What to Wear With a Denim Jacket – 19 Outfit Ideas

When it comes to closet staples, a jean jacket is one of those. Jean jackets are some of the most versatile pieces in your closet and one that I personally wear all the time!

Your jean jacket is a classic wardrobe staple. You can wear it with just about anything, from jeans to dresses. It gives you an effortlessly cool vibe while keeping you warm on chilly days.

There’s also tons of different types! From an oversized denim jacket to a black denim jacket to a classic denim jacket, there’s tons of different options to choose from.

How to Wear a Denim Jacket

Today I’m to share some of my favorite denim jacket outfits as well as a handful of my favorite denim jackets for you to choose from!

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19 Denim Jacket Outfit Ideas

ways How to Wear a Denim Jacket

I am someone who loves to see things in real life, so here’s a few different ways how to wear you denim jacket! Most of these are shows using my favorite denim jacket from Able but I have a few other jackets thrown into the mix as well.

1. Black Jeans + White Button Down + Denim Jacket

woman wearing black jeans, white button up and denim jacket

Shop the Look: Jacket | White Button Down (similar) | Jeans (Similar) | Boots (Similar)

One of the most classic ways to wear a denim jacket is to pair it with black jeans. You won’t give off any Canadian Tuxedo look vibes and the versatility of this base can easily take you from dressy to casual depending on your shirt and shoes.

A white button down gives you a polish look. You can either knot it at the bottom like I did, or tuck it in to give your waist some definition. Simple wedge booties complete the look.

*Find more white button down outfits here!

2. Black Jeans + Hooded Sweater + Denim Jacket

denim jacket outfit with black skinny jeans and hooded sweater

Shop the Look: Jacket | Sweater | Jeans | Boots

Another simple black skinny jeans outfit is this one! It’s a much more casual vibe than the white button down look. The key to this one is ensuring that the bottom layer is very thin.

You don’t want a thick sweatshirt or sweater underneath your denim jacket or that will make you look much heavier than you are!

I absolutely love this hooded sweater that I found on Amazon. It’s soft, comes in a ton of different colors and is great for layering! Add in boots with a bit of sherpa detailing and your ready for fall or winter!

*Find other black jean outfit ideas here!

3. Dark Wash Denim + Denim Jacket

denim jacket outfit with red hat

Shop the Look: Jacket | Red Shirt | Hat | Jeans | Boots

One common misconception is that you can’t wear a denim jacket with a pair of jeans! Totally not true! To keep your look timeless, the best way to wear blue jeans and a blue denim jacket is to keep the top half a different shape than the bottom half. In this outfit, I have a dark shade for my denim jeans since my jacket is a light wash denim jacket. It’s always better to have a darker shade on the bottom since darker colors are more slimming than lighter ones!

I added a red stripe top and red hat to give this look a bit more of a fun look. Heeled booties and cuffed jeans complete the look.

4. Graphic Tee + Denim Jacket

coffee graphic tee, distressed denim jacket and black skinny jeans.

Shop the Look: Jacket | Tee

Arguably one of the easiest ways to wear a denim jacket is with a graphic tee! Throwing on your trusty denim jacket over your favorite graphic tee gives you the perfect outfit for just about anything – running errands, coffee with a friend or school pick up!

5. Midi Skirt (With Slits) + Graphic Tee + Denim Jacket

Midi Skirt (With Slits) + Graphic Tee + Denim Jacket

Shop the Look: Jacket | Tee | Skirt (Similar) | Boots (Similar)

This seems to be my go to way of wearing a denim jacket! I love skirts and wearing a denim jacket helps take them from dressy to a little bit more casual (depending on your jacket, of course).

For this look I paired a high waisted skirt (with slits) and a graphic tee with my blue jean jacket. I always tuck in my shirts to my skirts to give define my waist. This will give you a slimmer look! Since my outfit was fairly neutral, I gave it a pop with a pair of leopard boots and some wild tassel earrings.

6. Midi Skirt (No Slits) + Graphic Tee + Denim Jacket

Midi Skirt (No Slits) + Graphic Tee + Denim Jacket

Shop the Look: Jacket | Skirt | Tee | Boots (Similar)

Another midi skirt outfit is this one! The skirt is more structured without a high slit. Again, I tucked in my graphic tee to define my waist and added fun animal print booties. Depending on your own personal style and what kind of look you’re going for, you can wear heels or even tennis shoes with your midi skirt!

Midid skirts a classic piece in any wardrobe and jean jackets make them super versatile.

7. Denim Jacket + Leggings

Denim Jacket + Leggings

Shop the Look: Jacket | White Button Down | Jeans | Boots

Regardless of whether you’re wearing black leggings, camo print leggings or colored leggings, a denim jacket is a great option to pair with leggings! Leggings are a great bottom to wear with an oversized jacket. It helps cover your butt an oversized top is always a good option for an extra fitted pant.

8. Denim Jacket + Colorful Summer Dress

Denim Jacket + Colorful Summer Dress

Shop the Look: Jacket | Dress | Boots

As the warmer weather starts to turn cooler, or for those cooler evenings in the summer, try adding a denim jacket to your summer dress! Whether it’s a maxi dress or a mini dress, a denim jacket is a perfect way to stay warm.

I added a denim jacket and booties over my favorite colorful dress to keep me warm in the fall.

(find more white boots and white boot outfits here)

9. Shift Dress + Denim Jacket

Shift Dress + Denim Jacket

Shop the Look: Jacket | Dress | Boots

Same goes for shift dresses! Shift dresses are a great option, especially for the office. Swap the heels for boots and add a jacket over the top to wear your dress all year long.

