This was originally published in April 2020 and has been updated for 2025 with fresh outfits.
It’s no secret that I’m totally a fan of a denim jacket. It’s the perfect layering piece for spring and summer, so I’m sharing 19 spring outfits with a denim jacket, along with several outfit formulas you can copy to utilize your own denim jacket. Keep these ideas in your back pocket to help you get dressed with pieces from your own closet!
Why Denim Jackets Are Great
You know how jeans are so easy to wear 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 which layer to wear on top, throw on a denim jacket. They’re so versatile, and they’re the easiest piece to throw over things quickly, barely having to think. Talk about effortless!
Shop Denim Jackets
If you’re looking for a new denim jacket, I’ve rounded some up below. There are some really great options that are stretchy and easy to wear all day!
Spring Outfits With a Denim Jacket
Since denim jackets go with everything, you can make an endless number of spring outfits with a denim jacket. So instead of overwhelming you with like 30+ outfits, 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, check them out 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)
A denim jacket is fantastic with nearly any athleisure outfit, whether that outfit is with leggings or joggers. I especially love how it provides some structure to otherwise soft and comfy pieces.
It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing a white tee, a striped tee, or ANY graphic tee, a denim jacket will work with all of them!
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. I’m wearing size M.
To finish off your athleisure spring outfits with a denim jacket, always go for sleek, streamline sneakers. My go-to pair is these Nikes which are comfortable and look great with leggings. But there are plenty of other great options out there.
Shop Athleisure Spring Outfits With a Denim Jacket
2. Dress
I LOVE wearing denim jackets over dresses, and this is one of the easiest, but cutest, formulas for spring outfits with a denim jacket!
I recommend wearing a denim jacket over ANY dress, but ESPECIALLY with super soft, drapey dresses. When dresses are soft and drapey, they sometimes feel too pajama-ish when paired with cardigans. A denim jacket is a better option because it adds structure and balances out the drapey-ness of those soft dresses, like I’m sharing above.
The black maxi dress is one of my favorite dresses, BTW. I own in it 3 colors! Stretchy and comfy! I wear size S.
Shop Dress Outfits:
3. Colored or Printed Pants + Tee or Blouse
If you wear any jeans or pants 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!
Shop Colored Bottoms Spring Outfits With a Denim Jacket:
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. However, these days with modern silhouettes leaning toward looser and a bit more oversized, I personally feel fine wearing a denim jacket that isn’t as fitted.
Below I’ll share some past outfits I’ve worn with a more fitted denim jacket and skirts and then some more recent spring outfits with a denim jacket that is a little looser. Choose whichever you prefer and rock it!
Shop Skirt Outfits With a Denim Jacket
There you go! Which of these spring outfits with a denim jacket is your favorite? Will you be trying one of these outfit formulas this week?
Shop Updated Denim Jackets!
More Denim Jacket Inspiration
If you’d like to see more spring outfits with a denim jacket, check out these posts:
BTW, if you love posts about mixing and matching, look out for my upcoming LIVE Capsule Wardrobe Challenge later this month, where I’ll help you create a mix and match wardrobe with your own clothes!
