The Best Jackets for Fall and Beyond Include Leather, Fleece, and Rain Coats You'll Wear All the Time
Nothing signals the near arrival of autumn quite like the subtle but unmissable shift of inventory in clothing stores and online retailers. All of a sudden, summer attire goes on sale, and those first-page placements are replaced by darker shades, heavier fabrics, and peeps of plaid and herringbone. If you’re someone who eagerly awaits a new season, dreaming of seasonal pieces to add to your rotation, it’s the best time of the year. While boots, sweaters, and knit accessories will all have their own moments in the upcoming months, the real star of the colder-weather wardrobe is the fall jacket.
From classic trenches, lightweight rain coats, and cozy fleece-lined shackets to cool leather and denim jackets and long sherpa layers, the outerwear this time of year should be versatile, transitional, and, of course, stylish. If you haven’t found a women's jacket to invest in this season or you just started your search, look no further. Below, we rounded up 27 of the best women's jackets and coats for fall 2023.
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The 27 Best Women's Jackets for Fall 2023
Nordstrom
Trench coats are synonymous with both spring and fall, otherwise known as the transitional seasons. This Steve Madden version decidedly leans toward the latter, featuring both plaid and houndstooth patterns. Elegant and classic, but still fun and modern, it’s the perfect coat for pairing with jeans, cords, or your favorite work slacks.
Amazon
Your search for the perfect teddy coat is over. This French Connection Teddy Coat, available in seven colors on Amazon, is one of the coziest trends for the season, and the Coral Pink hue lets you capitalize on the growing Barbiecore aesthetic. It features a front snap button closure, two side pockets, and an open-front design.
Nordstrom
Certain clothing brands tend to be associated with specific seasons — Lilly Pulitzer in the summer, Canada Goose in the winter, Barbour in the fall. With or without riding boots, the Barbour Constable Quilted Longline Jacket creates a classic, preppy look, and it stays true to its roots by maintaining function alongside appearance. It’s lined and quilted to keep you warm, and the four pockets ensure hands-free walks around the neighborhood.
Amazon
Few brands are as trusted for all-weather excursions than The North Face. This machine-washable, insulated, water-repellent pick is as easy to care for as it is to throw on for a chilly fall night with a questionable forecast. The brand says this coat is particularly compressible, making it a good option to pack for weekend getaway or even a longer trip with limited suitcase space.
Gap
want a one-and-done piece, this puffer jacket from Gap should do the trick. Made of 100% recycled nylon, it’s warm yet lightweight and the hooded neck can be adjusted to block out any unwanted weather.
Free People
If the puffer coat owns winter, the quilted jacket can claim fall as its season. This particular Free People style has an oversized fit and is available in 10 colorways. If you want a jacket that feels extra autumn, go with the shade Toasted Coconut, Red Convertible, or Carrot Ginger.
Nordstrom
If you haven’t added the classic trench to your wardrobe despite considering it every year, now’s the time. Throw this cotton version from Treasure & Bond over a cashmere sweater as soon as the temperatures drop below 65. Add a pair of sunglasses, cozy knit pants, sneakers, and a seasonal Starbucks latte, and you’re set for the first fall weekend.
Free People
If you feel the most comfortable in oversized, lighter jackets, we found your new everyday outerwear. This Free People denim jacket is meant to be layered as the season progresses, and it has multiple pockets, a collared neckline, and cuffed sleeves for a laid-back work-shirt look . It’s available in five colorways, but the Chocolate Lava or Tidal Foam gives an extra dose of fall vibes.
Nordstrom
Denim on denim — also known as the Canadian tuxedo — is one of the easiest ways to look put-together in the fall. The Solar Wash version of the Madison City jean jacket is also made of lightweight fabric that’s ideal for the days you want to dress for the season but the humidity has yet to say its final “goodbye.” Not to mention, you can add layers on top (like a down vest or flannel coat) as the weeks get colder.
Anthropologie
Leather and shearling (faux or otherwise) are an iconic duo — particularly when they come together to create one of the best women's jackets of the season. The Bernardo Faux Shearling Coat somehow manages to straddle the line between statement coat and versatile go-to, so you can bet this mid-weight jacket will be put to good use this fall.
Nordstrom
The ASOS Design Curve Twill Longline Coat is the kind of piece that makes an entire outfit (even if you’re just wearing leggings and a crewneck sweatshirt underneath). The textured twill looks simultaneously luxurious and casual, meaning you can layer it over just about anything in your closet.
lululemon
Depending on where you live, you may need a more substantial jacket when fall kicks into high gear. The Wunder Puff Cropped Jacket from lululemon gives you plenty of coziness while still allowing for movement and breathability. The SoftMatte fabric is also water-repellant, and the jacket has a removable hood and multiple pockets. What else could you ask for in a fall coat? Shop it in four colors.
