If it’s not clear by now, I’m totally a fan of denim jackets! In light of sheltering-in-place, I don’t know how many of us are wearing clothes that aren’t loungewear or athleisure (no judgment here—I’m with ya 😆). But, I thought I’d change things up anyway and share a remix with 11 spring outfits with a denim jacket! Even if it’s just so we can all dream again of the days we’ll actually wear them. 😛
I’ve already done a denim jacket remix in the past with 15 Ways to Wear a Denim Jacket for Spring. So, I wanted to make today’s post a little different by sharing several outfit formulas you can wear with denim jackets. Keep these in your back pocket to help you get dressed with pieces from your own closet!
Why Denim Jackets Are Great
First, let’s talk about why denim jackets are so great. You know how we love wearing jeans because they go with pretty much everything? Well, denim jackets are like jeans for your top half—they go with everything! When you don’t know what completer piece to wear on top, throw on a denim jacket!
And I’ve gotta say, just like with how not all jeans are the same, not all denim jackets are the same. I tell you about crazy stretchy and comfy jeans VERY regularly because I feel a personal mission to make sure every woman knows insanely comfortable jeans exist. 😂 Similarly, I feel a personal mission to make sure everyone knows that insanely comfortable denim jackets exist too.
Many women complain about denim jackets being bulky or stiff—because SO MANY ARE. Ugh! Well, there are some reallyyyyyy comfy ones out there. Like insanely stretchy, lightweight, and very, very comfy to wear all day.
One of those insanely comfy ones is by KUT From the Kloth. It is about twice the price as the typical ones from places like Old Navy, Target, etc. but rightly so since it’s so comfy! I own it in the color Sweet, but it comes in 4 washes which you can see HERE. Also it’s 40% off right now, so scoop it up while you can!
One note is that it doesn’t have side pockets, which I thought I’d be super frustrated with since it’s on the pricier side. Turns out that hasn’t bothered me ONE BIT given 1) how comfy it is, and 2) the fact that my phone doesn’t even fit in other denim jacket pockets anyway. I’m definitely way more bothered by lack of comfort than lack of pockets. But, we each have our own preferences, so if you’re a stickler about pockets, pass on this.
BTW, Nordstrom offers free shipping and free return shipping on ALL orders, so you can always order things to try, risk-free. If you don’t like them, send them back for free! (No, this post isn’t sponsored! Just getting the PSA out there for you to take advantage of Nordstrom’s awesome return policy.)
Outfits With a Denim Jacket
Alright, outfit formulas! Denim jackets go with everything, so instead of overwhelming you with like 30+ outfits I’ve made with a denim jacket, I thought it’d be more helpful to categorize a few of them into some Outfit Formulas that you can keep track of more easily and replicate with your own clothes.
If you DO want to see all my denim jacket outfits, click HERE.
SIZING INFO: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
1. Athleisure: Leggings or Joggers + White Tee (or any tee)
If you’re home most of the time right now and living in leggings or joggers (again, no shame—this is totally me right now!) a denim jacket is still great! If you’ve gotta run out quickly and want to look pulled together, a denim jacket does a fantastic job of providing a little structure to otherwise soft and comfy pieces.
I mostly pair my leggings and joggers with my trusty white tee, but you can do it with ANY graphic tee! Sleek sneakers, as opposed to ratty old clunky ones, are key to pulling off Athleisure. My go-to pair is the Nike Tanjuns because I just LOVE that they are so comfy with a memory foam footbed. But there are plenty of other great options out there.
The black leggings above are my staple Zella leggings, which you are no stranger to if you’ve been reading PMT for any length of time. 😁 But in case you’re new here (hi, welcome!) these are expensive, but they’re great leggings! They’re opaque, not see through at all, have a high, wide waistband which flattens your tummy and keeps the leggings up better, and they have compression which kinda sucks stuff in and holds it in place. Check them out HERE.
Shop the Outfits:
White Tee: Nordstrom (exact–wearing size S)
White Tank Top: ModCloth (exact–wearing size M, similar)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact–wearing size M in Sweet)
Grey Leggings: Amazon (exact–wearing size M in Space Dye Camo Grey)
Black Leggings: Nordstrom (exact–wearing size M)
Joggers: Amazon (exact–wearing size S in Dark Grey Spacedye)
Black Sneakers: Zappos (exact–wearing size 9)
Pink Sneakers: JCPenney (exact–wearing size 9 in Particle Beige)
White Sneakers: Amazon (similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact, similar)
Tan Earrings: c/o Nickel and Suede (exact–wearing size M)
Gold Earrings: c/o Nickel and Suede (exact–wearing size M)
2. Dress + Necklace
I LOVE wearing denim jackets over dresses! If your denim jacket is fitted and cropped (i.e. not boxy) then it’s very easy to pair denim jackets with dresses for a flattering silhouette.
