5 Ways To Wear A Denim Jacket

A denim jacket is a true closet staple that transcends fleeting trends. Here, we round up five ways to wear it now!

Do double denim

Denim on denim may be SS24’s favorite duo, but this is no one-season wonder: the beauty of the pairing lies in its sartorial mileage and versatility. For a polished take on the Canadian tuxedo, pair jeans with a coordinating denim jacket.

Agolde’s organic ‘Martika’ jacket and Co’s straight-leg jeans in classic blue can be worn on repeat, with the former being part of our NET SUSTAIN edit of consciously crafted designs. Just be sure to keep accessories classic: Tom Ford’s ‘Angelina’ kitten heels elevate the utility fabric in chocolate-brown leather, while Gucci’s ‘Luce’ bag – which was carried at Sabato De Sarno’s debut Ancora show – is a modern icon.

For after hours

Come evening, a denim jacket – like Alexander McQueen’s – and short-shorts become the ultimate power couple, with the former bringing a grounding nonchalance to the latter.

Modeled at the SS24 show in New York, Khaite’s ‘Lennman’ shorts are cut in smooth black satin-crepe to a high-rise silhouette. Wear them with bare legs and Paris Texas’s tastemaker-approved ‘Anja’ knee-high boots. Finish with striking flashes of silver, such as Ferragamo’s metallic leather shoulder bag and Alaïa’s sculptural ‘Bombe’ earrings.

Layer over a spring dress

Choosing something to wear over spring dresses can be tricky, but the denim jacket provides a stylish solution. Something in a chic dark wash will become your most dependable layer, owing to its versatility.

Opt for a forever favorite with a vintage sensibility in an oversized cut – see Agolde’s black ‘Wayne’ jacket for the perfect pick. Then, juxtapose with a light dress with a pretty silhouette such as Victoria Beckham’s cream midi, which has a fluttery handkerchief hem. Stick to a tonal palette with your accessories rather than creating a color-clash – Loewe’s camel ‘Flamenco’ clutch and cat-eye sunglasses by Prada Eyewear are both solid style matches.

Go off-duty

A denim jacket is a downtime staple – the sort of piece you can shrug on over everything to instantly add laid-back cool. In transitional weather, the most versatile picks come oversized, with ’90s references.

Crafted in rigid denim, this refined, long-line ‘Grizzo’ design by Khaite ticks all our boxes. Pair it with separates infused with nostalgia; we love an embroidered Gucci T-shirt and JW Anderson track pants for the perfect pared-back, off-duty duo. Add chunky sneakers (we love New Balance’s metallic ‘1906’) and a covetable bag for the ideal finish. The Row’s ‘Idaho XL’ tote delivers low-key luxe and will go with everything in your closet.

Swap pants for leggings

When it comes to nailing the art of high-low dressing, a blue denim jacket with black leggings and razor-sharp heels will always prove to be a winning formula. Start with Saint Laurent’s fitted jacket and balance the cropped length with high-rise leggings.

Alaïa’s jersey leggings are blended with just enough stretch to feel comfortable without ever looking sheer – and they have curved cuffs that will complement pointy leather pumps. Complete the look with something from your fine-jewelry box – such as David Yurman’s five ‘Crossover’ rings, which are already in the perfect stack. They’re made from bands of 18-karat gold and one ring is dusted with diamonds for a dose of sparkle.