Jacket required for a polished look this spring

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but you can't beat a jacket when you want to put together a stylish look. We've found the five jackets that every woman needs in her spring and summer wardrobe — from a seersucker suit jacket to a safari-style one. And we tell you how to wear them for the most punch, in this edition of The Trend Report!

Seeing stripes
Here's a trend that every woman can enjoy — seersucker is back in style! A seersucker suit is the epitome of summer dressing, and those with a classic bent will embrace its fresh-as-a-daisy look, while our trendier sisters will love the "high and low" mix of a seersucker jacket with jeans and a chic rocker T-shirt. Blue and white seersucker is the tradition, but don't hesitate to color your world with pink, orange, green, yellow, black, or brown.

Trend tip: Just like a seersucker jacket, a classic navy linen jacket can work wardrobe magic. Don't be afraid to mix things up and pair it with khakis, jeans or tailored white trousers or skirts.

Safari chic
We've said it before and we'll say it again — every woman needs a safari jacket in her wardrobe! Pair this figure-flattering beauty with tailored trousers or tiered peasant skirts; wear it over a feminine eyelet sundress or throw it on with a T-shirt; or cinch it with a great concha belt and a pair of jeans ... work it, girl! And don't limit yourself to khaki — we've seen safari-style jackets in white, olive drab, brown and black They all look divine.

Trend tip: You'll wear your safari jacket for years to come, so don't hesitate to splurge on one in a quality fabric with luxury trimmings like leather tabs or horn buttons.

Military maneuvers
Another great look for this season is a military-inspired jacket with all the luxury braid and gold buttons awarded to the highest rank. Keep things feminine with a fitted cut and (if you can wear it) a shorter, cropped length. What to wear with it? The most fashionable will go for a striped T-shirt or a classic white shirt paired with a tailored bottom or jeans — and then accessorize with a gold metallic belt, sandals and tote!

Trend tip: For summer wear, you'll find military jackets in cotton canvas, in twill or in lightweight linen to be the most comfortable.

A summer romance
The fashion world is in love with romantic style, so why hold back? If you want a truly trendy look, you'll find a plethora of frilly, feminine jackets this season. The secret is to wear your girly-girl confection of lace and eyelet with more tailored pieces as a bit of thrown-on chic. This is one area where both short and long jackets are equally right. Romance your wardrobe by working the lengths — go for a cropped bolero, a hip-length wrapper and a floor-length duster, if you dare.

Trend tip: Many of these romantic jackets are reinterpretations of authentic vintage styles, so if you're flea market savvy, get to work!

Accent piece
Another way to wear a jacket this season is as a printed accent or "signature" piece that you literally throw over almost everything. One of the hottest prints around is the feminine floral, which you will find in both pale, romantic tones and in hothouse combinations of brights. Too much is never enough when it comes to your accent piece — go for the added embellishment of ribbon trim and beading and you get extra style points if you score a flirtatious ruffle or vintage-inspired 3/4-length sleeves.

Trend tip: Florals aren't your thing? You can opt for a great polka dot or a crazy mod patchwork print instead.

Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.

firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to http://www.firstview.com/ for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.

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