The 11 Best Denim Jackets for Women in 2024

I want them all.

A woman walking down a street wearing a denim jacket. Text over the image reads "The Essentials"
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Welcome to The Essentials, our series highlighting a must-have classic, key to building a timeless, pulled-together closet.

A denim jacket is a tried-and-true staple that deserves its rightful place in everyone's closet. I'm not afraid to admit I have a rotating collection in my closet, from a cropped trucker to a worn-in vintage relic to a particular shearling style that's become one of the best jackets in my wardrobe—the list goes on and on. Put simply, a jean jacket is that piece. The one so versatile it won't be tucked away when the seasons change and will adapt with you as your style evolves. (Itching for a personal fashion rebrand? Consult our favorite denim jacket outfits to see how the Americana staple can assist you on your style journey.)

Despite being a year-round, forever staple, Kendall Becker, Fashion & Beauty Trends Editor at Trendalytics, observes a notable spike in interest for the classic piece coming into spring. "This season is all about the revitalization of nostalgic jackets—note the varsity jacket, leather moto, and, of course, the denim jacket. At the moment, searches for denim jackets are marked within the Trendalytics platform as 'extreme', noting an average of 105k weekly searches," she shares over email. 

Courtney Busch, a Styling Team Lead at Stitch Fix, substantiates Becker's findings: "In a recent trend report from Stitch Fix, denim jackets accounted for nearly 40 percent of sales for the jackets category, making a nearly 10 percent sales increase over last year. And it’s no wonder they’re in such high demand, as they’re extremely versatile—a denim jacket can be dressed up or dressed down, and can come in multiple washes and colors, with a variety of fits," offers the stylist.

Ahead, you'll find tips and tricks for navigating 2023's denim market from Becker and Busch, as well as our picks for the best jean jackets. We guarantee at least one of the below styles is bound to be your new forever favorite. 

What to Look for in a Jean Jacket

"When choosing a jacket that’s right for you, there are no rules," Busch says emphatically. "Some clients prefer an oversized denim jacket, while others opt for a cropped look." She does say, though, that a neutral pair in a non-denim wash offers astounding versatility, making it a solid wardrobe building block. "Having a black, white, or natural-wash jean jacket in your closet provides ample opportunity for styling any outfit no matter the time of year or occasion."


The Best Denim Jackets of 2023

FAQ About Denim Jackets

How to Style a Denim Jacket

"When it comes to styling, I love juxtaposition," gushes Becker. "Pairing a utilitarian style with unlikely partners like a feminine-detailed top, chic heels, and a handbag is always a win." For Busch, she references Britney and Justin circa 2001 and modern-day Julia Fox: "One of my favorite ways to style a denim jacket is creating a denim-on-denim look. Now that it’s fall, I’ll opt for classic straight-leg jeans paired with an oversized denim jacket," says the stylist.

Should You Wash a Denim Jacket?

"Washing denim less than you might wash other garments is standard to maintain the garment’s color and structure, as washing new jean pieces, particularly those in dark washes, can cause the dye to bleed," explains Brusch. "Over time, true blue or black denim jackets can get more distressed from consistent wear and wash, which often lends itself to a perfectly worn-in look and feel"—which, if you're into, great! If not, Brusch advises you have your jean jackets occasionally sit out laundry day. "Ultimately, I always tell my clients to do what they’re most comfortable with, whether it comes to style, fit, or even as it relates to washing clothes!"

Meet the Experts

Kendall Becker wears black sunglasses, gold earrings, gold large chain necklaces, a white pearls necklace, a white cropped t-shirt, a white latte oversized blazer jacket, gold rings, high waist brown large wide legs suit pants, gold rings, outside PatBo , during New York Fashion Week, on February 12, 2022 in New York City.
Kendall Becker

Experienced in luxury editorial, trend forecasting, and strategic consulting, Kendall is currently the Fashion & Beauty Trends Editor at Trendalyticsas well as a freelance writer for Refinery29, The Zoe Report, LuisaViaRoma, WhoWhatWear, and Coveteur. Prior, she was the Assistant Fashion Director for Women’s RTW at Bloomingdale’s and contributed to global trend forecasting agencies. Plus, she’s a fashion media personality and expert that’s been featured in ABC, Cheddar News, Harper’s BAZAAR, GQ, Bustle, Sourcing Journal, Brides, and Vice.

Courtney Busch
Courtney Busch

As Stitch Fix Styling Team Lead, Courtney brings her fashion expertise, personalized touch, and over 6 years of industry experience to the role. Since joining the organization in July 2016 as a Senior Stylist, and then a Styling Team Coach, she has lent her styling expertise to many Stitch Fix clients, applying her attention to detail, fit and size knowledge, and trend-spotting skills to help them discover items they love. As a Styling Team Lead, Courtney has also managed and developed 50+ stylists across the Eastern Region and created informational and engaging content to create community, collaboration, and culture on Stitch Fix styling teams. She also serves as one of Stitch Fix’s brand ambassadors in press interviews and delivers personalized style takeaways to readers in online editorial coverage.

Emma Childs
Fashion Features Editor

Emma Childs is the Fashion Features Editor at Marie Claire, who writes trend reports, long-form reported features, and style guides. She previously wrote for TZR, Editorialist, Elite Daily, and Mission Magazine and studied Fashion Studies and New Media at Fordham University. When she's not writing fashion deep-dives, you'll find her stalking eBay for designer vintage and perusing HBO Max (in her heart, it'll always be *HBO* MX).