to drape around you for the cutest looking relaxed fit I’ve ever seen in a jacket.
Shop the jacket: Free People | Nordstrom | Backcountry | Revolve
Fit Notes: The FP Dolman runs slightly oversized, but I stuck with a large to have an exaggerated drape + oversized sweatshirt type of feel.
3. Free People All Your Love Solid Hoodie
This hoodie is another one that I’ve owned for many years. I ordered it with the idea to wear it as an oversized top with leggings, but when it arrived and I realized how heavyweight this was, I began using it as a jacket for workouts and athleisure outfits.
Free People’s All Your Love Hoodie is perfectly slouchy with dropped dolman sleeves (and thumbholes!!). The zipper goes all the way up into an extended collar, which is not only really cute when you keep the hoodie down, but it’s totally convenient on those extra chilly or windy days.
This one is fantastic for trips to the park with the kiddos and long walks in the summer mornings and evenings!
Fit Notes: This baby is very large. I’m wearing a medium and it fits similar to other sweatshirts I own in size XL! You could definitely size down to not swim in it as much, but it does become a little smaller naturally if you wash + dry it. Even though the oversized look is my natural preference, I also wouldn’t size down simply because I love the longer length in the body.
4. Gap Oversized Anorak Parka
The lightest and longest jacket of them all, the Oversized Anorak Parka from Gap is a new favorite of mine. While it’s not technically a raincoat, this one is perfect for cool foggy weather, light rainy day errands, and especially for standing on the sidelines at your kid’s outdoor sporting events.
The details on this anorak are really well done. It comes with a perfect cinching ability at the waist and sleeves to give the oversized look a bit of shape, and the pockets were applied at a slight angle making them look incredibly cool.
Let’s not forget how deep those pockets are, too. You can throw in your large iPhone, keys, and multiple snacks thankyouverymuch.
Fit Notes: I’m wearing a size medium (regular length) and almost debated trying a small simply because the body is very roomy. In the end I decided to keep a medium because I pretty much always prefer things oversized and didn’t want to lose length in the sleeves.
5. Free People Walk The Line Pullover
I grabbed this Walk The Line Pullover from Free People as an impulse buy last spring. I couldn’t resist the large, happy sunbeam and since I tend to collect jackets that are more universal in style, something in me was drawn to a patterned statement piece.
As it turned out, I wore the HECK out of this pullover. I grabbed it for every occasion, pairing it with jeans, bike shorts, and even throwing over swimsuits at the end of a beach day (thanks to its terry cloth inside). The neckline is sweatshirt material, making it cozy around your face, and the main body exterior is a super-soft track jacket material (great for protecting from wind).
It was love at first wear with this pullover, and while the red is currently unavailable, you can grab it in their “black combo” with that same cheery sunbeam!
Fit Notes: This one is oversized, I’m wearing a medium and it’s still perfectly slouchy in every way.
Xx,
Amy
Let’s be friends on Instagram! Sharing life from my sleepy little beach town, daily style, makeup favorites, Gilmore Girl binge-athons, and endless cups of coffee – all with a good dose of adorable toddler content, too.
LOVED this post! I, too, am a jacket girl and now I want EVERY one of these for my obsession…ummm–collection 🙂