style101: Jacket, Required.

style101: Jacket, Required

On the Bottom

"A Chanel jacket goes with everything," says New York City-based stylist Jill Swid, who put Uma Thurman in one of collarless peach tweed and a pair of jeans for a Los Angeles party. "No matter what you wear it with -- jeans, black pants, a miniskirt -- it adds a cool chic-ness." * With an unmatched skirt. Even if the jacket is part of a suit, wearing it with a different skirt looks less like a uniform. (In fact, an unprecedented number of designers are now offering them as separates.) For a look that's office-appropriate but not obvious, wear the embellished jacket with a narrow pencil skirt in a color that works with the jacket. * With trousers. A cropped jacket with wide-leg pants and stilettos looks great for fall. Or try a pair of slim, straight-leg pants -- they were shown on the Chanel runway with longer jackets. * With jeans. To lop years off the jacket, pair it with narrow jeans and stilettos, or with khakis cropped to midcalf and flats. Contrasting something so dressy with something so casual is what makes this look new. * With a dress. Karl Lagerfeld loves a silky slip dress with a narrow, fitted cardigan jacket. It looks best if you mix cuts and shapes -- a narrow jacket with an asymmetrical- or handkerchief-hem dress rather than a boxy jacket over a plain sheath.

style101: Jacket, Required

The Jackets

The most sought-after cardigan jackets are snug, collarless, multicolored tweeds adorned with beading, brooches, or fabric flowers. Like a bold piece of jewelry, they become the focal point of the outfit. Karl Lagerfeld's new take on Coco's 90-year-old creation has a sexy shape, fringed edges, and a weighted hem so it hangs properly. Chanel cotton tweed jacket (1), $2,800, 800-550-0005. Many designers, including Marc Jacobs, fashion cardigan jackets out of nubby tweed. His pairs a loose weave with flap pockets and his signature oversize buttons. Marc Jacobs cotton wool tweed jacket (2), $1,650, marcjacobs.com This lightweight Moschino jacket gives a nod to the iconic Chanel camellia, with not one but three embroidered silk chiffon flowers and a ruffled satin border. Moschino Cheap + Chic cotton jacket (3), $780, at Bergdorf Goodman, N.Y.C., 212-753-7300. While colorful tweeds are a hallmark of the current jackets, certain solids -- like this version in white viscose with frayed edges -- offer the same shape and texture, but can be worn with almost anything. Cynthia Rose viscose jacket with beaded chiffon trim (4), $1,595, at Cynthia Rose, N.Y.C., 212-221-6133.

style101: Jacket, ...