You’re on the button - cropped jackets are out and about. Not that this trend is new; they’ve been around for some time and I very clearly remember falling in love with a number by Clements Ribeiro over a year ago when Burberry Prorsum, Nina Ricci, Marc Jacobs and others were producing their own takes.

The charm lies in the fact that it is youthful in the most attractive way. Women as they get older and (usually) a little larger, seem to think that wearing a longish jacket can hide the thickening middle and the tops of the thighs. In fact, unless the jacket is beautifully cut, fitting neatly into the waist, the end result usually makes them look boxy and heavy.

The cropped jacket is flattering to most reasonable shapes. It can be worn in winter and in summer. Since, as I write, the freezing weather is still with us, one could be teamed with black cashmere sweater and black trousers. It could be worn over a long-sleeved T-shirt and with a skirt.

Cropped jackets come in all sorts of moods; sporty in zipped leather (Karen Millen, Marks & Spencer), sleek and posh enough to go to weddings or parties (Armani Collezione, Marc Jacobs, Dries van Noten) or simply chic (Chloé). For everyday smartness, look to Topshop or Hennes, and for prettily feminine, look to Helene Berman at Fenwick. Key for this summer is bracelet-length sleeves — very Audrey Hepburn.

Make sure that the gap between the jacket and the skirt or trousers underneath isn’t bulky — T-shirts, fine silky camisoles or soft cotton blouses or shirts are best.

The jackets come in all price ranges; they’re very inexpensive at Topshop, such as the black and white one shown here which has a slightly oriental feel and is only £50. Helene Berman’s feminine black and white spotted version (£110) would look good with a black or cream skirt. It also comes in cream with tiny black spots.

The smartest is a double-breasted version with a Peter Pan collar in navy silk gazar by Marc Jacobs — it could take you anywhere but it is £900. The very simple black one sketched here by David Downton is by Chloé. Finally, for a very summery look, Diane von Furstenberg’s orange and white jacket with a fan pattern is £345.

PS: This is for readers who have been jetting off. What do you wear while travelling? I gave you my solution a few weeks ago. Here is one from the style guru Amanda Platt, who on a recent holiday, wore Tod’s backless shoes with cashmere socks. The socks were removed before landing. She also likes cotton stretch trousers by Issey Miyake and a fine vest by Hanro, a T-shirt and Issey Miyake’s seamless knits. She tops that with a Ramosport raincoat, which you can roll up into a ball and it still looks great. And don’t forget the pashmina.

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