The Best Lightweight Jackets for the Office (Other than Trenchcoats)
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Reader E has a timely question: Which are the best lightweight jackets that look professional (other than a trench coat)? What's best to layer on top of blazers, sweaters, and more as the weather turns colder (finally!)? We haven't talked about lightweight jackets in a thousand years, so let's discuss!
Do you have any suggestions for lightweight jackets that look professional? My office is casual/business casual (lots of people dress casually but I try to step it up a notch). I have a quilted jacket from J.Crew and a lightweight trench, but I'd love to find something shorter than a trench that isn't a blazer. Something I could put over my outfit for chilly mornings. I know the military jacket style is in, but that's too casual and trendy for my style. Any help is appreciated!
Great question, E! I'm assuming by “military jacket” you mean the very popular olive anorak style like this or this, which can definitely be a bit casual if your style is more conservative. I love fall weather and coats, so I rounded up a few general options.
Our Latest Favorite Lightweight Jackets For Your Commute
Hunting for a lightweight jacket for your commute? Classics include the designer trench ($$$$), as well as this affordable reader favorite raincoat, this classic packable raincoat! Know your office before wearing a jean jacket with your outfit, but if you're on the hunt, this one is a bestseller every year. Check out some of our latest, trendy favorites for 2024 below!
Great Lightweight Jackets for Office Looks
Reader E already has one, but I will note that I think every woman should have a lightweight trench in her closet — it's a classic piece, and many of the styles are sold with removable liners and hoods so you can adjust them as needed for the weather — and when we've talked in the past about what jackets to wear with skirts and dresses, a longer trench is usually what's in my mind.
(I'm a fan of the mid-thigh-length ones, but they also certainly make calf-length ones, if you prefer a longer, more dramatic look.)
I'd add that a nice big scarf is a great option to add on top of these, both as an additional, removable layer of warmth and possibly protection for your hair from wind/rain. Personally, I'm a fan of bigger wraps like the office pashminas we rounded up in our post on why to keep a wrap at the office — but that's me!
Other Lightweight Jackets that Look Polished and Professional
Of course, if you want something other than a trench coat, there are a lot of options — we'll list our favorite blazers (general, oversized boyfriend blazers, affordable blazers, and statement blazers), as well as our favorite sweater blazers, cardigans, and Chanel-style jackets.
Blazers as Separates
Some of the best blazers for women in 2025 — great for wearing as separates! — include options from Cinq à Sept, J.Crew (collarless and collared), Everlane, and Madewell. Hunting for a deal? Check out J.Crew Factory and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop).
Plus-Size Blazers
Some of our favorite plus-size blazers as of 2024 include Talbots (plus-size petites and talls!), Eloquii, J.Crew (up to 3X), J.Crew Factory, Universal Standard, Liverpool, and this great Nic & Zoe sweater blazer.
Investment Blazers to Splurge On
Hunting for a luxe statement blazer? 2025 favorites include Smythe, include McQueen, L'Agence, Veronica Beard, The Fold, Armani, and Anine Bing.
Affordable Blazers
Hunting for women's blazers under $50? Our favorites as of 2024 are below — if you're open to going up to $75, also check out these options from Amazon, J.Crew Factory, Old Navy, and this Uniqlo blazer.
Oversized Blazers
These are some of our latest favorite oversized boyfriend blazers for work as of 2024…
The Sweater Blazer
A sweater blazer can feel more comfortable than a blazer because you've got greater ease of movement, but it can be warm and stylish like a blazer.
Some of our favorite sweater jackets for the office as of 2025 include M.M.LaFleur (the OG, the jardigan!), L'Agence, Summersalt, J.Crew, and Jenni Kayne. For budget options check J.Crew Factory and Quince.
Sweater Jackets for Plus Sizes
Hunting for the best sweater jackets for plus sizes? Some of our favorites of 2025 include J.Crew Factory (up to 3X), J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, Nic & Zoe, and Lands' End. (I don't know this brand, but this boiled wool one looks nice too, and this $40 option is available up to size 6X.)
Cardigans
Some of our favorite classic cardigans for the office as of 2025 include those below — definitely check Talbots and J.Crew Factory if you're looking for plus sizes, and Quince is always a nice affordable option. Veronica Beard and Brooks Brothers both keep a bunch of options in stock.