Check out other shift dress ideas on this post!

10. Shift Dress + White Sneakers

shift dress + denim jacket + sneakers

Shop the Look: Jacket | Dress | Sneakers

One simple swap to take the outfit above from dressy to casual is to put on sneakers instead of booties! Head to the zoo with the kids or on a walk with a friend in this look!

Find more ways to wear sneakers with a dress!

11. Maxi Skirt + Body Suit + Denim Jacket

Maxi Skirt + Body Suit + Graphic Tees

Shop the Look: Jacket | Skirt ( Similar here and here) | Bodysuit |

I love a good maxi skirt all year round! To keep this look chic, I wore a black bodysuit underneath my jacket to keep the top flawless. No shirts coming untucked or unnecessary bunching – just a clean look from top to bottom! This look would also look great with a black jean jacket!

Check out other ways to wear your white boots here!

12. Oversize Denim Jacket + Skinny Jeans

Oversized Denim Jacket + Skinny Jeans

Shop the Look: Jacket | Red Tee (Similar) | Boots (Similar)

Oversized denim jackets are growing in popularity! To keep the overall look chic, be sure to keep the clothes underneath the oversized jacket more fitted. I put on dark skinny jeans and a fitted top (tucked of course) so my jacket didn’t over power me. Add heeled booties and a small purse and away you go!

13. Asymmetrical Dress + Denim Jacket

dress with denim jacket

Shop the Look: Jacket | Dress (similar) | Gladiator Heels (Similar)

If I’m honest, this is one of my favorite outfits to date! I wasn’t planning on wearing this jacket to the wedding brunch we attended but we were out of state, the weather turned cold and I had no other option!

14. White Jeans, Denim Jacket and Sneakers

woman wearing White Jeans, Denim Jacket and Sneakers

Shop the outfit: White Jeans | Black Top | Jacket | Sneakers

You can’t go wrong with a denim jacket and white pants! These two closet staples look perfect together! Whether you go for distressing or not, either way you’ll look perfect.

15. Cropped Jeans and a Denim Jacket

cropped jeans denim jacket

Shop this outfit: Denim Jacket | White Tee | Pants | Boots

News flash – your denim jacket doesn’t have to be blue denim! This fun black and leopard print jacket is a welcome addition to anyone’s closet.

*Find more black boot outfit ideas here and cropped jean outfits here!

16. Casual with Denim Jackets & Sneakers

sweater dress outfit with denim jacket

Sweater Dress | Jacket | Sneakers

Yes, you can wear a denim jacket with a sweater dress! It’s an easy way to dress down your outfit a bit.

Pair it with sneakers and you’re ready to go!

17. Green Cargo Pants with a Denim Jacket

woman wearing green cargo pants, white t-shirt, oversized denim jacket and white sneakers

Shop the Look: Cargo Pants | T-shirt | Denim Jacket | Sneakers

Skip the Canadian Tuxedo, try out this way to rock your denim jacket! The blue of the jacket really pops agains the green pants. The white tee and the white sneakers are the perfect choice to have a solid base.

Style tip: Try tucking in your t-shirt or knotting it up to show off your waist otherwise this look could make you look heavier than you are with the oversized fit of the jacket and the baggy jeans.

18. Grey Jeans and a Denim Jacket

grey jeans, stripe top and denim jacket

Jeans | Stripe Shirt | Jacket | Chelsea Boots

Grey jeans are an easy way to wear your denim jacket, especially since you won’t get that dreaded Canadian Tuxedo look I mentioned above. The black and white stripe shirt ties in the black Chelsea boots and the blue in the jacket really pops!

*Find more grey jean outfit inspiration here or fresh new ways to style your Chelsea boots here!

19. Leather Leggings with a Denim Jacket

Style Your Leather Leggings with a Denim Jacket

Shop This Outfit: Spanx | Coffee Graphic Long Sleeve | Jacket | Sneakers (sold out, similar Nikes here)

A denim jacket is always on trend especially with a faux leather leggings outfit. The distressed look on this denim jacket works perfectly with the long sleeve graphic tee. Sneakers keep it casual making this an ideal errand running leather legging outfit!

I also love a cute denim shirt with my leather leggings! The shirt goes from sweet to fierce instantly.

*Find other faux leather leggings looks here!

What are Your Favorite Denim Jackets?

Now that you know how to wear a denim jacket, how about picking up your favorite style of jean jacket? I’ve gathered some of my personal favorites that are perfect for transitioning into fall!

My go-to is definitely a more fitted, classic denim jacket. A classic denim jacket looks great both worn on its own or paired with some layering pieces! I’m personally obsessed with how this one easily goes from casual to dressy.

An oversized denim jacket is great if you want to layer on some warmth during fall! I’m personally obsessed with how baggy this one is, it’s definitely my favorite jean jacket style!

An all black denim jacket is a must-have as it’s perfect for wearing with any dark colored outfit, from jeans to skirts.

If you want more posts like these, check out one of these!

Author

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  • Jen Biswas

    Jen has styled women for photo shoots, fashion shows, board meetings, work trips and most importantly, every day life! She's been hired to style many homes as well. Her aesthetic aims to make style approachable and practical, and most of all fun! She's a mom of 3 who loves frozen cookie dough, plants and a generous pour of creamer in her coffee. Her biggest joy is helping others find joy in personal style through practical tips and inspiration. She loves to share all of her styling secrets on Paisley & Sparrow! Feel free to send Jen a message or join the fun on Instagram!

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