For us, the excitement around the arrival of spring often concentrates on the new season fashion trends, in particular jackets. After all, with such a significant change in the weather primarily affecting our outerwear choices, switching from a thick wool coat to a lightweight trench feels like not only the biggest, but the easiest way to update your outfit accordingly.
In SS26, there are plenty of spring jacket trends to know, though one style in particular is proving more popular than most. The humble windbreaker, with its undeniable sportswear connotations, has historically been more closely associated with hiking holidays. However, this season it has quickly been adopted as a cool girl staple, proving it’s as fashionable as it is functional.
While you can’t go wrong with any windbreaker of choice, there is a clear micro trend emerging within this look as technical jackets in bright eye-catching shades of chilli red are dominating amongst retailers. Perhaps it’s the pop of red theory in action, a windbreaker acting as the perfect canvas for such a bold hue and easily allowing those who would usually eschew such a statement shade to incorporate it effortlessly into an ensemble. Arguably, the red colourway serves to elevate a windbreaker above other purely practical designs, providing an access route into the trend for those who identify more closely with Posh Spice than Sporty (guilty!).
This fits with the styling seen across the SS26 designer runways, where windbreakers – irrespective of colour – were paired with polished pencil skirts at Tory Burch, tonal tailoring at Onitsuka Tiger, and hot pants and jelly sandals at Loewe. Even at Staud, where a red track jacket formed part of a two-piece set with coordinating sports shorts, the overall effect was sharp, not slouchy.
As for getting in on the look yourself, M&S's Stormwear™ Lightweight Funnel Neck Gathered Jacket is just the ticket. The dropped shoulders lend a laid-back feel, while the subtle gathered detailing and sleek high neck silhouette will earn you extra sartorial points. Not to mention the super affordable £40 price tag! Fellow high street heavyweight Next has a similar design, with the addition of a hood and contrasting orange drawstrings giving its shower-resistant rain jacket a more casual finish.
Below, find our roundup of the best red windbreakers available to shop on the high street now, for guaranteed style success come rain or shine.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
