5 Spring Jackets the Most Stylish Women in London Are Wearing

It’s no surprise that trench coats are one of the most worn spring jackets in England, considering the weather is wildly unpredictable—one minute it's windy and rainy, the next it’s sunny and warm. Forecast aside, I wouldn’t expect anything else from the country where the style originated. Apart from their sleek and stylish exteriors, trench coats are functional to their core, with quality styles boasting heavy-duty, waterproof fabric, storm guards and pockets.

For London locals, trench coats aren’t viewed as trendy as they may be in the States; they’re an essential wardrobe staple, acting as a potential raincoat just as much as a fashion statement. When it comes to colorways, Londoners tend to keep to the classics, opting for earth tones over loud prints and bold hues.

Countryside weekend getaway or not, waxy barn coats are one of those staple styles that English women seem to reach for time and time again, particularly in the spring. Popular British brands like Burberry and Barbour are both renowned for their durable and weather-resistant styles, so it’s only fitting that the locals wear them on repeat. I’ve noticed tons of Londoners gravitating towards these classic pieces lately, perhaps because of their longevity and craftsmanship (many of which can be re-waxed after multiple seasons to last you a literal lifetime) or maybe because they’re innately British.

Venture out towards East London and you’ll be overwhelmed by all the edgy, out-there styles, like the cooler-than-cool leather jacket. And can you blame them? London locals love combining practicality and style, both of which are at the core of this trend. Unlike the oversized styles of years prior, this season is all about cropped leather bombers that sit just at the hips and leave enough room around the waist to be spacious rather than fitted—though I do see some longer styles still in rotation. Not to mention, leather jackets are versatile, too, looking just as sharp paired with tailored trousers as they are with a boho maxi dress. The great thing about these pieces is that they’ll never go out of fashion, no matter what micro trend is buzzing about.

This spring, British women are ditching their winter scarves for jackets that have neck protection already built-in—I’m talking about funnel neck jackets. What I, and almost every single local, seem to love about this type of jacket is that it’s oh-so fashionable yet quite impressive at keeping you warm. While the days of thermals are gone, Londoners still need to battle windy, chilly days, and the extra bit of fabric above the collarbone does the trick. It’s also terribly chic and incredibly sleek, thanks to that structural stand-up collar. Not to mention, it’s rather perfect for layering—I often pop a knitted triangle scarf under my funnel neck coats for added warmth.

The spring jacket trend that took me by surprise is not about the jacket's cut or silhouette, but rather its print. The pièce de résistance of spring jacket trends across the pond is a polka-dot print.

Perhaps British fashionistas are pulling inspiration from designer collections where the print was incorporated in outerwear, including Jacquemus, Carolina Herrera or even Acne Studios. Or it might just be sports brands continuing to influence fashion, as I’ve seen London gals rock that Adidas satin jacket that seems to be sold out everywhere. Maybe the trend was even inspired by the cool Copenhagen Fashion Week attendees, who unapologetically donned their polka dots.

Wherever it came from—perhaps all of the above—I don’t see this jacket going anywhere this season, and I predict it'll carry over into the summer and even fall, transitioning to darker tones rather than the typical black-and-white combo that's prominent now.