The 11 Best Denim Jackets for Women in 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 (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab). 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 (opens in new tab). 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.