Joy Jackets: How To Channel Spring’s Quilted Jacket Trend

By Charlie Colville

5 months ago

Fashion's happiest spring trend has arrived


Spring hasn’t quite sprung in the UK – no surprise there – which makes transitional layers a confusing topic for the masses. Our best option? We’d say the newly fashionable quilted jacket, which the style set are now dubbing the joy jacket. Here’s how to get involved.

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What Are Joy Jackets?

As the name suggests, joy jackets are outerwear pieces that give you a boost of happiness just looking at them – think dopamine dressing. While there aren’t really any specific rules on what constitutes a joy jacket, they seem to generally follow the trend of being quilted, colourful and/or beautifully patterned. There’s also a greater element of wardrobe functionality, with some of these quilted jackets even being reversible, meaning you can get more outfit options from one item.

Woman in yellow co-ord set sat on steps with dog

(c) KITRI

We noticed joy jackets starting to pick up with the style brigade at Copenhagen Fashion Week AW24, where fashion forward crowds took to the streets in a multicoloured patchwork of quilt, pastels and florals. Since then, the trend has made its way further afield, just in time for the arrival of spring.

It’s also a big win for cottagecore fans. The joy jacket is something of an updated take on the trend, that blends its signature staples – florals, soft fabrics and spring-fresh colour palettes – with a more street style-ready aesthetic. It’s what happens when you bring the cottage to the city.

How To Wear Quilted Jackets This Spring

Colour Pop

Nothing says ‘dopamine’ quite like a vibrant pop of colour. A boldly patterned quilted jacket can instantly boost the mood of your outfit, and let you get away with sticking to capsule wardrobe basics underneath.

 

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Dressed-Up Dressed-Down

What makes jeans and trainers instantly look smarter? A staple piece of outerwear. A joy jacket, while playful, can instantly elevate a more casual fit into something you can wear for multiple occasions – brunch, coffee date, a walk in the park, you name it. And bonus points if you can find a way to match it up with your shoes and accessories.

Layered Up

Quilted jackets aren’t just for the cottagecore girlies – they’re one for the cool girls too. Those averse to print can still get involved in the trend by sticking to block colours (although the more vibrant, the better, we say) and making the trend their own. We love this street style fit that blends a neutral coloured base, with the jacket offering a pop of green; the wearer brings more of a ‘city look’ to the outfit with the addition of textural layers (like the sheer skirt layered over a black slip) and matching accessories.

Joy Jackets: The Edit


Blue paisley jacket

Joules

Blakeney Quilted Jacket, £89.95

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Joy jacket

Damson Madder

Macy Quilted Jacket (Size UK 6), rent from £26.23

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Yellow and red jacket

KITRI

Theodora Green Garden Floral Reversible Quilted Jacket, £195

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Long coat

London Atelier Byproduct

White Long Quilted Puffer Jacket With Floral Pattern, £165

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Navy and white floral coat

Next

Navy Blue Quilted Floral Jacket, £68

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Woman in cream quilted coat

Lucy & Yak

Sylvie Jacket Made From Deadstock Cotton (Clara), £76

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Woman in patchwork jacket

Anthropolgie

Bl-nk Printed Quilted Jacket, £120

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Green floral joy jacket

Damson Madder

Markey Floral-Print Quilted Cotton Jacket, £130

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Green quilted coat

Barbour

Bickland Quilted Jacket, £169

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Woman in red floral joy jacket

Free People

Chloe Jacket, £188

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Featured image: Copenhagen Fashion Week AW24 Streetstyle (c) Tonya Matyu

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