5 Classic Casual Summer Jackets You’ll Love

Updated on Fashion

What I Look For When Buying Summer Jackets

I always keep a jacket on hand in the summer, to stay warm when the air-conditioning is turned up or when we have cooler evenings. When I’m looking for new summer jackets, I try to buy ones that are machine washable, easy to coordinate (with everything else in my closet) and preferably, made in sustainable fabric. I also look for neutral colors so that I can wear them in the fall and spring too. Here are some summer jackets that I’ve bought so far, and a few more that I’m hoping will go on sale soon!

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White Denim Jacket

One of the most versatile, easy to care for, and affordable summer jackets is the denim jacket, also known as the trucker jacket. If you want a year-round color, pick a medium or dark rinse. Levi’s Women’s Original Trucker Jacket is a classic.

I opted for a white denim jacket for spring and summer. Mine is the Essential Jean Jacket from Banana Republic and also comes in a dark or medium wash. I’m wearing the Regular XS as I like my jackets to be a little longer. If you’re under 5’4″, Banana Republic also has petite sizes which are about an inch shorter in length.

Fashionipa in a white denim jacket with a pink t-shirt, taupe panst and pink leopard mules.

I love that it has a relaxed fit so that I can heavier or lighter layers depending on the weather, and the color is a soft white (but not cream or ecru).

Casual Boxy Jacket

I also bought this Cargo Bomber Jacket from Banana Republic and love that it has so many features you can play with! Zip it all the way as a funnel neck or keep it unzipped as a collared jacket. Leave the drawstring loose or tighten it up for a gathered look. Roll up the sleeves and button them up, or leave them full length. The 94% TENCEL™ (lyocell), 6% polyester fabric makes it super lightweight and machine washable, and the neutral gray color makes it a match for any color in your closet!

Fashionipa in a gray bomber jacket with a pink t-shirt, taupe panst and pink leopard mules.

Sweater Jacket

I’ve been checking out the Sophie Open Front Sweater-Blazer for years now and thought it would be a perfect addition to my summer jackets, but unfortunately, this didn’t quite fit me right. It would be better on a slightly taller person (I’m just under 5’4″). Note, also that the sleeves are a bracelet length (so you can show off your summer bracelets). Wear it now as your outer layer, and in the fall under a coat.

Fashionipa in gray sweater blazer, pink t-shirt, taupe pants and pink leopard mules.

Rain Jacket

If you’ve had a rainy summer like we have, you’ll want a waterproof jacket. I have The North Face’s Women’s Resolve 2 Hooded Rain Jacket from several years ago. I take it with me any time I travel during the spring and summer as it folds into a compact little bundle, and is good to have just-in-case.

If you want something longer, try The North Face’s Woodmont Hooded Waterproof Trench which is made of recycled polyester. Everlane’s ReNew Anorak is also made from recycled polyester and comes in a pretty light blue (Seaglass). I also really like Athleta’s Edgewater RainOut Parka which has a hi-low hem, a generous hood and is machine washable.

Overshirt (Shacket)

Remember the shacket that I wrote about at the beginning of the year? Well, that trend is going strong, but now you’ll find shackets in lighter-weight fabric like cotton and linen. I like & Other Stories’ Long Buttoned Overshirt and Banana Republic’s Canvas Shirt Jacket. For a cropped shirt jacket, take a look at the Steffi Heathered Shirt Jacket from Rails.

Which summer jackets are staples in your closet? Let me know in the comments below. If you’re looking for more summer outfit inspiration, you’ll love this post from Kristy’s Cottage. Kristy, Kedesha, and I collaborated to give you 20 options for classy, modest summer outfits!

I help you shop intentionally, create flattering outfits, and embrace your natural beauty. I'm a former fashion product manager, now living on a hobby farm in Upstate New York with my husband, our three almost-grown kids, and our pets.

12 Comments

  1. Love your jacket inspiration so much, Nipa! (I especially like your sweater jacket.)

    As a Texan, I can hardly imagine needing to wear a jacket in the summer… lucky you!

    Thanks so much for linking to my site! xoxo

    1. fashionipa says:

      Thank you, Kristy! That sweater jacket would probably be more of a fall/winter item for you then!? We’ve had such erratic weather, I sometimes think it’s fall already! xo Nipa

    1. fashionipa says:

      Thanks, I’ve been wearing it a lot!

    1. fashionipa says:

      Thanks, Lovely! Hope you have a good week too! xo Nipa

  4. fashionipa says:

    Hi Chris, your dusty pink jacket sounds lovely! I don’t usually wear a blue jean jacket with blue jeans either, but I’ve seen it look fabulous on others. xo Nipa

  5. Chris Meister says:

    I like Jean jackets and this year got a light dusty pink Jean jacket and also a longer, jean work jacket from Everlane that I really like. Thanks to your suggestion! The pink jacket has worked out because I can wear it with jeans. I don’t always like wearing a blue Jean jacket with blue jeans especially if they are different colors of blue. Thanks for another great post and I just want to know where the chocolate festival was!

  6. I love your white denim jacket! I’d been wanting one for a while so asked hubby to get me one for Mother’s day and I really love it – it was such a staple before it got too cold here for them! I don’t have a rain jacket, even though summer is our wetest season, as the storms are almost always predicted in advance and outside is not where you want to be in our summer storms – they can destroy cars and houses so indoors is safest!

    Hope you are having a good weekend 🙂 It’s another chilly winter day here, but we still spent a little time at the playground this morning 🙂

    1. fashionipa says:

      Hi Mica, Thanks so much for reading my post. We’re having a pretty wet summer too, but I’m hoping that it will all clear up soon so that we can spend more time outside. xo Nipa

    1. fashionipa says:

      Hi Susan, My mules are from Kate Spade from a few years ago. I haven’t found any similar ones that are available now, but when I do, I’ll include them in a blog post! Have a wonderful week! xo Nipa

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