How to Wear a Denim Jacket (2024)

It took Levi Strauss a decade after creating the world’s first blue jeans to realize that the material that worked so well to clothe a man’s lower half, also worked brilliantly to outfit his upper half as well.

The modern man needn’t take so long to make that leap.

Denim not only makes for some of the best-looking and easy-wearin’ pants, it also makes for a handsome and rugged jacket.

140 years after first outfitting men who worked on railroads and ranches, the jean jacket continues to serve as functional, low maintenance outerwear; its durable material provides decent protection to one’s arms and torso, doesn’t wrinkle, takes a beating, and lasts for the long haul. Light in weight, it’s a great jacket for those just-a-bit-chilly days that mark the seasons of spring and fall.

With a collar and a structure that typically tapers to the waist, the denim jacket also creates a more masculine silhouette and adds to the visual appeal that arises from layering in ways that faintly echo a sports jacket, but with an entirely different vibe — casual, rebellious, oppositional-to-the-suits. Thrown over a t-shirt, it instantly adds a lot more interest to an otherwise basic get-up.

Given these assets in function and form, why are guys often hesitant to make what is really a rather simple staple of menswear part of their wardrobe?

The fact that the denim jacket is associated with miners, cowboys, truck drivers, and rockers adds to its iconoclastic appeal, but at the same time, guys may worry that its tough and cool legacy might not sit comfortably on their shoulders; they don’t want to look like a wannabe or have the jacket come off as “costumey.” They also don’t want to look like a hipster who’s trying too hard to channel the ethos of blue collar workwear. Or maybe a fella just associates the jacket with the 1980s and wonders if they’re still in style.

Well, the good news is that these hang-ups needn’t be an issue: a denim jacket can suit a man whether or not he swings a hammer or slays a guitar, can be adopted in a way that’s both natural and sharp, and when worn well, will always be, no matter the decade, perennially in style.

Choosing a Denim Jacket

If you’d like to add a denim jacket to your closet, choosing one comes down to thinking about two main qualities: fit and color.

Fit. As with all garments, fit is king with the jean jacket. You don’t want the jacket to either be too baggy, nor too tight. A well-fitted jacket should exhibit the following qualities:

  • Fits over the thickest top you plan to wear it with.
  • Can be buttoned up without tightness or pulling when worn over a t-shirt (denim jackets are not commonly buttoned up, but can be; if you do button up, still leave at least the top and bottom buttons undone).
  • Fabric hangs down in straight planes.
  • Bottom hem hits at about the hips; the denim jacket is a shorter jacket, and the bottom hem shouldn’t extend much past your beltline, with about the middle of your fly/upper thigh being the longest it should fall. However, the jacket shouldn’t be too short either; if it creeps up to your waistline and above, it will look too cropped, and begin to approach a more feminine style of jean jacket.
  • Ends of sleeves hit a little past the bends of the wrists, but don’t extend past the creases of the thumbs.
  • You’re able to cross and swing your arms comfortably; if you find denim fabric feels too constricting (this can be the case with darker and raw denim; lighter washes will typically be pretty soft), look for a jacket made with a bit of stretchy material added to the cotton fabric.

Color. While denim jackets are available in a variety of colors these days, blue is the most classic and versatile. Of blue jackets, their “formality” ranges along with the washes of their denim. All jean jackets are inherently very casual, but one made with a dark wash denim will be slightly “dressier,” while one with a light wash denim will be the very most casual. A medium wash sits right in the middle and is arguably your best pick — it’s versatile, classic-looking, and soft.

What to Wear With a Denim Jacket

Denim jackets aren’t versatile in the way sports jackets are — unlike the latter, they can’t be dressed up or down to meet the requirements of just about every dress code. While some very fashion-forward sartorialists will put a jean jacket over a dress shirt and tie (and even a waistcoat), the contrast between the more formal underlayer and the very casual outerwear is too jarring to make for a good look.

Denim jackets are versatile, however, in that they pair well with most every other garment that resides in the casual category of your wardrobe. These pairings can still be more or less ideal, however, and we’ll delineate that spectrum below.

