We're all looking forward to the day when we can shrug off our heavy winter coats, and don lightweight jackets instead.

The high street shops have skipped ahead of the weather so there's already many cute cropped jackets on the rails.

Dorothy Perkins' navy cropped mac

"There's a jacket style to suit everyone," says Sally Dixon, B's fashion editor.

"This season has been inspired by the 50s and 60s, with many jackets featuring three-quarter or puffed and rounded sleeves, which hark back to earlier decades.

"Waists are also being accentuated with fitted 40s-style jackets with nipped-in waists, and belts on wrap coats and trench coats."

CROPPED AND BOXY

These new styles can be seen everywhere at the moment. They're cropped in length, often with cropped sleeves too, and have a boxy shape.

"These are quite prim and proper, or you can dress them down with jeans for a casual look," says Sally.

She does advise keeping an eye on the length though, saying "How cropped you go depends on your body shape. Their wide shape will suit boyish slim figures, rather than curvy women."

River Island's navy cropped trench jacket, £44.99 (75.50 Euros), combines three trends together, while Topshop's navy cotton cropped jacket, £30 (46 Euros) and George's short-sleeved jacket, £16, will keep you flying high in the style stakes.

Wallis' mustard double-breasted jacket

Mustard is one of the hot colours for spring, so look fashionable with Wallis' mustard double-breasted jacket, £65 (99 Euros).

Or if you prefer to stay classic, try Miss Selfridge's tie-sleeve cropped black mac, £50 (74 Euros), and Additions Direct's double-breasted crop jacket with half belt in stone or black, £42.50.

NAUTICAL SAILING

"Nautical was really big last year, and it's back again. This year, designers have focused more on the cruise look, with fewer stripes and more of the colours like navy, red and white, and button detailing."

Dorothy Perkins' navy cropped mac, £50 (80 Euros), is set to be one of the key items of spring, and can be worn with elegant pencil skirts or shorts.

White is the must-have colour of the season, and it's very wearable.

Gap's cream cropped double-breasted jacket, £49.50 (78 Euros), Next's white cropped vintage style denim jacket, £26.99 (39 Euros), and Topshop's white cropped double collar jacket, £50 (76 Euros), will make you look like the height of fashion - even if you have to work hard to keep them pristine.

Monsoon's white Delphi jacket, £70, is a cropped boxy shape, and Miss Selfridge's ecru twill bomber jacket, £35 (52 Euros), has cropped sleeves.

TAILORED BEAUTIES

If you like a bit more silhouette to your outerwear, you may prefer a tailored jacket. Inspired by the Jackie Onassis look in the 60s, these jackets generally come with three-quarter length sleeves, rounded shoulders and a slightly nipped-in waist.

"There are a lot of one-button tailored jackets with puffed sleeves," says Sally. "While the shorter-length sleeve may look cuter, it's tricky to wear because whatever you wear underneath will show through."

Marks & Spencer's belted linen jacket in mocha

Warehouse's black three-quarter sleeve collarless jacket, £55 (84 Euros), and French Connection's Billy belted jacket, £70, are ideal capsule classics.

Linen isn't just a summer look, as Oasis' Elle linen tailored tuxedo jacket, £75 (107 Euros), Marks & Spencer's belted linen jacket in mocha, £55 (81 Euros), and Rocha by John Rocha's frilled linen jacket, £45 at Debenhams, provide the smart girl's uniform for day or night.

INTO THE TRENCHES

"Trench coats are a perennial look, but they're shorter for spring, so they look like mini macs," adds Sally.

"This harks back to the 60s, during the Edie Sedgwick era. It's a look that will suit many people, as the shorter length makes it cuter and more lightweight."

Take a look at New Look's navy mini mac, £40, ASOS' Beatnik black belted jacket with big button detailing, £35, or Gap's khaki cropped belted trench, £49.50 (78 Euros).

Taller women may prefer a traditional knee-length trench coat.

Therapy's white waffle trench coat

Therapy's white waffle trench coat, £75 at House of Fraser, and Tu's double-breasted belted mac, £35, are in spring's sweet muted pastels, while Warehouse's ruche detail mac, £60 (91 Euros), and French Connection's belted double-breasted Kamikaze mac, £110, are in a more practical shade of khaki green.

STOCKISTS

Additions Direct - 0845 304 0008/www.additionsdirect.co.uk

ASOS - www.asos.com

Debenhams - 08445 616 161/www.debenhams.com

Dorothy Perkins - 0870 122 8801/www.dorothyperkins.co.uk

French Connection - 020 7036 7200/www.frenchconnection.co.uk

Gap - 0800 427 789

George - 0845 300 1111

House Of Fraser - 0870 160 7270/www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Marks & Spencer - 0845 302 1234/www.marksandspencer.com

Miss Selfridge - 0800 915 9900/www.missselfridge.co.uk

Monsoon - 020 7313 3000/www.monsoon.co.uk

New Look - 0500 454 094

Next - 0845 600 7000/www.next.co.uk

Oasis - 01865 881 986/www.oasis-stores.com

River Island - 0870 160 3201/www.riverisland.com

Topshop - 0845 121 4519/www.topshop.co.uk

Wallis - 0845 121 4520/www.wallis-fashion.com

Warehouse - 0870 122 8813/www.warehousefashion.co.uk

CELEB STYLE

Coronation Street actress Nikki Sanderson (Candice) shows off her star style in a new campaign for KangaROOS [cor]. The new collection includes pumps and fashion-forward trainers in a palette of girly colours like baby pink, mint green and sky blue. Eye-catching designs include Serengetti with its bold tribal patterning, Kiku suede Mary-Jane wedges, and Sugarbush yoga/pilates shoes in limited edition gold and silver. Prices start from £35 - call 020 8346 2600 or visit www.kangaroos.com/uk

DO YOUR BIT

U2's Bono has persuaded a series of big brands like Gap, Converse and Giorgio Armani to join his Product RED campaign against Aids. The first item to debut in Gap will be a T-shirt, £14.50. The 100% African-made, vintage-style top comes in red (to tie in with the campaign's name), and other hues, but more importantly, 50% of the profits goes directly to The Global Fund. Ensure you get one by emailing custservUK@gap.com or calling 0800 011 1427.