The quilted jacket is the one coat that works from the first chilly morning in October right through to a mild March. It’s light enough to layer under a wool coat when the weather turns, smart enough for the office, and easy enough to throw on for the school run. Few pieces in your wardrobe will work as hard for you.

Its roots are in the countryside. It started out as a practical, padded layer for the stables and shooting field, built to keep out the wind without weighing you down. Over the years it has moved from muddy wellies to city pavements, and somewhere along the way it became a classic. Princess Diana wore hers with jeans and riding boots, and today it’s as likely to turn up over a slip skirt as over a pair of joggers.

This season, the shape has moved on. Expect oversized and cropped silhouettes, collarless and bomber cuts, onion and diamond quilting, and colours beyond navy and khaki: think chocolate, burgundy and soft cream. The new versions feel more considered and less utilitarian. They’re the kind of jacket you’d choose for its own sake, not just because rain is forecast.

Before you buy, it’s worth considering how you’ll wear it. A cropped style looks best with high-waisted trousers and midi skirts. A longer, oversized cut gives more warmth and covers chunky knits. A collarless neckline leaves room for a scarf or a big shirt collar. Check the filling too: recycled synthetic padding is usually lighter and easier to wash, while down gives more warmth on genuinely cold days.

1. H&M THERMOLITE® Quilted Jacket — £54.99

The best budget buy of the season. It’s lightly padded with THERMOLITE® insulation and has a ribbed stand collar, press studs and welt pockets. Choose black for everyday or chocolate brown to wear the season’s key shade. Best for: a first quilted jacket that doesn’t cost much.

2. M&S Goodmove Quilted Collarless Jacket — £40

A sporty collarless jacket with M&S’s Ultraheat and Stormwear finishes, so it keeps the drizzle out and the warmth in. The brushed fabric gives it a softer feel than most. Best for: dog walks, weekend errands and commuting.

3. Mango Padded Anorak — £89.99

An oversized cut with a detachable scarf built in, so the outfit is done for you. It’s the most on-trend shape here for under £90. Best for: anyone who wants the slouchy, oversized look.

4. Arket Re:Down Quilted Liner Jacket — £125

Filled with a recycled down and feather blend, this navy liner is light and warm. It’s slim enough to wear under a wool coat when the cold sets in. Best for: layering from October to March.

5. COS Shawl-Collar Quilted Jacket — £139

COS swaps the usual collar for a soft shawl collar, which makes it look more like a cardigan than a coat. It has down and feather padding and split cuffs, in black or green. Best for: a minimal, office-friendly look.

6. Whistles Ida Short Quilted Coat — £155

A cropped cut in water-resistant, lightweight fabric, shown here in khaki and available in two shades. The short length works well with high-waisted trousers and midi skirts. Best for: petites and anyone who prefers a cropped shape.

7. Barbour Annandale Quilted Jacket— £132.39

The classic Barbour, updated. It has diamond quilting, a ribbed bomber-style collar and cord-trimmed welt pockets, with a slightly oversized fit. Best for: a heritage piece that still feels current.

8. The Frankie Shop Teddy Quilted Jacket — £204

Tonal green with a padded ripstop shell, a boxy fit and a collarless neckline. It’s the cool-girl option and pairs well with denim and loafers. Best for: a relaxed, Scandi-inspired wardrobe.

9. Rixo Earla Cotton Quilted Jacket — £295

Leopard print on quilted cotton, fully lined, with a boxy cut and button front. It’s the statement jacket of this list. Best for: adding print to plain knits and jeans.

10. Burberry Quilted Nylon and Wool Fulbrook Jacket
    — £855

The investment piece. Its thermoregulated design and slim fit mean you can wear it in most weather, and it will last for years. Best for: a coat you’ll keep for a decade.

How to choose the right quilted jacket

• Fit: Try it on over a jumper. If you plan to layer it under a coat, pick a slimmer liner style like Arket’s.
• Fill: Down and feather is warmest for its weight. Synthetic fills such as THERMOLITE® cope better with rain and are easier to wash.
• Length: Cropped styles suit high waists and skirts. Hip-length and longline cuts give more warmth and cover.
• Colour: Black and navy go with everything. Chocolate, khaki and green feel freshest this season.
• Care: Check the label before washing. Most quilted jackets do best on a gentle cycle and a low tumble dry to fluff the fill back up.

Three ways to wear it

1. Weekday smart: A collarless or shawl-collar jacket over a fine-knit roll neck, tailored trousers and loafers.
2. Weekend easy: An oversized or boxy jacket with straight-leg jeans, a striped tee and white trainers.
3. Evening out: A cropped or printed jacket over a slip skirt and a chunky knit, finished with ankle boots.

 

The verdict

If you buy one jacket this autumn, make it quilted. For value, start with H&M or M&S. For a jacket that does everything, choose the Arket liner or the Barbour Annandale. Which one is going in your basket?