All About Denim Jackets for Men

Denim jackets for men are a classic piece of Western style: cowboys, movie stars, bad boys, truckers and inner-city tough guys have all worn these jackets and hardened up their images. If you’re a prep-school poindexter, then you might look a bit out of place in a jean jacket, but if you want to add some toughness to your image, then pick one up and put it on!

Classic Wear ‘n Tear for Real Style

The problem with jean jackets is that when you first buy them, they’re nice, clean and neat. Just like a pair of jeans, you have to wear the jacket a few times (and maybe spill some blood on it) before it starts looking real and authentic. Since these items get better as they age, a thrift shop may be one of the best places to find a cheap and character-full jean jacket as long as you don’t mind wearing other people’s stuff.

In order for your jacket to age well, we recommend buying the darkest color available. You can go black if you want, but the classic style is blue, with absolutely no logos! If you want, take a hint from the rough and tough guys of days bygone and add some patches for an individual style. A dark blue jacket will look kinda lame when you first get it, but it will naturally fade into the style-icon shade within a few wears and washes.

Caring for your jean jacket

While it’s true that a few washes will help break in your jacket, you want to avoid washing it too frequently. Just like your jeans, jackets can be brushed clean and spot-cleaned. This approach prevents the item from fading too quickly and looking like a “dad jacket.” In fact, we wash our jean jacket maybe once a year and it never looks too dirty. You’ll probably be wearing a shirt under the jacket (I hope!), so sweat contact with it should be minimal.

All the cool things you spill on your jacket: dirt, blood, beer, motor oil and animal guts will only make you look cooler, so don’t be too bothered about messing it up a little bit. The coat is more of a conversation piece and an accessory than a functional piece of clothing!

How to wear your denim

Please resist putting on the Canadian suit: denim jacket, blue jeans, denim shirt and a denim hat. Please no! As a general fashion rule, you should only be wearing one piece of denim at a time, although lots of guys can break this rule when they wear a jacket.

Here’s a tip for wearing your denim jacket with blue jeans and not looking like a fool: the shade of the pants needs to be lighter than the jacket: dark on top, light on the bottom. Follow this simple guideline and you’ll look great.

Remember that denim jackets for men should always remain casual wear for guys that want to look a bit tougher and country-fied. A new jacket can be worn around the office, but you’ll like a bit out of place at most businesses!