These Are the Only Transitional Outerwear Staples You’ll Need This Spring

As winter fades and the weather begins to warm up, outerwear becomes less about insulation and more about style. The best transitional pieces offer a chance to experiment with new proportions and textures, making dressing for spring a true joy.

Whether I’m reaching for a sweeping blazer cut from wool or a cropped jacket stitched with leather, the options are endless. And for this reason, these layers make up the majority of my wardrobe.

Ahead, discover the five categories of transitional outerwear worth investing in now, and wearing long after this season ends. They’re the outfit-makers I can’t seem to get enough of—and once you try them, you’ll feel the same way.

The Long Tailored Blazer

The silhouette is everything with this tailored blazer. A lengthy hemline that nearly sweeps the floor is what gives this elegant piece a dramatic proportion. I styled mine with a cream chiffon scarf to bring softness and light around the face, while adding another elongated line through the look. A few vintage brooches, a Savette clutch, and sunglasses finish it off for a full day out.

The Cropped Leather Jacket

This cropped leather jacket is lightweight enough to double as a top when buttoned all the way up. It’s the kind of style you can dress up over a long silk skirt or wear casually with denim.

I styled mine for an evening out with friends, adding a vintage burnout scarf (which can be worn over the shoulder or tied at the waist). I love having elements of an outfit that can shift and evolve as the night unfolds.

A cream pouch brings a touch of brightness and contrast to complete the look.

The Wool Cape

This wool cape is lighter than the heavy alternatives I recommended in my recent story about vacation outfits. I can effortlessly layer it over any uniform, from a head-to-toe denim look to a silk evening ensemble (as styled here).

With a piece like this, accessories truly dictate the direction. For a New York Fashion Week presentation, I paired it with a pillbox hat, a feathered brooch, and python heels to lean into its elegance.

The Funnel-Neck Leather Jacket

The funnel-neck leather jacket is the coziest option on this list. I love burrowing into its high collar, which makes it one of my favorite travel pieces of the season. I styled mine in tonal chocolate brown, adding a pop of red with a cashmere sweater draped over the shoulders and a carnelian gem cuff fastened at the wrist.

The Trench Coat

Of course, the classic trench belongs on any transitional outerwear list. Even though my closet has more than enough, I’m always drawn to the subtle details that make each version feel unique. It’s an investment-worthy style I’ll never get tired of, especially when it’s layered over leather.

For a day of appointments, I wore mine over a black turtleneck, adding red beads and a red scarf worn as a belt.