The best spring jackets for women: 14 favourites for every occasion, from barn jackets to blazers

Sunny spring weather cools quickly at night. Stay protected from the chill (and the odd downpour) with our fashion expert’s pick of the best lightweight jackets

• Women’s spring wardrobe essentials: 27 easy-to-wear pieces to see you through the season

I love a jacket. Almost more than any other garment, it can transform an outfit. A denim jacket instantly makes a get-up more casual; a blazer, more smart. It can add a practical layer to an otherwise quixotic look or a hint of frivolity to a serious ensemble.

The other thing I love about jackets is that – unless it’s a tailored one you want to fit just-so on the shoulder – you can often be a touch more footloose and fancy-free with fit than you can with other garments. This makes shopping for them a more fun affair than, say, hunting for trousers. It also makes them easier to source secondhand or online.