“Any chance of a denim jacket episode?” writes a reader named Bethany, via Twitter. “The rips in my 15 year-old oldie-but-goodie are no longer working for me.” And since the evenings and mornings are getting just a tiny bit cool in my parts, I figured why not. Here is Caroline de Maigret wearing a perfectly classic one that I believe hailed from Madewell. Also Caroline is 43 years old, so that’s the last I want to hear from anyone who thinks they’re too old to wear them (I’ve also included a few very grown-up options below).
I dig the contrasting sleeves and big pockets on this option from Vince.
I have heard raves about this classic version from Madewell.
I’m a sucker for anything quilted.
A grey jacket is nicely unexpected, and I like the faux-shearling collar.
This sherpa-lined swing jacket has such good, clean lines.
You really can’t beat Levi’s for denim jackets—the price is decent, and this one looks so cozy.
I like how un-distressed the wash is on this one, and it’s very nicely priced.
Coated denim is just a little bit rock & roll.
The horn buttons and excellent dark wash make this Topshop jacket look more expensive than it is.
This blazer is pretty damn snappy; here’s a similar one in extended sizes.
The shrunken proportions on this chore jacket are just so good.
And I like pretty much everything about this moto option.
Old navy has some good denim jackets each season. …some all cotton and come in petite sizes.
I am sitting in a freezing (as usual) conference room in my 10 year old Old Navy denim jacket – by far the best $30 I have ever spent. I’ll bet the cost per wear is in the $0.04 range.
This request thing reminds me (rather late in the game) that I am looking for pretty blouses to wear with jeans this fall!
What a veritable plethora of denim jackets!! I really like the Levi Sherpa and can see wearing it all fall long. Great job, Kim!!
I’m firmly in two camps:1) The classic look by Madewell or 2) The quilted wrap by FRAME. I had one like that in a previous life and I always felt like a spy when I wore it….a Midwestern, small town spy.
I don’t wear my denim jacket as often as i used to but some days call for one. I recommend Pilcro -a bit shrunken, a bit distressed (they run small) -their version has a nice shape.. I tried so many when i was shopping for one a while back -i had high hopes for the JCrew version but it was way boxier than i wanted.
That black coated denim looks very nice!
I second the Pilcro; I recently purchased the classic denim jacket in dark, and it’s perfect! I was looking for something to replace a J.Crew denim jacket that I’ve had for almost 20 years that was fantastic has finally, after all this time, bit the dust.
Anthro has a white Pilco with a big of embroidery and tassles (it works) on sale now. Also, I bought this one (in Indigo) at Lord & Taylor on sale for $48 and wear it pretty much every day over maxi sundresses, which I (also) wear every day: https://www.freepeople.com/shop/rumors-denim-jacket/?color=047&quantity=1&type=REGULAR
The Kut from the Kloth one, with its dark rinse and fitted – not boxy – shape, plus a reasonable price, is calling my name. If I had the $$ to splurge, that coated black denim would be on my list.
I spent a year looking for the perfect denim jacket (not too light, not too boxy, not too expensive), and finally found one at Joe Fresh, which is a fast fashion chain in Canada found in grocery stores. It cost me about $30… it looks closest to the Kut from the Kloth one posted above. I also tried on dozens while I was looking: so hard to find the perfect one!
I was on a similar mission last year. My previous one was from Mavi and it is falling apart. It’s the one thing I bought in grad school that didn’t come from TJ Maxx or Buffalo Exchange – I bought it at the ‘nice’ Macy’s at Valley Fair Mall in Silicon Valley. At something like $80, it was a huge splurge for me at the time, but it was perfect, and definitely fits Kim’s ‘cost per wear’ formula. So I ended up getting another one from Mavi as an intended replacement but it’s just not quite the same. I’m thinking the Madewell version here might be The One?
Idk if it still is, but Joe Fresh was in JC Penney stores.
Old Navy has some well-price denim “chore jackets” that seem appealing. But why aren’t there more coated denim jackets in the world?
I have white, blue and black denim jackets BUT I don’t have a Levi sherpa one! OR a coated denim one. OR a shrunken chore jacket (mercy, that one is so perfect and I can see wearing it over and over and over!). There’s a denim jacket here for everyone no matter what your taste or need. Outta the ball park again, Kim.
Yes, this post is timely! Kim!!!
In my own small effort to “like” denim jackets again, I just bought a way marked down denim jacket cape (I love it but lord-help-me, a cape? wtf?). I don’t wear the two other denim jackets in my closet!!! Why? I don’t wear them because I don’t consider them “warm” in a securing manner or comfortable on my upper body skin.
Maybe sherpa is the answer? I love the idea and the look but why do I NOT WEAR THEM? I’m asking for help here…
Is it the old “What do I wear it with?” question, Dana?
What about if you think of a denim jacket almost like you would a blazer? A casual blazer, yes, but worn over a sleeveless midi dress, or with a turtleneck and coated jeans, I think they look pretty cool!
Great post, and some good options for people like me who don’t really wear a traditional jean jacket. I’ve tried them a BUNCH of times but they just don’t feel/look right on me!