The best part about March is that it's the perfect time to swap thicker wardrobe staples for something far less insulating. The first piece I replace at the first glimpse of spring sunshine? My cosy wool coat, which gets pushed to the back of my cupboard in favour of a lightweight jacket.

There have been plenty of key jacket styles on my radar for some time now, many of which were championed on the SS26 runways. One of my favourites, the blouson, comes courtesy of the genius that is Chemena Kamali, who embraced the airy silhouette for Chloé.

chloe s26 030jpg
launchmetrics.com/spotlight

This uniquely designed lightweight staple has seen incredible success, with plenty of high street brands offering their own take on the slightly puffed jacket.

Another chic style to turn your attention to is, unsurprisingly, the barn jacket. Updated for 2026, this flattering design - despite its roots in workwear - now comes in cropped iterations, a trend widely adopted across retailers’ outerwear offerings. Likewise, the leather bomber is another excellent example of how shorter styles have dominated the fashion conversation, led by a sleek style from H&M.

While there are plenty of elevated options, 2026 has also made room for sportier styles, including the anorak (read: the windbreaker), championed by Saint Laurent, which incorporated technical elements into its collections.

paris, france march 08: a person is seen wearing oversized black framed sunglasses, silver colored beaded necklaces, a light blue cable knit top, a pale yellow zip up track jacket with a green logo on the chest, a black pleated maxi skirt, and brown sneakers with white laces and soles, while carrying a burgundy leather shoulder bag during day seven of paris fashion week womenswear fall/winter 2026/2027 on march 08, 2026 in paris, france. (photo by 305pics/getty images)
305pics

And of course, there’s the funnel neck jacket - another sporty staple featuring a high neckline that bridges the gap between sportswear and street style.

From these standout categories, I’ve selected 5 of the best spring jackets to instantly upgrade your outerwear rotation. Shop them below.

5 key spring jackets

The blouson

John Lewis Blouson Sleeve Jacket, Natural

Blouson Sleeve Jacket, Natural

John Lewis Blouson Sleeve Jacket, Natural

Credit: John Lewis

The barn jacket

Mango Barn Jacket In Khaki Green

Barn Jacket In Khaki Green

Mango Barn Jacket In Khaki Green

Credit: ASOS

The leather bomber

H&M Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

H&M Faux Leather Bomber Jacket

Credit: H&M

The anorak

Nobody's Child Green Windbreaker Jacket

Green Windbreaker Jacket

Nobody's Child Green Windbreaker Jacket

Credit: Nobody's Child

The funnel neck jacket

M&S Cotton Rich Funnel Neck Jacket

Cotton Rich Funnel Neck Jacket

M&S Cotton Rich Funnel Neck Jacket

Credit: M&S