Because of the increasingly hot weather, I have worn the lightest cotton tunics, pants and sandals pretty much all summer, but I need a jacket to get me through the cooler weather. The ones I already have are rather old and worn, either too small or have huge shoulders. What’s the answer? — Leslie, Redlands, Calif.

What you are looking for is that elusive garment: the perfect transitional jacket. This quest hits close to home for those of us on the fashion show circuit since the season begins in New York with 80-degree weather and ends in Paris with rainy, 50-degree weather.