Table of Contents
DENIM JACKET GUIDE
Are you a fan of men’s denim jackets? Do you think they help you to vibe out manly? Hoping to rock a rugged look that gets noticed?
If the answer is yes, I can totally relate. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a huge fan of men’s denim jackets. I dig corduroy as well but to keep it real, jean jackets are what I like most.
The problem is that for a lot of guys, they aren’t sure what styles look best for their needs. Moreover, some men don’t know how to match other clothing items to achieve the desired look.
DENIM JACKET STORY
I’m sharing this with you because not long ago, a buddy of mine named Eddy complimented me on what I was wearing. In typical bro-code fashion, he did it in a way that asked a question.
“Your jean jacket looks cool man. I wish I knew where to get something like that,” he said. It was easy to tell that he was fishing for information.
After chatting with him for a bit and filling him in on where I got my threads, I got the sense he had learned something new.
And it turns out he totally did.
Sure enough, about a week later, Eddy showed up with his girlfriend at a party that I was attending. He had on dark jeans, a pair of black boots, a flannel, and a denim coat.
Almost the same thing I wore a few days earlier when we chatted.
They say imitation is the ultimate form of flattery. And if truth be told, I thought it was kind of cool that Eddy changed up his look, you know?
At any rate, this personal story is what inspired me to blog about this topic. My hope is to help you make the right clothing choices for your needs.
We’ll start out with the 10 denim jacket hacks for men and then move about the business of showing you some ideas. I mean it helps to see things, right?
After you review the essentials, I’ll go into detail for each of the tips.
TEN DENIM JACKET HACKS
1. How to pick a denim jacket
2. Brand labels don’t equal quality
3. Jeans matter
4. Factor in footwear, like boots
5. Don’t forget the shirt
6. Make sure you’re season-appropriate
7. Include a hoodie if it feels right
8. Think about going distressed
9. Throw on a belt
10. Sport a beard
1. Picking a denim jacket
Right off the bat, you need to know selecting a denim jacket is a bit more involved than you might think. What looks good on one man may not look good on you.
As a general rule, choose something that is a bit snug around the shoulders and waste. If you can pop into a store and try a few on, you’ll have a better idea of what you are dealing with.
Additional tips under this point:
- Choose a slim fit product, like this distressed jean jacket from G-Straw (Amazon) if you want something that grabs your body and gives you definition.
- Pick a larger jacket if you want some room to move. Wrangler makes a standard jacket that may be just what you are looking for (See Amazon).
- If you are thinking of wearing your coat during fall and winter, it makes sense to buy something with lining. You can find an awesome one from the folks at LZLER (Amazon).
2. Brand labels aren’t a sign of quality
A lot of guys get fooled into thinking that reaching for a brand label means they are getting a high-quality product. But what some of these same men forget is that name brands are also more expensive.
So, what’s the real deal? A Levi’s traditional, stonewashed jacket, which is moderately priced, is just a good at a designer label “hipster” brand.
I personally wear a Levi’s denim coat and have had the same one for at least 10-years (See Amazon).
What’s important is the stitching. Some brands are better than others. If you are worried about this, restrict your choices to the following companies:
- Levi’s
- Wrangler
- Carhartt
- Calvin Klein
3. The jeans
Nowadays, you have lots of choices to go with your jacket. If your goal is rugged and manly, you can simplify your options by choosing a pair of jeans.
Depending on the coat you have chosen, you’ll want to coordinate your pants so that everything matches. If you’ve picked a light blue denim jacket, for example, you’ll want to put on jeans that are darker.
And here is the thing – they don’t have to be “blue jeans” per se. Here are some options to consider:
- Levi’s 517 Bootcut dark blue jeans
- Levi’s 527 slim bootcut in black (Amazon)
- Lucky Brand 221 original straight jeans
- Dockers straight corduroy
4. Footwear, like boots
A lot of guys get confused about what they can wear with a jean jacket. Here, I’m talking about men who think boots are the only way to go.
While there is something cool to be said about this look, there are other combinations. Much will depend on your own sense of style and what you are trying to vibe out.
