The UK’s unpredictable summer weather makes it inevitable that you’ll wear a jacket at least three times (and that’s if you’re stoic!) from June to September. And that doesn’t even take into account the moments when you have no option but to brave the elements, like Glastonbury, which in the past has been cursed with torrential rain. Revellers who have seen those quagmire mud baths – whether IRL or from afar – wouldn’t dare not pack a waterproof.
A typical British summer presents forecasts with baffling temperature swings that can at times seem near-impossible to navigate. Lows of 10 degrees for when you may leave the house in the morning and highs of 21 in the afternoon, with office air-con thrown in the mix to bring it back down to freezing.
With these fluctuations in mind, the best way to approach investing in a new summer jacket is to think of the occasions you might wear it most. While it’s tempting to banish all outerwear to the back of your wardrobe when the mercury rises, it can be sensible to have certain styles readily available, like denim jackets or bombers, since they’re versatile. Plus, if they’re thin, they shouldn’t be too sweat-inducing.
Then, there are the lightweight commuter layers – made from cotton or linen – that you can wear in the AM and pack away swiftly to avoid overheating on the Tube. Track jackets are feasible everyday options, too, since they’re easy to carry if the weather chooses to change its mind. On rainy days, meanwhile, a high-performance waterproof that genuinely protects you from showers should be a non-negotiable – The North Face, 66North and Arc’teryx are all trusted brands in this department.
Fingers crossed summer 2025 will gift us with beaming sunshine for the duration, leaving little usage for outerwear, but it’s never a bad idea to be poised for inclemency. Scroll on for some of the standout styles you can wear from now until autumn.
Vogue’s best summer jackets, at a glance:
The denim jacket
The summer zip-up
The blazer
The waterproof
The track jacket
