Nicer-than-a-windbreaker toppers?

Context: I live in northern California where 45% of the time the weather is between 70-80F and another 45% of the time the weather is between 60-70F. We're still in a drought, so assume it won't be raining much.

This morning I wanted a wind-resistant topper to throw on over my sweater--a standard semi-chunky but not oversized knit. And I ended up with... a fleece-lined soft shell jacket, actually freebie swag from work, which I've worn to death in the year since I received it. Very nice gear, but definitely gear.

Given that the temp won't be dropping much below 60F, what kind of comfy topper can I wear over a sweater? Most of my tailored jackets are fitted for a sleeveless shell or thin merino underlayer, and they get plenty of wear in the "spring/summer" half of the year when it's a little warmer. But I have many months of "fall/winter" left to go when a wool coat or a leather jacket will be overkill when layered, and I do need the sweater to stay warm inside at work.

Further caveat: I'm mostly going to be wearing this topper while driving and for short walks to/from dinner, so prefer hip-length. I have a lovely CM trench that is the right weight, but it's a bit fussy for throwing on during my commute.

For the visual folks, I've attached illustrative examples in Finds of today's sweater and jacket.

Custom Find

by Keix

View Info

7 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

How about a cotton utility jacket? I have a jacket like #1. I wear it all the time.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/hi.....Y%20FORGED

Another jacket I have, a synthetic, but somewhat water repellant is #2. I wear it birding and dog walking. My binoculars have rubbed marks on the front, though.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/prod.....;color=184

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LaPed

An Everlane anorak? That's my first thought. There are lots of nice water-resistant lightweight anorak style jackets out there. If you wanted slightly more gear functionality but still cute, you could check out, say, Athleta or Title Nine or some such.

My second thought, if you wanted to go more classic, would be a waxed-cotton field coat of some kind, a la Orvis. Or, since you're in a drier climate, skip the waxed part and just get something like the JCrew Field Jacket. That seems to work well for lots of folks -- versatile, casual, a step up from gear.

Everlane

The City Anorak

Top Pick

bj1111

it's the wind resistant aspect that is throwing me.

how about a short trench (jcrew, banana, club monaco all have versions. i love my banana one.). how about layering a warm scarf over your sleeveless shell and jacket? or layering heattech under the sleeveless shell unless you will overheat at work?

throwing something over a bulky sweater is challenging unless you get a shape similar to the gear one in a fashion-y fabric.

Keix

Maybe wind-resistant was the wrong keyword... It's not crazy windy here. I just mean something to block the wind and keep warmth in, since the sweater alone provides sufficient warmth but zero wind resistance.

Thanks for the ideas so far--I'm off to search for short trenches, utility jackets, and anoraks... the Halogen and JC jackets look promising. I like the Everlane anorak style as well but am probably sized out, as it's an "oversized fit" and only goes down to XS with a 45" chest circumference (my bust is 33" including bulky sweater, that seems like a little too much room even for an oversized fit).

Diana

Is a leather jacket too warm? A lightweight one without much of a lining would probably be best for your climate.

Hmm, a leather jacket might work if I find the right one. I have a heavier black jacket and a lighter blazer-type jacket, but the lighter jacket doesn't fit over a sweater.

unfrumped

Styles I like for " polished casual" are the short trench; field jacket ( cotton of blend; safari jacket. These usually can layer better than a blazer, but I still have to watch out for these darn narrow sleeves that some brands are doing.
If a bomber Shaoe works, that's an option. They may be too short, but I've seen some " new long bomber" types advertised.

UmmLila (Lisa)

That's not that cold ... what about just layering a vest in, either under over, depending on what looks best? Patagonia nanopuffs fit well under and over (like the blush J Crew vest below). I was thinking of picking up another one in red. (Had a dark blue but my daughter made off with it).

J.Crew

Petite excursion quilted down vest

Plush fleece excursion vest

Layering vest with Primaloft

$98.00 $69.98

Sale

Alexandra

(website)

Would an unlined boiled wool jacket be too warm? I just got one this season from LLBean and have been wearing it a lot.

Janet

If you're looking for something that bridges the gear-casual gap, I find this jacket from Athleta works really well for me. Great for travel too.

Athleta

Gap Rainfall Jacket

Hmm, I briefly considered a puffer vest but I don't know if I want to go that far down the preppy path... it's a practical solution though, for sure.

I have a boiled wool jacket that I love, actually--but the sleeves are a bit too narrow for this kind of layering, and it's the perfect weight over a tee so I think it'd be too warm over a sweater.

Janet, your Athleta jacket is sold out now

I took advantage of a J.Crew sale to order 3(!) sizes of the Downtown Field Jacket, in XSP/SP/XXS. Hopefully one of them fits and I like the look.

Anonymous

If the field jacket doesn't work out, you could try lululemon. In the past, they've offered some dressy windbreaker options.

Suz

I'm having trouble with my Finds but my suggestion is a utility jacket or field jacket. They are super versatile and can be dressed up or down. J. Crew has some. ETA -- I see you ordered -- great!

I have this longer version of this coat, and it's working very well for me in our warm autumn as a casual coat -- I like the abundance of pockets.

Check Madewell also for this kind of thing, and even BR might have something depending on the season.

Long downtown field jacket

Thanks for the pointer to Madewell, Suz! If the field jacket doesn't work out, I'm quite interested in their Fleet Jacket (find below).

Madewell

Fleet Jacket

Isabel

Lots of great stuff on here. I bought my sister one from LL Bean years ago. It is just fabulous. It is rainproof, wind resistant and you can even take it on trail. I want one for myself now ! The current version :

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....-mesh-line

crazyone

KL, I own the downtown field jacket, in XS. Here's some fit info that might help you: It's a bit big in the waist (it helps that you can cinch it in with a drawstring, though) but I tried the XXS in store and it was too tight in the bust. I generally don't get petites in long-sleeved items because the arms of even straight-sized items are usually a bit too short on me, so I can't comment on that.

The downtown field jacket

Greyscale

I'm in SF, and this season I'm considering getting a lightweight bomber jacket. It'll be good for the mid-temperature days. This past few weeks I've been wearing my leather biker jacket a lot (a lightweight one, no padding) and it's also perfect.

The bomber style hasn't always been my favorite so I'm definitely jumping onto a trend bandwagon here. But there are some nice variants including longer cuts that would hit at the hip.

Barbara Diane

Good post for me. Following. I wore a lightweight sweater under a midweight sweater the other night, and it worked, but I wasn't outside long. I'm always surprised when it's cold here, even though the cold is not that cold, and we do have months of it. I would like something that is comfortable to wear while driving.

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