There are a few staple garments in every man's wardrobe, like a favourite pair of jeans, a t-shirt, or a stylish sweater. And while there might be many timeless essential pieces that have helped enhance their personality over the years, few can match up to the stylishness of a denim jacket.
Whether in light, dark, or statement colour, a denim jacket makes for an ideal garment that can be worn while you're out with your friends or as workwear owing to its dependable design and durable construction. If you do not have a go-to denim jacket, it's time you pick up one now!
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From day to night, work to weekend, denim jackets effortlessly transition into various styles, making it a jacket capable of being worn at least six months of the year.
A denim jacket is available in different washes, types, and fits, giving you endless outfit opportunities. In an infinite sea of denim jackets, we have compiled a buying guide and recommendations from brands like Levi's, H&M, and GAP to help you choose the best.
So, if you're looking for smart casual options, any shade from darker blue to blacks would suit the occasion. Darker denim wash looks good with darker colours, white and primary colours (red, green, blue, and combination).
Non-blue or non-traditional colours, like green, beige, pink, and red, are a little less versatile shades, but they give an edge to the overall ensemble. These colours would look good if you're heading to a nightclub or catching up with your pals on the weekend.
The best way to look good in a denim jacket is to get one that fits well. Yes, you can get the minor adjustments done by a tailor, but you would not want any significant adjustments once you get the jacket off the rack. A traditional denim jacket should have nice straight lines throughout your figure, especially on your shoulders and arms, and the hem should sit around your hip for the perfect fit.
If you're looking for an even more casual version of the denim jacket, you might want to consider oversized or loose-fitted styles. These jackets will have extra material hanging over your hips and plenty of space in the arms and torso.
So, choose the fit that goes best with the style of your wardrobe. There are many other alternatives available, like ripped and cropped, but if you're buying your first jacket, we suggest you stick to the classic style and fit.
The best denim jackets are rugged and tough casual looking. But the construction material of traditional denim is sturdy cotton, which feels good on the skin. Most of the brands make jackets in 100% cotton to increase their durability. However, few brands add 1% or 2% elastane to improve elasticity and comfort.
If you want to wear a denim jacket in colder weather, consider getting thicker jackets. Also, keep in mind that denim tends to lose its shape and become thin with time. When choosing a denim jacket, you must read the label to understand the material.
Certain high-end brands have jackets made of selvedge denim. Selvedge denim is made from a shuttle loom that tightly weaves fabric on both sides of the denim, thus preventing unravelling, and adding durability. This type of denim construction is expensive, but it's well worth the investment.
While choosing a denim jacket, comfort is the key. Therefore, you should consider whether a zipper or button-down jacket is comfortable to wear and suits your style. It all depends on personal preference, but a zipper is comparatively more comfortable to use, and buttons make a jacket look more stylish.
Regardless, it is essential to consider this simple feature before purchasing. If you're buying a jacket at a store, you might want to take a few minutes to button up or zip up the jacket. This process will sort which style is more comfortable and works best for you.
When it comes to denim jackets, they usually have four pockets, two on the chest and two on the sides. You can use the chest pockets to carry debit and credit cards or sunglasses, whereas; the side pockets can be used to carry things that you might frequently need, like a cell phone, handkerchief, or keys, or to keep your hands warm.
Some brands eliminate the chest pockets, instead create faux pockets just for the look. Having fewer pockets isn't too much of an inconvenience if you don't carry much stuff with you. Therefore, having only the side pockets will work just fine.
If you're looking for something cosier and warmer for the winter months, consider getting a denim jacket with fleece, cotton, or faux sheepskin (known as borg) lining. Denim jackets with lining are known as Sherpa, and they are inspired by Sherpas residing in the Himalayas. The extra layer of lining inside the jacket helps keep you warm during chillier months.
Though Sherpa jackets are great for winter months, they are not the lightweight denim jackets that you can throw on over a t-shirt during the warmer months. So, you might want to consider this factor while buying the jacket.
Levi's still does denim better than almost any other brand, and the expertise can be seen in this blue coloured smart denim jacket. The design ticks all the boxes for the casual essential – washed denim, straight hemline, and front pockets.
This cool and classic number from Levi's boasts an embroidered detailing on the back, making it stand out in the crowd. Staying true to the jacket's iconic styling, it has a spread collar and proper length.
There's no style staple that GAP doesn't have in its collection, and when it comes to your favourite denim jacket, they have a fantastic indigo coloured piece available. The jacket is a part of their water-saving wash well program that uses 20% less water than traditional washers.