Lightweight Sweaters
Our latest favorite lightweight sweaters for work include this Nic + Zoe cardigan and M.M.LaFleur jardigans. We've also rounded up 100% cotton sweaters, as well as the classic summer sweater, the twinset.
100% silk sweaters are incredibly hard to find at the moment, but Nordstrom has a very limited collection, including options from LilySilk.
Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you're looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.
As of 2024, you can find cotton-cashmere sweaters at Quince, L.L.Bean, and Reformation.
Some of our favorite silk-cashmere sweaters for work include these from LaLigne and Brooks Brothers; if you're looking to splurge, Akris has a bunch right now.
In 2024, Buck Mason has a lot of silk-cashmere-wool blend sweaters, including this turtleneck and this crewneck – APC also has some!
Another lightweight but luxe option: cashmere-linen sweaters, such as this option from Vineyard Vines.
Chanel-Like Jackets
Some of our latest favorite Chanel-style jackets for work in 2025 include these, but in general check more jacket-y options like Chanel, IRO, L'Agence, and Veronica Beard, as well as more sweater-y options like St. John, and ba&sh. J.Crew and Nic & Zoe offer a bunch of both kinds, in regular and plus sizes. On the budget side of things, check out CeCe, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), J.Crew Factory, and Mango. (Also check out our roundup of the best lady jackets for work!) Nordstrom has a bunch in all price points!
Great Lightweight Jackets for Office Looks in 2024
Burberry
I mean, CAN we discuss spring raincoats and trench coats without going to the OG? Burberry trench coats will run you north of $2,000, but they're considered investment pieces by many. (Readers who have one, please weigh in with your thoughts — do you find them hard to clean? Are you pleased with how yours has held up?)
(Personally I'm not a fan of either double-breasted coats or the color beige — and having a hood is important to me — so for me this option has never made sense. But they're classic coats, and I see a lot to love but for those personal dealbreakers.)
The pictured coat (the Kensington) is $2,490 at Neiman Marcus.
Eddie Bauer
This Eddie Bauer classic has been the hands-down reader favorite for many years now. I have one and like it — it isn't the sleekest of looks, but the hood is nice and deep, it has two deep pockets on the side of the coat and one smaller one on the inside breast of the coat. Mine must be several years old now (maybe as much as many as five?) and really is not showing signs of wear.
The coat comes in regular (XS-XXL), plus (1X-3X), petite (XS-XL), and tall sizes (S-XXL); even the range of sizes is unusually great. The coat has been available in both basic and seasonal colors over the years; right now it looks like they only have black, navy, gray, and a brownish “redwood.” It's $169 but frequently goes on sale.
(There's an insulated version of the coat also, which I've tried — for my $.02 I prefer the plain raincoat.)
This can be a slightly noisy coat because the fabric is stiff and water-repellent, but it's a breathable fabric and really does keep you dry.
Brooks Brothers
I've sung the praises of the Brooks Brothers ruana in the past and finally picked up one for myself during one of their spring/summer sales. This reversible animal print/gray one, in fact — it's still available and currently marked to $209 down from $698. When I first got it I was a bit bummed that it was more like a poncho than I thought it would be, with more of a definite “collar” and shape to it than my other nice big wraps. (And I'll admit, I was so undecided, if the return window hadn't passed without my noticing, I might have sent it back.)
But now that is fall, I'm surprised how often I reach for it. It's warm, it's crazy soft but sturdy, it goes on top of blazers as well as simple long-sleeved t-shirts.
Ultimately I'm very happy with the purchase and know I'll have it for years to come.
Cons: no pockets. Pros: It hangs nicely on a hanger just like a coat would. Brooks Brothers has a ton right now, some as low as $136, some as high as $3,998. (I can't speak to the quality but it looks like Uniqlo also has some similar stoles for $20ish.)
Cole Haan
The pictured red jacket from Cole Haan has 300+ positive reviews at Nordstrom. It’s packable, and has a cute bow in the back so you can cinch it. (And I’m intrigued by the “snap-down storm flap.”) I like that the pockets zip as well as snap, and the hood detaches.
It's around $300 full price, but look for it on sale as much as 50% off at shops like Nordstrom and Amazon.
