I LOVE me a denim jacket! A denim jacket is a crazzzyyy closet workhorse that can be worn a million different ways. It’s basically like wearing jeans on your top half—and we all know jeans go with everything. It’s great in multiple seasons, but I think my favorite season to wear it is in spring! So, if you’re in need of ideas for your denim jacket, today I’m sharing loads of denim jacket outfits for spring so that you can make the most of yours.
And if you don’t have a denim jacket yet, there are several options in the widget below.
Tips for What to Look for in Denim Jackets
But, before you shop, some tips for buying denim jackets…
TIP #1 – Find a soft and stretchy denim jacket. (Yes, they exist!) If you’ve ever thought, “Blehhh, a denim jacket is cute but it’s so stiff and uncomfortable, and I hate wearing it,” then let me tell ya that there are some suuuuuper soft AND stretchy ones out there. I never want you to be uncomfortable for style—I believe style should work for you, not the other way around. So, I’m a huge advocate for you finding a comfy jacket. You’d never wear it otherwise, so comfort is important!
TIP #2 – Go for a medium wash, if unsure. If you have strong opinions about a wash, go with your preference. If you have NO CLUE, start with a medium wash to a darker wash. That range works well with the most skin tones and works pretty easily with lots of colors and styles.
TIP #3 – Aim for it to be on the more fitted side versus less fitted. Again, if you have strong opinions about a style, (like you’re super hip and know how to pull off the oversized look) do your thang! But, if you have no clue, go for a denim jacket that’s fitted along the torso and in the sleeves. This will help it look more flattering instead of boxy, AND it’ll help it work with skirts and dresses more easily.
My Favorite Denim Jacket + Other Options
My favorite denim jacket is the one I’ve been sharing for years, which is the Helena jacket by KUT From the Kloth that you can find HERE. I own the color Sweet, which is a lighter wash. It’s currently low in stock but comes back in stock regularly, so check back for it periodically. You can find it HERE. The Helena jacket comes in several other washes, which you can find HERE. The color Empathetic is a good medium wash, like I was talking about above. Try that HERE.
The Helena jacket is a bit pricey, but it is the most comfortable denim jacket I’ve tried. It is insanely soft (at least in the color Sweet… not sure about other washes). It is VERY stretchy. And, it’s lightweight. All around very comfy to wear! It fits really closely to the body, as you’ll see below. The one downside is that it doesn’t have side pockets. I personally thought that would be a major deal breaker, but in my three years of owning this, I haven’t missed the pockets once. The comfort is worth it to me. However, I recognize that still may be a deal breaker for some. My advice would be to order it and just try it, since Nordstrom offers free shipping and free return shipping on all orders. You can try it just to see how it feels and see if you’d truly miss the pockets, or if the tradeoff is worth it. Return it for free if you decide you really do need pockets.
Check out the Helena denim jacket HERE. I’m typically size S/M or 6 and wear this jacket in size M, and it’s still very fitted. So, size up for sure.
There are other denim jackets below, too! I haven’t tried most of them personally, but if I’ve heard anything noteworthy about any of them, I wrote it in the caption under each item. Scroll and click through the widget below to check out each one:
SIZING: I’m 5’6″ and usually S/M or 6 in clothes and 8.5 to 9 in shoes.
Now, let’s look at some denim jacket outfits for spring!
1. Colored Jeans or Pants (or just Non-blue Jeans) + T-Shirt
Like I said earlier, a denim jacket goes with sooooo many things because it is basically like wearing a pair of jeans on your top half. And we all know how versatile jeans are!
It works really well in casual outfits with jeans and a tee. Specifically, pair it with any of your colored bottoms, like black, white, olive, red, yellow, etc. They all work with denim jackets!
Here are a few of examples with black jeans and pants:
This tee is super soft and comfy! It doesn’t drape as well as I’d like to do a front tuck, but it works fine with a knot.
These black jeans are an eco friendly pair made by Liverpool. They are very stretchy but don’t sag out, and they retain their shape well. Check them out HERE. I wear size 6.
