Also known as jean jackets, denim jackets offer a balanced combination of comfort, style and durability. They are made of the same material as jeans, so they share made of the qualities. Whether you’re a man, woman, young or old, you can’t go wrong with a high-quality denim jacket. With that said, you should follow some basic fashion tips when wearing a denim jacket to take full advantage of this versatile form of outerwear and everything it has to offer.
#1) Wear an Undershirt in a Different Color
You’ll probably want to wear an undershirt — or some other top — in conjunction with your denim jacket. When choosing an undershirt, though, it’s important to consider the color and whether it flows cohesively with that of your denim jacket. Contrary to popular belief, your undershirt shouldn’t feature the same color as your denim jacket. Rather, it should feature a contrasting color. If your undershirt contrasts with your denim jacket, you’ll create a more eye-catching and cohesive outfit. If the two garments feature the same color, on the other hand, it will look somewhat awkward and unflattering.
#2) Consider a Pre-Shrunk Denim Jacket
It’s not uncommon for denim jackets to shrink. This typically doesn’t happen overnight, but if you wash and wear your denim jacket long enough, you can expect it to shrink to a smaller size. The good news is that you can protect your denim jacket from shrinking by choosing the right type. There are pre-shrunk denim jackets, such as the Denim Jacket 501 sold here at MakeYourOwnJeans, that are already shrunk during production. As a result, they don’t suffer from the same shrinking effects as other denim jackets.
#3) Choose the Right Color
In addition to pre-shrunk, you should choose a denim jacket in the right color. You’ll probably discover that denim jackets are available in dozens of colors. Light blue and indigo, of course, are the most popular colors. Denim jackets have been made in light blue and indigo colors for decades — and this trend isn’t expected to stop anytime soon. With that said, denim jackets are available in many other colors as well, some of which include green, red, yellow, black and more.
#4) 100% Denim Matters
Not all denim jackets are made of 100% denim. Some contain other materials, such as polyester, which changes their physical properties and appearance. For the greatest value and utility, it’s recommended that you choose a 100% denim jacket. With a genuine denim construction, you’ll get greater use out of this classic garment. Denim jackets made entirely of denim are stronger, longer-lasting and more comfortable than those made of other materials.
Furthermore, with a 100% denim construction, you should be able to clean your denim jacket by machine-washing it. If you choose a denim jacket made of other materials you may have to use extra care when cleaning and maintaining it. These are just a few reasons why you should stick with a 100% denim jacket.
#5) High-Quality Fasteners
All denim jackets feature fasteners. After all, fasteners allow you to secure the front of a denim jacket. Without them, you’ll have to keep the front of your denim jacket open at all times, which may or may not be ideal. With that said, the quality of fasteners used in denim jackets varies. Some denim jackets are made with high-quality fasteners, whereas others feature low-quality fasteners.
You’ll probably discover that denim jackets with high-quality fasteners, such as premium metal buttons or a zipper, last longer than those with low-quality fasteners.
#6) Roll Up the Sleeves
Who says you can’t wear a denim jacket during the spring or summer months? Many people assume that denim jackets are only appropriate to wear during the winter months when it’s cold outside. While you can certainly wear a denim jacket during the winter, however, you can wear it during the spring and summer months. If it’s warm outside, just remember to roll up the sleeves.
#7) Check the Pockets
Many denim jackets are designed with pockets. If a denim jacket has pockets, conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that it will offer a higher level of utility than a jacket without any pockets. Therefore, you should check the pockets when shopping for a denim jacket. Look to see how many pockets the denim jacket as well as where the pockets are located. If a denim jacket has few or no pockets — or if a denim jacket has pockets in awkward areas — you may want to look elsewhere.
#8) Button Cuffs
Like dress shirts, denim jackets often feature button cuffs. What are button cuffs exactly? Basically, the term “button cuffs” refers to the end of a garment’s sleeves where one or more buttons are located. If you look at the end of the sleeves, you should notice one or more buttons. The purpose of these buttons is to make the denim jacket easier to put on and take off. With button cuffs, you can unfasten the buttons to put on the denim jacket or unfasten the buttons to take it off. It’s a simple feature that improves the utility of denim jackets just a little more.
#9) Pair With Jeans
Some people assume that jeans shouldn’t be worn with a denim jacket since they are both made of denim. While it’s true that denim jackets and jeans are made of the same material, though, there’s no rule stating that you can’t wear them together in the same outfit. On the contrary, wearing jeans with a denim jacket is actually a simple and effective way to create an attractive outfit.
If you’re planning to wear jeans with a denim jacket, consider choosing a slightly different color for them. In other words, don’t wear jeans in the same color as your denim jacket. Instead, choose a slightly different color. If your denim jacket is indigo, for example, perhaps you can wear a pair of light blue jeans. If your denim jacket is light blue, on the other hand, you can wear indigo jeans. Diversifying your garments in this manner helps to create a more flattering and attractive outfit that will complement your personal style.