On Bottom

The one rule you’ve probably heard about wearing a jean jacket is to never do “double denim”; that is, you shouldn’t wear a denim jacket on top of denim jeans. The result of this pairing is what’s called the “Canadian tuxedo,” named after an incident in the 1950s, when Bing Crosby was banned from a swanky Canadian hotel for wearing an all-denim get-up, and the Levi’s company responded by making him an entirely denim tuxedo to rock.

The reason that “double denim” is considered a faux pas is that when your denim jacket and jeans are too matchy-matchy, it looks like you’re wearing a weird pseudo suit. But avoiding this combo isn’t a hard and fast rule. While it’s more difficult to pull off well, you can wear a denim jacket with jeans, as long as you make sure there’s a good amount of contrast between the two pieces. That is, instead of wearing a medium wash jacket with medium wash jeans, you wear a darker jacket with lighter jeans, or vice versa. You can also wear jeans in a color other than blue — black or charcoal can look good with a denim jacket.

And you know what, if you’re a little daring, you can even break the rule entirely and wear a jacket and jeans that are close in color. I do! I just like my so-called Canadian tuxedo, and don’t care if it’s “wrong.” I guess that’s the rebel in me, eh?

If you’re not sure if you can pull off double denim, or just don’t like the look of it yourself, it’s best to just heed the proscription against it. Below are common and safe guidelines for how to clothe your lower half while wearing a denim jacket, with options ranked from less to more ideal:

  • Poor:
    • Dress trousers (too much high low/contrast)
    • Jeans that closely match the color of your jacket
  • Alright:
    • Jeans in a color that contrasts with the jacket
    • Joggers
  • Best:
    • Chinos/khakis (in brown, tan, olive, gray, etc.)
    • Corduroys

As far as your footwear goes, think casual: canvas/leather/suede sneakers, leather boots, chukkas, etc.

On Top

When it comes to what to wear under your denim jacket, a single layer is often all you need; while additional layers can be interesting, you don’t want to or need to add much bulk under a denim jacket. A thin base layer will let the jacket hang comfortably, and without constriction. Jean jackets just lend themselves to a more simple, “spare” look too.

Below we break down your underlayer choices from unadvisable to can’t-miss:

  • Poor:
    • Button-up dress shirts (too formal)
    • Technical-fabric workout shirts (too casual, even for a denim jacket, with a shiny texture that doesn’t complement the jacket’s matte ruggedness)
    • Chambray button-downs (while chambray is technically a different fabric from denim, it looks close enough to it to make this another iteration of “double denim”)
  • Alright:
    • Sweaters (some thin and very casual sweaters can work, but many can look funny under a jean jacket)
    • Polos (an okay pairing, but the preppy nature of the shirt clashes a bit with the jacket’s more rough-n-ready vibe)
    • Button-down shirts (in a very casual workplace, a jean jacket can serve as almost a kind of sports jacket substitute when worn over a button-down; a checkered print is a nice look here)
  • Best:
    • T-shirts (of all kinds, but the plain white tee is an especially classic choice)
    • Long- or short-sleeve henleys
    • Hoodies (evinces a more “urban” look)
    • Flannel/plaid shirts

As you mix your bottom and top layers with your denim jacket, you can prevent your get-up from looking too “costumey” by avoiding pairing too many things from one “archetype.” For example, if you wear a flannel shirt under your jacket, don’t also wear leather work boots and a beanie. Or don’t wear a white tee under your jacket, along with black jeans, and black work boots, unless you’re a biker, or intentionally going for that look. Just let the jean jacket be a natural accompaniment to the other casual clothes you already wear.

A denim jacket makes a great addition to a man’s casual wardrobe — there’s a good chance that deep down you want one, so get one. And then start wearing the heck out of it. It only looks and feels better with age. Clothing is only as authentic as the real use you get out of it.

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How to Wear a Denim Jacket (2024)

FAQs

How to Wear a Denim Jacket? ›

Jean jackets layer brilliantly over casual T-shirts and dressy tops, and an oversized denim jacket thrown over a chunky knit sweater creates a warm, multitextured effect. As for bottoms, denim jackets can help anchor a skirt or dress, and they also pair perfectly with a variety of pant styles.