Shop the Outfit:
Tee: Etsy (exact—wearing size S)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Jeans: c/o Liverpool (exact—wearing size 6, similar—I wear size 6, similar—I wear size 4)
Shoes: Nordstrom (super similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
This look is kinda like “version b” of the one above, with wide, straight leg pants instead of skinny jeans. These pants are from Old Navy (HERE) but are unfortunately limited in size. However, there is a similar pair HERE from LOFT.
If you’re interested in the Old Navy pair that I’m wearing, they are great! They’re VERY comfy, affordable option for work. The material is fairly thick, and the pants are super stretchy, including a waistband with elastic in the back. They also have pockets. They look chic and refreshing for this spring! See if you can snag your size HERE. I wear size 4, so size down.
The pants pair well with nice blouses and heels for work, but you can also dress them down with a t-shirt and fresh white sneakers or sandals for a fresh spring look.
Check out the similar pair of wide leg pants from LOFT HERE.
Shop the Outfit:
Tee: Etsy (exact—wearing size S)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Pants: Old Navy (exact—wearing size 4, similar)
Shoes: Nordstrom (super similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
And here’s a classic outfit with a striped tee. This tee is super old from H&M, but there are some similar ones linked below.
Shop The Outfit:
Top: H&M (similar, similar, similar)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Jeans: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size 6, similar)
Shoes: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
This is a “version b” of the outfit above with a different type of striped top and pops of yellow instead. This top is also super old and no longer available, and I haven’t been able to find a good alternative. Sorry! But here’s a similar peplum tee in maroon HERE.
This is a casual outfit with white jeans. A denim jacket is GREAT with white jeans!
My tee and jeans are old, but there is a similar tee HERE in Army Green.
These are Rothy’s sneakers. They’re pretty expensive, so if you’re wondering if they’re worth the price, you can read my original review of them HERE. I will say that I like them even more as time goes on! Check them out HERE. I wear size 9.
Shop the Look:
Top: Nordstrom (similar—look for Army Green)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Jeans: LOFT (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Rothy’s (exact—wearing size 9)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Necklace: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
This is a look with pants that aren’t jeans, using chinos instead.
BTW, my flats are the super affordable Amazon pair that I own in yellow as well. I’ve had them for several years and love them as a cheap option. The upper is fairly flexible, especially for this price point. Often, cheaper flats are stiff and feel like cardboard, but these feel a lot more bendy in comparison and have yet to crease on me even after a couple of years. They don’t have any support, which is no surprise given their price, but just a heads up. Also, they run a tad wide, so if you have narrow feet, then pass on these. They’re available in LOTS of cute colors. Check them out HERE. I wear size 9.
Shop The Outfit
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Pants: Old Navy (exact—wearing size 6)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Flats: Amazon (exact—wearing size 9)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
2. Jeans + Nicer Top
You can also wear a denim jacket in elevated casual outfits. One easy way to do it is to take out previous outfit formula of jeans + tee + denim jacket and switch out the tee for a nicer top. Finish it off with flats or heels. Easy peasy!
The shoes are the yellow version of those Amazon flats that I mentioned above (the red flats from the previous outfit). Love ’em!
This top is another great Amazon find that is pretty affordable at only $21 to $29. It’s fairly thick, has been a PMT Monthly Best Seller many times, and works for elevated casual and business casual outfits. See ways I’ve worn it HERE. It comes in several prints and solid colors! I’m wearing the Navy Vine Leaf print in size 6. Check them all out HERE.
Shop the Look:
Top: Amazon (exact—wearing size 6 in Navy Vine Leaf Print)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Jeans: LOFT (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Amazon (exact—wearing size 9)
Bag: J.Crew Factory (similar)
Necklace: Nordstrom (similar, similar, similar)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact but in similar color—wearing size M)
3. Skirt + Top
A denim jacket is also my go-to option for skirts. If you have a lot of skirts in fun colors or prints, a denim jacket is a perfect completer piece that will go with most, if not pretty much all of them. If you choose a fitted one like I mentioned earlier, it should work well with the volume that skirts create. Plus, because it is denim and denim goes with lots of colors and prints, it pairs easily with all those statement skirts.
