All About Denim Jackets

I have always appreciated a classic denim jacket’s casual attitude and versatility. I kept buying them, but they never seemed right for me when it came time to wear them. After donating and selling a few, I have discovered why some work for me and others don’t.

A medium to dark wash blue denim with no adornments, distressing, or rips works best for me. The arms need to be slim and straight but not so tight that I can’t wear the jacket over a thin sweater. The collar must be small and neat but lay open or stand up as needed. The pockets should not be too small – anything less than three inches wide looks too Junior Department and makes me appear larger. When the pockets are placed higher on the jacket, it is much more flattering for women with full busts.

Buttons on casual styles should always be aged metal, never bright shiny silver or gold. Vertical seaming and side pockets are slenderizing. Shoulder seams should rest neatly at the edge of the shoulders. Dropped shoulder seams and dolman styles add visual weight to the bust.

The hem on the traditional style lands about mid-hip. They can look great on most body types if you keep your base layers fitted instead of flowing.

My basic denim jacket is here.

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Cropped styles look best on an inverted triangle body shape when worn over a longer loose-fitting top. These shorter, more fitted jackets look great on women with short legs and an hourglass or pear shape since they don’t hide your waist or cut off the length of your legs visually. A similar cropped jacket is here.

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Oversized, longer jacket styles look best when the garments beneath are more fitted to the body. The oversized style should have a fuller back, similar to a bomber jacket. Longer jacket styles look best on women with a rectangle or an apple body shape. The longer styles are always more flattering worn open. Similar jacket here.

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The black jeans are here. The black long-sleeved T‑shirt is here. A similar denim jacket is here. The loafers are here. A similar bag is here. A similar scarf is here. The no-show socks are here. My simple pearl earrings are here. (Use the code SAS10 For $10 off any one item at Beauty in Stone Jewelry.)

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The jacket below has been in my collection for about four years. It has some stretch and is more fitted, so I’m showing it worn as a top. Styling a blue denim jacket with other colors of jeans is effortless. You can take the look in any direction you wish, and it always seems to work. Here, I’ve gone a bit more Palm Beach with my accessories. A similar jacket is here – similar shoes here – similar bag here.

This jacket style is a good choice for those with a fuller bust because the pockets are well above the bustline, and the color is dark. The fabric has a bit of stretch, and the silhouette is fitted to the body.

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The band jacket style can also work well in denim. The boxy cut of the jacket below looks best with a V-neckline top tucked in or belted so that your waistline doesn’t disappear. I’ve paired this dark denim jacket with silver/gray items to give it a bit of polish. Similar jacket here.

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While all of the jackets I’m showing you today are made from denim, the styles vary greatly. The classic trucker style may feel too casual for you, but other options exist. Denim jackets and their variations can be worn to tone down any look and make it feel more relaxed.

A similar jacket is here. Even if you never intend to wear a jacket or blazer closed, it should always fit so that you can actually close it.

There is a denim jacket to fit your style personality from classic to dramatic. The versatility and casual vibes that come with these jackets are modern, relaxed, and comfortable. I always aim for modern styling instead of youthful.

I launder and steam or iron denim jackets as needed, but always avoid the dryer. Before returning a sweater or jacket I have worn to my closet, I always turn it inside out and hang it on an over-the-door hook for a couple of days to air out. I only use perfume, lotion, or hair spray before getting dressed. All my jackets and blazers are stored on wooden hangers to help maintain their shape.

The next photo shows a wooden hanger (found here) in use on an over-the-door hook (similar here).

Denim jackets or blazers can be appropriate for anything from running errands to a dinner date with creative styling.

The following additional pictures show these jackets as I’ve worn them in the past.

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