The next time you have a stroll on high street, you might notice that fashion brands have updated their store fronts with an injection of spring. When I walked into the Marks and Spencer store, I saw seas of light beige trenches and Breton stripes top on the shop floor before I caught my eye on this green utility jacket.
The Cotton Rich Collared Short Utility Jacket features a brown leather-look collar and four front pockets to keep your essentials. The simple yet modern shape and the forest green colour are something that could come out of Alexa Chung's wardrobe - it's stylish and certainly looks expensive.
I could already see myself pairing the water-repellent coat with a pair of dark navy jeans and cream-coloured knitwear or clash with a Boho-themed dress like this Ditsy Floral Midi Dress from Next. The jacket is light and as some shoppers mentioned, and I agree, that it might be too cold to wear it in chilly weather but it would make a perfect spring jacket.
READ MORE: I tried Givenchy’s serum foundation, it blurred my pores and gave me a lit-from-within glow. READ MORE: Beauty expert's tips to use Morphe's 'prefect' £40 antibacterial brush set. Customers suggested to pick the usual size but I'd say it is fine to go one size bigger if you want to wear multiple layers or thick knitwear under. One shared: "A bit thinner than I was expecting, there’s no lining or padding which is hard to tell online, however I do like it and it will be useful come the spring and warmer weather.
"As for size, I tend to size up in coats as I’m between a 12-14 but the 12 was plenty big enough even with a jumper underneath. I have to turn the sleeves up, which it always the case as I’m 5”3 and sleeves are always too long.". The utility jacket I put on was a UK12 and with the dropped shoulder design, I found it sitting fine on my body and I didn't' feel swimming in it. It has a "slimming effect" that made me feel like I've lost weight. But to my surprise, this M&S jacket is retailing at £69 when I thought the price tag to be around the region of £120.
Another shopper commented: "Absolutely lovely jacket, nice colour, like the collar being made of different material. It adds a nice contrast.". A third added: "I bought this jacket because really classic and smart. I bought it a week ago but couldn't wear it because of the weather, but I wore it for the first time today, to go for a walk to my sisters, I wore it with brown velvet joggers and hoodie, flat suede ankle boots and chunky socks, and it looked fabulous. But I still think it isn't warm enough just yet for it, but if you layer up is should be fine. I can't wait to wear it with all kinds of different outfits. I would 100% recommend this jacket, and would also like it in brown.".
The Cotton Rich Collared Short Utility Jacket was sold out within weeks in January and now the £69 piece is back in full stock and available in UK6 to UK24. It saves you a lot on money if you are after a look similar to Barbour's Arlo Utility Waxed Jacket, £269.
Other than M&S, H&M has a corduroy-collar jacket and is selling at £44.99 but it comes with three pockets and press-stud fastenings at the cuffs. Uniqlo's Utility Short Blouson, £69.90, a relaxed fit jacket with checked pattern lining and a corduroy collar. It's available in three colours with sizes running from XS to 3XL.
