ABOUT DENIM JACKETS
The classic denim jacket is the ultimate casual outerwear piece for any man's wardrobe. This seemingly simple garment has stood the test of time and will never cease to go out of style (trust me). Given its fashion and personal style pedigree, it should come as no surprise that this jacket affords the wearer virtually limitless outfit options.
The denim jacket is a timeless outerwear piece that is every bit as stylish today as it will be decades from now.
DENIM JACKET HISTORY
The Levi's Type III trucker is often considered the most iconic and classic jean jacket. If you care about history, all you need to know is that this piece's origins date back to about 1905, when Levi Strauss released a workwear denim jacket (production code 506) to accompany his famed pair of work pants.
Following the jacket's inception, six variations of the Type I denim jacket from Levi's would be produced over about forty years. Those workwear roots would stand the test of time, and in 1936, the classic red tab would debut in its original "big E" form, eventually leading to the Type II in 1953.
This marked a boost in the jacket's overall popularity; worn by the likes of Elvis Presley and Martin Sheen in his cult classic film Badlands, rock and roll enthusiasts and many additional pop-culture followers very quickly adopted the jacket. This iteration would last less than a decade before revision to the Type III.
This leads us to what has often become synonymous with most denim trucker jackets today. The fair price point also makes a classic Type III denim jacket from Levi's so great. You can get one of these in various fits, sizes, and colorways for under $100. Considering how durable the piece is and the cost per wear, I think it is an excellent buy for the price.
CLASSIC DESIGN: CROPPED DENIM JACKET
In most cases, a tried and true jean jacket will include the following characteristics:
- Cropped/waist length
- Unlined interior
- Double breast pockets
- V-shape seams
- Buttoned front
- Straight cuffs
- Button-tab waist adjusters on the back
THE QUINTESSENTIAL BLUE DENIM JACKET (LEVI'S TYPE III TRUCKER)
Nowadays, denim jackets come in many colors, from white to black, deep indigo to acid blue, green to brown, etc. The options are virtually limitless.
This article isn't meant to provide you with an endless list of outfit ideas but rather to instruct you on how to wear a denim jacket with jeans. You'll often hear this referred to as "denim-on-denim," "double denim," or the "Canadian tuxedo."
When most people think of a classic denim jacket, they think of a medium or deep-wash blue Levi's jean jacket. I will showcase this type of jacket throughout this post, as I think it is the most classic variation of this iconic menswear piece.
WHAT DOES "WASH" REFER TO?
Numerous types of denim "washes" exist. Washed denim refers to denim fabrics that undergo a "washing" process to modify their texture and color. This process involves chemicals, stones, and other natural agents that can work together to soften materials in the denim fabric, install patterns, and lighten colors.
Various washes exist, such as "acid" washing, where bleach is introduced to create a lighter and subtly contrasted aesthetic. Stonewash involves the addition of pumice stones, which add a faded look and a softer feel to the denim. Vintage wash employs various methods that cause the denim to look faded and worn.
These are just a few examples of the different types of washing processes. Given the advancement in technology and the refining of washing methods, nearly limitless colors, shades, and patterns can be created for denim.
HOW THE "CANADIAN-TUXEDO" CAME ABOUT
Suppose you're wondering where the term "Canadian tuxedo" comes from. Legend has it that the term was first coined in 1951 when, after a long day of hunting, American singer and actor Bing Crosby checked in at the Vancouver Hotel but was denied entry due to his double denim attire (denim upper garments of the same color, shade, and material as the bottom trousers).
Crosby's attire was said to have been too relaxed for the elevated ambiance of the hotel. One of the bellhops supposedly recognized that Crosby wasn't an ordinary guest and let him in. Levi's soon caught wind of this event and decided to lean into it by fashioning a custom denim tuxedo jacket for Crosby.
The outfit included a red corsage, a pair of their signature 501 jean trousers, and an interior patch that read "Notice to All Hotel Men." As you can imagine, the name stuck (hilariously so).
HOW TO WEAR A DENIM JACKET WITH JEANS
Before we get into it, I'd like to point out that this article is about pairing a classic jean jacket with denim jean pants (not denim shorts). I typically don't wear shorts with this type of outerwear piece, but I do not oppose doing so. I bring this up because I don't have any photos of me wearing denim shorts with jean jackets.
The good news is that everything I'm sharing in this post also applies to shorts (you'll see what I'm talking about as we proceed through the article). However, you might be sorely disappointed if you came here looking for outfit inspiration featuring denim jackets and denim shorts.
BREAK UP THE SHADES (WASHES)
The most critical aspect of nailing the denim-on-denim look is breaking up the shades of denim. Ensure that the jacket shades with jeans are substantial enough to be noticeable. This is how we can mitigate any "Canadian tuxedo" look.
DARK WASH JEANS
The best example is a classic denim jacket with a medium wash and dark indigo (or "rinse") jeans for trousers. The darker wash of the jeans is almost black, providing enough contrast.
BLACK JEANS
Black jeans are also almost always a safe bet for the same reason as the previous dark indigo-wash jeans. Black and blue don't always look great together, but when you have a versatile wash of denim that isn't too light or dark in the shade, it can look very nice, provided you are dressing well for the occasion.
WHITE JEANS
White jeans pair wonderfully with a classic blue denim jacket. White is a blank canvas that blends well with neutral colors, and shades of blue and green naturally complement white pants (as shown in the above example).
STICK WITH NEUTRAL COLORS
With so many color options available, it can be hard to select just one. Your best bet is always anything in a classic neutral color scheme, such as navy, tan, brown, olive green, etc.
You can get really creative by leveraging the power of neutral colors (trust me). Here's a denim jacket outfit example featuring white jeans, dark olive suede boots, a brown turtleneck sweater, and an earthy-patterned raincoat.
CAN "ANYONE" PULL THIS LOOK OFF?
Anyone can tastefully pair a denim jacket with jeans, but not everyone can wear one the same way. As we get into our thirties and forties, men can wear more rugged textures as their skin wrinkles. This is one example of how maintaining an awareness of your age can work in your favor.
You can wear whatever you want, but if you're trying to dress like someone ten or even twenty years younger than you, then be prepared for potential ridicule and criticism. I'm not suggesting that we allow other people's opinions to dictate our choices, but a part of appearing like a gentleman is being aware of our age and dressing well for it.
Every wrinkle we earn, every strand of hair that doesn't grow back in its original spot, and every sign of age that seems to creep up overnight is a beautiful reminder of the time we have left on this earth.
EASIER THAN YOU THINK
I realize that I've written an article about turning a seemingly simple concept into something more. Many people say that wearing a denim jacket with jeans is a fashion no-no, but the truth is, it can work. I've tried it myself, and the key to making your denim-on-denim outfits look good is to mix and match different shades of denim between your jacket and jeans. Easy day!
How you do this is totally up to you. So go ahead and experiment! Trying out different looks is an important part of improving your style.
