What jacket to wear with a dress this summer: The fashion formulas to stick to

I am always wondering if I need to take a jacket with me, even in peak summer. And with the weather being annoyingly unpredictable, I’ve started to realise that a lightweight jacket isn’t just a maybe buy during the summer months, but a necessity.

I tend to rely on a few summer jackets to wear with my floaty, airy dresses. Not only do they keep me warm, but they can make a more casual summer dress look smarter for the office. And ward off any aggressive air conditioning chills too.

There’s an art to finding the right summer jacket to wear with a summer dress. The two need to work together, balancing out any extremities in proportion and style. That’s not to say you can’t go for a super formal jacket with a beach dress, but it can take a little trial and error to find the right fit.

A roomy jacket, for example, will balance out a figure-hugging dress while a cropped jacket looks beautiful with something more voluminous, as it cuts off at the waist and balances out a wider hem.

I love a duster coat or lightweight trench with a midi, falling lower than the dress, and they’re great for more formal dresses too. Denim jackets also look stunning with white, gingham, striped or leopard dresses.

A fringe jacket and cream dress are a match made in heaven, and you can really lean into any boho vibes with a suede tasselled jacket.

If you’re headed to a festival this summer, a jacket is a no-brainer; fringed, utility and boho-inspired work well – obviously one with a hood is even better.

Naturally, you want to be wise to the material and fabric of a jacket. While you need something with some warmth, look for lightweight fabrics like cotton, denim and linen. Suede is a more dense fabric and will keep you toasty, so bear that in mind when you’re pairing it with your summer dress; you want to be cosy, not sweat-drenched.

How I chose the best jackets to wear with dresses

• Summer fabrics: Suede and leather aside, I’ve kept this edit on the airy side with lightweight fabrics featuring heavily.
• Price: A jacket can be on the expensive side, but I’ve made this edit as price inclusive as possible with pieces ranging from £30 – £200.
• Availability: I’ve chosen pieces that are in stock in plenty of sizes.

The best jackets to wear with dresses 

1. Utility Jacket

A utility jacket is perfect festival fodder. Channel your inner Kate Moss or Alexa Chung and even wear over sequins.

2. An Oversized Blazer

A winner whatever the weather, this instantly smartens up a summer dress for the office. Works well with most summer dresses, including mini to maxi. 

3. A Linen Trenchcoat

A long, linen trench coat adds the drama to a simple T-shirt dress or cami maxi. 

4. Duster Jacket

For a formal event, you can reach for a blazer or a long, breezy duster coat. They’re a chic addition to a wedding guest dress, for the races or even a casual slip linen maxi.

5. The lightly quilted jacket

I think a floral quilted jacket thrown on over a summer dress looks country chic; the bolder and brighter the pattern, the better.

6. A Fringed Jacket

Summer and fringing are a perfect match; stash this one for your outdoor concerts, festivals or BBQs and wear with white or cream dresses.

7. A Denim Jacket

If you don’t already own one – and know how useful one is in the summer – make it your mission to buy one this summer. Whatever your summer dress, this will be your saviour.

8. Bomber Jacket

Bomber Jackets in silky fabrics or satin mixes are beautiful paired with cotton maxi dresses.

9. A barn jacket

Floral dresses and barn jackets are the combo you never knew you needed. It’s cottagecore coded.

Denim