It’s that time of year again when we’ve kissed an hour of sleep goodbye in exchange for longer moments with the sun. That means it’s also time to pack up your puffers and wool coats in preparation for breezy spring weather. While some categories of clothes may be in an anti-trend, classic era, like denim, jackets are doing the complete opposite. They’re full of fun, personality, and an air of cool.

The hottest jacket styles this spring do everything from putting twists on a classic piece to reimagining a traditional silhouette. A trench coat? It’s no longer the long, khaki staple but chopped to a shorter proportion and made with fresh materials. Funnel neck coats, which swept the scene last fall, continue their reign. Many of these have trickled down from runways, while others are driven by broader cultural moments.

“There’s a real focus on versatility. Jackets have become the outfit, not just the finishing layer,” Sarah Bonello, founder of The Park, tells Refinery29. “There’s a desire to feel put-together but not overworked. That’s why you’re seeing these more relaxed, layering-friendly silhouettes like trenches and capes. There’s also a shift toward more intentional dressing, fewer pieces, but styled in a way that feels thoughtful.”

Read on to discover the coolest spring jacket trends to shop as you start refreshing and revamping your closet, with some tidbits from our favorite fashion people. Plus, peruse our top shopping picks, from more affordable to designer options.

In the midst of fashion’s romance revival, it makes sense that capes would come back into the limelight. “They bring this sense of movement and quiet drama that feels fresh,” Bonello says. 

The style feels inextricably linked to fantasy and costume, whether that’s Cate Blanchett playing a seraphic elf in Lord of the Rings or Marilyn Monroe’s cheeky cheetah cape in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It’s no surprise that famously whimsical and romantic designers like Alessandro Michele featured capes on his Spring/Summer 2026 Valentino runway; Jonathan Anderson also showed them in his debut show. 

These regal-feeling jackets can pair well with just about anything, whether we’re talking a khaki cropped cape with jeans or a sweeping cape worn over a matching set. Their more subdued interpretation, capelets, are also trending.

As fashion photographer Sophie Elgort tells Refinery29, “The trench is a forever piece. It evolves each season but never disappears.” And this spring, trench coats typically go one of two routes: they’re cropped (very petite-friendly) or have a freaky detail. 

One of the easiest ways to achieve the spring 2026 trend is by simply cropping the traditional trench coat into something that hits at the hips or slightly above. “The proportions are magic and do all the work. Defined waist and legs for days,” designer and creator Carla Rockmore tells Refinery29 on the cropped trench look. “Then, you have all those delicious details: buttons, cuffs, a self-belt, which makes it feel intentional without trying too hard.”

This spring is also all about trench coats with tweaks to their lapels, like swapping in a shiny leather or checkered fabric for the classic gabardine. These little changes add an edgy and playful touch to something timeless.

We may have colloquially kissed “girlboss” goodbye, but we certainly haven’t stopped power dressing. This spring’s boxy blazers are distinct from well-tailored jackets that hug the body and highlight the waist. Instead, these spacious and oversized versions don’t constrain movement, but let the body move more freely. This means comfort is built into this style, which projects authority and confidence. We witnessed these rise from runways like Victoria Beckham and Acne Studios to our favorite street style moments. 

“I’ve been really inspired by how tailoring is becoming softer and more fluid. Blazers are effortless,” Bonello says. “I’ll throw one on with our Joy leggings or even just a simple Park bodysuit, and it instantly makes the look feel more considered without trying too hard. It’s one of those pieces that does the work for you.”

Bomber jackets never lost their appeal, but they seem to be caught up in the wave of those 2016 nostalgic-driven trends coming back ten years later. But today, it’s not just about the classic, cool-girl leather bomber. There are also some other fabrications in the mix, like bubble hem cottons and slinky nylons. 

When Chloé Creative Director Chemena Kamali revealed her own flouncy bombers in her Spring/Summer 2026 collection, she framed her design process as one takes out all the stiffness.” No wonder the trendiest bombers this season balance the classic leather look with something more contemporary and feminine.

