A denim jacket and jeans might make you think of country singers and trips to Nashville, but this classic look is returning.
We all know the power of a matching moment, but is it time to give denim jackets and jeans another chance? With the co-ord trend showing no sign of slowing down, this aesthetic is again popping up on our Instagram feeds.
We’re deep-diving into the trend to discover everything you need to know, including what to avoid when styling a denim jacket with jeans. Fans of denim rejoice. You can get a double dose of denim in one look.
Celebrity Style Showcase: Jessica Biel, Maya Jama, Alesha Dixon, and Katie Holmes elegantly demonstrate the versatility of denim jackets paired with jeans, offering inspiration for this timeless fashion combination (Credit: Rocky / WENN)
Should you rush out and buy a denim jacket? How can you style your signature jeans with an on-trend denim jacket? Find out by reading our in-depth guide below!
Denim Dynamics: Mastering the Jeans and Denim Jacket Combo
Is it okay to wear jeans with a denim jacket? Short answer – yes – if you know how to style it! Denim jeans are versatile and can help transition your outfit from day to night.
They’ve made a comeback as a trend of their own during 2022. You’ll see people styling them with everything from maxi dresses to jumpsuits for spring and summer.
Contrasting Chic: A prime example of how pairing a denim jacket with jeans in varying denim shades can create a harmonious and stylish ensemble, as illustrated by this fashionable street-style look (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
Given that they’re such a staple, you would think it would be easy to style a denim jacket with jeans. Except, it isn’t always.
The trick to wearing these two closet staples is all in how you style them together. You want to focus on using contrasting shades of denim or having at least two shades that are visibly different from each other.
Known as “denim on denim,” this trend is synonymous with the late ‘90s and early 2000s. While it’s a tricky trend to master, it’s one that everyone should try at least once. The trend is also known as the “Canadian tuxedo” when you style two matching pieces of denim together.
Denim Decoded: Top 5 Styling Tips for Denim Jackets and Jeans
Mastering the art of the denim-on-denim trend isn’t easy. We’re breaking down some of our top tips on how to wear a denim jacket with jeans without causing a fashion faux pas.
1. Color Play: Crafting Contrast in Your Denim Ensemble
If you’re wearing a denim jacket with jeans, it’s all about creating contrast. You generally want to avoid wearing these two pieces together if they’re in the exact same shade of denim. It can make your outfit appear flat and give the illusion of a jumpsuit.
Modern Denim Duo: Featuring Levi’s The Original Trucker denim jacket and Pistola Denim’s Dana High Rise Boot Cut Jeans, this outfit exemplifies the perfect blend of contemporary fashion with classic denim staples
If you decide to wear similar shades, look for ways to break up your look with a pop of color. A statement blouse or a graphic t-shirt can help balance out your denim with neutral accessories.
Playing with color will keep your outfit looking fresh and break up the harshness of wearing two same denim shades.
2. Tailored Denim: Selecting Jeans and Jackets for Your Body Type
There’s a shade of denim for every color under the rainbow. If you’re styling a denim jacket with jeans, choose shades that complement your body shape.
Dark denim is ideal for those who want to give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette, especially when styling with a denim jacket.
Sleek and Stylish: Fidelity Denim’s Gwen High Waist Crop Skinny Jeans paired with the Good American Good Oversized Trucker Jacket, showcasing a trendy and flattering denim-on-denim look tailored for diverse body types
Comparatively, lighter denim shades are great for highlighting your features – whether with a cropped denim jacket or low-rise jeans.
Don’t forget to consider your natural silhouette when choosing which denim to mix and match.
Curve Accentuating Ensemble: Levi’s® Premium Wedgie Straight Jeans teamed with Remain’s Mariona Cropped Denim Jacket, a perfect example of how light denim shades can enhance and celebrate natural curves
3. Detail-Oriented Denim: Elevating Your Look with Textured Touches
If you’re wearing denim-on-denim, you want to look for pieces that incorporate intricate detailing.
Whether it’s embroidery or distressed detailing, this type of denim will give you a touch of contrast without taking too much away from your matching look.
Detailed Denim Delight: From Johnny Was’s Umoya Oversized Denim Jacket to Saint Laurent’s Colombus Low Rise Nonstretch Denim Jeans, this collage showcases how detailed denim pieces like tie-dye and embroidery can add a unique flair to the denim-on-denim trend
4. Denim Elevation: Accessorizing to Enhance Your Double Denim Outfit
Denim-on-denim doesn’t have to be casual. In fact, this trend usually looks best when it’s elevated with stylish accessories.
Distressed jeans and a denim jacket are perfect for heading out with friends. Style your denim-on-denim look with open-toe sandals and layered jewelry.
Elevated Elegance: This ensemble featuring Acne Studios’ Morris Oversized Cropped Denim Jacket and Pistola Denim’s Stevie High Rise Flare Jeans, accessorized with Bony Levy gold hoop earrings and Senso’s Raegan lace-up sandals, embodies the upscale potential of denim-on-denim fashion
Denim Don’ts: Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Denim Jacket and Jeans Pairing
By now, you probably think wearing a denim jacket with jeans is easier than you expected.
While this might be true, there are still a few mistakes you want to avoid. We’re breaking down people’s most common styling mistakes when wearing denim jackets and jeans.
1. Accessorize Wisely: Steering Clear of Overdoing Denim Accents
Two pieces of matching denim are enough. Trust us. Put down the denim handbag. While they may be chic with a little black dress, they can be overkill when styled with too much denim.
If you wear a denim jacket with jeans, keep your accessories neutral to let the denim shine through.
Balanced Denim Bliss: Showcasing Kut from Kloth’s Jacqueline Denim Jacket and Pistola Denim’s Charlie High Rise Jeans, complemented with a Carvela Bailey quilted shoulder bag and Sam Edelman’s open-toe sandals, demonstrating the art of accessorizing a double denim outfit
2. Shade Savvy: Mixing Denim Tones for a Balanced Look
While you may think a matching moment is cute, pulling off the look of matching head-to-toe denim is hard.
Instead, choose jeans at least two shades darker or lighter than your denim jacket. If you want to break up your outfit more, choose two contrasting shades of denim.
Contrast Mastery: The Hudson Jeans Brea Denim Swing Trucker Jacket paired with Dsquared2’s Cropped Denim Jeans, an exemplar of mixing shades in denim-on-denim fashion for a striking visual appeal
A classic blue-wash denim jacket is the perfect match for black denim jeans. Choosing these two shades helps you make your legs appear slimmer while giving your denim jacket its moment of glory.
3. Modern Over Classic: Eschewing the Wild West Vibe for Contemporary Denim Flair
One thing that puts people off the denim-on-denim trend is its similarity to outfits made famous in the Wild West and cowboy movies.
You can avoid this fashion faux pas by skipping out on high boots and wide belts. These accessories will inevitably make your denim-on-denim outfit look like something from a John Wayne movie.
Refined Denim Ensemble: Featuring Hudson Jeans’ Gia Cropped Denim Jacket and Raey’s Angel Organic-Cotton Bootcut Jeans, finished with Schutz’s open-toe heeled sandals, this look steers clear of the Wild West cliché, embracing a more modern, chic interpretation of denim-on-denim
Wearing a denim jacket with jeans isn’t as difficult as it might seem. It’s all about breaking up your denim and choosing complementary but contrasting shades. We hope this styling guide inspires you to wear your signature jeans with a denim jacket this season.
Trust us. The denim-on-denim trend is one everyone has to try at least once! What do you think of wearing a denim jacket with jeans? Is it a trend you’ll try this season?