The Jackets of Spring

1. PURE AND SIMPLE: A fitted, cropped jacket looks best without underpinnings; pair with a pencil skirt to keep the silhouette sexy. Jacket, $320, Rebecca Taylor; skirt, $88, Banana Republic; sandals, $58, Colin Stuart for Victoria's Secret.

2. POST-PREPPY: Prim and pleated works for work-just about every day! Blazer, $34.99, blouse, $19.99, Isaac Mizrahi for Target; skirt, $69, Sisley; bag, $425, Diesel.

3. THE LAYER--AWAY PLAN: Wear a short-sleeved jacket over a long-sleeved shirt. Jacket, $149, Bebe; shirt, $69, Tommy Hilfiger; pants, $29.80, Forever 21; belt, $295, Alexis Bittar.

4. Jacket, $128, DKNY Jeans; blouse, $165, Gant; pants, $225, Max C; shoes, $280, Stuart Weitzman.

5. BEACHY CHIC: Smarten up a pair of shorts with a refined blazer. Blazer, $98, shorts, $39, Tommy Hilfiger; bag, $450, Banana Republic; belt, $38, Landes.

6. What's edgier than a blazer but just as polished? A cropped-sleeve trench Trench dress, $228, Kenneth Cole New York; top, $68, Banana Republic; skirt, $48, Gap; belt, $62, Landes.

7. Party Jackets It's a yin-yang thing: funky over frou frou Jacket, $385, ABS by Allen Schwartz; dress, $228, Maxstudio.com; shoes, $59, MIA Shoes; necklace, $195, Givenchy; bangles, $170 each, Roxanne Assoulin for R. Dayan.

8. TRAPEZE-Y DOES IT: There's a fine line between fabulous and over-the-top (remember Jennifer Hudson's infamous Oscar bolero?)-a jacket with swing, bold color, and a kicky cropped shape gets you the right kind of attention. Jacket, $32.80, Forever 21; tank, $185, M Missoni; pants, $88, To The Max; earrings, $65, necklace, $125, Giles & Brother by Philip Crangi; belt, $85, Lauren by Ralph Lauren.

9. NIGHT AND DAY: The rose-print sundress lasts past sundown, thanks to a puff-sleeve black bolero. DANCING SHOES: Ready to rumba (or rock) in red platform pumps. Bolero, $250, Nanette Lepore; dress, $68, Rampage; pumps, $69, Chinese Laundry.

10. Florals can intoxicate unless you pair with a refreshing solid, like white Jacket, $39.80, Forever 21; blouse, $49.50, Express; pants, $69, Nautica.

11. Coat, $495, Anne Klein New York; bangles, $48 each, Sequin.

12. MEET THE TRANSFORMER: A jacket can be all business when belted over trousers, or all fun as a frilly frock for evening. Coat dress, $139, Bebe; pumps, $280, Stuart Weitzman; silver bangles, $48 each, Sequin; gold cuff, $60, Isaac Manevitz for Ben-Amun.

13. Urban Jackets Major players love layers on weekend and a sporty jacket tops it off. Jacket, $98, Kenzie; sweater, $63, ParkVogel; top, $49, Liz Claiborne; pants, $69.50, Calvin Klein Jeans.

14. SPORTY SPICE: A neon-lined anorak teamed with sexy cuffed shorts smooths the segue from spring to summer. Jacket, $138, DKNY Active; tee, $24.50, Gap; shorts, $58, Kenzie.

15. Raincoat, $275, Tommy Hilfiger; dress, $120, Theory; boots, $98, Hunter Boot; headband, Cutler.

16. SLIM LINE: A conservative blazer paired with a radical print? It totally works if the blazer is in a sharp, slim cut. Blazer, $195, Hugo; top, $200, Diesel; jeans, $115, Armani Exchange.

17. OPPOSITES ATTRACT: Power up a pretty striped dress with a weathered military jacket. Blazer, $128, Gap; dress, $148, Banana Republic; sandals, $145, Matt Bernson.

18. CAPED CRUSADER: A hooded capelet, the ultimate bad-hair-day cure. Cape, $345, Levi's Eco; striped tee, $35, Liz Claiborne; green tee, $62, Mimi & Coco.

19. Tailored Jackets Get Noticed: Suits look anonymous; stand alone blazers stand out Jacket, $179, Liz Claiborne.

(Marie Claire)

Good stuff!