The temperatures are just starting to drop, which means your lightweight cardigan and denim jacket aren’t quite doing the trick anymore. It’s time to trade up for a fall jacket designed to keep you warm until Christmas. We indulged in a little online shopping and found fall’s seven hottest styles at three price points – Steal ($50 and under), Spend ($50 – $100), and Splurge ($100 – $200) – and paired them with style suggestions along the way. From a velvet blazer to a leather and khaki army jacket, we’ve got you covered this season… literally.
Blazer
Blazers get points for versatility: The same basic blazer can take you from class to an internship interview to a night out. The key to a good blazer is fit, so bring along your most honest friend for advice!
Steal: Pick up a blazer for the same price as a girls’ night out. Go for fall’s hottest color, oxblood.
Ponte Knit Blazer, Forever 21, $29.80.
Spend: Make your typical black boyfriend blazer fierce with studded shoulders. Slip it on over your favorite LBD and be the chicest girl at the party.
Blazer With Spikes On the Shoulders, Zara, $99.
Splurge: Polished, preppy, and oh-so-soft, you won’t want to miss this velvet blazer. Pair it with patent leather loafers to play up the schoolboy vibe or dress it down with ripped jeans and a tee.
Schoolboy Blazer in Velvet, J. Crew, $178.
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Leather
If you can rock a leather jacket like K-Stew, you’re probably a bad-ass, and we salute you. But seriously – toss one on over any outfit and you’ll instantly look a notch cooler.
Steal: If you love the leather trend but don’t want to look like a rocker, go for the on-trend version: burgundy. This cropped style features an adjustable belt at the hem.
Jacket, H&M, $49.95.
Spend: We have just one word for this quilted moto jacket: sassy. Rock it with your softest tee and a pair of jeans for class or toss it over a bright dress for a night out.
Quilted Moto Jacket, NastyGal, $88.
Splurge: Your classic leather jacket doesn’t necessarily need to be black. When done in blue, this simple style gets a major boost. Faux leather keeps this piece vegan-friendly.
Faux-Leather Moto Jacket, Free People, $198.
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Fur
Even the most hardcore PETA-loving vegans have to admit that draping yourself in soft, fuzzy faux fur is a delectable feeling. Luckily, though real fur is in for fall, all three coats on our wish list are faux, too! That’s guilt-free fashion at its best.
Steal: Shrug on this vintage-inspired leopard print capelet and transform yourself into an Old Hollywood glamour girl! Could you imagine this jacket with a va-va-voom red dress and your sexiest pumps?
Leopard Print Capelet, Alloy, $29.99.
Spend: Kill two birds with one stone – fur and color-blocking – with this graphic fur coat. Layer a sweater underneath and stay warm through winter!
Color Block Faux Fur Jacket, C. Luce, $99.
Splurge: This coat looks good enough to cuddle with. (Who said anything about needing a boyfriend? As if.) The asymmetrical zipper makes this leopard coat stand out from the pack.
Donna Leopard Coat, NastyGal, $188.
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Varsity
Shh… Just don’t mention you nearly failed high school gym class and you can pull off this look like a runway model.
Steal: Snag an all-American look with a sporty red varsity jacket. Whatever you do, just don’t wear your high school cheerleading uniform at the same time! This isn’t an episode of Glee.
Varsity Jacket, Delia’s, $39.50.
Spend: Not one to pass up the opportunity to wear glitter every day? We don’t blame you. Go sporty-chic in this taupe and silver topper.
Silence and Noise Quilted Varsity Jacket, Urban Outfitters, $59.
Splurge: Wool and faux leather make this varsity jacket a luxe choice! The ribbed knit shawl collar and cuffs add a subtle pop of color to this slim-fit style.
byCorpus Colorblock Varsity Jacket, Urban Outfitters, $129.
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Military
Fall’s most laidback trend has a certain casual, too-cool-for-school appeal. It feels natural to dress this style down with Converses and a tee, but try layering something outrageously glam (sequined mini-dress, anyone?) underneath for a refreshing new look.
Steal: Classic khaki gives this rugged military-inspired jacket a fresh twist. It’s a figure-flattering cut that feels super casual, so toss it on over jeggings and a cozy sweater for those terrible 8am classes.
Women’s Drawstring Military Jacket, Old Navy, $39.94.
Spend: Army style doesn’t mean you have to give up on glamour. This version features faux fur lapels and a hood, plus a waist-cinching drawstring.
Army Anorak, NastyGal, $88.
Splurge: The boxy silhouette and faux leather sleeves are totally model-off-duty chic. Play it cool with a white tee, leather leggings, and a topknot for the ultimate street style look!
Contrast Sleeve Army Jacket, Topshop, $130.
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Trench
If you haven’t yet been exposed to the wonders of a trench coat, now is a good time to start. The fit-and-flare silhouette flatters every shape and size. Tie one on and go; they work for every occasion.
Steal: With a creamy honey color and a beautifully flared skirt, this coat is almost universally flattering and will serve you well for years to come. Wear it this fall and pull it out again during the first few cool weeks of spring!
Trench Coat, H&M, $49.95.
Spend: The black faux leather piping on this classic trench reminds us of something Kate Middleton would wear. So chic!
Kensie Coat, Macy’s, $99.99.
Splurge: If your goal is to make your fall coat last through winter, a heavy fabric like wool is your best bet. This wool trench, available in tons of colors, will keep you toasty and stylish.
Wool Trench Coat, Victoria’s Secret, $168.
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Textured
Need a boost of fashion caffeine? A textured topper in bouclé, wool or tweed adds interest to even the plainest of outfits.
Steal: This cranberry bouclé jacket is reminiscent of something Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel might dream up! Pair it with a floaty top and jeans for class or layer your most professional shift dress underneath for an internship interview.
Boxy Bouclé Tweed Jacket, Forever 21, $27.80.
Spend: If you’re in a warmer climate, this is the only purchase you need to make all year. (Kidding, we’d never bar you from a shopping trip!) This lightweight yarn jacket in a classic palette is ideal for taking you from fall to spring.
Knitted Tape Mix Jacket, Topshop, $72.
Splurge: This tweed blazer-meets-biker jacket brings to mind crisp new notebooks, beautiful fall weather, cute professors, cute professors… cute professors. Okay, we’re focused! On a real note, imagine how fantastic it would look with riding boots?
Check Tweed Biker Jacket, Topshop, $150.
Which jacket style appeals to you most? Do you have any of these styles already in your closet? Sound off in the comments below about which jacket you’d most like to wear!