(The Shopping List)

The Only Jackets I Want This Spring Are Boxy Cropped Ones

Short and chic.

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: March 11, 2023

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I’m not sure how or when it happened exactly, but the outerwear look of the moment has shifted. Big, slouchy silhouettes are no longer fully dominating the fashion conversation. Instead, right now, it’s all about boxy cropped jackets — and I, for one, am fully on board.

It took me a moment to come around to short and sweet toppers. There is, admittedly, something quite comforting about the way you can throw an oversized bomber or long duster over well, almost anything, and look about 1000 times more pulled together. Swingy, abbreviated silhouettes require slightly more styling precision for the same benefit: waistbands must be perfectly placed, shirts tucked (or strategically untucked) just so, your bare skin-to-covered up ratio well-balanced. But as the recent Fall/Winter 2023 fashion month runways prove (note: the deconstructed separates at Sacai, the neatly tailored skirt suits at Simkhai, and this camel look at Max Mara) a little extra wardrobing effort will be well worth the pay-off.

Step one? Picking just the right design to build your outfit around. Ahead, I’ve gathered eight supremely covetable pieces on my wish list and, of course, a few easy-to-follow ideas on how to wear them. Keep scrolling to shop all my picks now.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Cotton Canvas Ripstop Combo Jacket

$695

While obviously fantastic with jeans, this white option feels particularly sophisticated with a skirt (perhaps a denim maxi?).

Heron Preston

White Stitch Crop Jacket

$880

Ever atop a sweatsuit, this edgy contract stitch jacket will make you look unflappably cool.

Babaton

Frances Jacket

$198

To look a little more polished, swap this in for your trusty denim jacket and add a rosette choker around your neck.

Isabel Marant

Leiko Checked Short Coat

$690

It’s like your favorite flannel, but better! Thanks to the more structured fit, this design feels refined enough to hold its own against a sleek turtleneck or button-down white blouse.

Closed

Cropped Trench

$655

For a fresh take on the classic trench, consider this waist-grazing style.

Proenza Schouler

Cropped Tweed Jacket

$595

Good news: This one is part of a matching set. But the tweedy piece also plays nicely with all manner of full swishy skirts and tailored trousers.

Miu Miu

Wool blouson jacket

$2,350

Miu Miu’s viral micro mini might have a shelf life, but this beautiful layering item will see you through multiple seasons. I’m already planning to wear it with a white tank and straight leg jeans this spring, and over a cropped chunky knit and midi next fall.

Sacai

Chino x Knit Jacket

$1,030

If you’re still on the fence about the styling work that goes into a boxy, cropped fit, consider this option. In all black and with a slightly longer length, you can toss it over most things without thinking about it too much.

This article was originally published on March 11, 2023