For example, you will probably look amazing if you put on a pair of Dakota Lace Up Boots by Frye (Amazon for price). But that doesn’t mean a pair of high-tops won’t also look great.
You’ll want to consider where you are going and who you will be hanging with for the footwear thing. If your goal is to come off as traditional and manly, check out this page on rugged clothing options for men.
5. What about the shirt?
Like the other tips listed on this page, you’ll want to accessorize your shirt with the other clothing items you are wearing.
But there are additional things to consider. For example, the season you are in, the weather, and where you will be going. Common sense, right?
If your goal is to keep things simple, you’ll always be in style by going “classic”. A nice cotton shirt along with a pair of boots are great for a night out with your buds or on a date.
Personally, I’m partial to the classic “jeans and boots” look with a white Hanes soft cotton top. Not only is this affordable, it also goes well with the jacket.
6. Be season appropriate
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many guys forget this one. I’ve made things simple by highlighting a few important considerations:
- Denim can be cut thick or thin. Think about the cut of your jacket and the season you are in before deciding to wear.
- A fleeced denim jacket is best for late fall and winter.
- Some brands allow for the fabric to breath more than others.
- The shirt you wear will influence your entire wardrobe. If it’s hot out, reach for a t-shirt. If it’s cold, think about flannel.
7. Maybe a hoodie?
There are a lot of jean jackets on the market with built-in hoodies. What’s nice about them is that you don’t have to coordinate because it’s already done for you.
The not so great thing is you may not want a hoodie, particularly if the weather is on the warm side of things. That’s why you may be better off buying a hoodie on the side.
Personally, I like Alternative Brand’s Men’s Rocky Hoodie in Dusty Pine (Check Amazon). Made of half cotton and half polyester, it’s easy to take on or off and looks pretty good with a jean jacket. Grey is also a nice color choice.
There are some brands that let you “zip out” the lining, which often contains a hood, for convivence sake. To keep it real, I haven’t had much luck with these because trying to align zippers for the jacket and hoodie is a real pain.
That said, it may work out well for you.
8. Distressed denim for rugged look
Do you want to vibe out outdoorsy and masculine? Maybe send the message that you are a guy off the beaten path? If so, go with denim that is distressed.
When you hear that term “distressed”, think of something that is pre-washed or looks like it’s been worn (a lot) in the past.
Distressed jean jackets typically:
- Look faded
- May have holes in them
- Are lighter in color
- May have areas of light and dark
A good example of this can be found in this Trucker Jacket with a few rips in it (Visit Amazon).
Now it’s important to say that if you buy a non-distressed product, it’s eventually going to become distressed, over the course of time.
Just food for thought.
9. Should I wear a belt?
You may be wondering if you need a belt with the look you are going for? The answer to that question will largely depend on the pants you are wearing and the style you are trying to achieve.
Should you opt for a belt, it may be a smart idea to get something with a metal buckle, particularly if you dig the western look.
The key thing is to not feel compelled to wear a belt. A lot of guys don’t wear one at all with a denim jacket because it’s not necessary.
Visit this page on how men can look handsome for more thoughts on style and appearance.
10. Be a denim wearing, bearded man
I’m throwing in this last suggestion as a way of helping you achieve your rugged goals. If you have gone through all the trouble of selecting a denim coat, plus the pants, footwear, and shirt, don’t you think sporting some facial hair is important?
I’m not saying this is a requirement. A lot of cleanshaven guys look great. But if you want to up your game just a little and get your edgy on, think about growing a short beard.
Other options include:
- Goatee
- Chris Hemsworth’s “Thor” beard
- Two-day facial hair growth
Bringing it all together
You came to this page because you wanted to know about denim jackets. But as you can see, you got a complete style guide as part of the process.
Your best approach is to make clothing options based on your personality and body type. Amplify your best parts while minimizing your worst.
The best thing about jean jackets is simply this: they never go out of style. They also look good on most men.
Hopefully, the hacks I’ve shared here were helpful to you. Thanks for stopping by.