The button-down jacket is made up of non-stretch denim that makes sure it has a snug fit. It also has four pockets – two button-flap chest pockets and two slant pockets at the sides. What makes the jacket stand out is that it has two hem buttons on each side to give you the freedom to adjust the fit as per your comfort.
H&M has flawlessly transitioned the timeless classic style of a denim jacket into a fashion-forward piece. The jacket features a hood and sleeves in sweatshirt fabric that makes it wearable during winter months.
The jacket also features a collar, jersey-lined drawstring hood, a button-down style, faux flap chest pockets, and two side pockets. You can style the jacket with a basic white tee and pair it with blue jeans or a jogger.
A black denim jacket is agreeably smarter than blue and falls under the smart-casual category. It is, in fact, a celebration of everything that made the original blue jackets so great. This versatile piece has a spread collar, four pockets, and button closure.
The double red stripe detailing on the arms gives the jacket a smarter edge over the basic ones. So, if you're looking for a relaxed and trendy jacket, Flying Machine's black washed jacket will stand out for you.
If you're one with nature, who makes conscious decisions even while buying clothes, this denim jacket from H&M will fit your style. Created using 100% recycled and other sustainably sourced materials, the jacket is a part of H&M's conscious collection.
With washed denim, collars, and button-down front, the jacket has a traditional style. The only disadvantage of the jacket is that it has only two pockets. Having fewer pockets might not be inconvenient for many, but you might want chest pockets if you carry too many things on you.
Credited as one of the industry's greatest denim jacket brands, Levi's has created this black denim jacket to takeaway your styling woes. Earlier, Levi's used to create 100% cotton jackets, but now it has started making 99% cotton and 1% elastane jackets to give them a mild stretch.
The jacket features a button-down closure, four pockets, and extra buttons on the hem to adjust the fit. The durable side pockets have the perfect depth to provide wearers with a comfortable storage area.
When you hear the name Marks & Spencer, you know that you're in for a quality product. The brand's take on a denim jacket is as classic as it can get. With long sleeves having buttoned closure, four pockets, and a spread collar, the jacket is a perfect fit for casual fall days.
As per reviewers, the jacket runs a size bigger, so consider ordering a size smaller than your usual size. They have also commented on how fancy the jacket looks.
If you want to step away from the blue jacket, but not from the denim look, this beige coloured overdyed denim jacket is for you. The wash is the only thing that sets the jacket apart from the classic ones; everything else is similar to what you would find in a denim jacket.
The design incorporates a spread collar, four pockets, and button closure. The only thing to keep in mind while shopping from Jack & Jones is that their sizes run smaller than its counter brands, so you might want to order a bigger size.
Jack & Jones' white jacket variant is made for those who want to but cannot wear denim jackets to their workplace. Though the jacket does not have an utterly formal look to it, it can still make the cut as workwear.
The jacket features all the original denim jacket's robust traits, like the button-down front, length, and collar style. When worn with closed buttons, the jacket looks more like a casual denim shirt, making it a perfect fit for the office.
With a slightly tight fit and voguish patches, United Colors of Benetton has taken a quirky take on otherwise traditional denim jacket style. The jacket is crafted from 2% elastane, which gives it elasticity, thus making it comfortable to wear.
The jacket features an ideal number of pockets and a perfectly straight front panel. The distinguishing factor is undoubtedly the patchwork, which adds an excellent style to the jacket. However, the only downside is the cost that is a little more than other brands available in the market.
When it comes to styling a denim jacket, a versatile piece of garment, there are many options to try, like:
1. Pull off double denim, aka denim on denim, for a more flattering look
2. Wear it over a hoodie during the winter months
3. Style it with chinos for a semi-casual look (khaki-coloured cotton pants)
4. Wear it over a basic white tee for casual college or work days
5. Try it over a turtleneck sweater to give a stylish edge to your overall look
6. Style it under an overcoat for an extra layer of warmth
Some of these go-to ways to style this classic piece of outerwear are described in the video below. Do check it out.
The art of shopping online is not an easy task; however, we've got you sorted. Whether you're looking for winter jackets, or hoodies, or traditional wear for your closet, our articles listed below will help you find the perfect pick from top recommended brands.
Did you ever give so much thought before buying anything new for your wardrobe? No? Then it's time you consider all the factors before investing in a piece of garment, or anything in general. Else, you'll end up spending on something that doesn't suffice your purpose.
Author: Srishti Sikka
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