In the outfits above, I’m showing the denim jacket with a maxi dress, a printed dress, and a solid knee-length dress to show you a variety of dress types a denim jacket works with.
The maxi dress is one of my favorites, which I own in 3 colors! Stretchy and comfy and ON SALE HERE. I wear size S. Yes, you need a strapless bra, but ever since I found Natori’s strapless bra that I never have to adjust I have no longer loathed wearing strapless bras. Hooray!
The floral dress is from LOFT a couple of years ago and no longer available, but a denim jacket works with almost any printed dress.
The pink swing dress is from Target and also no longer available, but there are similar ones HERE and HERE.
Shop the Outfits:
Blue Maxi Dress: Nordstrom (exact–wearing size S)
Pink Dress: Target (similar, similar)
Floral Dress: LOFT (similar, similar, similar)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact, wearing size M in color Sweet)
Tassel Necklace: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Gold Disc Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact, similar)
Gold Earrings: c/o Nickel and Suede (exact–wearing size M)
White Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact)
3. Colored Jeans + Tee or Blouse
If you wear any jeans that are not typical blue jeans, a denim jacket is the easiest option to throw on!
Pair your jeans with a tee or a blouse—doesn’t matter. A denim jacket will top it off perfectly!
For shoes, you can go with sneakers, flats, or wedges to make the look super casual or dressy casual. A denim jacket will still work with them all. It’s so versatile!
These outfits involve t-shirts and a nicer lace top, and the denim jacket works with them all. Pretty easy, right?
Several people have asked about this striped peplum top, and unfortunately it’s old and no longer available. There are similar options HERE and HERE though.
Also, about the olive tee. Sometimes I get asked how I tie or tuck my shirt like that. I don’t–it comes like that! There are similar options for that HERE and HERE also.
Shop the Outfits:
Striped Peplum Tee: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
Olive Tee: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
White Lace Top: J.Crew Factory (similar, similar, similar)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact, wearing size M in color Sweet)
Black Jeans: Nordstrom (exact–wearing size 6)
White Jeans: LOFT Maternity (similar, similar–NON-maternity)
Olive Jeans: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Yellow Sandals: Old Navy (similar, similar)
Leopard Sneakers: Rothy’s (similar, similar)
White Sneakers: Amazon (similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact, similar)
Tassel Necklace: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Gold Disc Necklace: c/o Dear Mushka (exact)
Yellow Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (similar)
White Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact–wearing size M)
4. Skirt + Tee or Blouse
Lastly, I LOVE pairing my denim jacket with skirts. My skirts tend to be printed or colorful, which makes it more difficult to figure out what layer to put on top. Unless you just choose a denim jacket every time—which you totally should because it just works!
It’s easiest to not lose your shape with this silhouette if you use a denim jacket that is more fitted and hits around your mid hip or even shorter, generally speaking. Skirts tend to add volume to your bottom half, so a more fitted denim jacket will keep your silhouette from being overly boxy and completely losing your shape.
The yellow skirt above is gorgeous and comes in 6 colors! I wear it in size M but probably could/should have sized down to S. The waistband has a zipper on the side, AND some elastic in the back for extra give. And it has POCKETS! It comes in sizes XXS to 4X and again, available in 6 colors! See them HERE. See more of my outfits with it HERE.
The navy printed skirt is no longer available, but there are some similar options HERE and HERE.
Shop the Outfits:
Black/White Striped Tee: Target (similar, similar)
Tan/White Striped Tee: Target (similar)
Denim Jacket: Nordstrom (exact, wearing size M in color Sweet)
Navy Skirt: J.Crew Factory (similar, similar)
Yellow Skirt: ModCloth (exact–wearing size M)
Red Flats: Amazon (exact–wearing size 9)
Wedge Sandals: Ugg (similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact, similar)
Gold Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact)
Tan Earrings: c/o Nickel and Suede (exact–wearing size M)
There you go! Do you have a favorite way to wear denim jackets? Will you be trying one of these outfit formulas this week?
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