How to style a denim jacket - just in time for spring

Publish date: 2021-11-02

When it comes to outerwear classics, there is possibly no style more universally adored than the denim jacket. The casual piece is infused with a certain timeless spirit, and no jacket collection is complete without one.

Classic flap pockets and the super strong twill weave required to create denim means that the style is perfect utilitarian trend devotees.

Fitting, considering denim jackets were originally worn by manual labourers because of their unrivalled durability.  

German businessman Levi Strauss (ring any bells?) pioneered the style in the 1880s, around a decade after he had invented jeans.

Since then, denim jackets have earned a placed in virtually everyone's wardrobe, and now that spring is just a stone's throw away, we're contemplating how to refresh the style for 2023.

READ: How to style double denim

MORE: Bomber jackets: the 12 best styles to amp up your outerwear collection

Marilyn Monroe in the 1961 picture The Misfits 

Throughout fashion history, the denim jacket has cropped up constantly – from Marilyn Monroe's collar contrast piece in The Mistfits and Tina Turner's upturned collars to Justin Timberlake's noughties blazer version (though perhaps the less said about that one, the better).

Givenchy SS23 

Gigi Hadid revived our interest in the denim jacket at Givenchy's SS23 Paris Fashion Week show when she graced the runway in an XXL light wash piece with faded logo detailing. Gigi's version was styled with a frayed knee-length skirt and white strappy pointed heels – proving that double denim is still relevant in 2023.  

What do I wear with a denim jacket?

On our current wishlist is Aligne's light wash oversized version (classic vibes) and Ganni's dark denim fitted style with neon green topstitching which would look amazing cinched in with a gold hardware belt. If you're looking to invest in a slightly smarter piece, Loulou Studio's off-white collarless design is a minimalist's dream – pair with a slinky black midaxi and mules for the perfect spring style moment.

Hello! Fashion shares the best ways to style a denim jacket:

With a gilded belt

With a maxi denim skirt

With a pleated midi dress

With wide-leg trousers

With colour pop accessories

With jean-inspired boots

With logomania accessories

With relaxed-fit cargo pants

With double-waistband jeans

With opera gloves

With festival-ready wellies

With frayed jeans

With a strapless corset

Shop the denim jackets that are on our current wishlist: 

Aligne Georgie oversized organic-cotton denim jacket, £79, Selfridges

SHOP NOW

 Ganni Denim blazer, £295, Mytheresa

SHOP NOW

READ: Best dark denim jeans and how to style them this season

MORE: Baggy jeans outfits that are perfect for spring

Loulou Studio Haro organic denim jacket, £330, Net-A-Porter

SHOP NOW

Caly jacket, £255, Ba&sh

SHOP NOW

Denim jacket with belt, £79.99, Zara

SHOP NOW

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