Take it From a Woman: Everyone Looks Good in a Denim Jacket

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For years, I’ve held a firm belief that every single person on this planet looks good in a denim jacket. Do I have concrete data to back this up? No, but I do have Instagram.

Without fail, every photo of a denim jacket-clad influencer taking a “candid” stroll through a farmers market or lounging on a picnic blanket aside a suspiciously pristine spread of cheeses and rose, receives a heart tap from yours truly.

Beyond straight looks (which we’ll get to in a second), the denim jacket, functionally could be a contender for the most versatile piece of outerwear in your closet.

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Throw it on, and it’ll immediately upgrade any sweatshirt, turtleneck, or basic tee you own. It’s a jacket you can wear all year round too — lightweight enough for those transitional fall and spring days, and perfect for unexpectedly chilly summer nights out. Plus, when the colder winter days hit, you can line that baby up with Sherpa fleece, getting all the good looks of the denim jacket, with the coziness of a literal blanket.

But why does the jean jacket make everyone look so goddamn attractive? Most notably, men, who I find as a species don’t sport denim jackets nearly as often as they should (so it’s always a pleasant surprise when they do.)

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Sure it elevates a look, but at the same time, there’s a low-key ruggedness to it. The denim jacket has strong handyman, car mechanic vibes and, hey, maybe you don’t know how to change my oil, but I’d love to watch you try. Then there’s its historical, rebellious nature (James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause type beat). Most important, though, it’s casual. You’re not trying too hard when you wear a jean jacket. And the sheer effortlessness of it all begs the real question, why aren’t you wearing one right now?

You can pick up a sturdy denim jacket at just about any vintage or thrift store in your neighborhood. But if you’d prefer an unworn layer in mint condition or a specific style of denim jacket, I’ve rounded up a few very good choices below.