Tory Burch
Denim is often synonymous with the autumn and back-to-school season. If you want to participate in that trend but elevate it slightly, try this Tory Burch denim blazer. The button closure and pockets are sleek and functional, and the jacket can be layered over a button-down, a turtleneck, or even a thin sweatshirt.
lululemon
Rain jackets may get all the hype in the springtime, but there’s still precipitation in the fall — and you’ll want to be prepared. The cinchable hood and waist of the lululemon Rain Rebel Jacket create a comfortable fit (no matter the weather), and the hidden phone sleeve and interior pockets are super helpful if you’re taking this number on-the-go.
lululemon
If you’re someone who appreciates a fall jacket that combines both style and function, we found the piece for you. The Always Effortless Jacket from lululemon is made with water-repellent fabric and features a stow-able hood, but it’s not your typical cloudy day number. The hip-length coat is, yes, effortless and smart — even when paired with athletic clothes.
Anthropologie
Ask any fashion girl and she’ll tell you the oversized blazer is one of the most-worn items in her wardrobe. The jacket style immediately takes a white t-shirt and jeans up several notches, and its seasonal lifespan is unparalleled. From early fall to late spring, your wardrobe will thank you for having this easy blazer from the brand Sanctuary on-hand as a layerable option.
Vuori
Before the temperatures call for thick down coats, teddy-style fleece fabric steps in to keep the chilly weather at bay. Put on the Utility Sherpa Jacket for long morning walks, coffee in hand, or wear it while camping, hiking, or cheering on your favorite football team. It’s roomy enough for added layers underneath, and the pockets fit all of the essentials: keys, cards, phone, and more.
Gap
Leather jackets tend to fall on the more masculine side of the style spectrum, but not this one. Thanks to its puff sleeves, this Gap jacket is decidedly more feminine. It can also be worn multiple ways: with jeans and sneakers for a casual brunch or a dress and boots if you want to step up your style for dinner.
Free People
Denim and sherpa work together quite well, especially when they’re used to make a fashionable and cozy fall coat. This Free People style features a button-front closure, multiple patch pockets, and a classic collar. You can opt for either the blue denim or white denim; either way, you’ll be warm and extra stylish this season.
Vuori
If you live in a place where fall is more of an extended summer, think about getting an anorak. This particular Vuori style has a relaxed fit, although there is an adjustable bungee waist, and water-resistant features. Walking the dog or heading to and from the gym? Slip on the lightweight rain coat.
Tory Burch
If you find the right one, a fall jacket can be an investment piece — something you’ll wear again and again. Case in point: the Tory Burch Technical Bonded Cotton Trench. From the outside, this jacket looks like an elegant version of the classic trench, but you’ll need to look a little harder to understand its true value. The double-face cotton is durable and water-repellant, there’s a hidden back vent, and the jacket is finished with adjustable sleeve straps and horn button closures.
Gap
If we had to describe autumn with just one piece of clothing, it would have to be the Long Sherpa Jacket; it’s the epitome of cozy. Just picture yourself wrapped in this warm fall coat, which is available in black, brown, and a beautiful dark green, and headed to Starbucks for a seasonal latte.
Free People
The Jessica Shirt Jacket has clearly taken some notes from casual menswear, with its slightly slouchier fit and exaggerated pockets. Made of a wool-blend fabric, the “shacket” works just as well for a cabin weekend in the woods as it does for a meal out in the city. Given its relaxed fit, you can layer as desired.
Nordstrom
Reds, browns, and oranges are your typical fall colors, but they’re not the only options. Take the marine teal of the Misook Faux Leather Crop Blazer, for example. The shade is seasonal and unexpected at the same time. Plus, the jacket itself is expertly constructed and extra chic, so you can expect compliments everywhere you go.
Free People
The appeal of the leather jacket is multi-faceted. Yes, it has a cool, rock-and-roll aesthetic, but it’s also warm and can be worn with nearly everything. From jeans and long-sleeve tees to dresses, skirts, and athleisure, there’s almost nothing in your wardrobe that can’t be paired with the longer-cut of the We The Free Jealousy Leather Moto Jacket, which comes in five shades, from neutrals like black and “washed brown” to brighter shades of red and pink.
Nordstrom
Round out your fall wardrobe with a simple double-breasted coat, like this one from BCBGMAXAZRIA. Available in two gorgeous colors, royal blue and lipstick red, the lined jacket is an easy way to add a bright pop of color to any outfit this season. To complete the autumn look, just add a pair of sunglasses and your favorite ankle boots.
Gap
If you prefer darker colors to lighter shades in the fall, try the Mesculen Green version of the Gap Icon Trench Coat. The straight silhouette has a slightly oversized fit and hits just past the knee. It also features all of the details that make a trench coat so amazing: front slant pockets, a tie belt, and a dapper notch collar. For a true classic, opt for the Khaki Tan color.
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