Top It Off: Layers for Summer Into Fall (That Aren’t Denim Jackets)

We love a great summer dress, but many of them are fairly bare on top. Which can be lovely, of course, especially since the collarbone, shoulders, and upper back tend to be graceful at every age. That said, sometimes you want a little more coverage—and decolletage isn’t appropriate for every occasion. 

Chic Layers Beyond Denim Jackets

This is especially true if you’re going in and out of air conditioning or will be outside when the sun goes down and things get a little chilly. While we’re tempted to reach for our trusty denim jacket in those situations—after all, it’s comfortable and denim goes with everything—there are lots of more interesting options to try. 

Plus, haven’t you earned a little more elegance at this point? If you’re looking for a third piece that’s not a jean jacket (like the ones teens and twenty-somethings are wearing), here are some of our favorites right now…

Blazers

A blazer is the obvious choice if you’re looking for something more sophisticated, but finding the right blazer for summer can be tricky. 

You want something that’s loose enough to be breezy but not so big as to look like you borrowed it from a man, and for it to hit at the right spot to work with all your different summer dress silhouettes and hemlines. Plus you don’t want to look like you’re missing the bottom half of your suit.  

The key? A more casual material and a silhouette that nips in at the waist, whether the blazer itself is belted or it has darts or shaping to give it structure. Something like this Cinq à Sept boucle blazer is a bit of a splurge but you could throw it over anything.

Or try this linen blazer from Lulelemon that’s casual and lightweight but still tailored. 

Canvas Jackets

If you love the ease of a denim jacket but want something just a little different, try a canvas option in a similar shape like this soft taupe style from Free People. Canvas can dress down a fancier dress for daytime or work with nearly any print or fabric, just like denim.

Prefer something a bit bolder? Leopard print can be a neutral in our book so this J.Crew slightly cropped canvas jacket is a great option, especially if you wear more solid color pieces. 

Silk or Satin Bomber Jackets

We love bomber jackets in all seasons, but summer is a great time to break out the silk, satin, or other fun material since you don’t need a ton of warmth. Bombers look amazing over narrower silhouettes or jumpsuits since they tend to have more volume and less structure than other types of jackets. We love a simple black number that you can wear with anything, like this washed satin one from White House Black Market.

Or pick up a bomber jacket in the color of your choice of from Amazon—there are tons of sellers with various colors, prints, and trim options.

Suede Jackets

Suede jackets fit the same bill as canvas or denim, but they’re just that much more luxe. This makes them perfect for dressier outfits and evening looks, as well as a good transition piece to have when the evenings start getting cooler. We’re fans of this faux-suede boyfriend blazer from Dolan Left Coast (available at Anthropologie).

You may also like this Blank NYC moto jacket from Nordstrom—and both would work well into fall.  

Open Weave Cardigans

Crochet, open knit, or even lacy cardigans are trendy now, and adding one over a solid color dress is a simple way to get that look. This fisherman-style crochet style from Madewell is perfectly on-trend and it would look great over a sundress. 

Linen or Silk Button-Ups

An open button-up thrown over a summer dress is a common choice, and it can work well if either the dress or shirt have enough structure to define your figure a bit. Ralph Lauren’s button-ups are a classic option (and can be found for a good price at this time of year) but you can find this style at most price points. 

What is your favorite cover-up or third layer in the summer? Do you still love your denim jackets or do you prefer to experiment with different options? Have you come up with a great jean jacket alternative? Let us know in the comments. 

–Jacqueline Zenn

You may also like to read Summer Event and Festival Fashion for Women Over 50: Stay Cool & Stylish and Staying Cool in Style: The Best Fabric Choices for Hot Weather.

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