There are certain menswear essentials that just have an effortless sense of cool to them – the best denim jackets qualify handily in that regard.
Like your denim jeans, the denim jacket is a tough workhorse that only gets better with age. The design has changed little over the years, featuring a button front, button chest pockets, slanted side hip pockets and a fold-over collar.
Each feature proves more useful than the last, which is perhaps why the best denim jackets were trusted by prospectors and Wild West adventurers, and then eventually, guys with tough jobs to do (there’s a reason truckers trusted the, well, denim “trucker” jacket).
It’s still a casually cool style move, and the best options mold to your body with each passing day. Let no one tell you otherwise – you can pull off a denim jacket, and these are the ones we love.
The Levi’s Trucker Jacket is a serious heavyweight in the menswear world – the brand helped popularize denim in the United States, after all. Its trucker jacket is a straightforward classic, made from soft denim in a range of washes and available for an affordable price. Best of all, it was made to pair easily with Levi’s jeans.
If you’ve yet to experience the versatility and rugged appeal of a denim jacket, I’d say it’s a good bet to go straight to the source. The Levi’s Trucker was my first denim jacket years ago, after all. From the soft denim to the wide range of washes and colors, to the standard fit, it checks every box.
Don’t be afraid to go a bit edgy with your denim jacket choice. That’s what I’m drawn to with this handsome Taylor Stitch piece in a cool, washed-out black. It’s cut like a chore coat with plenty of room for your EDC, and those are features I can appreciate.
While it might seem simple on the surface, the best denim jackets have taken on a number of forms over the years. This crisply cut option from Japanese denim masters Hiroshi Kato, for instance, plays off an old-school 1930s silhouette, yet still feels fresh for today’s modern man.
On cold, crisp mornings, there’s a good chance your father or grandfather might have reached for a lined denim jacket. This sustainably crafted option from Outerknown calls to mind that same timeless style, while at the same time being lined in (and made from) organic cotton.
In my opinion, there’s not a designer that does modern takes on American classics better than Todd Snyder. He uses luxurious materials, like this better-with-age cotton selvedge denim, then adds small details like contrast stitching and custom hardware. It’s nearly perfect, down to the last stitch.
A denim jacket can be every bit as flattering as a blazer, only in more casual style situations. How so? This jacket plays off iconic trucker jacket details (like V-front stitching) and channels retro style with a pleasingly faded light wash – it’s an investment-level denim jacket.
The Wrangler legend precedes itself, with its hard-wearing jackets a favorite of ranchers, riders and now, stylish guys across the globe. From the iconic “W” stitching on its chest pockets to the rich color, this denim jacket is a tried-and-true winner.
Flint and Tinder has carved out a rather legendary space in the modern pantheon of rugged menswear, trucker jackets included. The old-school style has road-ready history, and the brand’s waxed trucker jackets carry on that legacy.
There’s a bold new entry into the F&T lineup at Huckberry though, a trusty denim trucker jacket lined with flannel and outfitted with a handsome corduroy collar for a classic finish.
All things Western wear are all the rage right now, and that certainly includes richly crafted Tecovas boots. That same appeal extends to its lineup of Western wear, which includes a suitably on-trend yet classic trucker jacket with plenty of throwback-inspired details.
Leave nothing to chance when tackling your to-do list – Dickies has been helping DIY-ers take on tough tasks for years, and this denim work jacket is just the latest entry into a tough-as-nails lineup. It doesn’t hurt that it’s stylish enough to wear off-duty over a thermal shirt with grey jeans.