Here are a couple of examples:
This skirt is an old fave. It has pockets and a little bit of elastic at the back of the waist and for a comfy fit. It comes in lots and lots of colors that you can see HERE. I wear size M.
Shop The Outfit:
Top: Target (similar, similar, similar)
Jacket: Old Navy (similar—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Skirt: ModCloth (exact—wearing size M)
Bag: Nordstrom (exact)
Sandals: Ugg (similar)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
I just got this skirt and have yet to actually wear it in the real world (nowhere to go yet, haha), but I loooooove it. It’s lightweight with a silky material and comfy elastic waistband. It flows nicely, and it’s so darn cute! Plus, it’s only $22-27! It comes in 6 prints. See them HERE. I wear size M.
Shop the Look:
Top: Amazon (exact—wearing size S, similar in Ivory)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Skirt: Amazon (exact—wearing size M)
Shoes: Target (similar in Nude Suede)
Necklace: c/o Dear Muska (exact)
Earrings: c/o Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
Bag: Nordstrom (similar, similar)
4. Dresses
It might come as no surprise that a denim jacket is also my go-to option if I need another layer with dresses. 😁 It’s always the first layering piece I’ll try with dresses, and again, a more fitted jacket will work more easily with dresses due to the volume that dresses create.
Here are a few examples:
Shop More Dresses:
5. Athleisure
Denim jackets are also great in athleisure outfits with joggers or leggings!
An alternative way to use denim jackets with leggings (bedsides the typical way of wearing the jacket) is to leave it tied around your waist to provide coverage around the back. Obviously this only works in some circumstances, like when it’s warm enough that you don’t actually need another layer. If you want to wear a shirt with leggings that is too short to cover your rear, you can simply tie a denim jacket around your waist.
Below are some examples of denim jacket outfits for spring athleisure!
These joggers are another affordable Amazon find at around only $21! They’re that kind of sporty, soft, smooth “tech” material. They don’t stretch out too much through multiple wears. These are another PMT fave that have made the Monthly Best Sellers list a ton. Sometimes they are out of stock but will eventually come back in stock, so keep checking HERE. I wear size S.
Shop The Outfit:
Top: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Joggers: Amazon (exact—wearing size S in Dark Grey Spacedye)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Shoes: Zappos (similar, similar)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Earrings: Nickel & Suede (exact—wearing size M)
Above are a couple of examples of tying the denim jacket around your waist. This is especially helpful for opening up t-shirt options. Often, t-shirts are not long enough to provide coverage around the rear, so this is a great little trick that works if you don’t actually need to wear the denim jacket as a layer to keep warm. 😜
Of course, I’m wearing my trusty Zella leggings, which are thick, have a flattering compression, and have a wide, high waistband to flatten a stomach and keep the leggings up. I actually don’t even worry much about not covering my rear in these because they feel secure. The compression helps firm things up, heehee! Mine are several years old, and I’ve heard they may have changed the material lately. That said, since Nordstrom offers free shipping and free return shipping on all orders, you can still order them to try, and if it turns out they’re not thick enough, you can return them for free. (And let me know so that I can share the right info with everyone. And also, that would be soooo sad if it’s true!) I wear size M. Try them HERE.
There are some other, more affordable options for leggings. I’ve heard great things about the Core 10 pair HERE and the 90 Degree by Reflex pair HERE.
Shop the Outfits:
White Tee: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size S)
Pink Tee: Nordstrom (similar)
Jacket: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M in color Sweet; similar)
Leggings: Nordstrom (exact—wearing size M)
Black Sneakers: Kohls (exact—wearing size 9)
Tote: Nordstrom (exact)
Denim Jacket Options
Remember, if you’re looking for some denim jackets at different price points, find some through the widget below:
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