Sporty jackets and windbreakers are classics in their own right, but they’ve gotten fashion makeovers as an unmissable moment on Spring/Summer 2026 runways like Loewe’s. “There’s a continued shift toward casual chic. We still want comfort, but we’re no longer willing to look careless. It’s ease, but with polish and intention,” Rockmore says.

Tech jackets are often defined by their outer shell, which is usually weather resistant thanks to their performance-based material, and can take on a myriad of aesthetics. Today’s hottest options range from sporty drawstring styles to those inspired by anoraks.

Workwear jackets have long been staples of, well, exactly that: work. But they’ve increasingly made their mark in fashion, particularly “as they’ve moved from designer to contemporary, which makes them feel more everywhere,” Elgort says. Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2026 show, which was widely discussed for its aprons, was a perfect example of this style of jacket’s power over fashion today.

This spring, utility-forward styles like field jackets, barn jackets, and chore jackets are reigning supreme. All their pockets and how easily they layer make these designs easy favorites. Beyond their advantages in functionality, Elgort adds, they “look cool on camera.”

Some boxy styles may be trending this spring, but a tailored waist is very much alive. This is great news for someone who likes to play with shape and lines in their outfits. For example, a snatched waist works wonders with wide-leg jeans or a longer, loose skirt because it achieves balance. The best part of the snatched-in look is that it has no limits: You can find this detail across various jacket styles, from utility-inspired pieces to denim jackets.

Tweed seems to be going through what some are calling the Matthieu Blazy effect. The woolen fabric is experiencing a spring revival thanks to the French designer and Chanel’s creative director. When his first collection hit Chanel boutique shelves mid-March 2026, it was total “pandemonium” and has already inspired a new wave of creators to put together tweed-y, runway-inspired looks. Blazy’s playful and colorful designs are, no doubt, front and center. 

Tweed is naturally not the lightest material, which is why it’s such a staple for fall and a solid choice for the current transitional weather. For a style that can flex days swinging between freezing temps and cool breezes, go for long sleeves. If shopping for a tweed jacket to carry you from spring into summer, look for airy styles that might, for example, have short sleeves.

By far, one of the biggest trend to hit spring outerwear comes from one small detail: a funnel neck. These coats can range in silhouette and fabrication, but they’ve all got a structured, high neck in common. We’ve seen these across street style and runways, like at Tory Burch and Chloé. It’s easy to embrace the unarguable “cool” feeling that comes with rocking this look, topped off best with a pair of opaque shades.

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As fashion moves away from the clutches of “quiet luxury” and minimalist beige looks, footwear is feeling more fun than ever. In fact, shoes are in their freaky era.

“Everyone is embracing their whimsy. We’ve moved past quiet luxury, and we’re even numb to logo mania. Style right now is about self-expression, individuality, and having fun with what you wear,” designer Larissa Muehleder tells Refinery29 of what’s defining today’s shoe trends.

This spring, the coolest kicks are a spirited extension of the self, whether they’re a classic silhouette made with a non-traditional material or a retro style that’s been reborn. We’re not just talking about Tabis, traditionally Japanese footwear with a split-toe, which have been popularized by Maison Margiela. Instead, this season’s eccentric styles toy with the familiar to create something fresh, whether they came from a runway or seem more inspired by street style.

Read on for the top shoe trends that will dominate the transitional season, like high-vamp heels on the brink of a viral explosion thanks to Chanel’s revival, as well as playfully embellished styles that make florals actually feel groundbreaking for spring.

We’re in an era of “minimalist and slim sneakers that are more so lifestyle silhouettes and not designed for working out,” according to women’s sports expert and editor Vinciane Ngomsi. Rather than the bejeweled kicks or chunky dad shoes of recent years, today’s favorite sneakers have gone back to basics, usually championing a slim, low profile that feels reminiscent of nostalgic styles. 

In the same vein, ballerina sneakers — often shortened to “sneakerinas” and also made with thin soles — are having their moment amid this retro-style revival. “There’s a softness and romanticism that continues to evolve in really fresh ways with this [ballet-inspired] aesthetic, and it takes us back to the dance aerobics of the ‘80s,” Muehleder says.