Is it okay to wear a denim jacket with jeans? ›

"You can definitely pair a denim jacket with jeans! Choose contrasting shades for visual balance," Sockel says. "Matching denim washes is also a popular option for those interested in testing out the style. Try breaking up the look with a chunky belt."

Can a 60 year old woman wear a denim jacket? ›

No age is too old to wear a denim jacket if that is what one wishes to do. If it serves the purpose of protection from the elements, by all means, wear it.

How to wear a denim jacket in your 50s? ›

I love pairing a maxi t-shirt dress with a jean jacket & sneakers. I have worn this look year after year. This look is something you can wear everywhere. The t-shirt dress is from Eileen Fisher (sleeveless), Olukai sneakers (dishtowel as scarf) & older MZ Wallace bag.

Should a denim jacket be baggy? ›

Denim jackets should fit slightly fitted, but not too tight. It should drape your frame nicely. Sleeves should stop at the wrists.

Are denim jackets in style in 2024? ›

Patchwork Denim Jackets Are Spring's Top Trend. Here Are 15 To Shop Now. Photo: Mega/GC Images. Last year's spring/summer runways predicted that 2023 would be the year of denim — and that hasn't changed for 2024.

What color pants to wear with a denim jacket? ›

If your jean jacket is a light hue, pair it with dark-wash jeans. Conversely, if your jacket is a darker shade, pair it with lighter-wash denim. Another safe bet is to choose jeans in a completely different color—think black, grey, olive or burgundy. Now you know how to wear a denim jacket with jeans like a pro.

Should a denim jacket be tight on a woman? ›

A denim jacket should have a snug fit with a relatively short finish at the hips. If you want trendy looks, the jacket should be tight and fall at or above the waist. The look of your jacket will vary for casual outfits. Here, the jacket should be loose around your shoulders, chest and torso.

What is it called when you wear a jean jacket with jeans? ›

A "Canadian tuxedo" (also known as "double denim") is a colloquial term for wearing a jean shirt or denim jacket with jeans. The term reportedly originated in 1951 after Bing Crosby was refused entry to a hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, because he was wearing a denim top and denim bottoms.

Should 70 year olds wear jeans? ›

You're never too old for jeans, but your jeans may be too old for you. There's a not-so-quiet revolution brewing in jeans-land as more women shed skintight skinny jeans and jeggings for looser, body-friendly styles. Updated jeans with boot-cut, flare, straight and wide legs are dialing up comfort and fashion.

How do you dress if you are over 70? ›

Top 5 tips on how to dress over 70
  1. Fancy up your flats. Thankfully, the days of boring, sensible flats are long gone. ...
  2. Try new collar shapes. Blazers and structured jackets are timeless classics, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with them. ...
  3. Make an understatement. ...
  4. Bag a trend. ...
  5. Embrace the eclectic.
May 8, 2024

What does a denim jacket go with female? ›

One of the simplest ways to create a stylish, dressy ensemble with a denim jacket is to pair it with a dress or skirt. A sleek crossbody purse, dangling earrings and closed-toe shoes will round out the outfit. Of course, you can also dress up a denim jacket with pants.

Should you wear skinny jeans over 50? ›

Keep the size and number of tears, rips and holes to a minimum, and opt for a looser slim jean — not skin tight.

How to wear denim over 60? ›

How should jeans be worn after 60? “Jeans are such a wardrobe staple they can be worn in so many different ways and they always look effortlessly cool and modern,” says Donna. “A classic way would be with a classic white tee, blazer or trench coat and fresh white trainers.”

How do I look good in denim? ›

Take it back to basics and pair a simple white tee with our denim icons for some effortless chic. Softening a denim head to toe look with contrasting white cotton is the kind of statement that works any time of the day or night. Effortlessly cool and timeless, this look never goes out of style.

Are denim jackets still in style? ›

They're an all-season, all-weather staple that manages to be both timeless and trendy. Throw on a cropped version over a bralette and you've got yourself a spring date night look. Or layer on a turtleneck underneath an oversized fit for a fall-ready style. Honestly, denim jackets go with just about everything.

How to style a denim jacket in winter? ›

Smart Casual

Wearing the denim jacket over a crisp white dress, pair of tailored pants and a tie can make you look super classy. This blend of casual and formal elements can help you stand out at any winter occasion.

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