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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
Keep it simple with a classic, no-fuss option—like J. Crew's denim jacket—that will pair perfectly with all of your favorite worn-in tees. Its faded medium-blue wash achieves a well-loved look that vintage fans will be fond of, especially because you didn't have to do any hardcore digging and thrifting yourself. "I am so glad I took the time to find the perfect denim jacket," says one J. Crew customer of this style. "It goes with everything, and it looks great with dresses, skirts, and dress pants in dark or light shades. It's my favorite outfit purchase this year and I know I'll wear it for years to come."
"As with much of the outerwear market, boxy and oversized silhouettes are key," details Becker. And Madewell's oversized denim jacket, with its roomy, trucker-inspired fit, is the ideal piece to add to your rotation if you're hoping to tackle the baggy trend. Also: if you're a fan of retro influences, you'll be pleased about the vintage, '60s-inspired details like authentic topstitching and deep interior pockets. And since it's made of 100 percent cotton non-stretch denim, the silhouette also offers structure so the jacket won't swallow your figure whole.
Danielle McNally, Deputy Editor of Marie Claire, adores this denim jacket from Gap so much that she dedicated an entire article to it. "The jacket has the all-important Very First Spot in my closet because I reach for it—I'd estimate—once a week. I wear it throughout winter, spring, summer, and fall. I wear it to the office, over cocktail dresses, with minis, maxis, shorts, and pants," the long-time editor writes, pointing out the impressive sheer versatility of this neutral number.
"Overall, we're seeing a shift to other near-neutral shades (think cream, mauve, and sage) in denim jackets," says Becker. In particular, the trend expert says the latter shade, soft mossy greens that border on khaki, is especially prevalent, "clocking in at a 26 percent increase in weekly searches in comparison to last year." Everlane's shirt jacket—aka shacket—in sage perfectly encapsulates the color trend in action. It's muted yet not overtly minimal, but not bold enough not to qualify as maximalist.
GANNI's color-blocked, hot pink jean jacket makes it as effortless as can be for you to master the all-consuming Barbiecore trend. And in addition to epitomizing last year's (and this year's leading color, too), this denim number is ethically and sustainably made. In line with the Scandi brand's eco-conscious tenet, this jacket is crafted from organic denim grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Try teaming this colorful number with neutral bottoms to balance out the highly-saturated effect—white baggy jeans or black front-pleat trousers, for instance.
"As it gets colder," expresses StitchFix's Busch, "lean into the more insulated and textured denim jackets like this one from Blank NYC for a chic late winter, early spring look." Made with a mix of light-wash denim and ultra-soft sherpa, this will be your new go-to layer for Saturday morning coffee runs when it's too early for your brain to style a fully-fledged outfit but you still want to appear effortlessly stylish (after all, you never know who you'll see while out and about!).
"Pro tip: If you want to keep things semi-formal, try opting for a more fitted denim jacket in black," Busch offers. And with its puffed sleeves and slim fit, Ética ink-colored jacket is a quintessential example of a more polished interpretation of the laidback Americana style. Plus, it's perfectly tailored to all your fun '80s fashion fantasies. Wear it with bright high-waisted trousers and an ab-baring bralette for an outfit that feels contemporary yet honors a retro-reminiscent and currently-listening-to-Duran-Duran vibe.
"Another easy way to dress down a more formal dress or skirt is by simply throwing on a denim jacket to complete the look," says the expert stylist at Stitch Fix. And on this matter, we recommend reaching for a crisp option in white—like this denim trucker by Samsøe Samsøe. The neutral hue serves as a blank canvas, allowing you to pair it with endless pieces in your closet. Furthermore, a white denim jacket is a trusty option that'll help you transition from season to season, fall into winter, winter into spring, etc.
For those who've been keeping an eye on the overarching fashion themes as of late, you'll know that hemlines are getting shorter (call it the Miu Miu micro-mini effect) in a collective itch to show off as much skin as possible. Becker says this bare-it-all attitude is filtering into consumer demand for denim, too. "Cropped denim jackets are up 19 percent from last year," she explains. Join in on the skin-baring movement with Elleme's cropped jean jacket that looks like your go-to blazer received a flirty new haircut.
"If you already have plenty of classic denim jackets in your closet and are looking for a more adventurous version this season, try a patterned style," says Stitch Fix's Busch. "I'm loving this bold animal print style from Sanctuary," she says of this olive green and cream zebra-printed piece. And styling-wise, try teaming it with a luxe pair of silky cargo pants. It's a pairing that might not be as obvious as, say, white trousers or a slip skirt, but it will playfully lean into a safari-ready feel without teetering into costume territory.
"The luxury market is setting the tone for revitalizing denim jackets—and personally, I'm seeing patchwork as a strong style in the market," the Trendalytics editor describes. "They're currently up 33 percent from last year." Tap into the patch phenomenon with Desigual's crafty style, which is on super sale for 50 percent off its usual $160 price tag. If the discount wasn't enough to persuade you to press 'buy,' think of all the outfit combos this lightweight jacket will work in: teamed with matching jeans, a pleated midi skirt, leather trousers, etc. Consider yourself convinced.
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
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.
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.
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Emma Childs is the Style Editor at Marie Claire, where she researches up-and-coming trends, curates shopping guides, and gushes about the must-buy items she can't stop thinking about. 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 up fashion deep-dives or finding the season's best pieces, you'll find her fiddling around in Photoshop and perusing HBO Max for the next show to base her personality on (currently, it's "Succession").
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