While the idea of shopping for clothes will bring joy into the hearts of most readers, even the most die-hard fashion lovers face time, money and imagination constraints from time to time, which is why the cropped jacket is such a peach of a new-season staple.

Although it was around this time last year too, this time the trend will stick. In fact, coming in so many shapes and sizes , , from the teeniest bolero to the '50s tulip, from circle to kimono shape , , and at so many price points too, there is no way you are getting out of this fashion season alive without one.

Its beauty, for those jaded either by wallet, style or time, is that it is not only a whole new style injection, it can also be worn so many ways.

In a season that is all about playing with proportions, the jacket is the key staple, and with details such as bell sleeves, tapered waists and puffed shoulders these jackets can be remarkably flattering, feminine and youthful.

Boxy and sleeved, pair it with a tunic dress for total Jackie O appeal. Or why not wear it safari style, with wide linen trousers and a sharp white shirt, and it's Katherine Hepburn. Loud and bright, and teamed with a stripy sailor t-shirt, skinny grey jeans and ballet pumps and it's Elle MacPherson.

While fashion-forward girls will look for interesting and arty shapes in Topshop and BT2, women in their 30s, 40s and 50s will find these gorgeous new shapes at Wallis, Principles and Whistles.

Classic dressers will be drawn to the modette and safari-style jackets at Mango and Topshop, while girls who adore fabric and cut will find what they want at Reiss and in new boutique stores such as Dolls on Clarendon Street.

The cropped jacket has even invaded the fashion lines of A-Wear and Penneys, who also have a take on this summer's equivalent to last year's shoulder shrug.

So if you don't want to replace your whole wardrobe (or at least not for the moment) you can start right now with a fine new cropped jacket. Here are our picks of the best of the bunch. . .