Ideal for Fall through Winter, a French-styled knitted jacket will be your most useful item this year.
Here’s my selection of classy but cozy knitted jackets to wear with a shirt and jeans as a casual outfit, or with a feminine blouse and tailored trousers for smarter wear. I’ve chosen fashionable jackets which will suit just about anyone – but with women over 50 especially in mind.
For retailer, price and more details scroll down to the block of images at the end of this post and click on any photo. I’ve given direct links to the US site of retailers but they all sell world-wide.
Collarless knitted jackets – wear smart or casual
Drop-dead-chic style from the Paris-based retailer Sezane. This is the quintessential French-look knitted jacket. It falls just above the hip, nicely dividing your figure into a one-third – two-thirds silhouette. Not too heavy, in Merino and cotton, it will work with jeans as here, but add warmth to a midi dress too.
Just a little longer than the Sezane jacket, this one in wool by Boden, has a more structured look with its darker edging highlighting the mid-front line and the waist-high pockets. Wear with tailored trousers or casually above jeans or wide cord pants.
These stripey tops show no sign of going out of fashion anytime soon. If you don’t yet have a striped collarless knitted jacket then this one is not only inexpensive, but will work all year round to add a French flair to you casual outfits.
I love the blue of this boucle wool and alpaca jacket by Boden. A good boxy shape that finishes above the hip, this cute little top goes everywhere.
Jackets with collars – wear over jeans or cord trousers
A washable soft-touch knitted jacket by Marks and Spencer. This color – fawn – looks so good against the chocolate browns we’re seeing this season. The collar and double breast buttons emphasize the square shape so your hips will look slimmer by contrast. Ideal with a small silk scarf at the neck for Fall days out.
Designed to be worn indoors or outside, this J Crew knitted jacket has a corduroy collar. Wear it with cord jeans or over a fuller midi skirt and boots. It comes in several autumnal colors, but I especially like this dark red ‘oxblood’ – a color we’re seeing more of this season.
Adorable color for this chunky warm knitted jacket by Boden. It would look super stylish over chocolate brown cords or beige chinos. If you’re not ready for pink in Fall, it also comes in navy.
This very popular lambswool jacket by J Crew is a fresh take on the barn jackets we’ve seen so often this year. It comes, as here, in avocado plus other Fall colors. Short, but not too short for us older ladies, it works as a warm cover-up indoors or a stylish jacket on a cool but sunny day in town or country.
Longer, warmer knitted jackets – perfect for autumn outdoors
Sezane‘s Thais knitted jacket in mohair and wool has a relaxed boxy shape you could team with a big scarf on blustery country walks then leave open to show a pale blue or pink cotton tee once ensconced in a cafe or pub. This soft outer layer will see you right through to next Spring.
If cropped jackets leave you cold (pun intended), then take a look at this soft chocolate brown Borg jacket by Marks and Spencer. It hits below the hip. I don’t think it’s styled well on the M&S site however. I imagine it over ivory or pale brown cord jeans with a similar colored fine roll-neck top to make the most of the lengthened silhouette achieved by the gold buttons and V neck.
Longer still is this J Crew zipped jacket in wool mix. I like the ribbed cuffs, collar and hem which give it an updated and cozy vibe. It’s a top layer you’ll end up throwing on when snuggled on the sofa, but for the first year take a look at how J Crew’s site page styles it to understand how they get a smarter French cool look. Imagine the short shirt is a tucked-in button-up, perhaps a striped man-style top, and the pants are straighter – to suit women over 50 or so.
Cable knits are trending this Fall and here’s a warm wool and cotton example from Marks and Spencer. Few of us will be able to tuck it into a belt as here, but it will also look fabulous hanging straight down to the hip over jeans. It comes in three Fall colors, all ideal for pairing with your new chocolate brown bottoms. Get that French cool by adding a big soft tote bag, gently folded under your arm and add brown suede loafers.
Where to buy these knitted jackets
Click on the images to see more details. I’ve included the link to the US sites but all these retailers sell worldwide. These are affiliate links – if you purchase after clicking I get a small commission at no charge to you. Thanks for your support.
Like this post? Take a look at my selection of the most stylish Fall Raincoats ideal for an older woman.