This Is the One Item I Always Wear When I Want to Look Chic and Cozy
Among my friends, I've always been known as the one who, despite working in the fashion industry, couldn't care less about putting myself in pain for cute clothing. Sweats to go out for a nightcap on a Saturday? It's more likely than you'd think.
My sense of style is at the intersection of cute and comfortable—a fresh take on the age-old grandma-chic look. I stopped wearing high heels a year ago, and black leggings are my go-to garment of choice. All of this is to say it takes a lot for me to adopt something into my wardrobe that doesn't get me excited about fashion again. Enter the quilted jacket, a seasonal staple that's the gift that keeps on giving.
If you aren't converted yet, let me help you. Quilted jackets are my personal savior. As I'm someone who's getting adjusted to living in New York from Miami (hello, seasons!), a slightly oversize jacket is the key to success. There's a color and pattern for everyone, from vibrant patchwork pieces to iconic army-green garments à la The Frankie Shop. The beauty of a quilted jacket is its versatility. I've worn the style both over my sriracha-stained pajama pants and over an expensive-looking cashmere turtleneck. Truly, you can't go wrong.
Scroll through to discover all the quilted jackets that have been sitting in my online cart. You'll want to snag them before they're gone.
The jacket that kick-started an online craze, The Frankie Shop's iconic quilted jacket is perfect for the season.
Layer on top of a white long-sleeve shirt for a standout look.
This J.Crew pick is the preppy Gossip Girl–inspired coat of my dreams.
If you're looking for a longer silhouette, this sage-green jacket from Zara still has all the same comfortable elements as shorter quilted jackets.
Ulla Johnson is known for avant-garde prints and fun styles, so it's no surprise this belted quilted jacket is one of my favorites.
This is a "throw it on and forget about it" jacket—arguably the optimal form of comfy fashion.
The collarless silhouette is a sleek, modern approach to quilted suiting.
This caramel color is sure to go with everything in your closet.
For a jacket you and your grandmother could twin in, this Free People select—complete with floral patchwork—is undeniably cool at any age.
I'm not kidding when I say I wear this jacket out at least four times a week.
For a fashion-forward friend, this two-toned edgy quilted jacket is anything but basic.
Bode is one of the gold standards of quilted jackets, and the brand's recycled-fabric styles and one-of-one patchwork prints are creating a buzz among the fashion crowd.
Although quilted jackets aren't always known for being the warmest, this sherpa-lined pick from Astr the Label is winter weather friendly.
The bow details and floral print remind me of my favorite trend from this year.
This jacket is second best to wrapping yourself in a cozy duvet and going outside.
This Anine Bing jacket is just the right amount of oversize for a slouchy, effortless outfit.
This faux-leather quilted jacket is a modern twist on the iconic silhouette.
Who says cold-weather attire has to be in darker hues? This saccharine lilac is enough to make me excited and pull together a colorful 'fit.
This prep school–inspired piece is perfect for Gilmore Girls fans now that autumn is fully here.
Next, shop the rest of this season's unmissable outerwear trends.
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)
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