Ilse Jacobsen
This pictured raincoat is super affordable and also really highly rated!
It comes in 10 different colors in sizes 4-16 (34 FR-46 FR). There are other slightly different versions of this raincoat with different fabrics and hem lengths.
Boden
Ooooooh… I love this. I know the beige trench is a classic, but it's so boring (and, for some of us, beige makes us look like corpses). This bright, happy trench from Boden definitely takes care of that — it's light, lively, and so unusual.
Particularly if the rest of your wardrobe is minimal (cough, all black), this would be a great pop of color in spring, summer, and fall.
The trench is $510, available in sizes 2-22 and 2P-12P.
Other Wraps We Love
A few other wraps we love…
Some of our favorite office shawls as of 2025 include ones from J.Crew, Nordstrom, Tuckernuck, Quince, and this super affordable one from Amazon. If you're looking for more of a ruana jacket, I highly recommend the Brooks Brothers' ones!
Readers, what do you think are the best women's lightweight jackets for the office for fall and spring? Do you have a favorite trenchcoat, sweater blazer, or other lightweight jacket that looks professional?
Seasonal Blazers for Outerwear
Fall Blazers That Can Double As Outerwear
If you're hunting for winter blazers in tweeds or other warm fabrics, check Uniqlo, Ann Taylor, Boden, Smythe, J.Crew, Veronica Beard, Tuckernuck, and L'Agence. Some recent ones we've featured:
You say you don't want a blazer, so this may be too close for your liking — but there are a lot of fun, sophisticated jackets that are a bit more buttoned up than a blazer (so, warmer) and on the shorter side. A lot of these may come in textured, sturdy fabrics like tweed, corduroy, and velvet.
Another option: festive blazers in velvet, at least for fall jackets…
Hunting for festive blazers for 2024/25? Stay tuned for a bigger roundup, but on the affordable side we like Loft, Liverpool, and Endless Rose — and this Eliza J one is almost always in stock. On the more expensive side, check Boden, Veronica Beard, L'Agence, and Alice & Olivia. Another option: jacquard blazers like this one from Anne Klein.
Spring Blazers That Can Double As Outerwear
White Blazers
As of April 2024, some of our favorite stylish white blazers for work include options from J.Crew, J.Crew Factory, Ann Taylor, Liverpool, and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop). If you're looking to splurge, try Smythe or L'Agence.
Linen and Other Lightweight Blazers
Hunting for lightweight blazers for summer in linen and other fabrics? As of 2024, J.Crew's Helena blazer in stretch linen is a bestseller, as is this super affordable Quince blazer and Old Navy (regular, tall, and petite up to 4X). Along related lines (all machine washable!), check out Uniqlo's Airsense jacket (lightweight and stretchy), Madewell's Drapeweave line (lightweight and drapey) and Brooks Brothers' seersucker line (lightweight and cooling). You can find silk/linen blazers at Ann Taylor and Hobbs; Ann Taylor also has a number of cotton pique options.
Social media picture via Stencil.
Great Winter Coats for Your Commute
Of course, as the weather gets colder, you may want to go for a great winter coat instead… some of our favorites are below!
Where to Find Statement Coats
Some of our favorite stores and brands to check for statement coats for winter include Ted Baker, Soia & Kyo, COS, J.Crew, and Cuyana.
Great Winter Coats for Work Outfits
Some of our favorite classic coats for work as of 2025 include J.Crew, Sam Edelman, Aritzia, L.L.Bean, Quince, and Cole Haan. On the splurgier side, do check out Mackage, Soia & Kyo, Eileen Fisher, Fleurette, and Cinzia Rocca. We've also rounded up our favorite washable winter coats!
I actually own the previous version of the Alfani sweater blazer (with normal 3/4 sleeves) and wear it all the time. I had no clue it came in colors other than gray and black (I bought it in a store and those were the only colors available). I’d buy more if it weren’t for the sleeves as the silhouette is very flattering.
My short trench is similar to this one: https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-outerwear-trench-sage?collection=womens-outerwear
Love that jacket!
