Denim Jacket Styles

A denim jacket is a closet staple. The one I am wearing here, I've worn and loved for over 10 years - it's CPW (cost-per-wear) is excellent. Most wardrobes I visit for styling sessions, have some version of a jean jacket.

Recently, I saw a hilarious video on social media titled "It is time" where it showed a group of teachers pulling out their denim jackets in the spring with music and dialogue track from the Lion King. While it made me laugh, it's actually pretty accurate. Not just in schools. Walking around on these transitional seasonal weather days, it is very clear that the outfit formula of denim jacket + dress, jumpsuit, skirt or printed pant is still a fave for so many (myself included!). This photo of me with some girlfriends at a wine tasting fundraiser event for Ovarian Cancer illustrates the affinity toward denim!

Early this spring, I was in Whistler with some girlfriends getting ready for a group dinner for which we had been asked to wear some type of graphic t-shirt. In our hotel room, a few of us were playing around with potential wardrobe options for styling our tees. One friend paired hers with a slip skirt (which looked fabulous) and then put on her denim jacket. While she looked amazing, something felt a little off despite it being her go-to jean jacket that she's paired with everything for years. We ended up giving her another to try which was lighter wash denim with a more relaxed silhouette a little longer than her more classic style. Instantly, her look felt more current.

A Little More Relaxed:

While the classic jean jacket is always going to have a place in the wardrobe, for a while now we've been seeing the denim jacket evolve beyond the more fitted style and in a more relaxed direction. We're seeing many that are longer in length, dropped or raglan sleeves (which I absolutely love for layering) and learning a little more oversized as opposed to a more traditional style which is typically more fitted. Here are a few that caught my eye - you can click on the image for links if this feels like a current gap in your own wardrobe as well as a piece you feel would earn its cost-per-wear!

Collarless/Lady Jacket Style

The collarless jacket style AKA "The Lady Jacket" has been in all sorts of fabrications over the past few years (knit, tweed, linen, etc.) - denim included. A feminine, tailored twist on a classic piece. If you love denim jackets and you've also enjoyed the Lady Jacket silhouette, this could be one to consider adding to your wardrobe. This is an easy one to dress up.

With a Twist:

If denim works with ease into your everyday wardrobe and you want to freshen up some of your current closet staples, there are some very fun silhouettes out there at the moment from peplum, belted styles, blazers, trucker style vests and denim trenches.

I purchased this denim trench a few years ago - a fun twist on the classic trench. It also has an oversized cut so is perfect for layering and goes with everything!

The Cropped Chambray:

If you love the look of denim, but the denim jacket is too warm for much of the summer; a chambray (light denim) shirt is the perfect wardrobe staple. Recently we've been seeing shorter versions available which lend themselves to easy styling similar in silhouette to pairing a heavier denim jacket over a dress/jumpsuit etc. We've also been seeing a shorter sleeve, more camp shirt version which is an easy way to add dimension to a look without a lot of extra warmth. I recently picked one up and have been wearing on repeat. That and my longer style and sleeved chambray shirt will be a summer wardrobe staples. This style shirt works well buttoned up as a top, or unbuttoned as a layer.

The thing I love about these types of pieces is they tend to get so much use in our closets and have the ability to work seamlessly for so many lifestyles and style personalities. You can see all the pieces shown above in this roundup catalog.

Need help finding a style that's right for you? I'm always happy to chat!