Outerwear: Jacket all in

As the seasons change it makes sense to have more than one option in your outerwear arsenal, says Rebecca Gonsalves

Blazer

One of the most versatile garments, the blazer can be dressed up or down, makes the transition from work to weekend wear with ease and is a great item for layering during the in-between stages of weather.

There are myriad styles and shapes to choose from, be they double breasted and boxy, or slinky and tuxedo inspired. This season patterns and prints are almost unavoidable – a subtle snakeskin is a brilliant way to buy into the trend with a high street piece that has some style longevity.

Wet weather

Having come through the wettest April since records began the dark, rainy days should be behind us.

But realistically, the British summer is a fickle mistress and they're probably not. Though the shops may be filling up with teeny-tiny bikinis and everything under the sun for a beach holiday there are still plenty of waterproof options to choose from.

Shorter hooded jackets tick the sports-luxe trend that is prevalent in this Olympic year without making you look like you got lost on your way to the Games.

A lightweight parka will have the added bonus of keeping the tops of your legs warm and dry, while a waxed jacket is no longer just the uniform of the landed gentry. A quintessentially British garment, the French brand APC has muscled in on the act with a version with covetably clean lines.

Leather

There's more to leather jackets than the ubiquitous black biker – though obviously there is a reason that style remains a classic.

Bomber and baseball-style jackets were prevalent at the autumn/winter collections so buying one now could prove shrewd. Light colours make a great choice for summer when black can seem a little severe, and perhaps stifling. The real deal is an increasingly affordable luxury, but for those who can't, or won't, stretch to it, the high street has been consistently improving its leather imitation offerings.