There isn't just one perfect transitional jacket. The solution is often a well-thought-out layering system, also known as the "onion look."
The transitional season in Germany isn't easy: eight degrees and fog in the morning, sunshine and T-shirt weather at noon, and by evening you need a wool coat and a scarf again. If you only have a thick winter jacket or a thin blazer in your closet, you’ll constantly be dressed either too warmly or too coldly. That is exactly why we created this guide: the right jacket for every temperature, with specific models from our current collection.
We created this guide as an overview for exactly that purpose. We show you the perfect jacket for every temperature range, featuring specific models from our current collection. Depending on the temperature, you can wear blazers, cardigans, ponchos, quilted jackets, leather jackets, and wool coats. This way, you will always be dressed appropriately for temperatures between 8 and 20 degrees.
Why you need several light jackets for the transitional season instead of one thick one
The biggest mistake in the transitional season is switching to a thick winter jacket too early. This almost always leads to overheating by midday and carrying the jacket over your arm all day long. A graduated system of two to three lighter pieces that you can combine or swap depending on the weather is more practical: a blazer for mild days, a cardigan for in-between, and a quilted jacket or a coat for the coldest moments. This way, you invest once in the right pieces and are prepared for every temperature from September through November.
Blazer: the business and leisure all-rounder
For mild days (15–20 °C)
A blazer is the most versatile choice for the entire season because it is light enough for warm days, structured enough for an office look, and, thanks to its clean silhouette, can also be combined for an evening out. If you only buy one piece from this guide, this should be it.
- Nena Blazer Office Grey, Fabienne Chapot – €190
- Tartan Blazer, Vilagallo - €299
- Chamberlain Velvet Blazer, L'AGENCE – €669
Poncho – casually warm without sleeves
On days that are too cool for a sweater alone but too mild for a proper jacket, a poncho is the underrated solution. It leaves enough freedom of movement for bags and scarves while appearing relaxed yet elegant.
Cardigans & Knit Coats
The most versatile transitional jacket of all (10–15 °C)
Warmer than a blazer, airier than a coat: cardigans are the true stars of the transitional season. They can be worn both open and closed, making them perfect for temperature fluctuations of nearly ten degrees.
- Lilo Cardigan, Fabienne Chapot – €140
- Peplum Cardigan, IVKO – €229
- Bon Ton Cardigan, Luisa Spagnoli – €349
Milk Cardigan, Majestic Filatures - €249
Care instructions: Finer cardigans made of wool or cashmere blends should ideally be hand-washed or machine-washed on the wool cycle at 30 degrees to preserve their shape and softness.
Light Jackets & Quilted Jackets
Versatile between casual and statement
This category is intentionally broad because it fills the gap between a cardigan and a proper winter coat: light, quilted models for a casual look, plus more sophisticated wool jackets and statement pieces for special occasions.
👉 Latina Scarf Jacket, Farm Rio – €380
👉 Manila Wool Jacket, ARMA – €579
👉 Wilde Brocade Jacket, Veronica Beard – €849
👉 Philippa Cape with bow, Alice + Olivia – €720
Puffer jacket & Down jacket
The intermediate solution before the winter coat (below 10 °C)
As soon as the first frost is on the horizon, but a winter coat is still too much, the puffer jacket takes over. It is light in weight but significantly warmer than the light models above due to its quilted padding, and can easily be worn over a sweater.
Leather jacket
The timeless classic
A good leather jacket is an investment for life: it is wind-resistant enough for cooler days, never goes out of fashion, and works with almost any outfit.
- Flower Cutwork Leather Jacket, Farm Rio – €1,280
- Hannan Leather Bomber Jacket, ARMA – €749
- Isabella Reversible Lambskin Jacket, ARMA – €1,749
Quinn Peplum Leather Jacket, Veronica Beard – €1,398
Wool coat & Tweed coat
For very cool transitional days
As soon as it remains chilly for good, the coat takes over. Wool and tweed not only keep you warm, they instantly give every look a more elegant, polished touch – ideal for the office, appointments, or the evening.
Quick overview: Which jacket for which temperature?
| Temperature | Recommendation | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 15–20 °C | Blazer, poncho | light, airy |
| 10–15 °C | Cardigan, knit coat | versatile, flexible temperature range |
| below 10 °C | Quilted jacket, leather jacket, wool coat | warming, windproof |
Frequently asked questions about transitional jackets
What is the difference between a transitional jacket and a winter coat?
A transitional jacket is lighter and lacks thick lining, intended for temperatures between 8 and 18 degrees, whereas a winter coat is designed for consistently cold temperatures with warming inner lining.
Is a cardigan warm enough for autumn?
For mild to moderately cool autumn days, yes, especially when combined with a turtleneck or scarf underneath. In windy and rainy weather, a quilted jacket or a coat is the better choice.
Leather jacket or quilted jacket in the transitional season?
The leather jacket is the more stylish, but less warm option. In changeable weather with wind, a quilted jacket is more practical; on dry, mild days, the leather jacket scores in terms of aesthetics.
How many jackets do you really need for the transitional season?
Three are usually enough: a blazer or poncho for mild days, a cardigan for in-between, and a quilted jacket or a coat for cool days. With these, you cover the entire temperature range from September into November.
When should you switch from a coat to a winter jacket?
When temperatures drop consistently below 5 degrees or snow is expected more frequently, it is worth switching to a lined winter jacket with a higher collar and windproof outer material.
Of course, everyone has a different sensitivity to cold; this is just a rough recommendation from us.