I’m not sure if OP means something that would work for wearing indoors or just a jacket that she would be comfortable wearing to a more formal office. I have a shorter trench that I really like for the commuting purpose. And I’ve been tempted to get something like this for the in between: https://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/ACCESSORIES/scarves/PRD~H0832/H0832.jsp?N=21+10015&Nbrd=M&Nloc=en_US&Nrpp=48&Npge=1&Nsrt=3&isSaleItem=false&color_name=NEUTRAL MULTI&isFromSale=true&isNewSearch=true&hash=row0 (FYI – it was an extra 30% off recently, not sure if that promo is over but will probably come back soon).
This might be a know-your-office thing, but I think a nice leather jacket could be a good option (https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cole-haan-lambskin-leather-scuba-jacket/3031846?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=BLACK)
I also have a very lightweight wool coat from Uniqlo that I wear in the fall and on warmer winter days that I love. This one looks even lighter and I’m tempted to buy it in red. (https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/women-double-face-collarless-coat-400734.html?dwvar_400734_color=COL17#start=5&cgid=women-outerwear-and-blazers)
HELP LADIES S.O.S, I have been at my job about 10 months. I have been passively looking because I am very underpaid for my industry and experience. My plan was to stay at least 1 year. Well, I just got a huge job offer which will give me a $40k salary bump and an amazing title! Should I take it? It all checks out and is a great opportunity but I will not be able to stay a full year as they are moving so fast with this new opportunity. The team is swamped and they need support. I do not want to burn bridges at my current company but hot d*mn this is a GREAT opp. What should I do? I have a beater of a car currently and a mountain of student debt – so my mind tells me that I should take it and vanquish my debts and be able to save rapidly (no kids). Should I put my self first and take the job or should I stay for another 3 months at my current job and pass this up? I should mention I am in a highly competitive industry and do not have lots of connections nor do I get head hunted like this often!
I literally just did this and was really torn about leaving before a year. A mentor (who is also a senior HR person, not at my company) reassured me that in this market, it’s your company’s responsibility to recognize and reward you for your talents and you have no obligation to stay until some arbitrary marker. If this is really a great opportunity and you think you’l be there for a while, TAKE IT! People who are rational understand that great opportunities come up and probably “get” why you would take it.
I was where you are 3 years ago. I was worried it would “look bad” to leave the job that underpaid me and made me miserable simply because it had only been a few months since I started. I hadn’t even been looking for new work because I thought I had to “at least stick it out for a year.” When another firm approached me with a much higher salary and an opportunity to get out of my current situation, I had the same reservations you have, but I took the offer and left previous firm. Fast forward to present day and I am still happy at the place I joined 3 years ago. If you have a great opportunity to move forward and work for employers who value you, I say that turning that down just to stick it out another few months at the place that undervalues you makes no sense. Take the job and the new salary without looking back. Good luck!
I love that vest! Wish it wasn’t so expensive – I haven’t had much luck finding a stiffer wool vest. Also I’m always cold so it’s probably impractical but I love the look.
I got a sweater blazer from Banana this season and I adore it. My office is really casual so I would look weird in a regular blazer, but this one makes me feel more professional and keeps me warm.
I just bought a wine colored moto jacket at Ann Taylor, and it fills this need for me perfectly. They have a couple different styles right now, and keep doing 50%.
https://www.anntaylor.com/ruffle-twill-moto-jacket/444683?skuId=23730922&defaultColor=8115&colorExplode=true&catid=cata000017
What about the fashion conundrum of having a duster/long jacket as an “indoor layer” – part of the outfit you are wearing at your desk during the day — but then also wanting an additional layer for outdoors? I’ve got a winter coat that covers this when it is actually cold, but I get confused in fall and spring. I don’t like the long sweater layer hanging out from under a shorter outdoor jacket. I have a trench coat, but that feels like a rain coat, and I live in the Bay Area; it feels strange to wear a rain coat when it’s not going to rain. Suggestions?
I add a heavier scarf to the duster cardigan and I’m fine outside. But I’m not a “cold” person and I’m not commuting on foot. If I needed more warmth, I’d probably wear the long trench, or put the duster in my bag and wear the regular/short/warm coat for the commute….
I have no need for a wool blazer because a) I work from home and never see clients; and b) I live in the Carolinas and it never seems to get really cold anymore, but WOW that green Talbot’s jacket is lovely. I adore that shade of green.