Sleeveless jackets epitomise the smart, work-appropriate attire that women actually want to wear

Not quite ready to relinquish your coat? A sleeveless version is the perfect layer to help you warm up to spring

Left: Phillip Lim, spring/summer 2015; Right: Rag & Bone, spring/summer 2015 (Dan & Corina Lecca/Yannis Vlamos )

Sleeveless blazers are having a fashion moment. Why now, you may wonder, when they’ve been hovering around trend pages for a while, thanks to street-style bloggers like Pernille Teisbaek and Elin Kling.

Well, the tailored interloper was on plenty of catwalks for spring/summer 15; Acne Studios, 3.1 Philip Lim and Rag & Bone all offered versions of the sleeveless jacket, from blazers to trenches. And it will certainly make a handy addition to your wardrobe during this period of indecisive weather.

A sleeveless jacket dovetails neatly into the cross-current of feminine and minimal. Perhaps that’s because of a still-existing niche in the market for smart, work-appropriate attire that women actually want to buy and wear.

For the catwalk, designers styled their sleeveless offerings over bare skin, some belted with cord – although in real life, wearing yours unfastened, layered over a simple top or sweater is a more practical option. For spring, a thick knit or warm cashmere roll-neck underneath could be a solution to changeable conditions.

Wide-leg tailored trousers, culottes, stylish flat shoes and a palette of navy, grey, white and camel are all part of this new breed.

As with all good jackets, the real benefit of such a garment is the way it unites whatever is underneath, and a tailored style will instantly make an outfit out of a plain sweater and jeans. Choose wisely and you may even find yourself styling it with T-shirt and trainers in your free time. Works all ways.