Strappy sandals, with or without heels, are a reliable springtime classic, at least when “fake spring” is over. What makes the look stand out today is how it’s been tweaked from the typically neutral-hued leather version to something more personality-forward. The coolest strappy sandals right now feature dainty straps, colorful finishes, and jewelry-inspired details. “Even with simpler outfits, people want one piece that feels like a conversation starter and right now, that piece is either the handbag or the shoe,” stylist and Vin. designer Claudia Li Johnson says. Strappy sandals are an easy way to get the job done.

Interestingly, a more modest-looking heel has been taking over fashion. Enter, high-vamp heels, distinct for their uppers that cover a noticeable amount of the top of the foot. These, also known as glove pumps, are no longer your grandma’s heels.

Instead, today’s versions of these vintage-inspired shoes are being made to feel fresh as designers reimagine them in funky colors and singular heel shapes. Chanel — which seems to have been on the lips of all the fashion girls when its spring collection hit shelves mid-March, designed by Creative Director Matthieu Blazy — gave the look a boost thanks to its own array of high-vamp heels.

The mesh ballet flat moment may have first exploded years ago, thanks to then-creative director Pieter Mulier’s new Alaïa design, but the look is still going strong, albeit with modifications. Breathable, sheer styles remain trendy this spring, and it’s not just about mesh anymore. Jelly and crochet, which tend to channel a more fun and colorful vibe, are now dominating. 

Getting ballet flats in jelly materials can also be a lifehack for saving cash when buying designer. After all, they tend to be the cheaper option when looking for a “luxury” version of the ballet flat. For example, just look at Jimmy Choo’s jelly flat that retails for $495 in comparison to a similar style made in leather that sells for $950.

It’s a slingback spring. Though the heeled design of these shoes seems antithetical to comfort, these are a favorite for exactly that reason. Thanks to their mostly open foot and typically lower heel, slingbacks are a great choice for that in-between weather where you still want to walk with ease. 

“As a designer, it genuinely makes me happy to see women embracing their inner child,” Muehleder, who launched her eponymous line in 2014, says. “Authenticity doesn’t have an age limit. Style comes from what ignites joy in you, not what you think is expected of you.”

There’s no one right way to wear slingbacks. Pick your color and heel height based on what feels best for your personal style. A butter yellow slingback with a kitten heel does just as well as a designer pair that’s slightly taller with bows sewn onto the sides.

Heels this spring will strongly feature a flash of toe, but rather than full-on pumps, it’s all about mules. These trendy peep-toe styles shine best in buttery leathers, decadent satins, and shimmery patents. For Li Johnson, this shoe’s appeal is in the balance between its jolt of newness with what’s familiar. “It feels less expected than a classic pump, but just as easy to wear,” she adds.

Flip flops have cast a spell on today’s fashion scene. These thong heels inspired by the classic, relaxed warm-weather shoe seem to be everywhere. Designer labels like Balenciaga and Michael Kors made them a focal point in footwear on their respective Spring/Summer 2026 runways. The best part? Trendy thong sandals don’t all look one way. There’s a great diversity in the shoppable shapes, fabrications, and finishes of this style. Each can be its own conversation starter.

Sneakers may be in a more pared-back era, but there’s a genre of heels that’s unmistakably on the opposite side of that spectrum. It’s a fun moment in footwear, where “pieces with embellished finishes, appliqués, and anything that speaks before you do [have] become highly covetable,” Ngomsi tells Refinery29.

Heels with pom poms and naturalistic adornments — like Dior’s highly anticipated lily-decorated heels — are queen. Florals for spring might actually feel groundbreaking for once thanks to these beautiful facsimile flowers sewn onto the shoe. These “just instantly make an outfit feel more unique and whimsical,” Li Johnson adds.

Perhaps near or at the top of the freaky footwear food chain are toe-ring sandals, which range from being heeled or being low to the ground, but always have some sort of contraption encircling the big toe. These feel playful, without being too fussy or putting comfort on the line. Rather than being born from a long list of recent runways, these feel like a continuation of recent years’ hit shoes. But the ones popular in 2026 span a wider range of styles embellished with jewelry-like touches to plain leather pieces.

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