My Fall Must-Haves: Banana Republic

That mild chill in the air can mean only one thing: it's Fall in NYC!  I've always been a summer-loving girl, but for some reason, this year, I couldn't wait for the arrival of Autumn.  I longed for cooler temps and lightweight, cozy knits, but most of all I couldn't wait for the joys of layering! So when I spotted the Life In Motion jacket in Banana Republic's New Arrivals, I knew it would be my go-to coat of the season. 

As soon as I stepped out in this jacket, I instantly received compliments.  The bright, cheerful design is perfect if you love being the center of attention as this jacket is definitely a statement piece. The vibrant burst of colorful flowers cascading down the shimmering black canvas makes it playful, chic and flirty all at the same time. 

Living near Battery Park in Manhattan, right on the water, means outerwear that's wind resistant is an absolute MUST! With all of the tall buildings surrounding the area, I'm constantly getting caught in dramatic wind tunnels that can leave your hair perfectly tousled, while your body is overtaken by the gusty chill. So I put the wind-resistant claim of the Life in Motion jacket to the test, and it passed with flying colors. Wearing only a thin top underneath, I couldn't feel anything! This lightweight coat is virtually impenetrable.

“HELLO, COLORS”

Speaking of being lightweight, for such a thin fabric, the jacket is quite warm.  This is a huge must-have for me since I'm usually that girl who's freezing even during the summer.  The relaxed fit of the coat allows you to layer comfortably with a chunky knit or a thin tank underneath. One of my pet peeves is when a sweater bunches up around the shoulder or armpit area underneath a coat resulting a tight, uncomfortable fit.  If you get the right size, you don't have to worry about that at all.  I also give bonus points for it being waterproof. 

While this is technically a rain jacket, I consider this a beautiful and unique, date-to-night layer that could really amplify your basic black autumn outfit.  What do you think?  

Note: This is a sponsored post by Banana Republic. All views are 100% mine, so you'll be seeing me around Manhattan wearing this jacket all through the fall!