Joy Jackets: How To Style Spring’s Quilted Jacket Trend
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1 month ago
Fashion's happiest spring trend has arrived – say hello to the joy jacket
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’. Boasting playful patterns, a soft silhouette and a bold, bright colour palette, the joy jacket is our go-to hero piece for the season. Here’s how to style yours (plus our top picks for spring).
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 of it as dopamine dressing at its warmest). 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. Think shocks of pink, blue, yellow and red, as well as swathes of bohemian swirls, polka dots and, of course, spring florals.
There’s also the functionality piece; these jackets don’t just look good, they’re meant to keep you warm throughout the transition from winter to spring. Plus, many joy jackets come with a reversible design – meaning you can get more wear out of them. Sounds like a perfect contender for your spring capsule wardrobe.
@jennagaskinn my patchwork quilted jacket collection from @Kindred Grove 🎀🧸🫶🏻 #quiltedjacket #falljackets #fyp #jackettryon #falloutfitinspo ♬ original sound – HBO
As for the origins of the trend, it seems to be a bit of a melting pot of different cultural influences. Quilted jackets, for example, have long been associated with British heritage brands like Barbour and Burberry – but historically, these designs have stuck to more neutral colour palettes of brown, beige and khaki, due to their being used in the great outdoors (primarily for hunting).
The addition of bold, bright colours and prints comes in the wake of a new appreciation for maximalist dressing. As we shed our chunky knits, bulky coats and monochromatic winter layers, it only feels natural to crave vibrancy. And joy jackets are certainly vibrant.
The Edit: Joy Jackets
How To Wear The Trend This Spring
Colour Pop
The beauty of a hero piece like a joy jacket is that you don’t have to try so hard with the underlayers of your outfit; you can keep things simple (think jeans and a tee) and let your outerwear do all the talking. It’s also a quick hit of dopamine. A boldly patterned quilted jacket can instantly boost the mood of your outfit, with minimum effort required.
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Spring Pastels
The most interesting way to wear this season’s signature palette. While some joy jackets stick to bold jewel tones, others are a little more subtle – and don the sugary pastels we typically associate with spring. Ideal for layering, jackets like these pair perfectly with a complementary knit.
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Layered Up
Those averse to print can still get involved in the trend by sticking to block colours (although the more vibrant the better, we say). Not sure where to start? Try blending a neutral base – a white shirt, cream trousers or a stone-hued dress – with your joy jacket. You can even brings more of a ‘city look’ to the outfit with the addition of textural layers and matching accessories.
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