The 20 Best Denim Jackets for Fall, Starting at Just $39
It's the perfect light layer for all occasions
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What to Look for in a Denim Jacket
When purchasing a trusty denim jacket, there are some things that you need to consider beforehand.
- Shade: Firstly, you should figure out whether or not light, medium or dark wash coloring suits your fashion goals the best. Light wash is commonly associated with a more casual vibe, and became super trendy in the '90s. However, dark wash tends to be more formal, and usually works best for boxy-cut jackets thanks to its stiffer nature. And classic medium is, you guessed it, a little bit of both. While denim is typically associated with the blue, it can come in other non-traditional hues as well, with white and black being rather common. These choices are great for spicing up a neutral getup.
- Silhouette: When it comes to length, denim jackets typically come in an oversized style, a cropped design or somewhere in between. While denim jackets of all shapes are beloved for their ability to be dressed up or down, cropped and fitted styles tend to give a more sharp and chic effect. Meanwhile, oversized silhouettes are great if you’re going for a relaxed, everyday look.
How to Wear a Denim Jacket
When it comes to cropped styles, the general rule is to pair it with shorter hemlines such as shorts or mini skirts to balance your proportions. Oversized jackets work best with slim-fit bottoms to add a contrast that doesn’t overpower your figure. If you want to honor Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears at the 2001 AMAs, denim-on-denim is totally making a comeback (just ask Taylor Swift). However, in order to avoid a full-on Canadian tuxedo moment, I recommend mixing and matching different washes.
Styling-wise, you con throw on a denim jacket over any casual fit, and even add some layers below or on top of it—a knit sweater or hoodie peeking out from underneath would look totally cute, as would a puffer vest or coat over top. Honestly, the possibilities are endless when it comes to this transitional layer.
How Should a Denim Jacket Fit?
Many denim jackets are made with 100 percent cotton, while some allow for other materials such as polyester or elastane. Pure cotton tends to be stiffer, but is also thicker, and therefore more durable. On the other hand, blends tend to be more lightweight and have more stretch, allowing you to move more freely. Cropped styles tend to sit at your hips, or sometimes even higher at your waist. With longer styles, the sleeves can sometimes go past your fingertips for that intentional oversized effect.
Whichever product you choose, you should not feel restricted by your denim jacket. The sleeves should not feel tight around your arms, and the buttons should come together with ease without looking strained.
Jackie Manno
Freelance Writer
Jackie Manno is an avid shopper, and is always staying up to date on the latest products, especially in beauty and fashion, to help empower readers, make them feel beautiful and help them to navigate life. She has covered commerce content for PureWow for a year, and previously worked at Sephora as a Beauty Advisor and wrote for various online lifestyle publications. In her free time, you can catch her spending time with her cats.
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