It's official: We're in the last stages of summer. I know, I can't quite believe it either, but whilst we're suspended in the difficult in-between of muggy temperatures and spells of rain, I've been on the lookout for the right transitional items to see me through the next few unpredictable months. Having already made the swap from linen to jeans, I've also spent the last few weeks digging around for the right outer layer to add to my summer dresses and cotton shirts, because the perfect casual summer jacket is a godsend when executed properly.
A lightweight layer warm enough to keep you cosy when the wind picks up and easy enough to strip off and slip into your bag when the sun does break through, the casual summer jacket ticks every box. And when a leather jacket is far too thick for midday sun and a shacket just won't cut it in the rain, there's one style that always does the job, and it just so happens to be a Massimo Dutti best seller.
A bouclé jacket or cardigan manages to be the perfect outerwear layer for both warm summers and chilly autumns, and it gets the French-girl stamp of approval for its outfit-boosting prowess. What other piece looks just as good paired with a white tee and jeans as it does a mini dress and ballet pumps? And luckily for us, Massimo Dutti's textured cardigans and jackets manage to give the Chanel look on a high-street budget, so there's a lot to love about this wardrobe hero.
It's no wonder that the original style that dropped last year was an instant sell-out success. Whether you wear yours dressed down for the weekend or with a pair of mid heels for the office, this casual jacket is our editors' secret to nailing a polished, off-duty look for the rest of summer, and into autumn too. That is, if you manage to catch it whilst it's still in stock.
SHOP MASSIMO DUTTI'S TEXTURED CARDIGAN:
You'll have spotted the stripey version of this last year on all of Instagram's best dressed, and it's back for 2023 in a luxe shade of cream.
SHOP MORE MASSIMO DUTTI BOUCLÉ JACKETS:
I can't think of a single outfit that this won't look amazing with.
The taupe version would look so good with blue denim.
This could easily be mistaken for costing three times its price tag.
Yes, you read that correctly, this excellent jacket is currently on sale.
And there's cream version, too! But move fast because it's already low in stock.
SHOP MORE LIGHTWEIGHT MASSIMO DUTTI JACKETS:
Bombers are back in a big way, that is, if they ever left.
Every wardrobe should have a classic trench.
For those looking for something lighter, there's also a cropped version.
This one rivals high-end styles.
Your everyday denim jacket, but better.
A cool graphic jacket in late-summer-appropriate linen.
The full suit is amazing, but the blazer is perfection on its own.
Too warm? Time to loose the sleeeves.
The perfect accompaniment to a tee and trainers.
You'll wear this throughout autumn and well into winter.
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