Bring out your Denim Jacket!
The wardrobe staple I reach for when an outfit needs to feel just a little less dressed up.
A denim jacket has always been one of those pieces I come back to.
What I like most is the contrast it creates. Throw one over a silk dress and suddenly the dress feels less precious. Wear it with a long, flowing maxi and the whole look becomes more relaxed. And on a cool summer evening, it is often exactly the layer I want.
For me, the key is less about whether denim jackets are “in” and more about how you wear one.
With Something Feminine
This is probably my favorite combination.
I love the juxtaposition of denim against a beautiful dress—particularly something flowing, printed, or a little more polished. The jacket takes away some of the formality without taking away the style.
Pay Attention to Proportion
The shape of the jacket matters.
A cropped or fitted jacket works particularly well over dresses because it still defines the waist, while a slightly more relaxed version can work beautifully with slimmer silhouettes.
The goal is balance rather than bulk.
Don't Match the Denim
If I'm wearing a denim jacket with jeans, I prefer some contrast between the two.
Different washes—or even different colors—make the combination feel intentional rather than like a denim suit.
Make It Your Own
Denim jackets come in every imaginable interpretation, but I still prefer versions that don't try too hard.
A good fit, a flattering wash, and just enough structure are usually all I need.
Because the best wardrobe staples aren't necessarily the pieces everyone notices.
They're the ones that make everything else in your closet easier to wear.
The MBellished Edit
The Classic Jacket · The Cropped Jacket · The Relaxed Jacket · The Dark-Wash Jacket
Fitted, cropped style worn with a long maxi dress
Relaxed styles worn with casual day dresses and denim jeans in a different color.
There are so many styles (cropped, relaxed, biker, blazer cut) available now and in many different colors so you should have no problem finding a denim jacket that suits your style. Here are some of my favorite denim jackets available in stores -
Pamela Love for J.Crew - $295
Textile Elizabeth & James - $395
Current Elliott - $228
Lauren by Ralph Lauren - $149
Free People Cropped Jacket