The Best Fall Coats to Stock Up on Before Temperatures Drop

A Fresh Crop of Jackets to Get You Pumped for Fall

(Image credit: Getty)

published 15 September 2020

The item of clothing I'm willing to splurge on year after year isn't a new pair of shoes or a designer handbag, it's a nice jacket. Sometimes I'll go with a trendy option, like a teddy bear jacket. Other times, I prioritize practicality and opt for a long down coat, which more or less means I'm traipsing the streets of Manhattan in a black sleeping bag. (It's definitely not trendy, but oh-so-very warm.) I'm a firm believer that your coat should last you through multiple seasons, but with so many new styles coming out annually, I can't resist buying a new one...or two. If you're in the market for a fresh jacket for fall, too, keep clicking; we've hand-picked some goodies. Whether you plan to swaddle yourself in cozy faux-shearling or bury your hands in some wool pockets, the outerwear choices ahead won't disappoint.

Monki Faux Leather Jacket in Dusty Green

The Faux Leather Jacket

Step outside of your "neutrals only" zone this season and try a minty green jacket. You may find yourself loving the pop of color more than you thought.

Wilfred Free Sherpa Sweater Jacket

The Sherpa Jacket

For an outerwear option that's not too heavy and not too light, check out this outerwear that's made with plush, lightweight sherpa fabric. This jacket is perfect for wearing in the beginning of fall when the night air suddenly becomes crisper and chillier.

Hope for Flowers by Tracy Ree Parchment Puff Sleeve Jacket

The Vintage-Looking Jacket

This is the kind of jacket you'd find in your cool aunt's vintage-chic closet. Go ahead and play dress up with this puffy outerwear, which can simply be worn as a blouse too. The shoulders will make a strong style statement as soon as you leave the apartment.

Banana Republic Water-Resistant Linen-Cotton Rain Jacket

The Rain Jacket

This outerwear comes in handy for cloudy skies and unexpected showers. It's water-resistant, which means if you forgot to bring that umbrella, you'll still remain dry as you race to get back home from the grocery store.

Mango Oversize Denim Jacket

The Denim Jacket

This piece is crucial to your transitional spring-into-fall wardrobe. If your denim outerwear seems like it needs to be retired, replace it with this oversize style from Mango.

The Mighty Company The Stratford Trench

The Leather Jacket

This contemporary trench-style coat feels fresh thanks to the supple beige leather construction. The deep side pockets allow you to go bag-free while the inside lining has a soft cream-to-lilac ombré color scheme for a colorful surprise when you unbutton the jacket.

Coach Leather Blouson Jacket With Rib

The Leather Bomber Jacket

This military-inspired bomber jacket is buttery smooth to the touch, making it feel as luxe as it looks. Drape it across your shoulders to jazz up a simple t-shirt and jeans look.

(Image credit: DKNY)

DKNY Utility Jacket With Back Sequin Logo

The Utility Jacket

This utility jacket is quite useful in that it can be paired with anything, from sporty leggings to jeans to even your fall maxi dress. The outerwear is simple and fuss-free, perfect for people on the go.

ALIYA WANEK Rumi Jacket Fuchsia

The Lightweight Quilted Jacket

This three-quarter length quilted jacket has hidden front pockets and is locally dyed/handmade in the Bay Area. The popular lightweight jacket is almost all sold out, which means if you love this one—get it now.

Free People Dolman Sleeve Quilted Jacket

The Dolman-Sleeve Jacket

The kind of jacket you'd picture on someone who is traveling cross-country in a van with their pup. It looks lived in and cozy. Though if you have no plans to travel anytime soon, this would look great with your day-to-day relaxed wardrobe too.

Lisou Colette Baby Blue Cropped Wool Jacket

The Blue Wool Jacket

Lisou has hopped on to the textured trend for fall by releasing this baby blue curly jacket design. It reminds me of a Goldendoodle's fur, so naturally I'd want to run my hands over this plush outerwear 24/7. Trading in all my trench coats for this asap.

H&M Boxy Puffer Jacket

The Puffer Jacket

For a puffer jacket that hits at the hips and looks modern from all angles (you don't want to look like an Emperor Penguin), check out this one from H&M. It has an exposed zipper at the front and drawstrings at the sides to cinch in the jacket tighter to keep you warm.

IAMISIGO Barkcloth Long-Sleeve Jacket

The Statement Jacket

This patched jacket is made from barkcloth in Nairobi, Kenya. Artisans cut the unique fabric into patches to avoid waste as the barkcloth is an ancient, non-woven material sourced from the Mutuba tree in Kampala, Uganda. If you want a jacket with a story behind it, scoop up this baby.

Serena Alicia Plaid Cropped Jacket

The Plaid Crop Jacket

This is the understated, crop plaid jacket you can count on to match all your outfits. The tailored fit, side pockets, and length are classic details that will satisfy even the pickiest outerwear shoppers. Dress it down with sneakers or up with heels.

Balmain Faux Shearling-Trimmed Denim Jacket

The Crop Denim Jacket

A denim jacket that has it all, from the removable shearling collar to gold coin buttons to the fitted hem and sleeves. The jacket is, frankly, more stylish than a regular cropped denim jacket. I'd wear this with jeans of the same color, a black sweater, and brown riding boots. Denim-on-denim, here I come.

Emma Childs is the fashion features editor at Marie Claire, who writes trend reports, long-form reported features, and shopping guides. Previously, she was Marie Claire's style editor, and wrote for The Zoe Report, Editorialist, Elite Daily, Bustle, and Mission Magazine. She studied Fashion Studies and New Media at Fordham University Lincoln Center. When she's not writing fashion deep-dives, you'll find her stalking eBay for designer vintage, reading literary fiction on her Kindle, and baking in her tiny NYC kitchen.